By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Our mothers are notorious for passing out advice about life. Sometimes their guidelines are appreciated and sometimes not so much. The older we grow, the smarter our mothers become. Quotes from mothers play an inspiring role in the lives of writers. “My mother had a great…

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Lions fascinate me. They represent nobility and respect, much like I hope my stories resonate to the reader. Their muscular bodies are to be feared and admired. Hmm, sounds like a novel. If you think your story lacks zeal, this blog will help you make your…

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson We writers are our own worst enemy. We can come up with more reasons to avoid writing and following our dreams than anyone else. I talk to so many people who claim to want to write. And those same people are the most vocal about why…

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Every novelist reaches a plateau in which the perfect story idea isn’t coming together. The plot germ is there, but the theme, setting, characters, and storyline seem to spin out of control. By using the acronym, BRAINSTORM, you can bring the whirling to a halt and…

by Alycia W. Morales     @AlyciaMorales Some days I find myself sitting at the computer, staring at the blank screen. No matter how hard I try to make them, the words just won't flow. Maybe I'm overtired. Maybe I've got a multitude of worries on my mind. Who knows. One thing…

by Hope Welborn @WriteawayHope Writers Conference. These two words can strike fear into the souls of every introverted writer hiding behind her hipster glasses, organic green tea, and laptop. Or maybe that's just me. Meeting new people, meals with strangers, and the dreaded 15-minute appointments with faculty. These things can…