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Free Writer Tools Plus Low-cost Options

What’s not to love about free writer tools? For starters, even if you prefer to write rough drafts in longhand—pen and paper—all writers eventually need word processing software of some kind. Sure, MS Word is the standard. But if a yearly subscription for Microsoft 365 puts a dent in your budget—or you just don’t like… Read more

Need Writing Motivation? Camp NaNoWriMo Is the Answer

Need some writing motivation but can’t seem to make it happen on your own? Well, there are all sorts of sneaky tricks you can use, like Camp NaNoWriMo which starts April 1. It’s the best way I know of to kick your fingers into motion. Do you know what it is? Most of you probably… Read more

How to Focus When You Feel Frazzled

Every writer knows focus is the name of the game.  Some writers need absolute quiet and privacy. Others kick out the jams and let ‘er rip almost anywhere. You might need an entire day to write a few pages, while someone else pumps out 10,000 words in the same amount of time. Either way, you’re… Read more

Why Writers Should Read + Reading Lists

The first few pages of a manuscript—even a paragraph or two of an article or blog post—make an announcement: This writer is a reader. Or not. It’s easy to see the difference. A non-reader’s opening pages often lack clarity or they’re a backstory info-dump. They might be muddled with too much description or head-hopping (mixed… Read more

What Are Filter Words?

Filter words aren’t always a bad thing, but if you’re new to the writing craft or just unfamiliar with them, you’ll want to learn all you can. An abundance of filter words makes reading difficult and causes readers to skim as they search for the story’s essence. Worse, they’re a sign of a beginner and… Read more