Scare Quotes Are Not All That Scary
There’s a time and place for every punctuation mark. Using any of them excessively or incorrectly is, well, just plain…
How to Add Meaningful Subplots to Your Novel
When I first started considering writing novels, I found the idea of subplots daunting. I knew I needed to put…
Redefining Success in Order to Stay Sane
Have you ever asked: “What on earth possessed me to want to be a novelist?” Are you starting to realize…
Neglect, Ignore, or Disregard This at Your Peril!
English grammar and spelling are confusing, but they pale in comparison to explaining the subtle differences and appropriate usage of…
Fiction’s Magic Ingredient: The Scene
Today I’m breaking my tradition and hosting a guest blogger as we explore the topic of scene structure. Jordan Rosenfeld—novelist, writing…
How to Find Time to Write and Parent Children Too
Today’s guest post is by author Michelle Weidenbenner: If you’re like many parents who are also writers you find it…
A Peek at Being Piqued
Today I’m giving you a peek into another set of confusables: peek, peak, and pique. Yes—pique. Curious? You should be….
Mastering the Passing of Time in Novel Scenes
Scene structure is an essential concept writers must grasp in order to construct solid, fluid novels. I chose that word…
Writing the Heart of Your Story
By way of introduction, here are some thoughts discussed in my book Writing the Heart of Your Story—important things for…