In every non-fiction writing course you will ever take, one of the first things your instructor will ask you about is your "why." In other words: what's your purpose for writing this book? They say it's the first step in writing and marketing a successful book. But here's my question: why aren't fiction writers asked … Continue reading Why You Need to Know the Purpose of Your Book
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Reblog: A Blank Page or Screen Is Not A Writing Strategy by Pedagogical Thoughts
Have you ever sat down to write, and an hour, maybe two into it and you still have a blank page? Ah, come on, I know it’s not just me who has done this. I get flooded with feelings of guilt (“I’ve wasted good time”), frustration (“why can’t I manage my procrastination better?”), and self-loathing. […] … Continue reading Reblog: A Blank Page or Screen Is Not A Writing Strategy by Pedagogical Thoughts
Why Writers Should Watch TV
"Stay away from screens - they rot your brain!" everyone cries. And this is certainly true - getting too much screen time day after day brings a slew of terrible side effects for both mental and physical health. But, just like most activities, watching TV isn't inherently bad (unless, well, what you're watching is inherently … Continue reading Why Writers Should Watch TV
Have I Discovered the Perfect Plotting Method for Pantsers?
Pantsers, where are you? Hooray for having no idea what we're doing! That's what I always thought being a pantser meant. When I penned books in my younger years, I never even touched an outline. I thought I simply didn't need one - I could write a book from beginning to end flawlessly. But I've … Continue reading Have I Discovered the Perfect Plotting Method for Pantsers?
Everything You Need to Start Freelance Writing
You’re almost ready to get started with your freelancing career; these essential materials will set you up for success.
What We Learn from a Character’s First Scenes in The Force Awakens
May the Fourth be with you! It's no secret that I'm a Star Wars nerd. As I talked about last month, Star Wars shaped me both as a person and a writer as I was growing up. Love or hate certain parts of it, there's no doubt that Star Wars has, in all likelihood, the … Continue reading What We Learn from a Character’s First Scenes in The Force Awakens
Elantris: Do’s and Don’ts at the Beginning of a Book
If you've been keeping up with stuff for the past year or two, you might have heard of Brandon Sanderson (you know, the guy who broke Kickstarter?). You might have even read some of my posts about his books, as I've been reading through them for the past year or so. Sanderson is a fantastic … Continue reading Elantris: Do’s and Don’ts at the Beginning of a Book
Why Doing Nothing Is the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Writing
Happy May, everyone! Can you believe that four months of 2023 have already passed us by? Hmm...maybe I shouldn't talk about that. Moving on... You're probably here because you're ready to disagree with me. I'd be ready to disagree with me after reading the title of this post. But I believe it's really, actually, scientifically … Continue reading Why Doing Nothing Is the Best Thing You Can Do for Your Writing
Writing with Honesty
Writing with integrity. It can mean many different things, but I believe one of the most important aspects is the golden rule: honesty. Whether you've got your own writing business or are blogging for fun, honesty is crucial for your work and it can make or break your audience. Honesty in Freelancing When I first … Continue reading Writing with Honesty
Reblog: Being a Better Writer: How Do I “Do the Research?” by Unusual Things
Hey writers! This week on Being a Better Writer we’re talking about a familiar topic, but with a new twist. Research is one thing, but how do we ensure we’re doing good research? Hit the jump, and let’s talk about it! Being a Better Writer: How Do I “Do the Research?” — Unusual Things Here's one … Continue reading Reblog: Being a Better Writer: How Do I “Do the Research?” by Unusual Things
The Story Canvas 