Magic Needs a Purpose

While I’ve written a lot of types of fantasy, my contemporary fantasy kept getting feedback and my suburban fantasy kept not working, and I think I’ve figured out the problem. My magic needs a purpose.

Encanto and Making Your Own Characters 3-Dimensional

In both stories and the real world, people often find themselves cast in roles: the hero, the good daughter, the … More

When Writing, You’ve Gotta Switch It Up

Even action sequences can get boring if they drag on too long. Here are my definitions of different sentence “components” used to build your stories — and ways to avoid info-dumping!

Positive Speculative Fiction!

Many people are craving stories right now with gentle plots and hopeful themes to contrast the recent dystopic trends in publishing, media, and real-life dramas. So, what makes for positive science fiction and fantasy and what are some favorite examples of the brighter side of speculative fiction.

The DMV In Speculative Fiction

Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia have rich histories, interesting people, and lots of weird nooks and crannies that make a great setting for a story. Panelists discuss their favorite books set in the DMV and the fun and frustrations of setting stories in and around the nation’s capital.

In Defense of the Standalone Novel

In a sea of book series, the standalone novel can be a breath of fresh air. What are the virtues of the standalone novel and what makes for a good one? Might there be a resurgence of the standalone novel in the near future?