The Author
The Author
How do I keep my ideas, the characters, the plots, and the scenes organized when starting a story? Some authors use cork boards and pushpins to make a map of ideas. Some use index cards to organize their thoughts. Still others use software to do the organization for them. I use a mixture of several […]
What are 5 writing tools that I can’t live without? ChatCPT First and foremost, I never use AI to write for me. I believe that writing is an experience that must be drawn from the heart and mind, not from a computer. So, with that said, how do I use artificial intelligence? I use it […]
So, I have an idea for a book, but what do I do with it? Do I start scribbling down ideas and plot lines and creating characters right from the start? Or do I begin with simple things like names, dates, and setting? The answer to that question falls somewhere in a gray-ish middle area. […]
Developing characters is a lengthy process. It involves creating names, body shapes, disabilities, quirks and oddities, character arc, and backstory. All of these elements help create a well-rounded character. The last thing you want to have is a flat character. An author by the name of K.M. Weiland wrote several books to help authors craft […]
People often ask me where do I come up with ideas for a story? My response is that is both an easy question and a hard question to answer. The simplest response is that I get my ideas for the books I write from my life. I pull ideas from what is happening around me. […]
Here is a list of books and websites I’ve found helpful in learning the craft of writing: Books: Outlining your Novel by K.M. Weiland Outlining your Novel Workbook by K.M. Weiland Structuring your Novel by K.M. Weiland Structuring your Novel Workbook by K.M. Weiland Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland The Writer’s Journey by Christopher […]
This list is my top 10 all-time favorite books or book series and why I love them. They are not listed in any particular order. Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling The Harry Potter books were a phenomenon that I didn’t catch until late in the game. I started reading them about ten years after […]
It’s hard to narrow down the best advice I’ve ever received. If you’re active in the writing community, you’re often flooded with suggestions and well-intentioned advice. If I had to separate the wheat from the chaff, the best nugget of advice I’ve had is this: Write. I’ve taken that advice and capitalized on it—changed it […]
I’m often asked interesting questions about being an author. One of my favorite questions is about my writing style. I’d like to share with you my sense of style and also what you can expect to experience in my books. So, how do I come about writing the stories I do? That is interesting tale […]