Many Lives In These 40 Years
It’s my 40th birthday! Grab a drink, your favorite snack, and a cozy blanket while I get all introspective about life, writing, past mistakes, and the many lives I’ve lived.
Writing Tip: 3 Tips For A Solid Revision Plan
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!
Thoughts on Themes from WSD
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.
Book Review: Half a Soul
Half A Soul by Olivia Atwater is the perfect blend of regency romance and fantasy, offering a fresh and immersive story that’s both comforting and nostalgic.
The Waiting Space
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.
Writing Tip: Using Metaphors and Similes Effectively
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.
Why I Write Multicultural Stories
Rooted in my own identity as part of the diaspora (mixed 2nd gen Japanese American), these kinds of stories almost always explore the delicate topics of identity and belonging, which I love.
Book Review: The Name-Bearer
Natalia Hernandez has created something truly special here. With a diverse cast and richly-imagined world, it has been a surprise stand-out for me from the past year!
Writing Tip: Be Intentional With Point of View (POV)
Being intentional with our choice of POV is crucial for crafting a story that resonates with our intended audience.
Writing Update: Querying #7
It’s been a month since the last official update, and there have been some changes!
Managing Expectations
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.
Book Review: Gideon the Ninth
The entire premise is wild… lesbian necromancers in space with skeletons, ghosts, immortal godlike beings, and all sorts of treacherous tasks they must complete.
Writing Update: April 2024 Works In Progress
So many projects, so little time! What does my work look like right now, and what am I doing to manage it all?
Writing Tip: Play With Perspective (Multi-POV)
Narrative perspective is a powerful tool that shapes the reader's experience. Playing with perspective and exploring various vantage points to tell a story offers unique insights and challenges.
Why I Write Strong Female Characters
The decision to write strong female characters is rooted in my belief that literature has the power to empower, inspire, and challenge the status quo.
Book Review: Practical Potions and Premeditated Murder
Practical Potions and Premeditated Murder by Wren Jones is a charming tale of magic, mystery, and self-discovery… It’s a truly delightful debut novel.
Writing Tip: Write Powerful Openings
Take a look at those opening chapters. Are they doing the work they need to do in order to captivate and hook the reader?
Writing Update: Querying #6
4 requests, 17 rejections, and 14 outstanding… I don’t plan to send any more queries at this point, so here’s to hoping!
Why I Write About Mental Health
Mental health narratives play a crucial role in so many important stories, and as someone personally affected by mental health struggles throughout my life, it’s important to me that my work reflect those realities as well.