For Writers
As you can see, I have written hundreds of articles over the years. However, I stopped updating this page in 2017 — not because I want to hoard my advice, but rather because of how much time it takes me to keep this page updated.
So if you want the latest articles, then be sure you’re subscribed to the Misfits & Daydreamers, where you can access recent content and where I regularly link back to old newsletters!
❤️ –
On Publishing
Learn the basic steps you have to take to get a book deal with a traditional publisher.
- How to Get Traditionally Published, part 1
- How to Get Traditionally Published, part 2
- How to Get Traditionally Published, part 3
- How Books Get Publisher Support
- Income As An Author
- Patience While Querying Agents (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Selling a Book on Proposal (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Edit Letters in Traditional Publishing (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Editorial Letters and Line Edits in Traditional Publishing (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Copyedits in Traditional Publishing (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Cover Creation in Traditional Publishing (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Predicting Publishing Trends (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Please Don’t Quit Your Day Job (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Understanding First Pass Pages (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
On Writing
New to writing? Need help plotting your novel or developing your characters? You’ve come to the right (or write?) place. (Disclaimer.)
- Magical Cookies, or Don’t Write the Boring Parts
- A Simple Show vs. Tell Troubleshoot
- Simple Tricks to Unstick Your Plot: the Domino Effect ***link is broken! new link to come!***
- Simple Tricks to Unstick Your Plot: Where is Everyone?
- Building Plot from Character
- Scenes: What are they and how do you write them?
- Taking Tips from the Movies and TV
- Of Kissing and Romance
- Different Types of Romance, or My Love Can’t Be Labeled
- Understanding Reader Expectations
- Creating Memorable Characters: Protagonists and Antagonists
- Knowing my Endings–Or Not
- Researching for your Novel
- Balancing Description and Infodump
- Wonky Beginnings (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Balancing Setting and Plot (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Changing POV from 3rd to 1st (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Dragging Characters through the Wringer (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Naming Stuff (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Finding Your Voice, Part 1: Voice and Promises (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Finding Your Voice, Part 2: Exercises (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- The Usefulness of Drawing Maps (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- What Makes a Story Fresh? (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Plotting Tips & Tricks (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
On Revising
Need help revising your novel? Here’s a step-by-step guide of how I do it. Keep in mind, it may not work for you–everyone has to find his/her own method. But hopefully you can find something useful here! (Disclaimer.)
- Rough & Dirty Guide to Revising
- The Basics of My Revising Process
- Tackling Revisions (printable PDF version) ***link is broken! new link to come!***
- Lesson 1: what the heck did you write? (printable PDF version)
Productivity & Writer's Block
I have read tens of books on productivity (like, legit, tens of them). I’m especially interested in creative productivity. This blog series compiles and shares everything I’ve not only learned but also implemented with great success. (Disclaimer.)
- The Productivity Pyramid ***link is broken! New link to come!***
- The Power of Ritual
- The Power of Routine
- The Power of Rhythm
- The Power of Realism, Reset, and Record
- Writing Endurance (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Magic Writing Rituals (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- The Importance of Whole-A**ing One Thing (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Rediscovering the Writing Groove (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
Writing & Publishing Support
Got a book deal or are just curious about what it’s like after the sale? These posts might help you out.
- Self-promotion: An Author’s Guide ***link is broken! New link to come soon!***
- Getting a multi-book deal–what does it mean?
- Patience While Querying Agents (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Writing Mission Statements (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Please Don’t Quit Your Day Job (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Social Media for Authors (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- From Scientist to Novelist: My Story (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
- Interview with an Audiobook Actress (a Misfits & Daydreamers issue)
Other Resources
I’m very much a musical writer–I can’t create without the perfect tunes to back me up. Find out how I discover music (and learn what I listen to!) here.
- April 2014 Music
- May 2014 Music
- June/July 2014 Music
- Spotify Playlists:
- Something Strange & Deadly
- Truthwitch
- Windwitch
- Sightwitch
- Bloodwitch
- The Executioners Three (a contemporary horror work-in-progress — Read it on Wattpad!)
- Screechers (an epic fantasy work-in-progress)
