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How many articles have you read about being more creative? How many podcasts have you heard where the host claims to have uncovered the secrets of creativity? If you had to guess how many “creativity hacks” you’ve seen out there, would the number be in the hundreds or thousands? The real creativity hack is this: … Read more
The most frequently-given writing advice is to write what you know. The next logical leap for romance writers, of course, is to write a love story about your relationship. Whether this is a personal project or something you plan to share with the world, there’s no doubt your writing will be stronger if it comes … Read more
I was standing around the donut table at my own wedding brunch, and my new grandfather-in-law asked me if I’ve heard of Elizabeth Gilbert. Every writer alive and under forty has heard of Elizabeth Gilbert. We all want to be struck by lightning the way she was, both in love and in the success she’s … Read more
Nobody enjoys the end of a really good book. None of my favorite novels have a good ending because, to me, I’d really rather it not end at all! I hate getting to the end of my favorite book. I’d rather it went on and on forever. Since that’s not possible – unless we turn … Read more
So much of the joy of writing a romance novel lies in the setting. Is your romance novel set in a dreamy, small town or a bustling city, full of excitement and sparks? There are limitless settings for a romance novel, so how do you choose the perfect one? For more inspiration, check out my … Read more
To be a creative writer, you need ideas to write about. This simple fact is one of the most vexing truths in the writing world. Sometimes, you’re hot, and the muse offers up ideas galore. Other times, you go to the well and find it dry. So, what’s a writer to do when they need … Read more
Ah, young love. My love affair with writing began in middle school when I was fervently writing high school romance, dreaming about what it would be like. Drama, boys, sports. I was writing fanfiction in my school notebooks, passing it to my friends in between classes, and posting it online at the end of the … Read more
Fanfiction has a few different reputations, depending on who you ask. It’s embarrassing, it’s cringe, it’s a total guilty pleasure. Fanfiction can change your life, but it can also make you close your laptop in shame. Chances are, if you’re a writer reading this article, you’ve encountered plenty of bad fanfiction. So, what makes fanfiction … Read more
I owe a lot to fanfiction. I owe it my love of writing, a great deal of inspiration, many important friendships, and more late nights than I will admit. Fanfiction means a lot to me, from the community it creates to the talent it fosters. Whether you’re reading fanfiction for the lore, the action, or … Read more
Maybe I’m just in the mood for love lately, since I’m posting this the day before Valentine’s Day, but is there anything more perfect than a well-written love scene? Confessions, ardent internal monologues, and nights of unbridled passion abound in romance novels, and even in less specialized genres, the ability to write a good love … Read more