There’s been a lot of talk about tropes and readers’ expectations, mainly enemies-to-lovers versus rivals-to-lovers, and while there is some crossover, there’s also distinct differences that writers and readers should keep in mind. So what makes these tropes successful? How do they stand apart from each other? Enemies-to-lovers: As it sounds, the love interests of… Continue reading Enemies to Lovers vs Rivals to Lovers: Meeting Readers’ Expectations
Tag: readers
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.
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
My Favorite Books of 2019
According to Goodreads, I’ve read 98 books this year, and it was the year of the audiobook! My new job requires a lot of driving around to various library locations. I’m often spending 2 hours on the road, an hour there, an hour back. I’ve really embraced my time in the car by listening to… Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2019
Is Spoiler-Free Pressure Ruining In-Depth Discussions About Books?
There is a lot of pressure to be spoiler free. And I get it. I do. People shouldn’t share spoilers on Twitter while they’re watching a TV show live or write up a post on Facebook without a fair warning. But sometimes I wonder if we’ve gone a little overboard with the pressure to be… Continue reading Is Spoiler-Free Pressure Ruining In-Depth Discussions About Books?
Shaming the Ship
If you’ve ever attended a movie premiere or book signing, you’ve probably heard someone squeal, “I totally ship them!” I admit, the first time I heard this was at Cassandra Clare’s book signing in Kansas City over a year ago…and I was super confused. “Ship?” I thought. “Like a boat?” So here I am, picturing… Continue reading Shaming the Ship
The Difference Between a Fan and a Follower—and Why It’s Okay to Have Both
Marketing books can be difficult. And confusing. When I talk to brand-new writers who venture out into the marketing side of things, one of the first discussions we have is the difference between a fan and a follower. A fan = someone who reads and/or buys your books A follower = someone who follows your… Continue reading The Difference Between a Fan and a Follower—and Why It’s Okay to Have Both
#MondayBlogs My Protagonist and Illiteracy
My protagonist is illiterate. She recognizes a few letters, she can identify her name, and she loves listening to stories more than anything. But she cannot read. Her name is Serena, and Serena is a bad blood. Bad Bloods in 35 words or less: 17-year-old Serena is the only bad blood to escape execution. Now… Continue reading #MondayBlogs My Protagonist and Illiteracy
#WW I Love Free Readers
What is a free reader? A reader who only reads free books. In a market where millions of books are listed as free across all platforms, free readers have become a common occurrence…and they’ve also caught a lot of flak. First, I want to clarify that I’m not talking about people who steal books by… Continue reading #WW I Love Free Readers
#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
