by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28 “What is the felt need of your target audience?” I heard that question again and again at writers’ conferences. “Know what the felt need is, and write about it.” Great advice. But the phrase “felt need” seemed fuzzy in my brain. What exactly is it, and…

by Ane Mulligan  @AneMulligan Brand and voice. Two words tossed about the industry with regularity. Yet, what are they actually, and how do you go about finding your voice and establish a brand? Finding Voice When I read Finding Your Voice, by Les Edgerton, a light bulb turned on for…

By Aaron Gansky @ADGansky You hear writers often mention the “fictive dream.” John Gardner called it a “vivid and continuous dream.” It’s a term used to describe a simple principle: no one wants to read a book. There, I said it. Man, it feels good to get that off my…

by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed.D. @khutch0767 Recently, I set a timer in thirty-minute increments to begin an edit I was absolutely dreading. Three hours later I’d also rewarded myself with a pile of snacks, a hot cup of tea, music, and the promise of an epic Hallmark binge. We each have tactics…

By Larry Leech @LarryJLeechII My son recently got me hooked on a game that pits two factions of ships against each other in a cosmic battle. I love games that involve strategy. This one features that, as well as quick thinking and more options than I can wrap my mind…

by Lynn Blackburn @LynnHBlackburn  Holiday writing can be tough. Okay, that’s a huge understatement. Holiday writing can be BRUTAL. There. That’s more accurate. As someone who has been on a deadline every holiday season for the past four years, let me share some words of wisdom for those of you who…