Brenda Hill

  
Hello, I'm Brenda Hill.  Thank you for stopping by.

NOVELS
Books are such a joy in life--the feel of them, the smell, the new worlds they open for me.  I believe in the magic of storytelling.  No matter my circumstances, I can open a book and find love, laughter, and a light to guide my way.

Ten Times Guilty is a suspense, but no matter the genre, I write stories about women in crisis, mainly because I've faced so many in my life. Some I've worked through, others are still a struggle. I try to show the problem and some possible solutions in my fiction while celebrating the inner strength we sometimes forget we have. 

Click here to read  about Ten Times Guilty
                                                                                                
For an Excerpt

Click here for my latest novel, Beyond the Quiet

CLASSES
Currently I teach Novel and/or Short Story Writing  in Southern California. Click here for information

NOVEL EDITING
Do you know the 5 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS your first chapter MUST HAVE?  For help with your critical opening chapter, check my First Chapter Analysis

During one of several writer's conferences, I listened carefully as agents and acquiring editors revealed what they look for in a manuscript--and why they reject so many.

I love to help writers improve their work. I met several aspiring writers as well as published ones in the bookstore I owned in Denver in the early 1980s.  I had previously been a proofreader at a large aerospace corporation, so I critiqued several writers' manuscripts.  That fueled my desire to write my own novels, so I took writing classes, beginning at the local community college. Next I attended writers' conferences, took classes, talked to agents and acquiring editors, desperately wanting to learn as much as I could. Then I enrolled in a popular writing correspondence course as well as several online courses from New York.  One summer I had the privilege of attending The University of Iowa's summer writing sessions.  And, always wanting to expand my skills, I accepted an invitation to join an international critiquing group.  I'm Brainbench certified in Written English and have edited for a small independent publisher.

For Editing Information, click here

PLOTTING EBOOK

One of the most difficult techniques for aspiring novelists to learn is novel structure.  Many of my students mastered various writing techniques such as Scene and Sequel, Point of View and Dialogue, but felt confusion when trying to structure their novel.  So I wrote an eBook dedicated to PLOT, condensing years of learning into one-page chart templates with simple explanations and instructions.  Now my students can see at a glance if their structure is working.

For more information about Plot Points and the Structure of a novel

Even with all of the knowledge I have tried to absorb, I still found it difficult to write a successful novel.  The time and effort involved was astronomical.  But I, as well as other writers I know, work and work because we're a determined people.  We have to write.  And we should, because when one has the burning desire to create, it's for a reason.  Who knows?  Maybe something we have to say will touch someone else.  Even in our bizarre stories--suspense, ghost, or even the serial killer stories--perhaps something we write will touch someone in a positive way.  And that's a good thing.

FORMATING GUIDE
Should you Single or Double-Space your manuscript? Click here

GRAMMAR HINTS
Not sure whether to use Lie or Lay?

RESTAURANT REVIEWS
I'm happy to announce that I'm now the Restaurant Reviewer for the Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror. My column is The Cuisine Scene.

News Mirror
Yucaipa/Calimesa
The Cuisine Scene
Brenda Hill
Click here to read my reviews

SHORT STORIES & ARTICLES
By and About me

WRITERS' RESOURCES
Locating an Agent or where to order Business Cards, Bookmarks & Cover Designs

WRITERS' TIPS
Take your manuscript from Amateur to Professional