Read my writing and editing tips
What place does safe sex have in romance novels?
Let’s talk about seeing safe sex practices on page and what that means for fantasy fulfillment and sexiness.
A Guide to Character Sheets
I love character sheets. I love filling them out for my own characters and asking my authors to fill them out. But what are they and why should you use one?
How much do I need to know about my characters before I start writing?
How much do you need to know about a character going into a first draft? The short answer: Nothing. However, there are some aspects of character you’ll want to think about or keep track of as you head into a first draft.
Swearing in Romance Novels
Why do swear words feel okay sometimes but not always?
I’m going to talk about three considerations that influence how people perceive swear words and then discuss cursing in open-door romance novels.
Formatting Your Manuscript for Your Editor
Have you ever wondered how you should format your document for your editor? Let me tell you how in five steps!
Why Romance?
Humans yearn for connection. We’re social animals, and that is reflected in how relationship-driven much of our narratives are—even in genres that don’t focus on romance.
Is your draft ready to go to your editor?
Are you wondering if your manuscript is ready to query or self-publish? Hint: It’s not the first or second draft.
Six Tips for Writing Emotional Scenes
Nailing emotional scenes can be tricky, but let me tell you a secret: Emotions demand to be felt. So don’t hold back.
How to Write Side Characters
Four tips for writing compelling side characters that don’t take over your story.
How to Write Compelling Characters
Six tips for creating complex and compelling characters.
How to Build Your Writing Practice from the Ground Up
Here are four tips that have helped me create and maintain my writing practice.
25 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself when World Building
Creating a fantasy world from scratch is hard. Here are 25 questions to get you started.
Outlining for Pansters
How to create a cohesive narrative when you free write your first draft.
What kind of editing should I invest in?
Editing is a big investment, and indie authors often can’t afford multiple rounds of editing. So which kind is worth your money?
Why Investing in Editing Is Investing in Yourself
Every writer needs and editor. However, as you keep writing and improving, you may need less editing!
What people often don't realize is that editing is also about learning and improving your writing.
Five Ways to Be a Better Writer
I don't pretend to know what your path to greatness will look like. What I can tell you is what you can do to add tools to your writerly toolbox.
With anything, you have to put in the work. However, the work isn't always putting words on the page. Here are five things that will help you grow as a writer.
Punctuating Dialogue
The rules for punctuating dialogue can be tricky. This is because you have to take into account two layers of punctuation:
Here are some tips to help you remember what punctuation to use when in dialogue.
Five Tips for Self-Editing
Once you've got your first draft finished, it can be overwhelming to even think about edits. Don't worry! I've got you. The next step is to self-edit.
Self-editing is a bit more of a process than one step on its own though. Here are five tips for how to self-edit.
