Get to know our newest author, Wendy Hazlett. She wrote Sonny Learns to Snow . Hear about her life, writing, and journey to publishing! Tell us a little bit about yourself. I am blessed beyond words with a wonderful husband, fabulous kids, and a super church family! I was born the second of four children to a working-class family in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Venango County had already seen the oil industry come and go by the time I was growing up, but its legacy lingered in

A story is only as strong as its villain. Think about it, would Harry Potter be as compelling without Voldemort? Would The Dark Knight hit as hard without the Joker? A weak antagonist doesn’t just make for a forgettable character; it drains tension from your entire story . Readers want a villain who challenges the hero, shakes them to their core, and, maybe, makes them question whose side they’re really on. Let’s talk about how to build a villain that lingers in your reader

A great plot might keep readers turning pages, but it’s the characters that make a story unforgettable. Readers don’t just want to watch events unfold—they want to feel something, to root for (or against) a character who evolves throughout the story. That’s where character arcs come in. A strong character arc transforms a protagonist from who they are at the beginning of the story to who they become by the end. But not all arcs are the same. Let’s break it down. The Differe

Dialogue is the heartbeat of a story. It reveals character, drives the plot, and immerses readers in your world. But writing dialogue that feels natural yet engaging is a tricky balancing act. Done well, it makes characters come alive; done poorly, it can make them feel robotic or unrealistic. So, let’s break down the do’s and don’ts of writing compelling dialogue. Do: Make Dialogue Sound Realistic Without Being Boring Realistic dialogue doesn’t mean transcribing everyday con

How do you make readers feel like they're inside your story? With a great setting! A great setting is more than just a backdrop, it’s a character in its own right . Whether you’re crafting a sprawling fantasy world, a small-town mystery, or a heart-pounding thriller, your setting should immerse readers, making them feel like they’ve stepped inside the story. But how do you bring your setting to life without overwhelming your reader with endless descriptions? Let’s dive into t

To help you succeed with Novel November, we'll be focusing our blogs on writing craft and fiction elements all month long! So let's dive in! World building is the foundation of any immersive story, whether you’re crafting a high-stakes thriller, a sprawling fantasy, or a dystopian future. But even the most creative worlds can fall flat if they suffer from common world building mistakes. A well-built world should feel alive , with its own logic, depth, and personality. So, let