Slow down to go faster. We all know the fable of the tortoise and the hare: The moral of the story: Slow and steady wins the race. Unfortunately we live in a society that values busyness and productivity. We boast when we have busy schedules. We celebrate multitasking. We go and go and go andContinue reading “Writing Mindset: Slow Down to Go Faster”
Category Archives: Writing Tips
How I Got Unstuck From My Writing Rut
I have been S-T-U-C-K in my manuscript the past few weeks. As context, I started doing the pre-work for this manuscript before the holidays and started drafting in mid-February. The last month or two, I’ve been so close to the end of this initial draft and yet the actual end started feeling farther and fartherContinue reading “How I Got Unstuck From My Writing Rut”
Getting to Know Your Villain
On Monday, I posted a quote on Instagram: It can be tempting, easy even, to simply see the world through our protagonist’s eyes. It’s actually a necessity, especially as many books written these days are in close third or first person. We need to know our protagonist’s intimately as well as how they see theContinue reading “Getting to Know Your Villain”
Eliminate the Unnecessary in Your Writing
As a book coach, I see a lot of the common problems in the manuscripts I read. It might be unclear character stakes or story trajectory issues or a bit of head hopping in those early chapters. But one thing I see a lot when I’ve got an early draft in my hands, is tooContinue reading “Eliminate the Unnecessary in Your Writing”
After Typing THE END: Tips for What’s Next
Where does most of your writing happen? In the draft stage, probably. It has to, right? Where once there was a blank page, now there are 90,000 words. Now, where does most of your story telling happen? It can be tempting to say that most of our storytelling also happens in the draft stage. It’sContinue reading “After Typing THE END: Tips for What’s Next”
The Goldilocks of Novel Planning
This week on Instagram, I talked about planning. I’m starting a new manuscript this week. Although “starting” is a bit of a misnomer. I am starting the physical manuscript, but I’ve been working on the story since the writing retreat I went to in October. I left that retreat with a kernel of an idea.Continue reading “The Goldilocks of Novel Planning”
Who is Your Ideal Reader?
During my time working in public relations, one thing was paramount: the target audience. Whether it was a health message, a consumer message, or a public affairs message, I needed to know exactly who the target of the campaign was to help craft the message and determine the best means of delivery. The options wereContinue reading “Who is Your Ideal Reader?”
The Importance of Finding Your Story’s Heart
What is at the heart of your story? What do you want a reader to take away from your book? What is your story’s point? Sometimes, when I’m deep in the weeds of writing or stymied by a revision problem, the point of my story may seem pointless. The heart of my story seems toContinue reading “The Importance of Finding Your Story’s Heart”
Start Your Novel Boot Camp for PR Pros
Are you a public relations or communications professional who always dreamed of writing a novel? Did you shelve your own creative pursuits for a more practical job that showcased your writing skills? Are you unsure if your novel idea is “good enough” or where to even start? Is your bookshelf groaning under the weight ofContinue reading “Start Your Novel Boot Camp for PR Pros”
Writing a Novel: What’s Your Point?
We are big Ted Lasso fans in our house. I love the messages about vulnerability, the importance of friendships, the challenge to toxic masculinity in sport and the wide world, and Ted’s down home quips that remind me of every great aunt sitting around our family reunions growing up with similar silly sayings twisting theirContinue reading “Writing a Novel: What’s Your Point?”