Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
Why Is Writing Fiction So Hard?
If you've been working on your novel for a while—and I mean really working, not just thinking about it—you've probably had this feeling at least once: I know how to write. Why is this so[...]
Come write with me this summer
This summer, I'm hosting a free webinar as part of Novel Summer Camp: a free, four-week writing experience from ProWritingAid, running July 13 - August 7, 2026. I'd love for you to join me. [...]
Make Readers See Your Scenes
The Best Books Make Readers See Their Scenes. Yours Can, Too. There's a reason certain books get finished and certain books get put down. It's not the premise. It's not the genre. It's not even[...]
The Books Readers Trust All Share This
For more about writing a book readers can't put down, read this post first.There's a reason certain books get recommended and certain books get quietly abandoned. It's not always the plot. It's not always the[...]
Write the Book You Most Want to Read
There's a piece of advice I keep coming back to, and I gave it to a client recently when she worried that her novel—ambitious, sprawling, decades in the character’s lives—might be too much. Too historical.[...]
Have You Ever Moved Three Times in Two Weeks?
A couple of years ago, I helped a friend move apartments. By the end of the day, she was surrounded by boxes in a new living room, trying to figure out where to put the[...]
Writing Craft Advice from Denis Johnson
Press play to listen to a craft lecture by Denis Johnson. In 1999 I had the good fortune to study with one of my heroes, the novelist and short story writer Denis Johnson[...]
How Seth Helped a Navy Seal Realize His Writing Dreams
Chris Dugan is a historical fiction writer. Before he started writing fiction, Chris was a Navy Seal and published non-fiction author. Apply for a Strategy Session Case Study The Situation: A Non-Fiction[...]
When Spitballing Fails: Writing as the Tool for Discovery
Here's a scenario I see often in my coaching work: A writer has a plot problem. Something isn't clicking—maybe the motive doesn't feel strong enough, or there's a gap in the logic, or a character's[...]
Writing Group vs Book Coach: What Each Can (and Can’t) Do for Your Novel
A conversation I hear more often than you might think starts like this: “I’m in a writing group I really love. They’re supportive, they understand me, they’re invested in my work… so why do I[...]
