NaNoNooooooo: How is it already November?

The beginning of November brings two major things in my writing life: NaNoWriMo, the yearly challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days, and the #PitchWars agent round. Since I’m doing my best to REMAIN CALM, DAMN IT regarding the latter…...

Save Often and Loudly

Every writer’s worst nightmare is a dead computer. Okay, maybe not every writer. Every writer who writes on a computer. Every writer who isn’t quite as diligent about backing up their work as they should be. Every writer who has a slowly-declining laptop and knows the...

From First Draft to Real F’ing Novel

I’ve only written two full novels, but I seem to have already developed a standard editing procedure. Both novels were drafted using completely different methods, but the editing process has been (thus far) nearly identical. Everyone has their own process that works...

Critique Partners and Beta Readers

I am so, so lucky to have several people who put eyes (and in some cases, teeth and knives) to my manuscripts before they ever see the light of day. These people, my critique partners and beta readers, are so valuable (and patient, and kind, and merciful). As writers,...