For Writers



I’m really big on supporting writers. I strongly suggest that if you want to write, building a wonderful group of supporters behind you that are going through the same thing. Join a local writer’s group and join Romance Writers of America if you can. I wouldn’t be where I am without RWA or my local RWA chapter.



Along with joining a writer’s group, it’s really important to hone your craft and work your story. I didn’t start pitching my first YA until it was polished so much that I could see my reflection in it. Learn the lingo, the craft itself, and make your work the best it can be. Here are a few books that I suggest you pick up if you want to write a novel.

  1. Story: Robert Mckee
  2. On Writing: Steven King
  3. Writing the Breakout Novel: Donald Mass
  4. The Writer’s Toolkit: Bob Mayer
  5. Goal, Motivation & Conflict: Deb Dixon

If you have specific problems with sentence structure, etc. Here are a few books I recommend:

  1. The Elements of Style: William Strunk and E.B. White
  2. Clean, Well-lighted Sentences: Janice Bell
  3. You Just Don’t Understand: Debra Tannen

If you’re at the end of your rope and it’s time for you to sit down and revise, then here are two books that I find invaluable:

  1. Manuscript Makeover: Elizabeth Lyon
  2. Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook: Donald Mass

Last but not least, I am a huge fan of Margie Lawson. She is this wonderful therapist/teacher/speaker that has intense graduate level classes on empowering character emotions and deep editing. You can get her lecture packets for 22$ on her website at www.MargieLawson.com. She conducts four online classes a year so check out the schedule on her website to see if you find anything you can squeeze into your schedule.



I have quotes in the ‘advice for writers’ tab if you want to take a look and get inspired. I also offer workshops for writers groups if anyone is interested in hearing me speak. And remember, Keep Writing!

“Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the most. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out the window.”
- William Faulkner