Hot take: Professional beta reading is an oxymoron. The core value of beta reading is the reader’s role as a stand-in for your eventual audience—everyday readers who pick up your […]
Should you hire a professional beta reader? Read More »
In between tales of snowy, uphill treks to school (spoiler #1: I lived in the desert) and drinking out of the garden hose (spoiler #2: I was more of a
Social media etiquette for authors Read More »
One of the quickest ways to make an editor, agent, or publisher not want to work with you is to send them an NDA before you’ll discuss the project. Please,
Do you need an NDA or copyright to send your manuscript to an editor? Read More »
My entire household of creatives has been glued to the screen for Hulu’s The Bear for a very specific reason: its unflinching exploration of what it feels like to pursue a creative
Making art and life with “The Bear” Read More »
Even passive or constrained characters drive their own stories. When a character is unable to physically act, the story must dip into forces that shift their mindset. Wishful thinking isn’t enough.
Goals for Writers: Staying in your own dance space Read More »
This week’s post at The Writes of Fiction explores a topic I’ve been exploring from a writer and book coach’s point of view for some time now: the archetypal world
Unlock character arcs with the archetypes of the tarot Read More »
Whether you’re self-publishing your novel or trying to vault to the head of the slush pile, it’s generally true that commercial-quality books are supported by commercial-quality production. Hiring skilled, experienced
What’s involved in editing your novel? Read More »
It’s actually happening: You’ve hired a professional editor and it’s time to send off the manuscript. Congratulations! Now it’s business time. What should you expect from the editing process? Are
Best practices for working with a professional editor Read More »
“Is my writing good enough?” is one of the first questions most writers ask when they get in touch about editing or coaching. Unfortunately, I can’t answer that because there’s
Is my writing good enough? Read More »
Do you get sucked into spending more time reading about writing fiction than actually doing it? I’ve just updated my short list of the best books on writing, so you
Updated: Best books on writing for writers Read More »
