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 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.
Genre Spotlight: Mysteries – Writing Stories with Twists and Turns
There’s a reason the mystery genre has captivated readers for centuries: it invites them to play an active role in the narrative. More than any other genre, a mystery demands engagement. It challenges readers to interpret clues, question motivations, and stay one step ahead—only to be (ideally) outmaneuvered by the author’s precision.
5 Common Writing Myths, Debunked
When it comes to writing a book, there’s no shortage of well-meaning advice. Unfortunately, plenty of myths that can derail your momentum before you even get started. Whether you’re just beginning or deep in the middle of your manuscript, these five common writing myths might be lurking in your mind, making you second-guess your progress. Let’s bust them wide open.
How to Use Stories to Simplify Complex Business Ideas
Attention is currency—and complexity can cost you. If a potential customer or reader doesn’t know exactly what you are trying to tell them, quickly, they will move on. Whether you're building a marketing campaign, training a team, or trying to connect with customers, complicated concepts often create confusion, not clarity. The solution? Storytelling.
Common Mistakes First-Time Authors Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Writing a book is a thrilling yet daunting journey, especially for first-time authors. While every writer’s path is unique, most encounter the same pitfalls along the way. That is what makes writing your first book so challenging—there is so much to learn! But you’ve come to the right place to learn more about the craft of writing to help you be successful from the beginning of your writing journey. By understanding common first-time author mistakes, you can navigate the writing process with more confidence and clarity.
Genre Spotlight: Self-Help – Turning Life Lessons into Book Teachings
Writing a self-help book is an incredible opportunity to share wisdom, inspire transformation, and help readers navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re a coach, a spiritual entrepreneur, or someone who has overcome adversity, turning your personal experiences into a compelling self-help book requires a combination of storytelling, research, and actionable guidance.
In this genre spotlight, let’s explore how to transform life lessons into book teachings that resonate with readers and leave an inspiring and lasting impact.
How to Prepare Your Manuscript for Submission
You’ve written your manuscript—congratulations! Completing a book is a huge accomplishment and I hope you are taking the time to celebrate!
Now, you might be wondering what is next? Time to start submitting your book to publishers? Great idea! But before you hit “send” on that submission email, there are a few critical steps to ensure your work is polished, professional, and ready for agents, publishers, or contests. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing your manuscript for submission.
How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro
Have you completed the first draft of your manuscript and wondering how to embark on the editing journey? The next step is to complete a self-edit. This doesn’t mean you can’t work with a professional editor, but taking an initial pass through your manuscript can be helpful to ensure you have shaped your story the best way that you can. Before you share your manuscript with beta readers, agents, or an editor, it’s time for self-editing.
How to Develop Your Book’s Narrative Arc
A compelling story doesn’t just happen—it’s carefully crafted. One of the most powerful tools in your storytelling toolbox is the narrative arc, which gives your book a clear structure, keeps readers engaged, and ensures your protagonist experiences meaningful change. But how do you develop a strong narrative arc for your book? Let’s take a look at what a narrative arc is and how you can create one for your novel.
How to Write Dialogue That Drives Your Story Forward
Dialogue is one of the most powerful tools a writer has to bring a story to life. It reveals character, builds tension, and can move your plot forward in subtle or dramatic ways. But writing dialogue that feels authentic while also serving your story isn’t always easy.
If you’ve ever struggled with flat conversations, dialogue that feels like filler, or characters that all sound the same, you’re not alone. Let’s take a closer look at how to write dialogue that captivates your readers and drives your story forward.
Fixing Common Plot Problems in Your Story
Writing a compelling story takes more than just a string of action-oriented scenes. It requires a clear and engaging plot that keeps readers invested from beginning to end. But what happens when your plot hits a snag? Maybe your story feels flat, your characters lack motivation, or the pacing drags.
Don’t worry—you are not the first writer to encounter plot problems.
Top 5 Elements Every Mystery and Thriller Needs
Mystery and thriller novels have captivated readers for centuries. Agatha Christie being one of the most iconic writers in the thriller genre—and a personal favorite of mine.
No matter if it is a heart-pounding suspense of a thriller or the mind-bending puzzle of a mystery, these stories keep readers on the edge of their seats.
How to Write a Book Blurb That Sells
Writing a compelling book blurb or book description is often one of the hardest parts of the publishing process. You've poured your heart and soul into your book, and now you have to condense all that brilliance into a few short paragraphs that will hook readers and convince them to buy your book. No pressure, right?
How to Write a Compelling Opening Chapter
The first chapter of your book sets the stage for the story to come. It’s where you hook your reader, introduce your protagonist, and set the stage for the journey ahead. Whether you're writing a novel or a memoir, your first chapter not only needs to captivate the reader but establish the promise of the book while creating a sense that not everything is right in your character’s world. But how do you create an opening chapter that grabs attention and checks these boxes? Here are some key elements of crafting a compelling opening chapter for both fiction and non-fiction that keeps readers turning pages.
What Business Leaders Can Learn From Novelists
Think business and storytelling don’t mix? Think again. The best leaders—just like the best novelists—know how to craft compelling narratives that inspire, persuade, and move people to action. Whether you’re leading a team, pitching an idea, or building a brand, there’s a lot to learn from the way novelists approach their craft. Here’s why: