Category Archives: Writing Groups

3 Steps To Writing Diverse Characters

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Writing Coach

It’s official … Audiences have voted with their wallets and proved they WANT more diverse characters as standard. Novels lead the way, with breakout successes like Gone Girl and The Hate You Give making huge cultural impacts. Now the screenwriting … Continue reading →

Posted in Backstory, Buying Books, Character Arc, Characters, Cliches, Diversity, Emotion, Reader Feedback, Reader Interest, Reading, Resident Writing Coach, Stereotypes, Story Structure, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writing Craft, Writing Lessons | 8 Comments

Improve Your Novel Writing: 11 Tips For Newbies

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Writing Coach

Writing a novel is flipping difficult. It often takes years to complete your first novel (and even more years after that to write a good one). You heard that right — writers’ first books are usually a hot mess. That … Continue reading →

Posted in Critique Groups, Critiquing & Critiques, Grammar, Pacing, Plotting, Reader Feedback, Reading, Resident Writing Coach, Revision and Editing, Story Structure, Uncategorized, Voice, Writing Craft | 15 Comments

Story Feedback: Free and Paid Options for Writers

Posted on October 15, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

It’s a sad fact, but most writers don’t have a basement full of money, meaning the word BUDGET is kind of a big deal. We want to publish but to do it, we have to think carefully about where we … Continue reading →

Posted in Agents, Critique Groups, Critiquing & Critiques, Editing Tips, Grammar, Motivational, Publishing and Self Publishing, Reader Feedback, Rejection, Revision and Editing, The Business of Writing, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Diversity in Fiction: Writing the Character You’re Afraid to Write

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Writing Coach

In the last two years, diversity in fiction has become more and more prevalent. We’ve seen blockbuster film and TV hits from award winning books like The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas or Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity, Emotion, Reader Feedback, Resident Writing Coach, Stereotypes, Uncategorized, Writing Craft | 10 Comments

Writing Feedback: Should We Seek It Out?

Posted on September 26, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

As most of you know, Becca and I have been writing and publishing for some time now. Many thing have changed in the industry, including how a book reaches the shelf. Thankfully the slush pile of doom is no longer … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, Character Arc, Characters, Critiquing & Critiques, Motivation, One Stop For Writers, Publishing and Self Publishing, Reader Feedback, Reader Interest, Reading, Revision and Editing, Show Don't Tell, Story Structure, Tools and Resources, Uncategorized, Writing Craft, Writing Groups | 4 Comments

Writers, Remember: The Wand Chooses The Wizard

Posted on August 15, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

When we choose a writing career, naturally we want to find our footing quickly. But this can cause us to pay too much attention to what other authors are doing in hopes of finding the magic of success. Michelle Barker … Continue reading →

Posted in Focus, Guest Post, Motivational, Voice, Writer's Attitude, Writing Groups | 23 Comments

5 Writing “Life Lessons” from an Empty Nester Author

Posted on June 13, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Recently I entered a new life stage: the Empty Nester parent. My oldest son, following his younger brother’s lead, moved out a few weeks ago while my husband and I were in South America. Now, we’re back…and the house is … Continue reading →

Posted in About Us, Focus, Goal Setting, Motivational, Publishing and Self Publishing, The Business of Writing, Tools and Resources, Writer's Attitude, Writing Groups, Writing Lessons, Writing Resources | 18 Comments

The One Thing Writers Miss When Trying to Improve

Posted on April 18, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Hi guys! Colleen M. Story is posting with us again, and she always has good food for thought when it comes to flexing our creative muscles and growing as writers. Read on! Writers do something rather unusual on a frequent … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Focus, Guest Post, Uncategorized, Writer's Attitude, Writing Craft, Writing Groups, Writing Lessons, Writing Resources, Writing Time | 7 Comments

HELP! What Do I Do With My 1st Edition of The Emotion Thesaurus?

Posted on February 21, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

As the expanded 2nd edition of The Emotion Thesaurus hits the shelves, we realize we’ve created a conundrum for writers upgrading their copy: what should they do with their first edition? We love the original Emotion Thesaurus and know you … Continue reading →

Posted in About Us, Book Review, Buying Books, Contests, Critique Groups, Emotion Thesaurus Guide, Reading, Uncategorized, Writing Groups | 13 Comments

All-Important Considerations When Crafting a Scene

Posted on January 10, 2019 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Pleased to welcome C.S. Lakin back to the blog for a tremendously helpful post on what to keep in the front of your mind when crafting a scene. Read on and bookmark this great list! Anyone who says writing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Focus, Guest Post, Story Structure, Uncategorized, Writing Groups, Writing Time | 8 Comments