One key factor to any marketing strategy’s success is knowing who your audience is, and yet, this tends to be the main ingredient many of my author clients miss from their marketing process. In my other life, I run the digital marketing department of a creative firm, and I have a number of … [Read more...] about Identifying Your Reader
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Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Exes
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: Exes
5 Tips for Writing Stellar Romantic Subplots
Does your story contain a romantic subplot? They can be tricky to write well while not allowing them to take over the main plot line. Savannah Cordova is back with some tips on how to whip them into shape. As a reader and writer, one of my favorite story elements is the romantic subplot: a … [Read more...] about 5 Tips for Writing Stellar Romantic Subplots
Opening Scenes: 3 Critical Elements
One of the most common questions I get as an editor is, “Am I starting my novel in the right place?” Let’s discuss how you can craft an opening that subtly shows you are, in fact, starting in the right place and feel confident about your choice. We often think we need to open with a huge bang, … [Read more...] about Opening Scenes: 3 Critical Elements
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Siblings (Youth)
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: Siblings (Youth)
The Author’s Guide to Redeeming Villains
Have you ever fallen in love with a story villain? Or at least found yourself liking him or her somewhat against your will? Seems a little weird, experiencing all the happy feels for this character, but I think we’ve all been there. When a villain is well written and well rounded, they can … [Read more...] about The Author’s Guide to Redeeming Villains
The 8 Points of Progress
In a lecture series on Youtube, #1 New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson talks about the three P's of plot structure: Promise. Progress. Payoff. Promises are particularly important in the beginning of the story, as they draw in the … [Read more...] about The 8 Points of Progress
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Landlord and Tenant
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: Landlord and Tenant
Creating from the Familiar
Have you watched The Mandalorian yet? It’s worth it just to listen to the opening theme music. It has this haunting western-scifi feel that is utterly unique, compelling, and has a complexity that allows you to discover something new each time you listen. My husband, being the … [Read more...] about Creating from the Familiar
How to Evoke Emotions with Book Cover Design
We all know the importance of book covers in helping readers choose books. So what separates an engaging cover from one that potential buyers pass by? Would you be surprised if I said that emotion was part of the equation? Read on, as today's guest writer, a graphic designer and creator of book … [Read more...] about How to Evoke Emotions with Book Cover Design
Relationship Thesaurus Entry: Twins
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: Twins
7 Ways Deep POV Creates Emotional Connections With Readers
Deep POV (point of view) is a popular (and lately, divisive) writing style to employ. Many blogs about deep pov will list out the same four or six foundational tools as though any newbie could pick this up and run with it from these meagre explanations. Deep POV is complex and involves many tools … [Read more...] about 7 Ways Deep POV Creates Emotional Connections With Readers