There are good endings, the ones that leave us crying or make us smile, blessing us with a feeling of wonderful satisfaction. There are bad endings, the ones that make us yell and throw our books against the wall. Why do we never talk about the "meh" endings? Because they, perhaps, are the worst kind … Continue reading The Thrawn Trilogy: The Importance of Story “Cleanup”
Writing Tips
Are You Cheating the “Show Don’t Tell” Rule with Dialogue?: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 9
Welcome to my ten-part series where we’ll be going through the ten basics of storytelling as outlined in my guidebook The 10 Lost Elements of Storytelling – a book you can get for free by subscribing to my newsletter! In these posts, we’ll pound out the basics of these storytelling elements, but my guidebook is … Continue reading Are You Cheating the “Show Don’t Tell” Rule with Dialogue?: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 9
10 Best Snacks for Writing Sessions
Does anyone else like to snack as they write, or is that just me? If you’re one of those ravenous writers, chances are you've had some great snacks while you're writing and you've had others that have spilled all over you and your keyboard. It's okay, it happens to everyone. But it doesn't have to! … Continue reading 10 Best Snacks for Writing Sessions
Conflict Keeps Interest: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 8
Welcome to my ten-part series where we’ll be going through the ten basics of storytelling as outlined in my guidebook The 10 Lost Elements of Storytelling – a book you can get for free by subscribing to my newsletter! In these posts, we’ll pound out the basics of these storytelling elements, but my guidebook is more detailed on … Continue reading Conflict Keeps Interest: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 8
Reblog: 7 Ways to Find Telling in Your Writing by First Edition Design Publishing
...I’ve since discovered that it’s almost impossible to see Telling in your own writing just by reading. The story you’re sharing is alive in your mind, playing like a movie, with every detail available to your brain, from the pink sky your characters stand under in your scene, to the low hum of traffic in the distance. … Continue reading Reblog: 7 Ways to Find Telling in Your Writing by First Edition Design Publishing
Resource: How to Write a Catchy Back Cover Blurb That Sells from MasterClass
Once a reader sees a book cover design and thinks the book title is intriguing, what’s next? What helps them decide if they want to make the purchase? They might flip to the back of your book or to the dust jacket and read the blurb. Book blurbs are an oft-overlooked part of a writer’s … Continue reading Resource: How to Write a Catchy Back Cover Blurb That Sells from MasterClass
Yes, Settings Do Matter: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 7
Welcome to my ten-part series where we’ll be going through the ten basics of storytelling as outlined in my guidebook The 10 Lost Elements of Storytelling – a book you can get for free by subscribing to my newsletter! In these posts, we’ll pound out the basics of these storytelling elements, but my guidebook is more detailed on … Continue reading Yes, Settings Do Matter: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 7
What Makes Your Book Different?: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 6
Welcome to my ten-part series where we’ll be going through the ten basics of storytelling as outlined in my guidebook The 10 Lost Elements of Storytelling – a book you can get for free by subscribing to my newsletter! In these posts, we’ll be going over the basics of these storytelling elements, but my guidebook is more detailed … Continue reading What Makes Your Book Different?: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 6
Resource: The 4 Phases of Editing: How to Revise a Novel by Savannah Gilbo
If you’re like most of the writers I work with, getting to the end of a first draft feels both exciting and terrifying at the same time. You’ve probably been working on this story for x-amount of months (or maybe even years!) and all you want is for the story you wrote to (eventually) match … Continue reading Resource: The 4 Phases of Editing: How to Revise a Novel by Savannah Gilbo
Not Just a Writer: Why writers must find self-worth in something other than achievements
You're a writer. Of course you are. What else could you possibly be? When it comes down to it, isn't that the part of your life that matters the most? But adopting the wrong identity is incredibly dangerous. And, despite how innocent it might seem, branding yourself first and foremost as a writer might be … Continue reading Not Just a Writer: Why writers must find self-worth in something other than achievements
The Story Canvas 