Most stories boil down to the same 7 plots (or a combination of them) that humans have been using for centuries. So which plot does your story follow... Comedy 🤣 Rebirth 🐣 Quest? 💼 To find out, watch today's video where I rank the 7 basic plots from worst to best! youtu.be/Kww_Gj_QleA

Conflict is the fuel to your story's plot engine. Without enough conflict, the story will slow to a stop. 🛑 But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story? Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:

After working with books and authors for more than a decade, I've learned a LOT about what it takes to write an effective story and get published. Here are my top 10 tips for authors just starting out. (The stuff that often takes years to learn!) youtu.be/Tu3J4QkbZ7I

It's easy to look at bestselling authors and think that writing always comes easily to them. They sit down to write and the words flow effortlessly. But I can promise you that no writer has it all figured out.

Let's debunk these writing misconceptions: ❌ Writing only happens at the keyboard ❌ You have to write every day ❌ "Thinking" about your story doesn't count They simply aren't true. Take a look at how three published authors stay connected to their stories, even when they’re not actively drafting.

If writing a book was easy, it wouldn't be special. 💖 Regardless of where you're at in your journey, you're part of a small group of people who did not take the easy way out.

If you’re getting dozens of rejections, it’s easy to feel like your publishing dreams are over. But they’re not. I promise. Rejections don’t mean you don’t have talent; they just mean your book wasn’t right for those particular agents at those particular moments.

I get SO many questions from authors about query letters, so I've put them all together in this guide! It contains: 📝 the 7 elements your letter should include 📝 guidance on personalizing 📝 length guidelines 📝 tone & formatting 📝 common mistakes Still have questions? Leave me a comment ⬇️

Curious to see my editing process in action? In today's video, I'm critiquing the opening pages of three fantasy novels submitted by my subscribers. I'm workshopping things like: ✏️ creating narrative momentum ✏️ fixing head hopping ✏️ whether to include a prologue youtu.be/U3rkFrO2gso

If your plot is feeling dead… here are some quick ways to raise it from the grave: 🪦

A strong scene has three key ingredients: 🏃 ACTION 🗣️ DIALOGUE 💬 NARRATIVE Most writers naturally lean on one and may neglect the others, leading to scenes that feel imbalanced or emotionally weak. So here's how to use each element effectively, plus examples demonstrating the common pitfalls!

What makes some books so addictive that you just can't put them down? You know which ones I'm talking about — the ones that keep us up all night reading. It all comes down to a psychological phenomenon known as the Zeigarnik effect. 🧠

If you're writing in third person, make SURE you know the difference between close third person and omniscient. Then, check your story against these issues: ❌ head hopping ❌ not going deep enough ❌ including too many POVs ❌ ignoring genre conventions Watch my full breakdown! youtu.be/NJGAYA7FgpM

Once you've signed with an agent, secured a book deal, and gotten your book in print, you've MADE IT. Right? Not quite. The reality of publishing is that there are always going to be moving goalposts. The next milestone to hit. The next target to reach. 🎯

The querying process is like dating: -you get ghosted 😔 -you have to put yourself out there 👀 -it's worth waiting for the right match 💞

Writer's block happens to every author, so when it comes around, don't stress! 😰 Here are 20 strategies to help you get unstuck. What’s your favorite trick for beating writer’s block?

So excited to see my upcoming book with QueryTracker's Patrick McDonald listed on Simon & Schuster's website, cover and all! It's getting real 🥹 THE MODERN GUIDE TO QUERYING LITERARY AGENTS is coming to you summer 2026! 👀

What do authors hate more than... ❌ writer's block ❌ writing a blurb ❌ rejections? Writing a freaking synopsis. Why do so many agents ask for one anyway? What's the point?

Why are some books page-turners that keep us up late while others put us to sleep? The answer comes down to a powerful but little-known psychological principle known as the Zeigarnik effect. Here's how to use this psychological principle to make your book "unputdownable." youtu.be/6p4_JKpshoc

A hill I will die on: suspense is not limited to just mysteries and thrillers! ALL novels should incorporate suspense. 💞 In a romance: will the couple end up together? 🌎 In a historical novel: how will the events shape the characters' lives? 🐲 In a fantasy novel: will the hero save their world?

As a book editor, reading is my job, but it still somehow never feels like work. If you're struggling to get through your TBR pile or find yourself reaching for the remote rather than a book, here are some tips to help you prioritize reading—without rearranging your routine. 📖

You all have been loving this series where I live-critique real manuscripts sent to me, so here's another round! Today, we're talking about things like: 🤜 bringing conflict to the forefront ⏰ clarifying the narrative timeline 📝 whether to include a prologue www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg6...

What should you include in your author bio? 📝 Sometimes authors write far too much — or far too little — in their query letter bios. A solid author bio can be straightforward and succinct. It just needs three key elements:

If you're deep in the querying trenches and every rejection is sending you down a spiral, listen up: Rejection isn't a step back, but a stepping stone FORWARD.

For better or worse, there's so much more to being an author than just writing. And juggling it all can be hard.

I've been a book editor for 10 years. 1,000+ authors and countless manuscripts later, the biggest lessons I’ve learned might surprise you. Here are the 3 biggest takeaways from the past decade that totally changed the way I approach editing. They might help you take your story to the next level!

As a book editor, I have worked with hundreds of writers across almost every fiction genre. One of the most fascinating things I've learned? Most writers fit into one of four writer types. And no, it's not about plotters or pantsers!

An incredibly brave subscriber sent me their first chapter for a live critique. Here's how I'd edit it, workshopping things like: -internal conflict -backstory -physical description -relationships Maybe you'll pick up a tip or two for your WIP! youtu.be/s9gh4Cx4qsQ

A reminder for all the writers: The words you’re putting down today might find the person who needs them tomorrow, next month, or even years from now. You’re not just writing for yourself (or your agent or your editor). You’re writing for THEM.

As a book editor, I give feedback day in and day out. But when you have a new draft that's ready for feedback, the next steps can be confusing. Here are three key tips to ensure you're getting the RIGHT type of feedback that truly elevates your story. 🚀

Things writers hate more than anything: -writer's block -the synopsis -comp titles 🤬 If you're struggling with the latter, fear no more — here's a quick guide with everything you need to know to find and choose the RIGHT comps.

Three brave and talented authors shared their first pages with me for an honest critique. Here's what I think is working well in their manuscripts — and how they could develop their openings to be even stronger. Perhaps you'll learn some tips to apply to your own WIP! youtu.be/olZy6Ou2l0o

Certain writing mistakes will totally take the reader out of the story, but they often sneak into early drafts undetected. Here are three issues I see all the time and tricks to fix them:

"I write a lot of books in dual (or triple!) POV, and I was once struggling with how to know which character should have the perspective for a specific scene. A friend reminded me that the POV should always be from the character who has the most at stake, and it was like a lightbulb went off." 💡

If you think there are only two options for publishing your book — traditional or self publishing — think again! Today, there are more paths to publication than ever before. Here's a quick guide to help you find the best path for you and your book.

We talk all the time about plotters and pantsers, but it's time for a new framework for how to classify yourself as a writer. It's not about how you draft, how often you write, or even what genre you prefer. It's about your answer to a single question: what drives your writing, deep down?

What you DON'T need to publish successfully: -an MFA -a huge social media following -industry connections What you DO need: -patience ⏳

Myth: You have to write every day / every week to reach your goals. "There has been a lot of time in my life when I could not write daily or even weekly. Taking spring break on my own saved me. I would often book a hotel room or rent a space for those days and truly disappear into my work."

Woke up to 25,000 subscribers to my newsletter! 🤯 Thank you to every subscriber and to every author and agent I've featured — it means the world to me! Can't wait to bring you more of the best writing and publishing insights. Check out the link in my bio to subscribe 💌

Tell me: what‘s the biggest thing you regret writing/doing in your first draft? Something that led to major headaches and revisions. (Researching for an upcoming video!)

Should you write what's trending? Romantasy isn't slowing down, and horror seems to be on the rise as well. But as an author, there is no point in chasing trends. Every publishing professional will tell you the same thing: Publishing is...s l o w.

Down with a bad case of writer's block? It's completely normal to hit a roadblock in your writing journey. If your inspiration has run dry and you're feeling creatively drained, use these 3 reminders to release the pressure and rejuvenate your excitement about your project.💡

Struggling to come up with the PERFECT title for your novel? It can be so tough to find a title that strikes the right chord. If you're stuck, try these four strategies to find a title that you absolutely love — and readers will remember!

Worried your story is just...boring? 🥱 As the author, YOU obviously find it interesting. But is it interesting to anyone else? It can feel impossible to tell. Here are 7 issues to watch for to ensure you're engaging your reader from start to finish! youtu.be/0xcJzCmWSis...

Five years ago (almost to the day), I posted a video on YouTube called "How to Get a Book Published by a Big 5 House." No fancy camera, no mic. Just me sitting on my couch reading notes from my laptop, hoping a few authors would find it helpful.

Novels are built in the revision stage. 🛠️ Your first draft is like the scaffolding of a house you're building. You won't paint the walls or polish the floors until the framework is solid.

Publishing a book takes time and patience. 🌷 "It takes a long time — sometimes more than a year — between acceptance and publication. And the peak selling season lasts about three months at most. After that, your book survives on word-of-mouth, which no one can control."

We have four months left in 2025, so it's time to check in on your 2025 writing goals! If you're struggling to reach the finish line, here's my four-step process to help you get to "the end" by December 31. You've got this! 📖

Here's a piece of bad writing advice I hear all the time: "Only read from the canon." The classics are incredible, and we can learn so much from them. But if you're aiming to publish TODAY, also read what's being published today!

Can you tell the difference between a story written by ChatGPT and one written by a bestselling author? Bestselling fantasy author Mark Lawrence put 8 pieces of flash fiction head to head and polled thousands of readers...and I was floored by the results. youtu.be/x3OrqB35DEY