Blog

Personalizing Your Protagonist’s Emotional Wound

Emotional wounds are tricky to write about. Abuse, betrayal, victimization, and the death of a loved one may exist in a character’s pasts and so should be explored, but these are also real life events that cause damage to real people. So as I talk today about personalizing wounds for our … [Read more...] about Personalizing Your Protagonist’s Emotional Wound

Free Resources for Writers

By Erica Converso Free. It’s a wonderful word, isn’t it? A limited budget shouldn’t prevent you from becoming the best writer you can be. And if you use the resources available in your community – and outside it on the vast expanse of the internet – you’ll find that the possibilities for finding … [Read more...] about Free Resources for Writers

Character Tropes and Types: Innocent

In 1959, Carl Jung first popularized the idea of archetypes—"universal images that have existed since the remotest times." He posited that every person is a blend of these 12 basic personalities. Ever since then, authors have been applying this idea to fictional characters, combining the different … [Read more...] about Character Tropes and Types: Innocent

How a Show-Don’t-Tell Mindset Helps You Write Stronger Stories

Show-Don't-Tell is something we hear a lot about as writers, and yet many struggle to apply it. Why? Because while most understand the basics of show-don't-tell, not every writer can spot descriptive opportunities where deploying it the right way will draw readers in. Becca and I have studied … [Read more...] about How a Show-Don’t-Tell Mindset Helps You Write Stronger Stories

Should You Write Over the Summer, or Take a Break?

We're a month away from the official kickoff to summer, and as someone who gets less of this season than many (Oh, Canada), I'm starting to get giddy. Summer is ahead, ready to unfurl like a warm, sunny rug. I'm talking longer days, less rigid schedules, and more trips to Gong Cha for bubble tea. … [Read more...] about Should You Write Over the Summer, or Take a Break?

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus Entry: Sage

Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition

Hey, wonderful writerly people! It’s time for our monthly critique contest. This month, we have a HUGE prize. 3 winners will receive feedback on 20 pages from a professional editor. So exciting! This contest is closed. Please try again next month. If you’d like to be notified when the next one … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition

Character Voice Versus Author Voice

We’ve all heard about the importance of finding your voice as a writer. Maybe you’ve had a critique from an editor who felt the narrative voice wasn’t sharp enough. Or maybe a critique mentioned the author’s voice creeping into the narrative and you found yourself thinking, huh? Isn’t that the voice … [Read more...] about Character Voice Versus Author Voice

Character Type and Trope Thesaurus: Explorer

Creating a Publication Timeline for Your Next Release

Publishing your own book is a lot like juggling—and not those harmless little balls, either. Try a couple of balls, a chainsaw, a set of Ginsu knives, and a litter of kittens. There are so many things to remember, and they’re all vital to getting your book into readers’ hands in a reasonable … [Read more...] about Creating a Publication Timeline for Your Next Release

How Beta Readers Might Save Your Book from Disaster

When I wrote book 2 in my The Fountain Series, The West Woods, I posted on social media to get Beta Readers, and had 61 people offer. *Facepalm*. I didn’t want to sift through 61 opinions on my book, but I did need a gut check from fans of the series. These were the worries I had. So, from … [Read more...] about How Beta Readers Might Save Your Book from Disaster