Hi Reader! Stories matter most when they resonate deep in a reader's heart. Right after recording my recent guest spot on The Author Next Door podcast with Angela Haas and Cassie Newell, my heart felt so full. π₯° For a whole hour, we dove into what makes writing romance such a special career niche. π₯ We got real about trends in the romance-writing industry, then went deep on what transforms typical snooze-worthy characters into unique, compelling, everyday people that readers connect with. π€...
about 2 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hi Reader! I spent a lot of years doing 1:1 work with authors, first as a developmental editor and now as a story coach. 𧩠And there's one conversation that I seem to have over and over. It usually starts with: π€ "Sue, something feels... off with my story. But I cant figure out what." The plot makes sense. The scenes flow. The characters are interesting. But somehow, the emotional impact isn't landing quite the way you want. And here's what I've discovered: When a story isn't connecting with...
6 months agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hi Reader! At 2pm Mountain Time today, tune in and watch my interview at the Write Your Own Way summit for free. Click here π to get your free ticket and join me in the live chat at 2pm! (π Check your time zone here.) Click that βοΈ to register for your free ticket to the summit so you can see my interview! π€ Can't make it live? You can watch the replay for 24 hours! Just register for your free ticket and log in before 2pm MT tomorrow (2/4). πΈ The Moment to Moment Method: How to write stronger...
8 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi Reader! I am SUPER excited to share that I will be presenting TWO workshops IN PERSON for the 2025 Las Vegas Writers Group conference. π π©π« Want a peek at my workshops? ππ π± For PRE-PUBLISHED and ASPIRING fiction writers: "Write from the Heart" on Thursday, April 3 π For INTERMEDIATE and ADVANCED fiction writers:"The 8-Scene Setup workshop" on Saturday, April 5 (You can see the full in-person schedule here and the virtual sessions schedule here.) π¬βοΈ I'm also offering a limited number of...
8 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi Reader! Greetings from subzero Colorado, where breathing feels like inhaling a Halls drop! When your weather forecast says today's high is going to be a negative temperature (yes, in Fahrenheit!), you get real thankful for warm houses and work-from-home jobs. π₯Άπ₯οΈπ
Luckily, I'm a romance book lover, and those are always sure to warm me up. Get your mind out of the gutter! Not like that. (Well, okay, yes π like that, but ALSO because happy endings are just so darn fulfilling. π₯°) And if you...
8 months agoΒ β’Β 3 min read
Hi Reader! Remember that time you got stuck in the middle of your manuscript, wondering how the heck your hero was going to get out of that mess you wrote them into? π
Well, that's exactly what this year's Escape the Plot Forest summit is all about, and I'm so excited to be sharing a BRAND NEW workshop, recorded just for this event. Chat with me LIVE while the session plays! Register here for FREE! Quick Note: All the links in this email are affiliate links, so if you choose to upgrade your...
12 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi Reader! 1092 βοΈ That is the number of romance writers registered for Wanna Write Romance 2024 as of this morning. π€― 48 βοΈ That is the number of countries represented by our attendees. π€―π€―π€― Oh my... holy... what the... YA'LL!! π€π₯°π Get your FREE ticket here β° (Sessions start TOMORROW!) Not a romance writer? β Click here to opt out of all the emails about the Wanna Write Romance 2024 virtual conference. (No worries, you'll still get my regular emails.) This is the first event like this I have...
over 1 year agoΒ β’Β 1 min read
Hi Reader! Remember a few weeks ago when I told you that something BIG was coming, something just for romance writers? π Well today, I am doing a big, loud happy dance, because Wanna Write Romance is finally open for registration!! π Register for FREE here! Not a romance writer? β Click here to opt out of all the emails about the Wanna Write Romance 2024 virtual conference. (No worries, you'll still get my regular emails.) Wanna Write Romance is the online conference for romance writers who...
over 1 year agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi Reader! Registration opens in just three days. π€― Where did the last few months go?! I know today is a holiday for many of you, so I'll keep this intro short and sweet! If you missed a previous update... π Click here to meet the Day 1 speakers π Click here to meet the Day 2 speakers β€οΈπ₯ What I'm excited about Day 3 is PACKED with learning and networking. Between every session, you'll have the opportunity to drop by the Ignite Lounge and network with your fellow romance writers (and some of...
over 1 year agoΒ β’Β 3 min read