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Understanding Publishing Contracts
Writing can be invigorating and satisfying, but it can be daunting at times. Writing a book is hard work. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s easy. It takes time, effort, and lots of…
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Manuscript Submission Cover Letter
You’ve written your book, had it critiqued and edited, and now you’re ready to submit it. Take a little time to celebrate–you deserve it! Writing a book, any book, is hard work and…
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Writing for Kids: What You Need to Know
When people think about writing for the children’s market they generally envision picture books. While picture books are a large segment of the children’s market, there are other categories as well. Don’t make…
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Learn How to Focus
I was once asked by an interviewer if I listened to music while I write. The answer is: not on purpose. Does that mean I write only when there’s silence? Ha. Far from…
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How to Write a Novel Logline
Hollywood can teach novelists something very valuable: how to create a novel logline. Ads for movies use loglines all the time. It is the heart of the story boiled down to its very…
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The Manuscript Revision
For some writers, the word revision makes them squirm. Many novice writers go into the writing process fantasizing that they will only have to write one draft of their novel and it will…
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Set Writing Goals
Someone once said, “A goal not written down is merely a wish.” I heard this long ago and since then have tried to write down my goals. At the beginning of each year,…
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Character Story Goal
Every novel must have a story goal and that goal should be clearly stated for the reader. Let me say that again: every novel must have a story goal. In my novel, Heaven…
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On Writing a Novel
So you want to write a novel. You’ve read other novels and thought, “I think I could do this.” Or maybe you’ve been writing on and off for years. Or maybe you’ve had…
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Too Coincidental
Have you ever read a book and said, “That’s too coincidental. I just don’t believe it?” Or felt like you were manipulated through the story? I hate when that happens. I finished reading…
