Whenever someone asks what I “do” for a living, it always takes me a second to reply. Do I roll with the simple “I’m a stay-at-home-mom” line? I mean it’s true, I do watch my daughter full time while my husband works and I wouldn’t trade that privilege for the world (tantrums, messes, and all). But being a SAHM isn’t the full story. The truth is, I’m also a writer,...

We’ve all been there. The days, weeks, and months crawl (or fly!) by but you’re unable to put pen to paper—or fingers to keys. Your book(s) languish away, calling softly for you to return. Even if you want to, you just don’t have the energy. I get it. And you’re no less of a writer for feeling that way. Recently, I pulled myself out of a pretty deep writing slump....

If you’re anything like me, and I know a lot of writers are, it can be a challenge to find engaging writing communities. I think the biggest reason for this is because many of us are introverts. We may be introverts who enjoy spending time with people or introverts who prefer to spend every possible moment alone; but if you’re an introvert, too, I bet one thing we have in...

A few years ago I joined a bunch of writing groups on Facebook. I wanted to see what writers were talking about—I wanted to understand what questions they were asking in hopes that I’d learn how to better help my clients and students. I jumped in here or there to offer support or weigh in when someone was asking for feedback. But it didn’t take long for me to start...

Hello. My name is RJ and I’m in the closet. The writer’s closet.  Disclaimer: This is my first official writing credit. Woohoo! For perhaps the first time, I found a way to make my insecurities work for me by turning them into a pitch. And wouldn’t it be amazing if they worked for someone else too? If this article helps even one person come out of the writer’s closet I...

Disclaimer — I am not a licensed medical professional. The information in this post is based on my own experience and personal research. Earlier this year, at 37 years old, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, is defined as a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. It can contribute to low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and difficulty at school and/or work and is present...

When I was ready to start my current novel-in-progress, I knew I would need help along the way: from discussing ideas, to seeking feedback when I was ready for it, to learning more about what happens after you type “The End” on your first draft. I didn’t need creative writing courses, and I didn’t want to join a feedback-based writing group. What I needed was a writing coach, and the...

Before I get into strategies for writing a prologue, I want to address the whole prologue thing. Basically, agents like them or hate them. Readers love them or skip them. People have strong feelings about prologues and you should be aware of the general discussion before you publish a book with one or start sending out queries. So, let’s talk briefly about why some agents don’t like them and why a...