I’m going to be blunt—whether you think you need a dose of therapy or not, it’s at your fingertips whenever you need it. I was shocked when one of my fellow author friends shared with me that he’s been journaling as a way of therapy. To be clear, I’m not shocked about writing as therapy […]
Tag Archives | Writing
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: How Archetypes Give Characters Dimensionality
We all embody a multitude of archetypes. From goddess, to mother, to wizard in the kitchen, and onto storyteller at bedtime. Perhaps you liken yourself more to a scholar than writer, pioneer at work, avenger when volunteering, and diplomat with friends. The list goes on and on to what monikers you embody and what you […]
Author Q&A With Erin Carrougher
Erin Carrougher is a native of the Pacific Northwest, living the majority of her life near the Seattle area. She loves dystopian books, movies, and shows; so naturally, she weaved her passion for writing with her obsession with the possible futures. When not writing, she works as a sales professional and is a loving wife, […]
Author Q&A with Larry Atlas
After serving in the Army as a Drill Sergeant, Larry Atlas attended Bennington College, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees before declining admission to medical school—and moving to New York to begin a successful career as an actor, playwright, and screenwriter. Among his produced plays are Total Abandon and the award-winning Yield of the Long […]
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 […]
Author Q&A with Alison McGregor
Alison McGregor is the author of the award-winning Growing Up Antoinette picture book series for young readers. Hailing from Innisfil, Ontario, Canada, Alison chose to see the world anew from her mother’s perspective and began her writing journey with her book series regaling her mother’s world adventures growing up. If she couldn’t physically travel during […]