Writers are often advised to avoid certain tropes in their writing, but let's face it... some tropes/cliches are unavoidable. And some are irresistible! Tropes and cliches can be bad, don't get me wrong. They are dreaded and spurned for a reason. They can break a story and turn a reader away from a book or … Continue reading Favorite Tropes
Tag: ya lit
Writing Techniques: Self-editing and revising!
Now, the following post is based solely on MY methods. This is what works for me, but might not work for all writers. We are all wired differently, and there is no universal "right" way to do things. Now, with that disclaimer out of the way, I am going to share my personal methods for … Continue reading Writing Techniques: Self-editing and revising!
Writing Techniques: Querying
This isn't technically a "techniques" post, because, admittedly, I have very limited experience with this. So, instead, I'm just going to babble a bit about how my process with querying has been going thus far, so it will be a bit more personal. I never attempted to traditionally publish I'm With You, though, in hindsight, … Continue reading Writing Techniques: Querying
Guilty
When the well of inspiration runs dry, there are a few methods that I utilize to get myself back on track. I have mentioned a few in previous posts, but I must admit, I have one trick that also counts as a "guilty pleasure" of sorts... When I get stuck, and the creative juices simply … Continue reading Guilty
Allie’s Awful Guide: Public Speaking
I used to be far more terrified of public speaking than I am now, to the point where I agonized over having to give speeches or presentations in class. I even opted out of presenting speeches a couple of times because losing a few points was preferable to standing up in front of an audience. … Continue reading Allie’s Awful Guide: Public Speaking
The Sky is Blue
After being discouraged from taking an art class while in high school, I decided to use one of my electives in college to take a Drawing course. I had always enjoyed art, so it seemed like a good choice to expand my skills and learn new techniques. Long story short, I hated it. But I … Continue reading The Sky is Blue
A Glimpse….
It's been two years since my YA novel I'm With You came out, and though I hope to have my next YA/Fantasy novel out soon, I feel like I haven't shared anything about my next project other than some vague comments. So, here's an excerpt from the MS in its current state - obviously, since I'm … Continue reading A Glimpse….
Home
Welcoming my favorite month with a poem. Happy October! Hope you enjoy! Home There is a light in her window. A hopeful flicker, or is it only melting wax? Minutes dripping to nothing? A glimpse of distant shores, left you yearning for the foreign and the wild. She is neither of those things. She … Continue reading Home
Worth 1000 Words #13: Ol’ Reliable
On the first day of college, I was nervously approaching my first ever class - Health and Wellness - wondering who I would sit with, if I'd make any friends, and why on earth said class needed to be so freakin' far away from the parking lot, when my backpack strap broke. Now, superstitious folk … Continue reading Worth 1000 Words #13: Ol’ Reliable
Autumn
All seasons have their own unique appeal and their own exclusive perks. My favorite season used to be winter.... until I learned how to drive. After several horrifying and near life-ending experiences navigating snowstorms in my old Subaru and my current Nissan, I no longer hold such favorable opinions of winter. Winter is also mega-depressing, … Continue reading Autumn