Publishing Advice · Writing Tips

Writing Lessons from LitUP

LitUP is one of my favorite book festivals of the year. It’s all about bringing young adult authors and aspiring teen writers together.

Publishing Advice

What’s the Difference Between Romantasy and Romantic Fantasy? 

It’s easy to look at the newly coined term and think “Romance” + “Fantasy” = “Romantasy” but it’s not that simple.

Miscellaneous

My Favorite Books of 2022

As per tradition, I am back to share my favorite reads of 2022. Before I jump into it, though, I wanted to mention a few caveats.  My original website template retired. (RIP, Bueno. You served me well–and for ten years!) I’m now using Button 2. I might be changing it intermittently as I try to… Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2022

Writing Tips

When to Begin & End Chapters

When writing a novel, writers must consider a lot of factors: characterization, pacing, plot, etc. Take a look around the internet and you’ll find tons of articles on how to begin a novel, outline a novel, flesh out a novel, and end a novel, but when it starts to get into the nitty gritty details,… Continue reading When to Begin & End Chapters

Miscellaneous · Writing Tips

How to Enjoy Reading as a Writer (And Complete Those Reading Goals)

It’s summertime, which means beach reads are among us. Not to mention the fact that we’re halfway through 2021. (Eek!) How far along are you on your reading goals? I aim to read 52 books a year. I’m definitely not there yet. But I know a lot of us take this time of the year… Continue reading How to Enjoy Reading as a Writer (And Complete Those Reading Goals)

Writing Tips

Why I Don’t Have a Publication Coming Out This Year

If you’ve been following my publication journey over the past few years, then some of you have probably already guessed that I don’t have a book coming out this year. Usually, you’re not supposed to admit these sorts of trials as an author, but I like to be transparent because I wish more authors were… Continue reading Why I Don’t Have a Publication Coming Out This Year

Writing Tips

Writing in a New Genre

Maybe you hit a slump with your usual genre. Maybe you’re feeling the urge to explore. Maybe you just want to. Sometimes, authors want to write in a genre they’ve never written in before, but they don't know where to start. Well, that's what I'm here for. In fact, I recently went through this myself,… Continue reading Writing in a New Genre

Writing Tips

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

Miscellaneous

Can Genres Die?

“Why are you writing a vampire/dystopian/princess novel? That won’t sell today! It’s been overdone. It’s dead.” If you’re a writer, you’ve probably participated in a conversation similar to the one above. Trends have a lot to do with the publishing industry. If you’re lucky enough to have something written and ready to go as the… Continue reading Can Genres Die?

Writing Tips

#WW When You Shouldn’t Write That Book

There comes a time in every writer’s life when they realize they cannot write that book….and I’m not talking about writer’s block. I’m talking about when you want to write a book, but you know you shouldn’t. Maybe not yet. Maybe never. Of course, I’m not saying a writer CAN’T write that book. Not forever… Continue reading #WW When You Shouldn’t Write That Book