6 Essential Elements of Engaging Story Scenes
A short story or a novel is built from a series of scenes linked together. Each scene acts as the heartbeat of your narrative—a distinct unit: where an event or action unfolds within a unified setting and timeframe. Whether you’re crafting dialogue scenes, action-packed moments, or reflective sequels where your character weighs their choices, every… Continue reading 6 Essential Elements of Engaging Story Scenes
Creating Empathetic Characters Using Maslow’s Hierarchy
We want our readers to empathize with our protagonist. We want our readers to feel something akin with them so they want to live through the character over the course of hundreds of pages. To do this, we don’t need to show any backstory or detailed character traits. When well done, you don’t need to… Continue reading Creating Empathetic Characters Using Maslow’s Hierarchy
8 Ways to Get Yourself Motivated to Write
We all have those days when we just can’t get ourselves to sit down to write, or if we do plop ourselves down, we can’t get a sentence to flow across the page. These are the times when we need to rekindle our motivation so we find the joy and excitement that makes ideas and… Continue reading 8 Ways to Get Yourself Motivated to Write
10 Amazing Things about Being a Writer
I never set out to become a writer. I was actually an art major in college. My writing career started rather accidently, but I am glad that it did. Here are ten amazing things that make me glad I have chosen the career path of professional writer. ONE You can write about anything. ~*~*~*~ TWO… Continue reading 10 Amazing Things about Being a Writer
Writing Trigger Warnings
Have you ever started a book and been reading along thoroughly enjoying it, when suddenly the plot takes a dark turn or a character does something disgusting or you get a shot of fear ripping through you? Whatever it is, it is so horrible that you put the book down and vow never to read… Continue reading Writing Trigger Warnings
Top Strategies for Overcoming Planning Obstacles
I am a planner. I love to make outlines and checklists. I like to know where I am going and what I will do when I get there. I love plans so much I keep a day planner right next to my computer, and I look at it several times a day. (Except when I… Continue reading Top Strategies for Overcoming Planning Obstacles
Be Inspired by BIG Words
It’s time to choose the BIG words that guide me throughout the year. If you have been following my journal for the last ten years (Wow! I can’t believe it’s been that long!), you may be familiar with my BIG Words. If you’re not, you may find this creative take on New Year resolutions will… Continue reading Be Inspired by BIG Words
28 Strategies to Combat Holiday Stress for Writers
Welcome December! Does the holiday season stress you out? It does me! It’s bad enough to have all those special book events on my platter – book sales, holiday stories to write for my newsletter followers, bookish gifts to distribute, and holiday promo graphics to post. But I always have so many unfinished writing projects… Continue reading 28 Strategies to Combat Holiday Stress for Writers
Crafting Authentic Character Reactions with the Stimulus-Reaction Sequence
Have you ever read a description of a character doing something in a story and felt like something was a bit off? Human beings are not only very sensitized to how other humans behave, but the way our sensory system works means that in most circumstances people respond to an event or stimulus in expected… Continue reading Crafting Authentic Character Reactions with the Stimulus-Reaction Sequence
