Four Core Motivations Define Every Writer’s Identity
From working with hundreds of authors over my career, I've discovered that most writers fall into one of four types (or a blend of them). The key to figuring out which writer type you are comes down to one question: What drives your writing, deep down? 1️⃣ the desire to share big ideas? 2️⃣ love for the craft? 3️⃣ the need to share the stories in your head? 3️⃣ obsession with your characters? Based on this, what's your writer type? Or are you a combo?
Plot Originality Matters Less than Execution for Writers
I was working with a client recently who had a strong draft of a murder mystery novel set in the elite competitive figure skating world. Then she read a new release with a similar premise and was crushed. She nearly trashed...
Why First Person POV Is so Popular Today
The video argues that first‑person point of view is surging in popularity because it delivers a level of psychological intimacy that other narrative forms cannot match. Unlike third‑person storytelling, which keeps audiences at a visual and emotional distance, first‑person places readers...
Your Debut Can Be a Later Book, Not the First
Something I wish more debut authors knew: the first book you write doesn't have to be the one that makes your career. 👉 Stephen King wrote 4 novels before Carrie was picked up by Doubleday and became his debut. 👉 Ken Follett...
Weak Protagonist Undermines Even Best Plot
A flat, weak protagonist can ruin your novel. Even if the writing is solid. Even if the plot is riveting. Because at the core, we read to connect with the PERSON driving your story. Here are 3 common mistakes that are weakening...
Control Only One Thing: Write Your Best Book
You can't control: 👉 How many rejections you'll get 👉 How much $$ a publisher will offer you 👉 How many copies you'll sell (at least directly) 👉 How many reviews or ads you'll get 👉 If you'll win an award or reach bestseller status What...
9 Tough Publishing Truths Every Aspiring Author Must Know
I've interviewed nearly 100 successfully published authors and literary agents over the past four years. Here's what I always ask them: what's one thing you wish every aspiring author knew sooner? Here are 9 tough truths about the publishing process that most...
Rejection Is One Opinion, Not Your Writing Worth
I got plenty of rejections on my book before finding a publisher. And even though I knew it was part of the process, it still hurt every time. There's no way around it. But remember this: A rejection is ONE person's opinion on...
Master Novel Pacing: 5 Steps to Balanced Flow
If your novel moves too slow, readers will put it down partway through. If it moves too fast, readers won't feel connected to your characters or immersed in your scenes. Whether it's a slow start, a saggy middle, or a rushed ending,...
Protagonists Need Agency: Goal‑Driven Characters Drive Stories
The #1 thing I look for in a protagonist? Agency. Give me characters who are working toward something. Who have a specific goal. Who DO stuff in pursuit of their agenda. Because without agency, they become no more than a passenger in their...
Avoid These 7 Fatal Endings to Save Your Novel
A bad ending can turn what would be a five-star novel into a flop. And that's all your readers will remember, no matter how brilliant the rest of the story was. That's why your ending HAS to land. Here are the 7 weakest...
Finishing Your First Draft Deserves Celebration, No Matter What
Writing a book is a MASSIVE achievement. Even if it's not perfect. Even if no one has read it. Even if it never gets published. So no matter what happens next, take the time to appreciate everything you have done so far. The simple act...
Rename Drafts Playfully to Beat Perfectionism
Here's a quick tip for any writer who struggles with perfectionism: Try naming your draft document something playful, like "Playground," "Draft Zero," or "Brain Dump." So simple, but it works. That small shift makes the whole thing feel less serious and allows...
Treat Your Book Like a Product to Sell
The authors who sell the most understand this: writing is art, but publishing is business. If you want to reach more readers or score a big publishing deal, it helps to start thinking of your book like a product you're selling...
Shallow POV Keeps Readers From Connecting With Your Story
Three of my subscribers sent me their manuscripts for critique… and they ALL make the same mistake: Shallow POV. It's an issue I see in 50% of the manuscripts I edit, and if your readers keep saying they "just aren't connecting" with...