Every writer has a story, and every story has to start at the beginning. With so many things to consider as a Newbie: structure, craft, publishing, and marketing (just to name a few), I’m here to give you insights, encouragement, and resources to help your writing journey, while also giving you a glimmer of mine!

Join the Newbie Nation!

Sign up for the Newbie to Novelist Newsletter––receive monthly updates, bonus content & a surprise or two

Latest Posts…

• 
  Books of 2023: Ratings & Rankings
  Another year is… (you guessed it) IN THE BOOKS! 2023 had some major personal highlights. I traveled. I wrote a fresh manuscript. Oh, and I got married!! Though my honeymoon may have given me some time to unwind and curl up with books, I had a slightly mediocre year in reading. Or shall I say,Continue reading “Books of 2023: Ratings & Rankings”
• 
  The 60-Scene Method to Plotting A Novel
  Action! Today, we are taking a more cinematic approach to novel outlining as this method has roots in screenwriting. It focuses on writing the novel out in the progression of scenes that make up the plot. Why 60 scenes you may ask? That’s because 60 is generally the number of scenes in a screenplay. AndContinue reading “The 60-Scene Method to Plotting A Novel”
• 
  Dive into these 13 Summer Beach-Read Tropes
  We are well into the dog days of summer! And while the days are longer and hotter, my novels of choice this time of year tend to be shorter and rapid in consumption. Yes, we’re talking beach reads in all their light-hearted glory. The beach read is so coined as it’s a perfect companion suitedContinue reading “Dive into these 13 Summer Beach-Read Tropes”
• 
  Writing About Other Cultures – How To Do it Right
  As writers, we find inspiration all around us. However, the adage “write what you know” can feel pretty limiting. I once heard the alternative said for an approach to fiction writing––“write what you want to know.” This variation allows us to expand our knowledge base and write outside of our own lifestyle. It champions writersContinue reading “Writing About Other Cultures – How To Do it Right”
• 
  Stay Motivated with Productivity Bingo
  It’s national bingo day! While I enjoy this game (especially when played for gift baskets), I’ve recently started using the setup of bingo to develop healthy habits and achieve daily progress toward my writing goals, and beyond! I refer to this system as “Productivity Bingo”. Which is basically me gamifying my to-do list while buildingContinue reading “Stay Motivated with Productivity Bingo”
• 
  Working with a Cover Designer – With Guest Author Ashley Weiss
  There are hundreds of decisions that come with being a writer. One big one is what type of publishing you plan to navigate. Obviously, there are pros and cons to each type: traditional, indie, or hybrid. But one huge pro of the self/indie publishing bucket is the full ownership of your cover design. Today, I’mContinue reading “Working with a Cover Designer – With Guest Author Ashley Weiss”

On Instagram @NewbietoNovelist

“I’m big enough to admit that I am often inspired by myself“

Leslie Knope