1
A good approach is to allow one dream per novel. Then, in the final revision, go back and get rid of that, too.Howard Mittelmark
2
Overuse at best is needless clutter; at worst, it creates the impression that the characters are overacting, emoting like silent film stars. Still, an adverb can be exactly what a sentence needs. They can add important intonation to dialogue, or subtly convey information.Howard Mittelmark
3
In real life, couples bond and war over a million different things. The causes of divorce are like beautiful, unique snowflakes.Howard Mittelmark
4
Giving a reader a sex scene that is only half right is like giving her half of a kitten. It is not half as cute as a whole kitten; it is a bloody, godawful mess.Howard Mittelmark
5
Giving a reader a sex scene that is only half right is like giving her half a kitten. It is not half as cute as a whole kitten; it is a bloody, godawful mess. A half-good sex scene is not half as hot; it actually moves into the negative numbers, draining any heat from the surrounding material.Sandra Newman
6
...it has been demonstrated through years of workshops that the Artist Within tends to make the same mistakes as the artist within everybody else.Howard Mittelmark
7
We do not propose any rules; we offer observations. "No right on red" is a rule. "Driving at high speed toward a brick wall usually ends badly" is an observation.Howard Mittelmark