Presenting the Premise
Craft, Marketing, Writing, ER/CB Idea, Freelance Idea, Nonfiction Idea, Novel Idea, Picture Book Idea, Short Story Idea Kristen Overman Craft, Marketing, Writing, ER/CB Idea, Freelance Idea, Nonfiction Idea, Novel Idea, Picture Book Idea, Short Story Idea Kristen Overman

Presenting the Premise

A series of things happening doesn’t make a story. Without a clear premise, readers have no idea what to expect from the story or why they should keep reading. Here's how to establish your premise from the start.

Read More
Writing Descriptions
Writing, Craft, Novel Draft, Novel Editing, Picture Book Draft, Picture Book Editing, Nonfiction Draft, Nonfiction Editing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Editing, Freelance Draft, Freelance Editing, Memoir Draft, Memoir Editing, Short Story Draft, Short Story Editing Guest User Writing, Craft, Novel Draft, Novel Editing, Picture Book Draft, Picture Book Editing, Nonfiction Draft, Nonfiction Editing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Editing, Freelance Draft, Freelance Editing, Memoir Draft, Memoir Editing, Short Story Draft, Short Story Editing Guest User

Writing Descriptions

Dust motes swirling in the gloom are enchanting, but do you really need to describe them in detail? Let’s look at some guidelines for writing descriptions so you can quench your thirst for gorgeous imagery without sacrificing the pacing of your story.

Read More
Magic, Mythology & Monsters with Lisa Stringfellow
Writing, Craft, Community, Critique, Market, Novel Idea, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Novel Editing, Novel Outline Mary Kole Writing, Craft, Community, Critique, Market, Novel Idea, Novel Draft, Novel Publishing, Novel Editing, Novel Outline Mary Kole

Magic, Mythology & Monsters with Lisa Stringfellow

Lisa Stringfellow, award-winning author and middle school teacher, discusses her debut novel about mermaids and mythology set in the Caribbean, “A Comb of Wishes.” She talks through her long journey from draft to finished book—plus plans for Book 2—and shares craft and industry tips she’s learned along the way.

Read More
4 Helpful Tips For Writing Fresh Fantasy Picture Books
Writing, Craft, Audience, Picture Book Draft, Picture Book Editing, Picture Book Idea, Picture Book Outline, Picture Book Publishing, Picture Book Submission Rhiannon Richardson Writing, Craft, Audience, Picture Book Draft, Picture Book Editing, Picture Book Idea, Picture Book Outline, Picture Book Publishing, Picture Book Submission Rhiannon Richardson

4 Helpful Tips For Writing Fresh Fantasy Picture Books

If you’re interested in writing a children’s picture book that uses fantasy elements to engage readers in a meaningful way, then you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we provide four tips on how to write original, highly engaging fantasy picture books that stand out!

Read More
Building Fantasy Worlds with Jonathan Auxier
Novel Draft, Novel Idea, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Publishing, ER/CB Editing, ER/CB Outline, ER/CB Submission, Novel Editing, Novel Outline, Novel Revision, Novel Submission Mary Kole Novel Draft, Novel Idea, Novel Publishing, ER/CB Draft, ER/CB Idea, ER/CB Publishing, ER/CB Editing, ER/CB Outline, ER/CB Submission, Novel Editing, Novel Outline, Novel Revision, Novel Submission Mary Kole

Building Fantasy Worlds with Jonathan Auxier

NYT Bestselling young adult and middle-grade author Jonathan Auxier joins Mary Kole to discuss visual writing, worldbuilding, and how different media use dialogue to create action.

Read More
Violet Prose in Writing
Craft, ER/CB Draft, Freelance Draft, Memoir Draft, Nonfiction Draft, Novel Draft, Picture Book Draft, Short Story Draft, ER/CB Editing, Freelance Editing, Memoir Editing, Nonfiction Editing, Novel Editing, Picture Book Editing, Short Story Editing Amy Wilson Craft, ER/CB Draft, Freelance Draft, Memoir Draft, Nonfiction Draft, Novel Draft, Picture Book Draft, Short Story Draft, ER/CB Editing, Freelance Editing, Memoir Editing, Nonfiction Editing, Novel Editing, Picture Book Editing, Short Story Editing Amy Wilson

Violet Prose in Writing

Violet prose—an ominous and sometimes confusing term. What is it, and how do we avoid it in our writing? Or … is it really that bad?

Read More