Space to Think: A Process for Revising Fiction

Sometimes, it is hard to find the words to put down on a page. Sometimes, it is hard to know what is on and off the page because so much time has been invested into pouring yourself onto those pages.

Not all Nonfiction is Creatively Equal: A Look at Reading Nonfiction

Readers of fiction look for specific things in the literature they choose: well-voiced narration, dialogue that isn’t forced or seemingly “scripted,” proper grammar and punctuation, tension and urgency that keep the pages turning, and realistic characters who are well-developed and working to get themselves either out of trouble or closer to the desired object/situation/event.

Four Insights into Writing Children’s Literature

Four Insights into Writing Children’s Literature Contributing writer Savanah Burns wrote this post offering advice on writing children’s literature. When it comes to writing “good” children’s literature, there are a few things authors have done well. First of all, the author needs to know their reader. Second of all, the author needs to successfully engross

Facebook: Not just for keeping up with the family

Facebook has been a part of our daily lives since 2006. Facebook is so prevalent in our society that it’s become a verb in our daily vernacular (ex “I’m Facebooking right now”). 

Making a Lie Count: Developing Dialogue that Matters

Making a Lie Count Contributing writer Savanah Burns wrote this post offering advice on writing convincing dialogue for your characters. I had a friend once tell me that it is weird how we can never really know someone because we are not them, we are not omniscient, and we are not omnipresent. Yet, through our

Happy New (Literary) Year

We’ve done it!

We successfully completed another year and now we are looking at a new calendar with twelve fresh months of possibilities.

Exercising the Writing Muscle

Professionals don’t become great in their specialty because they made As in school. While this helps them become the professionals they want to be, developing their skills doesn’t stop once they receive their diploma.

Accepting Rejection

A former creative writing professor of mine once explained said that she received a small card, no bigger than a business card, in the mail. On this little card, were the words, “Your submission was not accepted.”

The (Too) Busy Writer

A common image of the writer is one where they sit with their laptop in an oversized, comfy chair, in front of a large picture window—with or without a sheer, gauzy window dressing of some kind, but either way, allowing entry for cheerful sunlight—a cup of steaming something, coffee, tea, on a small table beside them.

#Hashtags are your friend: An Introduction to Instagram

Contributing writer and social media intern Elizabeth Evans begins a series of posts for authors on working various social media sites and using them to promote their work. The first in the series is on the platform Instagram.