When Publishing Drives You Batty

When Publishing Drives You Batty

One of the definite downsides to living in the boonies is the wildlife. I mean, it’s great and all, but not when it’s totally batty, winging through my house emitting sonic shrieks. Yep. We’ve got actual, real-life bats, and despite having an exterminator tamp down every possible access point, somehow it’s a common occurrence. My… Read more »

Book Coach Corner: Plan Your Novel with the Pitch in Mind

Book Coach Corner: Plan Your Novel with the Pitch in Mind

Regardless of how good your story idea is, how great your writing is, or how powerful your manuscript is, you must get past the gatekeepers of traditional publishing before an agent will read a single page of your manuscript… and hopefully fall in love with your story. Two of those gatekeepers are the query and… Read more »

Hey, Writer, Do You Really Need All that World Building?

Hey, Writer, Do You Really Need All that World Building?

There is nothing more fun than building a world from scratch. Entire magic systems, new technology, alternate timelines, fascinating characters… And you, and only you, make the rules for your world: what creatures exist there? How does physics work (or not work)? Where in time does your world take place? We introverts are stuck in… Read more »

Three Steps to AWESOME Author Social Media Content

One of my marketing clients came right out with the TRUTH recently: “I hate social media,” she said. “I don’t even know where to start, what to post, and the whole thing just gives me stomach cramps.” Writer, does this sound like you? Then take a DEEP BREATH. In this blog, you’ll get a quickstart… Read more »

Music and Mood in Writing

Music and Mood in Writing

What does Music have to do with writing you ask? For some people, nothing; for some, it is setting the Mood. Some people swear by the use of background music to stimulate their creative flow. Stephen King comes to mind with his use of heavy metal to stimulate his creativity. Other people, such as myself,… Read more »

Navigating the World of Speculative Fiction through Subgenres

Navigating the World of Speculative Fiction through Subgenres

Welcome, beautiful people on the internet! Have you ever wondered what it would seem like if fairy tales merged with science fiction to create a realm of wonder and awe? In this wondrous universe of imagination and limitless possibilities, we find ourselves surrounded by a dazzling array of subgenres. Each has its own unique flavor… Read more »

Uplevel Your Life: Using Poetry for Shadow Work

Uplevel Your Life: Using Poetry for Shadow Work

Why do we do the things we do? Or, why don’t we do the things we say we most want to do? We all want to eat healthier and exercise, and anyone reading this article wants more magic and writing in their lives. So, why is it so difficult to wake up early to write,… Read more »

First Chapter Scene Analysis: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

First Chapter Scene Analysis: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Welcome back! If you’ve been following this blog series, you know why studying stories is imperative to your ability to improve your writing craft. The short answer: By studying books, particularly ones that exemplify bestsellers, breakout novels, and, perhaps most importantly, masterworks in a genre, we can recognize patterns and invaluable, key elements in fiction… Read more »

5 Lessons Learned from 7 Years of Writing Poetry

5 Lessons Learned from 7 Years of Writing Poetry

Welcome back, poets!  This will be my final post as a columnist for DIY MFA. This is a bittersweet departure for me, but I’m excited to begin another chapter of my life! It’s truly been an honor writing for you all and I thought I’d leave you with some of the lessons I’ve learned from… Read more »