Mastering Middle Grade
How to Make a Cliché Work for You
In middle grade novels, do you know what gets my goat? Stories riddled with clichés. Let’s address the elephant…
July 16, 2023-
-
Magazine, Freelance, and CopywritingHow eBook Authors Can Connect with & Grow Their Reader Base
The advent of eReaders and the rise of social media means that, as an eBook writer, you can reach…
July 15, 2023 -
Kids LitEvery Single Word
Have you met adults who somehow believe that writing a picture book is EASY because there are so FEW…
July 8, 2023 -
ScreenwritingWhite Space
Recently, I decided to enter my latest screenplay into another screenwriting competition. Before I submitted my screenplay, I decided…
July 4, 2023 -
Writing for YAWriting Characters Readers Connect With Part One
Have you ever gotten a rejection letter that goes something like the following? I loved your story premise, but…
June 27, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
How to Persevere in Your Writing
When I first started writing, I assumed publishing occurred as writers often presented in Hollywood films. Authors complete a…
June 16, 2023 -
Kids Lit
Multi Award-Winning Author!
There are some thrilling moments in book publication that make all the back work (sometimes YEARS of edits!) pale…
June 8, 2023 -
Screenwriting
Subtext
I’m binging on the superhero series The Punisher. Not because I am a comic book junkie, but because I…
June 4, 2023 -
Writing for YA
Talking About Microfiction with Sci-Fi YA Author Sophia Hanson
Today I’m talking with Sci-Fi YA author and fellow columnist here on Almost an Author, Sophia Hanson, about microfiction.…
May 27, 2023 -
Romancing Your StorySame Vocabulary, Different Dictionary
I recently attended a conference where one of the speakers talked about how, because of cultural and societal shifts,…
May 23, 2023 -
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting, Uncategorized
Combating Writer’s Block By Inspiring Creativity
If you’re feeling uninspired and like nothing you write seems good anymore, you likely got a case of writer’s…
May 14, 2023 -
Kids Lit
AI:Part 2 In which I get a 4-star review for a book not yet written!
People seem to be taking sides on AI and feeling strongly about it. Recently we had an AI adventure…
May 8, 2023 -
Screenwriting
Screenplay Format
For some reason, most writers are curious about writing screenplays. And they come to me with many questions about…
May 4, 2023 -
Writing for YA
Passive NOT passive
Note from Donna Jo: The topic of critique pet peeves came up during a conversation in my weekly writing…
April 28, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Elements That Work
When it comes to writing middle grade fiction, authors might wonder what works best for this 8-12 years old…
April 21, 2023 -
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting
Do You Need a Strong Web Following To Get a Publishing Deal?
Making it as an author has changed dramatically in the digital age. Today, building your personal brand online is…
April 14, 2023 -
Kids Lit
Exploding Inboxes
My e-mail is suddenly full of opportunities! Live face-to-face conferences are happening all over the country, sponsored by different…
April 8, 2023 -
Screenwriting
Tell A Story
Recently, I reconnected with an old Christian writer friend on Facebook. We hadn’t seen each other in about a…
April 4, 2023 -
Writing for YA
Interview with Author Marie Sontag: Tips for Author Visits
For young adult authors one of the ways to connect with readers is through school visits. I asked Author…
March 27, 2023 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development as a Writing Tool
As an aspiring middle grade author, you’ve probably heard this before – if you want to write compelling, relevant…
March 16, 2023 -
Magazine, Freelance, and Copywriting
3 Steps Freelance Writers Should Take To Protect Themselves and Their Assets
The gig economy has been steadily growing in the U.S. for the past five years. Over 73 million Americans…
March 14, 2023 -
Fantasy-Sci-FiPizzanomics and the Economy of Words
In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde writes that people know the price of everything and the value…
March 10, 2023 -
Kids Lit
Three Little Pigs by AI
Two Epic Proportion Floods are predicted in the publishing industry. Artificial Intelligence has discovered writing and illustrating. At the…
March 8, 2023 -
Screenwriting
Where It Begins
Over Valentine’s weekend, I decided to re-watch one of my all-time favorite movies. I decided to do a commentary…
March 4, 2023 -
Writing for YA
How To Reclaim Writing Motivation
Slogging away for weeks, months, or years on a project can be discouraging. Writing requires self-discipline, but is that…
February 27, 2023
