On Chapters, and When to Break Them

Many authors I know write books with chapters. I don’t. Before the people who read my books start pointing fingers and calling me a liar (pants on fire), allow me to explain. I outline my books before I write, often in great detail. (That is, I thought it was great detail until I heard Jeffery Deaver at last September’s Colorado Gold–his fifty-page outlines put my ten-pagers to shame, but I digress…)  When the outline is finished, I write the entire manuscript from start to finish without any breaks–except for the kind that involve removing my fingers from the keys. The result is one file, in

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Why *Not* to Use Trademarks in Fiction*

Today’s post takes a look at the use of trademarks and “brand names” in fiction.* For the most part, I advise clients not to use trademarks in fiction if an alternative will do. If use of a trademark or brand is unavoidable, the author needs to be certain the trademark is used in a legally-permitted way. Otherwise, the author risks a trademark infringement–or “trademark disparagement” lawsuit, both of which carry substantial legal penalties. The benefits of “fictitious branding” and generics usually outweigh any benefit the author could obtain from use of a real trademark. Authors have two relatively simple alternatives

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