Writing dialogue can be one of the most challenging aspects of storytelling. Well-crafted dialogue brings characters to life, advances the plot, and engages readers. Poor dialogue drags, bores, disconnects your reader from your character and derails your reader’s experience. To help you master the art of dialogue, here are some dos and don’ts I haveContinueContinue reading “Mastering Dialogue: Dos and Don’ts”
Author Archives: gideonpsmith
The Hidden Ground: Layers of Meaning in Storytelling
When I paint, I begin with a ground—a foundational layer brushed across the canvas to prepare the surface. Sometimes it’s a neutral tone, sometimes a subtle color. You don’t see it in the final image, not exactly. But it’s there, affecting everything laid on top. A cool blue ground makes the warm tones above itContinueContinue reading “The Hidden Ground: Layers of Meaning in Storytelling”
How to Edit Like a Pro: Tips & Tricks
Editing, is actually one of my favorite parts of writing. It’s where your rough draft is polished into something professional, compelling, and clear. But what is the best way to optimize your editing time? I’ve come to an approach through trial and error, and I hope these tips and tricks will help you refine yourContinueContinue reading “How to Edit Like a Pro: Tips & Tricks”
Open House: On Strangers, Judgment, and the Writer’s Unease
Today, strangers are walking through my house. They are peering into closets, glancing at the scuff marks on the stairs, maybe silently judging my taste in rugs or the fact that I’ve never fixed that one crooked cabinet door. I’m not there to see it—I’ve been banished to a local café by my realtor, likeContinueContinue reading “Open House: On Strangers, Judgment, and the Writer’s Unease”
Keep the Habit: Why Writers Must Keep Writing (Even in the Gaps)
One of the biggest dangers for a writer isn’t failure—it’s silence. Life has a way of crowding out creativity. Maybe it’s a high-pressure job, a move, a tough parenting stretch, or the illusion that you’ll “get back to it when things calm down.” But here’s the truth: if you stop writing, the skills begin toContinueContinue reading “Keep the Habit: Why Writers Must Keep Writing (Even in the Gaps)”
How to Pitch Non-Fiction to SFWA, BSFA Focus Magazine, and Other Speculative Fiction Venues
A couple of people have asked me to write up some advice on this, so I thought ‘Why not!’…. When we think about writing for the speculative fiction community, we often think of short stories, novels, and poetry — the imaginative worlds that readers escape into. But non-fiction is just as vital to the field,ContinueContinue reading “How to Pitch Non-Fiction to SFWA, BSFA Focus Magazine, and Other Speculative Fiction Venues”
SFWA Guest Blog: “Successfully Talking to the Press About Your Art: Plot It, Don’t Pants It!”
I have been fortunate to write guest blog posts before for SFWA on writing realistic science in science fiction, and then another one on using the psychological science utilized in video games to help you meet your writing goals. I just published another piece with SFWA, this time on talking to the press. The linkContinueContinue reading “SFWA Guest Blog: “Successfully Talking to the Press About Your Art: Plot It, Don’t Pants It!””
How Themes in Your Writing Can Help You the Author
Some famous author, and of course, I cannot remember who, and Google has failed me, once said they were tired of people asking him/her what the theme of their novel was as “Themes are for critics and academics to figure out, not for authors.” Given I can’t remember who said it, I’ll go with whatContinueContinue reading “How Themes in Your Writing Can Help You the Author”
The Top Practical and Inspirational Writing Craft Books that I Read in 2024
I tend to read a lot of craft books. Last year I made a list of 20 craft books I had read giving just a one-line impression of each. It’s here if you want to give that one a look. The best thing about doing that was I got a ton of messages from peopleContinueContinue reading “The Top Practical and Inspirational Writing Craft Books that I Read in 2024”
Year In Review 2024
For the last two years in December, I have written a ‘Year in Review’ post, and here is this year’s. The main purpose of the original post was to convince myself that although I had not published my first novel, nor even got an agent, I had achieved something in the sphere of writing. ThisContinueContinue reading “Year In Review 2024”
Gideon P. Smith 