Fiction isn’t journalism, of course. You don’t need to cram all five Ws (who, what, when, where, and why) into the opening paragraph of your novel or short story. Still, if you’re writing mainstream fiction, your readers ought to be able to establish some bearings early in the narrative. You need to set the scene. … Read more »
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 »
Writing can be a struggle. You have days where you just don’t feel like it, or the words just don’t come. Distractions happen. Other important things on your to-do list come up, right? Does this sound familiar? This doesn’t have to be the case. Writing is a skill you can practice and improve on, and… 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 »
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 »
Let’s face it. It’s hard to care about a story if you don’t care about the characters. Reading fiction is almost always an act of empathy: for a brief time, we get to live another life. Therefore, above all else, writing compelling fiction requires empathy, too—lots of it. It’s one thing to know facts about… Read more »
