Should you plan or just write?
There is only one answer to this question (in my view). YES of course you should plan a book!
I believe in writing with intent if you want to get published.
If you are writing non-fiction you are going to be 100% clear about what is going to go into your book. You are going to have a clear list of your chapters and what material you will cover in each. Your planning will become your book proposal and it will guide your entire book.
But is a novel different? No.
From 'Hey Baby' to 'The Other Side'
It’s been 20 years since my first book was published, and I wanted to reflect on the long journey of being an author, as well as working...
How to write poems that get published
By Miriam Sagan for Writers Digest No poet likes to hear the expression "slush pile"_ it implies that our creations have gone into a heap...
What’s the theme of your story?
Your book needs a theme. A theme is closely aligned to your plot and often the words are used interchangably. I see them as different howeve
What are publishers looking for in 2025-2026?
Once again we look forward to the publishing market for the upcoming publishing cycle. It is so useful for an author to be aware of...
Some Things You Need to Know as an Author
What does it actually t ake to write a book? Below is a list of 10 things (five short and five longer ones). Join me in 2025 and finally...
How to write a great back cover book blurb
Think of your back cover blurb like a movie trailer. There is a good reason movie trailers are not made by the writer. It’s so hard as...
What if my book sucks?
Here's the question we all ask. What if my book sucks?
It doesn’t matter how many books you have written (like me); lalunching a book is a
Original and Wild Voices in Storytelling
Chapter excerpt from “ABOUT ORIGINAL & WILD VOICE IN SPEAKING AND WRITING”, from “Tending the Creative Fire manuscript” by Dr. Clarissa...
The 7 writing styles
See if you can find yourself and your writing style in my article below where I detail The 7 Kinds of Writers. You may have a laugh. Are...
What does a book editor cost?
My authors are often blindsided by how much a good editor actually costs. I want you to think of it this way – most editors take a...
Why you need to block off a date with your book
1. CLOCK IN AND OUT Be specific, and mindful when you start and when you finish. A focused strategy is better than just wafting into...
Categories or subgenre of memoir
What if you are writing a memoir or biography? Memoirs are as varied as their authors. Here are some of the most common types. Where will...
Six Things Authors Can Do To Get Your Book Move Visible
You have written the book and finally launched it. It’s loaded on Amazon and you have exhausted your own marketing network and harassed your
Novel writers? Know your fiction genres
Okay so you pretty much know my rule - DON'T write until you are clear on your genre. I can't tell you how many novels I get sent and...
Top 10 Best-Selling Fiction Authors of All Time
10. J.K Rowling * 400 million copies Surprised? I suppose not, but I bet you though she would be higher on the list. J.K Rowling has...
Villainous characters
The Mastermind The Mastermind does not commit the crime, but is the brains behind the big event, whether it is a stealing, a scam or some...
Character Profile Worksheet
Basic Statistics Name: Age: Nationality: Socioeconomic Level as a child: Socioeconomic Level as an adult: Hometown: Current Residence:...
Non Fiction Book Structures
You have established your genre – now how will you book play out in terms of how you present the information. A lot of this is a choice...
How to structure your non fiction book
Memoir writers, you need to take a different approach to plotting than writers tackling a straight NF. When you plan a memoir or...
