Time, or lack thereof, is the biggest hurdle most writers seem to face. It’s also one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves. And look, as far as excuses go, I’m the queen of them. Homeschooling three kids, a farm, family commitments, blah, blah, blah. But here’s the thing, I mean, the dishes and the… Read more »
In my new book, The Linchpin Writer: Crafting Your Novel’s Key Moments, I talk about how movies can sabotage a novelists’ writing skills. Novelists can definitely learn storytelling techniques from movies, but you shouldn’t rely on movies too much. After all, they are a different storytelling medium, and books can do things that movies can’t… Read more »
It’s spooky season! I’ve got my costume ready, I’ve started preparing the treat bags for the neighborhood kids, and my house is covered in skeletons. The little gothic bat inside my soul has been stirring, getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year. This time of year increases my draw to all things… Read more »
How’s it going, word nerds? Do you have your challenging November writing goals all mapped out? In just about 9 days, many of our community members will be embarking on their projects for National Novel Writing Month, which has become an international event by now. I generally don’t participate in this event, but I do… Read more »
When I wrote my middle grade novel, Unspoken, I had one person in mind: my daughter. I wrote it so that she would have a book where she could see herself in the pages where her particular challenges were illustrated and honored (and, of course, watch as things turned out okay!) Yet I knew that… Read more »
Attention Romance Writers!! Remember that romance novel you’ve always dreamt of writing? The one tucked within the recesses of your brain with a killer plot, dynamic characters, and a love story unlike any other? Well, jump up and slap yer pappy, by gumbo. It’s time to get that romance novel on paper. November is just… Read more »
You know those graphics with the six squares labeled with titles like “what my family thinks I do” or “what I think I do” and then always ending with “what I really do”? Well, I’ve been seeing those floating around again (yay, for revolving trends), and I figured it might be time to clarify what… Read more »
The popularity of novels with an art world theme continues across the decades, with new bestsellers like The Art Forger and The Goldfinch being released every year. For readers who enjoy learning about art and history while being engaged with a good story, the art world appeals as the perfect setting. What separates excellent narratives… Read more »
Over the past two and a half years, I’ve worked as a freelance editor and had the pleasure of editing several middle grade books. I’ve also finished my first middle grade fantasy manuscript. But most of all, I’ve read dozens of middle grade books, and there’s something about each one that takes me back to… Read more »
Have you ever looked at a computer screen and wanted to bang your head against it? A time when the words seem less than what you were hoping? Or maybe nothing makes sense anymore? Yep. Me too. What a fun club to join! Want a t-shirt? We also have coffee mugs. At this point, I’m… Read more »
