Discipline, not inspiration, is what separates dreamers from writers. By committing to consistent writing—even on uninspired days—you build the mental muscle that transforms fleeting ideas into finished work and creates the foundation for a sustainable writing life.
Every writer needs to know their audience. Writing for “everyone” often means reaching no one, but tailoring your story for a specific readership builds clarity, resonance, and loyalty.
If you’re like me, writing isn’t just about putting words on a page. It’s about writing something with meaning. It’s a promise. Every time you write, you make a silent contract with yourself that your thoughts, stories, and ideas are honest, fair, and worth capturing....
Writing Tip of the Day: Introduction to Layered Writing — What Is It and Why Should You Care? Layered writing sounds pretty much like it is. It involves weaving multiple narrative elements into the same passage or scene, such as plot, character, theme, emotion, and...
There are seemingly erudite writers who not only publish writing we expect, such as novels, nonfiction books, and short stories but also write essays. I used to wonder what an essay was and how to write and sell one. After years of playing with this and publishing...
I’m all about reading, but I’m also all about writing. Answers are not necessarily found in self-help books, in fixing everything that “is wrong with you,” or staring out the window thinking about how things could be better. Sometimes, our self-reflection seems...
Embrace the joy of brainstorming. It's a process I love, filled with cool ideas that may not all work out, but some are definitely keepers. And even the ones that don't stick around forever can lead to even more fantastic ideas. It's a constant process, and I...
Plotter or pantser? I am not fond of those terms. I am not fond of those discussions. I was on a panel discussion at Bouchercon last week, and my answer is that we are both. If you ask a professional writer if they are a plotter or a pantser, you’ll probably see them...
At Bouchercon this weekend, I had the opportunity to connect with several writers who, like many of us, have encountered some bumps in the road. These setbacks, whether it's a timing issue with the release, distribution hiccups, or a lack of expected coverage, are all...
Success isn’t just about motivation—it requires clear goals, the drive to achieve them, and a strong belief that you can succeed. This blog explores how to balance these three key factors to create a path to success in writing, publishing, and beyond.