Advice from a professional writer and editor with pieces published in Vice, Tordotcom, Rue Morgue, and more — The measure of success What does it mean to be a successful author? To be honest, it’s different for each person. For some writers, it means getting a publishing deal. It doesn’t matter if the book is a hit or if it even gets printed. As long as they can say they signed a…

How do you move past the stage you’re currently in so that you can up your writing game? — I work as an editor and plot wizard. I’m the person who makes writers' stories make sense. I help them become better writers through feedback, critiques, assessments, and developmental edits. …

What you’re never taught about scenes and how to write them to keep your readers engaged and your stories captivating. — What is A Scene? Scenes are one of the more complicated and misunderstood elements of writing out there. Simply because so many different writers and educators see scenes differently. There are teachers out there that say there are only 4 types of scenes. Others say there are endless types of scenes and that they…

Scenes are the building blocks of our stories. Learn different techniques to bring your stories to life. — One-Line Scene Outline This is something that I picked up from Brandon Sanderson. He writes and thinks about his scenes in a sequence to the end. So, instead of writing out his scenes in an in-depth way, he writes one-sentence descriptions of what happens in his stories. …

Regain your creative connection. — How the Routine Found Me — Shattered I hung up the phone. Hands trembling and vision gone sideways, I stumbled back onto my bed. …

Edit yourself before you edit the page and stop writing harmful content — I’m an editor, judge, hired plot wizard, and sometimes sensitivity reader. Along with my work life, I’m also an avid reader on Medium and other platforms. Publishing is inherently racist and more often than not uplifts the white writers over the writers of color, especially if they are dark-skinned. These…

These 7 science fiction writing prompts teach you advanced storytelling techniques while igniting your imagination — In a previous article, I wrote on the use of prompts to help writers understand craft elements and level up their careers. Essentially, the average writer tackles writing prompts in a very basic manner. And it leads them to write the same tired stories while never improving their craft.

There’s more than one way to write. Learn the various freewriting processes and share your own. — What Types of Writers Are We? Sometimes writers who decide to free write their stories do so because the act of knowing the end and all the subplots steals the joy and magic away from creating. This is totally valid. It’s okay to write for exploration and save the plotting for later. Whether you write freely…

The force that decides your future as a writer is waiting to be realized. — Knowing what your intentions are as a storyteller and writer allows you to embody story and your career in a way that moves past simply writing. It also helps you stay grounded in the world of publishing and writing. When I first started writing, I just had this simple intention…

Outlining processes for the beginner, intermediate, or advanced writer. — Outlining might not be for you. Freewriting may also not be for you. You may exist somewhere in-between or outside of both. By learning what’s out there, you’ll be closer to finding what works for you or what can help sharpen your current system. Have a writing system already in…