Monthly Archives: January 2022

How would you describe a character who APPEARS courageous, but only because he or she has never been tried under fire? Here’s how Anthony Trollope does it in his first novel, The Macdermots of Ballycloran (1843), when describing the villain … Continue reading →

I wanted to share an interesting writing technique that might be employed to amuse readers. It’s easier shown than explained, but it’s basically saying something without actually saying it. As an example, say I’m having a conversation with Judy about … Continue reading →

In The Young Outlaw: Or, Adrift in the Streets by Horatio Alger, Jr., a novel written in 1875, the hero is briefly employed as a chiropodist’s assistant, one of the few high points of a relatively uninspiring novel. Possibly in … Continue reading →