Welcome to 2026 and I hope it’s going to be a good one for you. One thing I always tell my students is never write to trends. What’s hot today can be cold by the time your story gets published…yes, even if you’re self publishing it. Plus, if you’re writing in a genre you’re not…
Category: Writing How Tos
Book Tour Stop with p.m.terrell
Please welcome author p.m. terrell author of The Misremembered Lighthouse to This Writer’s Life and as part of her book tour stop… I get a lot of comments about the writer’s life, many of which are based on misconceptions. Some readers assume that a writer can choose to write whenever the urge hits them, or…
Creating Clever Characters by Mandy Montane
Say hello to Mandy Montane author of Sarena of Beca & Sarena and the Lost Princess: Legend of the Mermadians and her wonderful post about creating clever characters… Picture this, you are at the “it” Masquerade Ball of the year, you’ve been waiting for years to be invited, to finally land an invitation. You’ve…
Book Tour Stop-Lauren Wagner
Please welcome Lauren Wagner author of Misquided Trust to This Writer’s Life… GENRE: Eco Thriller BLURB: Following a catastrophic nuclear war, Sara lives in a town where the government controls every drop of water. Strict rationing tightly regulates residents’ lives, and to fall sick is to be executed. Sara’s life becomes more dangerous and complicated…
Guest Author-Jordyn Kross
Please welcome Jordyn Kross to This Writer’s Life… Disaster Survival for Authors Words matter for authors. When I say “disaster”, your mind might conjure the tornado that swept Dorothy away in The Wizard of Oz, or perhaps news images from recent hurricanes. But not all disasters are newsworthy or can be fixed with insurance settlement….
Monday Writing Tips-Editing is Key
Don’t sweat the first draft. Get it written and then on your second and third if you need one, cut, cut, cut, refine, refine, refine.
Book Tour Stop Nontraditional Plot Structures by Margie Pignataro
A FREE ebook that introduces neurodiverse writers (and neurotypical) to plot structures beyond the commonly used hero’s Journey. These plots are emotionally accessible, highly creative, and more “traditional” than you’d expect. Nontraditional Plot Structures for Neurodiverse Writers by Margie Pignataro Genre: Nonfiction Literary Theory, Writer’s Guide Born from a rejected dissertation proposal and reworked over…
Monday Writing Tips-Characters Take Over
Sometimes when I write my characters take over the plot. When I was a beginning writer I panicked thinking I was doing something wrong. I’ve since learned it’s a great thing. When your characters take over you’re on the right track. You, the writer are getting out of the way and letting your character and…
Guest Author Alana Lorens (AKA) Barbara Mountjoy
Please welcome author Alana Lorens (AKA) Barbara Mountjoy to This Writer’s Life… Thanks for my chance to talk a little about my writing life. My first official story, was by Barbara, at the age of 9. I wrote a blow by blow tale of my cat Moonlight killing and eating a rabbit. The principal at…
Monday Writing Tips-It Comes Down to Editing
I often hear my new students tell me that writing is easier than it seems. I always tell them there is a lot to learn and it’s a bit like those spinning plates that you have to keep twirling around all at the same time. It takes time but in the end it’s worth the…