Writing Tips and Writerly Musings

Does writing for young adults differ from other writing? If so, how do writers approach it?

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How do marginalised aspects of identity — gender, sexuality, culture, race, health, ability and more — shape our creative work? How can we empower, express, and explore through writing fantasy and S…

Fanfiction’s popularity continues to grow, tapping into the special creative connection between authors and fans. What is it about this literary nexus that is so fascinating and stimulating for fans?…

From Elvish to Esperanto to Dothraki to Belter -- creating a language for your story isn't just world-building, it's realistic.

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Fairy tale contract laws are like a force of nature... except there's usually a loophole. What are your favorite fairy tales? What are your favorite loopholes?

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A reminder that Western views on spirits are not universal and an exploration of how myths vary between cultures.

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I'm putting out content most days!
Mondays: New pod…

Economics is usually seen as a dry topic, full of game theory and calculated systems, but economic systems do not exist in a vacuum. Here are 5 Things To Consider When Designing Future (or Fantastica…

In a lot of fantasy and science-fiction, they wave their hands and make magic or tech the “solution” to all disabilities. Let’s explore ways to use magic for accessibility and ways people with differ…

What is the basis of myths? And what are some examples of myths that different cultures share -- and those we don't share.

Do you have any favorite myths?

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What is Imposter Syndrome and how do we fight it?

If you’ve fought with impostor syndrome, share how you’ve overcome it. Or at least fought it back.

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If you're trying to get an agent or publisher, you've probably heard these terms. While even many industry professionals can be found using the terms interchangeably, they do actually have different …

The size of a story is often dictated by the scope of the idea that spawned it. While some experienced writers can tell from the shape of the concept how long their story will be, it’s often a case o…

All writers have a voice and all stories have point-of-view characters -- it's how you bring them together that makes or breaks your story.

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All first drafts are lousy. It's part of the process.

Here's that panel description in its original painful written format: "Panelists will discuss they’re favorite techniques four editing when they…

This season, I'm talking a lot about world-building, fairytales, and, of course, the querying process.

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I think I’m about four naps shy of recovering from Balticon 57, but I’m home and back at work. Despite my multitude of hats, I managed to do it all!

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Experienced writers who have been on the roller coaster for a while know the big secret: you never really “make it.” Just because you’ve sold one book doesn’t mean you’ll sell the next one, and just …

So you have a story and you want to publish it yourself? Let’s talk about how to get started, how to get noticed, and when you should pay a professional.

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It’s hard to cut out scenes or characters that you love, but your story may be better off without them. How do you learn to recognize when something has to go, and how do you reconnect any threads th…

Throughout the history of science fiction and fantasy, creators have used the opportunity for imaginative storytelling to explore issues of their day. From the Twilight Zone to Alien Nation to Mass E…