Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it’s important to craft them carefully. But characters don’t usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they’ll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Executive and Personal Assistant
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Use Your Fiction Skills to Earn Money
Authors are a talented bunch. We’re adept at creating worlds and characters that engage our readers and keep them turning the pages. All these skills we learn—grammar, punctuation, pacing, layering, syntax—are valuable tools we can utilize in other forms of written communication to develop other … [Read more...] about Use Your Fiction Skills to Earn Money
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Imaginary Friend and Child
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Imaginary Friend and Child
Want a Stronger Manuscript? Read It Aloud
Editing freaks a lot of people out. Drafting is creative and inspirational, and every writer LIVES for that moment when you get into the groove and the words just flow. But editing is kind of the opposite. It’s analytical, with a rigid set of rules that have to be followed. I think this is why so … [Read more...] about Want a Stronger Manuscript? Read It Aloud
Help Us Help You! (+Giveaway Ending Soon)
Hi guys! Late last week we peeled back the curtain on our new site design (finally!) and have a pretty terrific giveaway going on right now to celebrate. Have you entered it yet? If not, go do that. I'll wait. This redesign has been a long time in coming, and we're pleased with it, but … [Read more...] about Help Us Help You! (+Giveaway Ending Soon)
Surprise Giveaway: Writers, Come Win Something Awesome!
So, I think we can all agree it's been QUITE a year. Most of us feel like we've aged 10 years. BUT. We're turning a corner, oh-so-slowly, but it's happening. So let's celebrate hope. And optimism. And while we celebrate these, Becca and I have a few things to add, milestones we've … [Read more...] about Surprise Giveaway: Writers, Come Win Something Awesome!
How to Give a Great Podcast Author Interview
by Colleen M. Story As an author, one of the best ways you can reach new audiences is through podcasts. According to Edison Research and Triton Digital, there are now 62 million Americans listening to podcasts each week, up from 19 million in 2013. We have about 800,000 active podcasts … [Read more...] about How to Give a Great Podcast Author Interview
Relationship Thesaurus: Bully and Victim
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus: Bully and Victim
Heinlein’s Rules of Writing: Principles for Success
I want to talk today about a topic I’ve been pondering for years. YEARS. It’s Heinlein’s Rules of Writing. If this is new to you, it's a framework for writing success that consists of 5 rules established by Robert A. Heinlein—aeronautical engineer and pioneering science fiction author. Writers … [Read more...] about Heinlein’s Rules of Writing: Principles for Success
What Is Your Character’s Emotional Shielding and Why Does It Matter?
In the real world, we’re all products of our pasts. Good and bad, the people, events, and situations we’ve encountered have influenced us in profound ways, impacting our morals and beliefs, our day-to-day habits, our personal preferences, even our personality traits. This should be as true for our … [Read more...] about What Is Your Character’s Emotional Shielding and Why Does It Matter?
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Acquaintances
Successful stories are driven by authentic and interesting characters, so it's important to craft them carefully. But characters don't usually exist in a vacuum; throughout the course of your story, they'll live, work, play, and fight with other cast members. Some of those relationships are positive … [Read more...] about Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Acquaintances
Phenomenal First Pages Contest
This contest is now closed! Yes, you heard that right! The contest formerly know as Critiques 4U has a new name: Phenomenal First Pages. Nothing else has changed. It's the same monthly first-page critique contest that you've come to know and love, just with more alliteration. And this month, … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest