The first time I wrote a novel, I didn’t think about the literary genre until the first draft was done, and I began trying to untangle my mess in revision. I hadn’t asked, “What genre is my story?” After two painful years (mostly comprised of avoidance, procrastination, and general despair), I hired a developmental editor […]

Have you ever wanted to write a book? Maybe you’ve thought about it. Maybe you’ve even started writing, but got stumped halfway through. Recently, I took a poll of writers in our community. What I found is that 85% of writers have had a great idea for a book, have even tried to write it, […]

Want to write a book? Sign up for our new (free!) course, Ready, Prep, Write: Create a Summer Book Writing Plan. Learn more and sign up here. According to legend, Ernest Hemingway was challenged to write a short story using only six words. Ernest Hemingway’s story? It was: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” While you’re not […]

Want to take one of Skillshare’s many creative writing classes but not sure where to start? Or maybe your wondering whether these classes actually work, whether they’ll really help you transform for an aspiring writer into a published author. In this post, I’m going to review the seven best creative writing classes on Skillshare, sharing […]

Want to write a book? Sign up for our new (free!) course, Ready, Prep, Write: Create a Summer Book Writing Plan. Learn more and sign up here. When the writer addresses the reader directly, it’s a literary device called authorial intrusion. But what does that mean and how can an author use it effectively in their fiction? […]

What is the first thing you check on a book (after the cover art)? I would bet, whether you’re at the library, at a bookstore, or shopping online, it’s the book description. What does that mean for you as a writer? You need to know how to write a book description, preferably a great one. […]

With so much volatility in our world and economy today, it is more important than ever to communicate effectively with employees. The right message, delivered at the right times and through the right communication channels, goes a long way toward building community and engagement. Particularly for teams that are partly or entirely remote, employee communication […]

Want to write a book? Sign up for our new (free!) course, Ready, Prep, Write: Create a Summer Book Writing Plan. Learn more and sign up here. I’ve been working through revisions, and last week I found myself discouraged, feeling like I would never be finished. I needed a short, fun writing prompt to get some new […]

As a writer, you know building a foundation for your story—with a compelling opening and a sympathetic character—will allow you to grab readers right out of the starting gate with intriguing story questions and high stakes. But once you’ve done this, do you know how to raise the stakes? While a high stakes beginning captivates […]

What’s the difference between grammar and punctuation? Why does knowing the difference matter? And how can you get better at them, even if all the grammar and punctuation rules are a struggle to remember? What Is Grammar? Grammar refers to the way we put words together in sentences and paragraphs to form meaning. It’s the […]