Let It Cool: Preparing for Revision Season
You finished your draft. Or maybe you stopped writing because life got busy again and writing had to wait. Either way, the story is done, in a document that feels… Let It Cool: Preparing for Revision Season
The Power of an Imperfect Ending
There is a moment near the end of writing a novel when the finish line comes into view. You can almost see it. The last chapter waits just ahead, the… The Power of an Imperfect Ending
Writing Through Resistance in the Final 25 Percent
If you have made it into the final stretch of your draft, take a moment and recognize what you have already done. You started with an idea. You built characters… Writing Through Resistance in the Final 25 Percent
Stop Editing. Start Finishing.
Our brains are clever. Mine certainly is. When I was drafting the second half of one of my novels, I noticed a pattern. Every time I sat down to write… Stop Editing. Start Finishing.
When the Ending Feels Far Away: How to Write Toward a Landing
You are past the halfway mark. You have real chapters. Real scenes. Your characters feel alive! Take a moment! Let’s celebrate. This is a big deal. You are no longer… When the Ending Feels Far Away: How to Write Toward a Landing
Master the Messy Middle with Story Structure Prompts
This post includes a few affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me keep… Master the Messy Middle with Story Structure Prompts
From Outline to “The End”: Practical Strategies for Completing Your Novel Draft
You had an idea. You took the time to shape it into a high-level outline. You answered the big draft questions about character, tension, and direction. And then something happened.… From Outline to “The End”: Practical Strategies for Completing Your Novel Draft
How to Deal With the Unexpected: Writing Through a Nashville Ice Storm
As I’m writing this, Nashville is recovering from a winter storm that has brought the city to almost a standstill. It sounds like the last time it was this bad… How to Deal With the Unexpected: Writing Through a Nashville Ice Storm
What to Write When You Sit Down
You finally sit down to write. You’ve made the time, opened your notebook or document, and told yourself this is the moment you’ll begin. And yet, once you’re there, everything… What to Write When You Sit Down
What Makes a Great Writing Space and Routine for Your Novel Journey
If you are waiting for the right conditions to write your novel, more time, more energy, fewer responsibilities, a perfectly organized office, you may be waiting longer than you’d like.… What Makes a Great Writing Space and Routine for Your Novel Journey