the site of middle grade author Jackie Yeager
Creating characters can be tricky. They need to feel real to the reader or the reader will roll their eyes or shake their heads…and stop reading. I always tell writers to make a list of fifty facts about their characters to get started. This way they’ll have a list of facts to work with as… Continue reading Playing Favorites with your Characters
Happy Monday! I have to admit I struggled this week with what to blog about. I’ve spent so much time over the last several months posting about my book that I was really starting to feel like a used car salesman or something. Nothing against car salesmen. We all need a used car at some… Continue reading Books That Make your Mind Wander
I’m taking a quick break from drafting to check in with you today. Yes, you heard me right. I’m drafting… and I’m on a roll!! I’ve written over 3,000 words since yesterday. It may not sound like much, but after having a hard time getting my head into this story, it’s BIG for me! I’ll… Continue reading When You Get on a Writing Roll
We all have questions and doubts when it comes to our writing life. Am I a good enough writer? Is my story any good at all? How do I know if I’m cut out to be a writer anyway? The list of doubts goes on. We all have moments of reflection too… moments when we… Continue reading 4 Signs You May Not Fit the Writer Stereotype
Hi everyone, I’m so sorry for my blog absence last week. It has been CRAZY around here. I don’t mean to sound melodramatic though. I’m sure you’re all as busy as I am. But during those weeks when things become overwhelming, it’s usually something that I love that doesn’t make the cut. This time it… Continue reading Grid Goals to Keep You Writing
Hey guys, Sorry I’m a day late posting. Many times I’ve written my posts ahead of time, but this week was not one of those times. And so when I sat down yesterday morning to write, my thoughts were consumed with my query letter. (As they are sometimes.) I had this nagging suspicion that my query… Continue reading What Your MC Really (Really) Wants
Okay, so it’s July already and life is good. It’s warm, the pace is relaxed, and if you’re lucky, your days include moments of sunshine. But with summer being in full swing, that means our August Critique Corner round will soon be a thing. Yay! So here are the details, in case you haven’t heard…… Continue reading Polish up Your #Critique Corner Pages!
I need to warn you. This post is about shoes. It may include descriptions and details that only shoe lovers will appreciate. Eventually you will see the connection to writing, but it may take a while. So please read on if you have the patience for heels, sandals, and flats. But don’t say I didn’t… Continue reading Find Strength in Your Manuscript
Because February is arguably the month for love, I thought I’d share with you some of the things that make me love writing. 1. I get to read books as much as I want because it’s necessary for becoming a good writer. 2. I can eves drop on conversations and people watch because both give… Continue reading 11 Things I Love about Writing
Reminder: The January round of Critique Corner has been changed to a February round. Click here for the revised submission deadline and critique date. I’ve been thinking about a topic that may be timely as we gear up for our February Critique Corner round. But it’s kind of a touchy subject. It has to do… Continue reading Justifying Your Writing
swirl and spark 