Here's how writers can get out of their heads

Posted on March 15, 2023 at 3:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Many writers are well aware that their psyches are their own worst enemies — but they're not sure what to...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors), C.S. Lakin / Live Write Thrive, Motivational

What your story hook must do

Posted on March 10, 2023 at 9:36 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

C.S. Lakin won't lie: Writing a good hook is hard (in her opinion, harder than it looks). It helps if...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: C.S. Lakin / Live Write Thrive, First lines and first chapters, Writing advice

Three-dimensional characters and three-act stories

Posted on March 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Yes, we waited until March 3 — or 3/3 — to share two posts that involve the number three. (If...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: C.S. Lakin / Live Write Thrive, Characters, Plot / narrative, Writer Unboxed, Writing advice

A novel's premise is more than just a situation

Posted on February 9, 2023 at 11:04 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

There are tons of words that take on more precise meaning when you use them in a certain professional field....

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: C.S. Lakin / Live Write Thrive, Characters, Plot / narrative, Writing advice

How to plan out your novel's scenes (and why you should)

Posted on February 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Passionate planners, this post from C.S. Lakin is for you. The author/book coach is, as regular readers have probably already...

Categories: Behind the scenes

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

Make sure your characters have distinct voices

Posted on January 17, 2023 at 4:02 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Language matters — you know that, as an author. And so does C.S. Lakin, as an editor, book coach, and...

Categories: Behind the scenes

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

Writing experts share the biggest mistake they see in novels

Posted on January 4, 2023 at 3:30 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

Editor Ken Brosky and book coach C.S. Lakin — both of whom are also authors themselves — recently shared pieces...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: C.S. Lakin / Live Write Thrive, Jane Friedman, Plot / narrative, Writing advice

C.S. Lakin prepares authors to plan well for 2023

Posted on December 28, 2022 at 9:07 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

December is a month full of planning, for many people — holiday travel, gifts, meals, and, now, the year to...

Categories: Behind the scenes

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

Don't feel like writing? Try these tips

Posted on November 15, 2022 at 10:38 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

No matter how much you love it, there are times when actually sitting down to write (or standing up, for...

Categories: Behind the scenes

Tagged As: C.S. Lakin / Live Write Thrive, Motivational

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