I love my critique partners. I’ve been swapping pages with the same group since 2016 (and connected with additional critique partners along the way). Without their insights, I would’ve never grown the way I have over the years, which is why I’m always encouraging writers to connect with beta readers and critique partners, too. But… Continue reading How to Find Beta Readers and Critique Partners
Tag: writing tips
Free Writing Webinars: Revising Your Manuscript and Tips for Writing Spooky
This fall I’ll be teaching two free writing webinars. I know how signing up for an educational event can feel daunting…or just plain time consuming. Which is why I thought I’d give you all a sneak peek of what’s coming up. That way, you can make a more informed decision on if the content is… Continue reading Free Writing Webinars: Revising Your Manuscript and Tips for Writing Spooky
How to Tackle an Edit Letter
Have you ever received an edit letter or notes from a beta reader, and you’re not sure where to begin? Everyone’s revising tactics will be different, but sometimes it helps to see how someone else digests information and figures out what to do. This is how I tackle an edit letter: I read it once,… Continue reading How to Tackle an Edit Letter
Trusting the Writing Process When You Must Kill Your Darlings
Right now, I am in the process of killing my darlings. A common phrase used in the writing world, and yet many writers have different definitions for it. Recently, it seems many writers take "kill your darlings" literally and they kill characters. While that technically counts, "kill your darlings" is a reference to eliminating any… Continue reading Trusting the Writing Process When You Must Kill Your Darlings
How to Organize Scrivener’s Binder for Novel Writing
Have your most important documents accessible while writing.
How to Fast Draft Chapters
Writing quickly and effectively is a skill. Here's some tips to get you started!
Is Your 18+ Protagonist Young Adult, New Adult, or Adult?
What makes a book young adult or new adult? What about adult?
My #1 Publishing Secret: The Power of a Strategic Plan
Every author I know has secrets: Secret writing tips, secret favorite reads, secret marketing advice. You name it, folks have it. Granted, I’m a big believer in transparency. I wouldn’t be where I am today without other writers and publishing professionals sharing their insight with me, so I always try to give back. So what’s… Continue reading My #1 Publishing Secret: The Power of a Strategic Plan
5 Non-Writing Activities I Still Count As Writing
Writing is hard. So hard that writer's block often sneaks up on us. But did it really sneak up on us? I see lots of writers who get writer's block from one thing: Not feeling like they’re doing enough. Which is why I recommend being mindful about how non-writing activities count toward your writing journey. … Continue reading 5 Non-Writing Activities I Still Count As Writing
Enemies to Lovers vs Rivals to Lovers: Meeting Readers’ Expectations
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
