7 tips for writing while traveling

If your summer is looking anything like mine, it’s packed full of trips, whether I’m going to other places or people are coming into town to visit. While I’m excited to see friends and family, I always struggle to write regularly during crazy times like this. But I’ve discovered a few things that make myContinue reading “7 tips for writing while traveling”

5 ways nature boosts your creativity

As a writer or creative, a lot of our time is spent indoors, hunched over a computer. While this is a necessary part of the job, it isn’t so great for our creativity (or our health!) I’ve found that one of the best ways to recharge is to get outside—whether it’s going for a walkContinue reading “5 ways nature boosts your creativity”

10 books to add to your summer TBR

I love reading outdoors during a nice, sunshine-y day, so as soon as the weather starts to warm up, I beginning planning my summer TBR. Whether you’re looking for a book to read while traveling or just to enjoy reading outside, here are some of my favorite books and books I’m looking forward to readingContinue reading “10 books to add to your summer TBR”

Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune: A magical concept that still feels lacking

At the news of her mother’s death, Natalie Tan returns home. The two women hadn’t spoken since Natalie left in anger seven years ago, when her mother refused to support her chosen career as a chef. Natalie is shocked to discover the vibrant neighborhood of San Francisco’s Chinatown that she remembers from her childhood isContinue reading “Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune: A magical concept that still feels lacking”

The Sun Is Also A Star: How does the movie compare to the book?

In the #1 New York Times bestselling book The Sun Is Also A Star, we meet Natasha and Daniel and experience their whirlwind romance as they explore New York City. Natasha is desperate to stop her family’s deportation back to Jamaica, and Daniel is a secret romantic and poet following his Koren-native parents’ dreams forContinue reading “The Sun Is Also A Star: How does the movie compare to the book?”

5 steps to conquer the micro-edit (Editing Your Novel: Part Four)

This is the final part in the Editing Your Novel series. Click to read about the read-through, beta readers, and the macro-edit. The final step in the editing process is the micro-edit. Now that you’ve fixed all the bigger problems, had other people read it for you, and fixed it again, you can dive intoContinue reading “5 steps to conquer the micro-edit (Editing Your Novel: Part Four)”

The four most important parts of the macro-edit (Editing Your Novel: Part Three)

Once you’ve finished the read-through, you’re ready to start editing! *insert applause sound effects* Before you jump in at page one and start fixing every little thing, stop and take into consideration the list you made during your read-through. It’s organized from big problems to little problems. Your macro-edit is the beginning of this list:Continue reading “The four most important parts of the macro-edit (Editing Your Novel: Part Three)”

8 tips for finding your perfect beta readers (Editing Your Novel: Part Two)

At some point in the editing process, you’ll need to share your writing. NOT with an agent yet—when you submit your manuscript to query, the agent shouldn’t be the only person other than you to have seen it! Instead, you should gather a good group of beta readers. What exactly are beta readers, you ask?Continue reading “8 tips for finding your perfect beta readers (Editing Your Novel: Part Two)”

The Goodbye Summer: relatable friendships, but falls flat

Caroline can’t wait for summer to end so that she and her older boyfriend, Jake, can run away together. She decides to spend her last summer at home saving money working at the local aquarium gift shop–and spending all the rest of her time hanging with Jake. Then she meets Georgia, a counselor at theContinue reading “The Goodbye Summer: relatable friendships, but falls flat”