Writing is an iterative process. Each draft improves the more we work on it. Each new manuscript improves the more we learn. And as writers, there are a myriad ways to learn every day. We learn every time we notice the light through the trees, taste something new, experience an unlikely emotion in a mundaneContinue reading “My Craft Book Recommendations for the Holidays or Any Writing Day”
Tag Archives: Writing Tips
When Receiving Feedback Be Curious, Not Judgmental
Receiving feedback is often just as hard as a rejection. We send off our work to a friend, critique partner, beta reader, editor, and while we do these things for the constructive feedback these readers can impart, there is a large part of ourselves hoping for a gold star. “I found nothing wrong, it’s perfect!Continue reading “When Receiving Feedback Be Curious, Not Judgmental”
The Key to Querying: Do Your Research
When I worked in public relations, I spent a ton of time in my entry-level years building media lists. And while the drudgery of culling through the giant Bacon’s Media Directories back in the dark ages of media research was mind-numbing, I learned a lot. I learned how to find the right match for theContinue reading “The Key to Querying: Do Your Research”
Finding New Story Ideas
Are you the kind of writer brimming with new ideas? Do you have journals full of starts or slips of ideas in your phone’s notes app? Do you have a stack of post-its with interesting what ifs? When it’s time to start writing is it just a matter of picking one of these ideas andContinue reading “Finding New Story Ideas”
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?”
When the Work of Writing Isn’t Writing
I am heading to the beach for a writing retreat with some dear writing friends next week. I am excited and desperately looking forward to it. Beach. Words. Writers. What’s not to love? I’m querying my most recent project and have had enough distance from it to know that it’s time for something new. ThisContinue reading “When the Work of Writing Isn’t Writing”
Write What You Know
This week is a tough one in my world. My father passed away unexpectedly on October 2, 2018. Exactly one week before his 70th birthday on October 9th. Each year, we get to relive that awful, horrible week. Even if we make it through the first anniversary day relatively unscathed (which I have yet toContinue reading “Write What You Know”
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”
When the World Got in the Way of My Writing
It’s been a week. My 17 year old son went back to school this week. Junior year. It’s a biggie. Did I mention he went back to school as a driver? (I’m fine. Totally fine. Hold on, let me just check my tracking app one more time to see if he’s left the school yet…)Continue reading “When the World Got in the Way of My Writing”