Hi Reader, A couple of weeks ago, I was having a conversation with a novelist who was complaining about how hard and expensive it is to get books read today. She's right. The market is saturated. There are way more books than people who read. Thousands of new books get uploaded to Amazon every day. Does this mean authors should resign themselves to only selling a few copies? Absolutely not. It just means that authors have to spend time and money marketing their books. Even authors who are...
14 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, You know that heart-pounding, slightly nauseating feeling when you sit down to write, stare at the blinking cursor, and suddenly remember you need to reorganize your spice rack? Yeah, that’s fear knocking at your creative door. It’s whispering, “What if this sucks? What if no one cares? What if I’m just not good enough?” You’re not alone. Everyone feels that way. And more importantly, fear isn’t the problem. The real danger is letting that fear stop you from showing up. The Courage...
21 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, The saying a picture is worth a thousand words is true. Sometimes as writers, we need more than words for our projects. A well-designed cover can make a reader click “buy” before they read the back of the book. Character art can bring your cast to life, enticing readers into your world. And a polished pitch packet can make your project irresistible to Hollywood. When we think about it, there are lots of times writers need visuals to make their words come to life. Movie posters Book...
28 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, The key to building a great story is emotion; the emotion your characters feel and the emotion your audience feels about what your characters are going through. Imagine your story as a rollercoaster, with emotions soaring to exhilarating highs and plunging to heartrending lows. According to Hollywood screenwriting legend Robert McKee, the secret engine to captivating stories lies in these emotional value changes. What Are Emotional Value Changes? In McKee's theory, stories revolve...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, The Rule of Three is a storytelling technique that makes writing more engaging, memorable, and impactful. (See! I used three adjectives.) It works because three is the perfect balance. One feels incomplete, two feels like a coincidence, but three? Three is a pattern, a rhythm, a satisfying payoff. Why does this work? Because humans are wired for patterns, and three is the smallest number that creates a full-fledged pattern. It builds expectation and then delivers on it. Let’s dive...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Sarcasm is an ingredient that elevates banter from ordinary to electric. But what exactly is sarcasm, and why does it make dialogue so fun and engaging? Sarcasm is saying the opposite of what you mean, usually with a hint (or a truckload) of irony. It’s often dry, exaggerated, or dripping with mock seriousness, and it can range from playful teasing to full-blown snide. Even the most serious stories benefit from a little sarcasm. It breaks tension, adds levity, and gives your...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Ever watched a movie or read a book where the dialogue crackled with so much wit, you wished you could steal it for your own conversations? Whether it’s sparks flying between love interests or hilarious jabs between best friends, witty banter adds charm, tension, and rhythm to your story. But how do you write witty banter that feels natural, sharp, and downright addictive? Conflict = Chemistry Banter thrives on opposing forces—it’s a verbal sparring match, not a polite tea party...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Once upon a time… (See? You’re already hooked!) Fairy tales aren’t just bedtime stories for kids—they are the storytelling secret weapon, a treasure trove of narrative wisdom that has been enchanting audiences for centuries. Whether you’re penning the next Hollywood blockbuster or crafting a novel that will keep readers up all night, fairy tales offer a foolproof blueprint for crafting compelling, emotionally charged stories. Here’s how fairy tale magic can transform your...
2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Right now, there are no words for what Los Angeles and the entertainment industry are going through. It feels like the world is ending. Everyone is nervously watching the skies, hoping the fires go out and smoke clears. Maybe you have experienced the unthinkable and lost your home. If you’re feeling like writing is the last thing on your mind right now, I get it. Life’s challenges—especially ones as big and immediate as wildfires—can make it hard to focus on anything else. But...
2 months ago • 2 min read