How to Hook Your Reader and Never Let Go Have you ever watched a movie or a show and, in the middle of a scene, felt it hit you in a way you weren’t expecting? You might have felt chills move from your arms down your spine, or found yourself frozen in place, completely focused on what was unfolding. In those moments, you are no longer aware of your surroundings. You are inside the experience. Reading can create that same effect. You may come across a line that feels so close

Most writers have at least one person they trust with their work. I trust my writing to no one else like I trust my son. But if you are being honest with yourself, maybe you do not even have that. Maybe the only reader your work has ever had is you.

Inspiration can come at any time of the day or night (if you’re like me, a night owl). You might be washing dishes or going through your routine, and get inspired by something so simple. The point is, when inspiration hits, you need somewhere to put it. And that somewhere needs to make sense.

It is almost Easter. And while the kids are out in the yard hunting for plastic eggs filled with candy, I want to talk to you about a different kind of egg hunt. One where the stakes are a little higher than what is inside a bright or pastel-colored shell.

If you are a self-publishing author managing your own timeline and your own career, you are running a business. And businesses that do not track their time do not last long. The most common problem I see is not a lack of motivation. It is imbalance. Writers spend enormous amounts of time in the early stages of a project, brainstorming, drafting, revising, and almost no time at all on the stages that matter just as much on the back end: editing, formatting, marketing, and adve

Quarter One of 2026 is almost over. And I want to ask you something: if your writing life had a Q1 report, what would it say?

Some writers keep their pen names hidden from their children. From their parents. From their partners. They create an entire alternate identity for the version of themselves that writes, because they are not yet ready to let those two worlds collide. That is internal author conflict, and it is more common than most people want to admit.

You read the title, the author's name, and you feel the smooth book cover jacket. Maybe it has some special foil-edged pages, or an embossed emblem on the front cover. You turn the book over and read the blurb on the back. That blurb is the book's premise in a nutshell, the shorter version of the story that invites a reader inside. And just like that, you are already considering it.

Sometimes the best way to fix a scene isn't to stare at the screen but to change what you’re listening to. Music isn't just background noise; it’s a shortcut to the emotions you're trying to put on the page. 

As writers, we’re constantly seeking tools to help us craft better stories, organize our thoughts, and bring our visions to life on the page. AI has become an invaluable writing partner—not a replacement for my creativity, but a supportive assistant that helps me work through the challenges of the writing process.

An honest look at author collaboration, using real-life partnerships to explain what co-authors need to discuss before writing together.

Since the year is coming to a close, start by looking back before looking forward. Here is how to turn resolutions into a year of productive, satisfying work.

Writers often grapple with the question, “Which story structure should I select?” This guide demystifies popular options, helping you comprehend each method’s intention and find the best fit for your creative vision.

Christmas is coming up, which means spending time with others on cozy nights . . . and the perfect excuse to pull out those classic family games. This season, why not try something new? When was the last time you used a game to spark creativity? Invite and gather the people in your life and turn those games into creative writing prompts.

What are some of the myths & truths we are tempted to believe at every stage of the lifecycle?

Dictation gives modern fiction writers a way to “speak” their stories into existence, much like the way folktales were first shared. And with a few simple tricks, you’ll find yourself writing faster than you ever thought possible.

In November and December, inboxes explode with “last chance” and “one day only!” messages. When you’re creating email content for your holiday book marketing, it can be challenging to know what will actually pique the interest of your subscribers enough to actually open your email.

As everyone begins decorating for Halloween, planning Thanksgiving meals, and jotting down Christmas gift ideas, writers are preparing for another kind of season filled with new characters, fresh stories, and the excitement of creative goals.

World-building in fiction writing is more than just dropping landmarks on a map or naming towns. It’s about creating a place where your readers can walk through, hear, taste, smell, and maybe even feel like they’d never want to leave. The best settings help shape the story and your characters in ways that matter, just like in real life.

As you write your next protagonist or side character, move past basic backstory. Ask what they’d wear, what songs they’d replay, how they’d argue, or which dreams keep them awake. Assign a type and build from the inside out: watch how personality threads drive the story forward.