Fall in love with the unexpected

Book Tropes: You Should See The Way They Look at You

Otherwise known as: the fresh scent of pine. Ahhh, this is such a fun niche trope. It generally happens in a ‘hero falls first’ situation, and let’s all admit together that we love us a pining hero. But there is the delicious potential for this uncertainty when any character falls first and is now vulnerable, unsure their love is requited. The best part about all of this troubled water our main character has to paddle through? There’s a happy ending…

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Book Tropes: I Hate Everyone. Who Isn’t You.

This trope flavor du jour starts with a firm, succulent base of Brooding Big Bad. Spicy hints of Shades of Grey add to the morality, while robust kicks of Standoffish, Blunt, and Guarded finish the dish for a well-rounded palate. The discerning reader will love the fact that this character absolutely has no time for anyone in the world . . . except for that one, special someone they can’t resist. They are secretly (OH so secretly) soft and protective…

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Book Tropes: The Grovel in The Novel

Sometimes I’m in the mood for a super specific, really niche trope. It’s like a food craving, where only that certain brand from that one store will do. In this case it’s a good old grovel. Not the little token apology with immediate making-out, ohhh no. I want the real down-and-dirty, sincere, I-fucked-up, oh-my-god-I-was-so-dumb, dawning realization. It doesn’t particularly matter to me which character (hero or heroine or all three heroes in a reverse harem) is doing the groveling. There…

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Wants a Review

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer solutions to the ever-present problem which is marketing, and by ‘solutions’ I absolutely mean ‘there will be blood sacrifice made to the literary gods’. To sign up for the group and exchange tips and tricks for the appropriate sacrifices (timeline is important) go on over to the IWSG sign up page…

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Feminism, and Romance?

I’ve noticed a trend on several Bookstagram accounts I follow. It is a good trend, and I am all for it. At the root, it’s about making sure female authors have the same opportunity male authors do to be on your bookshelves and receive awards when it’s time for those literary trophies to be handed out. Equality=good. One specific part of this growing movement stuck out to me, and I’m going to give you my thoughts on it. For free,…

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The Insecure Writer’s Group Dreams of Electric Sheep. And Androids.

Welcome back! After some blog glitching last month (sorry) we are back and rolling for the 1st Saturday of the month and Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. To sign up for the group yourself and experience the support, click on over here. Our trusty co-hosts for today’s adventure are Natalie Aguirre, Kim Lajevardi, Debs Carey, Gwen Gardner, Patricia Josephine, and Rebecca Douglass! Say thank you by visiting their site and leaving them a comment or two. The question for this month seems very pertinent to recent…

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The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Offers Conflict

It’s the first Wednesday in August, and therefore time for an Insecure Writer’s Support Group post! If you’re looking to join a great online group to participate, collaborate, and support you on your author journey, come on over and join. We’d love to have you. The awesome co-hosts for the August 2 posting of the IWSG are Kate Larkindale, Diane Burton, Janet Alcorn, and Shannon Lawrence! August 2 question: Have you ever written something that afterwards you felt conflicted about? If so, did you let…

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Yet Another Slang List for your Author Toolbox (2023 edition)

And we’re back! A general slang dictionary for the 2000s (containing such elemental online basics as NSFW and gif) can be found for your delighted perusal here. And an updated version (from 2020, containing words like yeet, and already outdated! Isn’t it fun how that works) can be found for you here. The internet moves faster than the speed of light. What was cool to say in 2020 has now evolved like the Tuatara lizard. I fully expect this list…

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Dreaming of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group

It is that time of the month again! Come join us insecure writers as we forge a path towards our dreams. The main point of the group is to connect, reassure, and support your author journey, no matter what it looks like. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month. Come on in! The co-hosts we should offer our thanks to for July are PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre! Go check in on their comment sections and add…

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