Dystopian romance is a genre that’s all about love forged under systemic pressure — authoritarian rule, surveillance, scarcity, or engineered inequality — where intimacy becomes both a refuge and a rebellion. In this area, relationships are never “just” a love story; they’re often entangled with power, ethics, and survival. When done right, dystopian romance deliversContinue reading “Dystopian Romance: A Clear Definition, Key Tropes, and a Fresh Case Study”
Category Archives: Writing Advice
Chekhov’s Gun and the Thigh Touch Heard ’Round the World
They say Chekhov’s gun is simple: if you hang a rifle on the wall in Act I, it better go off by Act III. Every little detail that goes into a well-built story should be about more than just vibes — it should serve a purpose. Sometimes it’s a thigh graze in a car. SometimesContinue reading “Chekhov’s Gun and the Thigh Touch Heard ’Round the World”
AI for Authors: How To Use It and Why It’s Not Coming After Your Job
Alright, I’m going to get controversial. Generative AI sucks in terms of what we can create by hand, and we can all agree on that. Using it for character art or language generation is ethically problematic, and the results? Glaringly unpleasant. But I’ve seen many authors wholly condemn AI in general, and this is whereContinue reading “AI for Authors: How To Use It and Why It’s Not Coming After Your Job”
From Clunky to Captivating: How to Write Snappy, Authentic Dialogue
When dialogue works, it pulls readers in, deepens characters, reveals emotion, and keeps the pace movin’ steadily. But when it doesn’t? Dialogue can feel like speed bumps… awkward, stiff, and an annoying part of a reader’s journey. As a copywriter, corp comms girly, and now-retired journalist, I’ve been writing for my entire professional career, andContinue reading “From Clunky to Captivating: How to Write Snappy, Authentic Dialogue”
Self-Insert Characters & Writing the Best Story You Can
Like many other bookworms, my love of literature was once incentivized by ice cream and pizza parties. Back in elementary school (and, more specifically, before A Series of Unfortunate Events caught my interest when I was in second grade), I’d read the same books over and over – I encountered too many simple stories thatContinue reading “Self-Insert Characters & Writing the Best Story You Can”
Exploring Foils as Storytelling Tools
When I first started writing the Industrialized series, the creation of this vast world started with one specific character: Saida Merymut. Though she’s a minor character in the primary duology, she is the main character in my current WIP – a dystopian romance that explores the intersection of love and war. All’s fair in loveContinue reading “Exploring Foils as Storytelling Tools”
How To Change a Cover on Goodreads: A Step-By-Step Guide
One of the best parts of self-publishing is the ability to control your brand. And one of the more frustrating aspects of self-publishing is navigating platforms like Goodreads, where a great deal of your control is sacrificed to keep control with the Goodreads Librarians. Even simple things like how to change a cover on GoodreadsContinue reading “How To Change a Cover on Goodreads: A Step-By-Step Guide”
How to Write a Denouement: A Guide for Authors
If you’ve never heard of a denouement, you’ve probably never read A Series of Unfortunate Events. The Hotel Denouement was my first encounter with this concept, but to this day, I can’t say I’ve encountered the word in any English class. However, you know what it is – the final part of a narrative whereContinue reading “How to Write a Denouement: A Guide for Authors”
The Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing: Everything You Need to Know
Are you an aspiring author ready to make your mark in the literary world? Self-publishing may be the route for you! In this guide, I’ll provide tips, discuss different angles you’ll want to consider, and set you up with everything you need to know to successfully navigate the self-publishing journey. From writing and editing tipsContinue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing: Everything You Need to Know”
How To Write an Unforgettable Inciting Incident
The inciting incident sets the stage for a captivating story, igniting the spark that propels readers into a world of suspense, adventure, or intrigue. As a novelist, a well-crafted inciting incident is crucial for capturing your audience’s attention and setting the tone of the adventure that’s about to unfold. In essence, the inciting incident servesContinue reading “How To Write an Unforgettable Inciting Incident”