Writer’s brain is a real thing. It has a remarkable ability to turn an ordinary trip to Target into an elaborate novel involving betrayal,
Learning how to end a first chapter is just as important as knowing how to begin one. You can introduce an irresistible character, create
First chapter mistakes can convince readers to close a book before they ever discover how good the story becomes. That may sound harsh, but
The First 5 Pages: What Readers Decide Before They Keep Reading You only get one chance to make a first impression, and nowhere is
Dialogue mistakes can make even an exciting scene feel stiff, awkward, or unbelievable. Great dialogue disappears.Readers should not stop and admire how cleverly your characters
One of the most common questions writers ask is whether they should use dialogue tags vs action beats. Should every spoken line end with
How to Write Group Conversations Without Chaos One-on-one conversations are fairly easy to write. Readers only have to keep track of two people, and
Let’s talk about conversations and the rhythm of real speech. Have you ever listened to two people talking at a coffee shop? If you
During revision, resources such as the Dialogue Clean-Up Checklist can help you find places where your characters are saying more than the scene needs.
The Invisible Dialogue Rule: How to Write Conversations Readers Forget They’re Reading Part 2 of the Dialogue That Sounds Like Real People series Have
Book One of The Veilshard Chronicles Coming August, 2026
Get writing tips, free resources, behind-the-scenes updates, and news about upcoming books delivered right to your inbox.
Looking for plotting worksheets, first chapter checklists, character development guides, and more? Visit the Writing Resources Library.
By: Tracie Joy
A Workbook for Developing Positive Thinking Strategies
We all try to think positive, but sometimes it can be so hard. Life can get crazy, and we get pushed and pulled from all different directions. How do you stay positive when life seems to be conspiring against you? The Thinking Positive Toolbox will help you develop your own strategies to stay positive in this crazy life.
Drop me a line!