Category: Writing
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Revive – Instagram Challenge
In a sunken hollow beneath myriad dust bunnies and cobwebs lies the bony remains of my author account on Instagram. My blog proves I can revive dead things (I spent loads of XP points on healing in the past few years ðŸ¤), so it’s only fair that I attempt the same revival on my author…
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Let’s Talk About Debut Novels
What is it about a debut that the world so adores? But not just any old debut, mind you—we want a newcomer with a story of runaway success and broken, no shattered, records. The debut novel must tick all the boxes: perfect characters, compelling storylines, breathtaking descriptions, an endless list of awards, and impending movie…
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Let’s Talk About Setting
Have you noticed how an increasing number of authors are breaking away from the Eurocentric worlds associated with speculative fiction? It has been super refreshing to read mainstream books set in magical, faraway places that are totally different than what we’ve grown used to. But now I question why I automatically default to those pseudo-European…
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Let’s Talk About Sensitivity Readers
Picking up from where we left off last week (which was all about alpha and beta readers), we’re going to chat about sensitivity readers today. Please be aware that THERE MIGHT BE POTENTIALLY TRIGGERING CONTENT IN THIS POST. About Sensitivity Readers A sensitivity reader is someone with experience on a certain topic who will offer…
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Let’s Talk About Alpha and Beta Readers
But before we start, I’d just like to insert these disclaimers. Firstly, I’m not a writing coach or anything like that, just a writer who loves learning about writing and sharing my experiences with everyone who is interested. Secondly, writers view alpha and beta teams vastly differently. Some swear by alpha and/or beta teams, others…
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How I Name Them (Part 2-Characters)
Hello again! Welcome to part 2 of this naming convention series. If you’d like to read about how I chose place names, check out part 1 here. Let’s dive straight in, shall we? My first and most important criterion for a character name is pronounceability. It has to be easy to say, regardless of the…
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How I Name Them (Part 1-Places)
I did a whole podcast about this way back when I was still on Patreon. And, you know, podcasting. 😆 ADHD, amirite? Anyway, a recent Instagram interaction with a reader made me realise I’d never actually written about how I name characters and places on the blog. Said reader’s best friend is named Cara Lenoir,…
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Let’s Talk About Writer’s Block
Throughout my blogging years, I’ve often stated boldly, annoyingly, and stupidly that I don’t believe in writer’s block. And as you’ve probably guessed, that little nugget has come back to bite me in the ass. 🤣 After almost two years of being utterly unable to write, I have to admit my mistake. Writer’s block is…
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A Writing Update
So, I mean, we all know there was supposed to be another book by now. The crickets that used to hang around A Curse of Venom & Scales have either died or moved along to chirp in some other tardy writer’s office. 😅 And I’m lucky to have a really supportive group of readers, who…
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Signs of Life
Okay, you guys. This is not a drill. I’m glad to announce I’m officially back on the blog. I dropped off of the face of the planet without much of an explanation, and I’m sorry about that. My Patreon tribe still saw posts, art, and heard my chancing accent via podcast episodes, but I just…
Yolandie Horak 