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Writing a Scene
A novel consists of scenes. The way that you string your scenes together determines your plot, which is simply the events that happen to your characters. All fiction must have scenes. Without scenes,…
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Writers Write
Do you really want to write? That’s a question we all need to ask ourselves. If the answer is no, then you should find something else to do with your time. If the…
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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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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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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…
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Write from Experience
For those of you who aren’t aware, I’m a mom to 10 kids (yes, 10, and yes, I delivered all of them). People ask me if I always wanted a large family…
