There are lots of things that are frightening to a writer, but at the very top of that list is writer’s block. That feeling of being stuck, like nothing is working, and it’s hard to see your way out. I have felt this a couple of times throughout writing, and I don’t think the lineContinue reading “Five Questions To Ask When Dealing with Writer’s Block”
Category Archives: Writing
Use the Rule of Why to Find Your Character’s Deeper Motivation
Think of your favorite character from a book (or movie or TV show). List out the reasons why you like them so much–or why you find them compelling, even if they aren’t very likable. Sure, it probably has something to do with finding them relatable or funny or clever or having a tragic backstory. ButContinue reading “Use the Rule of Why to Find Your Character’s Deeper Motivation”
How To Organize Feedback On Your Writing
In order to grow as a writer, it’s essential that you share your work and get feedback on it. If you feel scared about sharing your work, don’t worry. You’re not alone! Check out this post I wrote about that. But after you’ve done the scary thing and shared your writing and heard back fromContinue reading “How To Organize Feedback On Your Writing”
5 Lessons on Writing from Susan Dennard
Susan Dennard, author of the Witchlands series and the recently released book The Luminaries, is known for her spot-on writing craft tips, found on her website and through her newsletter. So when I got the chance to see her on the Luminaries tour, it was no surprise that she was full of great writing andContinue reading “5 Lessons on Writing from Susan Dennard”
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Four Tips for Developing Your Voice As A Writer
Something that I often hear in the writing world is that the one thing that can’t be taught is “voice” in writing. That although you can get better at almost every aspect of writing, voice is something that you just have to have. And for a long time, that terrified me. I was pretty positiveContinue reading “Four Tips for Developing Your Voice As A Writer”
Why You Need External Conflict In Your Story and How to Add It
If you’ve ever a read a book where you got halfway through and it felt like things were still getting set up, that might be a result of a lack of external tension. I recently got feedback from a beta reader for my WIP The Sound of Everything, and it turned out I had thisContinue reading “Why You Need External Conflict In Your Story and How to Add It”
Advice on Writing from Rebecca Roanhorse, award-winning fantasy writer
If you haven’t read anything by Rebecca Roanhorse, you are missing out. Roanhorse is a New York Times-bestselling author of sci-fi and fantasy, and her work has received Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Awards. Her book Black Sun is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a while, so when I had the chanceContinue reading “Advice on Writing from Rebecca Roanhorse, award-winning fantasy writer”
How To Stay Sane While Querying Your Manuscript
If you want to be traditionally published, you have to get an agent somehow. For the majority of writers, that means querying literary agents. Once you sign with an agent, they will be your champion: helping to make sure your book is as good as it can get, selling it to editors at publishing houses,Continue reading “How To Stay Sane While Querying Your Manuscript”
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How To Use Notion to Organize Your Writing
If you’ve ever lost track of a great plot idea or the perfect solution to that plot hole because you either didn’t write it down, or wrote it down on some random piece of paper that is somewhere in your house, car, or recycling bin, don’t worry: You’re not alone. And there is a betterContinue reading “How To Use Notion to Organize Your Writing”
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Focusing on Priorities (a blog update)
Phew! It feels like forever since I announced I’d be going on a hiatus. This summer has been a full one, with both good and hard things taking up my time. About a month ago, I had the day off and went to a nearby art museum, both to see the exhibits of course, butContinue reading “Focusing on Priorities (a blog update)”