Category: Creative Writing

• January 8, 2024

  Different ways a scene or conversation can advance the plot

  There are various way a scene or conversation in your novel can advance the plot–because every scene should advance the plot in some way (prologues maybe excepted, as they take place before the plot begins and set it up). No scene is going to, or needs to, do all of the things I’m going to…
• January 5, 2024

  Let your characters face the consequences of their actions (also, my book is on sale!)

  I posed a question to my beta reader for the second edition of book two last year, before I sent the manuscript off to my editor. I asked her if I should soften a particular bad decision one of my younger characters makes in the story. Her response was really gratifying to me. “She’s what,…
• January 3, 2024

  What is most important to you? Character, plot, style, theme?

  Every writer and every story is different. Honestly, I think every writer will hold the basic building blocks of written fiction in a different tension. A unique tension. These building blocks are character, plot, style, and theme. Personally, I think the best stories put character, and character development, first. We see the characters grow. We see…
• January 1, 2024

  The question to ask before you cut a scene or paragraph

  There are LOTS of times as a writer when you need to cut a paragraph or scene from your WIP. Before you do, there’s a question to ask yourself: DOES THIS PIECE OF WRITING CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING SPECIFIC THAT I NEED TO INCORPORATE ELSEWHERE? My editor recently suggested I cut a paragraph from book two of…
• December 22, 2023

  What makes a good subplot?

  Today I thought I’d break down some of the things that a good subplot will contribute to your plot. Every subplot does NOT need to do every one of these. But it should do some of them. What do you think? What are some of your favorite subplots in famous books or movies?
• December 20, 2023

  Creative Writing: Don’t force a theme

  Theme is so important. Along with character, if you write an impactful story, theme is one of the two main things readers will remember long after they forget most of the intricacies of your plot. The thing about theme, though: you can’t force it. Some major themes of The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope…
• December 15, 2023

  I can’t wait to get book two out!

  In a lot of ways, the hardest part of the journey of “The Magic Council: The Fight for Home” awaits me next January when the manuscript returns from my editor. But I’m excited for next year and to get this book out there. Will have to intentionally enjoy the journey and live the journey each…
• December 12, 2023

  As a writer, you’ve got to take constructive criticism

  Real criticism–not vitriol, not an attack, but an honest assessment of good will from reviewers and readers–is golden to a writer, or it should be. It helps us grow, and it’s important to approach it from that angle. It’s also important to remember: Every one is entitled to their opinion of a work of art.…
• December 11, 2023

  Need a Christmas or Holiday Gift for a teen? I have a great option . . .

  Is that teen a fan of Harry Potter or The Hunger Games? If so, they might well LOVE “The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope.” But don’t take my word for it. My nephew said it reminded him of Harry Potter. Reviews on Amazon are great and compare it to The Hunger Games (which I…
• December 9, 2023

  It’s good that it’s painful to read what you wrote years ago

  I hear a lot of writers talking on social media about how much they cringe to read their older pieces–whether, poems, short stories, novellas, or even novels. It’s definitely hard to go back and look at your older work. If that’s you, and you’re feeling a bit embarrassed about stuff you put out in the…