Folks, there really is no such thing as a free lunch.  But I have to admit I love discounts, coupons, and sales.  If I feel as though I’m getting something extra I am that much happier with my acquisition.  I wouldn’t have nearly as many great books in my library if I hadn’t had a coupon or got them at the used bookstore at a great price.  How does that apply to writing, you ask?  It means giving your reader more than they expect.  More twists, surprises, mystery, things that will keep them reading.

I got a call from a friend last night who said, “It’s all your fault if I don’t get anything done.”  I had given her one of my Advanced Review Copies of Feisty Family Values to read and she said she was having trouble putting it down.  That’s the kind of news we want to hear from our readers. 

When you go back to edit your story do you look at what can be done to make the character more layered?  How can you make the plot more unpredictible?  Where should the tension be increased or the plot thickened?  These are the types of questions you need to ask yourself in every chapter.  Is there a surprise?  Readers like surprises.  But I personally don’t like loose ends when I read.  Make sure things are resolved enough for the reader to be satisfied with the result.  Give them more than they paid for…give them a GREAT read instead of just a good one. 

Good luck on the writing journey.

BD