By Aaron Gansky @ADGansky Study writing long enough, and you’ll hear someone talk about complex characters and the importance of believable villains, the significance of sympathetic slime-balls. Anyone can craft a one-dimensional bad-guy bent on world domination, but it takes a certain sense of subtlety to create a character we…

By James Hannibal @jamesrhannibal Aaron banked his F-35 hard, dodging orange streaks of anti-aircraft fire. A ZSU-23-4. Where had that come from? “Vega Zero One, this is Two. Sparkle the threat—half a klick north of the burning tank. I’m clear to the west, angels three thousand.” “Vega One copies. Contact…

by Lindsey Bracket @LindsBrac Back in the days of face-to-face classes, I took a workshop at a writer’s studio with Joshilyn Jackson, a NYT bestselling author. I’ve long admired her work and her kindness—Joss is actually one of the first writers who embraced me as a newbie, offering valuable advice.…

by Alycia W. Morales @AlyciaMorales This week I have found it difficult to shut off all of the voices on social media and in the news. I’ve seriously considered taking a break from social media until all of the chaos settles, because my spirit is so unsettled. The controversy is overwhelming.…

by Deena Adams @Deenamadams If you’re breathing, you’ve been criticized at some point in your life. Aristotle said, “There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” I believe that’s true. We all have varied opinions on a multitude of subjects, especially politics and…

by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28 I tried so hard to make those baby trees grow. Two years ago, I transplanted three small trees from my front yard to the back, and for weeks I “mommy-ed” them. I watered them, staked their six-inch-tall trunks to the ground, and made sure no one…