How to Write a Trilogy - Part 1: Learning the First Steps
I don’t know about you, but when I invest in a character, a cast of characters, or a world, I gobble up everything written about them. And if it’s a trilogy, I’m head over heels gone. Today, let’s talk about the big-picture things you need to consider if you’re planning to write a trilogy so your readers don’t drop off halfway through. It all starts with understanding the kind of trilogy you’re writing.
How to Build a Magic System That Serves Your Story (Instead of Distracting from It)
When writing a fantasy novel, it’s easy to get caught up in the cool factor of it all—enchanted objects, secret portals, forbidden spells, talking dragons. And listen, I love all of it. But here’s the thing a lot of writers miss: your magic system isn’t just a shiny layer on top of your story. It should serve the story.
How to Build an Author Platform Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Let's face it—building an author platform can feel intimidating. Just the phrase "author platform" makes some of us want to run and hide. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Tips on Writing Dual Points of View from Author Alexandria Faulkenbury
Writing and publishing a novel isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s exhilarating, terrifying, exhausting, and rewarding—all wrapped up into one wild journey. I recently sat down with Alexandria Faulkenbury, whose debut novel, Somewhere Past the End, hits shelves in May 2025, and let me tell you—her story is as inspiring as it is relatable.
From Draft to Done: How Author Michael Fedor Finished His Novel After 20 Years
Writing a novel is hard. We all know this. Now, writing a novel that takes 20 years to complete? That’s take’s hard and persistence to a whole different level.
Three Revision Mistakes New Writers Make and What to Do Instead
Revision isn’t just about tightening sentences or making the language flow better. That’s part of it, but it’s only a small piece of the bigger picture.
How to Write Historical Fiction: Tips from Author Susanne Dunlap
How can a writer balance historical accuracy with compelling storytelling? And how much research is too much? Let’s dive into the craft of historical fiction with Susanne Dunlap, acclaimed author, writing mentor, and all-around historical fiction powerhouse.
The Mystery-Thriller Novel: What It Is and How to Write It
In this article, we’ll explore the mystery and thriller genres separately to understand their unique story obligations. We'll then combine them to see how they work together to create a satisfying story that fits into the mystery-thriller subcategory.
5 Key Questions to Help You Define Your Book’s Genre
In this article, I break down five key questions to help you classify your book more easily, from defining the writing style and target audience to determining the story's world and time period. With examples ranging from a 1960s feminist protest to a time-bending, intergalactic adventure, I'll walk you through how these five questions shape genre decisions.
Learning to Say No to Mom Guilt with Author MK Pagano
Are you a parent to an amazing human, or maybe more than one, who is the center of your world, and you’re also a writer with a passion for what you do and struggle to balance both, plus all the other stuff life throws your way?
How to Use Story Structure and Character Arcs to Write More Compelling Fiction
Today, we’re diving deep into some essential craft topics: story structure, plot, character arcs, and character development. These elements are inseparably linked, and understanding how they interact will elevate your writing.
An Honest Story About a Writer Accomplishing Goals Inch by Inch
Ready or not, 2025 is knocking. I’m not sure if I want to answer, but of course, like you, I will, and I want to go forward with a plan. If you like a plan and want a little help creating one for the coming year, here’s a goal-setting exercise you can use to set intentions and mile markers for 2025.
How to Celebrate Your Writing Wins and Set Yourself Up for a Confident 2025
The 2024 writing season is winding down, and I have a question for you…
Have you taken a moment to acknowledge everything you did in the last year?
Have you looked at what you are proud of and really let it sink in—deep into your heart and bones?
If you're like me, I bet you haven't done that yet; maybe it's not even on your radar, but I'm going to invite you (both of us) to make it a priority before the clock strikes twelve on January 1.
How to Use Mentorship as a Powerful Tool for Your Writing
Have you ever felt stuck in your story development or draft, unsure of the next step, underwhelmed by the quality of your words, and simultaneously overwhelmed by the idea of actually finishing a novel that others might enjoy?
Yeah. I know exactly how that feels.
Working with writing mentors—people who helped me see my potential and guided me through the twists and turns of the creative process—was a game changer for me.
Why Every Word Matters: Even the Crappy Ones
Encouragement for the frustrated writer.
Writing can be maddening when the words won’t come, or we don’t like what we write. Sometimes, it can feel like a waste of time to plot story events that we can’t see clearly because they’ll probably all change anyway.
And what about when we write a handful of chapters and realize the story started in the wrong place, or we didn’t quite have our main character’s trajectory as mapped out as we thought, and we need to start over?
Writing With and About Chronic Illness and Disability with Sandra Postma
If you (or a writer you know) struggle to write because of a chronic illness or disability or desire to write a disabled character with integrity and authenticity, I have an incredible resource to share with you.
How to Decide if You Should Stick with Your Writing Project or Start Something New
Is it shiny object syndrome or should you actually be writing something else: What to do when you feel like you are at a creative crossroads.
It never fails—at least for me and many of the writers I work with—that at some point during the process of planning, drafting, or revising a novel, we get the itch to walk away. And I don't mean take a break for a week. I mean shelve the entire thing, bury it in a drawer for an undetermined amount of time, and focus our creative energy elsewhere.
How to Find a Writing Process That Works For You
I realized I hadn’t done a personal writing update in a while, and the reason for my recent progress is directly linked to the podcast episode I’m going to talk about in just a moment so let me fill you in. I was pretty frustrated by the end of August. As in, for the love of all that is holy, someone find me dumpster, a match, and some gasoline. I’m gonna torch this baby. Burn the entire idea down! Of course, I didn’t. What I did do was get some outside help. Mindset help specifically geared toward me as a writer and my particular orientation of skills and talents.
On Motherhood, Writing Gross First Drafts, and Having a Movie Made from Your Book
Do you have kids? And yes, of course fur-babies count.
If you do, then you’ll want to check out this podcast interview with author Julia Walton because it’s for any writer who has become a parent and any parent who has turned into a writer!
Mastering the Art of Writing a Successful Query Letter With Julie Artz
Are you thinking about querying your manuscript soon? Have you tried writing this mystical document called the query letter meant to attract the representation of your dreams?
Nervous?
Yeah, I feel you. Been there.
It’s a lot of pressure to put on three paragraphs.