A shiver forced Vaughn’s eyes to see reality again. He wrapped his arms tightly around himself. “I'm gonna kill Kiefer," he muttered, kicking his boot at a dark object buried halfway in the ground, which he unpleasantly discovered was a rock from the smarting in his toes. What was more interesting, though, was that the … Continue reading First Cold: A boy’s first winter on an alien planet
writers
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
A Story Without a Theme Isn’t a Story At All: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 5
Welcome to my ten-part series where we’ll be going through the 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 on … Continue reading A Story Without a Theme Isn’t a Story At All: Basic Storytelling Elements Part 5
How to Give Your First Draft (and Yourself) a Break
You finish your first draft. You throw a party. You know there's still a long way to go, but you're proud of what you've achieved. And so, to keep the momentum going... You rest. How tempting is it to just jump right into the editing stage? As much as I'm a proponent of taking breaks, … Continue reading How to Give Your First Draft (and Yourself) a Break
Reblog: 11 Surprisingly Productive Things to Do on Your Phone by Make Your Biz Fizz
What do you do with your downtime? If you’re like me, you pick up your phone and start doom-scrolling. But what does this subconscious habit achieve? Nothing, right? It certainly doesn’t add value to your life. Rather, it wastes time and becomes a mindless activity we engage in when bored. [...] 11 Surprisingly Productive Things … Continue reading Reblog: 11 Surprisingly Productive Things to Do on Your Phone by Make Your Biz Fizz
Finding a Writing Community
I don't know about you, but NaNo has certainly been an adventure for me this year. I was on track for a week, then got further and further behind due to life and family and another hurricane, started to catch up slowly and, lo and behold, I got right back on track with my word … Continue reading Finding a Writing Community
Schedule vs. Spontaneity
Want to help me get a standing desk? Check out the details in the donation box below the post and read my stories on Vocal! Having a consistent schedule is the best way to reach your weekly goals, but getting out into the world and shaking things up is the best way to fuel your creativity. … Continue reading Schedule vs. Spontaneity
The Art of Starting Small
Want to help me get a standing desk? Check out the details in the donation box below the post and read my stories on Vocal! If you want to write but don't know where to start, it's best to begin by breaking things up into smaller pieces. Having a 5,000 words a day goal and the … Continue reading The Art of Starting Small
Is It Possible to Look Forward to the Week?
Want to help me get a standing desk? Check out the details in the donation box below the post and read my stories on Vocal! I get it. Mondays are a drag. Sometimes Sundays are even worse because you get this sinking feeling that "fun time" is running out and the dreary work week is about … Continue reading Is It Possible to Look Forward to the Week?
A Comfortable Workspace: The Key to Success
Want to help me get a standing desk? Check out the details in the donation box below the post and read my stories on Vocal! Writing well is important, but even more important is setting yourself up to write well. You can have the best ideas in the world, but if you don't give yourself an … Continue reading A Comfortable Workspace: The Key to Success
The Story Canvas 