Inner monologue shows who characters are on the inside. Here’s three tips on building more well-rounded characters using their inner thoughts.
How to Create Character Depth Through Inner Monologue Read More »
Although Q1 wasn’t my best quarter, as a freelancer, the only easy day was yesterday. Q2 is waiting.
Adjusting My Freelance Editing Business Read More »
Your character has a favorite place they escape to whenever they feel stressed or need quality alone time. Describe this setting in 500 words including at least three of senses: smell, touch, sound, sight, or taste.
Prompt: One of them is a soldier, the other a combat medic. They meet on a helicopter ride after being evacuated from a dangerous situation.
Trigger Warnings: Combat zone. Mention of background character fatalities.
They had a casual romance in high school, but they both went their separate ways and have both changed a lot. When fate has them meet again, will it spark the magic from their old relationship?
(Don’t) Forgive and Forget Read More »
Prompt: Describe an action, or a person feeling strong emotion, focusing on the rhythm and movement of the sentences.
I Didn’t Want To Be Famous Read More »
Your main character married their childhood sweetheart. But after an unexpected event, your character is forced to live without their true love (maybe temporarily). Oh, and they have a one-year-old to take care of on top of it.
Prompt: A woman wakes in the early morning to see her shadow sneaking out the bedroom door.
C/W: The dangers of drinking and driving are real. Don’t do it.
Prompt: An accident nearly kills a mother and child. Determine who’s really at fault.
Prompt: Describe your bedroom through the eyes of an FBI agent who believes you have committed a crime.
Prompt: Remember a place that you have lived that has emotional significance. In the voice of a tour guide, introduce someone to this place.
Prompt: An elderly woman traps a telemarketer in conversation. The telemarketer unsuccessfully attempts to stick to their script. Write the dialogue.
(Not So) Smooth Signal Read More »
Prompt: Your character is on a road trip when they discover an unusual museum. Describe the museum.
Prompt: Your character goes down to the basement to get something and notices the pale outline of a hidden door. They open it to find an elaborate labyrinth of tunnels.
Alpha readers and beta readers work hand in hand, but they very much belong at opposite ends of the drafting process.
Alpha Readers vs. Beta Readers and When to Find Them Read More »
In fiction writing, authors always reach a point where they believe their story is never going to be finished because it’s just not perfect yet. This week, I offer a look at what each subsequent draft of a novel should cover, so you don’t lose yourself in the rabbit hole of fixing every minor error before you either move forward with self-publishing or hiring a professional author.
How Many Drafts Is Too Many? Read More »
The end of 2023’s Camp NaNoWriMo came six weeks ago. It was my first year participating. Check out this week’s article on how that participation affected my approach to fiction writing and the lessons you can think about applying to your own processes!
How NaNoWriMo Changed Me as a Writer Read More »
Fan fiction has so much more to offer authors than the opportunity to play around with their favorite TV, book, or movie characters. Writing fan fiction offers the chance to hone your craft. This week’s blog article argues why that’s the case.
Fan Fiction to Original Fiction: Is It Worth the Jump? Read More »
Even best-selling authors have to go through the editing process, and it all starts with developmental editing. Follow me as I break down this initial step in the editing journey and introduces the key questions to be answered at this stage in the book publishing journey.
The Editing Process: Developmental Editing Read More »
