Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Want to know the most important (and often overlooked) aspect of a website?

Cue the suspenseful music…

Collecting email addresses from your visitors.

That’s right, it’s not the glossy photos or the latest design trends.

In the wild world of marketing, email addresses are the shiny bars of gold.

That’s why EVERY homepage should have a strategy for collecting info from interested readers/customers/clients.

With an email database, you can stay connected with your audience without worrying about the ever-changing algorithms of social media.

cough Zuckerberg cough

But wait, how do you convince someone to hand over their precious email?

Simple. Offer them something irresistible in return.

Maybe it’s:

• A PDF

• A short story

• A coupon

• Free shipping

• Or even better, an 8x10 glossy of you in a velvet smoking jacket holding a glass of wine

Whatever it is, think about your target audience. And try to make them say, “Whoa, that’s cool.”

Now offer that for free.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”

— Tom Fishburne

“When you give something away for nothing, you look nice. When that something is valuable, you look authoritative and trustworthy. Win-win. Freebies help your audience trust you as an expert in your field.”

— Elise Darma

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3 Writing Questions

1. What's the most enticing freebie you've ever been offered in exchange for your email address?

2. What's the ideal way for a website to promote a freebie offer without being too pushy or intrusive?

3. Can you think of any websites that offer unique freebies?

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HAVE YOU GOT MY NEW BOOK?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

Think Narnia with gears and goggles… YA fantasy meets steampunk.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Ever thought about a character’s first line? 

It’s their initial handshake… firm and confident. Or soft and fishy.

A few reasons to give red-carpet treatment to debut lines:

• Impressions Matter
  Just like a first date or job interview, opening words set the tone. 

• Hook ‘Em Fast
  A great line can be the difference between a reader thinking, “Meh” or “More, please!” 

• Show, Don’t Tell (The Golden Rule)
  Instead of saying “Jane was sarcastic,” have her early dialogue drip with delicious sarcasm.

• Reflect Their World
  Sneak in a hint at the character’s background, social status, or setting.

Fun Exercise: Try writing five different first lines for your main characters. Which one makes you go, “Yep, that’s them!”? 

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Well-crafted dialogue will indicate if a character is smart or dumb, honest or dishonest, amusing or an old sobersides. ”

— Stephen King

“Diction in dialogue is about so much more than the ideas your characters communicate. It’s a tool for revealing who they are, what they want, and how they feel.”

— Abi Wurdeman

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3 Writing Questions

1. Can you think of examples from books or movies where the first line left a strong impression on you?

2. How can the first line of a character contribute to their overall development throughout the story?

3. What makes a first line memorable?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Ever watched the old Batman TV show? 

Whenever the Dynamic Duo got stuck in a life-or-death bind, somehow they found a way out with their Batweapons. 

A Batarang, anyone? How ‘bout the Batknife? Or even better yet, maybe the shark repellent Batspray (true, look it up).

As a writer, sometimes you’ll write yourself into a corner. Yes, one of those dreaded dead ends where all creativity goes to die.

Take a breath and think good thoughts. You’re gonna live through it because you have access to some amazing writer “Batweapons.” 

Here are a few:

Change the POV
Switch the perspective to another character. 

Write a dialogue-only scene
Focus solely on conversations. 

Work backward
Start from the end of the scene and work your way backward. 

Set a timer
Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes and write non-stop. 

Skip ahead
Move on to the next chapter that you’re excited about writing. 

Change the setting
If the scene feels stale, switch up the location or time of day. 

Start some conflict
Conflict is what makes people turn pages. 

Revisit character goals and obstacles
Clarifying these elements can provide a clear road ahead.

Freewrite backstory
Understanding more about character motivations and histories often provides a spark.

Ask “What if?”
Pose different “What if?” questions about the scene — sometimes the crazier, the better.

Put these tools into your Batbelt and, just like the caped crusaders, you can live to see another day.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stick there scowling at the problem.”

— Hilary Mantel

“Show up, show up, show up, and after a while, the muse shows up, too.”

— Isabel Allende

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3 Writing Questions

1. How does writing a dialogue-only scene help to move a story forward?

2. How does working backward from the end of a chapter provide clarity or new ideas when you’re stuck?

3. Why is conflict so powerful in stories?

A teen flees her secluded town, only to stumble into shocking events unfolding across the mountains.

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.

Photo courtesy of Zdeněk Macháček @zmachacek

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Great authors have a knack for crafting dialogue, but let’s be real—it’s trickier than it looks.

Want a secret to make your dialogue sizzle?

Have your characters argue. 

When you fill conversations with tension, misunderstandings, and hidden agendas, your readers will devour every word.

Why? We all like to eavesdrop on juicy drama.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Tension on a tightly suspended cable is what holds up the bridge… and it’s what makes a good novel or a good life.”

— Unknown

“Dialogue is not just words on a page, it’s the emotional tension between characters.”

— Unknown

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3 Writing Questions

1. What are some common pitfalls writers face when creating dialogue?

2. How can writers ensure that tension in dialogue remains engaging without becoming repetitive or predictable?

3. How does the setting of a conversation influence the way arguments unfold between characters?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.

Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.

1 WRITING IDEA

Here’s a quick trick for developing a character. Ask yourself: if they were to carry a purse or a bag, what would be inside?

Maybe it’s lipstick. Or credit cards. But push it deeper….

What about?

A miniature harmonica
A pair of antique opera glasses
A book of poetry
A set of lock-picking tools
An opened condom pack
A set of foreign coins
A foldable boomerang
A spy pen with invisible ink
A fossilized shark tooth
A tiny brass telescope

You get the idea.

Throw one of those bad boys in there and suddenly you’ve got an interesting character.

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2 WRITING QUOTES

“Respect your characters, even the minor ones. In art, as in life, everyone is the hero of their own particular story.
”

— Sarah Waters

“It’s the characters. That’s what I spend most of my time with. Once I’ve done that, character will speak to plot and story.
”

— Craig Borten

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3 Writing Questions

1. What do your characters want in the story? What are they searching for? 

2. What is standing in their way, and what are they willing to do to remove the obstacles?

3. How do your characters respond to failure, stress, and other emotional situations?

What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:

About Me

Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.