Okay, aspiring writers, it’s time to click on that “comment” bar and VOTE for what you want me to address in my next writing post! We have only two votes so far, one for “avoiding predictability” and one for “writing query letters.” I need a majority of votes here, so I know what you want learn about!
This is a real opportunity for you — a free chance to learn what I know about a writing topic. Respond here on the blog, tell me which of the following topics you’d like me to address in my next post. (I’ll probably do them all, sooner or later, but YOU get to decide which will be sooner!)
• Creating believable characters in fiction.
• Writing query letters that get results.
• How to satisfy the reader without being predictable.
Today is Friday. I’ll give you until Monday at noon to respond, then write the blog post next Monday afternoon.
So cast your vote! Savvy?
-Ann C. Crispin
ACCess 
I would appreciate a post on writing query letters. It’s the 1 thing that terrifies me most,not that everything is cake walk..lol
how to avoid predictability. Thanks Ann
I’d be intrigued to learn more about writing believable characters.
My vote: “How to satisfy the reader without being predictable.” 🙂
Definitely the one on characters, please!
How not to be predictable! Please!
How to satisfy the reader without being predictable.
At the risk of being predictable, how does one satisfy the reader without being so?
Another vote for avoiding predictability, please!
I’m voing for the query letter tips, Ann.
Marie Pacha
Query letters (that scary first step)! In second place, avoiding predictability.
~Kristin
Creating believable characters in fiction. I would love to read more on this
Avoiding predictability (if I am allowed to vote, that is).
And if you say you knew that’s what I’d vote for, I shall scream.
–Sunder
Ann, THANK YOU for your awesome tips. THANK YOU for sharing your ride on the wave of success. I’d love to hear how to create a powerful ending. It could be the ending to a novel, short story, poem, or speech. I think there are some basic tools that help a piece finish with a bang. – Belinda
P.S. I’m a redhead too.
Sorry, I’ve been trying to make my way back here for days. I’ve love to see a post on how to avoid being predictable. Thanks!
I’d love to read about how to avoid predictability.
Query letters.
How to satisfy a reader without being predictable …
Query Letters is my first issue.
How about not being predictable? I can spin up interesting characters but that one also stands out to me xD But Predictable wins 😀
Ann, here’s one that still nags at me. How do you write a non-cliche character when the person, on the surface, is a “cliche type”? There really are burned out cops, good-hearted tough guys, and other stereotypes walking around in life.
I vote for beiievable characters… could use guidance on this.
Matt, we can talk about this on the phone sometime. Basically, the best way I know about how to do this is to show scenes from the character’s POV, so the reader will understand where the character is coming from, from seeing the world through his/her eyes. Also, you can give such a character an interest that is perfectly believable, but not what one would expect such a character to have. For example, instead of having your burned out cop spend his time at gun collecting shows and NRA meetings, or hunting, or frequenting the firing range, have him be a gardening enthusiast, cultivating his roses for the flower show, or his tomatoes for the county fair. Or maybe he is devout and serves as a Deacon in his church, organizing food and clothing drives, and white elephant sales. Or maybe he saves up all his vacation time to go the beaches at a certain time every year in order to help with the volunteer effort to save the baby turtles. Savvy?
Ann, thank you!