All you need to write a story is a beginning, a middle, and an end. The three-act structure sounds simple enough. It’s a classic, literally, originating with the theories of Aristotle and still central to much of the structural writing advice that floats around today. But drilling down into exactly how each act should work—and … Continue reading Setting the Stage for Story: Structuring the First Act
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Tips, Tricks, and Tools for NaNoWriMo Fast Drafting
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Welcome to the wild winter word marathon known as National Novel Writing Month. Over the next thirty days, thousands of ambitious writers will churn out 50,000 words apiece to earn nothing but bragging rights, a hearty case of sleep deprivation, and hopefully part of a messy first … Continue reading Tips, Tricks, and Tools for NaNoWriMo Fast Drafting
Shoshana Rain on Hybrid Authorship and Writing Anti-Heroines
Welcome to the latest edition of my occasional interview series “How Tho?!” in which I ask cool writers breaking traditional career molds and doing amazing work about their writing path and process. Today I’m chatting with my good friend and #SelfPitch project partner Shoshana Rain, author of STRIFE’S APPLE is a modern fantasy romance the … Continue reading Shoshana Rain on Hybrid Authorship and Writing Anti-Heroines
SJ Whitby on Self-Pub, Superheroes, and Series Writing
Welcome to the latest edition of my occasional interview series “How Tho?!” in which I ask cool writers doing amazing work about their writing path and process. Today I’m chatting with S.J. Whitby, author of the Cute Mutants series (now, with their first multi-author anthology in the world, legitimately the Cute Mutants Extended Universe!) SJ … Continue reading SJ Whitby on Self-Pub, Superheroes, and Series Writing
Interview: Lin Codega on Queer Pop Culture Journalism
Welcome to the second edition of “How Tho,” my new blog interview series in which I pick the brains of fellow creatives and publishing pros on aspects of craft, community, and how they go about doing the amazing things they do. I love to get people talking about their unique paths and creative passions. To … Continue reading Interview: Lin Codega on Queer Pop Culture Journalism
Interview: Ren Hutchings on Writing Mentorship
I'm about to start a new chapter in my writing journey: becoming a mentor! The application period for Rogue Mentor begins in less than a week on Friday, April 22 —and I'm nervous (and excited) about it. As a first-time mentor, I turned to my Pitch Wars mentor Ren Hutchings to ask “HOW THO?” Now, … Continue reading Interview: Ren Hutchings on Writing Mentorship
Here Be Dragons: Outlining for Discovery Writers
If the prospect of outlining a new project make you want to run away to sea, you’re not alone. While some writers swear by extensive planning, others despise it. And some aspire to plan ahead, but find themselves uninspired by the process. The age-old split between plotters and pantsers may leave many in the latter … Continue reading Here Be Dragons: Outlining for Discovery Writers
Feed the Birds: 8 Twitter Tips for Organic Engagement
Happy Spring, everyone! I had a minor milestone this week: I passed 2000 Twitter followers. It was actually a weird time to hit this benchmark, as I was feeling ill with a bad migraine cycle and not especially present most of the week. Plus, I’ve fallen behind on scheduled writing questions, the major way I … Continue reading Feed the Birds: 8 Twitter Tips for Organic Engagement
The 5 Essential Ingredients of an Effective Query Letter
This is not a recipe blog. Or is it? Okay, maybe it is, because today I'm sharing my recipe for cooking up the publishing equivalent of a soufflé: the much-dreaded query letter. Most authors hate writing them, but query letters are a prerequisite for fiction submissions to most agents and editors. A good one will … Continue reading The 5 Essential Ingredients of an Effective Query Letter
How to Create Book Trailers in Canva
What a long strange week it's been! My book launch for CAMBION'S LAW was a wild ride, though I'm starting to feel the comedown now (note to self: do NOT keep looking at my sales rank). My publisher has assured me the release was a strong success by their metrics, for which I'm extremely relieved … Continue reading How to Create Book Trailers in Canva