Category Archives: Writing Tips

Putting in the Hours, by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington

All those hours of creating can sometimes feel like they were wasted if you don’t end up with a product you love at end the day. But take heart – the time you put in is experience gained! Look for … Continue reading

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A Café Chat with Agent Susan Hawk, by Kristen Strocchia

Agent Susan Hawk from Upstart Crow Literary will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono Remix 2023 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Susan will run a workshop titled Great Openings, provide critiques for those who have signed up, and participate … Continue reading

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Write Down Ideas, by C.J. Bolognese-Warrington

Having a light bulb moment is such a great feeling, whether it’s a shiny new idea or a way through a revision. But watch out, because sometimes those ideas can slip away just as easily as they appear if you … Continue reading

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A Café Chat with Author Leah Henderson, by Rona Shirdan

Author Leah Henderson will be joining our SCBWI chapter at the Pocono Remix 2023 retreat this April at the Highlights Foundation. Leah will run a workshop titled Learn Character, Learn Voice, provide critiques for those who have signed up, give the Saturday keynote … Continue reading

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The Stalled Story, by Eva Polites

Writer’s block. Dreaded words for a dreadful condition. Thankfully, there are blog posts, articles, and books devoted to this ailment. The afflicted writer can easily find tips and remedies to deal with this condition and start writing again. For me … Continue reading

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Fermentation Time, by Anthony D. Fredericks

Navigating     Nonfiction A monthly column by Anthony D. Fredericks Let’s assume you’re making preparations for a weekend party. Lots of your friends are coming over and you want to be sure you have some great food and their favorite beverages. So, you drive … Continue reading

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The Right Verb, by Anthony D. Fredericks

Navigating Nonfiction A monthly column by Anthony D. Fredericks   Question: What does a thesaurus eat for breakfast?  Answer: A synonym roll.   Let’s take a look at the following passage: Cheetahs can run very fast. They can run much faster than … Continue reading

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The Lasagna Writer’s Journey, by Kristen C. Strocchia

     Ever made a lasagna? Satisfyingly warm layers of noodles, sauce and assorted cheeses. But no matter how deep the dish, every layer is the same as the one before.        As I’ve reflected on my writing journey … Continue reading

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How I Found the Courage to Write a Novel (And It Does Take Courage!), by Janet McLaughlin

Today, we’re so happy to host author Janet McLaughlin! Janet is the author of the Soul Sight Mysteries series, including Haunted Echo and Fireworks, and a longtime SCBWI member. She’s here today to lend you some inspiration and courage as … Continue reading

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Avoiding Cliché Characters In YA Fiction, by Lori Ann Palma

When writers develop characters, we most often begin with an idea—a sort of shapeless blob that becomes more distinct as we write a first draft or do a pre-writing character study. Over time, they grow physical characteristics and a personality, … Continue reading

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