Challenging your writing is important, but what does that mean? It means trying something new—attempting a project outside your box of comfort—or switching everything up entirely. Challenging yourself can be a big or small adventure. You can try a new genre in a short story rather than a novel, for instance. But pushing yourself to… Continue reading Challenge Your Writing
Tag: word count
Writers, Stop Comparing Yourselves
Recently, I finished my first manuscript of 2017. It was also my first pantsing novel…and a novel that I’m truly excited about. So excited, in fact, that I think it fueled me to write more than usual and share more information about a WIP than I normally do. If you follow my social media, you… Continue reading Writers, Stop Comparing Yourselves
Discovering My Characters’ Secrets
Every human being has secrets. Why we hide the truth (or lies) from others and sometimes ourselves is often the most interesting part behind a good secret, but understanding what makes up a secret can help an author write a character in a more genuine way. So what should we know about our characters’ secrets?… Continue reading Discovering My Characters’ Secrets
#MondayBlogs When NaNoWriMo is Over
NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, is a lot of fun for many writers, and it can be that stepping stone that forces you to sit down and finish that draft you’ve been trying to complete for years. Whether you hit that 50,000-word milestone or not, I want to congratulate you, because—guess what??—you sat down,… Continue reading #MondayBlogs When NaNoWriMo is Over
#MondayBlogs Dear Writers, 2017 Can Be Your Year!
This year, I had three writing goals. 1. I wanted to sign one of my books during a Barnes & Noble event. 2. I wanted to attend a book convention as an author (booth and all!) 3. I wanted—and this one I thought I’d never reach—to receive a full request from a literary agent. I’m… Continue reading #MondayBlogs Dear Writers, 2017 Can Be Your Year!
#WritingTips No, Reading Is Not An Option.
As an author and full-time editor, I’m coming across more and more writers who don’t read their own genre, or—even worse—don’t read at all. There are generally two types of these writers. 1. Writers who claim to read but obviously don’t (and I’ll get to how it is obvious later). 2. Writers who haven’t read… Continue reading #WritingTips No, Reading Is Not An Option.
#WritingTips What I Learned Rewriting a Seven-Year-Old Novel
Every Monday I take a popular post from the past, and I recover it with new information and approaches. Today’s topic is more relevant than ever. I first tackled this topic over a year ago, explaining what it was like to rewrite November Snow, my first published novel from 2007, but, at the time, I… Continue reading #WritingTips What I Learned Rewriting a Seven-Year-Old Novel
#SATurday Changes: What I’m Doing
So, honestly, my life is getting really crazy, so I have to adjust my blogging schedule more than I thought I was going to. But I think it’ll be fun! (And hey, this gives me more time to get more novels out to you all, so that’s a plus.) I also think this it will… Continue reading #SATurday Changes: What I’m Doing
#SATurday: The Value of Knowing How Fast You Can Read or Write
The Value of Knowing How Fast You Can Read or Write I don’t have time to read. I don’t have time to write. We’ve all heard the phrases before…and possibly even said it ourselves. We get it. We do. Every writer and reader has a busy life, because every person has a busy life. Finding… Continue reading #SATurday: The Value of Knowing How Fast You Can Read or Write
#WW The Joy of Progress Bars
#WW The Joy of Progress Bars If you’ve been with me for a while, you might remember when I used to have a progress bar on the right side of my website. I no longer have one, but I’ll talk about that in a minute. Since I no longer have on, my progress bar revolved… Continue reading #WW The Joy of Progress Bars
