by Martha Alderson As the world attempts to open up again, it’s easy to want to jump right back into all the activities that brought you joy before COVID. First, take a moment to assess your subplots. I’m not talking about the subplots in your story, but the subplots of your life. In stories, a
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Get Inspired by Art with Mary Rakow: Small details have a big impact on your story
by Mary Rakow FURTHER INTRODUCTION TO THIS COLUMN As we saw in the first and second posts, we can find inspiration for secular writing in religious art, and inspiration for religious writing in secular art. Why? Because great art crosses all boundaries and categories. We also saw that once we write a text it starts
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Beta Readers and Your Path to a Successful Book Launch
by Carla King While teaming up with other writers can help you finish your book, beta readers can help you answer the question: Will my book succeed? If you’re like most authors, you don’t want to show readers your book until it’s perfect: perfectly edited, perfectly proofread, and perfectly formatted. Don’t wait! Find people who
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Writing women’s lives: getting enough perspective in the rearview mirror
by Aya de León In December, Kensington Books published my fifth novel, A SPY IN THE STRUGGLE. Prior to that, Kensington had published four Justice Hustlers feminist heist novels. When authors publish new books, it’s an exciting time of looking forward, but also a time for reflection. With each new book, I have a bigger
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The Writer’s Inner Journey with Martha Alderson
by Martha Alderson For more than thirty years, I’ve had the great honor of working with hundreds of writers. Thanks to those of you who have openly shared your deepest hopes and dreams, fears and pain while attempting to live your best creative life, I’ve witnessed the effect our inner lives have on our relationship
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Doubt is the Devil
by Matthew Félix “Doubt is the Devil! Show doubt, and he’ll be back!” I woke up with the quote resounding in my mind. It was as though an old woman were standing over me waving her finger, scolding me to make sure I got the point. A couple of weeks earlier, I had received the
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