Screenwriting
Emotional Storytelling
Last year I let a screenwriting and producer friend with 30 years of experience read the first draft of…
February 4, 2021-
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Writing for YAWriting a First Novel: Choosing A Genre
Want to write a novel, but aren’t sure what genre to pick? Write What You Love That’s a good…
January 27, 2021 -
Romancing Your StoryDoes Setting Matter in a Romance?
The short answer is YES! While falling in love can happen anywhere, the choice of your setting sets a…
January 23, 2021 -
Kids LitKnow Your Audience
“Many books for children feature children. Your writing will be more natural if you are aware of the rhythms…
January 21, 2021 -
Mystery/Thriller/SuspenseAuthors as Psychotherapists – Getting into the Mind of Our Characters
What can authors learn from the world of psychotherapy? According to the Microsoft Bing definition, a psychotherapist “treats mental…
January 17, 2021 -
Mastering Middle GradeNew Year’s Writerly Goals
Happy 2021, my MG friends! Anyone else excited about having a fresh, clean, slate of months ahead in which…
January 16, 2021 -
Magazine and FreelanceStart the New Year with Articles
The new year. A great time to try something you haven’t done before. How about writing articles? Many people…
January 14, 2021 -
Fantasy-Sci-FiMILITARY UNITS AND RANKS FOR YOUR SPECULATIVE FICTION NOVEL (Part 2)
Happy New Year, awesome authors! As writers of speculative fiction, military forces are a staple in many of our…
January 7, 2021 -
Screenwriting
Controlling Idea!
As the pandemic unfolded last year, a story concept I toyed with for years kept coming to mind, mainly…
January 4, 2021 -
Writing for YA
Talking About Writing and Contests with 2020 First Impressions YA Finalist Annette Griffin
The First Impressions Contest is held every year by ACFW. This year, Annette Griffin made it to finalists’ list…
December 27, 2020 -
Kids Lit
Don’t Commit a Rhyme Crime
You might have heard that “Rhyme is a crime,” and that editors don’t like rhyming board books and picture…
December 21, 2020 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Gain a Clearer Understanding Through Reading
Outside of studying the necessary and ever-increasing number of how-to books on writing, character building, plotting, showing and telling,…
December 17, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Ringing in the New with Great Resources
As we look ahead to a new year and a new opportunity to write and learn, I wanted to…
December 16, 2020 -
Magazine and Freelance
3 Reasons to Disagree with an Editor
You might be surprised to read the title of this post. Aren’t editors always right? Won’t you doom your…
December 14, 2020 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
Military Units and Ranks for Your Speculative Fiction Novel
As writers of speculative fiction, military forces are a stable in many of our stories. Basing these on a…
December 7, 2020 -
Screenwriting
December Denouement
Thanksgiving is over and we’re eagerly awaiting Christmas and the new year! It’s a safe bet 2020 hasn’t gone…
December 4, 2020 -
Writing for YA
All About Writing Mentors: Q & A with Lisa Samson
Guys, I have been a huge Lisa Samson fan since forever. In fact, I distinctly remember reading the Christy…
November 27, 2020 -
Romancing Your Story
What Do Your Characters Want and Why?
What drives your character? What is his or her motivation for pursuing their goals, whether it’s defusing an atomic…
November 23, 2020 -
History in the MakingA Parade of Events
Thanksgiving morning! Heroine’s day begins in the kitchen helping Mother stuff Tom Turkey. Task done, they lug the heavy…
November 20, 2020 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Excuse me, Mr. Bad Guy. Why?
There’s nothing better than a creepy villain. A deranged killer on the loose terrorizing your hero and heroine. A…
November 17, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Talking New Traditional Children’s Books with Chicken Scratch Books’ Kiri Jorgensen
As a writer, a teacher, and a SCBWI regional advisor, Kiri Jorgensen has observed an evolution in children’s publishing…
November 16, 2020 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
Writing bigger speculative fiction stories
In his 2017 best seller, You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Story, Houston Howard admonishes writers to create larger stories…
November 7, 2020 -
Screenwriting
Almost There!
By the time you read this, Halloween will be over; which means the year is almost over—more specifically 2020…
November 4, 2020 -
Writing for YA
Do’s and Don’ts When Forming Your Launch Team
Congratulations, your book baby is now ready for release! What comes next? It’s time to celebrate your book release…
October 27, 2020 -
Romancing Your Story
The Romance Promise
Every book written begins with a promise. No matter if it is fiction or nonfiction, there is a promise…
October 23, 2020
