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by Elizabeth Sims
from various magazines especially Writer's Digest Magazine where Elizabeth is a contributing editor.
Pick up a copy of Writer's Digest at a newsstand or click here to subscribe.
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"Miscalculations and Missteps" by Elizabeth Sims
AKA "First-Novel Gaffes to Avoid" or 7 rookie mistakes and how to avoid them.
Writer's Digest January 2014
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"Transform Your Novel Into a Symphony" by Elizabeth Sims
Get too focused on any one instrument at play in your story, and you might lose sight of the harmony inherent in truly great fiction. Here’s how to compose the elements of your novel into a masterpiece.
Writer's Digest November/December 2013
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"Going Public" by Elizabeth Sims
Cultivating a public author persona can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. These tips will help you ace readings, signings, interviews and more.
Writer's Digest September 2013
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"Breaking Bad" by Elizabeth Sims
Using Profanity And Other Raw Talk In Your Fiction
Writer's Digest May/June 2013
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"True Story" by Elizabeth Sims
Your truth doesn’t have to be stranger than fiction to be just as compelling. Here’s how to borrow tools from fiction to pen a true-to-life memoir that reads like a page-turning novel.
Writer's Digest March/April 2013
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"Master Description Through Sensory Detail" by Elizabeth Sims
Learn ways to call upon all five senses in your work.
Writer's Digest January 2013
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"How to Develop Any Idea Into a Great Story" by Elizabeth Sims
Even stories that start with brilliant strokes of inspiration too often fizzle out before we reach The End. Use this four-step method to develop your best ideas to their fullest.
Writer's Digest November / December 2012
ARTICLE ONLINE
also see The BADS Technique Illustrated
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"10 Fast Hacks for Fiction Writers" by Elizabeth Sims
Whether you’re trying to set a scene, define a character or close a plot gap, each of these clever techniques gets the job done fast.
Writer's Digest September 2012
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"The Reluctant Risk-Taker's Guide to Filling the Creative Well" by Elizabeth Sims
Great writing begins with an appetite for life. Try these 8 approaches to get out of your comfort zone, break rules and reap rewards.
Writer's Digest July/August 2012
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"7 Simple Ways to Make a Good Story Great" by Elizabeth Sims
To stand out to the gatekeepers who hold the keys to publication, it's not enough for your story to be good. Use these techniques to take your fiction to new heights.
Writer's Digest March/April 2012
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"Namedropping: Craft Perfect Names for Your Characters" by Elizabeth Sims
What's in a character's name? Everything. Here's how to master the neglected art of moniker-making.
Writer's Digest January 2012
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"Spin Subplots Like a Master Weaver" by Elizabeth Sims
Whether you're planning the fabric of a new story or looking to thread depth into one that's falling flat, try these 7 methods to a tightly woven plot.
Writer's Digest November/December 2011
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"Fan Out!" by Elizabeth Sims
Why fan conferences deserve a closer look.
Writer's Digest October 2011
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"10 Things for Every Writer's Bucket List" by Elizabeth Sims
Writer's Digest September 2011
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"How to Gain Perspective on Your Work" by Elizabeth Sims
Writer's Digest July/August 2011
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"The Long and Short of It" by Elizabeth Sims
Would your great idea work best as a novel or as a short story?
Writer's Digest March/April 2011
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"It's All Relative" by Elizabeth Sims
Depicting convincing relationships could just be the key to writing better characters. Try these 8 ways to do it.
Writer's Digest February 2011
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"8 Ways to Write a 5-Star Chapter One" by Elizabeth Sims
Writer's Digest January 2011 and Writer's Digest Yearbook presents Writing Basics
ARTICLE ONLINE
also see
More Great Chapter Ones
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"On the Loose in LA" by Elizabeth Sims
Lessons From The Road by an awesome newcomer
crimespree #38 Sept/Oct 2010
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"10-Minute Fixes to 10 Common Plot Problems" by Elizabeth Sims
in the Writer's Digest Big 10 issue and Writer's Digest Yearbook presents Writing Basics
Writer's Digest September 2010
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"Write This, Not That" by Elizabeth Sims
Forget formulaic junk-food mysteries. Infuse your story with all the ingredients of savory suspense.
Writer's Digest May/June 2010
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"Handsell Your Book: 10 Simple Steps" by Elizabeth Sims
Yes, your own efforts really can make an impact on your sales, one reader at a time. Here are 10 simple steps to word-of-mouth success.
Writer's Digest March/April 2010
ARTICLE ONLINE also see The Essential Handselling Kit
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"How to Make Your Novel a Page Turner" by Elizabeth Sims
Never underestimate the power of suspense in any genre. Use these surefire techniques to make your book one readers won't be able to put down.
Writer's Digest January 2010
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"How Even a Bad Conference Can Make You a Better Writer" by Elizabeth Sims
18 Lessons you can learn from any writing conference.
Writer's Digest October 2009
see Excerpt and Tips
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"A Notebook, a PT Cruiser, and a Week in L.A." by Elizabeth Sims
Elizabeth tells about her research for the Rita Farmer mystery series
Mystery Readers Journal for Summer 2009 - Los Angeles Mysteries I
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"What Not to Expect When You're Expecting" by Elizabeth Sims
A veteran author tells you writer to writer, what geting published is really like—and confronts the seven biggest myths.
Writer's Digest July/August 2009.
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"Rough It Up" by Elizabeth Sims
Rough up your first draft to get to the good stuff.
Writer's Digest, February 2009. and Writing Basics 2009
ARTICLE ONLINE also see
the example rough draft page from The Extra.
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"Face-to-Face with an Agent" by Elizabeth Sims
You’ve got an agent. You’ve got a deal. Is it worth it to fly to New York--on your own dime--for some face time?
Writer's Digest October, 2008
ARTICLE ONLINE
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"A Hollywood Hunt for Deep Background" by Elizabeth Sims
Writer's Digest December, 2007
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"Start Me Up!" by Elizabeth Sims
feature in Writer's Digest, December, 2006.
- "Store Wars" by Elizabeth Sims
lead article in LOGOS: Journal of the World Book Community, vol. 13, issue 2, (2002).
- Book reviews by Elizabeth Sims
for The Detroit Free Press:, 1991-92.
Elizabeth's
Guest Blogs:
Writer's Digest,September 9, 2013
Tapping Your Inner Villain
Jane Friedman, May 14, 2013
To Be Great, Strive to Be Ordinary
Writer's Digest, May 13, 2013
Zest + Small Things = Great Writing
Abbott Press, April 25, 2013
THE "STRESS-FREE" ART OF WRITING
Writer's Digest posted an excerpt from
You've Got a Book In You April 23, 2013
STORMWRITING: WHAT IT IS AND WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT
Elizabeth Sims correspondent reporter
click here for the newspaper article list.
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articles included in reference books |
2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market
Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction
Rachel Randall, editor
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
"HOW TO DEVELOP ANY IDEA INTO A GREAT STORY" p. 6
Published by Writers Digest Books; (August 14, 2013)
The best resource for getting your fiction published!
The 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market is the only resource you'll need to get your short stories, novellas, and novels published. As with past editions, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market offers hundreds of listings for book publishers, literary agents, fiction publications, contests, and more. Each listing includes contact information, submission guidelines, and other important tips.
You'll also find an increased focus on all aspects of the writing life, from insightful articles on craft and technique to helpful advice on getting published and marketing your work. The 2014 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market offers everything a fiction writer needs to achieve publishing success.
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2013 Guide to Literary Agents
Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction
Chuck Sambuchino, editor
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
"8 WAYS TO WRITE A GREAT CHAPTER 1" p. 37
Published by Writers Digest Books; (September 6, 2012)
The Best Resource Available for Finding a Literary Agent!
No matter what you're writing--fiction or nonfiction, books for kids or adults--you need a literary agent to secure a book deal. The 2013 Guide to Literary Agents is your essential resource for finding that literary agent--without fear of being scammed--and getting your book published. This new, updated edition of GLA includes:
Completely updated contact and submission information for more than 1,000 literary agents seeking new clients.
Craft and business advice from more than 35 literary agents--on topics such as query letters, children's books, synopses and proposals, memoir writing, first chapters, conferences, platform and more!
12 Breaking In" success stories from debut writers who explain how they got their books published.
Includes "New Agent Spotlights"--profiles on literary reps actively building their client list right now.
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Crafting Novels & Short Stories
Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
Chapter 3: "Depicting Convincing Relationships"
Chapter 13: "Write a Five-Star Chapter One"
Focus on the Writing Life: Beating Writer’s Block "Start Me Up"
Chapter 34: "How to Gain Perspective on Your Work"
Published by Writers Digest Books; (December 15, 2011)
Learn How to Create Stories That Captivate Agents, Editors, and Readers Alike!
Inside you'll find the tools you need to build strong characters, keep your plots moving, master the art of dialogue, choose the right point of view, and more.
"You’ll find many exercises already in the book, waiting for you.
Don’t know what to write? Try Elizabeth Sims’s 'Random Sentence Kick-Start' on page 129." —James Scott Bell
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The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing
Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
Chapter 31: "Rough Up Your First Draft"
Get messy with your first draft to get to the good stuff.
Chapter 38: "Write This, Not That"
Forget formulas. Infuse your mystery with suspense.
Published by Writers Digest Books; 2nd edition (August 22, 2010)
Get advice from the best in the business on every part of the novel writing and publishing process!
In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition, you’ll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges of today’s publishing market and the boundless opportunities of online promotion.
Inside you’ll find expert advice from dozens of bestselling authors and publishing professionals.
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- The Smudge, a populist-style literary journal based in Detroit (now defunct). Poems in Spring 1978, Summer 1978, Winter 1978-79.
- Moving Out, a feminist literary annual (now defunct):
- Short story "Beautiful" vol. 13, 1987.
- Short story "Cleva" vol. 14, 1989. Co-winner, prose contest.
- Elizabeth also served on editorial board, 1992-93.
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A Woman's Touch
edited by Valerie Reed. Published 2003 by Alyson Books
An anthology of love stories with "For Faye", a short story by Elizabeth Sims.
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Best Lesbian Love Stories, 2004
edited by Angela Brown. Published 2004 by Alyson Books
This collection of love stories includes the short story, "Play Money" by Elizabeth Sims
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Printable Page
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