More often than not, I look forward to my morning “Writer’s Block”—what I call that time of day where I give myself permission to write, weave, and create in my little square office. Upon stepping into this space, I approach my WIP in one of two ways: either with fear or with ease. Care to… Read more »
In 2015, I wandered into a tarot reader’s shop in NOLA’s French Quarter, curious about my first reading. I’d barely heard of tarot cards but figured this was a thing one did as a tourist in New Orleans. The scent of incense followed me through the storefront and down a hall to a private room… Read more »
Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jeff Walker. We’ll be talking about Launch, the new edition of the #1 New York Times best-selling guide that redefined online marketing and helped countless entrepreneurs make millions. Have you signed up to be a DIY MFA Radio Insider yet? This is an exciting new monthly newsletter, especially… Read more »
Hello! Welcome back to the kid lit craft column. I’ve decided to do a series on all the different types of kid lit! That’s right! We are going to be covering everything from picture books to middle grade and in between! Today, we are tackling picture books! Now, I’m sure we are all familiar with… Read more »
Every author needs a toolbox that will be of use to them for years to come. You wouldn’t begin building a home without one. Neither should you dive into your author career without one. An author’s toolbox is essential. Within will be the resources you revert to, time and again, to write, edit, publish, and… Read more »
This month I surprised myself. I was originally planning on rereading a book for this column, then switched to rereading a different book, then finally settled on buying and reading Orwell’s 1984 in graphic novel format. I would say I’m a bit surprised that I haven’t read 1984 before now, but I was a bit… Read more »
As a book coach, I see a lot of first drafts. And while every story is different, a number of common first draft mistakes that are . Most of these big-picture story issues have to do with missing elements—the elements that hook readers, keep them turning the page, and leave them feeling satisfied when they… Read more »
As an author, it’s a wonderful feeling to connect with readers who love our work. Book clubs are one of the most engaging ways to create deep meaningful relationships with readers. Today, we’ll cover ideas to create fun and memorable experiences as you engage book clubs! Why Engage Book Clubs? First, think of a book… Read more »
Today is our 400th Episode Extravaganza and I have the pleasure of sitting down with our podcast producer, Lori Walker. Have you signed up to be a DIY MFA Radio Insider yet? This is an exciting new monthly newsletter especially for our podcast listeners. Every month, you’ll get an email from our podcast producer with… Read more »
For a while now, I’ve wanted to read some of the early masters of crime fiction. Starting with this column, I plan to feature several of those pioneers. I might intersperse columns on other topics as well. Today, I begin with Anna Katharine Green. Who Is Anna Katharine Green? Anna Katharine Green isn’t a household… Read more »
