Hey, wonderful writerly people! It’s time for our monthly first-page critique contest 🙂 This contest is closed. Please try again next month! If you’re working on a first page (in any genre except erotica) and would like some objective feedback, please leave a comment. Any … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages
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Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Editor and Author
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: Editor and Author
Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 3: Accountability
We've loved having Jessica Conoley here the past three weeks to discuss the three vital pieces of support that every author needs. Today, she's closing out this series by discussing the importance of accountability. In the past two posts we’ve covered where to turn when you want to improve the … [Read more...] about Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 3: Accountability
8 Ways to Write Your Novel’s Outline
by Lucy V. Hay How To Write An Outline Writers who don’t outline are often very loud online. They will say outlines kills creativity. They may even go so far as to claim an outline is a ‘straightjacket’ and that writers who use them are ‘less interesting’. The case for outlines … It’s … [Read more...] about 8 Ways to Write Your Novel’s Outline
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Co-Volunteers
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: Co-Volunteers
Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 2: Mentorship
Jessica Conoley shared last week about why it's so important for writers to have a critique group or partner. She's back today in this three-part series to talk about the next vital support element that every author needs. Last week, we talked about the critique leg of your writing support … [Read more...] about Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 2: Mentorship
Nods, Smiles, and Frowns: How Can We Avoid “Talking Heads”…and Cliches?
Context is often an underappreciated element of our writing because when not done well, a context-filled passage can become a tell-not-show info dump. However, context is essential for most aspects of writing, from attributing dialogue and establishing stakes to evoking emotions and anchoring … [Read more...] about Nods, Smiles, and Frowns: How Can We Avoid “Talking Heads”…and Cliches?
7 Clues that Reveal Writing is Part of Your Life’s Purpose
I love today's topic by Colleen M. Story, because it's one that I think most writers think about...is storytelling our destiny? After all, writing isn't easy and there's a big learning curve. It's easy to doubt ourselves and whether we're up to the challenge. (But we are!) So read on for Colleen's … [Read more...] about 7 Clues that Reveal Writing is Part of Your Life’s Purpose
Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 1: Critique
As writers, it's important to have a support system, and it's just as important to enlist the right people to that inner circle. Jessica Conoley is sharing the first post in a three-part series on what this support system should look like and who it should include. Every writer I know who has … [Read more...] about Building Your Writing Support Triangle, Part 1: Critique
Two Words that Will Supercharge Your Writing Career
Over the years I've gotten to know many writers and have noticed certain things about those who see their careers take off. No matter what their age, country of origin, or genre, they have a boatload of passion, tenacity, humility, and grit. But there's something else as well, two words missing from … [Read more...] about Two Words that Will Supercharge Your Writing Career
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Principal and Teacher
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: Principal and Teacher
Phenomenal First Pages Contest
This contest is closed—please try again next month. If you’d like to be notified when the next one goes live, consider subscribing to our newsletter. Hey, wonderful writerly people! It’s time for our monthly first-page critique contest 🙂 If you’re working on a first page (in any genre … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest