by Kayleigh | Jul 19, 2024 | Writing Tips
Our mental health can be affected as we write—sometimes without us even realizing it. It’s important to be mindful of the emotional and mental investment we’re giving to our stories and to take a step back to protect ourselves when needed. This is especially... by Kayleigh | Jun 28, 2024 | Writing Tips
Easier said than done, right? Maybe so. But there are a few things you can do to help yourself create characters who pop off the page and feel genuine. Get to know your characters. Sometimes characters will surprise us on the page, but we usually start out with an... by Kayleigh | Feb 23, 2024 | Editing Tips, Writing Tips
Revising a first (or second or third) draft can feel overwhelming. Make it easier on yourself by working in pieces—or passes. Rather than trying to fix plot holes alongside misplaced commas, instead deal with the big problems first and work your way down to typos.... by Kayleigh | Feb 16, 2024 | Writing Tips
Repeating character names throughout a conversation can come across as stiff and ingenuous. (Or worse! It could invoke memories of that old, terrible flirting tip that using someone’s name over and over when talking to them lets them know you’re really... by Kayleigh | Jan 19, 2024 | Writing Tips
Mentor texts can be a great way to study rhythm and style within a beloved novel. (See my previous tip on using mentor texts.) They can also help writers who struggle with dialogue to learn the art of conversation within a story. Often a newer writer (or even an... by Kayleigh | Nov 17, 2023 | Writing Tips
Do you worry that your writing sounds robotic or monotonous? Sometimes when we’re learning to write or rushing to capture a scene on paper, we fall into repetitive structures that result in writing that is—sorry!—boring. While it’s true that some...
