When I started writing my first novel, I had no idea how to block my story into scenes or that I even needed to structure it that way. I had lots of ideas for disconnected “scenes” I wanted to include, but I viewed them like crucial events and not as true scenes with their own individual beginnings, middles, and ends. The end result was lackluster, sloppy, and indefinite. Without knowing...

“You’ve got two seconds to explain yourself,” were words I heard often growing up. It was a rhetorical statement; my parents knew I couldn’t justify why I broke curfew or received another poor algebra test score, but I’d tackle the challenge regardless. And while I was never able to plead my case, my years of millisecond persuasion did help in developing the skills to write microfiction.  Microfiction, also known as...

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? Some writers are blessed with immediate expertise and a never-ending supply of creative energy. Most of us, however, are not. Most of us become writers through patience and practice, and writing exercises are, for many, a favorite form...

Hi, Scribblers! If you’ve been around our Scribblers Facebook page in the last few years, you’ll recognize the excitement that begins in October. What is the buzz about, though? Scribbler’s Annual Icelandic Book Exchange. It’s an annual lottery-based exchange in which members of Scribbler’s Facebook page order books (and/or other small book-related gifts) and ship directly to their exchange partner.  Scribbler Aven Whitehorne, the mastermind and moderator behind the Annual Icelandic Book Exchange,...

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 to calm my nerves, my friend threw a Hail Mary pass and said, “Now you’ll have all this time to write your novel!” But it wasn’t exactly the “time” I was hoping for and I didn’t write a single word during quarantine. And I am...

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 Jonny Garza Villa, the author of “Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun” in our debut author series. For Scribbler box subscribers, you’ll probably remember their book from it’s inclusion in one of our past boxes. If you haven’t heard about Jonny’s debut novel — about coming...

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 all the bits and pieces of your work in progress. Keep on top of your marketing efforts, your querying process and everything in between. What Is Bullet Journaling? Maybe you’ve seen the terms, “bullet journaling” or “bujo” around on social media, or have seen the...

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 career while balancing family, household chores, or other necessary responsibilities. In the last six years, I’ve moved five times across three states, had three children, and like everyone else, been in a year-long quarantine during which I’ve coached my oldest through virtual kindergarten and headed...