Author: Hank Phillippi Ryan

Writing Prompt: We Make the World

Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | Jan 28, 2018 | Craft

“With our thoughts we make the world,” said Buddha. But what if our character’s thoughts are wrong?

Secrets to Manage the Middle of Your Novel

Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | Jan 22, 2018 | Craft

If you are stepping into the middle and you fear you and your masterpiece are about to be victims of book-writing quicksand, no worries. Here are some things you can do.

Writing Prompt: Choosing

Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | Jan 7, 2018 | Craft

Plot advances when characters make choices. How do your characters make theirs?

Sue Grafton

Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | Jan 3, 2018 | Life

Among other Sue-ish advice, she told me she’d realized if she was going to be a success, she had to own it. All of this is to say—you never know what the world will bring you, and what is around the next corner, and what friends you might make along the way.

Ow. Pow. Wow. Secrets to Creating External Conflict

Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | Dec 18, 2017 | Craft

No matter what it’s “about,” your book is all about conflict. If you’re having trouble making something happen, here’s how to decide where you are in the manuscript, then see how you can ramp up the tension with ramped-up conflict.