3 MORE Resolutions for the Reader in You
We make it part of their world and life; we interact with it in non-traditional ways. from “5 New Year’s Resolutions for the Reader in You” I would say a good reader does that....
Teetering On Wisdom Blog
3 Things to Do While Your First Draft “Breathes”
You did a thing. Yeah, a THING! A BOOK! You WROTE one! And, it’s going to get published–traditionally or independently–doesn’t matter; it’s going to happen! Get excited. I’ll wait. Once you’ve caught your breath,...
10 Articles You Need to Read Before Starting Publication!
Naturally, we start writing a book, or even finish our first draft, and we immediately look at publication. While that make sense, there are many things that go into publication–especially self-publication–that will come crashing...
Why you should be reading aloud in your classroom!
Okay, I’m sure everyone remembers the carpet on the floor in younger grades, right? Whether you did morning and afternoon routines there or games. Almost for sure, we all got to hear a story...
What ELSE do I do in a Writing Journal?
Last time, I had 20 awesome ideas of what to put in your writing journal. Everything from research notes to dossiers to inspiration and every variation in between. Essentially, everything you need to write...
7 Realities When Developing Characters
Just like genres, there are things we take for granted when developing stories. It’s probably that modern-day mentality—even more so if you’re American. We assume that when we write a story, the literary elements...
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Your Books
My mom already knew there was a problem when I would fill in the book fair catalog order form and just ask her for the check or cash–it wasn’t a little bit either! Granted,...
Whatever happened to penny dreadfuls?
I love penny dreadfuls. I do– Not the show. Though the show is legit based on the one episode I’ve seen, I’m talking about actually reading the stories. I bought the Penny Dreadfuls anthology...
Better Storytelling: Character Actions
Actions include the character’s physical doings, as well as his/her state of being and decisions (s)he makes. Obviously. Y’know what? Developing the RIGHT actions and not rambling is harder than you think. Just like...
Better Storytelling: Conflicting Desires
Your characters superficial, immediate, and long-term wants and goals are just like anyone else’s desires. Love, happiness, riches, fame, all the other cliches. Are you suggesting humans are superficial and flat like characters? Suggesting?...
4 Literary Elements to Leave a Lasting Effect on your Writing
Once upon a time, language was an art. Words and letters were manipulated to create an effect, to connect with people, and to leave lasting impressions. The things writers could do with words was...
Better Storytelling: Character Foils
Characters with contrasting features that juxtapose and make the protagonist’s characteristics obvious are what we call “foils”. Is that symbolic to like the different sides of foil? Like, how one is shiny and the...
Why I Handwrote My Book Manuscript
So, I finally finished my second draft of my manuscript. Wow. Congratulations. I know! I’m feelin’ pretty legit right now holding it! But, here’s the kicker: I hand wrote all of it. Why on...
Better Storytelling: Conflict Change
A character’s need for a change in order to progress toward a desire is what really makes or breaks a good story. What about the whole desire thing? The desire is what drives the...
5 Resolutions for the Reader in You
Happy New Year! After the holidays, I’ve added at least one more shelf worth of books to my home library. Every year, I ask for Barnes & Noble gift cards–though there are plenty more...
20 Memes About That #writerslife
In an era when jokes are subject to strict political correctness, memes tend to be a pretty safe zone. Maybe that’s because it’s agreed that it’s all in good jest and not to be...
