I am going to state a very unpopular truth: Not everyone is cut out to be a writer. Before you start talking about believing in yourself, following your dreams, and the power of the human sprit, let me ask a question: Will a 125-lb. man with asthma ever be a professional football player? Will the compact girl with short legs ever be a ballerina star? However much we protest that all things are possible, we all know, deep down, that the likelihood of the possibility coming true is very, very small.

Physical barriers are obvious, but we like to think that mental barriers are different. Saying anyone can become a writer is like saying that anyone can become a quantum physicist or a lawyer. Unfortunately, just because publishing and sharing has never been easier doesn’t mean that those who can call themselves “published authors” are actually good at their craft.

When I was invited as a guest author for a homeschool co-op class “Vermont Authors and Artists,’ someone asked me,

“How do you make sure that your details stay consistent and that you avoid loopholes it the story line?” 

She then mentioned that a story she had read recently, which included a detail about one character, but later associated the same detail with another character. Clearly, the author had forgotten which character the detail was supposed to apply to!

I responded to the question with the first of my tips below, but since that time, I have realized that I also employ two other techniques to ensure the consistency and continuity of my storyline.