Your protagonist wants something, for a compelling reason, and needs to break through all barriers to get it. Ah, the ol’ GMC. For some, it’s a struggle, for others, it’s a breeze. While I’m no expert, I’ve gathered pearls of wisdom on the subject and plan to share more as I continue my learning journey. But one […]
Archive | Writer’s Corner
Writer’s Corner: An Author’s Word Count Primer
When it comes to pitching your book, word count matters. You don’t want to write a picture book that runs the length of 2000 words and expect a publisher to pick it up. Unless of course your last name is Disney, then you may be rolling into the storybook realm. But I digress. Yes, there […]
Writer’s Corner: Who Is Your Reader?
I’ve owned my own business for years. I understand well the need for a ‘client avatar’ or the ideal audience whom you’re targeting when you market, sell, develop, and deliver your services. There may be a collective psychographic or demographic that describes your audience, client, or for our purposes, your reader. This profile is what […]
Writer’s Corner: Choosing the Best Name for Your Character
Naming your characters is like picking a name for your baby. You want to pick the right one because you’ll be living with this ‘child’ that you birthed for a lifetime and so will your readers. It’s also important because you want the name to convey the character’s indescribable aura. When you hear the names […]
Writer’s Corner: What Makes a Book a Great Sale?
Nothing is more important to a literary agent’s audience—publishers, writers, and readers—than a great read. But today, an enjoyable read is not enough to grab a publisher’s attention and eventually make it onto the bestseller’s list. So, what is? In one word, sales. Publishers know the importance of forecasting a book’s future sales in offering […]
Writer’s Corner: How To Tighten Up Your Manuscript
While my blogs may be a bit verbose, I like to have fun with them, making them conversational. But when it comes to manuscripts, I strive to tighten up. Flowery words, extra descriptors and adverbs are not the best ploy for keeping reader’s attention. In certain genres, it can work, but publishers want to see […]
How to Build an Author Platform
I’m no expert in this area. So, now you’re probably wondering why you should continue reading this blog. Well, bear with me. And let me start with a backstory. I built and ran a successful business for sixteen years. I did this all on my own and was so successful that I had two competitors […]
THIS Writer’s Guide to Rejection
I can’t imagine an author who hasn’t felt the sting of rejection. And I’m certain every author that blogs has addressed the topic. So, now it’s my turn. Yes, I’m certainly no stranger to rejection. I can’t tell you how many rejection letters and emails I’ve received over the years. But I’ve had a few […]
Writer’s Corner: Resources for Developing Character Archetypes
A reader doesn’t need to like all the characters in your book, but they want to understand what makes them tick. They want to learn more about them. They want to know what motivates them. They want to follow them on their journey. They want to see them evolve and realize their arc. And when […]
Writer’s Corner: The Distinction Between Middle Grade and Young Adult Books: And Why It Matters
As writers and readers are quickly learning, there’s a muddiness that’s seeping into distinguishing between middle grade and young adult. It’s not to say that’s a problem, it’s a compliment to the ever maturing and expanding audience of readers and clever writers. It only becomes an issue when submitting it to agents and publishers. And it […]