Tips and Inspiration to
Guide Your Writing Journey
Explore articles on storytelling, mindset, publishing, and more to support your writing journey. Browse the blog posts below or choose a category to dive deeper.
How to Make Dialogue Realistic
When dialogue works, it feels effortless—like you’re eavesdropping on a real conversation. When it doesn’t, it can pull a reader right out of your story.
The trick to writing realistic dialogue isn’t about perfectly replicating how people talk in real life. In fact, real-life conversation is full of filler words, tangents, and half-formed thoughts that would make for a very dull page.
Why Beta Readers Are Crucial to Your Writing Process
You’ve poured your heart into writing your book. You’ve revised, edited, and maybe even second-guessed every sentence. But before you hit “publish” or send your manuscript off to an agent, there’s one more critical step that can elevate your story from good to unforgettable: beta readers. But what is a beta reader?
DIY Writing Retreat: How to Create One
Sometimes, the best way to make meaningful progress on your writing is to step away from the noise of everyday life. You don’t need to wait for the perfect time, a big budget, or a formal invitation to a writing residency. You can create your own DIY writing retreat, tailored exactly to your needs.
Whether you're working on a first draft, deep in revisions, or simply craving space to reconnect with your voice, a solo writing retreat can be the reset button you didn’t know you needed. Here’s how to create one that supports your creative flow.
Mystery Writing for Beginners: Tips to Get Started
There’s something undeniably thrilling about a good mystery. The twists, the secrets, the unraveling of a puzzle one clue at a time—it’s a genre that pulls both readers and writers into its grip. If you're a writer who loves suspense, unexpected turns, or simply enjoys asking what if, mystery might be your genre.
Whether you're dreaming up a cozy small-town whodunit or a psychological thriller with dark secrets, here are a few foundational tips to help you get started writing your own mystery novel.
Writing in Multiple POVs: Do’s and Don’ts
Choosing to write a book from multiple points of view (POVs) can be both a creative thrill and a structural challenge. When done well, it can deepen the reader’s experience, expand the story’s emotional range, and offer nuanced perspectives that a single narrator can’t provide. But writing in multiple POVs requires clarity, precision, and thoughtful intention—otherwise, your story may feel fragmented, confusing, or emotionally disconnected.
How to Write a Compelling Book Synopsis
Why does it feel like the hardest part to writing a book is distilling it into a few paragraphs that grabs attention and sparks curiosity? That’s the role of a book synopsis. A compelling synopsis isn’t just a summary of your story—it’s a carefully crafted piece of writing designed to hook agents, editors, or readers and make them want to dive into the full manuscript.
Understanding Book ISBNs and Copyrights
Publishing a book comes with more than just writing, editing, and choosing a cover. Two important components every author should understand are ISBNs and copyrights. Both are essential tools that help protect your work and make it discoverable. Here’s what you need to know.
How Much Does It Cost to Publish a Book?
A very common question as writers are moving toward having a completed manuscript is: how much does it cost to publish a book? The answer depends on your publishing path—traditional or self-publishing—and your goals for the book.
Here is an overview of book publication costs and what to consider as you bring your book to the market.
How to Create a Pre-Launch Book Marketing Plan
Yay! Your book has been written and edited. The cover design is finalized. Now, it’s time to prepare for your book launch. The launch of your book is all about spreading the word and getting it into the hands of readers. This requires a different kind of creativity and persistence.
A strong book launch doesn’t start the day your book goes on sale—it begins months in advance. Building momentum before release day ensures your book reaches the readers who need it most.
Tips for Writing While Traveling
Travel can open your senses and inspire fresh ideas, but it also comes with logistical challenges that can disrupt a writing routine. Whether you’re on a weekend road trip or an extended international adventure, here are some practical tips to help you stay connected to your writing while on the move.
Book Marketing Basics for Authors
Writing a book is a major undertaking—but getting it into the hands of readers requires a different kind of creativity and persistence. Marketing might feel overwhelming at first, but with a few key strategies, it becomes a manageable and even rewarding part of the author journey.
How to Read a Publishing Contract (Key Clauses to Watch For)
Signing a publishing contract is a significant step in any writer’s journey. While I am not a lawyer, (please consult one before signing a contract), it can be helpful to have a baseline understanding. These documents can be long, dense, and packed with legal language that isn’t always easy to decode. Whether you’re working with an agent or navigating the process independently, understanding what you're agreeing to is essential. Here are the key clauses to pay attention to before putting pen to paper.
Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: Which Is Right for You?
If you are writing a book, at some point along the journey the question starts to creep in: How am I going to publish this? For many writers, the choice between self-publishing and traditional publishing can feel confusing and uncertain. Each path comes with its own benefits, challenges, and considerations. Understanding how they differ can help you make a more informed decision that aligns with your goals, values, and vision for your book.
The Hero’s Journey: A Guide for Fiction and Nonfiction Writers
The Hero’s Journey is one of the most enduring story structures of all time—and for good reason. It mirrors how we experience transformation in real life.
Whether you're writing a novel, a memoir, or a nonfiction book, the Hero’s Journey offers a powerful lens to understand what your story is about beneath the surface—and who it’s for.
Creating a Reader Persona for Your Book
When you're writing a book—whether it's a novel, memoir, or nonfiction—it’s tempting to think it’s for “everyone.” But the truth is, books that try to speak to everyone often connect with no one.
That’s where creating a reader persona comes in.
A reader persona is a detailed profile of your ideal reader. Think of it as a stand-in for the real people who will resonate most deeply with your book. It helps you write with clarity, make marketing decisions, and speak directly to the hearts of the people who need your story.
How to Use Social Media as a Writer
Social media can feel like both a blessing and a burden for writers. On one hand, it's a powerful tool for building an audience, connecting with other creatives, and sharing your work. On the other hand, it can feel noisy, performative, and distracting—especially when you’re trying to stay focused on your writing.
So how do you use social media in a way that feels aligned, sustainable, and useful for your writing life and goals?
Building an Author Platform: Why It Matters
The phrase “author platform” gets thrown around a lot. If you’re a writer, especially one pursuing publishing, chances are you’ve heard that building a platform is “essential.”
But what does that actually mean? And more importantly—why does it matter?
How to Write a Query Letter That Gets Attention
You’ve written a novel. Now you’re standing at the threshold of a whole new part of the publishing journey: querying literary agents. This is where many writers become both elevated and discourage. Not because their story isn’t worth sharing, but because reducing an entire book into a single page can feel intimidating. But a query letter isn’t about squeezing your creativity into a tight container. It’s about creating a compelling invitation.
Setting the Scene: Bringing Locations to Life in Your Writing
The setting of your book is an invitation to immerse readers into the world you are creating. A well-crafted setting is a living, breathing thing. It isn’t just a backdrop—it’s an active part of the narrative, shaping mood, influencing characters, and pulling readers deeper into the experience. Whether you’re writing a novel, a memoir, or a short story, having a well-developed setting can make your work more vivid and memorable. Here’s how to bring locations to life in your writing.
Worldbuilding Tips for Fiction Writers
Whether you're crafting a sweeping fantasy epic, a dystopian future, or a small town with quirky secrets, worldbuilding is the foundation that gives your story shape, depth, and believability. But worldbuilding doesn’t mean writing pages of exposition or getting lost in a spiral of map-making (unless you love that!). It’s about creating a world that feels real enough for your characters to live and breathe in—and for your readers to step into without hesitation.