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Martha L. Thurston
Martha L. Thurston
Martha L. Thurston
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Martha L. Thurston
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10 Romance Tropes Readers Never Get Tired Of

Posted on June 19, 2026June 18, 2026 By marthathurston

Romance readers may love fresh characters, unique settings, and unexpected twists, but there are certain tropes they return to again and again. A well-loved romance trope is not a shortcut or a cliché when it is written with heart. It is a promise. Readers know the emotional journey they are…

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New Releases

Stealing Home Launch Date Set

Posted on June 17, 2026June 17, 2026 By marthathurston

My latest book will launch Friday, June 19th! I’m so excited! Yesterday, I almost tackled the delivery guy when he arrived with my box of proof copies. I waited by the door in anticipation to see my latest book arrive in all her glory. When I opened the box, I…

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What to Do When You Think Your Writing Isn’t Good Enough

Posted on June 16, 2026June 14, 2026 By marthathurston

Every writer has had the thought at some point: What if my writing just isn’t good enough? Maybe you reread a chapter and all you can see are awkward sentences. Maybe you compare your draft to a published book and feel like you will never measure up. Maybe you have…

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10 Ways to Make Your Opening Chapter More Compelling

Posted on June 15, 2026June 14, 2026 By marthathurston

Your opening chapter has one major job: make the reader want to turn the page. It does not have to explain everything. It does not have to introduce every character, every backstory detail, or every piece of worldbuilding. In fact, trying to do too much too soon can slow the…

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How to Write a Paranormal Romance Readers Will Love

Posted on June 12, 2026June 11, 2026 By marthathurston

Paranormal romance is one of those genres that gives writers the best of both worlds. You get the emotional pull of romance, the danger and mystery of fantasy, and the freedom to create a world where anything is possible. Werewolves, vampires, witches, ghosts, fae, demons, angels, shifters, psychics, cursed bloodlines,…

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Behind the Scenes: How I created my last book

Posted on June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 By marthathurston

My last book was a labor of learning. For many of you who may have followed my original blog (and I’ll have to see if I can find my back up posts somewhere, although I’m not holding my breath), you will remember that I was learning to write romance. Romance…

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How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Writers

Posted on June 9, 2026June 8, 2026 By marthathurston

Every writer has done it. You sit down to write, open your laptop, and promise yourself today will be productive. Then you see another writer celebrating a book deal, announcing a thousand new email subscribers, posting a perfect writing routine, or sharing a glowing review. Suddenly, your own progress feels…

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Uncategorized

How to Build a Strong Story Idea from a Simple “What If?”

Posted on June 8, 2026June 7, 2026 By marthathurston

Every great story begins with a spark. Sometimes that spark is a character you cannot stop thinking about. Sometimes it is a setting, a conflict, or a strange situation that makes you wonder what would happen next. But one of the easiest and most powerful ways to find a story…

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Writing

How to Balance Writing with Work Life Without Burning Out

Posted on June 5, 2026June 7, 2026 By marthathurston

Balancing writing with work life can feel impossible when your calendar is already full. Between your job, family responsibilities, errands, appointments, and everyday exhaustion, writing often gets pushed to the bottom of the list. But here is the good news: you do not need eight free hours a day to…

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Recent Posts

  • 15 Common Plot Holes and How to Fix Them
  • How to Write a Slow Burn Romance Readers Cannot Put Down
  • BTS Wednesday: How I choose character names
  • How to Keep Writing When No One is Reading Yet
  • Books to read if you love romance

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