Gifts for grammar lovers

Looking for the perfect little something for your editor, or the amazing crit partner who catches every last mistake? Never fear, the grammarian gift guide is here! Let...

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It began with a girl and a guitar (with Michelle D. Argyle)

How Out of Tune Has Changed My Writing Life by Michelle D. Argyle I first developed the idea for Out of Tune last November (2012). I’ve always wanted to write a book about a...

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Pour, pull, or prevail? Using rain, rein, and reign

Today we're tackling a set of fraternal triplets of language, the homophones rain, rein, and reign. Once again, I'll provide a definition, examples and mnemonic tricks to help...

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Now what? Four key strategies for getting unstuck

image credit: wikihow.com Maybe you're coming down off the high of "winning" NaNo, or you tried and gave up, or you're just doing the usual ___ words-per-day, and suddenly...

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Making space for a happier holiday season

I can't be the only one whose weekends are often full of chores, chores, a tiny bit of fun, and more chores. There ought to be a way to get out from under the weekly press of...

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Fundless, flowing or fixated: Using poor, pour, and pore

In this week's edition of Phonics Friday, we'll be tackling a trio of sound-alike words, all pronounced pȯr. We'll look at definitions, see the terms used in context, and...

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A little bit country...

It's launch day for Michelle Davidson Argyle's Out of Tune, a New Adult novel about the country music business. Michelle will be back next month to talk writing with us, but for...

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How I Create Characters

by Crystal Collier author of Moonless One of my earliest memories was of snuggling up in my blankets, leaning on my pillow, and listening with rapt attention as my oldest...

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DNF: Top ten reasons I stop reading

I admit it. I'm starting to give up on books more often than I used to. A wise friend of mine has a rule of thumb about finishing books: "if you're under 30, give every book 100...

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In the dining room, stockroom, or art room? Using palate, pallet, and palette

It's Phonics Friday once again, and today we'll be tackling a trio of sound-alike nouns, all pronounced pal-it, that are used in quite different contexts. Let's take a look at...

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Tips for handling numbers in fiction

We all know where to turn for help with writing words correctly in our stories--a dictionary. But how about numbers? How you should write time? 5 o'clock or 5:00 pm? And do you...

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What's next

Curious about what I've been up to in my creative life? Today I talk about my current project, what sets this story apart, why certain themes emerge in my work, and how I write. This...

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Social media for the pre-published

Last week I gave an informal presentation on using Goodreads and Twitter to a handful of my critique group members--all Gen X and Baby Boomers. Most of them tend to think of book...

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An essential question to keep asking your character

A phrase popularly associated with psychotherapy might be one of the best tools to developing a character your readers will consistently engage with. Keep it at the ready, especially...

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It's here!

Never Gone has a new cover! Additionally, the paperback interior has been redesigned and includes an interior illustration (which I hope will be viewable on Amazon soon.) Dani’s...

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Body Image: Transforming Your Reflection

By Tessa Emily Hall author of Purple Moon Like many teenage girls today, my protagonist, Selena, doesn’t have a very high self-esteem. She’s never been called beautiful,...

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