April 21, 2020   Note From Rochelle     Dear Writers, This week, I’m bringing back Write Now! Wednesdays, an almost weekly feature highlighting writing craft and exercises. Tomorrow’s post features the poet Erik Fuhrer and his article “Writing Poetry During the Pandemic.” If you have an idea for a post, message me on Twitter....Read More

June 28, 2016   Note From Rochelle   Dear Writers, As summer gets into full swing, it’s time once again for the summer reading list. But first, I have a few hints on how you can make time to read. And, at the end of a post, you’ll have a chance to win one of...Read More

18 August 2015 Note From Rochelle Dear Writers, I’m delighted to be back in the office! But, as you may guess, when I opened my email—there were hundreds of messages waiting for my attention. If you sent one of them, don’t fret—I’ll be in touch with you soon! Today I have a special treat for...Read More

21 July 2015 Note From Rochelle Dear Writers, This past spring, I attended the Wisconsin Romance Writers of America conference. I loved it, and I learned a lot. Wisconsin author Amy Reichert presented a helpful talk on revision. Her debut novel—The Coincidence of Coconut Cake—was released today! She’s here to talk about how using food in fiction...Read More

Note From Rochelle Dear Writers, Last fall, I had the privilege of attending Mystery Writers of America MWA University. While there, I heard Hallie Ephron speak about Dramatic Structure and Plotting—which changed the way I think about writing fiction. I’ve invited her to the blog to talk about one small aspect of plotting—how to juggle...Read More

Welcome, writers! In today’s edition of Writers Read, Patrick S. Lafferty writes about novels with strong voices. Speaking of strong voices—check out Lafferty’s novel Anno Domina. In the book, the newly elected governor of Arizona must decide whether or not to stay the execution of a heretical cult leader. His ultra-conservative constituency wants her dead but...Read More

Happy Friday and Happy Fall! Today author Jocelyn Koehler writes about books for Fall (and ooh, what delicious choices!) In addition, she’s giving away three ecopies of her spectacular book of fairy tales, The Way Through the Woods. Check out the instructions below her bio to enter. The contest runs through next Thursday at midnight!...Read More

When I read this post last Friday, I went right out to the library and got one of the books. Now don’t be thinking I was hoping for a good cry. I was just hoping for a great book. (Though, I ended up with both.) Sarah Lange has a way of describing books that brings...Read More

Welcome to Friday and our new series, Writers Read. Congratulations to Barbara Bruneau who won a copy of Bob Sitze’s book on hope. Today’s guest blogger is my friend and colleague, Maggie Lux Cumings. She blogs at Never Done It That Way Before and stopped by our blog to recommend Witch and Wizard Fantasy Novels....Read More

When I write fiction, I tend to give characters the jobs that I’d like to have. As an author, I often think about working as a professor, librarian or bookseller. But lately, I’ve been thinking it would be fun to give a character one of my fantasy jobs—you know, the stuff you could never-in-a-million-years do...Read More