I love summer because it's vacation time for me. I was going to write a post about my summer routine, but when I started thinking about it I realized that I don’t have a summer routine. I don't follow a schedule. And quite honestly, I love it. Another Example of My No-Routine Routine I wrote here … Continue reading My Summer Routine (Hint: I Don’t Have One)
writing tips
How to Create Memorable Characters Your Readers Will Love
How to Create Memorable Characters I've been asked many times how I create such well-rounded characters. The truth is, I'm not entirely sure myself. Here I am, minding my own business as I think my way through a story, and suddenly these people appear. Who are you? I find myself asking the question aloud sometimes, … Continue reading How to Create Memorable Characters Your Readers Will Love
From Rough to Refined: Tackling the All-Important Second Draft
Starting Draft Two of my WIP Baking time for my current WIP is done, the timer had dinged, and now I’m writing the second draft. While this is the fun part of the writing process for me, it’s also the most difficult to explain because I believe there's magic involved. In her book Big Magic, … Continue reading From Rough to Refined: Tackling the All-Important Second Draft
The Secret Weapon of Historical Novelists: Research That Captivates
I recently read Leigh Bardugo’s The Familiar, a historical fantasy novel. Where Bardugo's Ninth House was a five-star read for me, I'd place The Familiar at four stars. I liked the story, and the main character Luzia grew on me as the story progressed. I didn't love the Hunger Games-type magic show, and though I … Continue reading The Secret Weapon of Historical Novelists: Research That Captivates
How to Write Through the Difficult Stages of a Novel: A Tip for Authors
When You’re Ready To Give Up There’s a stage of the writing process I rarely hear talked about, and that’s the stage when the project hits a roadblock and we’re ready to put that book by the wayside and say “Bye-bye!” My current WIP is in the baking stage, and though I have a complete … Continue reading How to Write Through the Difficult Stages of a Novel: A Tip for Authors
Escape the Scroll: A Writer’s Guide to a Productive Day
How We Schedule Our Days When I’m watching YouTube, videos will pop up about someone’s daily routine, whether they’re writers, students, or artists. I’ve watched a few of those videos, and it can be interesting to see how others get through their days. It can be hard for people with a full-time job to visualize … Continue reading Escape the Scroll: A Writer’s Guide to a Productive Day
Unlocking the Magic of Writing: A Guide to Starting Your Novel
Another How-To Write Post I know these “How To Write” posts are a dime a dozen, but I’ve been asked to share how I get myself started when tackling a new project, so here it is is. I should point out that this is how I begin a novel. If you ask ten different novelists … Continue reading Unlocking the Magic of Writing: A Guide to Starting Your Novel
The Swirl and Swing of Words is an Amazon #1 New Release in Authorship
Just a quick note today to let you know that The Swirl and Swing of Words: Embracing the Writing Life was named a #1 New Release on Amazon in Authorship as well as Creativity Self-Help and Authorship Reference. I'm always amazed when things like this happen. Thank you to everyone who has bought the book, … Continue reading The Swirl and Swing of Words is an Amazon #1 New Release in Authorship