You’ll recognize this article will be a continuation of the journey we began a little while ago. In the world of self-publishing, every budding author, and successful one, has to have a dependable toolbox. One filled with the resources they need to get their books done and skyrocket their careers. In the last article, Your… Read more »
What makes a great love story? Whether you’re writing romance, mystery, or literary fiction, when you’re incorporating romance into our work, the task is the same—to write a believable, engaging relationship that keeps readers turning the pages. (I write contemporary fiction, for example, but I write contemporary fiction that sometimes has romance in it, and… Read more »
As a reader and writer of fantasy, I love world building. But it’s one of those things that is easy to get lost in, both as a writer creating it and as a reader consuming it. So, before we get started, please remember that this is supposed to be fun! As always whenever I offer… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Once you have a clear goal in mind, the next moment can be perilous. You might hear a small voice telling you to start with a small step, but often our enthusiasm overwhelms us. All of the ways that you can make your goal happen crowd into your brain like partygoers stuffed into a small… Read more »
I’ve always loved a good prompt when it comes to writing because I’ve always loved a challenge. These are usually questions or directives (though they don’t have to be) with the goal of inciting a written response from the writer, such as: “two strangers meet in a bar, and one of them turns to the… Read more »
Perfectionism is not about being perfect. We tend to think that perfectionists obsess over word choice or comma placement simply because of incredibly high standards, but it goes deeper than that. In her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown explains, “There’s a significant difference between perfectionism and healthy striving or striving for excellence. Perfectionism… Read more »
