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Articles by Mervyn Love

• How to Use Time to Give Your Story a Logical Framework
  Most stories we write take place over a period of time. That time may be very short - even a few minutes; or long - over several years or generations or anywhere inbetween. But whatever it is, the reader needs to have a clear sense of how time is moving throughout the narrative.
  Published 27Oct2008, viewed 134 times

• Put Tension into Your Stories to Keep Readers Reading
  Tension is inextricably bound up in the emotions of your characters, and by introducing tension you lead your readers into the same emotions, as they 'feel' for the characters in your story.
  Published 07Oct2008, viewed 253 times

• Suspense is the Ingredient That Keeps Your Readers Turning Those Pages
  Whatever kind of book you are writing a dollop of suspense will do to your readers precisely what you've written the book for: so that they will read it and keep on reading it to the end!
  Published 20Sep2008, viewed 287 times

• Parts of Speech. Who Needs 'em?
  Dear writers, we are gathered here today to bring together these Nine Parts of Speech into a holy matrix of well turned out sentences which, by the grace of God, no publisher or editor shall cast asunder. A bit hesitant about parts of speech? Don't know your verbs from your conjunctions? Read on...
  Published 10Sep2008, viewed 230 times

• Submit Your Work Properly and Earn Brownie Points!
  Send in a sloppy, grubby manuscript and your chances of rejection are greatly increased. Send in a smart, clean, tidy manuscript and the publishers offices will ring with the cry - "Hey, here's someone who knows how to do it properly! Break out the Champaign! Bring on the dancing girls!' But maybe not the latter if it's a Monday.
  Published 31Aug2008, viewed 246 times

• Getting to Grips With a Novel Synopsis
  Some writers claim they can sit down with a good idea for a novel and bash away until it's finished. It takes an extraordinary mind to do that. Most of today's writers will tell you that they prepare a framework, a synopsis, from which to generate their 100,000 or so words. Here's a suggested system to achieve that.
  Published 27Aug2008, viewed 300 times

• Minor Characters. Are They Really Necessary?
  The vast majority of fiction writers write short stories, whether they write for their own pleasure, for the writing circle they belong to, a competition or whether they aim to get them published. The temptation to bring in lots of exciting characters can be irresistible. But are they necessary?
  Published 23Aug2008, viewed 203 times

• The Best Way to Keep a Journal
  As a writer you may already keep a journal, or diary, and that's excellent. For those who don't as well as those who do I want to explore some of the exciting benefits of keeping one that you may not have realised.
  Published 19Aug2008, viewed 260 times

• A Beginners Guide to Interviewing
  You like people, you like talking, and you like getting out of the house. Great. You're practically an interviewer already! All you need now are these few handy tips and guidelines to get your first interview in the bag and off to a publisher.
  Published 15Aug2008, viewed 264 times

• Stumped For Ideas? Here's a Novel Suggestion to Get You Going Again.
  The muse has done a bunk, the creative juices have withered on the vine and to cap it all the cat has just poo'd on your last packet of A4. You feel as if all your ideas have scurried off like lemmings looking for the nearest cliff. But all is not lost. For one thing if you bin the top five sheets the rest are probably OK. For another if you try the tactic below, you could end up saying 'Ha! Who needs a muse?'
  Published 12Aug2008, viewed 269 times

• Writing Humour is a Serious Business
  More than ever before readers are crying out for something to lift them out of the tide of dire news and the pressures of modern life. To be able to bring a smile to peoples faces, or even make them laugh out loud, can prove to be a highly paid talent.
  Published 06Aug2008, viewed 226 times

• How to Use Flashbacks to Fill in Background to Your Story
  What is a 'flashback'? Think of a flash of light illuminating a scene from the past and you've got it.
  Published 02Aug2008, viewed 274 times

• Story Endings are Important, But How do You Get There?
  Should you know exactly how your story ends before you start or leave it to chance? Different writers go about it in different ways. Find out what suits you best.
  Published 23Jul2008, viewed 277 times

• How to Tug at Your Readers' Heart Strings
  When we think about emotion in a story the word can mean different things to different people. The main divide and therefore the main difference is, of course, the male/female one. It might seem obvious, but if there is any doubt as to which you are writing for, men or women, think about it because your story must be couched to suit.
  Published 16Jul2008, viewed 304 times

• Using Dialogue to Move the Story Forward
  In any short story or novel dialogue is the element that raises the readers level of interest and moves the story on. But dialogue isn't just dialogue. Here's how to make it a whole lot more exciting than 'he said', 'she said'.
  Published 16Jun2008, viewed 223 times

• How to Strike the Right Balance Between Dialogue and Narrative
  Do your readers loose consciousness ploughing through pages of narrative description? Or are they perplexed and bewildered because your snappy dialogue leaves them wondering just who is talking to who? It's time to get your narrative/dialogue balance right. Here's how.
  Published 05Jun2008, viewed 294 times

• How to Make Dialogue Reveal the Personalities of Your Characters
  It's true to say that a character doesn't become a real person until he or she speaks. So what can we do to convey to our readers what type of person a particular character is just by the way they speak?
  Published 19May2008, viewed 279 times

• Make Your Articles Different and Editors Will Fall at Your Feet
  Magazine editors are always on the lookout for well written, but above all, different, one-of-a-kind articles. It's up to us writers to give them what they need.
  Published 14May2008, viewed 268 times

• Finding Exciting Article Topics Readers Will Love
  Now, seriously. What can be difficult about turning out an article of 500 to 1000 words? You enjoy writing, you've got a good head on your shoulders, and you have a grasp of loads of subjects that interest you personally. So what's the problem?
  Published 13May2008, viewed 246 times

• Use Description to Colour The Emotional Canvas of Your Readers Mind
  Description is what writers use to colour in the basic elements of a story. It gives the reader a mental picture which they can carry that with them as the tale unfolds. Adding an emotional element grabs the reader more forcefully and pulls them into the story.
  Published 07May2008, viewed 243 times

• Conflict is an Essential Ingredient in Your Story
  Most types of story, whether short stories or novels, absolutely need that vital ingredient: the conflict. Preferably more than one. You may well have your characters all fleshed out and ready to go, but don't give them an easy ride! Bring some angst into their lives, your readers will love it!
  Published 30Apr2008, viewed 265 times

• Characters - The Lifeblood of Your Story
  Publishers reject more stories because the characters in them are made of cardboard, than they do because the story has a weak plot. Creating a living breathing hero and supporting cast is not difficult. You just need to apply these simple rules and tactics. A so-so plot can be saved if your characters become real and interesting to the reader.
  Published 24Apr2008, viewed 279 times

• Beginnings - How To Start Your Story Effectively
  Beginning your story in the right way is essential to keep the reader reading. Gone are the days of rambling descriptive text or several pages leisurely setting the background to a saga. Today's openings have to be snappy and engaging right from the word 'go'.
  Published 18Apr2008, viewed 264 times

• 6 Ways To Attract More People To Your Web Site
  You've built your website and it's brimming with cool features and great content. All you need now is visitors to come along and enjoy it. And maybe buy a thing or two as well. But somehow they seem reluctant to cross your virtual threshold. What can you do?
  Published 10Apr2008, viewed 187 times

• Spice Up Your Sales Pages With These Power Words That Make People Buy
  Want to make more sales but can't afford to have your sales pages written for you? Spent money on buying visitors, but still getting no sales? The solution could be as simple as using some simple but powerful words alter the minds of your visitors into a buying attitude.
  Published 04Apr2008, viewed 150 times

• How To Quickly Find Great Names For Your Characters
  We've all been there. You know she's called Sandie or Kaylee or some other cool name but can't for the life of you find a suitable surname. You've wrung your hands to the bone, you've drunk the midnight oil, but still a good solid name won't come. What, oh what can you do? Read on, dear writer, an inexhaustible supply of quality names awaits.
  Published 02Apr2008, viewed 292 times

• Include Online Testimonials to Woo Would-be Buyers
  If you want to overcome your prospect's natural reticence and dubiousness, there's nothing like a good dose of testimonials to allay their fears. Comfort them with the knowledge that someone else has bought your product and has genuinely found if useful.
  Published 29Mar2008, viewed 149 times

• Could Your Autobiography Be a Best Seller?
  Your life story is unique. You have been through situations, events and emotions that no-one else has in quite the same way. These memories are worth recording.
  Published 28Mar2008, viewed 284 times

• 7 Killer Ways To Make People Click on Your Ads.
  Fed up with wasting money on ads that don't work? Here are some killer ways to turn things around and get writing ads that pull in the clicks, visitors and sales in droves.
  Published 26Mar2008, viewed 176 times

• Writers - Can't Find What You Want With Google? Try The Deep Web
  You've got a brilliant idea for an article, but your research is pulling up only scant information. What do you do? Dive into the Deep Web!
  Published 22Mar2008, viewed 224 times

• 3 High Powered Ways To Increase Your Traffic
  If your website is a flop because nobody visits, then I've got news for you. You're probably not operating these basic stratagems that will bring the traffic straight to your site.
  Published 21Mar2008, viewed 150 times

• How to Create a Story When Your Mind's A Blank
  You love short story writing but just at the moment the ideas won't come. Sound familiar? With these idea generators you'll never be left in the doldrums again. Get your next story out of your head and onto the paper in no time.
  Published 14Mar2008, viewed 178 times

• 7 Incredible Ways To Sell Your Products Now
  Disappointed at making few, or even no, sales? Despairing that you'll ever make anything but a few measley dollars with your Internet marketing efforts? Then you need to put this sales boosting tactics to work and raise your game.
  Published 12Mar2008, viewed 211 times

• Internet Sales - 5 Amazing Tactics to Boost Your Website Sales
  Not satisfied with your website sales? Struggling to find ways to make your internet marketing dream actually work? Here are five proven tactics to get your internet sales into the fast lane and put money in the bank.
  Published 07Mar2008, viewed 228 times

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