A morally gray character isn’t fully “good” or “evil.” So how do you write an effective one?
Tag: characters
The Chosen One or Secret Heir? Why It Matters More Than You Think
So what’s the difference between the Chosen One and the Secret Heir? Spoiler alert: they are not the same.
Should Young Adult Books Teach a Lesson?
I was working on my WIP recently when I started talking about my book with a librarian friend. Specifically scenes where my main character fixes up an old sports car and starts racing around her country town. To my surprise, my friend assumed she would crash the car and eventually learn that this behavior is… Continue reading Should Young Adult Books Teach a Lesson?
How to Name Your Characters
Naming your characters, especially your main characters, can feel like a daunting task. Some enjoy the thrill of it; others struggle a lot, and never quite feel like they found the “right” name. I, for one, love naming characters. I often joke that baby name books are some of my favorite reads and, in fact, I’ve… Continue reading How to Name Your Characters
How I Outline (And Write) My Novels
Foreword: This week has been crazy. Between attending the LitUp Festival today, trying to coordinate the cover for TOOK ME YESTERDAY (the sequel of TAKE ME TOMORROW) on Wattpad, and some other crazy exciting news, I almost (ALMOST) let this blog post get away from me. (Thank the writing gods for iCalendar reminders.) That being… Continue reading How I Outline (And Write) My Novels
Learning to Write from TV: The Umbrella Academy Edition
Writers are often told to read (and read a lot) in order to know how to write. And while I totally agree with that sentiment, I also think writers can learn from other forms of media. Yes, including TV shows. (Even TV shows adapted from a novel or comic book.) In fact, I think TV… Continue reading Learning to Write from TV: The Umbrella Academy Edition
NA or YA? College-Aged Protagonists
If you live on Twitter like me, then you probably saw last week’s discussion on college-aged protagonists in young adult fiction. Many were calling for it. Others pushed back. Personally, I’m somewhere in the middle. I desperately want college-aged protagonists, but I want them placed in NA, and I want NA to rise up on… Continue reading NA or YA? College-Aged Protagonists
When A Character Does Something You Dislike
I read a lot. I also read reviews, though I tend to read reviews after I have read a book myself. Why? Well, I used to rely on reviews to pick books, but now I tend to rely on a trusted few (and my own gut) to pick and choose. Even so, my interest in… Continue reading When A Character Does Something You Dislike
A Writer’s Best Friend is Google
As an author, I LOVE helping fellow writers. In fact, I encourage writers to message me whenever they want with whatever questions they have. But don’t forget, folks. Google is your best friend. Recently, maybe due to NaNoWriMo, I've received A LOT more messages than usual. The most common one: “How can I get my… Continue reading A Writer’s Best Friend is Google
Take Notes While Writing a Series
While on Twitter the other day, writer A.J. Forrisi asked an amazing question! https://twitter.com/AjForrisi/status/928268520458260482 P.S. Give A.J. a follow! My quick answer? Take notes on your first book, so that writing the sequel isn't as difficult. (And definitely do a read-through. ) I keep a character bible and chapter summaries for each book in a series.… Continue reading Take Notes While Writing a Series
