The Messy Middle: Luna & the Rise of Trans Narratives

The Messy Middle: Luna & the Rise of Trans Narratives

Welcome back to The Messy Middle, where we focus on crafting complex characters and building dynamic worlds that connect with readers from marginalized communities. Out of the numerous current events that have demanded our attention (and response) lately, I could not have predicted the surge of 490 proposals for anti-trans legislation that was introduced in… Read more »

#5onFri: Five Ways to Get through a First Draft

#5onFri: Five Ways to Get through a First Draft

In the thirteen or so years that I’ve been in publishing, I’ve heard and seen it all. Working alongside #1 bestsellers and aspiring hopefuls, the similarities are a lot greater than one might expect—and the writing process isn’t too different, either. Whether you have a storied career, a collection of Creative Writing degrees, or you’re… Read more »

Become a Practicing Poet

Become a Practicing Poet

Are you a practicing poet? I’m guessing if you’re reading this article, you’d love to be. But. But. The BIG BUT.  So many buts. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, and a Starbucks/Amazon addiction to indulge in.  Well, do not despair. I have good news for you, my friend. You don’t have to… Read more »

#5onFri: The Five Stages of a Writer’s Career

#5onFri: The Five Stages of a Writer’s Career

As a writer, you have your own unique gifts and only you can do the work you’re meant to do, but you’re also part of a larger art form with a long history and an amazing community. Just as we study the work of the writers we admire, we can study the path they’ve taken… Read more »

Why I Use Plot Grids to Outline My Mystery Books

Why I Use Plot Grids to Outline My Mystery Books

Plot grids are by far my favorite method of outlining and I can’t write a book without using them. I’m a hardcore plotter. It’s impossible for me to finish a book without knowing where I’m going. I also write mysteries and thrillers, and books in this genre can become overwhelming if a writer doesn’t have… Read more »

Consent & Condoms: Writing Feminist Romance

Consent & Condoms: Writing Feminist Romance

First, a statement that is not a confession: I love romance. I always have. But I didn’t embrace it until relatively recently. There are several reasons for this, but suffice it to say that I’m an elder millennial and after a childhood in which the media told me that the best thing to be was… Read more »

Grow Your Writing with the Wood Energy of Spring

Grow Your Writing with the Wood Energy of Spring

Spring is the season of growth, of buds turning into leaves, of new plants emerging from the frozen ground. The same is true of creativity, according to the Five Element Theory of Chinese Traditional Medicine. After quiet reflection during the water energy of winter, spring is the time to transform the ideas that were nourished… Read more »