Do you dream of writing a novel? Have you started or still dreaming? I hope in my articles here you can find some inspiration, advice, and techniques to make your dream come true. Most are related to writing with a sprinkle of inspiration and humor that may drive your own creative thoughts. Read an essay on my writing journey here.

And always remember what Author Joe Konrath said. There’s a word for a writer who never gives up… published. Or in the words of Winston Churchill. Never, never, never, never give up.

Writing Techniques:



Letting Go: In Writing and in Life on Writers In The Storm

Mystery Mondays: A Year of Writing Advice (Writing Tips From Over 30 Contributing Authors) by Kristina Stanley

Getting Your Manuscript In Shape on Literary Rambles

10-part series with Jennifer Eaton on Getting Your Manuscript Past the Gatekeepers

Writing Scary for Kids with Kid Thrillers

Top 5 things my editor taught me

Evolution of a Writing Process

Watchers: Heroes in Fiction

Top 6 things my editor taught me in writing a children’s book

Writing middle grade

Building suspense: meet readers in the middle

Cover yourself in your writing

Creating believable characters

On writing taboos in books

On writing memoir

On writing young adult

Writing techniques archive

Book Marketing:

4 ways to create your author persona

Video Interview with IndieMarketing on author tools

Prepare to present with confidence: Public Speaking

11 steps to find and connect with authors in your genre

4 proven steps to reach readers

Book Club Tips: Is your book book club-worthy?

7 reasons to join genre-based writing organizations

10 ways to build your email subscriber list

Build your author life before your book release

8 steps to an agent, a publisher and a 2-book deal

Writing conferences

Finding best fit book reviewers

Book marketing archive

Writing Resources:

Social media & community

When readers see your character’s differently

Writing resources archive

Needing Inspiration:

How to keep writing

When you need inspiration to write and to read

When you just need some comic relief

For new writers

Write every day! Journal Writing: The A to Z Challenge

My Online Resources:

The Blood Red Pencil

Writing-Partner

Writers Helping Writers

Writer Unboxed

Fiction University

Publishers Marketplace

Agent Marie Lamba: Agent Mondays

A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing

Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents

Literary Rambles: Spotlighting Children’s Book Authors, Agents, and Publishing

Rachelle Gardner’s blog: Literary Agent

Author Jody Hedlund blog

Author Nathan Bransford blog

Manuscript Wish List

Writer’s Digest Top 101 Best Websites for Writers

My How-To On Writing Bookshelf:

Wired for Story by Lisa Cron

Story Genius by Lisa Cron

SNAP: Seizing Your Aha! Moments by Katherine Ramsland

The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It by Twyla Tharp

Conflict & Suspense by James Scott Bell

Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass

Fire in Fiction by Donald Maass

On Writing by Stephen King

On Writing Well by William Zinsser

Essentials of English by Barron’s

My Marketing Books:

Buzz Your Book by M.J. Rose and Douglas Clegg

Create Your Writer Platform by Chuck Sambuchino

How to Get Your Book Reviewed by Dana Lynn Smith

The Frugal Book Promoter by Carolyn-Howard Johnson

How I Sold 1 Million ebooks in 5 Months by John Locke

Want more insight from other authors? Check out the list of authors on the sidebar of my blog and read about their journey and advice to writers.