Colleen Story A girl goes into a bar. A guy takes a seat in the chair beside her. Using his most charming voice, he says, “Hey, girl, what’s your time personality?” It could happen. In fact, the guy would likely find out more with that question than with the typical, “What’s your sign?”  In fact, […]

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy No matter what form it takes, conflict is at the core of every story. It’s part of what drives the plot, and it’s what makes readers eager to read on to see if the protagonist succeeds. Characters face problem after problem, and with each trouble found, they’re forced to make tough […]

Ella Joy Olsen Answers for Those Awkward Conversations with Readers My whole life I’ve had a star-struck, rock-star admiration for authors. Before I even imagined writing a book I’d pour over back flaps, studying author bios and photos, wondering how much of the novel was inspired by real events. While I drafted what would become […]

Kathryn Craft Turning Whine Into Gold  Bad experiences have damaged many a writer’s trust in critique partners. I get it. Peer reviewers may bring uneven skills and questionable talents to their assessment of your work. But as a practiced reader, each has something to contribute. To unlock the gold hidden within their feedback, you must […]

Y'all know that I'm the Golden Retriever of the writing world. The grandma cheerleader in a skirt that won't zip (no photo, because no one wants to see that. Trust me). But I had an epiphany today. I wanted to share, in case it helps you, too.  It was one of those golden days. You […]