The 3 keys to a great tragedy

tragedy

Authors who write tragic tales often feel conflicted about their craft. After all, their main goal is to cause their readers emotional upheaval, devastation and sorrow. If a reader reaches for a box of tissues while flipping pages, the goal is accomplished! Writing a great tragedy can be challenging.  It’s helpful to keep three key … Read more

4 great post ideas for your author’s blog

blog

Readers who love fiction want to feel connected to the characters in their books. If they find themselves being drawn to a particular author, they might also enjoy staying updated on his or her work. Readers often follow their favorite authors on social media and subscribe to their email lists or blog. If you’re an … Read more

5 ways to improve your writing skills this year

improve

As we ring in a new year, many of us set goals, which may include things we hope to accomplish in our careers, finances, relationships or personal lives. As opposed to a bucket list, which often features things we hope to do before we die, the goals we set for a new year are often … Read more

4 tips to help with character development

characters

If you submit a fiction novel manuscript to a publisher and haven’t fully developed your characters, chances are you will receive a rejection notice. Great writers understand that characters in a fiction novel must be relatable so their readers will feel connected and willing to invest their time reading the whole story.  A fully developed … Read more

What makes a novel a classic?

classic

If you call to mind stories like “The Great Gatsby,” “A Tale of Two Cities,” or “Crime and Punishment,” you might remember your literature teacher assigning these books in high school. Perhaps you’ve read them more than once. These novels fall under a category known as “classic literature.”  What makes a specific book a classic … Read more

Adverbs—should writers use them?

adverbs

If you were the type of student who enjoyed English classes in elementary school, you may recall learning about adverbs. These words often end in “ly” (but not always, so be careful!), and their purpose is to modify adjectives, verbs or other adverbs. They do this by expressing manner, degree, place, time or frequency. In … Read more

5 great read-aloud stories for Christmas

christmas

If you’ve been wanting to restore the traditional practice of family read-aloud time, then the Christmas season is the perfect time to start. If you have children in various age groups in your family, you can choose selections accordingly, something simple and full of beautiful illustrations for the younger kids, followed by some longer chapter … Read more

7 reasons why BOOKS make great Christmas gifts

books

We all take advantage of advanced technology in our daily lives. Computers, the internet, Bluetooth and more, are valuable tools that add convenience and support to our work and home life. Such tools help millions of people, including authors, to generate income. Living in a modern world doesn’t negate the value of books and, more … Read more

Here’s why you need a special writing space

writing space

As a fiction author, you step into a world of make believe every time you sit down to write. Creative thinking is a key to success in the fiction space. Speaking of spaces, you should have a unique space set aside at home that is only used for writing. Its location and style are your choice, and … Read more

4 helpful tips for new authors

author

Whether you have always aspired to become an author or people have suggested that you write a book, you may have finally decided to act. Either way, if you’re new to the writing industry but hope to have a book published, there are several key issues to keep in mind.  While there are industry standards, … Read more