Last week, I wrote about what finishing a book teaches you as a writer. This week, I wanted to take a look at what a good ending in fiction looks like. One of the first things I know about any story I’m writing is how it ends. For my current #WIP, I saw the final … Continue reading The Art of Ending Well: How to Write Satisfying Conclusions
writing tips
Writing My First Mystery: The Challenges No One Warned Me About
I love to watch mysteries. I’ve watched all of Poirot with David Suchet several times. I’ve watched two different Miss Marples. I've also watched all three Morses (Morse, Lewis, and Endeavour). I’ve read a number of mysteries too (mostly Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, and the Inspector Morse books). Finally, in Spring 2024, I decided to write … Continue reading Writing My First Mystery: The Challenges No One Warned Me About
The Truth About Historical Fiction Research: Mistakes Are Inevitable
When I wrote my first non-fiction book, Painting the Past: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction, I was drawing on more than two decades of experience reading, writing, and publishing historical fiction. I enjoyed writing that book because I love sharing the lessons I’ve learned about writing. Painting the Past was published in 2021, five … Continue reading The Truth About Historical Fiction Research: Mistakes Are Inevitable
The Art of Reading Like a Writer: What Books Have Taught Me About Craft
I’ve always believed that we can only ingest so many words from other people until we’re compelled to spill some back out. Long before we understand plot arcs, character construction, or theme, most of us fall first in love with reading. For me, reading in childhood began as an escape from a frantic, stressful family … Continue reading The Art of Reading Like a Writer: What Books Have Taught Me About Craft
How To Create a Personal Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Guide
Happy New Year everyone! Since this is my first post of the new year, I thought I’d share a wonderful tool that has really made a difference in how I approach my personal learning. Last summer, I began watching some personal curriculum videos on YouTube. As a long-time teacher and academic, I think these videos … Continue reading How To Create a Personal Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Creative Power of Humor: Writing Lessons from Dickens
Charles Dickens was more than a social critic—he was a master of humor. Discover how Dickens used comedy to build characters, balance dark themes, and connect with readers, and what modern writers can learn from him.
My Weekend Routine as a Working Writer
* * * * * The Loving Husband Trilogy Box Set will be a Kindle Countdown sale starting tomorrow, 10/15, on Amazon. If you have Kindle Unlimited, all three books are FREE until 11/16. This Halloween, surrender to the shadows of the paranormal with three novels, one Gothic romance, and many deadly secrets. The countdown … Continue reading My Weekend Routine as a Working Writer
Soundtracking Shadows: A Dark Academia Writing Playlist
In Painting the Past: A Guide for Writing Historical Fiction, I waxed poetic about how I love to listen to music as a way to get into the mindset of my story while I’m writing. Sometimes I listen to whatever I want. Sometimes I listen to music inspired by the time or the mood I’m … Continue reading Soundtracking Shadows: A Dark Academia Writing Playlist