For writers, the ability to draw inspiration from the seemingly mundane aspects of everyday life is an invaluable one. It’s a constant source for creative content!

Ever since Chat GPT became so widely available and widely used, it seems the writing/bookish community has been actively considering and debating the implications such a tool might have on the future of the entire publishing industry.

The healthy, therapized version of myself is reminding me to stay present even as uncomfortable memories surface from a long-forgotten time in my life, and the creative avoidant version of myself is writing things down to use as content in future projects.

Didion and Rockwell may have used different mediums, but their art captured the same essence thanks to their detailed storytelling and unflinching look at our real lives.

R&R update, querying, and reflections on the revision process for WSD.

The key to authentic dialogue is infusing our characters' conversations with nuance, subtext, purpose, and true-to-life interaction.

A well-crafted setting becomes more than a backdrop; it’s an integral part of the narrative itself, often becoming its own character.

We’ve got some possible news on the querying front!

I think a clear revision plan is a must when revising, whether it’s based on our own notes or an editorial letter from an agent or editor. Hopefully these tips will help!

Instead of approaching it as a broad idea like “identity,” it helps when I ask a specific question and use the story to explore more. I’ll expand on this, using my own manuscript as the example.

I may have a Taurus-heavy chart, but patience has never been one of my strongest personal qualities. Hard-working, persistent, reliable? Sure. But patient? Absolutely not.

By choosing appropriate comparisons, creating vivid imagery, and aligning metaphors and similes with the themes of our writing, we can elevate our prose to new heights.

The list is getting shorter, but I got another request!

Being intentional with our choice of POV is crucial for crafting a story that resonates with our intended audience.

It’s been a month since the last official update, and there have been some changes!

I’m very much a “manage my expectations” kind of person, but I’m finding myself wanting to let go of it in this instance.

So many projects, so little time! What does my work look like right now, and what am I doing to manage it all?

Take a look at those opening chapters. Are they doing the work they need to do in order to captivate and hook the reader?

4 requests, 17 rejections, and 14 outstanding… I don’t plan to send any more queries at this point, so here’s to hoping!

It doesn’t look quite like last year, where I literally wrote one novel manuscript after another, drafting constantly even while I was editing and revising the ones I’d already finished. It’s more of a mixed bag right now, and I feel good about that.