Dyany
Pen Names and Publishing
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I like my name. It’s part of me and who I am, which means that when I think about publishing, part of the allure is seeing my name out there on a book. But there are very important factors to consider before you put that name … Read more
The Value of the Unpublished Novel
I need you to understand something very important. You are allowed to write. Time spent writing is valuable in an of itself if you enjoy it or enjoy the skills or insights gained. Even if it is never published. Even if no one else ever reads it. Stop feeling that pressure to monetize or publish … Read more
So you want to be an author….
I have seen a lot of writers out there trying to become authors. A lot. I only have small things published here and there, but I’ve hung around the industry enough that I’ve learned a few things. Many people painfully flounder in their dreams and efforts to write, and I blame most of that on … Read more
Filters–Everybody Uses Them. Use this to enhance your characters.
Everyone has filters that affect how we perceive things. Figuring out yours can help you figure out your character’s, and that helps you portray them more accurately.
How to Improve a Writer Without Destroying Them
When I was in high school, my dad worked with Mercedes Lackey at her day job. After he begged me for a while, I let him give her some of my work. It came back dripping red with everything I was doing wrong–and nothing I did right. I was DEVASTATED and it was a serious … Read more
I Write Like…
This is a fun little site that analyzes whatever writing sample you give it and compares it to the works of famous authors to see whose style your writing resembles. I got the same answer for my fiction and my blog posts. 🙂 I write like Agatha Christie About Agatha Christie | Analyze your text
POV, Process, and Practice, Practice, Practice
I belong to some writing-oriented social media groups. And there are a lot of fledgling authors on there, asking for advice. Technically, I’m still a fledgling as well, but I’ve learned a few things that apparently aren’t universal knowledge (which is totally possible, just as it’s possible they know stuff I don’t), and that’s what … Read more
Suggestions for Using Scrivener in Critique Groups
I love using Scrivener for all my writing, as you well know. However, it took me a while to find a good process for sharing writing with my critique group, and it’s a bit fiddly, so I thought I would share. Now, with critique groups, it is usually not feasible nor practical to simply share … Read more
I’m published!
Always have been most passionate about writing fiction. Little non-fiction bits were a side hobby. But sometimes our side hobbies are important, too, it seems, and a number of my pieces were accepted for this anthology that came out this month. Got my copy today, and I’m so excited! If you are interested in getting … Read more