Bonfires, Stories, and the Sparks Between
From Guy Fawkes to modern bonfires, today I’m talking about how flames symbolize renewal, storytelling, and the enduring spark of creativity within us all.
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The Art of Writing Between Worlds
Threshold seasons are the perfect time to write and create. These mystical times are when the veil is thin and change stirs creativity and reflection.
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Season of Revision
Not drafting this November? Then embrace the Season of Revision, a gentler, powerful way to rekindle creativity and fall back in love with your story.
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Haunted by Love: The Romantic Power of Ghostly Settings
Haunted houses hold more than ghosts. They hold love, memory, and the courage to face what lingers. A reflection on gothic romance and heart.
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The Dark and Dangerous Allure of Love Potions
Readers of dark romance and fantasy novels know the truth about the fiction of love potions. They’re metaphors for love’s darkest desires and are a potent element of these stories.
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Rough Draft Preptober: Part 3
I am a longhand plotter, but as a working writer, that’s not fast enough. So here is a brief review of the systems I use, just in time for Rough Draft November.
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The Gothic Heart of Romance
Romance has always had a gothic heartbeat. And today’s essay explores why readers—and writers—are drawn to moody, windswept love stories where passion and fear intertwine, and love survives the storm.
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Rough Draft Preptober: Part 2
If you’re looking forward to writing a new rough draft in November, I’ve compiled some resources that can help you prepare for your next writing journey.
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Understanding Heat Levels in Romance and Romantasy
Heat levels in romance and romantasy can be confusing because every chart and publisher uses different terms. From ‘sweet’ to ‘spicy,’ closed door to open door, here’s a guide to understanding the spectrum of intimacy in romance (and why YA adds another twist).
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Haunted Houses & Love Stories: Rough Draft Preptober Part 1
Haunted houses aren’t just for ghost stories—they’re perfect for love stories, too. In this Preptober post, I share how gothic, spooky, and “haunted” settings can heighten romance, sharpen conflict, and inspire your November Rough Draft project.
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Writing the Last Days of Summer
From county fairs to bonfires, beloved small-town, end-of-summer traditions are a great tool in the writer’s tool box and can be used as story fuel in romance and women’s fiction.
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My Midsummer Writing Slump
Today’s midsummer writers post is tackling a more difficult topic. And that topic is the Midsummer Slump. It might not mean much on its own, but it’s not a far walk from a slump to a burnout.
