Procrastinating? Identify Your Cognitive Mode
Procrastinating? Identify Your Cognitive Mode
At some point in our writing journey (or life in general), we’ll all struggle with procrastination and distractions. At the same time, we all probably have way too much on…
Read more…How to Deliver Important Backstory Using the Setting
How to Deliver Important Backstory Using the Setting
Backstory is often maligned despite being vital to storytelling. For example, how many times have you heard someone say, “Backstory is bad, strip it from the scene!” or, “Backstory slows…
Read more…Your Stakes Are Clear. So Why Doesn’t Anyone Care?
Your Stakes Are Clear. So Why Doesn’t Anyone Care?
Knowing what a character stands to lose is supposed to get readers invested in their struggle. Stakes you can see coming get readers rooting for a character. They keep readers…
Read more…Your Creative Brain Has Two Jobs – Stop Making It Do Both at Once
Your Creative Brain Has Two Jobs – Stop Making It Do Both at Once
Last week, I had one of those days when my creative brain needed one of those intersection traffic cops. (You’ve seen those cool cops, right? They’ve got the cool whistle,…
Read more…5 Mistakes Writers Make When Describing a Character’s Fear
5 Mistakes Writers Make When Describing a Character’s Fear
Fear is one of the most powerful emotions in a story so avoiding common mistakes is paramount. When readers sense a character is experiencing fear they practically lean in, waiting…
Read more…Write Your Way to the Finish Line: Save 20% at One Stop for Writers
Write Your Way to the Finish Line: Save 20% at One Stop for Writers
Writing is hard, and unfortunately, getting stuck can be part of the process. Figuring a way forward is important to keep that momentum going. That’s why we created the Storyteller’s…
Read more…How to Show a Character’s Fear in Real Time
How to Show a Character’s Fear in Real Time
Fear is much more than an emotion—it is one of the biggest influencers of human behavior. Whenever we encounter a situation with unknowns, fear kicks in. Even if we do…
Read more…Win Feedback on Your First Page!
Win Feedback on Your First Page!
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 Developmentally Edit Your Book, Yourself
How to Developmentally Edit Your Book, Yourself
Developmental Editing is tackled on a completed draft of your book. It is the big picture assessment that will let you, the writer, know: Does your story work? Will readers…
Read more…4 Tips for Successfully Writing Picture Books
4 Tips for Successfully Writing Picture Books
Did you know I cut my teeth writing picture books? Well, technically, my first attempt was a chapter book. I didn’t bother doing any research; as a first grade teacher,…
Read more…Omniscient POV: Pitfalls and Best Practices
Omniscient POV: Pitfalls and Best Practices
A surprising number of first novels land on my desk as an editor that are written in omniscient point of view. I say surprising because I find it by far…
Read more…Strengthen Your Story by Throwing Rocks at Your Characters
Strengthen Your Story by Throwing Rocks at Your Characters
If there’s one thing we all know, it’s that life is stressful. Each day, we’re bombarded with obstacles, challenges, and upsets. We navigate what we can, go to bed, and…
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