by Stephanie Morrill | Jun 10, 2019 | Plot, The Craft of Writing
If you’ve been writing for any time at all, you probably know that if there’s no conflict in your story, you don’t have much of one. Some writers relish creating the conflict in their stories. They’re excited to kill characters, to ramp up...
by Shannon Dittemore | Jun 7, 2019 | Mailbag
Today, we’re tackling another mailbag question. Natalie G. asks: How do you keep yourself motivated to finish a story? I write anything that comes to mind but I can never stay on it. It’s difficult for me to keep writing, any tips? I’m really trying...
by Jill Williamson | Jun 5, 2019 | Author Life, Ghostwriting, Guest Posts, Learning from Other Authors, Middle Grade
Jill Williamson here. When I was at the Mount Hermon conference this past April, I was so excited to connect with another Jill! Author Jill Osborne told me all about a middle grade series she’d been working on for Zonderkidz with former NFL running back, Rashad...
by Stephanie Morrill | Jun 3, 2019 | Characters, Writing
Next week I’ll have a new post for you guys, but since I’ve been traveling here is another post from the archives: If you’ve been hanging around the writing world for very long at all, you’ve likely heard about the importance of having a strong...
by Shannon Dittemore | May 31, 2019 | Writing Exercise
SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER! At least it is for my kids. To celebrate, I’ve got a fun little writing exercise for you. I’m going to give you a prompt sentence with fifteen words in it. Complete the prompt in this way: Your next sentence must have...
by Jill Williamson | May 29, 2019 | Creativity, Encouragement, Goals, Productivity, Writing Life
Since I’ve been in grad school, studying to become a certificated elementary school teacher, I’ve been growing more familiar with a wide variety of children’s books. I recently stumbled onto one that I just had to share with you all. It’s...
by Stephanie Morrill | May 28, 2019 | Productivity, Writing
Stephanie here. I’m away for the next couple of weeks, so I’m pulling a post from the archives for you all. If you’re doing the 100-for-100, today is day 8! Keep it up! Earlier this week, I followed a link to an article called something like,...
by Shannon Dittemore | May 24, 2019 | Encouragement, Goals, Writing, Writing Life
This post originally ran in May of last year, but as I just experienced a HUGE win with my kids, I was thinking about all the failure that led to this very specific success. And I thought it was worth discussing failure as a necessity once again. As writers, failure...
by Jill Williamson | May 22, 2019 | Author Life, Brainstorming, Goals, Productivity, Writing, Writing Life
So last week I was all: “I haven’t been able to write at all. School is keeping me busy, and there is just no time to fit it in right now.” Well, it’s amazing what a difference a week can make! As I was drowning in homework last week, I...
by Stephanie Morrill | May 20, 2019 | 100-for-100, Author Life, Encouragement, Goals, Productivity, Writing, Writing Life
Today is the beginning of the 100 words for 100 days challenge and you absolutely MUST be signed up by the end of today if you want to participate. Here’s the link to the post with details and the sign up form, and here’s a link to go straight to the form...
