7 Tips for Writing Better Villains

August 9th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  6 mins 21 secs

beta-reading, books, villains, writers, writing, writing tips

There is a difference between an antagonist and a villain. Your story doesn’t need a villain. However, if you’re going to have one, you should have a memorable one

3 Tips For Deciding What Point-Of-View To Use

August 2nd, 2021  |  Season 3  |  6 mins 50 secs

beta-reading, books, writers, writing, writing tips

Picking a POV can be tricky. The three main things you need to consider are:

1. What are you most comfortable with?
2. What are the genre expectations? and
3. What feels right for the story?

Welcome To Writing Tips and Writerly Musings -- Season Three!

July 12th, 2021  |  Season 3  |  44 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

I'll be back in August with more writing tips and writerly musings. Plus, a little more.

Writer’s Block – Intimidated By The Blank Page

July 5th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  6 mins 41 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writers block, writing, writing tips

I never thought it would happen to me. I was arrogant and short-sighted.
I thought writer’s block was censoring out bad writing (you know, like rough drafts), an inability to apply butt-to-seat, or thinking you’re going in the wrong direction but not knowing the right one.
I didn’t think the blank page could scare me until I decided it was time for me to try something new.
Now? I understand.

5 Writing Tips for Making Fantasy Feel ‘Real’

June 28th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  5 mins 41 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

No matter if your fantasy world is a shifted version of our reality or something totally alien, no matter if you're a planner or a pantser, these tips should work for you.

Agents and Editors Share–Pitches We’re Sick Of!

June 21st, 2021  |  Season 2  |  14 mins 50 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, query tips, querying, writers, writing, writing tips

Different agents and editors want different things. Take these answers with a grain of salt, because, as we all know, if you do it well enough, they'll throw their own guidelines out.

What Good Is An Agent? Answers From Writers.

June 14th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  12 mins 16 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, query tips, querying, writers, writing, writing tips

with all the risks, why would I want a literary agent?

Well, at Balticon 52, I got to hear a variety of perspectives from published authors who’ve had every sort of agent possible. Here are the stories of Leah Cypess, Keith RA DeCandido, CS Friedman, Tee Morris, and their hunt for a quality agent.

Top 4 Questions From An Editors & Publishers AMA (Ask Me Anything)

June 7th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  8 mins 16 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

I don't know about you, but these are all things I always want to know:

1. What is Your Biggest Pet Peeve?
2. Should A Writer Use Different Names For Different Genres?
3. How Has The Market Changed In The Last Ten Years? and
4. Where Do Querying Writers Lose You?

Reading Your Own Work

May 31st, 2021  |  Season 2  |  7 mins 26 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

If you get the opportunity to read your own work, here are some tips on how to get ready.

Tips For Sustaining Tension In Your Writing

May 24th, 2021  |  Season 2  |  7 mins 40 secs

beta-reading, books, critique, writers, writing, writing tips

Last week, I talked about giving characters agency, but that’s not all editors and agents request. Another thing they ask for is ‘tension’. If the reader doesn’t have a reason to care what happens next, you’ve lost your tension.

But! Tension doesn't always have to mean conflict!