@CindyDevoted Publication is the dream of every writer. Each day we head for the laptop and tap away at the keys, placing words in the perfect place on the page. Once that hard work pays off and we sign that first contract, it’s important to learn the work is not…

@EdieMelson I’m a member of several writing groups, and I’m always amazed at the different reactions people have to similar situations. For instance, one writer might leave a critique session in tears, questioning whether or not the call to write was real. Another writer might have just as challenging a…

@ADGansky Write to please just one person. –Kurt Vonnegut Vonnegut is not alone in his call for laser-focused literature. Stephen King, in his book On Writing discusses a similar idea. He mentions that every writer has an ideal reader, and should hold that ideal reader in their mind as they’re…

@EdieMelson Have you noticed the phenomenon that occurs when you confess you’re writing a book?  It doesn’t matter if you’re an established author with thirty-plus books under your belt, or someone working on a first novel.  Announce you’re writing a book, and you’ve opened yourself up for unsolicited advice.   [tweet_box…

@DiAnnMills Every character has a blind spot, an area where he/she is most vulnerable. Within that emotional darkness, he lacks understanding, ignores the situation, or is unaware of potential harm. Through a series of planned deception, the opposition successfully deceives and manipulates the character. The consequences are often devastating. The…

@LynnHBlackburn If you’ve been calling yourself a writer for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly experienced some form of writing stress. Maybe it’s in the form of a deadline—whether it’s self-imposed or from an agent or publisher. Maybe it’s in the form of a rejection—we’ve all been there. Maybe it’s…