The area ·
Atlantic Beach After the Summer Rush
A familiar beach can feel different when the calendar changes. Autumn is a good reason to look again.
Read the storyFrom the Crystal Coast
Notes from Dondi M. Day on North Carolina's Crystal Coast and practical writing tips for authors. New posts every other Monday.
Writing tips ·
Revise in Passes, Not All at Once
Structure, character, and sentences ask different questions. Separating them can make a large revision manageable.
Read the storyThe area ·
Beaufort: Take the Slower Walk
Waterfront views and older streets make Beaufort a place to explore with attention rather than a checklist.
Read the storyWriting tips ·
Dialogue with Something Underneath
Good fictional conversations are rarely just exchanges of information. Give each speaker a reason to speak—or to avoid speaking.
Read the storyThe area ·
Bogue Sound: The Quieter Side of the Island
The sound changes the pace of a coastal visit—and reminds us that quiet water still deserves attention.
Read the storyWriting tips ·
Characters Need More Than a Biography
A detailed history is useful. A present-tense choice is what makes a character come alive.
Read the storyThe area ·
Emerald Isle Beyond the Beach Chair
The western end of Bogue Banks offers more than an ocean view. Look toward the sound, the neighborhoods, and the everyday life around the beach.
Read the storyWriting tips ·
Give Every Scene a Purpose
Before polishing a scene, ask what someone wants—and what changes because they try to get it.
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The area ·
The Crystal Coast: Where the Stories Begin
Ocean mornings, quiet sounds, working waterfronts, and stories waiting just beyond the shore. A first look at the North Carolina coast that connects so many of my books.
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