January 18 is National Thesaurus Day. So it seems a perfect moment to honor the most important writing tool an author can have: The Thesaurus. The thesaurus is a type of dictionary that focuses on synonyms for the words listed. … Continue reading The Thesaurus: An Author’s Best Friend
Blurbs are those short, pithy book descriptions found on the back cover and on online book sites. Writing this is a challenge for many authors. Instead being free to develop the story over pages or writing, the author must shrink … Continue reading Build-A-Blurb
When I started writing fiction, I decided to do so under a pen name. At the time it made sense. I was teaching, and my first novels were sexy hot. This is one of the most common reasons authors choose … Continue reading Pen Names: The Good and the Bad
Every writer needs a story bible or two. A story bible (also called a series bible or universe bible) is a collection of all the materials you need to write your book, gathered in one place. Story bibles, as an … Continue reading Story Bibles for Writers
It is so easy to get distracted! I have a tendency to start work on a task, such as this blog post, and then along the way to get sidetracked by an interesting article I come across while researching, by … Continue reading Kaban Boards for Writers: Staying on Task and Enjoying It
I love designing book trailers. Putting visuals and music to the story I have written really brings alive the emotions I felt while writing. In the past, I have used a variety of video editors to produce my book trailers … Continue reading Designing a Book Trailer with Canva
Do you listen to music when you are writing? If not, maybe you should. Music has some amazing benefits for a writer. It can… How Writing to Music Works Listening to music increases blood flow to the brain. In particular, … Continue reading Writing to Music
Dialogue should play a major role in any story. Pages full of descriptive and narrative paragraphs are less enticing than hearing the characters speak for themselves in their own voices. Dialogue has an immediacy to it that is missing from … Continue reading Adding Depth to Dialogue
Do you have trouble remembering what you read? Know the title but not the author, the setting but not the characters’ names? Can’t recall that great quote or turn of phrase? Looking for examples of exemplary writing and plotting? Wish … Continue reading Jot Note Journaling for Those Who Read & Review
Looking for a gift for a writer friend, or perhaps, one for yourself? Here are five books I have found helpful in my writing this year. Fiction Blurbs: The Best Way Forward Way by Phoebe J. Ravencraft If you hate … Continue reading 5 Writing Craft Books You Shouldn’t Miss
For the longest time, I have been pondering how to embed a theme in a novel. Isn’t it enough to have a premise, to have plenty of action and to develop each character’s arc? But while preparing the final revision … Continue reading Finding Your Novel’s Theme
One of the main things slowing down our writing speed while drafting is the infernal, internal editor. Here are three ways to override the need to write everything correctly the first time. Continue reading Why Writing Fast & Author Voice Go Together
5 ways to use setting to add depth, emotion, and character development to any story Continue reading 5 Ways to Make Your Setting Work for You
No matter what we write, doing background research will make it better.. Here are some research ideas for novelists. Continue reading Research Ideas for Fiction Writers
In character-based plotting, two or more characters with opposing goals and mindsets are set loose in a setting and must find their way to a satisfying conclusion.
Continue reading Brainstorming a Plot through Character Interviews
Power Charge Your Language by Joan Koster provides a zillion ways to add vividness to your writing. Continue reading Powerful Prose
GMC or Goal, Motivation, and Conflict provide a framework for brainstorming a strong plotlines and character arcs. Continue reading Brainstorming Your Plot Using GMC
If you are a writer, you love words. I know that I do. Word Storms are a writer’s way to play. They stir up creativity. They help you work through problems. They help you write your story. Continue reading Using Word Storms to Plan Your Novel
Inspiration for a story can come from the luck of the draw. Get a free set of Brainstorming Cards and learn how to use them. Continue reading Brainstorm Your Novel Using Brainstorming Cards
Storyboards are a quick, fluid way to plan a novel. It is a way to see how your story events flow together, how they match up with the plotting template you choose to use, and where there are plot holes. Continue reading Storyboard Your Novel
