Craft books are useful tools to keep on hand. Whether you want to use them as references while writing or revising, or you’re looking for some inspiration from accomplished writers, they’re valuable resources for your writer’s toolbox. Below, I’ve shared my thoughts on my favorite craft books. I’ll keep this list updated and add to…
Category: Writing
Are English Major Stereotypes True? 6 Cliches Examined
Studying English comes with facing a lot of assumptions about your career options, how you spend your time, and even your personality. Of course, stereotypes never tell the whole story. But they also don’t come out of nowhere. In this post, I’ll look into some common English major stereotypes, what drives them, and how true…
How to Outline in Scrivener (2 Methods)
To outline or not to outline is one of the biggest questions you have to answer when developing your writing process. Personally, I’ve always found it beneficial to do at least a little bit of planning before putting pen to paper. Learning about outlining in Scrivener has been a huge help to me in keeping…
7 Self-Care Tips for Writers
Self-care has become synonymous with bubble baths, candles, overpriced dessert, and putting off work that needs to be done. While this mindset can be problematic, it’s also true that we all need to unwind and destress from time to time to avoid burnout. I’ve picked up a few habits that I specifically use as a…
The Benefits of Writing By Hand
When I’m writing on my laptop, I often find myself reaching for a pen and the journal I keep handy. This is especially true if I’m feeling stuck and can’t work out what should happen next or how to craft the next line of dialogue. I also usually do a lot of the behind-the-scenes work…
How to Read Like a Writer
When I first starting taking creative writing classes, I was told by multiple professors that I would need to learn to “read like a writer”. I’d been an avid reader my whole life, so it didn’t seem like a particularly difficult goal. However, this somewhat vague directive can be more challenging than it seems. Even…
What Is Creative Nonfiction?
If you had asked me the question, “What is creative nonfiction?” five years ago, I probably would have shrugged and said, “I don’t know – boring?” However, once I actually started studying and writing this genre, I found that was far from the truth. Part of the reason why so many readers and writers find it…
Using Scrivener for Academic Writing: A Complete Guide
Scrivener is a writing app that I use for my creative projects, but I’ve also used it for many academic papers throughout high school, undergrad, and graduate school. I feel its merits in this area are often overlooked, so I thought I would share my favorite features that came in handy when I was a…
How Much Money Do Writers Make?
When pursuing any kind of creative career, money is always a concern. If not for you, then probably at least for friends or relatives. There’s nothing more exhausting than answering the question, “So, how are you going to make money doing that?” over and over again. While the starving artist persona may seem romantic for…
What Is Literary Fiction (And Why Does It Matter)?
If you have any interest in books or writing, you may have noticed a divide between what’s known as “literary fiction” and books that are considered “commercial fiction”. You likely have a vague idea of the distinction between these two categories. (Hint: To Kill a Mockingbird is literary, Harry Potter is commercial.) However, especially when…