How I increased my writing speed by over 1,000 words per hour.
#WritingTips
Critique Submissions—Still Open
Want an in-depth critique of your first chapter?
Sex in Writing: Part Two
A continuation of the sex discussion from a woman's perspective.
Sex in Writing: Part 1
Even in writing, sex can be terrible or mind-blowing.
A Writer’s Strength: Knowing Your Type
An examination of writing styles: Pantsing, Snowflake, Edit as you go, Outliner.
Five-Point Outline
From the rut of Act I to the resolution beyond Act III's climax.
An Old-Fashioned Opinion: Prologues, Epilogues, & Epigraphs
"Our way is the old way," but is it the "dead" way?
Flawed to the Core: Building Character
Building a unique character from the inside out.
Risk the Reader, Expose the Character
Yes, you read that title right. Exposing the character can risk the attachments the reader has made to your protagonist, but also increase their value. Risk makes life exciting and frustrating all at once. Maybe you put your heart on the line and come away with ache. Perhaps you like the thrill of gambling? Risk … Continue reading Risk the Reader, Expose the Character
The 5 W’s: A Spark of Thoughts
Every book starts with a single idea. You may have met people that say, "I've got a great idea for a book!" And you say, "Tell me about it." Then, they enter a fifteen-minute discourse of jumbled thoughts and convoluted characters that are paper-thin and weak. But, that's okay, it's expected. I call this the … Continue reading The 5 W’s: A Spark of Thoughts
Better Dead Than Said
Dialogue tags are a part of writing, they always will be, but my opinion on the matter seems to be in the minority, and I cannot understand why. To me, writing plays out very much like a movie, all the way down to the nuances of the face and the stressing of a character’s words. … Continue reading Better Dead Than Said
In Focus: Categories for Characters
The focus of your character. In this blog, I will most likely polarize readers. Everyone–well, almost everyone–wants their hero or villain to be memorable in some form or another, and most mistake unforgettable with the nobility of cause or menacing aura. In a little while, I will analyze the elements, but for now, let’s explore … Continue reading In Focus: Categories for Characters
Setting the Mood With Music
What puts you in the mood to write? Is it a sudden moment of inspiration? A nap? Watching a movie or TV show? Once you start writing, what keeps you there? I have found that my focus comes in the form of music while writing. Perhaps it is because I am a musician or that … Continue reading Setting the Mood With Music
Fervid Feats: Writing Action
Action. Some individuals are adrenaline junkies, and others do not care for it, but in almost every type of novel, there is at least one scene with action. The word action is very broad and can cover many aspects, but typically, when you think about the word action, you think movies and fight scenes, superheroes … Continue reading Fervid Feats: Writing Action
Outpost Dire 