Writing Tips

#MondayBlogs Writing With Barbie

Authors use various methods to write novels. Some of these strategies are popular, while others are simply bizarre, and two years ago I confessed one of my strangest approaches. Barbies. You see, I began writing what would be my first published novel when I was 11, and because I was 11, I loved to daydream… Continue reading #MondayBlogs Writing With Barbie

Miscellaneous

#SATurdate: Me Before You, Thief of Lies, Pit Mad, & Bad Bloods Sequel

I’ll be signing books and hosting an author panel at TWO Barnes & Nobles this weekend for #BFest! Come see me today at Oak Park Mall’s B&N in Overland Park, Kansas from noon to 3 PM, or stop by Zona Rosa’s B&N in Kansas City, Missouri from 2 PM to 4 PM tomorrow! What I’m Writing:… Continue reading #SATurdate: Me Before You, Thief of Lies, Pit Mad, & Bad Bloods Sequel

Writing Tips

#WW Taking a Writing Break (And Why It’s Important)

I am taking a break from writing. (Why does that feel so dramatic to say? …Well, I don’t know. Maybe because writing is practically my life.) So what do I mean by taking a break? I mean just that. A break. A normal, little vacation for the writer’s mind. I’m not quitting. I’m not giving… Continue reading #WW Taking a Writing Break (And Why It’s Important)

Writing Tips

#MondayBlogs Writing Tips for Love Interests

Romance sells. This is a proven publishing fact. Though that doesn’t mean you should add romance to your novel just to add it, romance is quite popular in ANY genre, and let’s be real, love is everywhere. The chances of writing a book with no one (not even a side character) falling in love or… Continue reading #MondayBlogs Writing Tips for Love Interests

Writing Tips

#WW Writing Tips: Build Your Vocabulary

Vocabulary. It’s definitely a necessity for writing a book. A novel, after all, is written with words. It’s built on the structure, the sound, and the meaning behind every word you use, so naturally, building an extensive vocabulary is a vital aspect of every writer’s life. That being said, it’s not as easy as it… Continue reading #WW Writing Tips: Build Your Vocabulary

Author Announcements · Writing Tips

#MondayBlogs Authors, Add Extras to Books

Writing a book is long process often filled with notes, maps, character charts, soundtracks, and Sticky Notes. If a novel is 350 pages long, there’s probably a stack of papers twice that high that led up to the publication of it. Whether it was an editorial letter or a rewrite or a list of background… Continue reading #MondayBlogs Authors, Add Extras to Books

Miscellaneous

#SATurdate: The Jungle Book, Thunderclap, and Through the Looking Glass

What I’m Writing: This week I finished my initial edit of D, and now that I’ve cranked that entire manuscript out in a ridiculous amount of time, Shannon is taking a much-needed break. But hey! I have three novels complete and ready to pursue publication. I'm sure I'll recover from writers' burnout soon. What I’m… Continue reading #SATurdate: The Jungle Book, Thunderclap, and Through the Looking Glass

Writing Tips

#WW The 90-10 Rule for Marketing and Writing, and How To Love It.

I recently attended the 101st Annual Missouri Writers’ Guild Conference, and a lot of aspiring authors asked about how much marketing they would be expected to do. One instance in particular seemed to shock many. Janell Walden Agyerman from Marie Brown Literary Agency stated most of her authors followed the 90-10 rule. What’s the 90-10… Continue reading #WW The 90-10 Rule for Marketing and Writing, and How To Love It.

Writing Tips

#MondayBlogs What Changes From First Draft to Publication?

What changes from first draft to publication? So much. In fact, nearly everything. But if the answer was that simple, an entire article (or even whole books on the topic) wouldn’t be necessary, so there’s more to this answer than it seems. Despite that, I insist you take my article with a grain of salt.… Continue reading #MondayBlogs What Changes From First Draft to Publication?