Videos about writing - created during the pandemic
How to write a novel (or anything) when everything else is falling apart
How to write: Start with a "What if?"
How to write: tips on creating a character
How to write: more tips on creating characters
Friday AMA - plus a quick tour of all the weird and wonderful things I have in my office!
Top 10 tips for all writers/top 10 tips for mystery writers
How, when and why to find an agent
Writing for teens (or even younger readers: What's different and what's the same?
A pep talk for all of us - plus ask me anything answers, including naming characters and the pitfalls of travel
Tips on writing dialog - including said is NOT dead
Tips on voice. Voice changes everything in a book. It can be dispassionate, or as gossipy as old friend. How to think about and find your voice when writing.
When to write in first person - plus a sneak peek from the book I'm working on now!
Tips on writing in third person
Writing tools that could help you - something for everyone!
Turn a character into a career. Series mysteries are very popular. Put some thought into your set up and it will pay off for years to come.
Three ways to handle violence in your writing
Clues, red herrings, and foreshadowing in your mystery writing
Tips on editing yourself
How to select POV characters - plus some general tips that are keeping me sane.
Five things I learned writing mysteries and thrillers - plus the exciting moment when I spilled ketchup all over my keyboard!
Showing vs. teeing - and how do you tell when you're telling?"
Plots are made up of scenes - but what goes into a scene?
Ideas on incorporating your theme - plus a demonstration of how to get out of handcuffs!
How to create kick-ass chapter endings
Mystery tips: how to get characters to talk and ideas for future plots
How to keep readers turning the pages: 15 tips for turning up the tension
Five more ways to turn up the tension, including pain, fear and striving
More ideas on getting out of restraints: rope, zip ties, duct tape, handcuffs
More ways to turn up the tension, including the fake scare, dramatic irony, unhealthy choices, and short sentences/paragraphs/chapters
More, more ways to turn up the tension, including betrayals, deaths, secrets and putting off confrontations.
I sold two new books! And how to take an idea and begin to turn it into a book.
More ways to spice up your book with twists, turns and surprises
Tips on lots of stuff: curly hair, ebay, and using lyrics in your work
Plot basics: many ways of looking at the same thing
Two kinds of plotters - and how each can improve
Talking about Act 1 in the 3 Act structure
What to do if you think you're being followed - plus some handy tips about adrenaline
How to start your book - Action, Camera, Lights
20 questions I ask myself when I begin a book
How I stole from myself to create my first character
Juggling life and the creative process
What to do when you've finished your book
The story behind the story: where Shock Point came from
The story behind the story: Girl, Stolen and Count All Her Bones
The story behind the stories: The Body in the Woods and Blood Will Tell
The story behind the stories: The Lonely Dead
The story behind the stories: The Girl in the White Van