If you ever get to a Romance Writers of America annual conference, you’ll learn a thing or two…or 12. Sure, the workshops may be geared toward writers of the romance genre, but much of the advice taught is applicable to authors across the fiction spectrum. Intrigued now? Good. I jotted down so many tips as IContinue reading “12 Writing and Research Tips I Learned from the RWA Writers Conference”
Tag Archives: author
18 Tips for Creating an Author E-Newsletter
Emails, e-blasts, e-newsletters. Whatever you want to call it, we authors have to do it. Even if we’re not published yet. Okay, especially if we’re not published yet. I will admit, I have been putting this newsletter thing off. I didn’t even realize that I had a short list of reasons why, until the topicContinue reading “18 Tips for Creating an Author E-Newsletter”
12 Things to Know About Diana Gabaldon
No one can combine science, suspense, sass and romance like Diana Gabaldon does in her bestselling novels. When I saw her at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC, she repeated a rhyme that she recited as a professor, one she used to get the attention of the sleepy football players taking her science class.Continue reading “12 Things to Know About Diana Gabaldon”
10 Things to Know About David McCullough
David McCullough is downright huggable. He’s whip-sharp with a clever wit and a memory longer than Michael Phelps’ wingspan. And he’s an incredible writer, storyteller and historian. But it’s all of that plus his affable personality and charm that make him downright huggable. There’s something about him that makes you wish he were your grandfather orContinue reading “10 Things to Know About David McCullough”
Seven Black Authors Who Write Historical Romance
I am currently writing a historical romance novel, which means that I love to read historical romance novels, too. One day, I went to the Google machine in search of historical romance novels with black or African American characters—or historical romance novels written by black authors. The list is small. (Sad face.) Here’s what IContinue reading “Seven Black Authors Who Write Historical Romance”
Why Aspiring Authors Are Really MathWriterMaticians
Aspiring Author + Word Count Fixation = MathWriterMetician. I’m coining this term, because we writers are obsessed with numbers and math, whether we want to believe it or not. I find myself crunching numbers almost daily. That’s how I track my WIP. I can’t help myself. One number buzzes around me at all times likeContinue reading “Why Aspiring Authors Are Really MathWriterMaticians”
What Has Possessed Me to Write My Novel in Longhand?
What the heck possessed me to stop typing my novel and to start writing it longhand, instead? Especially since I have short hands with small fingers. A couple of years ago, I had dinner with bestselling author Michelle Gable. (Ok, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Actually, she was a keynote speaker at an eventContinue reading “What Has Possessed Me to Write My Novel in Longhand?”
Writing Tips from Reading Gail Carriger’s Soulless
Years ago, I didn’t read as much as I should have, much to my mother’s chagrin. Of course, that changed over the years. Reading became one of my absolute fave activities. Not only is it a wonderful experience, it provides inspiration and a great teaching tool for me as an aspiring author. A friend recentlyContinue reading “Writing Tips from Reading Gail Carriger’s Soulless”
How I Read Books as an Aspiring Author
I don’t know when I turned a corner and started reading books with my “writer hat” on. You know what I mean: The moment you change from a passive reader to an active one. When you’re no longer escaping when you pick up a book, you’re analyzing. Instead of holding a cup of tea (orContinue reading “How I Read Books as an Aspiring Author”
Why Aspiring Authors Should Start a Blog
A couple of years ago, I attended the amazingly awesome and motivating LaJolla Writer’s Conference. They provided tips of what to do as an aspiring author, like starting a blog. It’s taken me a while to put that into action, but I see why you should start blogging before being published. It gets you writing I’veContinue reading “Why Aspiring Authors Should Start a Blog”
Rene Penn 