Great novels of our time are rarely written by staring at a blank Google page and willing the perfect combination of words to appear. While inspiration is necessary, constructing a gripping and captivating story is actually a lot more formulaic than most new...
As one might imagine, the journeys that a male and female protagonist might take on the road to heroics are quite different. Feeling limited by the constraints of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, therapist Maureen Murdock wrote The Heroine's Journey: Woman's Quest...
The Power of the Virgin's Promise Arc Just as people can't be confined to boxes, neither can fictional protagonists. And no archetype demonstrates the struggle of conformity better than the Virgin's Promise. First created by author Kim Hudson in her book The...
You're familiar with the adventure: a seemingly ordinary person is called to travel to a strange and unfamiliar land, where they battle evil forces and come out transformed. They must face adversity and danger, find allies, and ultimately achieve victory. This...
When you finally silence that inner critic and decide to pursue your writing dream at full speed, you'll go through the same rite of passage required of every new author: Googling "how to write a novel." This milestone search will introduce you to a world of...
National Novel Writing Month, fondly known as NaNoWriMo, comes around every November, challenging writers to produce a novel of at least 50,000 words in 30 days, 1667 words a day. It’s a holiday for some and an obsession for others. Nanowrimo is Validating November...
Story development exits along your story’s entire life cycle—from idea to publication. All stories need development, revision, and editing.
You decide to write a novel or short story. Usually, it starts with an idea, something that inspires you to write. For me, it's the wondrous lives and experiences of the amazing kids and families I worked with. As you begin, what story structure will you...
Do you want to create unforgettable heroes for your readers? If so, Character Development is key. Without a well-developed character, your story will lack the emotional connection that engages and hooks readers. In this ultimate guide, we will discuss everything...
It's no secret that great story ideas are key to writing a novel that will take readers on an unforgettable journey. But what makes a great story idea? How can you come up with ideas that are both interesting and engaging? In this blog post, we will explore the...
I help busy professionals write and polish the book of their dreams. Let’s bring authenticity to your speculations, flow to your structure, and heart to your words.
Time Management For the Win! Being sworn enemies with the ticking clock seems to be a shared affliction among writers. Whether you’re a novelist working on your first book or a veteran author tackling your next project, staying committed to a deep-focus task such as...