Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Elements of Suspense: Add Tension by Stretching the Moment
Tension is the unresolved conflict in a story that keeps a reader turning pages. All scenes need tension, from…
December 17, 2018-
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Mastering Middle GradeThe Writer’s Gift of Intention
Somewhere between Christmas pageant rehearsal, decorating the tree, shopping, and making travel preparations, a still, small voice whispers. The…
December 16, 2018 -
Magazine and FreelanceLast-Minute Christmas Gifts for Writers
When checking to make sure you have gifts for everyone on your list, you may find that your author…
December 14, 2018 -
The Poet's PenJust for Christmas
Do you have a favorite Christmas poem? I’ve always liked “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” I hope Mr. Moore…
December 13, 2018 -
Fantasy-Sci-FiThe Perfect Blend of History and Fantasy
Historical fantasy is a genre growing in popularity. Many famous historical figures have earned themselves a retelling of their…
December 7, 2018 -
ScreenwritingThe End?
Recently a fellow aspiring screenwriter reached out to me on social media. She was having problems with figuring out…
December 4, 2018 -
SongwritingHow to Defeat the Dreaded, Highly Feared Monster We Call Writer’s Block
I hate to admit it, but writer’s block is just as prevalent in songwriting as it is in fiction…
November 28, 2018 -
Romancing Your StoryDoes ‘Sweet’ Mean Boring?
The first reaction I get when I tell another romance writer that I write sweet love stories is often…
November 23, 2018 -
Child's CraftWhat IS a Christmas Story?
Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Yay! It really is my favorite holiday. It’s all about gratitude, family, friends, food and for…
November 21, 2018 -
History in the MakingFun and Games
Board games − at some time in our lives, most of us have awakened on Christmas morning to find…
November 20, 2018 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Suspenseful Settings
Authors begin a new story by creating and building their characters—the hero, heroine, and villain, but shouldn’t we also…
November 17, 2018 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Gratitude
The life of a writer isn’t for the faint-hearted, is it? Words do not always order themselves on the…
November 16, 2018 -
The Poet's Pen
Giving Thanks
There are many ways to show gratitude and writing a Thanksgiving poem is the way many have expressed themselves…
November 13, 2018 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
Inspiration From the Renaissance
Most authors will hit a dry spell at some point in their career. Whether they consider it “writers block”…
November 7, 2018 -
Screenwriting
The Plot
A few months ago, I was asked by an agency to do a rewrite of an older screenplay I…
November 4, 2018 -
Songwriting
Creation as a Collaborative Gift!
I have to be honest: I have worked with bands for years and years, and while nothing feels more…
October 28, 2018 -
Copywrite/Advertising4 Books that Fueled My Copywriting Imagination
Normally, when you search for a definition, you are looking for a way to narrow a term or concept.…
October 27, 2018 -
Copywrite/Advertising
Niches: How and When to Find Yours
Online copywriting gurus say you need a niche if you want to make it as a content marketing writer.…
October 27, 2018 -
Romancing Your Story
Falling in Love—NOT the Goal
My name is M. Rose Gardner and I am an aspiring author of contemporary romance. This is my first…
October 23, 2018 -
Child's Craft
Is the Story Middle Grade or YA?
A Quick Look at the Two Middle Grade: Age of readers: 8 to 12 or 13 Length of books:…
October 21, 2018 -
History in the Making
Finding the Setting for Our Novels
Searching for the setting of that next novel? I am in the same boat. My third Civil War romance,…
October 20, 2018 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
What Does It Mean to Write Suspense?
There’s nothing more satisfying for an author than to hear readers say they couldn’t put the book down. It…
October 17, 2018 -
Mastering Middle Grade
Three Things I Wish I’d Known
Do you ever stare at one sentence until your eyes start watering? Have you had to read that one…
October 16, 2018 -
Magazine and Freelance
Article Writing Basics
People are often surprised when I say I love to write articles. “Articles?” they say. “How did you learn…
October 14, 2018 -
The Poet's Pen
COME AND LISTEN TO A STORY – What is a Ballad?
A ballad is a form of poetry that alternates lines of four and three beats, often in quatrains, rhymed…
October 13, 2018
