National Novel Writing Month--what used to be a once-a-year event held annually in November--has morphed into three-times-a-year writing marathon months. Held in April, July, and November, that's a potential for 150,000 words done in the span of 90 days. Writer friends, that is an insane amount of words. Book genres range in word count, but … Continue reading How to win at NaNoWriMo

Simple answer: the sooner, the better. There are two types of writers when it comes to joining in with a community of other writers. There are those who join all the groups, ready to launch themselves head-first into networking and learning. And then there are twitter lurkers, like myself. And readers, there is NOTHING wrong … Continue reading When to Join a Writing Organization

You've chased your plot bunny straight down the rabbit hole and now you're wedged in there with no place to go. The narrative was so crisp in your mind when you hammered out that first 3,000 words. But now--maybe 10,000 words in--the words aren't flowing as quickly. It's been days without a new scene. You've … Continue reading Breaking Through Writer’s Block

#PitMad works! Let's start there. I stumbled onto #PitMad in early 2015, when I was in the process of writing my first novel. Reading through the various pitches inspired me to knuckle down and finish my manuscript. Two manuscripts and several #PitMads later, I got the Like that changed everything. I sent off my requested … Continue reading Preparing for #PitMad

We all know the cycle. Words are flowing, our plot is weaving together nicely, and we're starting to feel like maybe, just maybe, we're nailing it. Our writing is even, dare I say, good? And then comes the next bit, the part where we doubt everything about ourselves, our writing, and our future in publishing. … Continue reading Writing Through Imposter Syndrome

While you do need to hone your craft by practicing your writing, my advice for writers looking to improve is to step away from the keyboard and read. As Stephen King mentions in his memoir, On Writing, "if you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or tools) to write." Reading helps … Continue reading How Reading Makes You A Better Writer