Love stories appear everywhere in the films we watch, books we read, and shows we binge. Sometimes these love stories are the center of the plot, like in Pride and Prejudice or The Notebook. Sometimes they’re a subplot, like in The Hunger Games or Ready Player One. Other times they’re hidden, looking more like a journey of […]

Love stories pop up in all kinds of stories—and not just in romance novels. Let’s review what elements make up a love story and then practice with some story writing prompts.   When you think of a love story, you probably think of the romance genre: a cover with a bodice-ripping hunk and a woman […]

Handwritten notes are like sending a hug through the mail. They have personality and character, attributes a computer screen will never have. Let me show you why, when, and how to write a thank-you note. Need some quick advice? Here are the nine steps to write a handwritten card or thank-you note. Read on for […]

If you want to get published, you need to be aware that major New York publishers are looking for a specific word count, depending on your genre. Your fantasy novel word count needs to be different than your YA Fiction book, which has a different word count from other books. How many words are in […]

How do you break bad habits? More importantly, how do you break bad writing habits that prevent you from finishing that manuscript you’ve been talking about for months, maybe even years? Let’s be honest: it’s hard breaking habits, especially when it comes to bad writing habits. Writing is a career that requires a lot of […]

Want to write a memoir but not sure how to get started? I’ve got you covered. In this post, I’m sharing my ten best creative writing prompts for memoir writers. If you need a quick prompt, check out my five favorite memoir writing prompts below. Or, keep reading for an expanded list of all ten […]

Want to improve your writing productivity? Struggling to organize and plan your book and think a good book planner will help? Writing a book is a bit like going to war. It takes blood, sweat, and tears, often over the course of years to finish writing a book. And when going to war, it’s important […]

The English language is full of idiomatic phrases and figurative expressions that sometimes take on new life in casual conversation. One of those expressions that often irks grammarians is the use (or misuse) of literally and figuratively. Have you noticed the overuse of literally in everyday speech? Today let’s look at these two terms and […]

What are your goals for being a published author? Do you want to know how to make money as an author? Or a living? And if you do, how much do you really want it? Because the depth of your desire will determine your path and your success. In our modern world, I believe it […]

Many of our most beloved stories are adventure stories: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Robinson Crusoe and more. But what makes an adventure story work? And how do you write an adventure story? Today, let’s take a look. We established the ten types of stories in this recent article. Remember that these types transcend […]