Vicki Hinze © 2001-2011 (Blog Post) Last weekend at a writer's conference, I was asked about the books that didn't sell, and I realized that I haven't discussed those much. So I...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 I'm having trouble with conflict. My last two proposals were rejected because the editor felt the conflicts "weren't deep enough." How deep is deep? I...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 What is the difference between tone and mood? Tone typically refers to the emotional atmosphere the writer establishes and maintains through the entire...

Vicki Hinze © 2000-2011 My question is do you think movie makers are looking closer at romance novels? I notice contemporaries are more prone to interest them than historicals....

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 What is a novel notebook, and why do you, a creative genius need one? A novel notebook is simply a binder in which you organize and store all the...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 My question concerns Outlines. A famous author (I think W. Somerset Maugham) said that many writers outlined their stories, and it showed in the results....

Vicki Hinze © 2000-2011 Q, Do advances have to be paid back to publishers? If so, when and why? A. The short answer: it depends. On what? The terms and conditions set forth in...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 In crafting a novel, some experts say plot comes first. Some say character leads the way. Some say it's neither, and some say it's both. They're all...

Vicki Hinze © 2003-2011 We all know that in fiction, the plot, or sequence of novel events, must be logical and credible. The writer foreshadows major coming events, putting down...