You're nearing the end of a writing session, and you're in the zone. The words are hopping onto the page--it's as if they're writing themselves. Isn't that the best feeling? Zone writing is fast and delicious. But it often lacks layers, and these layers affect the pace. When I write…
"What is the hero's romantic conflict?" "I don't see how this problem will keep the couple apart for an entire book." "This could be cleared up with a simple conversation." If you write romance novels, you may have heard the above a time or two from professionals or critique partners.…
Guess what just hit store shelves? The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride--the first in my brand new series, Wyoming Cowboys! Aaaahhhh!!! I'm super excited about this one. I've never written about cowboys before, and, let's face it, I live in northern Ohio, which isn't exactly out west. With loads of research…
Last night I opened a novel I'd borrowed from the library. It didn't have a prologue, so I dove right into the first chapter. Within one page I knew who the main character would be (at least I assumed he was the main character), and I had a basic understanding…
In just a few short weeks my sixth novel, The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride, will be in stores! Aaahhh!! It's also the first book in my brand new series, Wyoming Cowboys. I love this book. I loved writing this book. I loved researching this book. If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited…
You know what season it is? Yes, football...duh. It's also conference season. Yay! Writers attending conferences usually sign up for pitch sessions. *Just got a shiver down my spine.* Pitch sessions are basically "here's my project, you're going to love it," sessions. Writers are trying to woo an agent or editor…
At some point in every aspiring writer's life there comes a point where you are ready to get feedback. It might not be your first book. It might be your twelfth. But deep inside you can feel it--the need for an honest assessment of your skills. But who can you…
Today we're talking about continuous learning. I’ve studied dozens of books on various aspects of writing, and these are the ones I return to again and again. I'm always on the lookout for new books to help my career, and I'm happy to share. If you’re interested in taking your…
A decade ago when I got serious about writing, I found these amazing blogs by authors who shared tips and advice. I learned so much about the craft of writing, how to network, what to look for in a critique partner, the whole "build a platform" hoopla, as well as…
This year I set some pretty high personal and professional goals. With all the striving came setbacks, and I thought I'd share a few with you. Granted, the year is still young, so who knows what the rest of 2017 will bring? I'm pushing hard for my goals no matter…