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All of us - whether readers or writers, artists or fans, chefs or diners, producers or consumers or critics - have asked ourselves the question of what divides the good from the great. What divides that novel you trunked at 18 from the one that got you an agent? What's so different between your favorite … Continue reading The (Microscopic) Difference Between Good and Great

I’m sad to say it no longer surprises me when many of my favorite authors – all of them incredibly smart, successful women who write damn good books – still struggle with Impostor Syndrome. It seems to be rampant, especially among us neurotic artist types, no matter how successful we get. I’m certainly no stranger … Continue reading The Professional Impostor

On this International Women’s Day, I can’t help but fondly *cough* recall my junior year of college; I’d just been diagnosed with debilitating endometriosis and fibroids and was unable to work a job while I had surgery and recovered. The first counselor was a gentleman in his 60s, pleasant enough and very patient, however VERY … Continue reading Lady Problems

  Your blood is red Even if you claim it's blue Get between me & my king And we'll see if it's true - Mad Queen Li of Dinari   You asked me what I’d Give up to have you. Body, heart, soul, and crown: Are these things that will do? - King Andonel of … Continue reading Valentine’s Day with Mad Queen’s Chess characters

I mentioned in my last post that I wanted to do a few profiles of the invisible illnesses I wished I saw represented more in the world. This week, I'm tackling one two that are very near and not-so-dear to my uterus. (I would just do one or the other, but since I have both -- and … Continue reading Invisible Illnesses: Fibroids and Endometriosis

There's a huge push right now in literature to expand readers' understandings of POVs outside of their own experience. (THIS IS A GOOD THING.) Thus, many people are now actively seeking out stories and perspectives they might otherwise not even know existed. (THIS IS ALSO A GOOD THING.) And so, in the spirit of that, … Continue reading But You Don’t Look Sick: Invisible Illnesses

Uh, guys. I just read an article that had this very alarming thing to say: "A new route to getting a traditional book deal has recently emerged – one that avoids all that endless uncertainty and stress. This new route is not only much faster, but also means you start earning money before you secure … Continue reading DON’T DO THIS (Or: The “Shortcut” That Made Me Gasp Aloud in Horror)

This is not like my usual posts. I will be (gasp!) waxing poetic about one of the most breathtaking books I have ever read. THE WRATH AND THE DAWN. For over a year, I have tried to put into words what Renee Ahdieh's masterpiece of a book makes me feel. Books have different feels, different … Continue reading On Wrath, Wings, and Golden Dawns

Can I just say how much I love the writing community today? For me, being a writer and discovering the online author community felt a lot like being a mutant and discovering Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. One fine day a few years ago, I was miserable, alone, and feeling like the biggest weirdo in … Continue reading Writers and Mutants