virtual writers sabbatical

Create Your Own Virtual Writers Sabbatical

Seeking Travelers For the 2021 Virtual Writers Sabbatical I started my writing career just shy of 50, so I’ve been playing catch up with my writing craft. After DIY MFA 101 opened me up to the wonderful world of writing, I was hooked. I dove into a writing craft quest—taking more classes and listening to… Read more »

creativity exercises

#5onFri: Five Creativity Exercises to Fire up Your Writing Muse

We think of inspiration arriving in a flash, a moment where the rabbit appears from the magic hat as if from nowhere. Those creative lightning strikes hit each of us occasionally. We know we can’t rely on their appearance. But what if we could? Creativity exercises foster conditions that make inspirational lightning strikes more likely…. Read more »

creative resistance

Shift Creative Resistance Using Your Body

Like me, I suspect one of the facets of creative resistance, aka writer’s block—overwhelm, perfectionism, procrastination, and self-doubt—has seduced you. You’ve probably cast about researching different tips and tricks on how to break free from resistance, so you can get back to writing.  Your research likely revealed tips on establishing better writing structures, getting ruthless… Read more »

queer fantasy

The Magic of Queer Fantasy

Often when readers think about the origins of LGBTQ+ literature, we think about poetry and drama. Certainly, these two modes have a long history of presenting a wide range of non-heteronormative stories and themes, and perhaps they have been best suited for it. But LGBTQ+ stories in prose narratives have equally long histories. More interesting… Read more »

AAPI

Supporting the AAPI Community

This last year has been a difficult one, and some communities have been more deeply affected than others. Right now, I am heartbroken by the acts of violence toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Between the deadly shooting in Atlanta to the thousands of attacks tracked by Stop AAPI Hate, I feel a deep sadness… Read more »

Overheard at my Writing Podcast

#5onFri: Five Things Overheard at My Writing Table Podcast

Recently, I launched Kris Clink’s Writing Table, a podcast to help new writers learn from authors and publishing experts as we explore books, the writing craft, and the varied paths to publishing. It’s been a joy to hear firsthand from authors who are responsible for my favorite books.  Kathleen Barber, Kimberly Belle, Lyn Liao Butler,… Read more »

Write with Kids at Home

How to Write with Kids at Home

We signed our book deal at the end of July 2020 with a January 2021 publication date. We were in the midst of a global pandemic. Our kids were home 24/7 with nowhere to go. Karissa had a brand new three week old baby. And we were on a one month deadline for our first… Read more »

Celebrating Perseverance

Celebrating Perseverance

My dear Speculators, the Perseverance Rover, AKA “Percy,” landed on February 18th. I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate perseverance and all the awesome that this innovation in automated extraterrestrial exploration has to offer writers of speculative fiction. NASA intends for Percy to determine some key information about Mars, including whether there is evidence… Read more »