You've dusted off your first draft of your novel after abandoning it for weeks or even months, and it's time for the first read. Maybe you are printing it and your heart is pounding as the printer spits out each page that you wrote. Maybe you are opening its saved document and you can't start reading until you... Continue Reading →
Your 100-Word Challenge Awaits
A challenge I have always faced in writing is trying to be less wordy. Whether it was academic or creative writing, I always wrote too many words, and sometimes still do. This was a major focus for me during grad school: say more by writing less. Listen to the full discussion here: Some tips for... Continue Reading →
How To Write Believable Characters
Other than plot, your characters play a major role in your stories. Without characters, there wouldn’t be much of a story, right? And without believable characters, there may not be much of a good story. And we’re all here to take a stab at good--great--writing! For the full discussion, listen below: Whether you are a planner... Continue Reading →
This Is Why It’s Okay To Stop Writing Your Book…For Now
This is a pretty scary title for those of you like me who wouldn't dream of giving up on your WIP. But what I want to talk about today is less about giving up and more about how to maintain a healthy and sustainable writing routine. Want to listen instead? Check out my audio for... Continue Reading →
The Top Two Rules To Follow To Finish Writing Your Book
Are you working full-time? Are you finding it hard to fit writing in your busy schedule? As I approach the second half of my second draft, I am thinking a lot about how the heck I made it here. While I was driving home from a weekend visiting my parents, I was thinking about the... Continue Reading →
What You Need To Know While Writing Your Novel’s Second Draft
Boy, has this been an experience. The second draft is no joke. This whole writing thing is no joke. If you are in the middle of the same kind of second draft chaos, or maybe third draft, fourth draft...you will understand. And even if you are just starting your manuscript, every day is a new... Continue Reading →
I Am Rewriting My Manuscript and I Can Cry If I Want To…Except I Won’t
If you are about to read the first draft of your manuscript for the first time, this is the post for you! Reading your manuscript for the first time can be exciting and stressful all at once, but I have some tips for you that may help you along (and feel at peace with the... Continue Reading →
On Saying Goodbye To Your Manuscript
After all the hard work I put myself through to write the damn thing, I mustered all of my energy to simply push my manuscript out of my mind. We needed a break. It was only the smartest thing to do for our relationship. After some time apart, I have worked myself up to finally... Continue Reading →
How To Successfully Finish Writing Your Manuscript
Writing a book is by far the hardest fun thing I have ever done. I enjoyed creating my own characters, developing a story around them, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. But I’ll be honest--writing that many words is HARD. There were days that I wanted to give up. I actually convinced myself... Continue Reading →
