#NaNoWriMo – Checking in, how are you doing?

#NaNoWriMo – Checking in, how are you doing?

Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss an update! How’s your NaNoWriMo project coming? Are you behind on your word count? Are you panicking already? STOP. BREATHE. Keep something in mind–whether or not you finish your project on time or not is irrelevant. It doesn’t make you a loser to not have 50k words done … Read More

#NaNoWriMo – Creating realistic characters.

#NaNoWriMo – Creating realistic characters.

Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss an update! Welcome to November hell, aka NaNoWriMo, if you’re a writer participating in the annual masochistic practice. One of the things readers frequently mention to me is they love my characters, how “real” they are. There’s not any mystery to what I do–I write what my characters … Read More

#WritingTip – Is “smashing” writer’s block the best way?

#WritingTip – Is “smashing” writer’s block the best way?

Coming Soon | Pre-Orders | Series Info I frequently hear writers lament about trying to “break through” their writer’s block. Usually with them swearing under their breath at me for how productive I appear to be to them.* There are countless blogs and articles out there about how to “smash” your writer’s block, as if it’s some … Read More

#WritingTip – Checklist to help your book sell. (Write Your Ass Off)

#WritingTip – Checklist to help your book sell. (Write Your Ass Off)

  I blogged over on my WriteYourAssOff.com blog a follow-up post to my one the other day about why won’t your book sell. I’ll be putting together a series of posts detailing the various points blow-by-blow over the next few weeks. http://writeyourassoff.blogspot.com/2016/07/writingtip-checklist-to-help-your-book.html Other recent releases you might have missed… Rhymes With Orange (Suncoast Society 35, MMMF, … Read More

Do. Not. Read. Reviews. Period.

Writer Beware in red text.

On a Facebook group I’m a member of, a fellow writer lamented a scathing reader review they received where they were (literally) told they should seek out another form of employment, because writing wasn’t their forte. I’ve made no bones about the fact that one of the worst things a writer can do is read … Read More

Writing How-To: Avoiding Head Hopping POVs

writing how-to, chalkboard with writing on it

Well, yesterday I did something I don’t get as much time to do lately as I’d like. I sat and finished reading a book. Unfortunately, this book was an older romance (published in the early ’90’s). I ordered it and the sequel from Paperbackswap.com because the sequel had been talked about on an Amazon.com discussion … Read More

Writing How-To: Tag, you’re it!

Dialogue (or dialog) tags tend to trip some writers. Add to the mix that the US tag standard differs from the UK, and it can add to the confusion. CORRECT: “I don’t like spinach,” she said. CORRECT: She said, “I don’t like spinach.” INCORRECT: “I don’t like spinach.” she said. INCORRECT: “I don’t like spinach.” … Read More

Writing How-To: A little hashed phrase to go with the word salad…

Anchors away for our next topic! Um, no, not really. “Aweigh” is correct, however. This hint goes well with the word salad post from last week. See, the English language is a hair-rippingly funny beast. The bastardized, red-headed step-child of many different languages, it causes quite a bit of confusion. And that’s just for those … Read More

Writing How-To: He said WHAT?

writing how-to, chalkboard with writing on it

Continuing the writing how-to series, another frequent issue that crops up, especially in romance/erotica novels — guys speaking unnaturally. “You little minx.” Now, honestly. When have you EVER heard a modern guy call a woman a “little minx?” I’m not talking a period/historical (although in those I think it’s overused too). Or a hellcat, spitfire, … Read More

Writing How-To: Can I get ranch dressing on my word salad?

Continuing the writer how-to series, our next quickie topic: word salad. That’s probably not the best term, because there is a condition called word salad, but for the purposes of this tip it’s the phrase I’ll use. Here’s how you prevent this condition (and yes, I am screaming): DO NOT RELY ON YOUR SPELLCHECK FEATURE! … Read More