Free Resources
Everything you need to make your writing stronger.
Podcast episodes, articles, and insights from our newsletter — sorted by the steps it takes to write a book.
Not sure which step you’re on?
Two minutes, seven taps — and every result points you to the right episodes.
All resources
3 Writing Fundamentals You Can’t Skip
Anytime we sit down with writers—those just starting out or those trying to grow—we go back to the same three fundamenta…
Intentions Over Resolutions: Create an Environment That Helps You Write in 2026
Every year we trot out goals and resolutions. The excitement is real for a while, and then life happens. Instead of wres…
Nine Essential Steps to Turn Your Book Idea into Reality
Ever dreamed of seeing your book on Amazon's virtual shelves? The journey from a spark of inspiration to a published mas…
The Importance of the First Line
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Christopher Maselli and Gena Maselli, along with guest Rene Gutte…
Mastering Your First Chapter
Discussion includes the hosts sharing their experiences and insights on how to make the first chapter captivating and fo…
You Are Never Too Old To Write
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C. S. Lewis
2025 Goal-setting for Authors
Chris and Gena discuss the importance of setting and achieving writing goals for 2025.
Tips for a Healthy Brainstorming Session
Chris and Gena are joined by Rene Gutteridge, The conversation touches on techniques such as, asking 'what if' questions…
What to Do When You’re STUCK
Joined by award-winning author Rene Gutteridge, we explore practical strategies to overcome creative roadblocks in both…
3 Ways to Market Your Book Before You Publish
Chris and Gena tackle one of the top questions they receive: How do I get people to buy my book? Chris and Gena discuss…
The ONE Question You Should Ask Your Editor
In this episode, we explore a pivotal shift in approaching editors, coaches, and critiquers for writing feedback. Instea…
Mastering First Page Critiques – The 5 Don’ts with Henry McLaughlin
Join Christopher Maselli and Gena Maselli, along with author Henry McLaughlin as Henry delves into the importance of man…
Mastering First Page Critiques – The 5 Do’s with Henry McLaughlin
Christopher and Gena Maselli are joined by award-winning author Henry McLaughlin. Together, they tackle the importance o…
First Page Critiques
Today, I’m sharing the first page of a story from a brave author, who shall remain anonymous. Thank you, bold author, fo…
Finding Your Writing Voice
Explore the process of finding your unique voice as an author. Discover what it means to develop your writing style, why…
Don’t Despise the Small Stuff
Discussion about the importance of not overlooking the 'small stuff' in writing. They explore how these minor tasks, fro…
The Post Conference World
Hello, fellow writer! Another way to phrase this title is, “You Just Finished a Writers Conference. Now What?” At a co…
Tapping into WHY You’re a Writer
In this episode hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli delve into the essential topic of finding your 'why' as a writer. The…
Why It’s Important to Pick a Genre
In this episode, we delve into the importance of understanding your book's genre. Discover how identifying your genre ca…
The Life of a Character with Laurel Thomas
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, award-winning author Laurel Thomas joins the hosts to discuss the inter…
What is a Writers’ Fiction Roundtable with Laurel Thomas
In this episode, Chris and Gena welcome award-winning author Laurel Thomas to discuss the concept of Writer's Fiction Ro…
Sneak Peek into the 2024 Children’s Book Mastery Summit
Get an exclusive sneak preview of the upcoming 2024 Children’s Book Mastery Summit. Discover what this five-day free onl…
Why You Should INVEST in Your Writing Career
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli discuss the best ways writers can in…
Giving Your Writing Momentum Tip #4: Building Your Audience NOW
Delve into the critical importance of building an audience for your writing before your book is even published. Learn pr…
best and worst advice
Someone recently asked me, “What’s the best writing advice I ever received? "Get up earlier." This came from my mento…
Giving Your Writing Momentum Tip #3: Safe Spaces
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli discuss the importance of finding an…
7 Essential Book Bonuses Every Author Should Include
In this solo episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, host Christopher Maselli discusses seven valuable bonuses that aut…
Giving Your Writing Momentum Tip #2: The Power of Consistency and Accountability
Join the Writing Momentum podcast with hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli as they discuss the importance of consistency…
Giving Your Writing Momentum Tip #1: Continual Learning
Join hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli of Writing Momentum as they kick off a new series dedicated to helping writers g…
what inspires my stories
I’ve shared in other posts how I receive inspiration for a story. The most common way is from an image that pops into my…
Best Practices for Getting Manuscript Feedback
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Chris and Gena discuss the best time to seek feedback on your man…
Redefining Perfectionism
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli delve into the topic of perfectionis…
proverbs for writers
There is so much wisdom and wise counsel in the book of Proverbs. Like many believers, I spend time in this book almost…
Do You Need Formal Education to Be a Writer?
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli explore the common question of wheth…
How Do You Keep Your Head in the Writing Game?
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli discuss the importance of staying en…
Kickstart Your Writing Career: Emerging Writers’ Guide
Gena and Christopher Maselli host the Writing Momentum Podcast, targeting emerging writers aspiring to write a book. The…
Just Finish Your First Draft
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Christopher and Gena Maselli discuss strategies for finishing fir…
proverbs for writers: be a writer
This is another in my periodic series on proverbs for writers. The inspiration comes from the book of Proverbs and how a…
Habits That will TANK Your Writing – Part 3
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli explore the final habit in their ser…
Habits That Will TANK Your Writing – Part 2
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli discuss everyday habits that can neg…
Habits That will TANK Your Writing – Part 1
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss common habits that can impede a writer’s progres…
Millstones or milestones
Birthdays can be millstones or milestones. It depends on our perspective and on where and how we see ourselves in this l…
Maintaining Motivation in Writing: Practical Tips
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Gena and Christopher Maselli explore different ways to stay motiv…
Finding Time to Write in a Busy World
In the Writing Momentum Podcast, Christopher Maselli and his wife, Gena, share practical tips for finding time to write…
make your hero choose
This month I want to share on a topic I first heard Randy Ingermanson teach several years ago. It’s a simple yet powerfu…
Publishing on Amazon is Easy!
Self-publishing on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is accessible and easy. Professional editing and formatting a…
Why Authors Use Pen Names
Join us in this episode as we delve into the fascinating world of pen names. We discuss the definition of pen names and…
Researching is a Part of the Historical Fiction Journey with Henry McLaughlin
Henry McLaughlin shares his research process for historical fiction novels, focusing on his latest book, "Emily's Trials…
What’s YOUR Word?
Hosts Christopher and Gena reveal their words for 2024, "extreme" and "flow," while writer friends and newsletter subscr…
creating and crafting characters
This is the latest in a periodic series about the common obstacles writers face. Both experienced and newbie authors dea…
Even Writers Need a Long-Term Strategy with Liz Wilcox
Liz Wilcox, an email strategist and creator of the Email Marketing Membership, helps small businesses, including authors…
Becoming a Prolific Writer with Kevin Tumlinson
Kevin Tumlinson is a prolific author who has self-published over 70 books. He developed a 30-day author formula to write…
The Importance of the First Chapter with Melanie Hemry
The first chapter of any book is crucial for capturing the reader's interest and keeping them engaged throughout the boo…
Amazon Categories Unraveled: Maximizing Book Discoverability with Lara Bernhardt
Tune into the latest episode of the Writing Momentum podcast with Chris and Gena, featuring the knowledgeable Lara Bernh…
Five Must-Have Black Friday Deals for Writers Revealed
Tune in to the latest episode of the Writing Momentum podcast with Chris and Gena, where they delve into the five must-h…
The Art of Book Launches: A Candid Conversation with Award-Winning Author Henry McLaughlin
In this episode of the Writing Momentum Podcast, Christopher Maselli interviews author Henry McLaughlin as they discuss…
Unlocking Author Power: Embracing the Freedom of Choosing How to Publish
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena are joined by bestselling author William Bernhardt to di…
From Traditional to Self-Publishing: The Changing Landscape of the Publishing Industry
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Chris and Gena chat with Kevin Tumlinson, the voice of indie publ…
Cracking the Code: Understanding Trends in the Writing Market w/ Marisa Corvisiero
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena are joined by Marisa Corvisiero, the founder and CEO of…
Unveiling the Power of Spiritual Themes in Fiction with Laurel Thomas
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena are joined by author Laurel Thomas to discuss incorporat…
From Frustration to Success: How Writers Can Simplify and Streamline Email Marketing
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, hosts Chris and Gena address the frustrations of writer Bridget, who is…
Liz Wilcox: Why Every Author NEEDS a Newsletter
In this episode, Chris and Gena interview Liz Wilcox, an email strategist who helps small businesses and authors build o…
When Should You Sign with an Agent? w/Marisa Corvisiero
In this episode, Chris and Gena interview Marisa Corvisiero, founder and CEO of the Corvisiero Literary Agency. Marisa s…
BATTLE for the Best Style Guide!
Join hosts Chris and Gena in this thought-provoking episode as they engage in a lively discussion about the best style g…
How to Make the Most of a Writer’s Conference
In this dynamic episode, hosts Chris and Gena dive into the world of writer's conferences, sharing invaluable insights o…
How to Get the Most Out of Interviews with Melanie Hemry
In this episode, we’re talking with Melanie Hemry, an award-winning nonfiction writer who specializes in telling real st…
How to Get a Gig Speaking at a Writer’s Conference
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena dive into the topic of securing speaking engagements at…
Overcoming Insecurity for Emerging Writers with Laurel Thomas
In this episode, we’re talking with Laurel Thomas, an award-winning novelist and the founder of Write Your Heart Out. La…
Are You Going to ReaderCon? …with Lara Bernhardt
In this episode, we’re talking with Lara Bernhardt, a novelist and publisher and co-host of WriterCon writers' conferenc…
WriterCon 2023 Preview … with William Bernhardt!
In this episode, we’re talking with William Bernhardt, a novelist with more than 60 books and co-host of WriterCon write…
ALL You Can Write for Children
There are SO MANY things you can write for children! From board books to picture books, from chapter books, to middle gr…
Children’s Book Mastery Summit INCOMING!
It’s that time of year–one of our favorite online summits, the Children’s Book Mastery Summit is coming July 17 – 23, 2…
The 3 People You Need to Publish Your Book
If you’re writing a book, don’t try to do it all alone! When you employ just a few people to help, you’ll find it will c…
WriterCon 2023 First Look (+ Discount Code!)
WriterCon 2023 in Oklahoma City is fast approaching–it’s the best writer’s conference in the Midwest!–and we have a fi…
This May Be the BEST Picture Book Illustration Service – Ever!
Writing a picture book can be hard enough…but now you have to get it illustrated! Thankfully, our friend Karen Ferreria…
Why Your Manuscript Needs Editing FOUR Times
When you write your manuscript, that’s only the start! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena t…
How to CRUSH Your Writing Anxiety
This week, Chris and Gena offer proven strategies to conquer 3 more fears and unleash your creative potential! Overcome…
How to Outsmart Your Writing Fears–and Win
As writers, we face quite a few common fears. But we can outsmart them…and WIN! In this episode of the Writing Momentum…
Writers vs Fear: How to Conquer Your Inner Demons
It’s us as writers versus FEAR…but we can conquer those inner demons! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, C…
The Dark Side of Writing: 3 Fears That Haunt Every Writer
There’s a dark side to writing: Fears that we all face as authors, writers and creators. In this episode of the Writing…
How to Stand Out and WOW Your Editor
You can make your editor’s day! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss their favorite 5…
Speak Up, Writers! How to Make Your Audience LOVE You
Public speaking can be SCARY! But as a modern day author, it’s also a near-necessity. In this podcast from Writing Momen…
Speak Up, Writers! Do Authors Really Need to Be Speakers?
You’re a writer. An author. But do you ALSO have to be a public speaker? In this podcast from Writing Momentum, Chris an…
Three Ways to Improve Your Writing Overnight
We all want to become better writers, but sometimes it can feel like the path to becoming a better writer is a long and…
How to Find & Enjoy Your FAVE Writing Podcast
Podcasts have taken the world by storm! But what exactly are podcasts and how can find a good one? In this episode of th…
How to NEVER Lose Your Manuscript Again
Nothing is more frustrating that losing your hard work to computer errors! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podca…
Three Books EVERY Writer MUST Read
There are a LOT of great books out there…but which ones resonate with you so much that you want to take what you're "l…
Three Movies EVERY Writer MUST See
There are a LOT of great movies out there…but which ones resonate with you so much that you want to take what you're "…
AVOID This Writing TRAP Like the Plague
In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about three traps writers often fall into when writ…
Writing Q&A: Finding Your Writing Community
This week on the Writing Momentum podcast, we're playing our recent live Q&A on Finding Your Writing Community. It's so…
Our Best Kept Email Marketing Secret
This is it! Early on we discovered we can't do this marketing thing alone. It's TOGETHER that we have Writing Momentum!…
Our Biggest Email Fails
We've discovered how important it is to have an email list as an author…but that doesn't mean it's easy to have one! I…
Wow Your Readers: Email Series You MUST Automate!
"Email Automation" is when you create a series of emails that automatically go out, based on something that triggers the…
What to Look for in an Email Service
When it comes to an email marketing service for authors, there are SO MANY choices out there! In this episode of the Wri…
Email for Authors Q&A
Do you need an email list? Do you need a special email app? If so, which one? In this episode of the Writing Momentum po…
Gena’s Tech Stack 2023
Everyone writes differently. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Gena shares the tech and tricks she uses t…
Chris’ Tech Stack 2023
Everyone writes differently. In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris shares the tech and tricks he uses t…
The 3 Best Ways to Publish a Book in 2023
Yes, you can publish your book in 2023! It's easier than ever to make your manuscript available to the public in a polis…
2023 SMART Goals for Writers (Free ebook!)
It's 2023 and there's no better way to start the year than by creating a writing goal…but not just any writing goal…
2022 Takeaways for Writers … and Insights for 2023!
2022 was a great year for writers and authors and it offered some wonderful insights. In this episode of the Writing Mom…
5 HORRIBLE Mistakes Children’s Writers Make
Children's writers are so creative! But some also make some not-so-very-good-actually-horrible mistakes in their writing…
Did You Know You Can Write THIS for Children?!
There are SO MANY great things you can write for children–far beyond what you may realize at first. In this episode of…
Are You Qualified to Write for Children?
Some people think anyone can write children's material…but can they? In this first part of a multi-part series of podc…
How We Start a Productive Writing Day
To give your writing momentum, the best thing you can do is START your day right. In this episode of the Writing Momentu…
Black Friday Deals for Writers
We love DEALS! In this episode of the Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss some of the BEST Black Friday dea…
Collaborating Tips – Writing with Co-Authors, Editors and Agents
Writing isn't a solo venture…especially if you're co-authoring a book, writing a screenplay, working with an editor, o…
Let’s Talk Point of View! (Do You Have One?)
You've heard about "Point of View" and know it's important when writing fiction, but what is it? And why should you care…
Q&A: What If Your Audience is 50+? What Social Media Then?
A couple weeks ago, Chris and Gena ran a podcast series on authors and social media, and shared how many of the social m…
You Forgot to Put This in Your Book!
Every day Chris helps authors get published through Amazon. In doing so, he's seen that there is one key page most write…
Social Stats That’ll Help You Crush the Competition (3/3)
As authors, we need to build a relationship with our audience to succeed. Marketing, after all, is about relationships!…
Let’s Choose the BEST Social Media Platform for You (2/3)
As authors, we need to build a relationship with our audience to succeed. Marketing, after all, is about relationships!…
Common Writing Obstacles: Talent vs Learning
“You’re not a writer. You’re not even published.” My superior at my day job spoke these words many years ago. They were…
Social Media Statistics for Authors That’ll BLOW YOUR MIND (1/3)
As authors, we need to build a relationship with our audience to succeed. Marketing, after all, is about relationships!…
Book Marketing: The Bottom Line
Many authors look at publishing traditionally because they don't know how to market their book…but the truth is, even…
How to Bypass Your Peers and Get OUT of the Slush Pile
Publishers and agents receive THOUSANDS of manuscripts every year…yet only a handful of submissions are published. How…
Our Takeaways from 2022 WriterCon Writer’s Conference
We just returned from the 2022 WriterCon Writer's Conference. It was soooo good! In this Writing Momentum podcast, Chris…
Lead Magnets for Authors
On this week's Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena talk about one of the most essential elements for an author's we…
The App That’s Like Hiring an Entire Social Media Team
On this week's Writing Momentum podcast, Chris and Gena discuss one of their favorite apps for writers: SocialBee. Chris…
You Have a Story to Tell – with Frank Ball
Frank Ball is a master storyteller. The director of the North Texas Christian Writers Conference and founder of Story He…
Writing for the Inspirational Market w/Frank Ball
When it comes to writing for the inspirational market, no one knows it better than Frank Ball. The director of the North…
Common Writing Obstacles: Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the bane of many a writer, even experienced ones. Each story must be perfect or it’s no good. There’s n…
How to Convince the World You’re Right (Writing Persuasively)
Your writing can have MASSIVE influence in other people’s lives! Creating compelling writing that challenges people is a…
5 Foolproof Ways to Find Time to Write
Finding time to write can be difficult when life is slamming you with all its demands. Family, work, church, friends, vo…
Why Every Writer Needs a Brand
“In a Zendesk survey, 87% of consumers said consistent branding across all online and traditional platforms was importan…
Twitter Q&A: Plot or character? Picture book dummies?
Twitter is a great source of questions and answers for writers. In this episode, Chris, Gena, and Rene answer more quest…
Questions about Query Letters … from Twitter
When it’s time to submit your book to an editor or agent, the best place to start is with a query letter. A query letter…
How to Set Up Your Writing Space for Success
Your writing space is important. It’s where you practice your craft and bring your message and story to life. You should…
How to Keep Google Happy with Your Author Newsletter
How does the Internet view your newsletter? Is it marked as spam or quality content? While some of that depends on your…
How to Maximize Your Amazon Author Page
Every author can have their very own author page on Amazon. It's as easy as going to https://author.amazon.com and loggi…
How to Be Seen as an Expert in Your Field
Many people feel “insufficient” to create courses, but the truth is, YOU are an expert! This week, Chris talks about how…
Setting INTENTION as a Writer
Do you need an email list? Do you need a special email app? If so, which one? In this episode of the Writing Momentum po…
How to Write with Intention
Sometimes it’s hard to “get in the flow” when it comes to writing. One of the best ways to enter the flow is to set clea…
Write Faster: The Pomodoro Technique for Writers
One of our favorite techniques for time management in our writing time is using the Pomodoro Technique. In this episode…
Why Accountability Can Help You Write More Often
Chris, Gena and Rene Gutteridge discuss why accountability is so important for writers. We each share what accountabilit…
Birth of a Character, Part 2
Once your character is born, she begins her journey into the story. To follow her on the trek we need use the pieces of…
How WE Find Time to Write – with Rene Gutteridge
Rene Gutteridge joins Chris and Gena to discuss ideas for how writers can find time to write. As busy full-time writers…
Birth of a Character, Part 1
People have asked where my characters come from. My response frequently is, “I don’t know. He just showed up one day and…
Our First Interview: Screenwriter Rene Gutteridge
It’s our first interview on the podcast! Rene Gutteridge is a professional writer with 24 novels published traditionally…
Take Me Back to the Beginning
As you've probably seen and noticed in the last few years, the classic Origin Story has been appearing even more so in b…
7 Tips for Writing an Article for the First Time
A question from Twitter asked us if we had any tips about writing articles, and we deliver! This week on the Writing Mom…
Four Great Benefits I Gained From Writer’s Conferences
When writers ask me what’s the best thing they can do for their writing careers and ambitions, I say just like my early…
How a Writer’s Conference Can BOOST Your Career
Writer's conferences are perhaps the successful writer's best kept secret! They are well worth the cost and can give you…
Chris’ Favorite Method of Finding the BEST Book Storyline…Every Time
Sometimes all you need to write a strong fiction book is a good idea. But what if you could make that good idea GREAT? I…
Why We’re Beginning to LOVE Pinterest
Pinterest is a search engine platform people go to when they’re looking for solutions–and that includes your books! In t…
5 Killer Items to Include in Your Email Newsletter
Last week, Chris and Gena talked about the importance of building a simple newsletter for your audience. This week, they…
Don’t Be Afraid of a Simple Newsletter
Building an email list may be the most powerful tool in any writer’s arsenal – especially independent authors. In this e…
Why You Should Join a Mastermind
Joining a Mastermind for writers, for small businesses, or for entrepreneurs may be just the “secret sauce” you need to…
Finding That Right Word, Part 2
This month, I’m continuing the series on finding the right word. Let me emphasize again this is part of the editing proc…
Do You Need an ISBN? Barcode? ASIN?
Do you need an ISBN? How about a UPC code? And what's an ASIN? On this episode, Chris and Gena talk about the pros and c…
How to Make Time to Write (YOUR Answers)
Recently, we asked listeners to share how they make time to write … and the feedback was very interesting! On this pod…
Q&A: Agent Rejection, Author Websites, And Starting with “And.”
Today on the podcast, Chris and Gena answer questions from listeners and writers on Twitter including: What should a sel…
What We Learned as Authors in 2021 (Branding)
For many people 2021 was a difficult year. For Chris and Gena as writers and entrepreneurs, it held several lessons they…
One of the BEST Ways to Grow as a Writer
We all need to grow as writers, so what are the best ways? In this episode, Chris and Gena talk about one of Gena's favo…
How We TRIPLED Our Email Open Rates
Do you need an email list? Do you need a special email app? If so, which one? In this episode of the Writing Momentum po…
What You Need to Self-publish on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Are you ready to self-publish your book on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing platform? It's easier than you think. In th…
5 Key Components of an Awesome Author Website
Every author website needs key components to make it effective, not only for readers, but also for Google to find and in…
Finding that Right Word, Part 1
It seems to me the more writing I do, the more I find myself looking for the right word, the perfect word to convey what…
4 Ways to DESTROY Writer’s Block – Every Time
Writer's block can plague writers, keeping them from writing their books or building their freelance careers. In this ep…
4 Essential Pillars of a Successful Writing Career
If you want to become a full-time writer, or even just author a book in your spare time, you need to know the four pilla…
It’s About Time
Over the next few blogs, I’ll be exploring some of the most common obstacles every writer faces at least once in their c…
Who Are You Writing For? Identifying Your Audience
This struggle to identify audience is common. Writers often have stories to share and messages to convey, but they find…
As Wise as an Owl Puppet
Sometimes it’s surprising where we find wisdom. One of my most profound life lessons didn’t come from scaling to the top…
Keeping It Straight
One of the greatest challenges writers face is keeping our story material straight and organized. This whacked me upside…
The Investment with the Highest Return
Online courses, YouTube videos, local writing groups, a college Creative Writing course, even an MFA are all worthy inve…
The Lessons a University Can’t Teach
I hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. You might wonder what that has to do with writing. Well, not much. All I can say…
Never Alone
Like most writers, I spend a lot of time alone applying my craft to the stories calling to me. And, like many people, I…
5 Writing Tips to Immediately Elevate Your Novel
Stop writing like you’re directing a movie A common mistake I see is when a writer begins to direct his or her charact…
Being Equipped
God has a will, or a plan, for each of us. Psalm 139:16 (NLT) tells us, You saw me before I was born. Every day of my li…
How to Create a Book Cover Using Stencil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfV4VTbirDI You book needs a GOOD cover. Here's how to use popular services like Stencil…
A New Awakening
I first met Jeremiah several years ago when he was assigned to open and lock up the building we were using for a Write W…
4 Tips for Turning Followers into Fans
Don’t focus on followers; cultivate fans. Or better yet, turn followers into fans. That was the message of a recent soci…
Writing Quotes
Many of us have writing quotes to inspire or nag us. Or to nudge us to keep writing. A few of my favorites include: “If…
Are You the Smartest Writer in the Room?
As writers, we always look for ways to improve our writing and writing business. We never want to rest on what we’ve alw…
Q & A: Are hybrid publishing services worth the money?
Good question, Maria! Let’s look at the three most common types of publishing: If the company you're hearing from is leg…
The Easiest Way to Create Graphics & Book Covers (Stencil Review)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRgcIowZxoE Do you ever need great graphics for social media or even ebook covers, but d…
Getting It Together: Tips & Tricks to Write Like a Pro
Being a freelance writer can have its perks and its pitfalls. I have the freedom to go to lunches and throw laundry on d…
Discouragement Is a Choice
One given in the writing world is we will get discouraged. An area where I’ve been discouraged is when a story doesn’t…
A Critique from My Tech Geek
A Critique from My Tech Geek At ten years old, I put my Easy Bake oven to rest when I discovered my mother’s Kenmore sew…
Q & A: My Book is Finished. Now What?
James, what a great question! A lot of writers—both nonfiction and fiction—wonder what to do when their book is finished…
Q & A: How to Overcome Writer’s Block?
Want to learn how to overcome writer's block? Chris and Gena share three tips for helping any writer conquer it.
Dreams and Plans
2021. A year many of us longed for as 2020 dragged on and on and on. Now it’s here, and I suspect some of us are not all…
The Surefire Cure for a Lack of Self-Discipline
Writers must be disciplined. The world begs for our attention and—let’s face it—at any given moment, anything can be mor…
Fulfill Your Writing Dream: Pay Yourself First
“Pay yourself first.” That was the financial planner’s advice. My husband and I were tuning in to a virtual conference a…
How to Manufacture Self-Discipline to Write
I’ve always wanted to be a self-disciplined writer. You know – one of those people who get up every morning at 5:00 a.m…
FOCUS
I asked my daughter Ali how she saw self-discipline operating in my writing life since she was along for the ride, and h…
Refocus Beyond the Obstacle
I still remember the spring day years ago when I pulled up to the equestrian center where we boarded our flashy Belgian…
Make Adverbs Work for You
Adverbs play an important role in the English language, but when are they appropriate and when should they be edited out…
The Self-control Challenge
How would you feel if you were assigned to write a blog about self-discipline? Me? I’m thinking about chocolate right no…
Two Easy Ways to Build Your Writing Career in 2021
Are you a writer who's ready to build your writing career in 2021? Here are two ways that have helped award-winning auth…
Time to Refocus
As you know from previous posts, I have a heart condition. A serious one. And sometimes it’s tempting to give in to it…
Breakthrough
Over the last couple of years, I’ve been working on battling the spirit of fear in my life. Besides the physical feeling…
What Would You Have Me Do?
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis As Al Borland used to say on the first…
How to Write What You Want
You’ll hear a lot of good advice at writer’s conferences. One of those pieces of advice is that to be a professional wr…
It’s All About Trust
The first time I heard Larry Parman, an attorney specializing in estate planning speak at a conference, I knew I would u…
What Would You Attempt if You Knew You Could Not Fail?
My 10-year-old granddaughter Haiden spent the weekend with me not long ago. She had disobeyed her mother. It wasn’t a sm…
Reading: The Creative Center of a Writer’s Life
Above is a concept that Stephen King discussed in his excellent book On Writing, and it’s true as true can be. So in thi…
The Blessings of Being a Writer
Yes, dear writer, hard as it is to believe sometimes, there are blessings to being a writer. And they go beyond multi-bo…
The Cover/Title Combo that Sells Books
Last time, I discussed various approaches to getting people to read your books. I mean, sure, writing is fun and all, bu…
Writing Amidst Changing Times
It was an extraordinary statement among all the startling statements I’d been listening to over the last few weeks. You’…
The Voice of You
Writing is a craft, a tool that has helped us translate the human soul and communicate with one another since the beginn…
Why Writer’s Retreats are Essential
I went to my first writer’s retreat with a proposal I wanted to finish. First off, let me say this: the word retreat is…
Believe in Yourself
If I could give new writers any advice, it would be to believe in yourself. I didn’t, and it cost me decades of time I c…
What Happens When Writers Get Together
Recently I remembered a pivotal moment that occurred at a small writer’s gathering I attended in my early, fledgling wri…
How Does Creativity Enrich Your Life?
Life would be incredibly boring and honestly, quite sad, if we did not feel memories and milestones with some kind of wa…
Lord, Your Servant is Listening
One of the things I’ve noticed about growing older is that I don’t sleep as well as I used to. I wake up to use the faci…
How to Hit Your Word Count Without Losing Your Mind
For many writers, the thought of writing a full-length novel seems amazing. They’ve had the story in their mind for yea…
The Future of Writing in 2020–and Beyond
Making predictions about what will happen in the future is a dangerous game, and if I were smarter, I probably wouldn’t…
Your Third Career
In the spring of 2017, I faced the possibility I might not live to see my 70th birthday. I was in the cardiac ICU in a h…
Revelations for 2020
Sometimes there’s a blog that sort of grabs you out of nowhere, speaks to you in a certain place in your writing journey…
Paralyzed by Fear
If you’re a sports fan, you may recognize the name Ted Winsley. He’s best known as the chaplain for the Philadelphia Eag…
Never Too Late
I remember the day I heard Geena Davis, the actress, was vying for a semi-finals spot in archery for the 2000 Olympics…
Finding Creative Inspiration in the Darkness
Finding creativity in the mass of depression is like trying to find the wind for your sails in the middle of the ocean…
Writing What We Don’t Know
While researching my book on the Moore tornado of 2013, I came across the story of a man who instantly intrigued me. His…
How to Review a Review
When you first get published, peers will tell you, “Don’t read your reviews.” We nod, completely understanding how distr…
Broken Things: An Approach to First Drafts
I have a bizarre relationship with new things. Maybe you can identify with it. I can’t seem to own them very long before…
The Art of Accepting Rejection
For those of you who love a good horror story, fasten your seatbelts. You’re about to hear a doozy. I must warn you, th…
5 Tips for Making the Most of Your Writing Conference
I distinctly remember the first conference I ever went to. I still to this day don’t know how I got the mailing list, b…
Back to the Basics
In July 1961, Vince Lombardi stood before the Green Bay Packers football team on the first day of the summer training ca…
3 Reasons You Need Beta Readers
In recent years, you’ve probably heard a lot of people talking about their beta readers, that is, people they send their…
Flipping the Script
On January 15th, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 departed from LaGuardia airport. In the climb out after takeoff, the plan…
10 Action Points from High Performance Academy 2019
Gena and I took a lot away from High Performance Academy with Brendon Burchard this past week—an unforgettable 4 days de…
10 Key Takeaways from High Performance Academy 2019
We just returned to home after a highly energetic and motivating 4 days at High Performance Academy with Brendon Burchar…
Setting Up My Book Lead Magnets (SPF Journal)
Today it's all about Lead Magnets. I'm four days into my deep dive into Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula in an atte…
It’s Time to Speak Up and Write
Growing up as an energetic chatty young girl, I think I drove my dad crazy. I pestered him with a million questions. Wit…
Adjusting My Website for Book Sales (SPF Journal)
As mentioned in my last post, I’m working my way through Mark Dawson’s Self Publishing Formula in an attempt to boost my…
My One Month Deep Dive Into Self-Publishing (A Journal)
Today I started what promises to be a month long deep dive into self-publishing, Amazon ads and the KDP platform. While…
Making a Good Book Great
“But editing is hard work!” a new writer complained when I suggested she might need some help editing after I read her f…
Finding a Writing Community
I pulled onto the Turner Turnpike and merged with traffic heading from Oklahoma City to Tulsa. Beside me, Cheri Fuller w…
The Blasted Book Description
Ever tried to describe your own book? Chances are you have, and chances are you found it a difficult and unpleasant expe…
Here’s Why You Can’t Give Up
Recently I walked into my usual coffee house and was looking for a place to sit and work when a woman recognized me and…
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Writers
Search Engine Optimization. The words just roll of the tongue, don’t they? SEO is the kind of term that has writers runn…
How to Build Confidence in Your Voice
A speech impediment plagued my five-year old self. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t pronounce my name. The letter…
Trauma in Fiction: Writing Realistic Traumatic Events from Your Character’s POV
If you were to ask me to describe the Oklahoma City bombing to you, I’d be able to give you a very accurate picture of w…
The Community of Criticism and Construction
A little while ago I blogged about the things I wish I’d known when I started writing. Now I’d like to unpack each one…
Should I Bother With NaNoWriMo?
I'm sure you're all familiar with NaNoWriMo, which has become the best-known writing event in the nation. People all acr…
When There Is No Applause
Even though she’d lived through the horrors of war and the Nazi occupation, by her teens Audrey Hepburn was an accomplis…
My Top Five Mistakes as a New Novelist
Here’s a brief history of how I decided to become a writer: I was in college and, forced to declare a major, I decided t…
We’re Writers. What’s your Superpower?
It's turning into a no-excuses sort of year. Not because I haven't had plenty of excuses, but because, no matter what th…
The Worst Rejection in History
In 1968, composer Alex North walked into the New York City premiere of the latest film he had been commissioned to score…
My Guideposts Workshop Experience
Winning the Guideposts contest has been a dream of mine for at least a decade. I’ve made several submissions and have al…
A Writer’s Palette
Summer heat crept through narrow slits around our front door. The cracked tile on one end of the foyer drew my eyes up t…
Why Details Matter and How to Get Them Right
On December 11th, 1998, NASA launched a space probe called the Mars Climate Orbiter. All was going well with this space…
STORMING
At the mouth of the Catatumbo River, where it meets Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo, a weather phenomenon occurs that is so p…
The Bravest Thing I Ever Did
On a dreary fall day almost ten years ago, I drove through my neighborhood to pick my kids up at the corner where the sc…
Finding Time To Write in the Midst of a Busy Life
A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.—E.B. White Over th…
The Great Adverb Debate
I attended a national writer’s conference a few years ago and crowded into a packed audience to hear one of the top edit…
Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Writing
I’ve written news copy for more than two decades and print articles since 2005. Then in 2011 I decided to try fiction. I…
WOOP Is the Scientifically-proven Way to Get Your Novel Written
If you've ever set a New Year's resolution only to have missed it by January 2, I'm right there with you. "This year I'm…
Hide It Under a Bushel?
When I first started writing I had no idea how important it was to build a platform. To be honest I didn’t even know wha…
Rebuttal: Why Authors SHOULD Use Social Media
This morning an article showed up in my Facebook feed: Why Authors Should NOT Use Social Media. And I get it. It comes f…
Searching for Hidden Treasure
Have you ever written a fabulous scene, section or chapter that made you feel like you should win the Pulitzer Prize? Oh…
Sing the Protagonist Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRTYBPBKLow Every story needs a good hero. The flawed one we love to root for. The one w…
Make Way for Freelancers
When I began the journey to become a working writer, I took a freelance writing course taught by Kathryn Fanning at the…
5 Surprising Benefits of Attending a Writing Conference
Whether you’re an accomplished writer or new to the writing world, if you’re considering attending a writing conference…
Looking Ahead to 2018–and Beyond
Writing about Hollywood, William Goldman famously said, "Nobody knows anything." I feel much the same about publishing…
Defining the Indefinable: Quality-and Magic-in Fiction
Sometimes, quality is hard to define. For example, in Super Bowl XLVIII (that would be 48 for the Roman-numeral-challeng…
The Gift of Opportunity
I was twenty-two years old when I took a part-time job with First United Methodist in downtown Oklahoma City doing somet…
“This story came straight from God.”
For the first time in my editing career, I walked away from a client I'd agreed to work with. He was a very nice man, lo…
Open Doors
I took a circuitous route to my writing career. A registered nurse, I worked as the clinical supervisor of the coronary…
The Cure for Writer’s Block
Is there anything worse than staring at a blank screen and not knowing what to type? Whether you're a Pantser or Plotter…
A Platform
One night in 2009 on Britain’s Got Talent, a little woman walked on stage, hairy eyebrows and a saucy attitude. Nervous…
The Writing Tree
The call to write is both a blessing and a burden. Not many understand the labor and longsuffering it requires. The pers…
Free Image Sites Writers Will Love
Writers don’t need pictures that speak 1000 words, we need pictures that draw attention to the words we have written. Fi…
Taking Point of View Deeper
Most of the new authors I work with struggle with writing from deep point of view. Mastering POV is essential for fictio…
Preparing Your Space to Write
How do you prepare your writing space? This was the question posed to the 2017 Write Well Sell Well non-fiction panel. A…
A Villain’s Bio
Big and hairy, green teeth dripping with goo. You get the idea. It’s a villain. No matter what he, she or it looks like…
Whose Viewpoint Are You Writing In?
Viewpoint is an ongoing source of concern for writers. When I edit manuscripts, I comment on viewpoint problems more tha…
Should You Publish Your Book?
When I teach my novel writing classes what do you think is one of the first questions I’m asked after they realize I’m a…
It’s Not Rocket Science
“It’s not rocket science,” I said to a small group of hopeful people who wanted to become published authors. It was the…
Dear White Page
Dear White Page, I’m writing you this letter because it seems appropriate and sort of proves a point I’m going to make l…
The Language of the Heart
I read an article not long ago that captured my attention and hasn’t let go. It was written by a pastor frustrated by th…
How Can You Tell If You’re Really a Writer?
You may not even realize it yet, but you're already a writer. The simple fact that you've picked up pen and paper-okay…
A Plan
I got serious about writing five years ago. That was the first step. I needed tools that would keep me going in a career…
The Road to Writing a Book: Pantster vs Plotter
After two decades of writing news copy for radio and more than ten years writing for an aviation magazine, I listened to…
13 Ways to Challenge Yourself as a Writer in 2018
Last year at the 2017 Write Well, Sell Well conference I made a decision to challenge myself as a writer. Like many, I h…
How to Write When the Inspiration Hits–No Matter Where You Are
It happens all the time. I set aside time to write but nothing comes. I sit at my desk and glare at the screen, wonderin…
That Time 7000 of Your Sheep Got Struck by Lightning
Rejection is a part of writing. Every time I attend a writer’s conference I hear that. Usually on the first day. Usually…
Why I Spend $4 a Day for Office Space
Listen, it’s true. There are some writer perks. Long before there were virtual offices and remote working environments…
Active vs. Passive Writing
I see it all the time. A teen or new writer has talent. Real talent for story telling. Story structure comes naturally t…
5 Common, BIG Mistakes Writers Make on Their Facebook Pages–and How to Fix Them
We set up our author/writer/speaker Facebook page as we have been advised to do repeatedly by agents, successful writers…
The Secret Life of Books
Have you ever wondered why some things you read move you beyond words and others fall flat? Both are well written. Both…
10 Steps to Punchier Dialog
I’ve heard publishing professionals say that when they want to know if a prospective fiction client can write, they flip…
A Beginning
All stories have a beginning. A good one sets the tone of the story to come. It attracts the reader to a protagonist who…
A Writer’s Conference Can Change Your Life
Why are we passionate about writer's conferences? At my first writer’s conference at University of Oklahoma, I met Kathr…
Have a story idea? Whatever you do, don’t do THIS…
You've seen images like those above all over Pinterest. Or other social media outlets…giant "word lists" as I call the…
Interview on Writers & Authors on Fire Podcast
Want to hear a bit about how I come up with ideas and write my books? Check out the newest Writers and Authors on Fire p…
What Age Are Your Books Written For? [Reader Question]
"What age are your books written for?" I get this question quite often, and the answer is both easy and difficult. The e…
Smashing Through Writer’s Block (Writing Tips)
I don’t believe in writer’s block. I know that sounds like heresy, but I don’t. Are there days I just cannot write, not…
Pay It Forward [Live-blogging the DFW Writer’s Conference]
Young adult fiction writer Jamie Harrington talked at the DFW Writer’s Conference about Paying It Forward. Here are some…
Ask the Agents [Live-blogging DFW Writer’s Conference]
As I’ve been looking for an agent with a good fit lately, I’ve enjoyed participating in agent panels. Here are the answe…
Engaging with Social Media
Here’s more concerning my “Social Media Manifesto.” In my last entry, I talked about Expanding with Social Media. Before…
Evolving with Social Media
Over the past year, I’ve been learning a lot about social media and how to use it to declare your brand to the world. Ov…
Allow God to Multiply Your Freelance Efforts [Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorem]
Jump>> Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 This video in Dave Ramsey's "Momentum Theorem" series focuses on how o…
Build Intensity Into Your Writing Life [Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorem]
Jump>> Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 This video in Dave Ramsey's "Momentum Theorem" series focuses on inten…
Get Your Writing Focused! [Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorem]
Jump>> Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 This video in Dave Ramsey's "Momentum Theorem" series is the one where…
Do You Have Writing Momentum? [Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorum]
Jump>> Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5 Dave Ramsey's "Momentum Theorem" has lit a fire under me as a children…
Dave Ramsey’s Momentum Theorem
Financial expert Dave Ramsey is best known for his call-in talk shows on the radio and on FOX Business Network. Over the…
Nothing matches that search yet. Try a shorter word, or pick Everything.
The book
The Writing Momentum Method
How to finish the book you keep starting — the whole approach behind everything in this area.
Coming soonThe membership
Learn it, then write it — together.
Live co-writing every week, feedback sessions twice a month, help with your tech, and 15 video courses. 14 days free.
See the membership
“Stop right here and subscribe to this podcast if you want to learn about writing, marketing and creating a great writer website — and also just need to be encouraged and feel happy!”
“Chris and Gena share such valuable information for writers. They teach practical methods and cover all aspects of the writing process. A must listen for all aspiring writers.”
“I love listening to Chris and Gena talk about writing. The experience and knowledge they bring to the table makes you feel like you can accomplish your goals in writing. Thank you both so much!”
Podcast guests include Kevin Tumlinson, CEO of BookSweeps; novelist William Bernhardt and Lara Bernhardt; literary agent Marisa Corvisiero; Henry McLaughlin; and Liz Wilcox.