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Articles by Mervyn Love

• How to Progress a Story's Plot
  You've got this great idea to start a story off. It may be the location, the first few lines of dialogue between friends, friction between two antagonists, or a host of other beginnings, then - you just run out of steam. Who hasn't been there? Here's an idea or two of how to get past that first stumbling block and progress your story's plot.
  Published 23May2010, viewed 960 times

• Writing Fiction - Creating Believable Characters
  Believable characters are what every reader of creative fiction wants and needs to read about. They love getting involved with who and what the person is, and often they want to identify and sympathise with the character. Our job, as writers, is to fulfill that need. Developing such a character can be done quickly and easily with a few simple methods.
  Published 10May2010, viewed 544 times

• Characterization - Giving Each Character Unique Mannerisms
  As writers, one of the most important aspects of our story writing is to present the reader with real life, three-dimensional characters. One way of doing that is to give each one a unique mannerism which sets them apart from the rest and helps to fill out their personality. There are, however, some pitfalls which you need to be aware of.
  Published 09May2010, viewed 713 times

• Backstories Help You Write Three Dimensional Characters
  It has been said that believable, enagaging, three dimensional characters are more important to a story than the plot. Whether this is true or not is open to debate, but it is certainly true that the most cleverly crafted plot will never build you a loyal following of readers if the characters are flat and uninteresting. Let's look at how to build characters using their backstories.
  Published 09May2010, viewed 346 times

• Fiction Writing - Is it Just For Highly Creative People?
  Many a would-be story writer has been put off by thinking "I don't have the imagination to write anything people would want to read". This is nonsense. Anyone who wants to write good interesting stories can achieve their aim and I want to tell you how to do it.
  Published 13Apr2010, viewed 342 times

• Creating Characters for a Short Story
  Unless you're a 'natural' at it, creating a living, breathing, believable character for your story can seem daunting. Are her eyes grey or blue? Should he walk tall or have a limp? Is she level headed or quick to loose her cool? There are so many aspects to creating a character, but by following this step-by-step formula, you can soon have your character ready to leap off the page.
  Published 13Apr2010, viewed 283 times

• How to Develop Your Plot With the ABDCE Method
  A cracking good plot is the aim of every story writer. Here we are going to look at a simple but clever way to construct a plot for a short story that will put your work ahead of the rest.
  Published 08Apr2010, viewed 291 times

• How Not to Win Short Story Competitions
  Having run Short Story competitions for the past few years I feel I am somewhat qualified to guide eager story writers along the path to prizes by avoiding those major pot holes that so many fall into.
  Published 05Apr2010, viewed 464 times

• How to Use Time to Give Your Story a Logical Framework
  Most stories we write take place over a period of time. That time may be very short - even a few minutes; or long - over several years or generations or anywhere inbetween. But whatever it is, the reader needs to have a clear sense of how time is moving throughout the narrative.
  Published 27Oct2008, viewed 347 times

• Put Tension into Your Stories to Keep Readers Reading
  Tension is inextricably bound up in the emotions of your characters, and by introducing tension you lead your readers into the same emotions, as they 'feel' for the characters in your story.
  Published 07Oct2008, viewed 424 times

• Suspense is the Ingredient That Keeps Your Readers Turning Those Pages
  Whatever kind of book you are writing a dollop of suspense will do to your readers precisely what you've written the book for: so that they will read it and keep on reading it to the end!
  Published 20Sep2008, viewed 517 times

• Parts of Speech. Who Needs 'em?
  Dear writers, we are gathered here today to bring together these Nine Parts of Speech into a holy matrix of well turned out sentences which, by the grace of God, no publisher or editor shall cast asunder. A bit hesitant about parts of speech? Don't know your verbs from your conjunctions? Read on...
  Published 10Sep2008, viewed 428 times

• Submit Your Work Properly and Earn Brownie Points!
  Send in a sloppy, grubby manuscript and your chances of rejection are greatly increased. Send in a smart, clean, tidy manuscript and the publishers offices will ring with the cry - "Hey, here's someone who knows how to do it properly! Break out the Champaign! Bring on the dancing girls!' But maybe not the latter if it's a Monday.
  Published 31Aug2008, viewed 422 times

• Getting to Grips With a Novel Synopsis
  Some writers claim they can sit down with a good idea for a novel and bash away until it's finished. It takes an extraordinary mind to do that. Most of today's writers will tell you that they prepare a framework, a synopsis, from which to generate their 100,000 or so words. Here's a suggested system to achieve that.
  Published 27Aug2008, viewed 631 times

• Minor Characters. Are They Really Necessary?
  The vast majority of fiction writers write short stories, whether they write for their own pleasure, for the writing circle they belong to, a competition or whether they aim to get them published. The temptation to bring in lots of exciting characters can be irresistible. But are they necessary?
  Published 23Aug2008, viewed 376 times

• The Best Way to Keep a Journal
  As a writer you may already keep a journal, or diary, and that's excellent. For those who don't as well as those who do I want to explore some of the exciting benefits of keeping one that you may not have realised.
  Published 19Aug2008, viewed 579 times

• A Beginners Guide to Interviewing
  You like people, you like talking, and you like getting out of the house. Great. You're practically an interviewer already! All you need now are these few handy tips and guidelines to get your first interview in the bag and off to a publisher.
  Published 15Aug2008, viewed 576 times

• Stumped For Ideas? Here's a Novel Suggestion to Get You Going Again.
  The muse has done a bunk, the creative juices have withered on the vine and to cap it all the cat has just poo'd on your last packet of A4. You feel as if all your ideas have scurried off like lemmings looking for the nearest cliff. But all is not lost. For one thing if you bin the top five sheets the rest are probably OK. For another if you try the tactic below, you could end up saying 'Ha! Who needs a muse?'
  Published 12Aug2008, viewed 463 times

• Writing Humour is a Serious Business
  More than ever before readers are crying out for something to lift them out of the tide of dire news and the pressures of modern life. To be able to bring a smile to peoples faces, or even make them laugh out loud, can prove to be a highly paid talent.
  Published 06Aug2008, viewed 405 times

• How to Use Flashbacks to Fill in Background to Your Story
  What is a 'flashback'? Think of a flash of light illuminating a scene from the past and you've got it.
  Published 02Aug2008, viewed 570 times

• Story Endings are Important, But How do You Get There?
  Should you know exactly how your story ends before you start or leave it to chance? Different writers go about it in different ways. Find out what suits you best.
  Published 23Jul2008, viewed 587 times

• How to Tug at Your Readers' Heart Strings
  When we think about emotion in a story the word can mean different things to different people. The main divide and therefore the main difference is, of course, the male/female one. It might seem obvious, but if there is any doubt as to which you are writing for, men or women, think about it because your story must be couched to suit.
  Published 16Jul2008, viewed 620 times

• Using Dialogue to Move the Story Forward
  In any short story or novel dialogue is the element that raises the readers level of interest and moves the story on. But dialogue isn't just dialogue. Here's how to make it a whole lot more exciting than 'he said', 'she said'.
  Published 16Jun2008, viewed 406 times

• How to Strike the Right Balance Between Dialogue and Narrative
  Do your readers loose consciousness ploughing through pages of narrative description? Or are they perplexed and bewildered because your snappy dialogue leaves them wondering just who is talking to who? It's time to get your narrative/dialogue balance right. Here's how.
  Published 05Jun2008, viewed 621 times

• How to Make Dialogue Reveal the Personalities of Your Characters
  It's true to say that a character doesn't become a real person until he or she speaks. So what can we do to convey to our readers what type of person a particular character is just by the way they speak?
  Published 19May2008, viewed 488 times

• Make Your Articles Different and Editors Will Fall at Your Feet
  Magazine editors are always on the lookout for well written, but above all, different, one-of-a-kind articles. It's up to us writers to give them what they need.
  Published 14May2008, viewed 444 times

• Finding Exciting Article Topics Readers Will Love
  Now, seriously. What can be difficult about turning out an article of 500 to 1000 words? You enjoy writing, you've got a good head on your shoulders, and you have a grasp of loads of subjects that interest you personally. So what's the problem?
  Published 13May2008, viewed 492 times

• Use Description to Colour The Emotional Canvas of Your Readers Mind
  Description is what writers use to colour in the basic elements of a story. It gives the reader a mental picture which they can carry that with them as the tale unfolds. Adding an emotional element grabs the reader more forcefully and pulls them into the story.
  Published 07May2008, viewed 421 times

• Conflict is an Essential Ingredient in Your Story
  Most types of story, whether short stories or novels, absolutely need that vital ingredient: the conflict. Preferably more than one. You may well have your characters all fleshed out and ready to go, but don't give them an easy ride! Bring some angst into their lives, your readers will love it!
  Published 30Apr2008, viewed 477 times

• Characters - The Lifeblood of Your Story
  Publishers reject more stories because the characters in them are made of cardboard, than they do because the story has a weak plot. Creating a living breathing hero and supporting cast is not difficult. You just need to apply these simple rules and tactics. A so-so plot can be saved if your characters become real and interesting to the reader.
  Published 24Apr2008, viewed 453 times

• Beginnings - How To Start Your Story Effectively
  Beginning your story in the right way is essential to keep the reader reading. Gone are the days of rambling descriptive text or several pages leisurely setting the background to a saga. Today's openings have to be snappy and engaging right from the word 'go'.
  Published 18Apr2008, viewed 453 times

• 6 Ways To Attract More People To Your Web Site
  You've built your website and it's brimming with cool features and great content. All you need now is visitors to come along and enjoy it. And maybe buy a thing or two as well. But somehow they seem reluctant to cross your virtual threshold. What can you do?
  Published 10Apr2008, viewed 320 times

• Spice Up Your Sales Pages With These Power Words That Make People Buy
  Want to make more sales but can't afford to have your sales pages written for you? Spent money on buying visitors, but still getting no sales? The solution could be as simple as using some simple but powerful words alter the minds of your visitors into a buying attitude.
  Published 04Apr2008, viewed 274 times

• How To Quickly Find Great Names For Your Characters
  We've all been there. You know she's called Sandie or Kaylee or some other cool name but can't for the life of you find a suitable surname. You've wrung your hands to the bone, you've drunk the midnight oil, but still a good solid name won't come. What, oh what can you do? Read on, dear writer, an inexhaustible supply of quality names awaits.
  Published 02Apr2008, viewed 594 times

• Include Online Testimonials to Woo Would-be Buyers
  If you want to overcome your prospect's natural reticence and dubiousness, there's nothing like a good dose of testimonials to allay their fears. Comfort them with the knowledge that someone else has bought your product and has genuinely found if useful.
  Published 29Mar2008, viewed 276 times

• Could Your Autobiography Be a Best Seller?
  Your life story is unique. You have been through situations, events and emotions that no-one else has in quite the same way. These memories are worth recording.
  Published 28Mar2008, viewed 461 times

• 7 Killer Ways To Make People Click on Your Ads.
  Fed up with wasting money on ads that don't work? Here are some killer ways to turn things around and get writing ads that pull in the clicks, visitors and sales in droves.
  Published 26Mar2008, viewed 296 times

• Writers - Can't Find What You Want With Google? Try The Deep Web
  You've got a brilliant idea for an article, but your research is pulling up only scant information. What do you do? Dive into the Deep Web!
  Published 22Mar2008, viewed 371 times

• 3 High Powered Ways To Increase Your Traffic
  If your website is a flop because nobody visits, then I've got news for you. You're probably not operating these basic stratagems that will bring the traffic straight to your site.
  Published 21Mar2008, viewed 272 times

• How to Create a Story When Your Mind's A Blank
  You love short story writing but just at the moment the ideas won't come. Sound familiar? With these idea generators you'll never be left in the doldrums again. Get your next story out of your head and onto the paper in no time.
  Published 14Mar2008, viewed 396 times

• 7 Incredible Ways To Sell Your Products Now
  Disappointed at making few, or even no, sales? Despairing that you'll ever make anything but a few measley dollars with your Internet marketing efforts? Then you need to put this sales boosting tactics to work and raise your game.
  Published 12Mar2008, viewed 335 times

• Internet Sales - 5 Amazing Tactics to Boost Your Website Sales
  Not satisfied with your website sales? Struggling to find ways to make your internet marketing dream actually work? Here are five proven tactics to get your internet sales into the fast lane and put money in the bank.
  Published 07Mar2008, viewed 363 times

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