IWSG Day: Rebellious Character Surprises!

The first Wednesday of every month, the IWSG posts an optional question, encouraging members to read and comment on each other’s blogs. August’s Question is: Has your writing ever taken you by surprise? For example, a positive and belated response to a submission you’d forgotten about or an ending you never saw coming? For me,Continue reading “IWSG Day: Rebellious Character Surprises!”

IWSG April: Wishful Writing

  The first Wednesday of every month, the IWSG posts an optional question, encouraging members to read and comment on each other’s blogs. April’s Question is: If you could use a wish to help you write just ONE scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be? (examples: fight scene / first kiss scene /Continue reading “IWSG April: Wishful Writing”

IWSG Day: Writing Through Life (and doggy drama)

Writing Through Life (and doggy drama) The first Wednesday of every month, the IWSG posts an optional question, encouraging members to read and comment on each other’s blogs. October’s Question is: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something? My answer is yes. Major life events can affectContinue reading “IWSG Day: Writing Through Life (and doggy drama)”

Beta Readers & Remembering my Characters are NOT me.

Good beta readers and critique partners are essential for writers, not just because they make individual manuscripts stronger, but also because they can make writers aware of problematic patterns. My beta readers often comment that my characters don’t react or show emotion to big things – like finding out demons exits, losing a loved one,Continue reading “Beta Readers & Remembering my Characters are NOT me.”

Book Deal = Happier than a Puppy Off- Leash

This blog post should’ve been up a few days ago, but with storms, a family member’s health issues, and the start of NaNoWriMo, I neglected to write it. However, if you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you probably already know the information I am going to announce. I signed a contract with NineStarContinue reading “Book Deal = Happier than a Puppy Off- Leash”

ISWSP October Question: #ownvoices?

October 4 question – Have you ever slipped any of your personal information into your characters, either by accident or on purpose? My answer: Yes, but sometimes it is more intentional than others While none of my characters are directly based off of my self, many of them share my non-binary gender identity. They struggle withContinue reading “ISWSP October Question: #ownvoices?”

Problems with Word Count Quotas

While writing my first two books, I didn’t pay too much attention to my word count until after I finished the first draft. My first draft of Song of the Forest came close to 200,000 words and my first draft of Power Surge was around 130,000. When I revised, I went through a cycle ofContinue reading “Problems with Word Count Quotas”

Four Lessons About the Writing Process I Didn’t Believe Until I Started Teaching

“I’ve spent like, a total of 12 hours on this essay and my instructor wants me to revise it again! This is the third draft! It has to be good!” -anonymous student Four Lessons About the Writing Process I Didn’t Believe Until I Started Teaching By Sara Codair As a professional tutor working in a busyContinue reading “Four Lessons About the Writing Process I Didn’t Believe Until I Started Teaching”