Few things pull readers out of a story faster than a plot hole. A plot hole occurs when part of a story contradicts established information, ignores an obvious solution, or depends on characters behaving in ways that do not make sense. Some plot holes are small enough that readers may…
Writing
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How to Write a Slow Burn Romance Readers Cannot Put Down
Slow burn romance is one of the most satisfying romance tropes—when it is done well. Instead of having the characters fall into a relationship immediately, a slow burn romance allows attraction, trust, and emotional intimacy to develop gradually. Readers notice every lingering look, accidental touch, private conversation, and moment of…
Behind the Scenes
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BTS Wednesday: How I choose character names
Choosing character names is something that I love to do. Names have a power and a strength behind them. Sometimes, the people who have the same name as one of my characters, often have those same strengths. Am I admitting to writing about people I know? No. I’m saying that…
Writing
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How to Keep Writing When No One is Reading Yet
This is the hardest thing as a writer. You want to write and love to write, but no one is finding your work. It can seem like a very lonely road in the beginning. When I first started writing, I really didn’t have an audience. For the most part, writing…
Recommendations
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Books to read if you love romance
This post has affiliate links. I get it. Romance is something that you can escape into when you want to slow down. I’m the same way, and depending on my mood, my romance choices can jump from sweet and innocent to dark. But not everyone is ready for dark or…
Writing
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Why First Drafts Are Supposed to Be Messy
There is something intimidating about a blank page. Before a single word is written, the story feels perfect in your head. The characters are vivid. The scenes are emotional. The dialogue sounds natural. The plot makes sense. Then you sit down to write, and somehow the beautiful idea in your…
Writing
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The Difference Between Plot-Driven and Character-Driven Stories
Every story needs two important things: something that happens and someone it happens to. That sounds simple, but writers often hear stories described as either plot-driven or character-driven, and the difference can feel confusing at first. Does a plot-driven story still need strong characters? Does a character-driven story still need…
Behind the Scenes
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Behind the Scenes: Inspiration for Cole in Stealing Home
When I first came up with the idea for Stealing Home, I wasn’t quite sure all of the dynamics for the story. Despite the fact that I had these two characters who were drawn to one another with one having faced a traumatic injury, it still didn’t fit what I…
How to Gain Confidence as a New Writer
Starting out as a writer can feel exciting, intimidating, and overwhelming all at the same time. You may have story ideas, blog post topics, or book dreams sitting in your mind, but the moment you try to put them on the page, doubt creeps in. “What if this isn’t good…
How to Create Characters Readers Actually Care About
A great plot may get readers to open a book, but great characters are what keep them turning pages. Readers do not need every character to be perfect. In fact, they usually prefer the opposite. They want characters who feel real, make mistakes, want something badly, and have something to…