Why Cliffhangers Don’t Need Explosions to Work (and What to Do Instead) If you’re writing suspense, mystery, or thrillers, you already know your number one job: keep readers curious. That “Okay, just one more chapter…” feeling? That’s not just reader gold—it’s proof your storytelling rhythm is working. And the key to keeping that momentum? Chapter…
Because perfection kills suspense — and connection. If you’re writing mystery, suspense, or thrillers, you probably already know that tension is everything. You want your reader flying through the pages, whispering “just one more chapter” at midnight. But there’s a trap that many writers, especially those early in their journey, fall into. It’s the trap…
It’s the one piece of advice most authors don’t like to hear: Don’t be afraid to kill your darlings. What?? But I’ve worked so hard on every single one of these characters, scenes, settings! How am I supposed to kill them? What Are “Darlings” Anyway? A darling is any part of your work that you…
A lot of authors come to me convinced there’s a sacred path: Start at Chapter One.March to Chapter Two.Trek forward in a tidy, straight line—just like readers will. News flash: that tidy line? It drives most writers bonkers. Here’s the trick nobody mentions early on: you don’t have to write in order. Really. You can…
Let’s cut to the chase. You want your book to be good. Of course you do. You want it to be moving, beautiful, polished—at the very least good enough that you don’t flinch when you read it back aloud. Maybe you imagine a future reader crying at just the right part, or laughing because your…
Writing a manuscript is an accomplishment to be proud of, but transforming your first draft into a polished final draft requires careful editing and revision. Here are some tips to guide you through these crucial stages. Take a Break After finishing your first draft, take a break. Partly because you deserve it, but also because…
Balancing your writing routine with your other everyday responsibilities can feel like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. As a budding novelist, tell me if this sounds familiar: you wake up at dawn, prepare breakfast for the kids, commute to your full-time job, and then squeeze in a few moments to write before collapsing…
Okay, so you’ve made the decision. You want to write a book. You know you need to write a book. It’s been floating around in your head for a long time, and you know all of the good things that will happen to you and your business if you write a book (and if you…