John Green, author of beloved YA novels such as The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns, once described writing as “a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story but don’t want to make eye contact while doing it.” While amusing, the quote points to an overwhelming belief that writing is somethingContinue reading “The importance of community for writers”
Author Archives: Chelsea
Interview with author Kathryn Ormsbee
Today I am super excited to share an interview with author Kathryn Ormsbee. Kathryn writes young adult and middle grade fiction (the latter of which are published under K.E. Ormsbee) and got her first agent when she was just twenty years old! She has a total of six books currently published, with two more comingContinue reading “Interview with author Kathryn Ormsbee”
Fiction Friday: “Spice & Sparrow” snippet
This summer I participated in a program called “Young Writer Lessons,” where I met weekly with a writing mentor to work on creating a story. The idea I chose to focus on was one from my senior year of college when I had to get an MRI. Nothing ended up being wrong, but for severalContinue reading “Fiction Friday: “Spice & Sparrow” snippet”
How having a routine can help your creativity (and how it can hurt it)
For any creative work, there is a myth of inspiration that surrounds it. Many people believe that writing, painting, or otherwise creating involves simply waiting for the Muse or Inspiration or something similar to strike you, and all of a sudden you have a perfectly formed piece. Or maybe it’s not that dramatic, but a belief alongContinue reading “How having a routine can help your creativity (and how it can hurt it)”
10 picture books every adult should read
Even when you’re “grown up,” you still have a lot to learn. A surprising source of wisdom? Picture books. They may be meant for kids, but they’re chock full of fun, heartfelt lessons that are still applicable even after you don’t use the children’s section of the library anymore. I’ve rounded up ten of myContinue reading “10 picture books every adult should read”
Fiction Friday: “Backstays of the Sun”
At the end of June I submitted a story to the inaugural Story Embers Short Story Contest. I recently found out that my story, “Backstays of the Sun,” was chosen as the first place winner! It was published on their website, and for this Fiction Friday I wanted to make sure all of my blogContinue reading “Fiction Friday: “Backstays of the Sun””
The best way to improve your writing
I’ve wanted to be a published author for a long time, so naturally whenever I got the chance to go see an author speak, I jumped at it. I always had one question for them: what can I do to be a better writer? And no matter how many books they had published, how old theyContinue reading “The best way to improve your writing”
What’s Making Me Happy: August
Hello friends! It’s the end of the month, so I’m publishing a little bonus post. Here are a few things making me happy this month that may or may not be writing/reading related. Enjoy! Phantom Islands – A Sonic Atlas. This is a super cool interactive map of “phantom islands,” which are islands that were atContinue reading “What’s Making Me Happy: August”
How to start writing your book
So, you’ve decided you want to write a book. You’ve figured out your idea, got a good handle on the characters and plot, and you’re ready to begin! But…how exactly do you do that? One of the hardest parts of writing a book is staring at that blank page, watching the cursor blink impatiently, andContinue reading “How to start writing your book”
Fiction Friday: “Strange and Unusual Death Circumstances Support Group”
For today’s Fiction Friday post, I selected a writing prompt from the book The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley. It’s one of my favorite book of prompts, and a great source for any writer to have on their bookshelf. I ended up choosing prompt 99, “Rashomon”: Write about a group of several people, at least four,Continue reading “Fiction Friday: “Strange and Unusual Death Circumstances Support Group””