We talk to screenwriter, Tim Dowling about his writing process, if being an actor helps with dialogue and how he prepares for pitches and more.  Listen to the entire interview below.

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 41

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We talk to Archaia Editor-in-Chief, Stephen Christy about the process of evaluating submissions, Graphic novels vs. monthly titles and the differences between the big two comic book publishers Marvel and DC and Archaia Entertainment and more.  Listen to the entire interview below.

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 40

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Have a question about writing you’d like answered? Send us an EMAIL! Or Tweet it to us at @ScriptsScribes.

Interview with Children’s Author Kathryn Starke

Krista Bean:  You were a teacher first.  What inspired you to write a children’s book?

Kathryn Starke:  I wrote my first children’s book to provide and engaging and educational children’s book that taught the seven continents; I couldn’t find one single fictional picture book that explored all seven!

KB:  What was your goal in writing Amy’s Travels?  How much were the needs of the school curriculum in your mind during the creative process?

KS:  My initial goal was to simply provide a social studies trade book for my students and fellow educators throughout my home state of Virginia. I was filling the need of a geography objective established by the Virginia Standards of Learning.

KB:  What was the process like of getting Amy’s Travels published?  (i.e. How did you find illustrators, get the actual books produced, etc.?)

KS:  I found a mentor in the publishing industry in Richmond, Virginia, who helped me with the layout and editing of the project as well as all of the packaging; he helped me turn my two page typed manuscript into an illustrated 32 page children’s books. I asked friends and my sister to serve as the illustrators for Amy’s Travels since I am not an artist.

KB:  Many authors promote their own books in person and online.  Why did you decide to take it a step further by founding Creative Minds Publications?

KS:  I wanted to develop a company that promoted education and children’s literature so that people understand I was not just an author sharing my work but showcasing the work, articles, and creative projects and lessons from educators around the world. Our mission is to exemplify quality literacy instruction for all children, and we are able to do that in a a variety of ways.

KB:  Why is it important for writers of educational books to interact one-on-one with children?

KS:  As a writer, you must know how to address, engage, and intrigue your target audience. Your writing tone, voice, vocabulary, and structure must appeal to children. You really can’t write for children if you don’t interact with children.

KB:  What advice would you give to other self-published authors?

KS:  I would remind them that everyone has a story to tell, but it’s up to you as the author to make people understand the purpose of your original story. Network, make connections, share your work, and appreciate the work of fellow self-published authors.

KB:  What other educational children’s books do you recommend?

KS:  Turtle Without a Home is an excellent example of environmental literacy published by Creative Minds Publications. Also, Danger on my Doorstep is a great one published by Brandylane Publishers.

KB:  What’s next?  Do you plan on writing any other books?

KS:  Currently, I’m a freelance educational writer for magazines and blogs. Amy’s Travels has recently been released in its second edition, so I am continuing to share that multicultural children’s book. I plan on writing a professional book showcasing my expertise, experience, and passion in literacy instruction.

Find out more about Kathryn at Creative Minds Publications.  You can also follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

20 QUESTIONS with MATT HAWKINS

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about Top Cow President/COO and Think Tank writer/creator, Matt Hawkins.

1.  My first job was… a paperboy.

2.  If I wasn’t President of Top Cow, I would likely be… a scientist.

3.  I collect… nothing…this one skipped me for some reason.

4.  My favorite word is… bizarre.

5.  I’m a big fan of… Mark Millar.

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten… to always put your work in a drawer and pull it out a few days later to rewrite it.

7.  I have always wanted to… climb the pyramids in Egypt.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is… Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke.

9.  People often tell me that I… am complicated and conflicted.

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is… Think Tank.

11.  I find inspiration in… nature, science and biomimetics.

12.  The best thing about working in comics/entertainment is… it’s fun.

13.  I spend way too much time… on social media and answering email.

14.  The coolest person in my cell phone is… Dr. Dre.

15.  It really bothers me when… people say they’ll do something and then don’t do it.  Passive aggressive people piss me off.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is… deadlines.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is… expecting it to be right the first time.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d spend the remaining time with my sons.

19.  The three websites I visit most often are… bleedingcool.com, comicbookresources.com and deadline.com

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I…am a professional soccer referee and sang in an 80’s cover bad.

20 QUESTIONS with SHERI FINK

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about best-selling children’s author, Sheri Fink.

1.  My first job was… a receptionist at a real estate company. However, I had numerous entrepreneurial jobs as a kid: greeting card designer, wreath maker, bracelet braider, Barbie clothes designer, and more.

2.  If I wasn’t a writer, I would likely be… a magical unicorn.

3.  I collect… amazing friends and memorable moments.

4.  My favorite word is… enchanting.

5.  I’m a big fan of… Katy Perry, Disneyland, The Golden Girls, 80’s music, Jack Canfield, and all things pink and sparkly.

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten… write completely from the heart and don’t hold back.

7.  I have always wanted to… be on Sesame Street.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is… Watership Down by Richard Adams.

9.  People often tell me that I… inspire them.

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is… yet to come.  :)

11.  I find inspiration in… many things, but especially in life experiences and nature.

12.  The best thing about being a professional writer is… working in my pajamas.

13.  I spend way too much time… reading about what my friends are doing on Facebook.

14.  The coolest person in my cell phone is… Sylvester Stallone…seriously, well okay, it’s a picture of him from Comic-Con, but it is in my cell phone!  :)

15.  It really bothers me when… the Internet goes down and I can’t access email and Facebook.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is… some misguided people don’t realize how much work we actually do during the day.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is… worrying about what other people think too much.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d… treat everyone I know to the best day ever at Disneyland. Ice cream and mouse ears for everyone!

19.  The three websites I visit most often are… Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube. (I find inspiration on each of them in their own special way.)

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I… love Halloween but I hate scary movies. I have two Halloween costumes this year: Lara Croft and Candyland!

We talk to screenwriters / authors / filmmakers, Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton about  the key to making a writing partnership work, creating truly scary moments, writing a sequel to an established franchise and much more.  Listen to the entire interview below. (recorded 11/14/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 39

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We talk to screenwriter and filmmaker, Rawson Marshall Thurber about  what being a writer’s assistant is like, adapting novels to screenplays, the challenges of developing established properties and much more.  Listen to the entire interview below. (recorded 11/7/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 38

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We talk to YA author, Jennifer Bosworth about her debut novel Struck, how she came up with a character who’s a human lightning rod, transitioning from writing dark stories for adults to writing for teenagers, landing her agent after a pitch fest, and shooting a film-quality book trailer.  (recorded 11/6/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 37

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We talk to award winning playwright, comedian and comic book writer, James Asmus about how performing comedy helps his writing, transitioning from playwright to comic book writer, Amelia Earhart – Jungle Princess and more.  Listen to the entire interview below. (recorded 11/5/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 36

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20 QUESTIONS with ERIK LARSEN

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about comic book writer/artist/creator, Erik Larsen.

1.  My first job was… drawing comics. Pretty much my only job. The first book I worked on was Megaton.

2.  If I wasn’t a writer, I would likely be… sponging off my parents.

3.  I collect… comic books and comic book original art.

4.  My favorite word is… I don’t actually have a favorite word.

5.  I’m a big fan of… Jack Kirby comic books.

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten… nobody has really given me any useful advice. I wish they had.

7.  I have always wanted to… have superpowers.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is… pretty impossible to narrow down to a single anything.

9.  People often tell me that I… hold my pencil funny.

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is… Savage Dragon

11.  I find inspiration in… everything.

12.  The best thing about being a professional writer is… being able to entertain people with my words.

13.  I spend way too much time… answering lists of questions.

14.  The funniest person in my cell phone is… Chris Giarrusso.

15.  It really bothers me when… my son won’t get his homework done.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is… having to sit at a keyboard for hours at a time.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is… over-thinking things.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d… keep it to myself.

19.  The three websites I visit most often are… www.imagecomics.com, facebook and Twitter

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I… type with one finger. It’s so sad.

20 QUESTIONS with ADAM BEECHEN

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about Batman Beyond and Ben 10 scribe, Adam Beechen.

1.  My first job was… washing dishes in a Phoenix, Arizona pizza parlor.

2.  If I wasn’t a writer, I would likely be… washing dishes in a Phoenix,Arizona pizza parlor.  No, I’m not sure…I’d love to work at the Basketball Hall of Fame.

3.  I collect… original comic book art, and pro basketball memorabilia.

4.  My favorite word is… Zamboni.

5.  I’m a big fan of… concerts.  Sporting events.  The theater.  Events where you feel part of a community, all there for the same purpose.

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten… don’t be precious about your writing.  Always serve the story and the characters.

7.  I have always wanted to… write a book about pro basketball in the 1970s.  Or be a playwright.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is… there are so many to choose from…The plays of Martin McDonagh, Stephen King’s “The Body,” and “Lonesome Dove,” by Larry McMurtry.

9.  People often tell me that I… can be too sensitive and defensive.

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is… a ten-minute play about two arrogant scientists who are convinced they’ve transported themselves to another dimension, only to learn they’ve just blacked out their own lab.

11.  I find inspiration in… writing with energy behind it, that doesn’t feel formulaic, that stays one step ahead of me.

12.  The best thing about being a professional writer is… the wide variety of material on which I get to work, especially the properties I’ve loved since childhood.

13.  I spend way too much time… on the Internet, reading basketball and other sports history.

14.  The coolest person in my cell phone is… my wife (Awwww!).  And Harlan Ellison and Felicia Day.

15.  It really bothers me when… the Lakers beat my beloved Phoenix Suns.  Historically, that’s been pretty often.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is… not always being able to work on properties I love so much as much as I would like.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is… not knowing how to take a note.  Be gracious.  Don’t respond with defensiveness or outrage immediately.  Take a while to digest it.  Then try to be objective about your work (It’s the hardest thing to do).  Even if you don’t agree with the note, something tripped your reader up.  Try to see the forest for the trees.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d… tell the important people in my life how important they are to me.  I try to do that anyway, but I definitely don’t tell them often enough.

19.  The three websites I visit most often are… Facebook.com, azcentral.com/sports/suns/, grantland.com

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I… juggle when I get stuck on a script.  It calms me down and helps me organize my thoughts.

20 QUESTIONS with MARGARET DILLOWAY

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about author, Margaret Dilloway.

1.  My first job was… working in the stock room department at Nordstrom during their annual Anniversary Sale.

2.  If I wasn’t a writer, I would likely be… a detective. I tend to notice details that other people generally don’t.  That being said, I can never find my own purse.

3.  I collect… stories.  I eavesdrop a lot.  And in terms of tangible things, I collect small Christmas village houses.

4.  My favorite word is… Callipygian.  My husband’s the only person I’ve ever known to use it.  He was a Classics major.

5.  I’m a big fan of… weekends and especially weekend breakfasts.

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten… read a lot.

7.  I have always wanted to… live on a farm and be totally self-sustaining.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is… When I was a kid?  As an adult?  Which genre?  How can I pick a favorite among all my books?  It’s like choosing a favorite child.  But I will say The Great Gatsby, because I first read it when I was a young teen, and that was the first time the craft of writing seemed magical and unattainable.

9.  People often tell me that I… make them cry with my writing.  It’s odd to think that makes me happy.

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is… I like to think it’s not yet written.  My skills improve with each book, and I’d like that to continue.  There might be a place where that levels off.

11.  I find inspiration in… being in nature.

12.  The best thing about being a professional writer is… getting paid for daydreaming.

13.  I spend way too much time… web surfing.

14.  The coolest person in my cell phone is… Kathy Patrick, who runs the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs, with more than 500 chapters.  She holds the annual Girlfriends’ Weekend for authors and readers inJefferson,Texas.  There are a lot of costumes involved.

15.  It really bothers me when… people are unkind for no good reason.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is… not knowing for certain what your next paycheck will be.  It happens twice a year (except for advances) and is mostly a complete surprise.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is… sending out work before it’s ready.  Give it a chance to rest, then re-read it.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d… huddle up with my family under a blanket and eat every sweet imaginable while watching a movie marathon.  Which, with my family, would probably be the Harry Potter series.

19.  The three websites I visit most often are… Facebook, Gawker (which leads me to countless other sites), and TMZ.

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I… am into dollhouses. My oldest daughter and I have really been into miniatures this summer. We sculpt mini people, make furniture, and are fixing up an old dollhouse.

20 QUESTIONS  with JESSICA THERRIEN

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about author, Jessica Therrien.

1.  My first job was… Sales Associate atVictoria’s Secret.

2.  If I wasn’t a writer, I would likely be… an actress.

3.  I collect… old family photos and things for my family tree.

4.  My favorite word is… wowzers. My favorite words tend to be the made up kind.

5.  I’m a big fan of… The Vampire Diaries. I know. I know. Don’t throw tomatoes…I still love vampires, okay?

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten… go to a writers conference. It changed my life.

7.  I have always wanted to… learn to play the piano.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is… Harry Potter. It made me fall in love with reading.

9.  People often tell me that I… have an old soul.

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is… Children of the Gods Book Two

11.  I find inspiration in… good music, great books, and amazing movies.

12.  The best thing about being a professional writer is… getting to stay in my PJs all day if I want to.

13.  I spend way too much time… watching T.V.

14.  The coolest person in my cell phone is… my husband.

15.  It really bothers me when… I’m feeling uninspired.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is… deadlines.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is… they get attached to scenes that they love but that don’t necessarily drive the plot.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d… spend it with family.

19.  The three websites I visit most often are… GoodReads. Facebook. Twitter.

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I… lived inTaipei,Taiwan for a year to learn Mandarin Chinese.

We talk to television writer, Marqui Jackson about  the Disney TV Writer’s Fellowship, working in a writer’s room, pitching TV episode ideas and more.  (recorded 10/10/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 35

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We talk to Soulfire and Captain Atom writer, JT Krul about the differences in working for a large vs. smaller comic book publisher, writing distractions and the process of writing a prose novel vs. comic book scripts.  recorded (10/1/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 34

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We talk to Best-Selling children’s author, Sheri Fink about why she decided to self-publish, the process of self-publishing a children’s book, collaborating with an illustrator, the importance of word-of-mouth marketing, and what qualities make up a good children’s book character.  (10/3/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 33

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We talk to Alice Bliss author, Laura Harrington about transforming a musical into a novel – and then transforming that novel back into a musical, the difference between writing for the theater and writing novels, that gray area between adult and YA books, writing about subjects that are close to home, and the importance of self-promotion.  (recorded 9/25/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 32

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We talk to Top Cow President and writer of Think Tank and Cyberforce, Matt Hawkins about ways to break into comic book industry as a writer, using science and technology in stories and the Top Cow Talent Hunt.   Recorded (9/25/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 31

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We talk with playwright and Los Angeles Regional Rep for the Dramatists Guild, Larry Dean Harris, about starting his own company, Playwrights 6, producing his own work, writing monologues versus dialogue, how stepping away from your writing can sometimes help you to see it more clearly, and what the Dramatists Guild is all about. Listen to the entire interview below. (Recorded 9/20/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 30

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20 QUESTIONS with DAVID SCHWARTZ

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about Idolized and Meltdown writer/creator, David Schwartz.

1.  My first job was… working weekends at A&M Comics and Books, in Miami, when I was in junior high.

2.  If I wasn’t a writer, I would likely be… able to get more hours of sleep.

3.  I collect… therefore I am.

4.  My favorite word is… IDOLIZEDbecomesthehighestsellingcomicofalltime.  That’s one word, isn’t it?

5.  I’m a big fan of… people who never give up on their childhood dreams.  Oh, and I’m a huge fan of Art Adams, who did an absolutely unbelievable, mind-blowing cover for IDOLIZED #1.

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten… was that writing is easy; you just open your veins and bleed a little.

7.  I have always wanted to… be in a Broadway show.  And run for President.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is… I don’t know how to even begin to narrow that down to just one.

9.  People often tell me that I… am dashingly handsome.   But only if I pay them to.

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is… my daughter.

11.  I find inspiration in… all sorts of places.  Magazine articles, books, movies, conversations, my family; you name it.   Sometime you just hear or see something that sparks inside of you and sends you scrambling for a pen and paper to jot it down before it escapes your brain.

12.  The best thing about being a professional writer is… hearing from fans about how your work may have touched them, moved them, and/or inspired them.

13.  I spend way too much time… in front of a computer screen.

14.  The smartest person in my cell phone is… I’m confused.  Do you think that there are some kind of tiny people living inside our cell phones?

15.  It really bothers me when… people think that there are some kind of tiny people living inside our cell phones.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is… This may be specific to my 2-career-and-a-family lifestyle, but for me it’s trying to find the time to actually sit down, get into the proper creative frame of mind, and then get everything out of my head and onto the paper before my work and/or familial duties pull me away again.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is… Well, I still consider myself to be just an aspiring writer, like an underdog, working hard to write the best material I possibly can, to better establish myself, and staying hungry for more.  So, that being said, I don’t know that I’m really qualified to answer this.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d… hire X-Force to go and kill him again.

19.  The three websites I visit most often are… Facebook is a constant, as it’s how my friends and I tend to keep in touch nowadays.  Especially www.Facebook.com/IdolizedComic (shameless plug).  Plus the sites for the Miami Herald and Sun-Sentinel, so that I can keep up on my Dolphins, Heat and Hurricanes.

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I… almost landed the role as the son in “Kramer vs. Kramer”, back when I was 5 or 6 years old.

20 QUESTIONS with SUSAN BETH PFEFFER

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about best-selling author, Susan Beth Pfeffer.

1.  My first job was…  babysitting.

2.  If I wasn’t a writer, I would likely be… out of work.

3.  I collect… movies.

4.  My favorite word is… gaunt! I love the word gaunt.

5.  I’m a big fan of… lots and lots of things.

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten… Think before you write. My agent taught me that.

7.  I have always wanted to… fly like Superman.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is… I don’t know. How do you select just one thing?

9.  People often tell me that I… am nothing like they imagined (they figured someone who wrote Life As We Knew It must not be funny).

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is…actually pretty good.

11.  I find inspiration in…anything I can. I’m not an inspiration snob.

12.  The best thing about being a professional writer is…being your own boss. But I’ve got to tell you- there are a lot of great things about being a professional writer.

13.  I spend way too much time… playing FreeCell.

14.  The most interesting person in my cell phone is… nobody. I hardly ever use my cell phone.

15.  It really bothers me when… I’m not sufficiently respected.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is…the fear of not having enough money. That’s probably the fear of all self-employed people, not just professional writers.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is… I can’t speak for most aspiring writers, but I know I had to learn to listen to what my editors told me. I always thought I knew better.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d…refuse to believe it. I’m pathologically optimistic.

19.  The three websites I visit most often are…MJ’s Big Blog, FSU (figureskatinguniverse), and msnbc.com.

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I…light Sabbath candles every Friday night.

20 QUESTIONS with Chuck Dixon

Twenty things you (probably) didn’t know about veteran Batman and Punisher writer, Chuck Dixon.

1.  My first job was… a janitor.

2.  If I wasn’t a writer, I would likely be…a sad janitor.

3.  I collect…toy soldiers.

4.  My favorite word is…cyclopean.

5.  I’m a big fan of…Italian westerns.

6.  The single best piece of (writing related) advice I have ever gotten…don’t write the last thought of the day so you’ll know where to start tomorrow.

7.  I have always wanted to…fire a Thompson sub-machine gun.

8.  The best thing I have ever read, (but did not write) is…Steaming to Bamboola by Christopher Buckley.

9.  People often tell me that I…should go to more conventions.

10.  I really think that my best work (published or not) is…Winterworld by me and Jorge Zaffino.

11.  I find inspiration in…quiet moments.

12.  The best thing about being a professional writer is…not having to go to a job.

13.  I spend way too much time…not exercising.

14.  The most famous person in my cell phone is…Sylvester Stallone.

15.  It really bothers me when…people can’t look me in the eye.

16.  The worst thing about being a professional writer is…wondering where I’ll be a year from now.

17.  One mistake that most aspiring writers make is…holding too long onto an idea nobody wants.

18.  If I knew the apocalypse were coming in 24 hours, I’d…leave a wake-up call.

19.  The three websites I visit most often are…my own (dixonverse.net), armiesinplastic.com and g-mart.com.

20.  You’d be surprised to know that I…don’t drink.

The Three Sentences Most Overused by Beginner Writers

by Rayne Hall

1. S/he turned to look/and looked at him/her.

2. S/he nodded slowly.

3. S/he took a deep breath to steady her/himself

If you submit your story to an agent or editor, these sentences send the signal “beginner” – and this may not be the signal you want to send.

For many editors who skim over a hundred slush pile submissions in half an hour, one of those sentences on the first page may be enough to consign the piece to the “reject” pile.  That’s because the use of those sentences signals an inexperienced author who has not yet developed an original voice and whose work is likely to need much editing.

If you self-publish your fiction, these sentences make your writing very similar to that of many other new writers, which may not be an effect you want.

Nothing about these sentences is “wrong” – and there’s no law forbidding you to use them. Just use them sparingly. One of them per book is not a problem, but one per page is. Some novices use several of them in every chapter.

Check your writing before you submit or publish it. How often have you used these sentences? Consider using them less often… and not at all in the first three pages.

We talk to playwright, screenwriter and director Barbara Hammond about the differences between writing for the stage and writing for the screen, how acting and directing have changed the way she approaches writing, and her experience of following her single character play through to becoming a trilogy. Listen to the entire interview below. (recorded 8/9/12)

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 29

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Have a question about writing you’d like answered? Send us an EMAIL! Or Tweet it to us at @ScriptsScribes.

How to Write Book Reviews by Rayne Hall

Writing book reviews is a great way to share your opinions – and as a bonus, you can get free books.

Structuring Your Review

1. Start with a sentence about what kind of book this is, for example:

“Doomed Affair is a love story between a poor student and a wealthy socialite”

“Dark Seed is a horror novel about vampire children.”

“This is a book on how to grow pumpkins.”

2. Next, list everything you liked. You may want to mention who was your favourite character (and why), which was your favourite chapter (and why), what you liked about the writing style, what you liked about the plot, what made you laugh or cry or sit on the edge of your seat. If you liked nothing about the book, you can skip this step.

3. List everything you hated. Say what you found boring, confusing, annoying, or daft. If you liked everything about the book, you can skip this step.

4. Add a summary of your impressions, for example:

“This is one of the scariest books I’ve ever read.”

“This book is useful only for people with previous pumpkin-growing experience.”

“I found it funny and exciting.”

“The book is so scary, I couldn’t sleep all night.”

“I found it practical but confusing.”

6. Say how you got this book, for example:

“I bought this book at Amazon.co.uk”

“I purchased this book in a local bookshop.”

“I received this book as a Christmas present.”

If the publisher has given you a free book for reviewing, say so honestly, for example:

“I received a complimentary review copy.”

Where to Publish Your Reviews

Newspapers and magazines used to publish many book reviews, but nowadays, hardly any do. However, many websites need book reviews, especially Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, and LibraryThing.

Sometimes you need to be a customer, sometimes you need to have bought that particular book there, but most sites require merely that you sign up as a member. You can also publish book reviews on your own blog or as a guest post on someone else’s blog.

Reviewers don’t normally get paid.

How to Get Free Books

Book reviewers get free books from publishers.

Many publishers are grateful if their books get reviewed online. Once you’re an established reviewer, you can contact publishers and ask for review copies on your favourite genre. But first, you need to get reviews published to show that you can do it.

Don’t be shy to ask for free books to review. Some publishers may ignore your request, some may decline, but most will agree.

Before asking for a review copy, check the book’s free sample pages to make sure it’s something you want to read.

Small publishers are more willing than big publishers to give free books to new reviewers. Indie publishers are more willing than legacy publishers. E-books are more readily available than print books. You may want to start by reviewing many indie-published e-books, and work your way up from there.

There’s nothing ethically wrong with accepting free books – just don’t promise to praise them. Even if you’ve been given a book for free, your review must be your honest opinion. By giving you a free book, the publisher is not purchasing a positive review. If you’ve received a book to review and you don’t want to read it, you’re not obliged to.

What Not To Do

* Don’t let anyone cajole you into praising a book you don’t like – not even if they’re your best buddies. If you like the person but not the book, simply don’t review it.

* Don’t let anyone bribe you into praising a book you don’t like. Accepting money or gifts for fake reviews is dishonest.

* Don’t predict how other people will like the book. Don’t write “This story will keep you awake” or “Trust me, you won’t regret buying this.”

* Don’t talk about the author’s character. Don’t write “Joe’s really a lovely guy who deserves success” “The author is clearly a virgin, because her sex scenes are unrealistic” or “Only a psychopath would write such a book.”

* Don’t review a book you haven’t read.

* Don’t review a book you wouldn’t normally read. If it’s not your kind of book, you can’t give a fair opinion.

* Don’t tell other people what they must do. Don’t write “You absolutely must buy this book” or “Avoid this book at all costs.” Instead, describe the book so that they can make up their own minds. The best reviews are the ones which help other people make their own decisions.

Do You Want to Review One of Rayne Hall’s Books?

If you want to review one of these books, I’ll send you a free copy – yes, even if you’re a novice at review writing. Storm Dancer (dark heroic fantasy novel), Six Scary Tales Vol 1, 2 and 3 (mild horror stories), Writing Scary Scenes (for authors), Writing Fight Scenes (for authors), Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires, Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts, Scared: Ten Tales of Horror, Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates (multi-author anthologies), Six Historical Tales, Scylla and the Pepper Pirates (short fantasy adventure story).

Body Language in Dialogue Scenes by Rayne Hall

Body language can add another dimension to your dialogue scene, because it reveals a person’s intentions, feelings or mood.

The five main types of body language are gesture, posture, movement, facial expression and tone of voice.

Gesture Examples

She pointed to the orchard. “I saw him there.”

He slammed his fist on the table. “I’ve had enough.”

She scratched her chin. “Are you sure this will work?”

“Welcome.” He pointed to the couch. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable?”

Posture Examples

She raised her chin. “You can’t make me do this.”

He locked his arms across his chest. “No way.”

She leant away from him. “This isn’t working between us.”

“I consider this an insult.” He stood with his shoulders squared and his legs braced. “Take it back.”

Movement Examples

“Maybe another time.” He turned to leave.

She walked faster. “I told you I don’t want a date.”

“All right.” He shuffled forward.

“Follow me!” She leaped across the brook.

Facial Expression Examples

Her eyes narrowed. “You expect me to believe this?”

His cheeks turned tomato-red. “What do you mean?”

“I’m sorry.” She stared at the floor. “I didn’t want it to be this way.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled, and his lips twitched. “Really?”

Tone of Voice Examples

“We will stand together in this.” His voice was deep and resonant like a church bell.

“I’ve told you a hundred times, and I’m telling you again.” Her voice sounded like a dentist’s drill, high-pitched and persistent. “Why don’t you ever listen?”

“You know that I’m going to kill you, don’t you?” His sounded as casual as if he were discussing the weather. “Do you prefer a shot in the heart, or the head?”

“You’ve been with that floozy again, you cheating bastard!” Her voice was loud enough to wake up the whole neighbourhood.

Body Language instead of Dialogue Tags

Using body language  allows you to cut boring dialogue tags (he said, she asked, he answered) because it shows who’s talking.

Tag versions:

“What about the girl?” he asked.

“Bastards!” she shouted. “I won’t let you get away with this.”

“What now?” he wondered aloud.

Body language versions:

He jerked his chin at her. “What about the girl?”

“Bastards!” She slammed her fist on the table. “I won’t let you get away with this.”

He scratched his head. “What now?”

Point of View

Most people aren’t aware of their body language. Therefore, use body language for the character who is not the PoV.

If the body language is intentional, for example gestures, you can use it for PoV and non-PoV characters.

Lies and Secrets

Advanced writers can use body language to hint at secrets and lies. The characters’ words say one thing, but their body language another.

“Yes, tell me the rest of your life story, it’s so exciting.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s a pleasure to hear all about it.”

He hugged his arms around his chest. “I’m not frightened.”

His face paled. “That’s all right, honey. It doesn’t matter at all.”

If a character avoids eye-contact, this suggests that they’re not telling the truth or are hiding a secret.

“Don’t wait with dinner for me tonight, darling. Arabella and I will have to work late again.” He did not meet Sue’s eyes. “It’s a bore, but the workload is getting heavier every day.”

We talk to author Leonard Goldberg about the combination of medicine and politics in his latest book Patient One, how his medical career influences his writing, penning a series versus a stand-alone novel, balancing his medical and writing careers, transitioning between writing for the medical field and writing for a mass audience, and the importance of three-star reviews.

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 27

*Click above link to play, Right click on “Save link as…” to download.

Have a question about writing you’d like answered? Send us an EMAIL! Or Tweet it to us at @ScriptsScribes.

We talk to author Margaret Dilloway about researching in two different fields for her newest book, writing about subjects with a personal slant, how newspaper writing helped her fiction, how she landed her first agent, and why she likes to participate in book clubs.

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 26

*Click above link to play, Right click on “Save link as…” to download.

Have a question about writing you’d like answered? Send us an EMAIL! Or Tweet it to us at @ScriptsScribes.

We talk to journalist and author Nancy Mullane about how she came to know five prison inmates, the intricacies of researching within the prison system, how she organized four years of research into a manuscript, the role her publishing house Public Affairs played in submitting her book for the Pulitzer Prize, and how she landed her first agent and publisher.

Scripts & Scribes – Podcast – Episode 28

*Click above link to play, Right click on “Save link as…” to download.

Have a question about writing you’d like answered? Send us an EMAIL! Or Tweet it to us at @ScriptsScribes.

Interview with YA author Daniel Kraus

Krista Bean:  What gave you the idea for writing about grave robbing in Rotters?

Daniel Kraus:  It’s a story I’ve told countless times now: I was working for NBC in North Carolina and was driving away from a hurricane in a news van. I passed a flooded cemetery and had this vision of two guys fighting through the muck for something valuable in one of the caskets. But it took ten years of idle musing to figure out who those guys were and what they were after.

KB:  How often are people or events in your real life utilized for your books?

DK:  My first three books all take place in Iowa in towns like my home town, so that’s often based in real, concrete places. I rarely borrow traits or attributes from people I know well. I’m much more likely to take someone I barely know but who intrigues me – maybe a cashier that I see once in a while – and then use that seed to build a character around.

KB:  The majority of your protagonists seem to be boys.  Given how much of YA is geared towards female readers, do agents and editors ever consider books such as yours to be harder sells?

DK:  Well, they don’t tell me that, but I think the reality is yes. It’s also hurting me a bit that I’m not writing about love triangles.

KB:  How do you make a horror story sufficiently scary/thrilling/gruesome, while still keeping it appropriate for the YA genre?

DK:  I give zero shits about what’s “appropriate.” I write the kind of stuff that would have fired me up as a kid, or would fire me up today as an adult, and then I let the agents and editors figure out what the hell to do with it.

KB:  How did you become a regular contributor for such magazines, as Cosmopolitan, Playboy, Maxim, and Salon.com?

DK:  Eh, it’s not that interesting of a story. Out of college, I started writing for a small but well-considered magazine. From there I was able to get a few gigs with Salon. From there, I was able to get a foot in the door at Maxim. And so forth. It was a lot of fun for a while, but you end up basically writing the same few articles over and over. So I got out.

KB:  Has your filmmaking career had any influence on your writing career, and if so, in what way?

DK:  No, I don’t think so. Maybe it’s helped me hone dialogue a bit, because you end up watching people speak the same things over and over in editing. One thing I can say for sure is that I spent my 20s hanging out with filmmakers and now my 30s hanging out with authors, and I can unequivocally say I prefer hanging out with authors. Make of that what you will.

KB:  How did you land your first agent?

DK:  Shot-in-the-dark email, he asked to see the manuscript, he sold it a few weeks later. Boom.

KB:  What are your favorite books?

DK:  You know better than to ask a question like this! I guess I’ll just list a few that I’ve read more than once, since it’s extremely rare for me to re-read a book. Watership Down, Lord of the Flies, The Martian Chronicles, Peyton Place, Marjorie Morningstar, Danse Macabre, Weaveworld, Frankenstein, Ghost Story.

KB:  What’s up next for you?

DK:  Random House/Delacorte is putting out a book of mine called SCOWLER in March 2013. It is the most messed-up thing I’ve ever written and may ever write. I’m also writing a book called TROLLHUNTERS with filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, which is just about done. That one is a ton of fun—a pick-me-up compared to SCOWLER—and will probably be out late 2013 or early 2014.

Find out more about Daniel and Rotters on his website.