Category: Writing

When Writing Feels Like a Failure

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...

Understanding Show Don’t Tell

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...

Writing Tip: Let it go

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...

Secrets to Worldbuilding

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...

Why joining a writing group matters

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...

Create a Writing Schedule

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...

Get Results in 2023

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...

How Curiosity Helps You Become a Better Writer

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: Don’t Hide Information

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...

Writing Tips: Reactions

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...