Kids Lit
The Christmas Read-Aloud Crowd
A torrent of new books comes out each holiday season, celebrating Christmas, both religious and secular. Some, sold to…
December 8, 2025-
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A Lighter Look at the Writer's LifeWhat Do You Write?
I recently attended a writers conference, and that typical question reared its head. “What do you write?” It’s a…
December 6, 2025 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)Putting in the Work
This month, I had to make the difficult decision to give up on trying to recover work and files…
November 29, 2025 -
Book ProposalsWhy Do Editors Take So Long with my Submission?
Many new authors wonder why it takes so long for the editor (or literary agent) to process my submission?…
November 26, 2025 -
Guest Posts4 Key Tips for Crackling Dialogue in Your Fiction
No matter how compelling a narrative is, poorly written dialogue can turn away countless readers. Flat conversations are like…
November 24, 2025 -
Romancing Your StoryFrom Rings to Rainstorms: Using Symbols and Motifs to Deepen Your Story
It’s a myth that symbolism and motifs are the sole property of literary writers. They are important tools in…
November 23, 2025 -
The Picky PenMisplaced Modifiers
As an author, you have to carefully craft sentences that grab the reader’s attention. Part of that, as I…
November 19, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Peeking over the Artist’s Shoulder
This month, I interviewed an artist friend about how his mind works! Welcome, Jack Foster. Jack and I met…
November 8, 2025 -
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life
Bouncy Writing Advice
I love quotes. You can’t beat little bits of wisdom from people in all walks of life. You can…
November 6, 2025 -
Book Proposals
Editors Do More Than Read Submissions
Editors and agents do a great deal more than read unsolicited manuscripts. As an acquisitions editor, I don’t passively…
November 4, 2025 -
Writers ChatWriters Chat Recap for October
Writers Chat, hosted by Johnnie Alexander, Brandy Brow, Melissa Stroh, and Norma Poore. The place where craft connects community!…
October 31, 2025 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)
Grieving is Part of the Process
A few weeks ago, I accidentally corrupted the external hard drive where I keep all of my writing projects…
October 29, 2025 -
Writing for YAGuest Post by YA Author Melissa Knight: Thoughts on AI
Melissa Knight is the author of two series, and a devotional for teens. She writes contemporary novels for teens…
October 27, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Just BLOGGING Along! Happy 30 years to the BLOG!
Though not named BLOG until several years later, the practice of sharing personal writing and opinions online dates back…
October 8, 2025 -
Devotions for Writers, UncategorizedWhen Darkness Closes In
Darkness encircled our back-patio meeting. The early-onset sunset brought a fall chill with it, and we snuggled deeper into…
October 3, 2025 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)
The Power of Encouraging Words
Earlier this month, a disabled friend whom I try to mentor fell while trying to get out of his…
September 29, 2025 -
Writing for YA
Four Tips for Creating a Teen Detective
Since 2018, I’ve spent every day with my teen detective Rae Riley. She’s had a cameo in one short…
September 28, 2025 -
Book Proposals
Delete Any Hype from Your Proposal
As you pull together the details of your book proposal, you want to take the time and read it…
September 26, 2025 -
The Picky Pen
Common Apostrophe Mistakes
Apostrophes are small and barely noticeable punctuation marks, but without them the reader would have a difficult time deciphering…
September 22, 2025 -
Kids Lit
Into the Bottomless Pit…
This is THE month – the month my latest book, Just Enough Room for Christmas, launches out into the…
September 8, 2025 -
A Lighter Look at the Writer's Life
Howdy, AI!
Hello! How are you today? I wrote that greeting all by myself—it didn’t come from AI (Artificial Intelligence). Could…
September 6, 2025 -
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)
Pace Yourself
Unfortunately, my summer didn’t go quite as I had hoped. I enjoy spending a lot of time outside; however,…
August 29, 2025 -
Writing for YA
Seven Ways Young Adult Novels Miss the Mark (and How to Fix Them)
Do you struggle to create a teen protagonist that resonates with young adult readers? Is something off in the…
August 27, 2025 -
Book Proposals
An Excellent Proposal Involves Hard Work
Many authors are looking for a magic bullet or system or action they can take to get published and…
August 26, 2025 -
Writing Romance
The Act-Three Break-Up: Required or Suggested?
Thanks to a nasty virus, I’ve spent a good amount of the last few weeks on the couch with…
August 24, 2025