In the seventh grade, I got a blue hoodie for Christmas. Money was tight that year and my mom found it on the clearance rack at Fashion Bug. It was plain, a cotton cable-knit zip-up, seemingly nothing special—and believe me when I say I lived in it. It was practically a second skin, which astounds Mom to this day. I referred to it as a wearable security blanket because I loved the texture of the yarn in a way I couldn't exactly explain (and it was almost the same shade of blu

Simply put, readers need to know what's going on in a story. The author is not only responsible for inviting them on a journey in the fictional world they've created, but also ensuring that readers have all the information needed to follow along. Relaying this information can take several forms. It's common to see it done through extensive worldbuilding, especially in fantasy and historical works in which the setting differs vastly from that of the author and intended audienc

It is a truth universally acknowledged that first impressions are everything. And, boy, can they be daunting! There are arguably a handful of first impressions your book will make on readers. The blurb on the back, the art on the cover, maybe reviews or word-of-mouth recommendations—and, of course, the first chapter of your story. Nailing the first chapter is crucial. It's here that readers will begin to orient themselves within the world you've invited them into and get to k

As a kid, it was almost a weeknight ritual to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! with my parents after the evening news. I always had a blast playing along and contributing answers from the couch while finishing the dessert from a Kid Cuisine microwave dinner. My mother loves to tell people about the time I solved a Wheel of Fortune puzzle before the contestants when I was four; for those wondering, it was "Winnie The Pooh And Tigger Too." It's safe to say Wheel of Fortu

Writers have an abundance of methods at their disposal when it comes to giving their readers hints. These may be thematic undertones or used to foreshadow events to come, or they can just be little Easter eggs awaiting keen eyes. By playing with an element's already-established meaning or assigning a new one, these subtle cues can enhance and deepen the work. A common example and one of my favorites to incorporate is color. Although it sounds like a simple detail and one of t

The ending of your book is arguably one of the most important things to get right. It's the last moments your reader has with the characters before they part ways. The last impression you get to make. How often have you been disappointed by the conclusion of a story that was going strong until the last chapters? Whether it came out of left field or was simply a letdown that didn't sit right with you, a bad ending has the potential to ruin an otherwise good reading experience.