8 Book-Writing Tips from an Award-Winning Novelist

Richard Gartee is the author of 32 published books—eight of them fiction.

On Sunday, June 8, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Millhopper Library, he will offer key tips for keeping readers entertained and engaged by sharing examples of these elements:

1. Show, Don’t Tell: Rather than telling readers how characters feel, he will show how to reveal their emotions through actions and dialogue.
2. Strong Voice and Tone: He will demonstrate how establishing a unique voice can draw readers in and create a distinct atmosphere.
3. Point of View: Maintain a single character’s point of view per scene and avoid the dreaded head hopping. This allows readers to identify with a character.
4. Use of Dialogue: Dialogue can reveal character, advance the plot, and create tension. He will share dialog-heavy excerpts and demonstrate how to minimize over-use of speaker attributes.
5. Setting as Character: A well-developed setting can enhance the story and serve as a backdrop for character development. Gartee will share a passage that vividly describes Gainesville, making it feel alive and integral to the narrative.
6. Pacing and Structure: Varying sentence length and structure can control the story’s pace and keep readers engaged. Pacing shifts during a high-energy event build suspense or excitement.
7. Humor and Wit: He will share a scenario to illustrate how humor can be woven into storytelling to make the read more enjoyable and relatable.
8. Editing and Revision: He will emphasize the need for professional editing and share examples of developmental editing, line editing, and copy editing.

This program is free and open to the public. Come join us!