December 8, 2021

Writing Tip: Create Character Bios

Writing a character biography can be one of the most helpful things to do when writing a book. In fact, those character bios about your primary and secondary characters may very well be the best tool for creating the perfect twists and turns for your plot to keep your readers engag
November 30, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 30: Winning NaNoWriMo

You've done it. You've pushed and pushed, writing thousands of words each week, making it to this day - November 30, 2021. You've written like mad, and today, as you enter that last update, you'll taste that sweet victory of winning NaNoWriMo.
November 29, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 29: Using Landscape for Inspiration

Whether you're into city living, country living, or that in-between suburbanite, landscape is a huge part of writing. Not only is it critical for helping our readers establish physical aspects of our writing universes, but the landscape can be an inspiration for storytelling.
November 28, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 28: What Do You Do When You Miss Those Writing Goals?

Last year, I won NaNoWriMo in just a few short days. I met my goal of 50,000 words in less than a week. This year, although I've already won by the time this piece has been published, I've had several days in which I did not meet my writing goals. It's frustrating to miss goals, especially on some special days (like my birthday), but what can you do?
November 27, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 27: Your Writing Playlist as a Writing Prompt

If you can write with music playing and you happen to be struggling in these final days of NaNoWriMo, using your writing playlist as a writing prompt could help. Earlier this month, I needed help mustering content while ill. So, I put my playlist on random and let the music move me.
November 26, 2021

NaNoWriMo 2021 Day 26: Legacies Or Something Close

A popular misconception exists that “The Next Great American Novel” can lift any feeble, impoverished writer from the mire to Hollywood or at least the White House. But alas, the creation of something incredible does not alone crown peasants kings.
November 24, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 24: Ways to Keep the Inspiration Going

Usually, when I cross the 30,000-word mark each year, my inspiration for NaNoWriMo begins to wane. So, I thought it might be good to work through some of the things I do to keep the inspiration going. I hope my workarounds are things that help keep your motivation flowing all November long!
November 20, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 20: Writing Prompts for Pushing Through

This year, I couldn’t decide which novel to write, so I gave myself some leeway in choosing one to start with, then the option to jump to the next ones after I complete the first. This gave me the freedom to prioritize without eliminating the possibility of working on the other four I really wanted to write this year. But as the last third of the month hits, ideas can wane, and inspiration poop out. So, I, like many of you, need some good solid writing prompts.
November 19, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 19: Falling in Love

You’ve been at this for 18 days now. Writing, writing, pushing, pulling, breaking, mending - drafting your NaNoWriMo 2021 novel. Well, by now, you may have come to absolutely love your main characters, or you may hate them. But if you’re not feeling that strongly about them, you might need to take a pause in the storytelling and spend some time falling in love with your lead (or falling in hate, if that villain just isn’t doing it for you).
November 18, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 18: The Power of Words

None of these are inherently good or bad. Some people will run wild with your validating words and, intentional or not, harm others in their own “freedom.” Others may rejoice and find healing. The reader’s response is not on you to determine. You cannot force anyone to do anything.
November 17, 2021

NaNoWriMo Day 17: Writing Inspiration Games and Tips I Use Each Year

Finding motivation all month long can be tricky. Right now, we’re about halfway through the month, and the inspiration is waning for many. You’ve been writing that 1667 words a day, struggling to take the next step, write the next word, not completely blank out. You might just need some writing inspiration games at this point.
Resize text-+=