Don’t feel like writing right now? Or maybe you don’t have the time? Or maybe you’re just blocked as all get out at the moment? Whatever the case, there’s no reason you can’t still use what time and motivation you do have to feel productive about your writing—because “writing” is really about a whole lot […]
November 5, 2018 by 55 Comments How to Become a WriterWhen Writing, How Do You Know When Enough Is Enough?
Last month, I invited you to tell me what topics you’d like me to write about. You flooded my inbox and comments section with suggestions. (I scheduled this as an “easy” post that wouldn’t require much maintenance while I was in the midst of the a big move. When I logged on that first day to […]
February 6, 2017 by 64 Comments Most Common Writing MistakesMost Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 56: Unfulfilled Foreshadowing
Sometimes writing feels like magic. You look back at the story you’ve created and it seems like it came from beyond you. One of the coolest examples of this is with foreshadowing. Some little something you wrote in the early chapters without even thinking about it ends up being a huge clue or bit of symbolism […]
January 20, 2017 by 24 Comments Editing Your NovelThe Most Common Manuscript Malfunctions (and How to Avoid Them)
Editors see hundreds of manuscripts every year, from new and veteran writers alike. Almost all of them fall down on the same points. To help you avoid the common pitfalls of fiction writing, here are the manuscript malfunctions editors see most often, with tips on how you can avoid them! Manuscript Malfunction #1: Clichés Clichés are at top […]
December 16, 2016 by 30 Comments Editing Your Novel5 Steps to a Thorough Book Edit
Nothing can strike fear in the hearts of writers like editing. But if you’re going to improve your story, a thorough book edit is something that must happen. With the right tools, mindset, and preparation, it doesn’t have to be scary at all! The fun thing about the writing and editing process is that everyone approaches […]
August 15, 2016 by 29 Comments Editing Your NovelHow to Find the Right Critique Partner: The 6-Step Checklist
Sometimes figuring out how to find the right critique partner feels about as daunting as finding the right marriage partner. First, you just have to find someone who’s interested, and then you somehow have to make sure this someone is the right someone. No pressure, right? There’s a lot on the line in choosing the right person to critique […]
August 1, 2016 by 47 Comments Editing Your NovelHow to Use Scrivener to Edit Your Novels
As a writer, you need tools that help you organize your thoughts and eliminate distractions, so you can focus on what’s really important: the story. One of the best tools (of all time?) for this is the powerhouse writing software Scrivener. I started using it a few years ago, and it has transformed my writing process. […]
