How to Write Epic Best Sellers: A Clive Cussler Review

pirate ship on the high seas

I’ve been reading thrillers and other types of genre fiction lately. Clive Cussler is my favorite of these so far, largely because I really like action. Car chases, helicopter crashes, pirate battles: all that stuff! Here’s what I think of this latest Cussler book Shock Wave. The opening is fantastic. The action and scene-setting are … Read moreHow to Write Epic Best Sellers: A Clive Cussler Review

What Actually Inspires a Colorful Kirkus Review Like This One?

woman flashing victory sign in the desert

I’m pleased as punch to publish this Kirkus Review of my Young Adult novel, Bits of String too Small to Save. The reviewer called it “impressively creative,” “wildly imaginative,” “occasionally haunting,” and declared it “anchored by strong, evolving female characters.” This book has a ton of characters, each weirder than the next, which makes it … Read moreWhat Actually Inspires a Colorful Kirkus Review Like This One?

A Vulnerable Memoirist Engages Rare Skill

"open for business" sign

Please enjoy this video about the difference between a “vanity memoir” and a legitimate memoir. It all has to do with being a vulnerable memoirist versus being a braggart. Many of my clients worry about their projects being perceived as frivolous. This will help clear up what exactly it takes to write a memoir that’s … Read moreA Vulnerable Memoirist Engages Rare Skill

Memoirs Don’t Praise but Highlight Interesting Struggles

man's face, caucasian, elderly

I’ve had a lot of clients who worry that writing a memoir will seem like what they call a “vanity project.” I think this is a term that has come into common use lately, what with all the self publishing that’s available. It’s not all done at a quality level. Some memoirs seem rather self … Read moreMemoirs Don’t Praise but Highlight Interesting Struggles

Commas Can Kiss My Ass! Says Bright, Alert Memoirist

"ask" in neon letters as advice for memoirist

If you’ve been wanting to become a memoirist, here’s your first lesson, called “Commas can kiss my ass!” It’s also my very first video. Comments are welcome! Go ahead, let me have it. Basically, the thing is, don’t let a fear of getting your grammar and punctuation wrong hold you back from putting words on … Read moreCommas Can Kiss My Ass! Says Bright, Alert Memoirist

Everyone Wants a Piece of the Best-Selling Honey Badger

honey badger eating a snake

Once upon a time, a client urged me to write her memoir so as to give this impression: “I’m like that honey badger!” When I asked what in the world that meant, she replied, “I’m a badass and I really don’t give a shit!” I had no idea what she was talking about, so she … Read moreEveryone Wants a Piece of the Best-Selling Honey Badger

Bestselling Writing Advice. It’s to Help You Be Better

chocolate chunks

I recently took a class with the famous thriller writer Dan Brown! A lot of things he said stood out, but I particularly thought he had a unique approach to staying fresh during his writing time. He has an app–I don’t know what it’s called–that forces you to take a break every hour by literally … Read moreBestselling Writing Advice. It’s to Help You Be Better

Enjoy Biography Writing Victory, Scene by Scene

reel to reel recorder

If you’re writing a memoir, and you don’t “have time to write,” there’s always the audio-tape method. This biography writing trick is far more effective than most people think. Best of all, this method gives you permission to do two things: one, talk your book instead of write it and two, tell it out of … Read moreEnjoy Biography Writing Victory, Scene by Scene

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