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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

Character Secret Thesaurus: Living Under a Curse

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 page, 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 through … [Read more...] about Phenomenal First Pages Contest – Guest Editor Edition

Seven Writing Fears That May Be Holding You Back from Greatness

Eleanor Hecks joins us to share seven writing fears common among writers and how they may be holding you back. Writing is a journey filled with challenges, many of which stem from internal fears that can stifle creativity and hinder progress. Recognizing and addressing these fears is crucial for … [Read more...] about Seven Writing Fears That May Be Holding You Back from Greatness

Character Secret Thesaurus: Hiding the Truth about Family

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 Character Secret Thesaurus: Hiding the Truth about Family

Using a Character’s Personality Traits to Generate Conflict

When it comes to generating conflict, your character’s personality can help ensure that sparks fly, especially when their traits clash with someone else’s. When people grate on one another their interactions become filled with misunderstandings, power struggles, one-upmanship, and impatience. … [Read more...] about Using a Character’s Personality Traits to Generate Conflict

Five Ways to Get Your Protagonist to Realize They’re the Problem

We’ve all heard the writing advice that we need to throw rocks at our protagonists. More obstacles, more tough choices, and more loss test them and force them to grow and change. This is all true and necessary. But one of those most overlooked forms of safeguarding our protagonists is by making … [Read more...] about Five Ways to Get Your Protagonist to Realize They’re the Problem