the site of middle grade author Jackie Yeager
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
I’m pretty sure (if you’re reading this post) that you hope to get your book in the hands of readers someday. You hope to get it published. The method of publication doesn’t really matter at this point, but if getting published is your goal, you must make sure that you’re familiar with the genre you’re… Continue reading Putting your Genre Under a Microscope
So you’re writing fiction. There must be a reason why you are, that goes further than tapping letters on a keyboard and letting your imagination run free. Of course you have a story to tell. You have characters ready to be born; worlds begging to be created; problems waiting to be solved; and goals ready to… Continue reading What Are You Trying to Say in Your Story?
I’ve been thinking a lot about characters lately…mostly about writing them with an authentic voice. You know what I mean. Making them read like a real person. In addition to the middle grade novel that I’ve been working on, I’ve begun another story, one that’s completely different. It’s a story for adults! Whereas my children’s… Continue reading What Age are You Today?
I’ve been reading through the comments from last week’s post. What great story ideas! Thanks to those of you who shared with all of us. It’s interesting to read about the different ideas out there! For those of you who weren’t quite ready to post a comment, no worries. There will be plenty of chances… Continue reading Write What You Know
Hi there, how are you? If you’re paying attention to my blog, you’ve noticed my lengthy absence. I’ve noticed it too and it wasn’t entirely intentional. I love blogging and if I had my way, I’d blog regularly like I used to…back when I first started swirl and spark over 9 years ago! This year,… Continue reading Break Time is Over
No book is perfect. It’s more common than you think to find a typo or a misspelled word, those proverbial book Easter eggs, on a page or two. Unfortunately, things like that get missed in books before they go to production all the time, even when they’re edited by the best editing team on the… Continue reading Chasing Book Perfection—or Book Perfect-ish
Hey Lovelies, 7 Days!! Ohmygosh, we’re one week out from release of Flip the Silver Switch and I’m not gonna lie. It is NOT easier the second time around! I was thinking I would be a seasoned pro by the time my second book published but here we are seven months later and NOPE—not a… Continue reading To Launch Party or Not to Launch Party?
swirl and spark 