The number one piece of feedback I give writers regardless of where they are in the writing process is: BE SPECIFIC Often, a sentence or a scene or the protagonist’s stakes are entirely too vague. Vague writing only leaves readers confused, disengaged, or having to fill in the blanks based on their own experiences whichContinue reading “The Trick to Mastering Show Don’t Tell In Your Fiction Writing: Be Specific”
Category Archives: book coaching
Writing a Novel is a Marathon Not a Sprint: How a Book Coach Can Help
As a writer, I often wish for a magic wand that will make all the things happen faster. The drafting. The revising. The proofing. The pitching. The querying. The response time. The submissions. The wait time again. The publishing process. But the fact of the matter is, it takes what it takes. And there isContinue reading “Writing a Novel is a Marathon Not a Sprint: How a Book Coach Can Help”
Finding the Writing Routine that Works for YOUR Work
Writing is about perseverance. You have to keep going. The work only gets done if you keep writing. The revision only gets done by revising. The querying is only successful if you keep sending them out. This week, I posted a quote from Neil Gaiman over on Instagram: “This is how you do it: youContinue reading “Finding the Writing Routine that Works for YOUR Work”
The Importance of Your Novel’s Opening Pages on Your Novel’s Ending
While journalism and novel writing are two different animals, both need to hook the reader and impart important information from the get-go. Journalism (news articles, magazines, broadcast news scripts) stories are told in inverted pyramid style with the who, what, when, where, and why in what’s called the lede–the first sentence or graph. The storyContinue reading “The Importance of Your Novel’s Opening Pages on Your Novel’s Ending”
Why We Need to Step Out of Our Comfort Zones to Grow as Writers
This fall, I am stepping out of my comfort zone. A lot. I am going to a large writing conference in two weeks and while the conference part isn’t inherently out of character, the stress of extroverting for that many days in a row is intimidating. I know I can, I know I will loveContinue reading “Why We Need to Step Out of Our Comfort Zones to Grow as Writers”
A Writer’s Perseverance
My son turned 17 earlier this month and this week, he finally got his driver’s license. It has been a story of perseverance and patience. COVID meant a cancellation in driver’s ed classes that pivoted to virtual with a backlog of folks on the wait list to get into a class. When he was finallyContinue reading “A Writer’s Perseverance”
What is Really Keeping You From Writing?
We all have a myriad of reasons why we aren’t getting the writing done. Some require a large dose of grace to put the work down until a better time arrives (illness, death, moving, etc…). But other roadblocks are barriers we put up ourselves. Ah writing, where the writer is both the protagonist and antagonist.Continue reading “What is Really Keeping You From Writing?”
Defining Your Creative Values
If you receive my newsletter, you already know that I recently celebrated my one year anniversary of launching my book coaching business. I have been helping writers in other capacities for several years, but stepping into the role of book coach with a shingle to reflect that work was a leap of faith last year.Continue reading “Defining Your Creative Values”
5 Reasons to Join the Start Your Novel Boot Camp for PR Pros
Still considering joining the Start Your Novel Boot Camp for PR Pros starting this August? Here are five reasons to say YES!: Honor your creative/dreamer side You use your creative side every day at work, whether it’s brainstorming new campaigns or finding original ways to reach your target audience or writing the perfect copy forContinue reading “5 Reasons to Join the Start Your Novel Boot Camp for PR Pros”
Knowing Your Writing Process: Plotting vs. Pantsing
I came across an advice column recently where someone wanted recommendations on books and resources as they considered whether to have children or not. They wanted to be prepared. Whew. That’s a big ask. As a parent, I can tell you, no amount of research prepared me for the real life experience of parenting. Sure,Continue reading “Knowing Your Writing Process: Plotting vs. Pantsing”