For some writers, deciding on a pen name is as monumental and at times as intricate and intimate as deciding on names for the characters in their stories. I've posted about pseudonyms on the blog a few times, most recently sharing the origin story of my own . In these posts, we've reviewed some of the reasons a writer may choose to publish their work under a pen name as well as some tips for coming up with one. Looking back on those posts from 2020, there are some noteworthy

Writing sprints can be an effective way to get a lot done in a short burst of time. Simply put, it’s setting a timer and writing until the alarm goes off. Some writers have found that writing sprints don’t work as well for them because when the time is up and that timer beeps or buzzes, it can derail their train of thought and pull them out of the zone. Finding silent timers is a great option for writers looking to set a timeframe for their writing sessions without disruption

Every writer has their own way of getting into the right—or, rather, write—headspace for writing. They might need a hot cup of coffee or tea to get their ideas brewing, start off with meditation or prayer, light a candle for ambiance and aromatherapy , or spend a few minutes tidying their writing space before sitting down to work. For a lot of writers, that routine also includes music. Even if you prefer writing in silence, creating a playlist inspired by your WIP can give yo

A story passes through many hands before it reaches bookshelves, and among the first are those of beta readers. Beta readers provide feedback on your draft from the perspective of a reader. This gives you a sense of what works within your story and which areas need a little more work before it's ready for publication. A good beta reader's feedback extends beyond generic remarks like "good" or "I don't like this," getting into the specifics of why they feel that way, and they

For a lot of writers, writing is a form of self-care unto itself. Ditching the everyday hustle and the mundane idiosyncrasies of reality in favor of swoon-worthy romances, adventure, and intrigue, being able to explore a new place of our own making and become anyone we want with a swipe of the pen—who doesn't love that? But even though writing is an escape, it can still become stressful. A lot of writers sneak their writing into the nooks and crannies of their day, balancing

For writers, there's no better place to be than in the zone. When the words are flowing, your characters are behaving, and everything is coming together. We love sitting down to write at 7:00 PM and not knowing how much time is flying by until we look up and realize it's somehow 1:00 in the morning. But for some writers, it can be hard to get into that state of mind. We live in a world of distractions. There are things that need our attention outside of our writing that somet