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Writing 101: Point of View Basics

Understanding point of view basics is essential for writing strong, emotionally resonant fiction, so this is a good topic to explore as part of our 101 series. The viewpoint you choose determines who tells the story, how much the reader knows, and how deeply they connect with the characters. … [Read more...] about Writing 101: Point of View Basics

Reading Like a Writer

We all know that as writers we should be reading a lot. It’s one of the best ways to learn the craft, and Stephen King’s quote on the topic is legendary: “If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write.” While it’s great to beat your annual Goodreads challenge, … [Read more...] about Reading Like a Writer

New Writing Resource: A Character Type & Trope Thesaurus + Save 25%

In 2024, Becca and I began exploring character tropes and archetypes with one goal in mind: to create a resource that helps writers better use tropes by providing each one's behaviors, strengths, flaws, tendencies, and more, so they could write characters with confidence. But we also wanted our … [Read more...] about New Writing Resource: A Character Type & Trope Thesaurus + Save 25%

Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition

Hey, wonderfulwriterly people! It’s time for Phenomenal First Pages, our monthly critique contest. So, if you need a bit of help with your first five pages, today's the day to enter for a chance to win professional feedback! (We've had past winners tell us they've found their dream editors … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition

Write a 5-Star Book 2

When I set out to write Book 2 in my Fountain series, I made the common mistake of thinking it would be easier than the first one, which took me more than four years to write. After all, I’d already created the world and gotten to know my characters inside and out. I knew what I wanted their next … [Read more...] about Write a 5-Star Book 2

Workshop: How to Write Compelling Inner Conflict with Angela Ackerman

Ready to dive into your character's internal struggle and put all that incredible gut-twisting conflict on the page? If so, don't miss this upcoming Zoom workshop on Saturday, May 24th, 11 AM Eastern Time. Registration is now closed. See you this Saturday! Inner Conflict: Writing About … [Read more...] about Workshop: How to Write Compelling Inner Conflict with Angela Ackerman

Writing Tips from a Neurodivergent Brain

Last fall, when I wrote about writing a novel “scene by scene" as someone neurodivergent, I received a ton of interesting feedback. Most of it was a variation on these three questions: I’ll give you my answer in a nutshell. I don’t write out of order to be different or creative. I write out … [Read more...] about Writing Tips from a Neurodivergent Brain

Secrets Thesaurus: Knowing Death Is Coming for Someone

What secret is your character keeping? Why are they safeguarding it? What’s at stake if it’s discovered? Does it need to come out at some point, or should it remain hidden? This is some of the important information you need to know about your character’s secrets—and they will have secrets, … [Read more...] about Secrets Thesaurus: Knowing Death Is Coming for Someone

Before You Pay Thousands to Publish Your Book, Read This

If you're thinking about paying a company thousands of dollars to publish your book, please stop and read this first. I have a stern warning for you! My $5,000 Publishing Nightmare When I was a young writer in my 20s, I had just finished a children's book. Eager to see it in print, I … [Read more...] about Before You Pay Thousands to Publish Your Book, Read This

Build These Seven Growth Milestones into Your Character’s Arc

While there are many kinds of stories, most of them today are about a protagonist navigating a change or growth arc. In this model, the character undergoes a personal journey of evolution; they realize that their hurts, habits, or hang-ups are keeping them from success and, over time, adopt … [Read more...] about Build These Seven Growth Milestones into Your Character’s Arc

Character Secret Thesaurus: Giving Up a Child

Writing 101: Effective Dialogue Techniques

Welcome to the next post in our Writing 101 series: Dialogue Techniques. The first installment covered common mistakes with dialogue mechanics, which are important to master if you want to write clear conversations readers (and editors and agents) can easily follow. But well-written conversations … [Read more...] about Writing 101: Effective Dialogue Techniques