My Advice for New Year’s Writing Resolutions: Don’t Make Any
New Year’s resolutions are a bad idea. We’ve all made them. We’ve all failed at them. We all somehow think that THIS year will be different. But we are always wrong.
All I Want for the Holidays: Time to Write
Taking time for yourself is not selfish. Instead it is about recognizing that your need to create is valid and makes you happier and healthier. And if you’re anything like me, it also makes you more pleasant to be around.
#RevPit #10Queries
On Friday, Oct 25th, 2019, I participated as one of the editors for Revise & Resub‘s mini-event, #10Queries, in which authors entered a raffle to win the chance to submit a query letter and the first five pages of a manuscript for a free review with one of the Revise & Resub editorial team. I…
Grammar Rant: Stop Making Up Words!
Irregardless of What You Think, The Reoccurrence of Made Up Words Is Not Okay
Why I Left Facebook
I understand that it is a challenge to leave a platform that makes staying in touch with friends and family literally around the world so convenient. We write one post and everyone we are connected to can see it. That is so much easier than 2,793 phone calls or emails in order to let someone know that we had avocado toast for breakfast.
Do You Know Your Genre?
Genre has to do with the content of what you write, not the age level for which you write. For example, I could write a sci-fi murder mystery romance for middle grade, or for YA, or for adults. The age group does not affect my genre (except that I probably won’t add a sex scene in the MG version, obvs).
Do You Write Fantasy or Do You Write Magical Realism?
I know you don’t write magical realism. Okay, I’m 99.9% sure. And how do I know this, you ask as you pound your desk in consternation and insist that I am wrong and that OF COURSE you write magical realism?
Please Don’t Give Away Your Work for Free
The other day, I saw a tweet that someone posted about working for free. The person is a book cover designer and is (I assume) trying to grow a new business by offering free book cover designs in exchange for reviews on social media sites. I can only guess that the intention is a signal boost for the designer’s website.
“I’m Talking Here!” How to Make Sure Your Dialogue Can Stand On Its Own
Recently, I was participating in an online discussion with my fellow editors at Angelella Editorial about dialogue. We were all musing about why some clients seem to nail dialogue and others seem to write long passages that sound robotic. You know who never wrote robotic dialogue? Elmore Leonard. He is my personal god, and I…
Grammar Rant 1/10/19: “Awe” versus “Aww”
In this edition of Grammar Rant, I give you “awe” versus “aww.”