Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 How come when I read books, I see long sentences and sentences that begin with "And" when I'm told not to do either? What's the rule for sentences? The...

Vicki Hinze © 2000-2011 At my writing group meeting, an author mentioned a sell-through on her book. It sounded important, but I've never heard the term. What is a sell-through?...

Vicki Hinze © 2000-2011 As of 10.30.07 What follows is a question and my response from the Aids4Writers Program. I’m including this exchange in the Writers’ Aids Library because...

Vicki Hinze © 2000-2011 Q. Could you please go over the difference between a subsidy/vanity publisher and self-publishing? I have heard that the first is sleazy, and the second...

Vicki Hinze © 2000-2011 As of 10.30.07 Romantic Suspense has been a hot, marketable commodity. According to many of the publishers surveyed, the heat is holding--at least, for...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 I was studying a book on craft and ran into an unfamiliar term: "Telescoping characters." The context didn't hint at what it meant, and I haven't seen it...

Vicki Hinze © 2000-2011 My editor is "concerned" that I'm playing it too safe in my books. He says I need to get edgier and take more risks. But if I take more risks, then don't...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 I just had my mainstream fiction manuscript edited and was told that my characters are two dimensional. What does that mean? What is the difference...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 Since the attacks of September 11th, I haven't been able to focus on writing, to concentrate on anything. At first, I was stunned. Now, I'm angry and...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 The following question is in regards to writing a trilogy synopsis to an editor. Does the author only explain about the first book and ignore what the...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 Q. I'm not even sure how to ask this question. I'm on hold. Apparently, terminal hold. I've been waiting over a year to hear on one manuscript that's...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 Recently, someone asked what I considered the best way to set tone. I had no idea. So I stopped to think about it, and will share my discovery. The short...