The Up and Down Sides of Critique Groups: Is There Value in Finding Your Peeps?
Critique groups. Something you want to be part of? Or something you don’t? Ask a few seasoned writers, and you’re sure to get some strong opinions. As a writer, editor, and writing coach, here’s mine—...
View Article12 Survival Tips for a Creative’s Anxiety
Anxiety. The word alone is enough to set off a tingle in my fingers, a tightness in my chest, and a worn-out mantra—Breathing is good. Passing out is bad—that rarely works. And I’m not alone. I’ve read...
View ArticleUnderstanding POV
Pitch out Visuals? Pass on Variety? Personalization of Villains? People of Value? Just what is POV, and why do you care? Point of View (POV) refers to the character telling the story in a particular...
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So You Think You Married the Wrong Person . . . Now What?
Marriage is supposed to be forever. It’s also supposed to be a highlight in our lives. Just look at the energy, excitement, and angst that goes into planning a wedding. Too bad we don’t put the same...
View ArticleTo Comma, or Not To Comma (Part 1)
The comma. It’s a scrappy little mark—that’s often the bane of an author’s writerly existence. With every clause, the question becomes, to comma, or not to comma? As an editor, I’ve had quite a few...
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To Comma, or Not To Comma (Part 2)
Welcome to comma central, where we’re talking about all things comma. Among most writers, you’ll find a consensus when it comes to this tiny, ambiguous mark. They don’t like it. It’s too confusing....
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Commas Part 3
Commas cause confusion. I think we can all agree on that. It doesn’t matter if we write fiction, nonfiction, articles, blogs, or news stories. Even English teachers sometimes struggle. And while the...
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CHARACTERS ARE PEOPLE TOO: BRING YOUR BOOK TO LIFE (PART I)
If you write your characters like real people, they’ll read like real people. But, in order to bring them to life, we first have to figure out who they are. Some writers want to understand their...
View ArticlePiecing Together the Perfect Scene
I went to an art party once. The kind of party where I showed up with friends, a bottle of wine, and zero artistic talent. When I first stood in front of that blank canvas, brush in hand, I froze. I...
View ArticleSuggestions for When Life Throws a Roadblock Between You and Writing
Sometimes writer’s block has nothing to do with laziness or lack of organization or bad time management. Sometimes it’s about being physically, mentally, and emotionally drained, where no matter how...
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