Category: How To and Tips
The Inspiration behind Another Us
My debut novel, Another Us, was published on May 14th by Canelo. Having my first book come out in the middle of a global pandemic was somewhat surreal but – because I have nothing to compare it to – I have no real idea of what was actually different and I loved the whole experience. […]
Inspired By Berlin, Juliet Conlin
I’m often asked how long it takes me to write a book. That’s a very difficult question to answer, as (for me, at least) it is not a linear process. That is, I don’t sit down and map out the plot, construct my characters, do the research, and then start typing away. (In fact, I […]
Who’s In Charge Here? The Who, What, Where, Of Police Jurisdiction
By Micki Browning I recently picked up a novel that featured an FBI agent as a first responder to a burglary investigation at a city residence. The author immediately lost her credibility with me and I put the novel aside. Why? The Feds are about four levels too high for the job. Can federal agents investigate […]
My Rocky and Twisted Path to Publication By Jeneva Rose
My path to publication was not traditional nor easy by any means, but it was on-brand for me. I’ve always been a person that has to learn things the hard way, outwork luck, and take the path less traveled. I’ve been a writer since I was a child, but I didn’t attempt to truly write […]
Doing a PhD in Creative Writing: Is it for Everyone? by Dr Tiffani Angus
When I go to my local surgery, I often see a different GP, and invariably a moment comes when they ask, “Just what kind of doctor are you?” I assume they think I’m judging them, like a secret shopper. When I tell them I’m the kind of doctor who can spell, they laugh and we […]
Editing
Having just emerged from the murky depths of structural edits, and sent the results back to my publisher, I’m in the perfect place to think back and appreciate the value of a distanced eye, and the insights it can provide. As authors we live in constant state of waiting, even as we’re scribbling fiercely away […]
Having It All – It’s Not As Easy As It Sounds….
I grew up believing it was possible to have it all – a career, a family, and anything else I wanted. My parents encouraged me to get a good education and become an independent woman. I went to a progressive all-girls’ school, where we were expected to work hard, get good grades and embrace every […]
The Fine Art of Being Crappy
This may seem like a strange title for an article by a debut author, but, I’d like to share how I managed to write, edit, win two awards, and find a publisher for my debut novel, The Exit Strategy. And it required mastering the art of being crappy. As children we are often taught, especially […]
Going With Your Gut: How Intuition Impacts Destiny
Who hasn’t ignored their intuition? It’s such a bummer to find the consequences embarrassing or even dire. The surge of electricity that delivers a foretelling gets ignored due to reasoning. These conjured reasons have everything to do with wanting to be right and fear of being wrong. “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and […]
Writing Fast Girls
One of the most frequently asked questions I field from readers is “Where do you find your ideas and how do you turn them into books?” Honestly, there’s no special magic fairy dust for this. Having an idea for a story and then turning that idea into a book requires discipline, curiosity, patience, not to […]
Recent Comments