Crafting great characters is essential for every writer. When I’m creating the folks who populate my books, I like to begin with the antagonist because they, quite literally, drive the plot. The protagonist responds to the obstacles the antagonist presents. Without the antagonist, whether person, place, or thing, there is no story. For that reason, […]
How to Build a Killer Writing Routine As an author, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find the time and motivation to write consistently. When I first started writing, I worked full-time as a teacher, and I had five kids at home. To say I was busy is an understatement! Whether you’re […]
How to Use a Canva Template That’s Been Shared With You–A Step-by-Step Guide Do you use Canva? Are you hooked like I am? If you’re here, you are curious about how to use a shared Canva template. Trust me, it’s easy-peasy! Canva is an amazing tool that lets you create beautiful graphics. You will look […]
Writing is an art that requires not only creativity and skill but also a great deal of perseverance and inspiration. Aspiring writers often look to the words of seasoned authors for motivation and guidance. I know I did…and still do seek inspirational quotes about all things writing related. Well-known writers have shared profound insights into […]
Everything You Need to Know about Finding the Perfect Length for Your Genre and Story Have you wondered how long your book should be? It’s a good question and one of the critical decisions writers face when writing a book. What is the ideal length for your genre and story? Think about it in terms […]
Tips for Writing Books with Magical Elements Welcome to episode 47 of The WriterSpark Podcast, the podcast that ignites your creativity and fuels your passion for storytelling. I’m your host, Melissa Bourbon, and today I have an enchanting episode you won’t want to miss. I am thrilled to be joined by the bestselling author Barbara […]
Are you ready to take action and transform your life? If you have wanted to write a book, a cozy mystery, or a memoir, now is the time to stop dreaming and start doing. Change your life now by enrolling in one of these transformative master classes.
This is How to Use Tropes to Create Original Stories In the world of storytelling, tropes are the building blocks. They can be used to create original stories that resonate with readers and they can help shape narratives across genres. Generally, tropes are familiar themes, plot devices, and/or archetypes that are universal and relatable. They […]
Harness the Benefits of Process Writing to Unlock Creativity Story structure is at the heart of storytelling. Many writers use the Hero’s Journey, the Three-Act Structure, the Snowflake Method, or Save the Cat, but there is another way to write a novel; Unlock your creativity with process writing and you’ll harness amazing benefits. That’s not […]
These Articles are Guaranteed to Enhance Your Writing Life Welcome to a one-stop page of articles guaranteed to help writers navigate, succeed in, and enhance your writing life. That’s right, these articles offer the nuts and bolts every writer needs to know. As the founder of WriterSpark Academy, I am passionate about helping writers ignite […]