How to Amp Up a “Boring” Story Setting
How to Amp Up a “Boring” Story Setting
Taking the time to choose the right setting for each scene is one of the best ways to ensure our writing has impact. Why? Because the setting touches everything. It…
Read more…Writing Fantasy: What Not To Do
Writing Fantasy: What Not To Do
Fantasy is my first love, full stop. You need to know this, because otherwise you might think I sound a bit cranky. Many elements are in play in a well-written…
Read more…Use Literary Devices to Propel Readers Past Chapter Endings
Use Literary Devices to Propel Readers Past Chapter Endings
In my last post, I discussed why chapter endings can be tricky (because they provide a natural stopping point for readers) and how to counteract that. By using a variety…
Read more…Making the Most of Your Word Processing Tools
Making the Most of Your Word Processing Tools
Standard Manuscript Format for Writers Last month, I shared my tips for How to Use Scrivener (Without Anxiety). But as I mentioned in that post, the industry standard for publishing…
Read more…Win Feedback on 5 Pages!
Win Feedback on 5 Pages!
Want to win editorial feedback and take your storyfrom good to great? Well, my writerly friend, you’re in luck! It’s time for our monthly Phenomenal First Pages contest. In this draw,…
Read more…How to Write Unique, Memorable Character Voices
How to Write Unique, Memorable Character Voices
Your character’s voice is the reader’s guide through your story. Readers hear your character in their head before they see them in their mind’s eye. A well-developed character voice stays…
Read more…Will Your Story Keep Readers Hooked?
Will Your Story Keep Readers Hooked?
I’m reading a novel right now. It started out okay, but somewhere around chapter five, I noticed I was skimming—just moving my eyes across the page as fast as I…
Read more…How to Use Scrivener (Without Anxiety)
How to Use Scrivener (Without Anxiety)
When I tell writers how much I love using Scrivener to write my novels, I often get some version of “I bought it, but I’ve never used it because it’s…
Read more…How to Twist Office Romance Into Fresh Conflict
How to Twist Office Romance Into Fresh Conflict
Have you ever gone to a new restaurant, ordered a burger, and discovered it has some sort of luscious, zippy sauce that elevates the entire meal into the ecstasy zone?…
Read more…The Emotion Thesaurus is Amazon’s Daily Kindle Deal (1.49) + a Discount on Character Thesaurus eBooks
The Emotion Thesaurus is Amazon’s Daily Kindle Deal (1.49) + a Discount on Character Thesaurus eBooks
Great characters aren’t built from a single element. They’re shaped by emotions, personality traits, fears, past wounds, goals, and the roles they play in their world. That’s why our character-focused…
Read more…11 Chapter Endings to Keep Readers Turning Pages
11 Chapter Endings to Keep Readers Turning Pages
As authors, we give a lot of attention to our openings—where to start the story, polishing the first pages—because they’re important for pulling readers in. But what about endings, particularly…
Read more…How Are Writers like Holly Bushes?
How Are Writers like Holly Bushes?
I learned something fascinating about holly this week (besides that it can be a bush or a tree). What I learned is specific to the leaves. Apparently, holly leaves don’t…
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