A writing tip worth reading

Get your story pacing right.

I’ve read many writing tips on story pacing. Bet you have too. Wish it were as easy as moving to the beat of a good song. If it were, I’d set up a metronome next to my computer. For me though getting the pacing right in a story is often times a combination of magic, mystery and dumb luck.

However, this morning’s newsletter from On The Premises, a Web-based fiction magazine, was an ah-ha moment for me.

In spite of a story, submitted for publication, flooring the judges with a killer ending the story was rejected.

Why was that story rejected?

Tarl Kudrick, co-publisher of On The Premises, explains in plain English their thought process and provides helpful suggestions too.

… I found its first half predictable and slow [… .]

Get a couple of good writing techniques.

… If you find yourself writing “the boring part” just to get to “the good part,” here are two techniques that should help[… .]

This critique helped me and I hope it will help you too.

Mr. Kudrick goes into detail on how to cut the purple prose get to the point and keep the story moving.

… What’s the absolutely shortest possible way to get the critical information to the reader?[…]

Free to submit – Cash prizes

On The Premises challenges writers to produce a great story based on a broad premise supplied by the editors. Entrants pay no fees, and winners receive cash prizes in addition to exposure through publication. The winners are published in new issues every four months. Opportunity for feedback and critiques are available.

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