Recommended Reading I shiver, remembering the opening line of the first of Julia Spencer-Fleming’s Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne’s mysteries (In the Bleak Midwinter): “It was a helluva night to throw away a baby.”  Bone-chilling cold and the lakes and forests of the Adirondacks are the backdrop. The story was a riveting page turner, a mystery...Read More

28 January 2020     Note From Rochelle     Dear Writers,   How are you doing with your resolutions? If you’re procrastinating—and who isn’t?—you might find help at my workshop: Procrastination Proof Your Writing Life. I will be teaching it again in Monday, February 3 at 5:00 PM CT. And here’s the exciting bit:...Read More

January 30 , 2018   Note From Rochelle Dear Readers, Have you had a bad experience with a critique group? I certainly have. That’s why I created the Write Now! Coach critique group. I wanted to offer a safe space for writers to receive helpful feedback, stay on track, and get support to move forward...Read More

August 30, 2016   Note From Rochelle   Dear Writers,   Greetings! Big news! Registration is open for my Write-A-Thon Book Coaching Program. This course will give you the opportunity to learn how to write a nonfiction book AND get the support you need to do it! There are only a limited number of spaces...Read More

July 26, 2016    Note From Rochelle   Dear Writers, I’m on my annual social media sabbatical. Today’s tip returns to my #WritersRead series with recommendations about mystery series! Happy Writing (and Reading)! Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach   #WritersRead: Love Inspector Gamache? Read these Mysteries While Waiting for A Great Reckoning  By Rochelle Melander...Read More

July 19, 2016   Note From Rochelle   Dear Writers, I’m on my annual social media sabbatical. Today’s tip is about how books transform lives. It’s a good thing to remember—especially since we write the books the whole world reads! Happy Writing! Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach     #WritersRead: Books Transform Lives by Rochelle...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

30 June 2015 Note From Rochelle Dear Writers, Can you believe it’s almost the 4th of July? My usual celebration includes my porch, a stack of books, and a glass of wine. But this year, I promised my daughter I’d celebrate by taking her to an Ed Sheeran concert followed by fireworks at the lake....Read More

I grew up on fantasy novels like L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Just a few weeks ago, I cozied up with Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (amazing!). This post reminds me that it might be time for me to delve into some grown-up fantasy...Read More

I met Jodell Sadler last fall at the Wisconsin SCBWI conference—and loved her amazing presentation on pacing in picture books. She’s here today to talk about five great reads for middle grade and young adult readers (and those of us who refuse to grow up). If you want to write for this audience, read on....Read More