If you have ever written a story you might know these, but how important do you think they really are? No matter what story you are writing, no matter how long or short it is, there are three key parts to a story. If you are missing one of them your story will be lacking […]
6 Research Tips
I’ve had many people ask me how I do my research and what I use. Here are 6 (+1 bonus) things that I’ve found very helpful when I’m writing historical fiction. Biographies – Not everyone enjoys biographies, but a good one about someone who lived during the time you want to write about can really […]
Research? Reading?
Does this sound familiar? The story line is incredible. The book, impossible to put down. As you turn page after page, the minutes slip by unnoticed. Food means nothing to you as you feel the emotions of the characters, share their struggles, and revel in their joys. The clock strikes the hour as your reach […]
Pocket Calendars and . . . Writing?
Do you ever get free pocket sized calendars in the mail? Have you ever used them with your writing? Okay, I haven’t lost it. Not really, anyway. And I haven’t turned from a pantser to a planner. So, what exactly do I do with these calendars? Let me show you. They don’t have to be […]
5 Reasons I Don’t Write Science Fiction
*I wanted to added a note here.* This post is simply my own thoughts, convictions, and opinions. You can take them or leave them. I really don’t care. Science Fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that has been called the “literature of ideas”. It typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced […]
5 Reasons I Don’t Write Cozy Mysteries
*I wanted to added a note here.* This post is simply my own thoughts, convictions, and opinions. You can take them or leave them. I really don’t care. What is a Cozy Mystery? After looking at several sources, the general consensus is that such a book is a murder mystery that focuses more on […]
5 Reasons I Don’t Write Romance
*I wanted to added a note here.* This post is simply my own thoughts, convictions, and opinions. You can take them or leave them. I really don’t care. When it comes to Romance, there is a wide range of thoughts. Some people call books Romance if there is even the smallest hint of romance […]
5 Reasons I Don’t Write Fantasy
*I wanted to added a note here.* This post is not written to criticize anyone who writes or reads this genre. This is simply my own thoughts, convictions, and opinions. You can take them or leave them. I really don’t care. When it comes to Fantasy, there is a wide range of stories. They go […]
The Perfect Description
A few weeks ago I was on vacation at my grandparents. It was a lovely time or relaxing and visiting. One day while I was there, my grandpa walked over to me, set an open book on the end table next to me and said something like, “There’s a great description in there.” I picked […]
Why I Didn’t Write
July and August were not such good writing months for me. I got 8,833 words written in July and a grand total of 6,001 words in August. (And the August words were re-writing/adding to a story.) Why didn’t I write more? Here are 18 excuses reasons I didn’t write much those months. I was trying […]