As part of a four-part series, mother-daughter writing duo Anne and Gretchen share all the ways you can ruin a potentially riveting mystery, causing readers to put down your mystery novel and ban you from their reading list forever.
This month’s bonus spotlight is on Jeff Wheeler. His novel The Druid, was our July read.
The end goal of any editing is to leave the writer excited to develop and strengthen their work with your comments while giving them the critiques they need to polish their work. Arwyn shares five things they always do when editing someone’s work.
RJ shares a personal story of how their writing journey has developed — from just starting to put thoughts on paper to having their first writing credit.
We’ve all found ourselves in that negative mindspace, but you don’t have to stay there. There are a lot of ways to combat the writer blues, and here are a few options to help you lift your spirits and spark those creative juices.
This month’s bonus spotlight is on Kilby Blades. Her novel It Takes a Villa, was our bonus June read. You can find It Takes A Villa for sale anywhere books are sold.
Often, when writers want to learn a new skill or level up in one they’ve already cultivated, they’ll turn to re-reading a book they loved to dissect the inner workings and gain a better understanding of how a certain craft is done well.
This month’s spotlight is on Sariah Wilson. Her novel Cinder-Nanny, was in our June box. You can find Cinder-Nanny for sale anywhere books are sold.
SM gives advice, discovered through personal experience, to other writers with ADHD including how to handle procrastination, hyper-focusedness, and time management.
In January 2022, Scribbler hosted its first-ever manuscript contest! One manuscript shone for its ingenuity, heart, and wonderful writing and took first place. Camellia Phillips’ middle grade novel, “Rat, Jack, and The Impossible Job,” impressed the Scribbler staff. We asked Camellia a few questions to get a deeper understanding of her manuscript, writing journey, and more.
A writing coach might be a good fit for you depending on what you need help with in your writing. And what better way to explain what a writing coach is, then directly from the source! Connie reached out to a fellow Scribbler and writing coach, Kim Lozano, and her own writing coach, Mary Adkins, to learn more about what a writing coach does, and how they can help you accomplish your writing goals.
If you suspect your story is boring, it probably is. But the problem might not be as catastrophic as you think. Here are some instances where you should check your story for the humdrums, and examples of what you can do to fix them.
Welcome to Scribbler’s newest series — an interview with our subscription box’s monthly author! Each month, we’ll interview the author of our featured book to help you learn a little more about them and their writing process. This month’s spotlight is on Jillian Cantor.
Taking a writing break? Based on Casey’s experience, this is how you can maintain your momentum during a temporary writing break.
When Jessica started querying for the first time, she felt she had no idea what she was doing — as many first-time queriers do. After months in the query trenches, she shares what she’s learned during her journey.
Welcome to Scribbler’s newest series — an interview with our subscription box’s monthly author! Each month, we’ll interview the author of our featured book to help you learn a little more about them and their writing process. This month’s spotlight is on Kayla Cottingham.
If you want to give yourself a leg up, I suggest you add a revision step and edit your manuscript for creative word choices. Kim gathered five examples of how other writers have used creative word choices in various ways in their novels.
Instead of wondering “How should I use social media?” The real questions should be: “How can I continue to create in other ways that bring me joy?” And, “How can I engage with potential readers and share my work with others?”
There’s a lot more to painting a memorable scene than simply constructing a solid foundation. With that in place, learn how to start layering substance on top of that groundwork.
Congratulations to Connie Spyropoulos and Kristine Dulong on their winning submissions to our December 2021 synopsis contest! Kristine has volunteered to share her synopsis with the blog — we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
The inciting incident in your novel is going to be the event, early in the story, that will interrupt life-as-we-know-it for your protagonist. It will present your character with a choice from which they cannot turn back.
With Jessica’s help, discover the basic foundation you need to lay in order to paint memorable scenes.
Consider the following strategies that can help you go about writing a prologue that will win over readers and agents alike with examples that come from books you should be able to find at your local library.
If you plan on traditionally publishing your novel, you will need several other materials in addition to your novel when starting to query. One of those items is a synopsis. What exactly is a synopsis, why is it an important marketing item, and how can you make yours the best it can be? Let’s dive in!
Microfiction, also known as flash fiction, is a (really) short story that still offers the same character and plot development as longer pieces of fiction. While a challenge, writing microfiction can be a useful tool to help writers of every genre craft their skill in a number of different ways.
We’re very excited to feature Marco Rafalà, the author of “How Fires End,” which is reviewed as “a moving depiction of multigenerational loss and love, grief and gratitude, heartbreak and hope” by Kirkus Reviews.
Jessica didn’t realize that writing a novel was more complicated than it looked, and she shares crucial lessons she learned through the process of failing to produce one.
This is where alpha readers come to the rescue! Alpha readers are the wonderful humans you are willing to trust your newborn book baby with. They’re a set of fresh eyes who can help you navigate the rough terrain of your manuscript and identify what areas need work.
Congratulations to Cheyenne Smith on their submission to our October “spooky microfiction” contest! We hope you enjoy their submission as much as we did. If ….
Setting is not just a place in which characters are pinned down to keep them from floating off into the ether. And writing setting should not be a static description of the characters’ surroundings. If you want your setting to help forward the plot, reveal character, convey mood, or any number of other narrative functions it can perform, you need to activate it. Here are some ideas that will keep your setting from amounting to mere backdrop or scenery.
Congratulations to Lesley Lopez on their submission to our August first page contest! We hope you enjoy their submission as much as we did. If ….
Welcome to Scribbler’s new blog series, where we interview debut indie- and traditionally-published authors regarding their novel and writing processes. We’re very excited to feature ….
Some of the writers’ sites you’ve seen on the Internet include writing exercises. Most of these look pretty silly to you–“Pretend you’re a duck” and so forth. What’s the rationale behind them?
We’ve all had those moments when pure inspiration strikes. An amazing new idea for a story crystallizes in your mind. You know you’re a genius, ….
You’ve written your first book and released it into the world, ready to part with its characters and universe at last! Unless, that is, you’re ….
Welcome to Scribbler’s new blog series, where we interview debut indie- and traditionally-published authors regarding their novel and writing processes. We’re very excited to feature ….
I’ll never forget talking to my friend about getting laid off from my job as COVID-19 wreaked havoc across the world. In a desperate attempt ….
We’re very excited to feature Jonny Garza Villa, the author of “Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun” in our debut author series. Jonny’s debut novel is all about coming out, first love, and being your one and only best and true self.
Congratulations to Tracy Buckner on her winning submission to our September 100-word story contest! We hope you enjoy her submission as much as we did. ….
Bullet journaling, when used to its maximum potential, can be a busy writer’s best friend. It can help set, track, and meet writing goals. Organize ….
Welcome to Scribbler’s new blog series, where we interview debut indie- and traditionally-published authors regarding their novel and writing processes. We’re very excited to feature ….
I don’t think there’s anyone who would argue against the adage that “character is king.” An irresistible plot is, of course, essential too, but a ….
Congratulations to Rebecca Johnson on her winning submission to our July Character contest! We hope you enjoy her submission as much as we did! If ….
In the fall of 2013, I was taking a year off from college while I tried to figure out what I wanted to major in. ….
The following story was the winning submission of our June 2021 First Chapter contest, written by Genesis Conrad. We loved their voice and the story ….
Haven’t read Stephanie’s last post about Finding The Perfect CP? Don’t miss out! Click here to read. So, you wanna break up with your CP. ….
Welcome to Scribbler’s new blog series, where we interview debut indie- and traditionally-published authors regarding their novel and writing processes. We’re very excited to feature ….
A writer’s attention usually falls on their hero or perhaps their villain. But too often, side characters get slapped on as an afterthought instead of being thought through and used as pillars and foundations, obstacles, and conflict generators. Here are three ways to improve your side characters.
In Katlyn’s blog post last month, she discussed the benefits of reclaiming your book rights from a publisher. This week, she shares how to move ….
Finding a critique partner (CP) is easy. Finding the right critique partner is a challenge. In this blog post, Stephanie discusses the steps to finding the right CP, how introverts can tackle social anxiety, and more.
This is a sponsored guest post. Thanks to platforms like Amazon, self-publishing is easier than ever these days for authors who don’t want to traditionally ….
This story was the winning submission of our May 2021 Open Mic contest, written by Rachael Siehs. We loved her voice, the story was well-written, and it had a plot twist at the end that was unforgettable.
For years, Katlyn was a contracted author who had little control over her books after they were published. The lack of marketing for her books after their “season” and low royalties made her feel like a failure, but when she got the rights back to her book, she had a new sense of purpose to keep these books published on her terms. Her article explores the ins and outs of rights reversion and why it is important for the long-term vision for your book.
Hi there, Scribbler! If you’re a querying writer looking for different ways to connect with literary agents, you may be interested in Twitter pitch contests. ….
Unless you’re a celebrity author whose books sell by the millions, you’re probably like most writers who struggle to fit writing in around an existing ….
The ability to describe is the key to great storytelling, but when it comes to depicting characters, our first impulse is often to go straight ….
On January 30, 2021, I took the plunge and pitched live to a literary agent for the first time! It was a huge rush and I’m so glad I did it….The event came and went and I ended up getting a full request! That’s not the only good thing to come out of my pitch event, though. Below, I’ve gathered the top five things I learned from pitching an agent via Zoom.
Most people might assume that once they become a parent, there is no time for writing. And if they manage to find some spare time, they are too exhausted to make any headway on a draft. I used to think the same thing. However, I have surprisingly made the most progress in my writing after becoming a mother.
Imagine this, you’re sitting in your favorite writing space, frantically scribbling on the page until you finally see it, the words you’ve been waiting to see you since you began writing: “The End.” Reaching the end of a manuscript can be a thrilling, cathartic experience, but for many, it invokes new anxieties. In this article we’ll be addressing these concerns.
As I navigated recovering my lost story, I learned a lot about the submission process for reprints. If you ever find yourself in my situation, here are my best tips for republishing a piece of work.
Picture yourself getting ready for a writing session: fixing up your drink of choice and maybe some snacks, getting out all your notes and opening ….
Writing can be lonely (even with the supportive #writingcommunity at your back!) and sometimes we don’t realize when we fall into bad habits that hurt, not help, our writing. If you feel like something’s missing, here are five question to analyze if you have toxic writing practices that might be holding you back from realizing your full potential.
Aspiring novelists typically know they need a completed manuscript to land an agent or publisher, and certainly to self-publish their book. What they aren’t sure about is whether they need a social media presence, so today we’re answering your #trending social media questions. Let’s go!
Other than a writer’s time, editing services can be one of the costliest purchases for a manuscript. However, paying an editor will increase your final project’s value. Whether you are considering hiring a copyeditor for your fifth published book, or you are halfway through your first experience with an editor, here are five steps to help you get the most value out of your editorial experience.
When I started querying my novel, I tried to think of a way to make the inevitable rejection a fun and inspiring part of the journey. Rejection needed to spur me on rather than discourage me, and as with any unpleasant task, a little reward goes a long way.
Writing microfiction is tricky to navigate, so we’d love to dive deeper into what makes a great piece of microfiction great. Here is Kimberly Straub’s winning piece with our interlinear notes. Enjoy!
It’s no secret that the first chapter is one of the most important chapters of your manuscript. In fact, many writers argue that it is the singular most important chapter, and we’re inclined to agree. After all, the first chapter is, for many readers, the deciding factor on whether or not to continue reading.
Here are five completely guilt-free reasons why you should revisit that 2007 young adult fantasy novel you abandoned halfway through and fall in love with reading again.
Arguably the most iconic character this side of the 21st century, David Rose is a force of unstoppable sarcasm and sass. As writing is a roller coaster of emotions, eye rolls, and rare glimpses of vulnerability, we’ve cultivated 15 gifs full of David Rose energy that encapsulate the joys (and woes) of the writing process.
No matter what you’re writing or your level of expertise, making the reader actually feel a certain way about your writing should be a goal. However, sometimes trying to reach that goal can be elusive. I’m here to help with 5 Steps to Writing with Emotion.
While brainstorming your pitch, you may be wondering: Which details should be included in the pitch? Do we reveal the ending? Where do I even start? If this is you, keep reading.
Beginnings. They seem innocent, yet they possess the inexplicable ability to bring a writer to their knees. First lines haunt us late into the night until we spring up from bed only to greet the sun with the rhythmic pounding of the backspace key.
Expecting rejection isn’t defeatist, it’s understanding the reality of the industry. Literary agents may like your story, but they need to love it; to obsess over your characters and plots; to have an editorial vision for it. Agents can’t (or at least, don’t want to) pitch projects to editors without having a deep-rooted belief in the story.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that when so much is out of our control, there are still things we can control (like writing!). Here are my best tips on how to take control of your writing and persevere as you work towards your writing goals.
Busy would be an understatement to describe my current situation, and one thing keeps getting put on the backburner… my writing routine. If you also feel like your day job is starting to slowly replace your writing routine, don’t let it! Here are a few tips on how to keep your writing routine on the front burner.
Writing a synopsis is a challenging endeavor, but we’ve written several (and we mean several) synopses over the course of our careers and have managed to gather some wisdom along the way. Without further ado, here’s our top 10 tips on how to write a book synopsis.
Whether you’re on your first draft or tenth, there’s always something new to learn about your characters. Just like us, relatable characters have hopes, fears, goals, pet peeves, and more—the challenge is making all those pieces fit together.
The process of improving your writing through reading is cyclical: more engagement means more opportunities to see the world through a different lens, which leads to a desire to engage more. As a result, you learn to write engaging material for your readers, and who doesn’t want that? So let’s take a look at a few things you can start doing now to improve your writing through reading.
While the literary community might frown upon or call them unoriginal, I have reason to believe they should be encouraged. After all, what’s the golden rule of writing? Write what you know! What could you possibly know better than yourself?
It’s a great time to give our character writing skills the attention it deserves; people of all walks of life and identities crave representation in the stories they consume. And just as important is knowing what it takes to make your characters believable and memorable to readers.
Congratulations! You’ve written your first draft, put it out of your mind for a few weeks (or months) and are prepared to dive back into edits. You’ve got your colored pens or highlighters at the ready; your characters eagerly await your return. But where to start?
Writing anxiety can prevent just about anyone from completing work, partaking in class, or even sharing pieces with people. It can be exhausting to deal with, but there are a few tips on how to overcome writing anxiety.
It’s time to turn that story crafted from months of blood, sweat, and tears (and love, of course) into a book on the shelves, but where to even start? If you’re pursuing the traditional publishing route, the first step is to find yourself an agent who loves your story as much as you do. In order to land an agent, however, you must craft the perfect query letter.
I don’t know about you, but self-care can be a challenge for me. It’s an oft-neglected part of our busy lives anyway, and then you add writing goals, and self-care moves ever further down the list of priorities. For the sake of all of us (myself included!), I’m here today to share my best self-care tips for writers.
As writers, we spend months—even years—within the pages of our story, and it can be lonely. But it doesn’t have to be. Throughout the years, I’ve leaned into my writing community to inspire me and keep me motivated.
My first five tips, Embrace Being a Newbie, Be 100% Certain You’re Ready to Query, Celebrate Rejections, Do Not Give Up, and Be Professional all dealt with the process itself. The final five tips, however, really focus on self-reflection. After all, writing can be a very lonely process and it’s important to know yourself and what you want out of your career before taking this next step!
Authors: to get noticed by Google, consider these three easy SEO tips—then tweak and update your strategy as you see what works for you.
Don’t judge anything that wants to live on the page. Start writing whatever comes to mind first, and don’t worry about where you start and where you finish.
Because I interact with many writers, I have a feeling that more than one person reading this right now is either experiencing their own dry spell or knows what it’s like. So I’d like to share with you some of the things that have helped me get back to writing after a dry spell, in hopes that they’ll be helpful for you now or in the future.
On July 25, 2019, I sent my first-ever query for the first book I’d ever written. I was positive it would sign in a heartbeat. Five months later, I received the 22nd rejection on that book and shelved the project. Less than half a year of querying doesn’t seem long—and in the grand scheme of a writing journey it’s merely a blip—but it was more than enough time to learn valuable lessons I needed to advance my writing career.
Ten years ago, I woke up with an idea. An idea I wasn’t sure how to make room for amidst other priorities. I wrote in starts and stops. Hills of progress. Valleys of neglect. Until one day, I emerged with a 85,000-word first draft.
First and foremost, thanks to all who submitted to our July Worldbuilding Contest! We enjoyed reading each and every piece. Due to popular demand, we ….
Your book deserves to be treated with dedicated care and attention. Whether it is traditional publishing, full-service indie publishing, or self-managed indie publishing, be sure it’s the right path for you.
Outlining opened up a world of possibilities for me. It allowed me to understand my characters and create a better world for them.
If you want to get your project written, you have to prioritize actually writing. Do your plot outline. Push the crap off your desk. But don’t get stuck getting ready to write instead of putting down one word after another.