In last week’s writing class, we used The Storymatic to create a writing prompt. Our leader picked four cards, and then we wrote for fifteen minutes. The fun part of this session was that we all used the same prompt. At the end, we went around the room and...

You’ve heard me talk many times before about how important it is to practice writing. One of the best ways to do this is to do a 15 to 20 minute free write based on a prompt. It both warms you up and stretchers your writing muscles. Below is...

Let me be candid. Most days I feel like a total failure. It’s been worse lately reading about all the writing news. It feels like a very bleak market. There’s not much room for people like me to ever see my books on the shelf let alone on any...

In this month’s writing group, one of my fellow writers brought up that they were told they need to show more, the old show don’t tell writing rule. While this rule is one hundred percent true, it also fails it’s own advice. It’s too vague to be helpful. A...

Today’s writing tip (let it go) is one that I have only recently understood. By trying different types of prompts and working on beloved ideas, I’ve realized that my best writing comes when I’m able to get out of the way. It sounds counterintuitive, but the work I don’t...

I feel like I’ve been reading up a storm lately, but it’s nothing compared to what I see on booktube. Many of the booktubers I watch, like Marines, Jack, and Jesse, read about a book a day. I don’t know how they do it other than they must be...

The biggest secret to worldbuilding is knowing that it’s more than a backdrop. Yes, scenery and fantastical weapons and costumes are part of it, but if that’s all you include, your story will fall flat. That’s because worldbuilding is more than mountains and trees and cityscapes or fun pops...

One of the most common pieces of writing advice I hear is to join a writing group. And while I wholeheartedly agree with this, it’s a lot easier said than done. First, let’s start with the benefits. Writing groups are a community Writing is a solitary practice. However, by...

I’ve seen several reading challenges and book bingos on Pinterest and other blogs. I love the idea, especially bingo. It’s both fun and interactive. And it encourages reading outside of your comfort zone. However, some of them can be very challenging. Not everyone wants to read a book that...

The third book in the Three Pines/Inspector Gamache series takes us back to the village of Three Pines where we visit again with main cast from the first two books. It’s Easter and to shake things up a bit, a our beloved group of locals decide to have a...