Recently, a friend was asking me about process, and how I plan my writing. I am a “lay the tracks as you go” kind of a writer. I’m not a pantser. I’m a failed plotter. I plan just enough ahead so that I can see where I’m going. One thing I do plan pretty intensely, … Continue reading How to Write a Killer Scene in 5 Easy Steps
Last week I wrote a tongue-in-cheek post about writing myths I used to believe in. As any self respecting procrastinator knows, one of the best ways to avoid writing is to read about writing. I love reading books by writers, books for writers, articles about writing, quotes about the writing life. Sometimes I find it … Continue reading What Happens When You Embrace Your Writing Process (Spoiler: Magic)
1.The Lie: All writers wake up at 4 a.m. and write for at least three hours in the early morning darkness The Reality: A lot of people say they are doing this. Very few people actually do—and these people are not my friends because HOW? 2.The Lie: If I’m not an alcoholic/addict I will never … Continue reading 17 Lies I Used to Believe About Writing
Note: if you are reading this, you will probably like reading my weekly newsletter, which is full of more writing tips, updates, and puns than your heart can handle. Subscribe here. I had so much fun making fun of my former baby writer self last week that I thought I’d continue the merriment with another … Continue reading How to Improve Your Writing Immediately: Write Scenes, Not Summaries
This is an excerpt from my Monday Motivation newsletter. Like what you see? Subscribe here. Warning: Very sappy post ahead. I was talking to the lovely highschooler I mentor a few weeks ago and she was distraught because she’d been rejected. She wondered if she should stop writing because she hadn’t won a national writing … Continue reading Why You Should Actually Celebrate Rejection
Hi, friends. I don’t know if you heard, but I wrote, like, one whole book. So yeah. I’m basically an expert and thought it was high time I broke down how to do it for you peasant, unwriterly folk. See below for a foolproof writing process. Patent pending. Like what you see? Sign up for … Continue reading How Not to Write a Novel (In 22 Super Easy Steps)
In case you missed my obnoxious postings on every social media platform: I signed with an agent last week! Cue all the celebratory GIFS. I first shared the long version of the story in my weekly newsletter (sign up here for more GIFS than your heart can handle). Last year, I had one goal: … Continue reading The Absolutely True Story of How I Got A Literary Agent
