Book review: Ellie and the Harpmaker

 In the rolling hills of beautiful Exmoor, there’s a barn. And in that barn, you’ll find Dan. He’s a maker of exquisite harps – but not a great maker of conversation. He’s content in his own company, quietly working and away from social situations that he doesn’t always get right. But one day, a cherry-sockedContinue reading “Book review: Ellie and the Harpmaker”

Guest Post: 4 tips to figure out what kind of book you should write

Hi y’all! Today I’m excited to bring you a post written by Lucia Tang, a contributor at Reedsy. She talks about different methods to decide which idea to pursue for your next writing project. I’ll be starting a new series following along as I start writing a new novel, so I thought this would beContinue reading “Guest Post: 4 tips to figure out what kind of book you should write”

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)”

How to make the most of the read-through (Editing Your Novel: Part One)

This post is part of the Editing Your Novel series. Click through to read about beta readers, the macro-edit, and the micro-edit. After you’ve taken a step back from your novel (however long that needs to be for you) you’re ready to jump back into it with the read-through. This step is pretty much summed upContinue reading “How to make the most of the read-through (Editing Your Novel: Part One)”

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He: An intricate plot & stunning debut

Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered—and that the killer is someone closeContinue reading “Descendant of the Crane by Joan He: An intricate plot & stunning debut”

What to do when you finish your first draft

So. You’ve done it. You had an idea, then sat down and did the work to turn it into an actual story. You wrote a first draft! Now what? Finishing a first draft, especially if it’s your first first draft, can seem like a daunting task, so that when it’s finally over, many writers areContinue reading “What to do when you finish your first draft”

Three questions to ask to create compelling characters

Characters are the heart of your story. If readers don’t connect with them, there’s almost no better way to guarantee they put your book down and never pick it back up. So how can we create characters that are compelling, yet believable? Likable, but realistic? It may seem like a lot of pressure, but thereContinue reading “Three questions to ask to create compelling characters”

10 books to read for Women’s History Month

March is already here, and that means it’s Women’s History Month! I love learning about all the important women in history who have been overlooked, and this happens in spades in March. Plus, this March brings us Captain Marvel, and I am here for all the women superheroes! If you’re looking for more pop culture that featuresContinue reading “10 books to read for Women’s History Month”