• The Do’s and Don’ts for a Successful Writing Workshop

    If you’ve decided to participate in your first writing workshop — either virtually or in person — you may be wondering what you can do to be best prepared for your time with other writers and how to make the most of that time. Since a writing workshop typically takes place with a small group of writers and a professional to oversee the activity, you’ll most likely receive specific instructions for how to prepare for the workshop. Since you’ll be trading writing pieces with others in the class, you will need to have your writing in the best possible shape.…

  • Style Sheets 101: Why You Need One

    There are several ways to keep yourself and your writing organized. One is a writer’s notebook and the other is to create and maintain your style sheet. Keeping all your ducks in a row as you write a book is no small feat! Let’s face it, you’re trying to keep track of the tiniest details that live within 50,000 or more words. Plus, you have way more important things to figure out, like your climactic moment and how to actually end your story. What is a style sheet? A style sheet is a document you add your preferences to regarding…

  • 31 Days of Writing Prompts (Fall Edition)

    Autumn is a great season to spend time journaling because we naturally begin to look back and reflect on the year. Take time to record your thoughts this month by participating in our 31 writing prompts. As you will see there is a writing prompt for every day of the month, but don’t feel like you have to do them in order. Print the list below and select a new prompt each day. As you finish one, cross it off the list. You may even want to choose a special journal to house your thoughts this month. Happy writing, friends! 31…

  • What are Plot Holes and How to Avoid Them

    Plot holes can creep up in any book genre, and typically go undetected for a while. To start identifying plot holes within your work, you have to know what you’re looking for. There are a few different types of plot holes: Continuity errors Something takes place that is impossible Storylines are unresolved at the end of the book Contradictions are embedded in the writing An illogical event takes place Now, that we know what plot holes are, we need to know how to avoid them. The most helpful way to avoid plot holes is to revise your work with strong…