I’ve learned the importance of having a writing schedule the hard way. For years, I waited for inspiration to strike or to ‘feel’ like writing only to be disappointed in myself for letting time slip away without actually writing. The bottom line is, you can’t be a writer if...

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...

I’m planning to get results in 2023 for goals I’ve put off pursuing, primarily with writing and blogging. Every year, every month, every week time seems to move faster. As of right now, I don’t have any true obstacles to keep me from working on my novel or keeping...

For the first time ever, I’m creating an official reading goal for 2023. I’ve made GoodReads reading challenges in the past. But, that’s a number, I don’t usually plan what I’m reading. I prefer to pick my next book based on whatever I’m in the mood for at the...

Writing tips often focus on the technical aspects of becoming a better writer. And sometimes the abstract. But what is often overlooked is the practical precursor—curiosity. Writing is more than getting words down in the correct order to tell a compelling story. Most of us don’t open a blank...

Writing advice is never absolute. It often changes with circumstances and sometimes, like now, it’s a straight up contradiction. Of course you’re going to hide information. If the reader already knows what will happen, there’s no incentive to keep reading. Even when the reader expects the ending, like with...

What does this image have to do with writing? It’s a good visualization of a basic story structure. Let’s break it down. The colored balls are stationary representing the status quo. This is what the day to day life is for your main character at the beginning of the...

I wanted to love Amazon’s Wheel of Time TV Series. The previews made the show look so exciting. Magic, great cast, adventure – it had me counting down the days. So much so, I picked up the first book, “Eye of the World,” in preparation. Having only read the...