Plotter or pantser—which do you identify with? Whether you're an outliner extraordinaire or draft based on vibes, I think we can all agree that having an idea for a story is the easy part. Then comes writing. At some level, we love writing. That's why we're writers, right? But drafting is messy and unpredictable, especially … Continue reading Trying to Write a Book as a Pantser? Start Here.
Writing Tips
The Editing Process Isn’t as Scary as You Think
Do you ever think about how the book in your hands came to be? I considered it often as a kid. My whole life, I've wanted to be an author, so I took every chance I could to learn more about the writing process. I went to author talks. I read books on writing. But … Continue reading The Editing Process Isn’t as Scary as You Think
How a Kids Cartoon Became the Defining Story of a Generation
What’s your story with Avatar: The Last Airbender? Most people nowadays have one, whether you watched it growing up, found it sometime later, or even saw your kids watching it on TV. Why are we talking about it? Because, 20 years after the show first aired, it’s still making an impact. Who doesn’t want to … Continue reading How a Kids Cartoon Became the Defining Story of a Generation
Most Writing Tools Are Overrated
You don’t need what they’re trying to sell you. Back in the good ol’ days, all a writer needed was a pen and paper. Is that the kind of writer you are? Or are you more familiar with the sight of a crowded desk and even more crowded tabs? It sure is popular to be … Continue reading Most Writing Tools Are Overrated
Slaying Dragons, Paid Book Reviews, Writing Lessons, and More!
It's December!! Anyone else enjoying the chilly weather? Anyone not enjoying it? Personally, I love that time of year when I can finally, finally, dig my sweaters out from underneath my shorts. (Just kidding, I don't actually put my pants in the same drawer as my shirts. I'm not a monster.) I feel like I … Continue reading Slaying Dragons, Paid Book Reviews, Writing Lessons, and More!
AI Isn’t Our Replacement: Why It’s Important for Humans to Keep Writing
Since Chat GPT debuted a year ago, discourse about AI in the writing world has only increased. Where do you stand on the issue? AI is an amazing feat of engineering, so revolutionary that it’s already changing the world. But, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Already, there’s been a sharp … Continue reading AI Isn’t Our Replacement: Why It’s Important for Humans to Keep Writing
Reblog: What Is a Story Keystone? by JGlover – The Art of Storytelling
http://theartofstorytelling.co.uk/2023/11/22/what-is-a-story-keystone/ What in your story is so important that the rest of the story can't stand without it? It's the theme, of course. This is why I love thinking of theme as this new term I heard from JGlover's post: the story keystone. Even after you've heard me harp on theme time after time, you … Continue reading Reblog: What Is a Story Keystone? by JGlover – The Art of Storytelling
What I Learned about Emotional Storytelling from a Kid’s Video Game
I've been a nerd all my life; maybe that's why I still play Pokémon as an adult. Pokémon was as instrumental in my growing up as Disney, Star Wars, Narnia, and Lord of the Rings. Some of my earliest memories are waking up early to watch Pokémon on TV with my older sister. In my … Continue reading What I Learned about Emotional Storytelling from a Kid’s Video Game
Let’s Round Up the Turkeys!
Thanks for showing up today even as you're stuffed full of turkey, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and whatever else you eat at Thanksgiving! Personally, my favourite was the apple pie. I promise it's not just because I made it. . . Even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you've had a … Continue reading Let’s Round Up the Turkeys!
Get Rid of the Fluff!
Time. It’s one thing to experience it, another to relate it to a reader. It takes careful work to manage the flow of time in a fiction story. When do you describe a character brushing their teeth? Or waking up in the morning? When do you detail a conversation and when do you skim over … Continue reading Get Rid of the Fluff!
The Story Canvas 