Seven tips that have helped shape my writing career—and may help you with yours too! 1. Engaging passion To be an author you must have something to say, a story you believe in, passionately. Nothing less than passionate belief in your subject will carry you through periods of self-doubt and dejection. Once you have decided […]
May 19, 2013 by 59 Comments Writing Life5 Reasons You Should Stop Writing
Sometimes the best thing a writer can do is not write. There are going to be times when there are good reasons you should stop writing, when your brain is fried, your imagination has dried up, and your life is demanding you put non-writing priorities first. In these situations, is it ever acceptable to just […]
May 3, 2013 by 28 Comments Writing Resources10 of My Favorite Writing Craft Sites
The writing journey is all about discovering what works best of for each of us as individual, and very unique, writers. Learning from others is valuable in helping us glean tips and fit together the puzzle pieces that will form our own writing processes. Today, I’d like to share with you ten of the sites that inspire, educate, and […]
March 31, 2013 by 47 Comments Writing InspirationShould You Force Yourself to Write?
When writers ask me for my one, surefire, absolute best piece of writing advice, my prompt answer is, “Write every day.” By that, I mean establish a consistent writing schedule and stick to it, come hurricane or heartburn. Don’t feel like writing today? Doesn’t matter, write anyway. Sick as a dog today? Write anyway. Hate […]
January 25, 2013 by 35 Comments Writing Life7 Ways to Speed Up Your Writing
Most of us don’t have the luxury of spending years and years penning our next literary masterpiece. Multiple writing assignments, looming deadlines, and . . . well . . . life in general tend to kick our butts on a daily basis. How is a writer to manage all these things? Writing faster is the most obvious solution, but it is much […]
December 21, 2012 by 76 Comments Writing InspirationHow Music Affects the Writing Process
Music is used in stores to prolong the shopping experience. In movies, music (or the lack of it) is utilized to enhance the scene. Advertising agencies have invested time and money into music for jingles that keep products in your head or a television series in the forefront of your mind. Music is also one of the key aspects […]
November 4, 2012 by 41 Comments Writing LifeFrom Idea to Publication: A Novel Writing Timeline
As authors, our greatest teachers are our own books. Every book I write teaches me new things, both about myself as a person, and about my craft as a novelist. My portal fantasy Dreamlander is no different. The book will be released December 2, and in the intervening weeks between now and then, I’d like to […]
July 29, 2012 by 58 Comments Writing Life3 Reasons to Write Scenes Out of Order (and 5 Not to)
Should you ever write scenes out of order? There you are, ready to start in on a new story, and you have one particular scene just begging to be written. Maybe it’s the scene that inspired the story, or maybe it’s just as easier scene than the one you’re currently faced with. If you go […]
January 15, 2012 by 47 Comments Writing LifeHow I Learned to Write–And How You Can Too
You know that moment when, in the middle of a brilliant novel, you drop the book into your lap, stare at the ceiling, and wonder why God chose to gift this novelist with effortless talent, while you’re left slogging in the trenches of writer’s block and clunky sentences? I rather think most of us have […]
August 16, 2010 by 16 Comments Writing InspirationWhat Inspired You to Become a Writer? – And Other Questions Answered
Today, I’m honored to be interviewed by Janalyn Voigt on her blog Book Readers Central. Take a peek to discover what inspired me to become a writer, what I enjoyed most about writing Behold the Dawn, and what books I enjoy reading—among other things.
