Challenging your writing is important, but what does that mean? It means trying something new—attempting a project outside your box of comfort—or switching everything up entirely. Challenging yourself can be a big or small adventure. You can try a new genre in a short story rather than a novel, for instance. But pushing yourself to… Continue reading Challenge Your Writing
Category: Writing Tips
First or Third Person? Present or Past Tense? How Do You Decide?
So you're writing a book...but your book requires some decisions. Your narrative needs structure. And there are a million options to choose from. So how do you decide a perspective and a tense? What is the best combination for your book? Let me start out by saying that making the choice to write in first/third… Continue reading First or Third Person? Present or Past Tense? How Do You Decide?
The YA Protagonist’s Age: You’re 17? Me too!
The young adult genre is normally defined by coming-of-age stories, where the protagonists are often between the ages of 14 and 18. That being said, if you are publishing a YA story right now, chances are your protagonist is 17 years old. So why are most YA protagonists 17? Short Answer: The protagonist is old… Continue reading The YA Protagonist’s Age: You’re 17? Me too!
Not All Villains Think They’re Good
“Every villain is the hero in their own story” is a common, popular writing tip, and while I agree, I think it is sometimes confused with “Every villain thinks they’re the good guy.” There’s a difference between thinking you’re a hero and thinking you’re a good guy, and not every villain thinks they’re a good… Continue reading Not All Villains Think They’re Good
Character Motivations vs Morals
Not going to lie, I recently binge-watched The 100 through Netflix. For those of you who don’t know, The 100 is a TV show based off a young adult series with the same name. The first season follows a group of 100 kids dropped off on earth after a nuclear disaster destroyed the planet 97… Continue reading Character Motivations vs Morals
Podcasts for Writers, SFF, & More
I love podcasts. Since I spend most of my day on the computer, I’ve fallen in love with listening to podcasts while I’m off the computer. It helps me rest my eyes, while also giving me a chance to continue my research—whether it’s for publishing or writing in general. Below, I’m including my top three… Continue reading Podcasts for Writers, SFF, & More
#MondayBlogs Making More Time To Write
I wish I had more time to write. Am I right? But seriously, every writer I know wishes they had more time to write, and most writers also know it’s a matter of making more time to write. (You know, unless you managed to get your hands on Hermione Granger's Time-Turner, in which case, lucky… Continue reading #MondayBlogs Making More Time To Write
#MondayBlogs Writers, Should You Get Scrivener?
I’m a writer. Nowadays that means spending a lot of time on a computer, typing away word after word until the glorious moment of THE END is reached. Granted, I don’t always type. My favorite two tools remain a pen and paper. Oh! And Sticky Notes. But I’m also open-minded. I love trying new technologies… Continue reading #MondayBlogs Writers, Should You Get Scrivener?
#WW Help! My Female Character Is Flat
I’m guilty! Oh, so guilty. While writing my latest manuscript for my publisher, I hit a snag 38,000 words in, and could not—for the life of me—figure out what was wrong with it. Then, I realized what happened. My female protagonist was flat. Allow me to back track for a little bit. I never used… Continue reading #WW Help! My Female Character Is Flat
#WW Writing Quicksand
Writing quicksand is a term I like to use to describe when writing is doing more damage than good. You know, the more you move, the faster you sink? It can happen in writing, too. Of course, writers should write all time. Whenever they can, really. But sometimes, it’s best to walk away for a… Continue reading #WW Writing Quicksand
