Writers in the Storm

By PJ Hultstrand

I have a few best kept writing and publishing secrets. However, the one I can share now is, at the age of 63, I'm writing more than I've ever written before in my life! And my first published short story was in print at the age of 15.

Since the beginning of 2026, I have been actively writing four new books and writing new material for my non-fiction book. One of these book titles was done and printed for the Tucson Festival of Books in March. This was the book that had been holding me back for over 22 years.

Yes! 22 years!

I'm sure many of you have experienced this same problem at some point in your writing adventure. I had denied this problem even existed for years, saying that I didn’t believe in “writer’s block.” I thought you just needed to keep writing. But, I had kept writing, just in a different book series with new worlds.

Before now, I have basically been writing one book at a time and NEVER in my original time-travel romance series that I wrote in 2004. That 5th book was blocked to my creative process. UNTIL 2026!

So, here’s the history of this Time series?

I had published all four of the first books in print and eBook in 2009-2012. However, book five went nowhere for too many years. This would have been the end of this series and no resolution for the story– if I had not heard from my suddenly growing fan base for “Time Conquers All” and all the characters created for this epic love story set in India region in the late 1500s.

Back in 2016, I had combined books 1 and 2, then 3 and 4, into what I call my “69” collector’s editions of these books. In that “when you’re done reading book one, you just flip the book over and start reading book two.” I only sell these books right now, at events since there is no barcode on this edition. Some readers even buy them for their unusually intriguing print collection edition for these four books.

However, this is just half the story. If it had not been for the fans who came up to my tables at these live events specifically looking for “book 5” in this series, I would never have understood a fundamental business acumen that forced me to break that writer’s block.

Customer market awareness.

I had already made new customers for a brand I had not actively updated with new products.

So, when the fans continued to badger (or in a nicer term, consistently suggest) at these live events, I had to push through that writer’s block and “get it done!” This is easier said than done.

The question I had to consider was WHY had I been blocking the first book series I had started 22 years ago?

In other articles on this subject, the main issues that halt the author’s progress in their writing endeavors are the following:

Toxic Perfectionism:

• A trigger of self-doubt comes from attempting to write the perfect first draft. This becomes a cycle of constantly rewriting the story.

This had transpired in the first draft writing process. However, the rewrite became the entire meaning of this series. I do know many writers out there who tell me they are still writing their first book, even years after we first talked about the book.

As I always say, “You must eventually stick a fork in it." The story may never be perfect, but if you really want constructive feedback, then hire an editor and work on that book. “Get it done!”

Fear of Failure & Judgement:

• This is fear of how others will receive your writing.

Well, this problem of “fear” can become crippling and could lead to an avoidance of doing any writing at all. Believe someone who has been writing for decades, there will always be critics and those who just don’t want to see you succeed in this writing project. It is really the strong-willed and stubborn who push “fear” aside and finish that book, in spite of others!

Story Cornering:

• When the plot logic becomes broken and needs rewriting.

Honestly, this is the first time I read this term “story cornering” for problems with the plot in the story.

My writer’s block is not due to lack of knowing where the story was going. The vision haunting the protagonist at the beginning of this series, is the one we still must resolve. And when I say “we,” I mean me, as the author, and the characters who live in my mind. It’s perfectly clear to me what the story needs to fix or resolve in order for the characters and readers to get their well tied-up story.

Mental and Emotional Burnout:

• This could be from stress, physical issues, or external life issues that drains your creative endeavors.

My fundamental problem has always been, I psychologically did not want to do to the main characters what I had to do. (Spoiler alert) I had to send King Parker, the love of Princess Tamea’s life, back into the future, where I knew there would be a problem due to that pesky vision issue I wrote, beginning on page one!

This is quite a dilemma for someone who had already spent this many years on building a fanbase who was demanding the “rest of the story - what happens to Tamea and Parker?”

So, when the fans kept demanding the next installment of Tamea and Parker’s story, I finally forced myself to figure out that I was in denial of this full-blown crippling writer’s block and I had to do something about it!

This book 5 - “Spirited Away from Time” was published in print just in time for Tucson Festival of Books. Thank goodness, I had finally finished this book! The very first customer at my table this year was one of the customers who had asked me “where is book 5” last year at the Festival. And I was able to point at the book and say, “Here you go, and I wrote a dedication to all of you who have stayed on me to get this one done! You don’t know how much I appreciate your dedication to this series!”

I hope this information and my own story on how I had come to an important understanding to deal with my crippling writer’s block helps you in your creative endeavors.

Remember though, if you are vacillating on finishing your book due to any of the above reasons or others not mentioned here, that Time Conquers All always!

Do you believe writer's block is real, or do you think it often masks another issue?

About the Author

PJ Hultstrand is the author of 18 books so far. She has also been a book publisher, managing editor for two newspapers, media personality, senior graphics designer and a publishing specialist.

PJ is an author of Time-Travel Romance, Paranormal Urban Fantasy, and an upcoming extreme sports suspense/thriller series. She also has an award-winning non-fiction, “The Jungle Survival Guide to Media Kits for Authors,” and a little duck book series for children.

Find “Time Conquers All” book 1:

On Shopify: the-wod-media-group.myshopify.com/collections/pj-hultstrand-books

Or Amazon Kindle version.

Facebook fan page: Facebook.com/timeconquersall/

Instagram: Instagram.com/author_pj_hultstrand/

Twitter: Chance2publish

By Edie Melson

Getting blog posts found has always been a struggle and has evolved through black-hat keywording, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and now we have to content with Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) also sometimes called Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Both of these last two—GEO and AEO—deal specifically with how to get our sites found through an  Artificial Intelligence (AI) search. For years I’ve been known as an SEO expert. Now, the majority of queries for information come through an AI program. So—in a lot of ways—it feels like we’re back to square one. Optimizing for AI may feel like stepping into an entirely new country, but it’s not.

We’re going to go through the process comparing SEO to AI, but the biggest takeaway from this chapter needs to be how to optimize your site for AI.

SEO Optimization

I used to explain SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and how to use keywords effectively by using an imaginary businessman. His name is Joe, and he’s a plumber.

He’s a smart business owner and began his company back in the early 1990s. He named his business, ABC Plumbing. He chose carefully because with that name, he had a good chance of being the first listing in the phone directory under plumbers. That was thirty years ago and that ad in the telephone directory kept him supplied with customers, in addition to making him visible around the community. But as time went by, fewer people looked in the telephone directory when they needed a plumber. Instead they looked online.

Well, Joe is a with-it sort of guy, and he had a website built in the early 2000s. It wasn’t fancy, but it did the job, just like the old ad in the directory. Actually the two looked a lot alike. But even with that, Joe’s traffic and customer base diminished. This decline was because when someone searched on the Internet for a plumber in his area, his website didn’t come up first. In fact, it didn’t come up until page three of the search.

Information on the Internet isn’t categorized alphabetically.

After some research, Joe found he needed to add some information to his site to come up higher in the search engine. That was when Joe came face-to-face with the new acronym SEO. Search Engine Optimization became his key to getting the name out about his business. So he started a blog and began tweaking the information on his site. But all this digital work began to eat into the time he spent running the plumbing side of the business.

At this point, the light bulb came on. Joe realized he was a plumber, not a writer. And this is where we come in. We can provide valuable services to businesses small and large. We can do what we do best—write—while allowing them to get on with business.

All good stuff, but does any of this have anything to do with AI optimization?

AI Optimization

Absolutely, to discover how to use AEO, let’s go back and look at Joe the plumber. Joe did everything right. He learned SEO. He added keywords. He started a blog. His website finally began showing up in search results. But then something changed. Instead of typing, “plumber near me,” people started asking questions like:

• “Why is my sink backing up?”
• “What causes low water pressure?”
• “How do I fix a leaking pipe under my sink?”

And instead of clicking through ten different websites, they began reading a single answer—right at the top of the page. Sometimes they didn’t even click a link at all.

That’s because AI stepped in. Search engines are no longer just finding information.
They’re interpreting it, summarizing it, and presenting it directly to the reader. And that means we, as writers, need to adjust how we present and organize the information we’re sharing.

So, in a nutshell, optimizing for AI is the process of writing content that is easy for artificial intelligence tools to:

• Understand
• Summarize
• Quote
• Recommend

Think of it this way: SEO helps your content get found. AI optimization helps your content get chosen. That’s a critically important distinction. Now, instead of competing for a click, we’re competing to be the source of the answer.

How AI “Reads” Your Content

Unlike early search engines that relied heavily on keywords, AI tools read more like people do.

They look for:

• Clear meaning
• Context
• Structure
• Authority
• Relevance

They’re asking:

• Does this answer the question clearly?
• Is this trustworthy?
• Is this easy to understand?

And here’s the good news, as writers, this plays directly into our strengths.

The Foundation of AI-Friendly Writing

We don’t need to be a tech expert to write for AI visibility. We simply write more intentionally.

Here are the core principles:

1. Write to Answer Real Questions. Remember Joe’s customers? Their main search isn’t to find a plumber, it’s to find an answer to specific plumbing questions. Then, if the answer is too technical they will search for the plumber. Your readers are doing the same thing. Instead of writing broad topics like Blogging Tips. We write to answer the question, “How do I start a blog that people actually read?” Further more, the more your title and content match the way people naturally ask questions, the more likely AI will use your content as an answer.
2. Be Clear More Than Clever. Just like with SEO, clever titles can hurt discoverability in an AI search. AI tools don’t interpret humor, puns, or vague language well. For example:
3. When Words Won’t Come (clever—but unclear)
4. How to Overcome Writer’s Block and Start Writing Again (clear and searchable)

You can still be creative—but clarity must come first.

• Structure Your Content for Easy Understanding. AI favors content that is easy to scan and organize. So we follow these tips:
• Use headings and subheadings
• Break content into short paragraphs
• Use bullet points and numbered lists
• Keep sentences focused and readable

If a human reader can quickly find the answer, AI can too.

• Lead with the Answer. This is one of the biggest shifts.Don’t make readers (or AI) dig for your point.Instead of building slowly to your answer, give it early. For example:
• Question: How do I stay focused when writing?
  Answer: The most effective way to stay focused when writing is to practice single-tasking—eliminating distractions and giving your full attention to one project at a time.

Then expand from there. This increases the likelihood your content will be quoted or summarized.

• Write with Authority and Authenticity. AI doesn’t just look for information—it looks for credible information. That means:
• Speak from experience
• Be specific
• Avoid fluff
• Provide meaningful insight

You don’t have to sound academic—but you do need to sound trustworthy.

I’ve been blogging on The Write Conversation since December of 2008. I've watched blogging evolve in every way I thought possible—and then AI (Artificial Intelligence) came on the scene. At first I was hesitant—using AI felt like cheating. However, I've come to realize I can use it just like I would a virtual assistant. It can help with the repetitive drudgery and with brain storming. Like any new tool, AI can be used to help us or hurt us. Learning about Artificial Intelligence is the best way to evaluate where it will help your blogging efforts. 

Are you changing the way you write your blog posts to make them more AI-friendly? Why or why not?

Edie’s updated bio:

Edie uses the truths God has taught her as an author, photographer, and blogger to encourage others. As a sought-after speaker, she’s empowered and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her blog, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands and has been on the Writer’s Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers since 2017.

As a blogging expert, she’s worked with clients who range from authors and speakers to business and ministry leaders. Her award-winning book for writers has been re-released as Blogging for Today’s Writers 2^nd Edition. She’s also the executive director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Connect with her on her website, www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.

Header image from deposit photo

by Rhea Dionne

First let’s get a definition:  What is Found Family?

It is the phenomenon where a group of people come to love each other like family, even through (and because) they aren't biologically related. The LGBTQ+ community in particular tends to favor this trope because it allows them to escape overbearing or harmful biological family.

Found families can be found in real-life as well, as close friend groups may feel closer to each other than to biological family.

Found Family is also known as Families of Choice.

The "Found Family" or “Family of Choice” trope refers to a device in literature and media where a group of characters find themselves united in a family-bond based on shared experiences, mutual understanding, and interpersonal connection. These arrangements often bring familial love they may have otherwise missed into their lives. Rather than the blood ties that may dictate some biological families, found family stories emphasize the connections and communities we choose for ourselves.

These narratives are often especially resonant for members of disenfranchised communities, such as those in the LGBTQ+ community, who keenly understand that unconditional love comes in all forms, and so do families.

Some examples of Found Family in fiction:

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo is one example that utilizes both the band of misfits and LGBTQ angles to forge together her lovable band of rogues.

Seanan McGuire’s series-all of her book series have characters that protect those who are different and gather other misfits to their side.

A final use of the found family trope is that of a displaced ruler. Sometimes this character may or may not know their royal heritage. The Ash Princess trilogy by Laura Sebastian and Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas are two such examples. However, eventually, they set off to reclaim their birthright, encounter friends and allies along the way who become closer than family.

Now why is it important and how can it enhance your writing style?

Many of us were either different from our families growing up or had families that were not the best to say the least. I had a dysfunctional family, and while I have interests in common with some of my family, we were not close. So my friends became my family, especially as I grew older and have lost the family that I was closest to. Others never had family they were close to so friends have become their family.

Seeing the concept in fiction, in gaming, film and television, gives a model that we can relate to, that allows us to see ourselves reflected back. Just like LGBTQ and POC, it is important to have this representation.

1. Drives Character Development

Found families offer a built-in support system. By pairing characters with opposite backgrounds, you create natural friction. These differences challenge their perspectives and assign them unique social roles within the group.

• The "Cheerleader": A character who lifts up a struggling protagonist.
• The "Mom" or "Dad": A member who acts as the anchor or caretaker.

2. Creates Meaningful Conflict

Unlike traditional families with fixed hierarchies, found families lack a safety net. Members must learn to accept hard feedback, navigate disagreements, and overcome difficult circumstances to stay together. These internal arguments and discomforts push the story forward. When characters reconcile after a fight, their bond feels incredibly strong.

3. Builds High Stakes and Motivation

Nothing forces characters to grow quite like having something to lose. When a protagonist finds people they genuinely love and want to protect, the external stakes (such as saving the world or the city) become deeply personal. This motivates characters to take risks and make sacrifices for one another that they would never make on their own.

4. Resonates Deeply with Readers

Found family stories appeal to a wide range of readers. For individuals with complicated or absent family ties, this trope offers a message of hope—that you can find people who care for you unconditionally. For readers with great families, it demonstrates that you can create your own community and support system as you navigate life.

5. Balances the Tone

Writing a high-stakes adventure or a dark story can be exhausting for readers. Found families provide a natural mechanism for pacing and levity. You can insert moments of comfort, playful bickering, and quiet support between the more intense or dangerous plot points.

Honestly, for me as a writer, Found Family is something that not only resonates with me as a reader but I think makes my writing better. I tend to write characters that fall into the LGBTQIA spectrum and my characters need to forge connections outside the standard family.

When I incorporate the Found Family trope into my writing, I have stronger characters, and it allows me to add secondary characters who have a stake in the action and narrative. It allows me to resonate with readers and give them hope that there are communities that will accept them for who they are.

Beyond adding value to my writing, connecting with readers like myself is the most important aspect to Found Family. I hope you will consider using it in your writing as well.

Have you used the found family trope in your own writing, or do you have a favorite example of it as a reader? Please share it with us down in the comments!

About Rhea Dionne

I’m a native Arizona girl that grew up loving sci fi, fantasy, gaming and comics. Characters started whispering to me in grade school and I’ve been writing ever since, especially lgbtquia characters. I took a winding road which includes movie and book reviews but my fiction includes romantic fantasy and horror. I have a horror story published in the anthology Post Mortems and am putting out a serial, Rekindling, a Gay Romantasy on my Patreon,  www.patreon.com/RheaDionne.

You can find more about what I’m working on at my website, www.rheasdesigns.shop.

Header image from Deposit Photo