When I was little, I turned my closet into a black hole of cardigans. I was so affronted by the precious three seconds it takes to hang sweaters on hangers that I tossed them into a pile that grew until one day I tried to pull one from the wall of knits and cotton and… Continue reading Postcards from the Depths of Revision
Tag: Writing Tips
A Beginner’s Guide to Worldbuilding
Setting up the Setting Characters don't interact in a vacuum. The reason some people prefer fantasy and sci-fi over contemporary fiction is because they want to get lost in a different world, so creating a compelling setting intrigues readers just as much as character actions and motivations do. Half the fun of reading Six of Crows and… Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Worldbuilding
How to Write a Book in 3 Months
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
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)
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
Balancing Writing with a Day Job
College students across all majors have a mantra: "You have enough time for great grades, a social life, or sleep; pick two." Most first-time writers start out with a day job and write on the side with the hope of eventually turning a hobby into a full-blown career. My day job is currently a design… Continue reading Balancing Writing with a Day Job
Brighton Rose 