Engaging story basics: character has a goal, which they want to achieve because of motivation, and while trying to reach it they run into conflict.

 Need to tone and tighten the middle of your WIP? Have a saggy, lackluster character that needs work? Feel like junking your half-finished, used-to-sparkle story? Don't. Today I have a simple tip for you to brighten your character and/or your plot. Go another way. I first heard these words in reference to life's struggles. You know, […]

Kathryn Craft Turning Whine into Gold Why should anyone pay you for your writing? Few aspiring authors give enough thought to answering this question. It is your key to effective marketing, yet many writers would rather skip the tough questions, whine about discoverability, and resort to gimmicks. Yet I have never bought a novel because […]

by Fae Rowen I am a plot-driven writer. The plot arrives first in my head, then I look for  people who will survive and grow in that world. My #1 concern? My characters MUST connect with my readers. To have the "best book ever" experience, your reader must believe in, root for, identify with, and, […]

By Laura Drake We were talking at crit group the other night. Our “throwdown” blogs have grown into more than we’d planned originally.  In case you missed them, they were: Plot vs. Character – Linear Writing vs. Non-linear – Originally, we thought to interject some humor, give some helpful links, and make everyone on either […]