- Published by Rebecca Dolence on December 20, 2024
Using Personal Reflection to Create Memorable CharactersWriting and Learning Call me crazy, but it feels like this past year flew by as if some great…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on October 31, 2024
Ghouls are the creatures we fear when alone in an vacant spaces. They hide in dark, scary places, such as cemeteries and abandoned buildings, or…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on October 30, 2024
A Guide to Writing Horror for Middle Grade ReadersWriting and Learning Horror is a hair-raising experience to both write and read and fortunately for us,…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on October 30, 2024
Halloween's roots date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It symbolizes the cycle of life and death, influencing modern traditions like costumes and…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on October 15, 2024
To write a terrifying story, begin by developing a chilling setting, as it establishes the horror tone. Ordinary locations can become sinister through vivid imagery…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on September 30, 2024
Check under your bed before you turn off the light. You never know what will disturb your slumber. Boggarts lurk in the dark, shadowy corners…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on September 13, 2024
A GUIDE TO STARTING YOUR NOVEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTIONWriting and Learning Picture it. Your world is built. The central most important characters…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on August 30, 2024
The word Banshee or Bean Sidhe, is pronounced [Ban-Shee]. Ban, meaning woman, and Sidhe meaning fairy mounds or fairy dwellings. This basically translates to “the…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on August 15, 2024
Villains often emerge from tragic experiences that shape their perception and actions. This piece emphasizes that most villains are not inherently evil but are molded…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on August 15, 2024
The article delves into the significance of archetypes in fiction writing, emphasizing that relatable characters are central to engaging readers. It explains the differences between…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on August 15, 2024
Self-editing scenes helps refine your manuscript by focusing on structure and thematic coherence. Each scene, like a puzzle piece, must have conflict, tension, and clear…
- Published by Rebecca Dolence on July 31, 2024
The combination of energy and intention are a powerful force. We can pull our energy from a place of love by offering positivity for the…
Writer's Blogs & Tips
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
December 20, 2024
Using Personal Reflection to Create Memorable CharactersWriting and Learning Call me crazy, but it feels like this past year flew by as if some great overseeing power snatched the calendar off the side of the refrigerator and flipped through the months like a Las Vegas black jack dealer shuffling a…Read more
THERE’S A MONSTER UNDER MY BED
October 30, 2024
A Guide to Writing Horror for Middle Grade ReadersWriting and Learning Horror is a hair-raising experience to both write and read and fortunately for us, the scary season is upon us. October is the time of year that horror writers sharpen their pencils and skip in and out of the…Read more
SAMHAIN [SOW-EN, SOW-IN]
October 30, 2024
Halloween's roots date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It symbolizes the cycle of life and death, influencing modern traditions like costumes and trick-or-treating.Read more
CREATING SETTING IN HORROR STORIES
October 15, 2024
To write a terrifying story, begin by developing a chilling setting, as it establishes the horror tone. Ordinary locations can become sinister through vivid imagery and detail. Understanding the locale affects character behavior. Transform normalcy into suspense, employing atmosphere to evoke dread, ultimately leading readers into a gripping experience.Read more
WHERE DO I START MY NOVEL?
September 13, 2024
A GUIDE TO STARTING YOUR NOVEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTIONWriting and Learning Picture it. Your world is built. The central most important characters are imagined, visualized, and have a distinct voice—in your head at least—and now it’s time to spark up good ol’ Betty, or whatever you named…Read more
HOW TO WRITE A KILLER VILLAIN
August 15, 2024
Villains often emerge from tragic experiences that shape their perception and actions. This piece emphasizes that most villains are not inherently evil but are molded by their past.Read more
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: Part III
August 15, 2024
The article delves into the significance of archetypes in fiction writing, emphasizing that relatable characters are central to engaging readers. It explains the differences between internal and external conflicts and explores three archetypes—The Lover, The Creator, and The Jester.Read more
SCENES FALLING FLAT?
August 15, 2024
Self-editing scenes helps refine your manuscript by focusing on structure and thematic coherence. Each scene, like a puzzle piece, must have conflict, tension, and clear outcomes. If rejection letters cite lack of interest or connection, examine your scenes for depth and progression. Ensure each scene drives the story forward effectively…Read more
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: Part II
July 19, 2024
Fiction writers can develop powerful characters utilizing Carl Jung's 12 Basic Archetypes. This article focuses on The Caregiver, The Explorer, and The Rebel with distinct traits and desiresRead more
THE DREADED QUERY LETTER
July 5, 2024
Writing and Learning When the time comes to write a query letter, hair gets pulled, lips are bitten, and often, mouths are full of cuss words. Boy, we writers are tough on ourselves, aren’t we? Alone in a room with only our computer to fight with—Ugh! So, what exactly is…Read more
BATTLING THE SYNPOSIS
July 5, 2024
Writing and Learning Let’s be honest, writers avoid writing a synopsis as much as a nutritionist avoids cake. You’ve just spent a year of your life perfectly placing letters, sentences, and paragraphs to dictate the precise syntax that will engage a reader and, fingers crossed, make a million dollars. But…Read more
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
June 18, 2024
By utilizing Carl Jung's 12 Basic Archetypes, fiction writers can create unforgettable characters. This article focuses on The Innocent, The Orphan, and The Hero with distinct traits and desires.Read more