The Most Interesting Research
In today's post, I'll be discussing the most interesting information found during the research phase of a book.
When I was writing The Bone Maiden, I knew very little about the Crescent City. Although I had actually been to New Orleans twice…
Become Your Character as You Write
In today's post, I'll be discussing how to put yourself into the head of your character to write stronger characters.
As I discussed in a podcast titled, Book Bible, I write a detailed character profile for each of my cast members in what’s…
How to Draw Readers Into Your Story
The big question for today is how do you “ground” readers into your story and pull them in?
How I ground readers into my story and pull them in are through with three different but successful methods. The first method is the all important…
Top 10 Writing Obstacles
Here is my Top 10 Most Common Writing Obstacles Every Writer Faces...
Time
Finding the right time to write can be challenging. As I illustrated in my podcast titled, How to Start Writing, I discuss ways around this obstacle. Because I have…
My Favorite Books Growing Up
As a young child living somewhere between the Midwest and the eastern seaboard, I cut my teeth on a variety of reading. Some were beloved children’s classics while others were more traditional literature. As a scrappy elementary reader, my…
Are You a Pantser or Plotter
In the writing community, there is a lot of debate among authors about being a plotter or a pantser. For some authors, they are die-hard plotters. They organize and outline their writing so it’s more manageable. Other writers write by the…
My Favorite Stories and Characters to Write
I generally write suspense & thriller novels focused on families torn by tragedy and the difficult struggles faced when that familial bond is threatened or broken. As I explained in a different blog about my favorite books growing up, I…
What Inspired Me to Become an Author
I’ve always been the creative sort even when I was little. But I didn’t start really writing until I was in my 40s. My early career took me on a different path. After I finished my bachelors degree at Indiana University in the early 90s,…
When Do I Write
The simple answer to this question is whenever I can. The real answer which sits somewhere between the easy and hard answer and that depends on where I am in the writing process. Am I at the very beginning? In the middle? Or near the end?
When…
How to Keep Organized
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…