Kids Lit
How I Spent the Mesozoic Era
Does it seem to take FOREVER to get a brilliant (they all are!) book published for kids? Even as…
September 8, 2021-
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Fantasy-Sci-Fithe eight types of time travel
Time travel is a stable in science fiction. Countless books, comics, movies, and TV shows have used it as…
September 7, 2021 -
ScreenwritingThe importance of Pre-Production
While many have romanticized ideas about life as a screenwriter, the hard truth is writing a screenplay is just…
September 4, 2021 -
Writing for YAInterview with Olivia Smit: Reading Advice for YA Authors
Young Adult author Olivia Smit just released her newest contemporary, Hearing Lies. She’s also is in my crit group,…
August 27, 2021 -
History in the MakingA Snapshot of a Lifesaving Organization
Consider this scene: “Another final notice.” She glared at her husband, slapped the paper bill with the back of…
August 24, 2021 -
Romancing Your StoryMake it Personal
One of my favorite movies is You’ve Got Mail. When Joe Fox attempts to apologize to Kathleen Kelly for…
August 23, 2021 -
Mystery/Thriller/SuspenseDo You Love Your Series Sleuth?
Oh, the work you put into developing your sleuth, your investigator, your detective! Whether old or young, tall, or…
August 17, 2021 -
Mastering Middle GradeAre you Writing a Middle Grade or Chapter Book?
Sometimes when I tell people I write middle grade, they nod knowingly and say “Cool. Like a chapter book,…
August 16, 2021 -
Kids Lit
Huff, puff…blow the house down! Engaging Children in Books
“Then I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house down!” said the Big Bad Wolf. Children engage…
August 8, 2021 -
Screenwriting
The Importance of Production Teams
We all have them, big dreams of writing a blockbuster screenplay and selling it for big bucks and one…
August 4, 2021 -
Writing for YA
Writing a First Novel: Ten Mistakes Not to Make
There’s no one right way to write a novel, but there are plenty of wrong ways! Here’s a few…
July 27, 2021 -
History in the Making
An Unexpected Nugget
When doing research for a historical novel, you may find an unexpected nugget that could add some extra excitement,…
July 20, 2021 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
Using Novels as Craft Books
What’s the secret of using others’ stories to beef up our own without plagiarizing? I’m always looking to craft…
July 17, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
An Interview with M. G. Fantasy Author Andrea Rand
In honor of Independence Day, I wanted to do something special for this post to celebrate. I had an…
July 16, 2021 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
You Need to Attend a Scifi/Fantasy Writers Conference
Writer’s conferences are, once again, gearing up to welcome attendees. These annual conventions (in-person, online or a hybrid of…
July 8, 2021 -
Screenwriting
Teamwork
Recently, a local writer friend and I decided to do a script swap to read each other’s WIP. To…
July 4, 2021 -
Writing for YA
Before Narrating a Novel: Audiobook Production Tips from Tara. K. Ross
Audiobooks are gaining popularity. I have always loved audiobooks and am a bit picky when it comes to narrators.…
June 27, 2021 -
Romancing Your Story
Hole-Hearted to Whole-Hearted and How to Get There
What hole is in his heart? What hole is in her heart? This is where your romance story begins.…
June 23, 2021 -
Kids Lit
What DO librarians want in a picture book?
Is there anything more fun than being in the library Children’s room at story time? I was the lucky…
June 21, 2021 -
Mystery/Thriller/Suspense
The Mystery of Describing These Genres
Ever heard someone say, “I love a good mystery!” That’s more likely than hearing“I love a good suspense story.”…
June 17, 2021 -
Mastering Middle Grade
8 Middle Grade Books for Summer
How excited are you for summer vacation?! I have no clue what I am going to do this summer,…
June 16, 2021 -
Fantasy-Sci-Fi
advances in rocket propulsion to inspire your science fiction
There’s an important difference between Science Fiction and Scient Fantasy. Scient Fiction is based on real world science, even…
June 7, 2021 -
Screenwriting
Show Business
After I submitted my last screenwriting post, I received feedback for my latest WIP. Although it wasn’t what I…
June 4, 2021 -
Writing for YA
Avoiding Preachy Prose
Much young adult fiction today deals with contemporary issues and is a reflection of the times. Authors have important…
May 27, 2021 -
Romancing Your Story
Walk on By: Secondary Characters
Secondary characters are the seasoning in your story soup. Who can be secondary characters, or sidekicks? Often, they’re the…
May 23, 2021
