Writers hear all the time about the need for author platform. If you don’t know what I mean by platform, here’s some info to get you…
When I was studying for my master’s degree in writing, two of the phrases that came up frequently in workshop were “character-driven” vs. “plot-driven.” These terms…
Much as writers may hate the idea, we need to face this truth: we only get a few pages to hook our readers. Rather like the…
At the heart of every well-told story is a solid foundation known as story/narrative arc. Most stories are structured with clear beginnings, middles, and ends. The…
Whether you’ve read one or not, you’re probably more familiar with what a “cozy mystery” might be than you’re aware. Cozy mysteries have been around for…
It’s that time of year again: time for lights, eggnog, lots of traditions—aka, the holiday season. Working in a field that requires as much self-motivation and…
Of all the famous first lines of fiction, there are few that ring as true as Tolstoy’s in Anna Karenina: “Happy families are all alike; every…
For a long time, the literary world has placed fiction into two distinct categories: literary fiction and genre (commercial) fiction. While there is some debate as…
Whether you pursue traditional or indie publishing, in this day and age you’ll find that the majority of the marketing work for an author’s book lies…
From the first time I set foot in my high school alma mater, ghost stories were among the spooky legends associated with the school. While the…