Yes, it's possible. The first draft, anyway. If National Novel Writing Month didn't work out for you or was too rushed, try an easier goal of churning out a rough draft in 3 months. The idea is the same—you try to write a certain number of words per day—but the time frame is stretched out… Continue reading How to Write a Book in 3 Months
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50 Writing Blog Post Ideas
Maintaining a consistent writing blog can be tricky, especially when you've had one for a while and have to keep coming up with ideas for posts. Here are 50 blog post subjects for writing blogs, both collected from around the internet and thought of by yours truly when I should be paying attention in class.… Continue reading 50 Writing Blog Post Ideas
The Lowdown on Middle Grade vs. Young Adult Fiction
At my most recent writer's conference, I signed up to pitch and have a critique with agents and editors specializing in young adult fantasy, only to have them tell me I was actually writing middle grade. I've been working on this manuscript on and off for a couple years, so I thought I had pretty… Continue reading The Lowdown on Middle Grade vs. Young Adult Fiction
6 Ways to Open a Novel
One of the most important sentences in every novel is the first one. It hooks the reader in and tempts them with the story to come. There are multiple ways to open your novel, but here are the six most common and where they're most effective: 1. Give a general statement Seventy percent of the… Continue reading 6 Ways to Open a Novel
How to Make Your Readers Care
Conflict. Or, more importantly, conflict that matters. One of the most common critiques you hear about a work of literature is a variation of, "I liked parts, but the story didn't grab me." You might at first puzzle over what that could mean—were the characters not compelling enough? Was the setting drab? Was it too thematic… Continue reading How to Make Your Readers Care
4 Things to Do for Your Book (Besides Write It)
Writers in the twenty-first century have to be more than just writers. Depending on your work and how you want to reach readers, you also have to act as an editor, marketer, spokesperson, advocate, or even entrepreneur for your work. As you complete and finesse your latest manuscript, here are four side To-Dos to keep… Continue reading 4 Things to Do for Your Book (Besides Write It)
A Night at Pinetop’s Tavern
Somewhere in the back alleys of the city's older section there was a crumbling brick building that had been around since before ragtime music was popular. Hanging above a faded green door that led down to the building's cellar was a wooden sign, and despite the peeling paint, you could still make out the bar's… Continue reading A Night at Pinetop’s Tavern
How do I get a literary agent to like me? And other writer’s conference questions
Forced socialization never ceases to freak me out, even when it might benefit my career. Networking events and conferences can be nerve-wracking when you're just starting out, and writer's conferences are no exception. I spent last weekend at the Atlanta Writer's Conference, pouring over my manuscript and practicing my pitch in the lobby of a… Continue reading How do I get a literary agent to like me? And other writer’s conference questions
(Jittery) Thoughts Before the AWC Writer’s Conference
I love writer's conferences. I've got a manuscript critique and one (possibly two) agent pitches scheduled. I get to meet writers from all over and agents and editors from New York. I get to sip drinks and chat about upcoming projects, both mine and others, at a lovely hotel near the Atlanta airport. I also… Continue reading (Jittery) Thoughts Before the AWC Writer’s Conference
5 Books I’ve Reread the Most
1. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones I was a huge fan of the Hiyao Miyazaki movie in middle/high school and thought I'd check out the book it was (somewhat loosely) based on, and it's influenced my writing ever since. The reimagined fairytale tropes, the odd bursts of magic, the goofy but headstrong characters, the… Continue reading 5 Books I’ve Reread the Most
Brighton Rose 