Oh, editing! How we love you and loathe you at the same time. Editing is a sometimes tedious, sometimes frustrating, and always crucial step in the writing process. But when should you start? Some writers recommend waiting until you've finished the first draft of your story and to consider giving yourself a buffer of at least a few weeks before you edit. Others edit as they write the first draft. Your approach will depend on your style as a writer and can change from one pr

Many writers have an idea of what their dream writing space looks like. Maybe it's in a specific location, like sitting on the beach with a strawberry daiquiri in hand, or sitting on a train with the hills of Scotland rolling by, or just how we'd like to make over a room in our current or future home if time and money were of no object. A lot of us, however, make do with where we are, whether we are bouncing between spaces or able to write in one spot that isn't great but is

Character names can be tricky things. For some writers, it comes with a pressure on the level of naming children! We might spend hours or even days deliberating and change our characters' names multiple times before finding the perfect one. When choosing character names, there are plenty of things to consider. Because it's on the page, you may feel like it has to not only sound good but look good. You don't want to have too many characters with similar names readers get them

In my attempt at a parody for an April Fool's post , I drafted up a list of ultimately unhelpful writing tips inspired by tips I've seen floating around the internet. At the end of it, I promised I would be back with some advice that was actually helpful. That brings us to today's post: the only writing advice you'll actually need. Between countless books on the matter, blogs like this one, YouTube channels, podcasts, and social media, writing advice is only ever a click or

Writers have a lot going on. Not only do they have to write an entire dang book, but they also have to edit it and market it, all likely while working on the next book. Not to mention the fact that there's a ton happening behind the scenes and in-between. And, of course, many of us also have day jobs and other responsibilities and obligations. Paraphrasing Dr. Ian Malcom as I'm prone to do here on the blog, life finds a way to get in the way. So how can a part-time writer wi

The Little Mermaid is one of my favorite Disney films for so many reasons. I was Ariel for several Halloweens growing up, and she's still one of my favorite closet cosplays to break out on short notice. I was one of those kids who would play mermaids in any pool or on any beach trip. I still have pieces of my old bedspread stashed somewhere. Ariel may've also been one of the influences behind me dying my hair red... There's a unique charm to The Little Mermaid. It's such a c