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 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.