All about cozy mysteries

Posted on November 10, 2022 at 11:08 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

It may not feel like it where you're living — it certainly hasn't yet in Iowa — but winter is...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Mystery, The Passive Voice, Writing advice

Editing tips from Jane Friedman's guest bloggers

Posted on November 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Editing and revising are absolutely necessary parts of a book's journey from idea to reality. But as with anything, too...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Editing, Jane Friedman, The business of writing

ALLi's current take on the changes at Twitter

Posted on November 9, 2022 at 11:19 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

No matter your opinion on Elon Musk and his acquisition on Twitter, you likely have some questions about what it...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors), Social media and websites

Strategies for bringing your novel's setting to life

Posted on November 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

C.S. Lakin feels very strongly about the value of bringing a setting to life in fiction. And on her Live...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: C.S. Lakin / Live Write Thrive, Setting, Writing advice

Monday motivation, times three

Posted on November 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Your favorite writing and publishing experts know you need a little extra boost this morning. Joanna Penn shared an excerpt...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors), Joanna Penn, Motivational, Writer's Digest

Writers, don't make the mistake of ignoring what you know

Posted on November 4, 2022 at 3:58 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Let's close out the (traditional) workweek with some easy writing advice. This post from Writer's Digest does, yes, focus on...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Writer's Digest, Writing advice

Twice the advice on taking the long view

Posted on November 4, 2022 at 10:56 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

It's easy to get caught up in the present moment and short-term, but remembering the bigger picture — and preparing...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Motivational, The business of writing, Writer Unboxed

The scientific approach to storytelling 

Posted on November 3, 2022 at 8:28 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Some people learn or retain information better when they know the "why" behind a concept or rule. Those people who...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: Jane Friedman, Writing advice

There's a push to keep book events hybrid, for maximum accessibility

Posted on November 2, 2022 at 10:30 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

The Alliance of Independence Authors's weekly business roundup is out. The headline item was, not surprisingly, the ruling blocking Penguin...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors), Author events, The business of writing

Include these four key elements in your book's first paragraph

Posted on November 1, 2022 at 3:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

John Matthew Fox's advice on writing a standout first paragraph is straightforward and even fun. Go to your bookshelf or...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: First lines and first chapters, Jane Friedman, Writing advice