Beating Writer’s Block
It’s happened to all of us. The dreaded b l o c k. It’s the intersection of panic and…
November 16, 2023It’s happened to all of us. The dreaded b l o c k. It’s the intersection of panic and…
November 16, 2023You’ve worked hard to write your middle grade novel, and now you’re ready to sell it to a publisher.…
October 16, 2023If you love middle grade novels, you’re probably familiar with some of the unique characteristics of this genre. You…
August 16, 2023In middle grade novels, do you know what gets my goat? Stories riddled with clichés. Let’s address the elephant…
July 16, 2023When I first started writing, I assumed publishing occurred as writers often presented in Hollywood films. Authors complete a…
June 16, 2023When it comes to writing middle grade fiction, authors might wonder what works best for this 8-12 years old…
April 21, 2023As an aspiring middle grade author, you’ve probably heard this before – if you want to write compelling, relevant…
March 16, 2023What motivates the main character in your middle grade manuscript? If you struggle to pinpoint what drives them, you…
February 16, 2023Hey, all! Now that the winter holidays are past, it’s high time to focus on goals for the upcoming…
January 16, 2023My co-host Lori Scott has an exceptional series about bringing her YA novel from concept to reality, but for…
October 16, 2022Behind every book on the shelf, and every story waiting to be published, there’s an author who has experienced…
June 16, 2022The American Thanksgiving falls in November, making now a great time for writers to count their blessings. I can’t…
November 16, 2021Last month I shared three things I’ve learned on my way to becoming a soon-to-be-published middle grade author. I…
October 16, 2021Sometimes when I tell people I write middle grade, they nod knowingly and say “Cool. Like a chapter book,…
August 16, 2021In honor of Independence Day, I wanted to do something special for this post to celebrate. I had an…
July 16, 2021How excited are you for summer vacation?! I have no clue what I am going to do this summer,…
June 16, 2021I once asked New York Times bestselling author Melanie Benjamin her top tip for writing historical fiction. She gave…
May 16, 2021Part one of this two-part article covered how to get started on Instagram. This second part explores growing your…
April 16, 2021I read a ton of great middle grade series in 2020 and I’m excited to share just a few…
February 16, 2021As we look ahead to a new year and a new opportunity to write and learn, I wanted to…
December 16, 2020It cannot be overstated: Critique groups are vital for writers. The critique group is to a writer what coaches…
October 16, 2020When your critique partners tell you (more than once) your middle grade fiction sounds too adult, how do you…
August 16, 2020I love having family and friends who teach at elementary schools for lots of reasons, but especially because of…
July 16, 2020I don’t know if this happens to you, but when stress piles up in my life, my body starts…
June 16, 2020Writing a book is the literary exercise equivalent of taking a cross-country road trip. No matter how beautiful the…
May 16, 2020