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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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?...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
First and foremost, as a writer (technical and creative), PINTEREST IS YOUR FRIEND. Almost everything you need to know about the craft and career has a post on there about it. Everything for the...
