Writerly Ways

I made it home. Rocket says never leave again. I had books waiting on my porch for me. YAY. I'm too tired for a proper writerly ways so let me just give these two bullet points.
1. That Janet Evanovich book really DOES overuse the dialogue tags (I listened to the second half on the drive home) Literally every other line or less even with only 2 speakers. Wow, yeah watch out for that.

2. Nostalgia doesn't always equal good. I've now watched a handful of the new Night Court. I'm shocked at the level of acting especially out of Melissa Rauch. I'm like have you forgotten how since TBBT. It's unfunny, uncomfortably so. Granted I've changed since the 80s. The world has changed. I wanted this one to work but for me, it's not. Has anyone else tried this?


Open Calls


So, I Married A Narcissist They seem to be looking for fictionalized 'true' stories


Orion’s Belt 2023 Window

Untitled Bathroom Horror Anthology

Necronomi-RomCom

World West Revue – First 2023 Window

Artemesia Publishing: Now Accepting Manuscript Proposals

The Sprawl Mag: Now Seeking Submissions

Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Authors this March

11:11 Press: Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions on climate change




From Around the Web


3 Steps to Taking Your Character Further and Deeper With…Anger?

Mastering the Art of the Cliffhanger Chapter Ending

How to Rescue a Book in Danger of Dying

Emotional Wound Entry: Growing Up in a Dangerous Neighborhood

Storyville: Some of the Best and Worst Writing Advice I’ve Ever Gotten

Genre Tips: How to Write Horror

Ego and Self in the All is Lost Moment


Women Writers Shaping the Future of Horror

Wicked Women

Short Story Substack April 2023 Window (Early Listing)

Writing: a habit you don’t want to break – but how do you start and maintain it?

The Importance of Reading Debut Novels

When’s the best time to publish your book? Now!

How To Define Your Book’s Target Audience In 6 Steps

How To Deal With Writing Criticism And Negative Feedback

Choose Kindness When You Give Writing Feedback

How To Get Book Reviews




From Betty

More Cool Settings

Why Fear Is a Terrible Friend … and How to Crush It

What is “Bad Writing?” (And How Can We Avoid It?)

Six Tips to Make Your Fantasy Setting More Immersive

Fear Thesaurus Entry: Conditional Love

Character Arcs: Making a Long Story Short

Necromance Your Darlings

How to self-edit your novel