Gift Ideas for Writers

Still not finished with your Christmas shopping? Or perhaps you want to add a few items to your own wishlist. Whatever the case, I have compiled the ultimate gift guide for writers. On it, you will find the perfect present for every writer you know, including yourself: 
642 Things to Write About: A Journal

For every writer ever to exist, writer’s block has at one point reared it’s ugly head. For the author starved for inspiration, a prompt book is a great source of inspiration. 642 Things to Write About: A Journal is a popular choice, and is available nearly everywhere books are sold. On a budget? Find some prompts online and put together your own book.

Well-Read Women: A Reader’s Journal from UnCommon Goods

What better way to document your reading list than with A Reader’s Journal? This notebook provides a place for readers to review what they have written and take notes. Since all good writers are also good readers, this makes a perfect gift.

Banned Books Bag

If your friend is not only a writer but also a rebel, than this bag will impress them this Christmas. The bag is trendy, useful, and full of personality. While many shops sell variations on Etsy, you can also get one here.

A Pretty Notebook

You shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but a notebook is an entirely different story. If the writer on your list is anything like me, they love the feeling of putting words down on paper. Though old-fashioned, writing out a story by hand is popular for many writers. You can get great ones here or here. If you prefer shopping in person, swing by your local Target for a plethora of choices.

A Fountain Pen

To complete a handwriting gift, make sure you include a writing utensil. Any decorative pen will do, although fountain pens do have an old-fashioned charm. These pens make writing by hand a lot more fun. 

Bonus points: Bind Their Book

Does your recipient have an unpublished manuscript? If so, the most amazing gift you can give them is the first ever bound copy of their own novel. Website such as Blurb and BookBaby have this service available for as little as. 

Now that you can easily finish your shopping online, hopefully you can get back to doing what you love: writing!

Top OTP From Every Novel Genre

Though the term “one true pairing” may be modern, the concept of soulmates is not new. No matter what the genre, there will always be romance, proving that love transcends all. Here is a list of the best couples in each novel genre: 
Classics: Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Elizabeth and Darcy are the best literary couple of all time. Their romance has inspired countless spinoffs and adaptations across all forms of media. What makes their romantic journey so interesting is that it began with animosity. Though the enemies to lovers storyline is very popular now, when Jane Austen wrote this novel, it was groundbreaking. 

Honorable Mention: Heathcliff and Cathy from Wuthering Heights
Fantasy: Richard and Kahlan from the Sword of Truth

What’s more romantic than star-crossed lovers? Despite clearly being meant to be, Richard and Kahlan started with a major obstacle in their relationship: they couldn’t touch. This was only the first roadblock in a very bumpy ride, but the fight to be together only made this couple stronger. With over a dozen books dedicated to their journey, it’s clear that Richard and Kahlan’s love is nothing short of epic.

Honorable Mention: Buttercup and Westley from the Princess Bride. I would also suggest taking a look at a preview of my latest novel, Red Hands, for a great fantasy romance. 
Young Adult: Edward and Bella from Twilight

Love them or hate them, but Bella and Edward are iconic. Their May December romance ignited the hearts of a generation of teenage girls, and their story continues to inspire other hits, including the international bestseller 50 Shades of Grey. Despite their popularity, Bella and Edward were always controversial. While some saw their romance as innocent and pure, other believed Edward was controlling and domineering. Whatever your 

Honorable Mention: Katniss and Peeta in the Hunger Games 
Tear Jerker: Hazel and Augustus from the Fault in Our Stars

Every generation needs a tragic, star-crossed couple to obsess over. The Elizabethan era had Romeo and Juliet, and the Millennials got Hazel and Augustus. Family feuds can be a bitch, but they fade in comparison to terminal cancer. 

Honorable Mention: Will and Lou in Me Before You

Check back for part 2 which will include SciFi, Historical Fiction and more. If you would like to nominate a fictional couple, please leave a comment below. 

Top 5 Kick-Ass Book Princesses

Little girls have long looked up to fictional princesses, primarily of the Disney variety. However, the type of princess we see in novels has changed drastically in the last decade. No longer are they the damsel in distress. Now, princesses are the ones saving the day. Here are some of my favorite royal ladies on the bookshelf today:

 
(CAUTION: Spoilers Below!)

 
5) Daenerys Targareyen from A Song of Ice and Fire

Though technically a Khaleesi, it would be tragic to mention fictional female royalty without including dear Dany. Daenerys is a Princess who grew up outside of the castle, and is therefore not your typical pampered Princess. She raises dragons, runs with the Dothraki, and eventually frees thousands of slaves. What’s not to love about this white-haired, violet-eyed heroine? 

 
4) Lissa Dragomir from Vampire Academy 

Lissa Dragomir is not a normal Princess. For one, she is a Moroi, a sort of living, magical vampire. Despite her unusual abilities and appetite, Lissa has some of the same struggles as a typical teenager, which is what makes her so relatable. Although Lissa has many heroic moments, her most impressive battle is the one she fights with depression. Oh, and she can also bring the dead back to life, which is pretty kick-ass if you ask me.

 
3) Ella from Ella Enchanted

I can’t possible make a list of literary princesses without including my childhood hero, Ella from Ella Enchanted. I am not, of course,talking about the Anne Hathaway character, but rather the heroine from the Gail Carson Levine novel. Not only is she determined, brave, and open-minded, but her refusal to marry before she is ready is a great example for young girls who are used to the typical Disney princess who isonly looking for love (before Brave, of course).

 
2) Kestrel from the Winner’s Curse

Okay, technically, Kestrel is only engaged to a Prince, but I would hate to write this list without her one it. Though Kestrel is not a particularly skilled warrior, what she lacks in brawn she makes up for with brains. Through her cunning, Kestrel manages to outmaneuver her many enemies. Kestrel is a great reminder that you don’t have to be physically strong to be tough.

 
1) Aelin Galathynius from Throne of Glass 

Despite being an actual fairy princess, Aelin Galathynius could kick your ass. Raised as an assassin, Aelin fights tirelessly for what she truly belives in, which is what gives her the #1 spot on this list. She has lived through countless horrors, and yet she never gives up. 

Honorable Mention: I can’t write a blog post about literary princess without some shameless self-promotion. A preview of my latest novel, Red Hands, is now available on Kindle Scout. In it, there is not one but three complex, intriguing and dare I say BAMF princesses. Please check it out, and if you enjoy the first couple chapters, nominate me. 

Are there any princesses you think should be included? Leave a comment and tell me who and why. Also, stay tuned for my upcoming post about the best film princesses. 

When Your Novel Doesn’t Fit in Any Genre

Writing is fun, editing is hard, and getting published is murder. Navigating the murky waters of the literary scene is tricky, but having a stellar query letter will help you enormously. However, it’s difficult to write about your novel when you don’t know exactly what genre your work falls into. I had this problem when sending out my latest novel, Red Hands. The novel is part alternate history, part romance and part fantasy. Although I struggled at first to explain the genre in a single sentence, these tips helped me to better describe my story:

Get Them Hooked: The most important thing about a query letter is that it intrigues the reader. If you have too many potential descriptions for your novel’s genre, pick the one that sounds the most intriguing. Even if it’s not 100% accurate, if your story is interesting, it won’t matter. 

Look for the Big Umbrella: It’s possible that your genre isn’t as complicated as you think. Is it a Space Western and a Dystopian novel? If so, both of these genre’s fall under the larger “Sci-Fi” umbrella. Keep it simple, and just write the overarching genre.

Put it On the Shelf: Put yourself in the shoes of a librarian. If you had to put this book on a shelf in the local library, where would it go? You may have written a romance novel with aspects of magic, but that book would undoubtedly go in the Fantasy section. 

Do Your Research: How you pitch your book should vary depending on who you are pitching to.Let’s say you wrote a thriller with teenage main characters, but you believe it has crossover appeal. When sending your query as YA to agents in that request young adult novels, but try pitching it as a thriller to agents who don’t work with YA. 

Why Dystopian Matters

In recent years, dystopian fiction has gotten a bad reputation after a flood of YA novels became bestsellers and were adapted into blockbusters. The Hunger Games series was both critically and commercially loved. However, too many copycats came out afterwards, dulling its popularity. Like a kid with too much cake, the public got sick of the once beloved genre, as it did before with vampires, and as it inevitably will again with superheroes. Despite this, I believe the genre will catch fire again. 
Dystopian novels are sometimes called speculative fiction because they speculate on what could happen if society continues on a dark path. When things in politics go awry, dystopian worlds emerge in fiction as social critiques. With dystopian fiction, we can discuss real world problems without the pressure of reality. 

Although the young adult novels have recently had an influx of dystopian novels, the genre was popular long before teenagers brought it back. In fact, many renowned literary novels are dystopian, including 1984, Brave New World, I Anthem and the Handmaid’s Tale. Despite recent criticism, the genre used to be seen as groundbreaking.  

Today, we see instances of injustice on the news every day. America is in the middle of the most divisive election in years, which seems to be awakening the darker angels of our nature. Now more than ever, we need an outlet to voice our grievances and inspire people. Dystopian fiction is the way to do that. When the world seems wrong, sometimes the only way to fix our problems is to draw attention to them. 

My new novel, Windows, addresses racism and classism through a society in which status is based on eye color. Using this metaphor, I get to critique society without directing saying so. In dystopian fiction and all art, the creator gets to express truths that reality can’t. 

How To Kill Writer’s Block: Be Uncomfortable

No one likes writer’s block, but even the most creative individuals occasionally get stuck. When we get too comfortable in our daily routines, we stop seeking out new experiences, and so we have nothing new to write about. Inspiration can come anytime anywhere, but when every day is the same, it’s unlikely that the usual people and places will spark an novel idea. These creative slumps can be frustrating, but there is a way out. Here is the secret: make yourself uncomfortable. This could mean meeting new people, traveling someplace you have never been, or trying something that scares you. If you are a writer, there’s a good chance you are also an introvert. That’s no reason to sit on the sidelines. In fact, shyness will only help you become uncomfortable. I myself am a introvert, but I refuse to let it stop me from trying anything new. In the words of Georgia O’Keeffe, “I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.” When you are outside of your comfort zone, your perspective grows and you develop new ideas. Here are a few ideas to be uncomfortable:

1) Talk To a Stranger. I know, it sounds painful, but it is very necessary. Try going to a coffee shop and striking up a conversation with someone in line. Better yet, take your dog to the dog park if you have one, and start talking with other owners. After you get around the small talk, ask questions about their life: where they’re from, what they do for a living, and what they do for fun. After the interaction, write down everything you can remember, including a paragraph describing their appearance. If you’re lucky, you may find the inspiration for your next protagonist. Seeking out inspiration beyond your social circle can expose you to people you would normally never meet. 

2) Get Your Blood Pumping. Go on a run somewhere you never go. Take a hike through a local park. Get a bike and go downtown.Not only will these new places give you ideas, but increasing physical activity is known to increase mental activity. If you’re especially brave, try an adrenaline-based activity, like skydiving or hang-gliding. Discount deals are constantly available on Groupon, and first-timers can always go tandem. When I first went hang-gliding, I was completely terrified, but it got me out of my slump, and I wrote ten pages that night. The most important part of any of these experiences is to write about it afterwards. 

3) Find a New Hobby. Sometimes writer’s block stems from putting too much pressure on yourself to come up with fresh ideas. In those instances, I find it best to put away my notebook for a few days distract myself with different hobby. If writing is your main pass time. try to pick up a new one. Creative hobbies like photography or drawing are great ways to get a new idea, but I’ve found that working with your hands also works well. Try to take up knitting or even something less common, like woodworking. 

3) Read a Genre you Hate. For those of you who don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home, there are still ways to pull yourself out of your writer’s block. One way to get uncomfortable is to read a genre of books that you hate. For me, it’s nonfiction. I’ve never been a fan of scientific analysis or dry prose, but when I’m feeling stuck, I’ll choose something from the Non-fiction science section of the Kindle Store. If you’re a pragmatic person, try reading a popular Romance novel, even if you hate it. For those of you who stay away from young adult, try reading my new novel. Reading is a great source of inspiration, but if you’re always choosing the same type of books it won’t do you any good. 

4) Change Your Life. This is the most extreme suggestion on this list, and I don’t recommend you make any rash decisions. However, if you feel stuck in your current situation, think about getting out of it. Sometimes writer’s block can stem from discontent or even depression, and in those cases it’s necessary to make a major change. This could mean moving away, or it could be adding something to your life that alter your day-to-day routine, like finding a new day job or getting a puppy. I’ve done all of those things in the last six months, and I will admit the experience has been uncomfortable, stress-inducing, exciting, eye-opening, but most of all inspiring. 

Adults Should Read YA

Are you an adult you reads young adult novels? Fear not, you aren’t alone. Though marketed towards teens, young adult novels have a large adult readership, ranging from those in their early twenties to people in their golden years. Some older readers feel ashamed of reading books geared towards a younger crowd, mistakenly believing that the material is less substantial. It’s true that there are fewer SAT words in the YA genre, but, to paraphrase Ernest Hemingway, do you really think big emotions come from big words? Sometimes simpler language can make it easier for readers to understand the true meaning of a story. In classic novels, the “aha!” moment is often clouded in hard to read prose and overly complicated plots. 
Young Adult novels, particularly recent bestsellers, are criticized for being over emotional. Naysayers argue that the characters are too dramatic.These critics see past the point that novels are supposed to be emotional, and reading a character who is expressive and in touch with their emotions can be freeing. As adults, we are taught to keep ourselves in line and never act outside the status quo. This can leave us cold. In Young Adult novels, we are allowed to experience the extreme highs and lows of teendom again. 

A common theme in young adult novels is coming of age. Though geared towards those 13 to 17, the stories resonate with individuals of all ages.Whether you are on the cusp of adulthood or have been adulting for years, it can often feel like you are faking it, and that you are not, in fact, grown up. That’s why these stories are so special to us. With young adult novels, we are able to identify and relearn lessons in growing up. Even for those of us who feel like we are “real” adults, the YA genre is a chance to relive the precious teenage years. 

Another reason young adult books are popular is because YA authors aren’t afraid to reawaken comatose genres. Vampire and dystopian fiction have both been wildly popular for young adult novels, even though they fell out of favor for adult novels years ago. For example, vampires were popular for years after Interview with a Vampire, but no one would touch the genre after the hype exploded, that is until Twilight came on the scene. Similarly, dystopian fiction had it’s heyday during the Cold War with novels like Atlas Shrugged, but the genre was set on the shelf until young adult novels like Uglies, the Hunger Games, and Divergent became massive hits. The wonderful thing about the YA genre is that authors aren’t afraid to remake old ideas in new ways. There is no pressure to be literary or provocative. Instead, young adults writers get to concentrate solely on making their stories enjoyable, which is what all readers really want. 

My new YA dystopian novel, Windows, is now available on Kindle Scout. It’s free to read, so please go take a look and nominate me. Thanks!

Why Do We Read Fiction?

The concept of fiction is quite strange: other people write detailed accounts of their daydreams, and thousands to millions of strangers are able to experience the same fantasy in their own minds. The custom of reading has been a part of our society for so long that we don’t question the strange phenomenon. In fact, we embrace it. InRicky Gervais’ 2009 comedy “the invention of lying,” he illustrates how ludicrous our seemingly normal custom is. We are, essentially, lying to others for entertainment. However, reading fiction has never been about what is- it’s about what could be. 

When we dream, our minds create impossible ideas. Fiction is not so different, and you could consider novel writing a type of lucid, aware daydreaming.

We are able to be transported to distant kingdoms, faraway planets and realities completely unlike ours. Fiction allows to learn intimate details about unfamiliar professions and other walks of life. Even if you are eighty years old and stuck in a nursing home, you can travel to places no longer accessible to you, and experience adventures outside your own limits. 

Or perhaps reading fiction goes beyond freeing the imagination. Fiction enables strangers to have a shared experience. As a species, stories have always tied us together, even before we started writing them down. For example, there are a remarkable number of ancient cultures with a flood narrative in their tradition stories, even if these peoples never interacted or met. This peculiar “coincidence” is called collective unconscious. 

Today, the Internet and other rapidly progressing technologies have made it possible for novels to be a part of different cultures all around the world. Take Harry Potter as an example. The series has been published in over 60 languages around the world. By reading fiction, we are connecting millions of people with these shared fictional experiences. In truth, we read fiction because to be an active member of humanity. 
Looking for a great fiction read? My debut novel, Windows, is now available on Kindle Scout. 

Why Write?

What if…?

These two words are meek on their own, but together they create the most powerful and dangerous phrase in the English language. 

Recently, I submitted my first novel, Windows, on Kindle Scout, and during the process I was asked a very important question: Why do I write? To me, the answer came quickly. When I write, I get to answer the question what if. My new novel is speculative fiction, a popular genre for those who wonder what would result if X were to happen. However, even realistic fiction can answer the big question. For example, novels often answer what would happen if: 

1. You found true love

2. You witnessed a crime 

3. You made a major career change 

4. You divulged your dark fantasies…

These are just a few of the answers fiction can give us. Our universe is seemingly endless, meaning that there are endless possibilities. If you believe in the multiverse theory, everything has already happened someplace else. As a writer of fiction, you get to channel this distant reality and, just by thinking of the story, force it into being. 

For me, writing is about answers the question what if with the most unique answer imaginable. Anything can happen, and with fiction, anything will happen. 

Presidential Personalities: What the Candidates Can Teach You About Characterization

This election has been a roller coaster ride, one that both gets my blood pumping and makes me slightly nauseous. You may love them or hate them, but either way, our presidential candidates are most likely giving you a strong emotional reaction. Compared to the usual cut-from-the-cloth politicians, these candidates are some of the most interesting to ever run. You may not want either to be your president, but like the rest of America, you’re fascinated by them, which is all any author can hope for their characters. Here are some lessons to be learned from Hillary and Donald: 
Controversy can be good

Politicians are meant to lead by example, but in reality, they are often caught up in controversies. Whether it’s an email scandal or making riotous remarks, both of our nominated opponents are familiar with a scandal. This, however, can be good. Controversy creates obstacles, which your characters then have to overcome. An apology can make your character seem humble, sympathetic, and human. On the other side of things, a refusal to apologize shows resolve and grit. We may hate the things these politicians do, but we cannot help but rubberneck at the train wrecks they create. 

Storytelling is Key

A lesson to be learned from the 2016 race is that likability cannot be overlooked. Many polls show that Clinton and Trump are two of the least popular candidates ever to run. Both have struggled with their public personas. In an attempt to seem more agreeable, Clinton and Trump both tried to showcase their personal lives. At their respective conventions, each tried to offer some insight into their personalities. Critics agree that Clinton was more successful. With the help of Morgan Freeman narrating and Shonda Rhimes directing, her biography used stories to paint her as a both compassionate and strong-willed. At the RNC, few speakers made Donald seem like any ordinary guy or a family man. His daughter Tiffany tried her best with a brief mention of a phone call after a tragic death, but it wasn’t enough to humanize him to the public. These examples show that when writing a character, it’s important to create a backstory that enriches the character, not just the plot.

Give them a Good Villain

An antagonist is more important than the protagonist. If you create a truly despicable opponent, you are giving your character the chance to showcase their positive attributes through their opposition. Clinton and Trump have that in each other. After all, isn’t an epic battle between good and evil what we all really want? 

Mistakes are Humanizing

When writing any character arc, you want to show that the character is being changed by the plot. Character growth is always exciting, but character regression can also be a tantalizing read. Donald Trump has managed to do both this election. His wild, off-the-wall comments started to severely effect him in the polls. Recognizing that his approach was no longer working in the general election, he shook up his campaign and hired numerous new staff members, including a new campaign manager. On Thursday August 18th, he did the unthinkable, expressing regret for some of the divisive comments he has made. It is too soon to say if his new approach will pay off, but in general, our society is a forgiving one, and we love to give second chances. A fictional character is no exception. 

Hillary Clinton has often been known to be caught up in political scandals. Her mistakes, though controversial, cause some supports to defend her vigorously. Many have even suggested that when Hillary is being heavily criticized or attacked by the media, she comes off as sympathetic and therefore more likable. For both Clinton and Trump, their missteps have helped them win some support. When writing a character, have them make mistakes. It will make them sympathetic, human, and it will give you the opportunity to write a stellar redemption arc.