I use two –ok three–pieces of software to keep my writing life organized. OK, I will admit that one of the three is Microsoft Word. I think nearly every writer […]
Pros & Cons of Writing Every Day
Many writers tell you to set aside some time every day to write, no matter how small a space you can carve out. But should you? Is it really necessary […]
Writing With a Day Job
Did you know that around 95% (maybe more) of writers support their writing habit with a day job? Here’s how you handle writing on top of a full-time job. It’s […]
Review: The Art of Betrayal
If you remember, I won a free copy of Connie Berry’s The Art of Betrayal and was looking forward to reading it. I’ve finished that book now and enjoyed it […]
What Historical Writers Should Be Watching
Of course, what you watch depends on what era you prefer to write about, but if you’re a Western writer, you should obviously be watching Westerns. It’s hard to find […]
Writing the Unreliable Narrator
I got this idea from reading the latest issue of Writer’s Digest, so fair warning! Jane K. Cleland says unreliable narrators have been around since before Arabian Nights was written. […]
What I’m Reading: The Mahu Series
I’ve started a new mystery series, this one set in Hawai’i by author Neil Plakcy (yes, Grammerly, I spelled it correctly–I double-checked). Mahu is the Hawaiian word for homosexual, and […]
Inspire Yourself
It happens to all of us once in a while: you just don’t feel the old muse inspiring you. But what–if anything–can you do about it? Here are some of […]
Showing vs Telling
I’m sure you’ve heard that you should “show” instead of “telling” in your writing. But what, exactly, does this mean and how do you do it? “He felt angry” is […]
What is Conflict in a Story?
I have a lot of trouble making sure I have enough conflict in my plots. I tend to like “caper” stories, where the characters proceed in a fairly orderly fashion […]