Book Writing Tips to Help You Write Forward

Steven Pressfield – The Author Whose Advice You Need to Defeat Writing Resistance
Are Your Writing Dreams Being Sabotaged?
Every day, writers sit down at their desks, ready to create—and then find themselves scrolling through social media instead. Others stare at the blank page, paralyzed by self-doubt or fear. Other writers find themselves writing in circles, worrying about the opinions of others. If you’ve ever felt an invisible fore pushing against your creative work, you’re not alone. There is a name for this force and understanding it may be the key to reaching your writing dreams.

Query Letters - The First Hurdle of Traditional Book Publishing
Technically, the first hurdle is writing the first draft and that is a hurdle many writers don’t get over. So if you have made it all the way from story idea to a manuscript that is polished enough to query to agents you should be incredibly proud of yourself! You have already accomplished an enormous feat and that should be celebrated!

Best Novel Writing Software: Complete Guide & Comparison for 2025
Deciding on a novel writing software can be a difficult choice especially when considering a paid option. There are some great free options simple word processors, but a dedicated novel-writing software may be worth it for the extra features. This guide compares the leading options available to fiction writers in 2025 to help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

How the Foolscap Method Can Help You Plan Your Novel (And Why It Works)
Novel planning is an overwhelming process. Even authors with multiple published books feel overwhelmed when starting a new book. The Foolscap Method can help you feel more confident in the outline of your story and less overwhelmed. It is a one-page outline that strips your story down to its essential elements. I will walk your through exactly how the Foolscap Method works and why it is so effective.

Should you join a writing accountability group?
Writing can be a lonely, and it’s often challenging to find the time and motivation to write consistently—especially when writing isn’t your full-time job. Joining a writing accountability group is an excellent way to make the writing process less isolating while also increasing your productivity. There are many types of groups available for writers, including critique groups, writing accountability groups, and writing workshops.

How to Avoid Scams and Unhelpful Edits: What to Look for When Hiring a Developmental Editor
Finding a developmental editor you can trust is an important step in turning your draft into a polished book. But as the world of editing grows, so do scams and questionable practices, making it challenging to identify quality editor. This guide will help you recognize red flags, understand the necessary qualifications for a skilled editor, and learn what questions to ask when vetting potential editors.

Unlock the Secrets: Delving into Mystery and Thriller Book Genres
Why is it so important to know the fundamentals of your book’s genre?
Understanding your book's genre is essential for communicating with readers, agents, and publishers. For agents and publishers, genre immediately signals where your book fits in the market—a key factor in deciding if they want to represent or publish your work. For readers, genre sets expectations, helping them decide if your book is the type of book they are in the mood to read. A clear genre also keeps readers engaged, minimizing confusion about pacing, tone, and themes. The genre and subgenre of your book dictate its pacing and the obligatory scenes. In a future post, I'll dive deeper into the importance of genres and how to identify yours.

Imposter Syndrome in Writers: How to Beat It and Keep Writing
Imposter syndrome is when you consistently doubt your own skills or abilities despite your successes. A more concise definition would be a pattern of self-doubt. Perfectionists tend to be particularly susceptible to this, but most writers experience imposter syndrome at some point in their writing journey.