I have written a series of articles on how to write a novel for one of
the leading on-line writers' magazines, NovelAdvice. I reproduce them here, and will add to them from time to time. I hope that you will find them helpful.
I am not a story doctor: I do not advise on or edit individual's work for money, nor do I make comments or do editorial work, for a fee or for free. I am always glad to hear from anyone who has found these articles useful, or has suggestions on how they could be improved, and will even dispense words of wisdom, but please remember that my own writing does not leave me much free time for e-chatting.
Lastly: please respect my copyright. Even if it doesn't have the little © symbol, it's still copyright. Even in the USA. If you take without asking, it's stealing. So be nice.
Articles
The Art of the Unspoken: Saying more by describing less
The Writer's Notebook, or Let's not really write
Style, the life and death of a writer
Margaret, Maggie, Marge and Meg: Problems with names and how to avoid them
The Strenuous Marriage Part One: Careful observation
The Strenuous Marriage Part Two: Careful imagination
Everyone is Right: Creating fundamental motivation
Pacing Anxiety, or How to stop padding and plot!
Not Stopping the Reader: Avoiding the stumbling blocks that break the spell of your story
Describing Your Characters Through Their Actions