Sarah Andrews, author

Preparing to query my first historical fiction novel. Also raising 3 kids, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 bunnies, 2 goats, 2 sheep, 5 hens and boxes of compost worms.

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

Talk to me about your favorite characters. If I’m compiling a list of the best characters written in the past decade, who has to be on it?

#WritingCommunity #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction #amwriting #bookswritteninthiscenturyplease

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

What are you reading, #WritingCommunity? I just got a copy of Chanel Cleeton’s Our Last Days in Barcelona and I can’t wait to dive in!

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

Finally reading ‘Save the Cat! Writes a Novel’ (by @jessicabrody) after hearing about it for ages. What are your favorite books on writing, #WritingCommunity?

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@eileencdk Thanks, that’s encouraging!

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

Feeling discouraged … I got good but TOUGH feedback on my manuscript and it will take a lot of work to make the suggested changes.

I could use a little boost, #WritingCommunity! Tell me about a time you slogged through and came out the other side.

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

Getting feedback from 2 agents today thanks to @BytetheBook Agents Tables. 👏👏

I’m curious to hear about the ways you’ve found to get agents’ feedback, #WritingCommunity!

I’ve loved being part of the @MSWLMA community joining workshops there. Other ideas?

#amquerying

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

Getting feedback from 2 agents today thanks to @BytetheBook Agents Tables. 👏👏

I’m curious to hear about the ways you’ve found to get agents’ feedback, #WritingCommunity!

I’ve loved being part of the @MSWLMA community joining workshops there. Other ideas?

#amquerying

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

I learned so much from Stein on Writing’ — he recommends writers give their characters different ‘scripts’ (ie: internal beliefs or mis beliefs) so in their dialogue each is going after his or her own idea instead of bouncing conversation back and forth like a tennis ball. 👆💯

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@FrankPOliver 😂😂😂

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

#WritingCommunity, send me your best advice for writing dialogue please. Not books and links, but what you tell yourself when you write. Mine is in the comments. #womensfiction #HistoricalFiction #writing #amediting #revision #dialogue

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@Naked_Determina I love writing scenery but then I always have to trim it away!!

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@davidtmccarty This is true of writing in general, I’d say! But there are certainly ways to get better at both, whether you start with a good ear or not, don’t you think??

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@ellen_hawley Yes this all rings true. I tend to over-describe gestures and tones of voice though, which gets tedious. The dialogue itself has to carry the main weight I think.

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@Mariah94350720 Agree

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@ThomasJBellezza I like this advice, it’s what I often do but I hadn’t thought to express it so clearly!

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@kctorawrites Keeping each character’s voice distinct is so important, good point

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@sydyoungstories Agree, slimmed down dialogue is almost always better

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@huhufrostwrites Agree on not always using full sentences, but I have to disagree about the filler words. Cut them unless they are really necessary to characterization.

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@ManerWare Make it believable but make it original, a hard balance sometimes!

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@FredFahey2 Yes, this is key! Characters can chat all day but why do they NEED to be saying those things?

[Sarah Andrews, author @SarahA_writes]

@EileenCSchwab Yes, good one: read it aloud!!!