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-
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Magazine and Freelance3 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-FiMilitary 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 -
ScreenwritingDecember 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 YAAll 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 StoryWhat 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/SuspenseExcuse 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 -
Kids LitWriting Books that Matter
I was in the window seat, thumbing through my recent issue of “Writer’s Digest,” just waiting for the plane…
October 21, 2020 -
History in the Making
Using Your Research for More than Your Novel
Writing a novel is hard work and takes time. Writing a Historical Fiction novel may require more time and…
October 20, 2020 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
When You Feel Like Giving Up
Somewhere along the way doubts may have bubbled up and spilled over. Is the mystery, suspense, thriller genre still…
October 17, 2020 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Ten Ways to Be a Great Critique Partner
It cannot be overstated: Critique groups are vital for writers. The critique group is to a writer what coaches…
October 16, 2020 -
Magazine and Freelance
The Value of a “Write Away”
I have a good friend who often says, “I’m going to be gone this week to a “write away.”…
October 14, 2020 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
How to Defeat the Dream-Stealers
I hadn’t been careful enough, and the creature had my scent. Fight or flight, but there’s nowhere to run.…
October 7, 2020 -
Screenwriting
New Heights (The Climax)
At this point in 2020, we are over halfway through the year and it seems like a new setback…
October 4, 2020 -
Writing for YA
Writers Gotta Read: Where to Find Book Recs and A Short List of Suggested Reading for YA Authors
I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have…
September 27, 2020 -
Romancing Your Story
Should Your Romance Contain a Trope?
In case you’re unfamiliar with the word trope, let’s define it. A trope is a character trait or plot…
September 23, 2020 -
History in the Making
Reverential Capitalization, or God and Pronouns
An interesting thing happened to me on my way to being traditionally published. During my most recent edit, the…
September 20, 2020 -
Devotional/Christian Living
The Cold Call: How to Approach a Church or Women’s Group for Speaking Opportunities
Recently in a devotional/Christian living blogger Facebook group, a woman asked how she could find speaking engagements. She has…
September 19, 2020 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
The Power of Facial Expressions
Facial expressions speak louder than words, and yet, they don’t make a sound. In most cases, faces convey an…
September 17, 2020
