“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison
I am going to tell you something I wasn't sure I would ever admit on this blog..... A secret that I have been keeping under wraps for fear of being ostracized by the literary community. *takes a breath* I don't like Stephen King novels. I know, I'm sorry. It's not for want of trying. I've… Continue reading Thoughts on the “IT” 2017 Trailer
When you decide to become a writer, there's one truth that you must confront at some point: what you write will probably not be as good on paper as it was in your head. I've come to realize this after multiple drafts and constant rewrites of fiction, nonfiction, blog posts and etc. I know it's… Continue reading If You Want To Be a Writer, Lower Your Expectations a Lot
As crappy as it is that Peter didn't get a fair shake at being The Doctor, this decision to leave is for the show's benefit. Doctor Who has been in dire need of a direction change for years now and I think it would really benefit from a clean slate. Many people are complaining that… Continue reading Opinion: Peter Capaldi is Leaving Doctor Who and That’s a Good Thing
Does anyone else get their ideas when it's most inconvenient? I think I am at my most creative during the height of the school semester where everything is due and my entire future hangs in the balance.. I'll be mentally calculating how much time I should commit to studying and she'll show up, donut in… Continue reading My Muse Hates Free Time
Hello, men. I am a woman. Today I am going to give you some tips on how to write female characters. Keep in mind that women are human beings and no woman is exactly the same as another. However, I'm hoping to give you at least a general idea of how to pull off a… Continue reading How to Write Women: a Guide for Men
If you have perused a YA section of a bookstore in the last three years, then you've likely come across the cover of a fairytale reimagining. Perhaps one book tells the story of Cinderella, a valiant warrior, who loses her magical boot in the middle of a battle and an infatuated warlord must return it… Continue reading Are Fairytale Reimaginings Becoming Unimaginative?
I hear readers complain time and time again that they cannot get into a story because the character is a "bad person."Now I can understand not wanting to read something because the character is unbelievable or underdeveloped, but a bad person? I say "bad people" make some of the best characters. Why? Three reasons: 1. They're more… Continue reading Why You Should Love Unloveable Characters
It's pretty obvious that one of the central components to a story is the conflict. It doesn't matter what the conflict is: fighting the Dark Lord, winning the beef cake, or keeping the world from losing its Twinkies. There just has to be a problem for the protagonist to solve. I am good at coming… Continue reading A Writer’s Dilemma: The Problem With Conflict
It's been over a week since I've updated this blog and I've been feeling guilty about neglecting it. I would use the excuse that I've been busy (and I have), but more than that, I've been emotionally rung out (haven't we all) and I didn't trust myself to use this medium without making it all… Continue reading Amidst Political Chaos, My Novel Progresses
I suspected this day would come. I had just hoped I would be more ready for it. I realized upon rereading the most recent draft of my latest project that I would not be able to do my characters justice in such a short amount of time. If I want to tell the story and… Continue reading My Novella is a Novel Now
The Crooked Pen 