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)”

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”

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”

I visited an Amazon Books location and this is what it’s like

As a bookworm, I’ve always loved exploring bookstores. I do my fair share of ordering books online, of course, but there’s something special about wandering through a bookstore and being able to physically hold (and, okay, smell) the books. I recently became a member of my local indie bookstore to help support the store (andContinue reading “I visited an Amazon Books location and this is what it’s like”

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”