I can’t tell you how many people come to me saying, “I think I want to write a memoir.” And my first question is always: “Why?” Not because I’m trying to talk them out of it, but because the answer matters. Do you want to leave a legacy for your family? Do you want to...
I'm big on organizing. So, I have a file for every chapter where I put any relevant drafts, thoughts, or research. And I always have two additional and much-needed book files going: the Dumpster file and the I Don't Know Where This Goes file. The latter file doesn't...
Objectivity in fiction is tricky. In nonfiction, it’s even trickier—because now the stakes are higher. Readers expect truth, accuracy, and fairness, even when the story runs through your personal lens. But here’s the uncomfortable reality: total objectivity in...
Why is it so hard for us to take a breath and unwind? If you're like me, you have this nagging feeling that you should be doing something most, if not all, of the time. Even if you don’t have children, in addition to addressing work demands, there's always something...
Every writer has a voice—the trick is learning to hear it clearly and use it with confidence. Narrative voice is more than word choice or rhythm; it’s the emotional fingerprint of your writing. It’s how your personality, perspective, and purpose shape the book you’re...
Romantic chemistry is one of the great mysteries of life as well as storytelling. You can’t fake it, but you can build it. Chemistry isn’t about grand gestures or poetic declarations; it’s about energy—the invisible charge between two people. When writing romance,...
Whether you're writing fiction, nonfiction, or a memoir, you'll probably need to do a little—or a lot—of research at some point. These days, that means delving into online research. Writers joke about how our search histories would get us arrested if taken out of...
Congratulations—you finished a draft of your book! Now comes the part that separates dabblers from authors: revision. If your manuscript feels sloppy, kudos to you. First drafts are supposed to be messy since you need to let it all hang out when you're creating. But...
Good, character-revealing dialogue does more than move a plot forward—it reveals who your characters are when they’re not trying to explain themselves. What they say, how they say it, and what they don’t say all build a portrait more vivid than any description could....
Despite what the experts say, dog people know that pups smile. We also know that they convey their feelings in many ways with different parts of their bodies. When Misha’s ears are back, he’s in his happy place. When they bounce around during an off-leash walk, he’s...
