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

It’s Never Too Late (or Early) to Start Your Writing Career

Writing has no age restrictions. This should go without saying. And yet. Every few weeks, it seems, the discourse comes around again. Specifically, it tends to revolve around the age of debut authors in particular. Usually it starts because someone relatively young comments that they feel like they have to get their first book deal … Continue reading It’s Never Too Late (or Early) to Start Your Writing Career

Pitch Wars Is Over. Its Legacy Is Just Beginning.

Pitch Wars is dead. Long live Pitch Wars. Last Tuesday's announcement by Brenda Drake, the founder of the Pitch Wars mentorship program, sent shockwaves through all of my writing groups. https://twitter.com/PitchWars/status/1493595439005945856?s=20&t=NSxsdbjgV_CZ9Us3XFm5sg My 2020 alumni chat, now the penultimate mentee class, gathered in our Discord chat for a virtual group hug, expressing sadness, surprise, and gratitude … Continue reading Pitch Wars Is Over. Its Legacy Is Just Beginning.

Mindful Querying: Seven Precepts For the Trenches

At first glance, mindfulness and the so-called "query trenches" don't seem to go together. The prospect of querying agents doesn't naturally evoke a sense of calm among writers. Instead, it can spark anxiety, dread, imposter syndrome, fatigue, and disappointment. If that's how you feel about querying, you're not alone. With that in mind, I have … Continue reading Mindful Querying: Seven Precepts For the Trenches