Research is a key to authenticity. It allows us to create worlds that feel real, characters that feel like people we could know, and plots that make sense.

While writing might start as a solitary pursuit, it’s the input, critique, and support from others that help shape our work into something truly remarkable.

While writing is primarily a solitary endeavor, preparing work for publication is not.

Whether you choose to make it something overt and explicitly stated, or you opt for a subtler approach, symbolism might be what takes your writing to the next level.

What if you knew exactly how long you had to live? Would it change how you live today, tomorrow, and the next day? This is the question at the heart of Nikki Erlick’s The Measure.

When are some times you’ve been the most self-connected? What were you doing? Where were you? How did it feel ?

When readers are on the edge of their seats, emotionally invested in the outcome, they won’t want to stop turning pages. Tension does that.

Even when it’s inevitable, death hurts. Initial thoughts about putting my grandma on hospice.

I’ll still continue to provide general topic posts for people to enjoy, but I want the flexibility to write about whatever I’m thinking about or working on at the moment, rather than feeling like I have to stick to the rigid structure I set up for this past year…

We can always improve our craft, and prose is one of those areas where this improvement can be seen most clearly when we’ve been working on it consistently.

Through short stories, we get to experience the world in bite-sized pieces, diving into specific moments of meaning.

It’s been a while, so let’s check in and get up to speed on where we’re at.

Experimenting with different styles can breathe new life into our work, foster innovation, and ultimately elevate our craft.

Cozy fantasy transports us to worlds where mystical creatures may roam and everyday troubles yield to the comforts of life, whether they be warm drinks or good friends.

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki manages to convince us that purple aliens, magical violins, and deals with the devil are entirely plausible while also exploring deep and complicated themes which affect us all.

Why tight writing is important and some practical tips on how to achieve clarity and punch while avoiding the pitfalls of overwriting.

Themes of identity and belonging have been major ones in my own life, so I’m drawn to writing about these aspects of existence. I’ve always been fascinated by human identity and the search we all seem to have for a place to call home.

We follow Diana Bishop, a historian and descendant of witches, as she uncovers an ancient and enchanted manuscript, Ashmole 782, becoming the target of many in the supernatural world.

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.