Writing Quick Tip #6 – Getting Un-Stuck

A few times per week, I offer unsolicited writing advice to anyone who will listen. Sometimes, I even follow it myself. I had an interesting discussion with a friend a few days ago. We were talking over lunch, and I'd managed to sneakily bring up my writing journey during our otherwise non-literary-centered conversation. (This is …

I Did Everything Wrong While Querying So You Don’t Have To

Oh, the query trenches.  Even if you haven't entered the battlefield of querying, you've likely heard the rumors: it's not fun.  For those who don't know, a query is a pitch letter that gives a high-level overview of your manuscript.  Typically, they're sent to a literary agent or agency.  Best case scenario: you pique the …

For the Days You Want to Quit…

There are a lot of shitty things about being a writer.  I don’t know how to say that more eloquently.  There is literally no better word.  It’s shit.  It’s shitty how high the odds are stacked against us.  It’s shitty that your first rejection letter is a rite of passage.  (How many times have we heard people tweet, “Got my first …

Writing Quick Tip #5 – Demystifying Showing vs. Telling

A few times per week, I offer unsolicited writing advice to anyone who will listen. Sometimes, I even follow it myself. No matter where you are in your writing journey, chances are you've now heard of the cardinal offense that distinguishes newbie writers from the pros.  The ten commandments of writing clearly state, "Thou Shalt …

The Unexpected Antidote for Finding Your Voice

I came across a tweet the other day that got me thinking.  It read, "Do you believe that creative writing can be taught?" People offered opposing views: some were determined that the ability to write is something you're gifted with, and some argued that absolutely writing can be taught, and they were living proof of …

Writing Quick Tip #4 – Solicit Help

A few times per week, I offer unsolicited writing advice to anyone who will listen. Sometimes, I even follow it myself. I have a shameful confession: I used to think writing was a solo career. In my younger years, when I was still getting my feet wet with fiction, I was a little arrogant about …

How I Used the Enneagram to Develop My Book Characters

Hi, my name is Sarah, and I am a 7. A 7 wing 8 to be exact. I constantly seek satisfaction, variety, and, most importantly, fun! But, because I have a wing in "The Challenger" and, therefore, no patience, I need to have fun, like, right now. The day I first took the Enneagram test …

Writing Exercise – Bruschetta

I've been toying with writing exercises lately, and one of them instructs you to "write a recipe" and explore the sense of taste. I love writing about food, so here is what I came up with... Bruschetta Growing up, my father grew tomatoes in our backyard.  Green fingers gripped each metal curve of the space-age …

Writing Quick Tip #3 – No Topic is Off Limits

A few times per week, I offer unsolicited writing advice to anyone who will listen. Sometimes, I even follow it myself. When I was in college, I once had a creative writing workshop teacher kick off her semester by making a list of things we were not allowed to write about. She was a graduate …

Writing Quick Tip #2 – For the Love of Villains

A few times per week, I offer unsolicited writing advice to anyone who will listen. Sometimes, I even follow it myself. If you ask me, 'Who is your favorite character in your novel, The Broken Haven?' you might be surprised to learn the answer. It's not my good-natured, modern day Alice-in-Wonderland, Eleanor, and it's not my dashing …