Writing Tips

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!

Writing Tips

#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

Miscellaneous

#MondayBlogs Writing, Creating, and Loving Villains

Wizard World Comic Con invited me to speak on the panel Villains vs. Villains with authors Genese Davis, Jack Burgos, and RA Jones last month, and I loved it! We had a great time talking about what makes a villain likable, memorable, or just plain evil. Today, since I know so many of you couldn’t… Continue reading #MondayBlogs Writing, Creating, and Loving Villains

Miscellaneous

#WW Heroes I Want to See In YA

In the real world, heroes come in all shapes and sizes. They can save the world, or they can save one person. Heck, they can even just save themselves! But every hero we read about has a different story to tell, a background unlike any other, and most of all, a story to tell. However,… Continue reading #WW Heroes I Want to See In YA

Miscellaneous

#WW How To Get A Literary Agent

How do I get a literary agent? This is a popular question among aspiring writers, and to be honest, signing with a literary agent is a long and complicated process but well worth it for many. That being said, signing with a literary agent isn't the only way to get published, but today, I'm only covering… Continue reading #WW How To Get A Literary Agent

Miscellaneous

#ReaderProblems Fandoms vs. Mobs

All right. All right. I’m not telling anyone they cannot have an opinion. You can. (Of course.) But I wanted to discuss an upsetting trend that bothers me down in my fandom core. Readers ALWAYS hate every adaptation. And it isn’t just hate. It’s very loud, very aggressive, very complete hate. Welcome, fandom mobs. I… Continue reading #ReaderProblems Fandoms vs. Mobs

Miscellaneous

#SATurdate: The White Rose, Man in the High Castle, Burt’s Bees, and Sweets.

As you all know, we didn’t have a SATurdate last week due to the monthly Website Wonders piece, so this one might be a bit longer than usual. (I think I say that every week for one reason or another…but oh well!) What I’m Writing: I realized I need to go over Take Me Tomorrow… Continue reading #SATurdate: The White Rose, Man in the High Castle, Burt’s Bees, and Sweets.

Writing Tips

#WW Pitch Competitions

Although many of you know me as an author, I work a full-time day job as an editor and marketer. I also give publishing advice and help writers with their websites. It was during this job one of my clients asked me if I had ever participated in a #Pitch competition. If you don’t know… Continue reading #WW Pitch Competitions

Miscellaneous

Website Wonders

Website Wonders! Every month, I share all of the websites I come across that I find helpful, humorous, or just awesome. Below, you’ll find all of June’s Website Wonders categorized into Reading, Writing, and Simply Amazing. If you enjoy these websites, be sure to follow me on Twitter because I share even more websites and… Continue reading Website Wonders

Guest Blogger · Writing Tips

#MondayBlogs: Writing Complex Female Villains

Intro: Welcome to #MondayBlogs! Every Monday, a guest blogger will be covering a topic revolving around reading and writing, and today's topic can be found on the more ominous side of literature. SiameseMayhem is a sassy reader and the writer behind Pirate Kitties: Musings on YA Novels and Pop Culture - a quirky and intelligent blog I… Continue reading #MondayBlogs: Writing Complex Female Villains