There is nothing quite like the terror of a fantasy reader pointing out that your world-building worked completely differently in Book 1. World-building is an exhilarating but taxing ordeal. The deeper you go, the more you realize the rules you are ...

I have been writing for as long as I can remember. But the truth is, even after those many years, I still struggle with ‘telling’, mostly because it is a default setting in the brain. Let’s face it: we tell stories by ‘telling,’ so it logically foll...

Hi, post-draft “high”! One of the best feelings when writing is getting to the end of a draft and typing the words ‘The End’. I know this because I am experiencing it right now. I just finished the second draft of my novel sequel and I am over the m...

I don’t follow any formal writing process. It is only recently that I began trying to make sense of my personal writing methods and put them into words. If I’m being honest, most of my writing happens in my head. That works for me quite nicely becau...

Writing never stops. Even when I put the pen down, and the laptop away, my mind still churns; figuring out the next chapter, tying up loose ends, and chewing over character arcs. Once in a while, a really good idea will light up my mind, often at th...

One of the hardest things to do when writing is crafting a character that feels real; one that feels alive. How do we make sure our characters don’t end up feeling flat and boring? Well, how do we make sure our food doesn’t feel flat and boring? We ...

I'm currently working on the second instalment in my book series, and it is joyful stress. I am largely a pantser with a tiny planner side, so I began with a long summary and an unfinished outline. And I've written quite a bit, allowing the sto...

Writing the first draft of a novel is both thrilling and excruciating. Thrilling because we are finally getting the idea out of our minds and on to the page, and excruciating because it can be hard to know when to stop. It is very easy to get stuck ...

There is a lot of pressure to be the perfect author - not just in the writing itself, but also in the way we work. Countless images online show us amazing workspaces; desks perfectly organized with books, a laptop, a desk lamp, and a cup of tea to m...

Nobody likes to be told their work is ugly. It’s true. But many times, in the pursuit of producing excellent work, we find ourselves stuck in the muddy mire of overwhelm and perfectionism. Here is the truth we need to remember: perfectionism is the ...

Writing a book is effectively pouring yourself onto the page. When you share your work with others, you are opening yourself up to an entire roller coaster of reactions, the worst of which is (in my opinion) indifference. It is not easy putting your...

You have been wanting to write a novel for the longest time, but never got around to doing it because you didn’t know where to begin. Or perhaps your child wants to write a story, and you do not know how to help them through it. The idea of writing ...

When I started writing my novel, Pariah Princess, I had no idea the amount of work that needed to go into it. My first few drafts were fine story-wise, but they lacked one crucial thing: showcasing the world to the reader. I was writing an ancient A...

Have you ever encountered a story where two characters were different in personality and role, yet they sounded exactly the same? If you weren't paying attention, you’d think they were one person. It’s frustrating, isn’t it, and affects your immersi...

Writer’s block; an author’s nightmare. It's often absent when you need to rest, flooding your mind with ideas that keep you awake; yet it haunts you most when you actually need to write, blocking all creativity. How do you battle this nemesis in mom...