Angela Quarles Several excellent posts have already been written here on how to increase sexual tension—the key to writing romance no matter if it's a sweet romance or erotic. These tips are also helpful for those in other genres who have a romance subplot. If you haven't read these, definitely start here: Understanding these concepts […]

Orly Konig Like most writers, I love craft books and workshops and blog posts and insight into writing better, smarter, stronger. There’s always room for improvement, and I’m absolutely convinced that somewhere out there is the magic ingredient for a bestseller. I keep a notebook with those gems from each workshop that will change my […]

Angela Ackerman Writers are encouraged to dig into their hero or heroine’s past to understand what factors (including wounding events) are steering their behavior and motivation in the story. By doing this we can ensure our protagonist’s goal aligns with the unmet need driving them, tailor challenges that will force them to face specific fears, […]

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 […]

Amy Poeppel My first real job after graduating from college was working as an actress. I spent about five years performing in plays, shooting commercials, and acting in probably the worst episode ever made of America’s Most Wanted. I learned the ins and outs of union affiliation, auditioned for all kinds of roles, and developed […]