Elizabeth's Articles included in Reference Books
Crafting Dynamic Dialogue
The Complete Guide to Speaking, Conversing, Arguing, and Thinking in Fiction (Creative Writing Essentials) 3rd Edition
Editors of Writer's Digest Books
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
"THE SOURCE OF GREAT DIALOG" p. 28
"HOW TO CRAFT FLAWLESS DIALOG" p. 67
"MAKE YOUR CHARACTERS SOUND REAL" p. 133
Published 2016 by Writer's Digest Books
"The two chapters on Dialogue and Suspense by James Scott Bell and Internal Dialogue by Elizabeth Sims, are worth twice the price of this fine volume." —Amazon Customer
Write authentic dialogue that invigorates your story!
Exceptional dialogue isn't just important when writing fiction--it's essential. In order to impress an agent or editor and keep readers turning pages, you need to deliver truly standout dialogue in every scene.
Crafting Dynamic Dialogue will give you the techniques and examples you need to impress your readers.
This book is a comprehensive guide to writing compelling dialogue that rings true. Each section is packed with advice and instruction from best-selling authors and instructors like Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Sims, Steven James, Deborah Halverson, James Scott Bell, Donald Maass, Cheryl St. John, and many others. They'll show you how to:
- Bend the rules to create a specific effect
- Understand the role of dialogue in reader engagement
- Use dialect and jargon effectively
- Give every character a believable, unique voice
- Set the pace and tone
- Reveal specific character background details
- Generate tension and suspense
- Utilize internal dialogue
Whether you're writing flash fiction, a short story, or a novel-length manuscript, Crafting Dynamic Dialogue will help you develop, write, and refine dialogue to keep your readers hooked.
Buy CRAFTING DYNAMIC DIALOGUE e-book
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Creating Characters
The Complete Guide to Populating Your Fiction 3rd Edition
Editors of Writer's Digest Books
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
"NAME-DROPPING" p. 21
"USING PROFANITY AND OTHER RAW TALK IN YOUR FICTION" p. 90
Published 2014 by Writer's Digest Books
Create characters that leap off the page--and into readers' hearts!
Populating your fiction with authentic, vivid characters is a surefire way to captivate your readers from the first sentence to the last. Whether you're writing a series, novel, short story, or flash fiction, Creating Characters is an invaluable guide to bringing your fictional cast to life.
This book is a comprehensive reference to every stage of character development. You'll find timely advice and helpful instruction from best-selling authors like Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Sims, Orson Scott Card, Chuck Wendig, Hallie Ephron, Donald Maass, and James Scott Bell. They'll show you how to:
- Effectively introduce your characters
- Build a believable protagonist
- Develop strong anti-heroes and compelling villains
- Juggle multiple points of view without missing a beat
- Craft authentic dialogue that propels the story forward
- Motivate your characters with powerful objectives and a believable conflict
- Show dynamic character development over the course of a story
No matter what your genre, Creating Characters gives you the tools necessary to create realistic, fascinating characters that your readers will root for and remember long after they've finished the story.
Buy CREATING CHARACTERS e-book
Buy Paperback
2015 Guide to Literary Agents
The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published 3rd Edition
Chuck Sambuchino, editor
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
"8 WAYS TO WRITE A GREAT CHAPTER ONE" p. 59
Published 2014 by Writer's Digest Books
"I thought '8 Ways to Write a Great Chapter One' by Elizabeth Sims was especially insightful for new and advanced writers alike." —Amazon Customer
The best resource available for finding a literary agent!
No matter what you're writing--fiction or nonfiction, books for adults or children--you need a literary agent if you want to get the best traditional publishing book deal possible. The 2015 Guide to Literary Agents is your essential resource for finding that literary agent and getting your book bought by a top publisher. Along with listing information for more than 1,000 literary agents who represent writers and their books, this new, updated edition of GLA includes:
"10 Reasons Agents Reject Your Manuscript"--helping you learn what not to do during the submission process
"New Agent Spotlights"--profiles of literary reps actively building their client lists right now
13 debut author success stories: Writers explain their paths to publication, so you can learn from their successes and see what they did right
Informative how-to articles on query letters, synopsis writing, voice and craft, platform and blogging, nonfiction book proposals, and more
*Includes access to the webinar "Everything You Need to Know About Getting an Agent" from Chuck Sambuchino, editor of Guide to Literary Agents* In this 90-minute webinar, you'll learn how to compose a query letter, what makes up a compelling pitch, synopsis writing tips, how to research/find agents, and much more.
2015 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market
The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published 3rd Edition
Rachel Randall, editor
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
"GOING PUBLIC" p. 104
Published 2014 by Writer's Digest Books
"If you can't go to every literary cocktail party in New York, get this book. It's an instant network." -Elizabeth Sims, best-selling author of
You've Got a Book in You
The best resource for getting your fiction published!
The 2015 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market is the only resource you'll need to get your short stories, novellas, and novels published.
As with past editions, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market offers hundreds of listings for book publishers, literary agents, fiction publications, contests, and more. Each listing includes contact information, submission guidelines, and other important tips.
Crafting Novels & Short Stories
Everything You Need to Know to Write Great Fiction 3rd Edition
Editors of Writer's Digest Books
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
Chapter 3: "Depicting Convincing Relationships"
Chapter 13: "Write a Five-Star Chapter One"
Focus on the Writing Life: Beating Writer’s Block "Start Me Up"
Chapter 34: "How to Gain Perspective on Your Work"
Published 2011 by Writer's Digest Books
Learn How to Create Stories That Captivate Agents, Editors, and Readers Alike!
Inside you'll find the tools you need to build strong characters, keep your plots moving, master the art of dialogue, choose the right point of view, and more.
"You’ll find many exercises already in the book, waiting for you.
Don’t know what to write? Try Elizabeth Sims’s 'Random Sentence Kick-Start' on page 129." —James Scott Bell
The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing
Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work 3rd Edition
Editors of Writer's Digest Books
Elizabeth Sims, Contributor
Chapter 31: "Rough Up Your First Draft"
Get messy with your first draft to get to the good stuff.
Chapter 38: "Write This, Not That"
Forget formulas. Infuse your mystery with suspense.
Published 2010 by Writer's Digest Books
Get advice from the best in the business on every part of the novel writing and publishing process!
In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 2nd Edition, you’ll learn from the invaluable advice of established writers. Discover new ways to generate ideas, implement intriguing techniques, and find the inspiration you need to finish your work. This fully-revised edition includes a revamped marketing section that covers the unique challenges of today’s publishing market and the boundless opportunities of online promotion.
Inside you’ll find expert advice from dozens of bestselling authors and publishing professionals.
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