Category Archives: Writing

What to do when you’re hit with writer’s block First off – writer’s block is HARD. It’s MEAN. And it’s COMMON. All writers suffer from it to differing degrees. So, if you’re suffering from writer’s block right now, the first thing to do is to stop beating yourself up about it. This is such aContinue reading “Block”

Why, when, and how to include menstration in your writing I’ve started sharing some of the feedback I find myself giving regularly to editing clients – this time I’m chatting about PERIODS. Search for #EditingTipsFromAnna on Twitter to find other topics. Disclaimer number one: Previous clients – please don’t worry that I’m talking about you.Continue reading “Periods”

Giving feedback to other writers on their stories is such a rewarding and beneficial thing to do. It not only gives them a boost and sharpens their skills, but it will also hone your writing practice. Partnering with other writers will give you friends that understand the highs and lows of creating imaginary worlds andContinue reading “Giving Feedback”

How I parted ways with my agent This is a long one, and a very personal one. I’ve tried to provide action points and comfort, but sometimes life is just messy and hard. I hope that showing you some of my mess is helpful. I want to tell the truth about this, because I’ve gottenContinue reading “Valley”

I’ve started sharing some of the feedback I find myself giving regularly to editing clients – this time I’m chatting about VERY EXCITING PROLOGUES. People say that prologues are a little bit like marmite – readers (and agents/publishers) either hate them or love them. I want to add a little caveat to this because, yeah,Continue reading “Very Exciting Prologues”

What is it? Why is it harmful? How can we spot it in our stories? I’ve started sharing some of the feedback I find myself giving regularly to editing clients – this time I’m chatting about FAT SHAMING. (Search for #EditingTipsFromAnna on Twitter to find other topics.) Disclaimer number one: Previous clients – please don’tContinue reading “Fat Shaming”

How to make sure conversations in your stories flow I’ve started sharing some of the feedback I find myself giving to lots of my editing clients. This time it’s all about MEANDERING DIALOGUE. A disclaimer for my editing clients – I will NEVER use specific examples or talk about your stories! These threads are basedContinue reading “Meandering Dialogue”

How can you spot good character agency? I’m going to start sharing some of the feedback I regularly give to clients, along with tips to help you find and change/strengthen these things in your own stories. Let’s start by chatting about AGENCY. (To find more of these on Twitter, search #EditingTipsFromAnna) Teeny disclaimer for myContinue reading “Agency”

Receiving feedback on beloved stories can be one of the most wonderful things in the world. It can also be incredibly tough, since that fresh pair of eyes will spot things we didn’t in the ONE MILLION times we scoured our words. Below are some of my tips for taking the sting out of evenContinue reading “Receiving Feedback”