Hello! We’re right on the cusp of my favorite time of year: autumn! The leaves are slowly changing, the temperatures are mercifully starting to lower (though they’re holding on to summer as best as they can), and there’s a bit of magic in the air. Maybe that’s pumpkin spice, who can say. This summer was… Continue reading Autumn Fun and Bookish Goals
Tag: writing community
Drafting a Novel in 18 Days
HEAR ME OUT. Okay, yes, this is by far my most ambitious drafting schedule ever. My previous fastest first draft was 28-29 days, which was already lightning speed. But I have several reasons for wanting to draft even faster. The biggest reason comes down to the fact that I have multiple bookish irons in the… Continue reading Drafting a Novel in 18 Days
Starting a New Story: the Basics
One of my favorite parts of any project is the very beginning. That moment where you have the first real spark of a new story, one that makes your heart race and sends you stumbling toward a pen and paper to get the idea down before it disappears. It’s a time full of possibility, and… Continue reading Starting a New Story: the Basics
Tips for Queries and First Pages
Once upon a time, I was absolutely horrible at writing query letters, which was worrisome as they're an essential part of securing agent representation. I can’t tell you how many times I would write, rewrite, tweak, light the draft on fire, start fresh, and do the whole process all over again. I couldn’t seem to… Continue reading Tips for Queries and First Pages
My Top Five Writing Craft Resources
Hello and happy holidays! As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to share some of my all-time favorite writing resources. It took me years to find a few of these, and I wouldn’t be at the level I’m at now in my writing craft if I didn’t learn from these resources. Whether… Continue reading My Top Five Writing Craft Resources
NaNoWriMo, Meet MiniWriMo
Happy November! This is my absolute favorite time of year, and I can’t wait to do something I haven’t done in years: participate in NaNoWriMo! Nine or so years ago (wow), I dove into my first NaNoWriMo...and missed my goals spectacularly. I had no idea what I was doing, I’d gone in with absolutely no… Continue reading NaNoWriMo, Meet MiniWriMo
valerie c. norton 