15 questions to build stronger characters

Strong characters—main and side characters—can bring your story to life. They're hard to write but worth it to help readers stay immersed in your story. Here are fifteen questions to help build your characters: What is the second thing your character wants the most?What social media would be your character's favorite? How would they use … Continue reading 15 questions to build stronger characters

Learning by growing (haikus)

i. This space is not mineWhite walls with empty tablesBut I could grow here ii. Time turned into yearsSpinning faster than its lightI couldn't stop and pause iii. The sun came aroundAsking if I had seen youI sighed at white walls Copyright © Robin LeeAnn

Random quotes I heard from writers

It has been a while since I have done a fun post, so here you go. As I took notes during AWP this year, I ended up writing down random sentences writers said that stuck out to me. These sentences sound strange but fun out of context. They also almost sound like writing prompts. Here … Continue reading Random quotes I heard from writers

To writers who believe they are slow learners or that they are behind

It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there. Just the fact that you get there is worth it.

Should we write what we read?

They say to write what you read, but I think that confines us in a way. If we only write what we read, must we always read something we love? I'd only read fantasy/sci-fi then, never knowing any nonfiction or poetry much. I'd limit myself the number of stories I dive into. My world would … Continue reading Should we write what we read?

Book review – The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications (Spoiler Free)

“Even if you haven't formally studied English grammar, you know countless aspects of grammar as an English speaker. You would never say or write "I are hungrily very," no matter how many hours had passed since your last meal. Not all questions of grammar are that simple, of course, but many tangles are easily resolved … Continue reading Book review – The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications (Spoiler Free)

Why do I want to know about their failures?

During author interviews, many people ask about the final product. They ask about where the book idea came from or how the writer became a writer. But I'd rather know more about how the writer failed. Did any characters disappear in later drafts? Did any scenes get cut? If so, which? Why? Were any scenes added? … Continue reading Why do I want to know about their failures?