The Chopping Blog

I was so excited to actually finish my manuscript that I totally ignored the next most important thing about writing: getting people to read it.

I felt wary of the word “plot” and turned up my nose at outlines.

What snags and red flags will land your work in the bin rather than on the shortlist?

What usually scares me off: a character waking up in the very first line of a book.

A big congrats to Darling Axe editor Dola Basu Singh on the release of her new cozy mystery novel!

Probably the most important (and difficult) part of writing any novel is figuring out what the protagonist’s main goal will be.

Our house fell off the cliff in 1985.

Three children stood motionless at the edge of the lake, their bare feet inches from the tiny wavelets that collapsed on the pebbly beach.

High overhead, the constellation Hydra reconfigured her stars, craning her neck for a better view.

Here are the winners along with a quick word about each from our judge.

The two things that get me once I start reading a sample are a strong personality and a hook that comes in quickly.