Writers Chat
Writers Chat Recap for September Part 2
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, and Melissa Stroh, is the show where we talk…
September 30, 2022-
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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 -
Magazine and FreelanceGet Started with Writing Articles
The first thing a beginning writers often hear is “write what you know.” Good advice! But once you have…
August 14, 2020 -
History in the MakingWhy You Need to Get Your Historical Facts Straight
If you’re a historical fiction writer who is under quarantine or lockdown, whether voluntary or government mandated, now would…
May 31, 2020 -
Writing for YAWriting Diverse Mental Health Themes in YA Fiction
If you’ve queried in the past five years, you’re familiar with the plea for diverse books. Publishers and readers…
May 27, 2020 -
Writing for YA
Researching and Authenticity in Fiction: Interview with YA Author Felicia Bridges
I’ve always loved books about far flung places. It’s a wonderful way to expand horizons. I decided to talk…
March 27, 2020 -
Mystery/Thriller/SuspenseResearch: Time-waster or Story-builder?
“I write fiction. Is research really necessary?” “… a novelist has nearly the same obligation for accuracy as a…
January 17, 2020 -
Writers ChatWriters Chat Recap for August, Part 1
Writers Chat, hosted by Jean Wise, Johnnie Alexander, and Bethany Jett, is the show where we talk about all…
August 15, 2019 -
Guest PostsResearch Tips for your Historical Fiction Novel— From a History PhD
You don’t need a PhD in history to write historical fiction. Grad school, after all, trains students to ask…
July 18, 2019 -
History in the Making
Historical Fiction Basics and Top Ten Time Periods
Those of us who write Historical Fiction are drawn to re-imagining the past and reconstructing times gone by. History…
June 20, 2019 -
History in the Making
Have You Considered These Historical Resources?
When writing historical fiction it is important to be sure your historical facts are accurate, not only so that…
April 20, 2019 -
Fantasy-Sci-FiHow to Write Fantasy and Science Fiction
So, you’re a writer. And you’d like to write fantasy and science fiction. You have a great idea for…
January 7, 2019 -
Child's CraftNonfiction For Kids Is Big! – Part II
Last month we looked at an overview of writing nonfiction for kids. This month we focus in on writing…
September 21, 2018 -
History in the Making
Is Writing Historical Fiction a Good Fit for You?
I enjoy digging into the past, following bunny trails of history, and learning about cultures long interred and nearly…
September 20, 2018 -
The Picky PenHow to Think Like an Editor Part 2
Writing is a funny art because agents and editors (freelance and publishing house) tell us to write, write, write…
August 22, 2018 -
Child's Craft
Nonfiction for Kids Is BIG!
In the publishing world nonfiction is a hot item at this time. For both children’s magazines and books (especially…
August 21, 2018 -
Novelists UnwindNovelists Unwind Interviews Jill Eileen Smith and Sarah Sundin
This month’s guests are both best-selling, award-winning authors who are renowned for their diligent research and compelling stories. Jill…
July 26, 2018 -
Mastering Middle GradeSummer Reading Research
School is out, and summer reading programs are gearing up in public libraries everywhere. Summer months are the perfect…
June 15, 2018 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)Able!
Recently, I was asked by a fellow writer to work with him on a project. Admittedly, I was pretty…
May 29, 2018 -
History in the MakingResearch’s Unexpected Benefit
By Sandra Merville Hart It happened again. Somewhere in the middle of writing the novel, the story got stuck…
January 21, 2017 -
Dear Young ScribesHow to Choose, Develop, & Research a Setting: Part 2
Once you’ve chosen the setting of your book—which we discussed in Part 1 of this series—it’s important to spend…
July 21, 2016 -
Dear Young ScribesHow to Choose, Develop, & Research a Setting: Part 1
Setting is far more than the backdrop of a novel. It’s the environment that breathes life into a story. It…
June 19, 2016 -
History in the MakingSurprising Friends for the Historical Author
By Sandra Merville Hart Let’s face it. Historical authors spend many hours researching – perhaps as much time as…
April 19, 2016 -
History in the MakingA Hidden Treasure for Historical Writers
By Sandra Merville Hart Maps are hidden treasure for historical writers. If you haven’t used this key source of…
March 16, 2016 -
History in the MakingResearch Can be a Chore or an Inspiration: You Decide
Researching for a story or article can be a chore. It’s certainly a lot of work to dig for…
January 13, 2016
