Romancing Your Story
Humoring Your Romance
I always say that a book that can make me laugh and cry is an outstanding book that will…
March 23, 2021-
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Fantasy-Sci-FiA proven process for dealing with Rejection
The long-awaited email from the agent arrives. With a trembling hand, you open it. Polite greeting, generic praise and…
March 7, 2021 -
ScreenwritingDo You Know What You Mean?
Recently, I uploaded my latest screenplay to a screenwriting website for Hollywood producers and studios to view. I was…
March 4, 2021 -
Writing for YAStory retellings: Interview with A. K. Pittman
Allison Pittman, writing as A. K. Pitman, has a brand new book out, and it’s a YA P &…
February 27, 2021 -
Romancing Your Story
Emotional Logic, Or How to Keep Readers From Throwing Your Book Against the Wall
The basis of every good story is conflict. As writing teacher extraordinaire James Scott Bell often says, “Happy people…
February 23, 2021 -
History in the MakingCorn Flakes, The Journey of a Favorite Cereal
A health guru… Stale wheat… A tight budget… This hodgepodge of events would lead to the creation of a…
February 20, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade10 Epic Middle Grade Book Series
I read a ton of great middle grade series in 2020 and I’m excited to share just a few…
February 16, 2021 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
Navigating the Social Media minefield as a Speculative Fiction author
It’s a complicated time to be an author trying to build your platform on social media. It’s a weird…
February 7, 2021 -
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 -
Writing for YA
Writing 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 Story
Does 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 Grade
New 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-Fi
MILITARY 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
