Articles
Where to Find Inspiration for Your Next Story
If I’m struggling to figure out a character’s personality or a new story idea won’t come together, I will set my pages aside, at least for a little while.
My Problem With Writing Prompts
If you're seeking a bit of inspiration, a fresh perspective, or an end to writer's block, no doubt you've come across sites offering writing prompts.You can scroll through pages of imaginary scenarios and character questionnaires. Before you know it, you'll awaken...
Five Tips to Keep Writing This Summer
Implement these five rules to combat the summer writing blues.
Nail the Ending: Write a Great Conclusion to Your Novel, Part One
Deciding the best way to end a story is, for me, like filing my taxes. I know I need to do it, but I put it off and put it off until I just slap something together in a mad dash at the last minute. I don't feel good about it, and I just hope no one notices how...
The Art of Withholding Information from the Reader
I was at a writing group recently when a fellow writer felt a few scenes in her novel were dragging. She was concerned readers would be bored. (The death knell for a novel!) The solution, she decided, was to create a bit of intrigue and drama. To do that, she is...
How to Read Like a Writer
In a class I was teaching recently, a student asked me an unexpected question: How do I read more effectively? He told me he loved reading and he certainly had opinions about the books he read, but he didn't know how to translate those opinions into a method to...
Research Your Novel and Stay Sane
At some point when you're writing your novel, you'll realize you need to look outside of yourself and your characters for answers. This is true for all genres—historical, sci-fi, contemporary. Even memoir writers don't completely escape the long arm of research. My...
Unconventional Ways to Research Your Novel
Does the thought of doing research for your novel or memoir fill you with dread? Do you put it off until you have gaping holes in your story or abandon your idea altogether? Never fear! Research for your novel can be fun. First, think about what kind of information...
Good Reads for Valentine’s Day…and Beyond
Books make great gifts! These are my book recommendations for Valentine’s Day, or any day.
Five Books on Writing and Creativity You’ll Want to Read
Here are recommendations for books about the writing life that may have slipped under your radar. Maybe they are a bit older or were published to less fanfare, but they still offer valuable guidance on how to navigate this writing life.
I’m Reading
