SCBWI weekend is over and my head is full of ideas! One of the great takeaways from this event was from Jem Chambers-Black from Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She gave a wonderful talk, and in it described what she asks … Read More
My plan for the year was simple– 1.finish my wip draft and send it to my editor by March 23 2. preplot a novel 3. map the plot of my first draft of another novel–this is one I had worked … Read More
I am just about to hit send on my manuscript to my editor. I have a few quick steps to take first which I will share with you here. And a few tips on how to make it easier. I … Read More
Do you take vacation writing days from your WIP? I don’t mean a vacation from writing but a vacation from your WIP. I was discussing writer’s block with an author over dms recently and I realized that this was the … Read More
Finding Critique partners has been confusing to me. How do you find somebody to read your book and just give you ideas without begging them, paying them, or fearing their criticism? The secret begins in the critique partner knowing one … Read More
Today I want to throw my book across the room. As it is firmly ensconced in my computer I will not do that. I am stuck, sort of. I feel I am second guessing every line if not every word. … Read More
I am a total research geek. I am also proud of it! I love research, find it fascinating and easy to do. Here are 5 Tips for doing research and a bit about how I do mine. Most … Read More
How to hurt a character without hurting yourself Honestly, I have no idea how to do this. It hurts if you are involved with your characters, and since I also have years of training and performance as an actress, … Read More
December 8th 2021. I have written consistently over November but if you haven’t –no matter –the year isn’t done yet! You can still finish your writing year strong! Even with Southern California Edison cutting our power without warning (yes … Read More
How do you show trauma in your characters? Some new character questions for you… (Carrying on from last week’s post on optimism and pessimism in characters look here ) Remember this quote from J.K. Rowling, “It is our actions that … Read More