Writing Tips and Writerly Musings

Welcome back for Season 8 of "Writing Tips and Writerly Musings", with writing tips from the pros, and, of course, my own writerly musings. I'm your host, Morgan Hazelwood and this season, I'm back with tips from the query trenches, when the writing gets hard, and craft advice from the pros! I'm always glad when others find my convention notes helpful, and I hope you can empathize with my struggle...

For the Christian holiday, here is one of my original stories -- a re-imagining of the origin of Santa Claus. This is an early draft, but be warned, it is not a feel-good piece. The fae drive hard bargains. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips &...

What writing advice is completely right -- most of the time? And when should you break the rules? ( Spoiler -- always break the rule if it's not working for your story ) =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Tuesdays: Author...

If you're writing short stories and poetry, it can be hard to find markets to publish your works -- if you're not looking in the right place! https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/ =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Tuesd...

I am a huge fan of serendipity. That moment when you realize something about your world or your character or your setting that makes what you’ve been planning and your story all seem inevitable. -- This post isn’t about that. This is about when you realize everything is wrong . =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out conte...

When you start querying, some writers only send to 1 or 2 agents, while others blast their query letter to the world. Tune in for some reasons why you should pace yourself -- but keep at it! =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musing...

It’s that time of year, especially for most Americans, to give thanks. Despite the admittedly troublesome history, I can’t hate the concept of a holiday that exists to gather with friends and family, eat foods that we don’t normally get, and take a moment to count our blessings. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out cont...

If you’ve tried to write a manuscript, you’ve probably been at one end of the scale or the other, before. It’s hard to get a manuscript — or even a short story — to end up at the right word count. Tune in for tips to make your story longer -- or shorter! =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: N...

When a story is fighting you, the problem just might be that you’re going the wrong direction. Sometimes, you’re writing the wrong story. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Tuesdays: Author Spotlight interviews on my blog...

I know most of you following me are already writers, but some of you only dabble, and a few of you have only entertained the thought from time-to-time. And while it is a lot of work, dedication, and persistence to write a manuscript, there are things you can do to make it easier. https://nanowrimo.org/ https://bubblecow.com/blog/snowflake-method https://trello.com/ https://jamigold.com/for-writers...

All writers try to get meaning out of form rejections. Sometimes there is personalized advice, but usually? They're just not that in to you. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Tuesdays: Author Spotlight interviews on my bl...

Laws are influenced by the people and societies in which they exist. In what ways does your world-building affect your criminals and your crime fighters? All The Book Recommendations! The Caves of Steel and The Naked Sun (The Robot Series) – Isaac Asimov Long Arm of Gil Hamilton – Larry Niven Six Wakes – Mur Lafferty Retrieval Artist Series – Kristine Kathryn Rusch All Systems Red (Murderbot) – Ma...

Does writing for young adults differ from other writing? If so, how do writers approach it? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Tuesdays: Author Spotlight interviews on my blog Thursdays: New YT videos sharing more " Writin...

How do marginalised aspects of identity — gender, sexuality, culture, race, health, ability and more — shape our creative work? How can we empower, express, and explore through writing fantasy and SF? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Write...

Fanfiction’s popularity continues to grow, tapping into the special creative connection between authors and fans. What is it about this literary nexus that is so fascinating and stimulating for fans? And what might authors have to learn from fans who write it? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mond...

From Elvish to Esperanto to Dothraki to Belter -- creating a language for your story isn't just world-building, it's realistic. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Tuesdays: Author Spotlight interviews on my blog Thursdays:...

Fairy tale contract laws are like a force of nature... except there's usually a loophole. What are your favorite fairy tales? What are your favorite loopholes? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Tuesdays: Author Spotlight...

A reminder that Western views on spirits are not universal and an exploration of how myths vary between cultures. =============================== I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Tuesdays: Author Spotlight interviews on my blog Thursdays: New YT videos sharing more " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Saturday-ish:...

Economics is usually seen as a dry topic, full of game theory and calculated systems, but economic systems do not exist in a vacuum. Here are 5 Things To Consider When Designing Future (or Fantastical) Economic Systems =============================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and su...

In a lot of fantasy and science-fiction, they wave their hands and make magic or tech the “solution” to all disabilities. Let’s explore ways to use magic for accessibility and ways people with different abilities could be better integrated into these stories. Note: the term 'differently abled' was used in the discussion, originally recorded back in 2020. I know that term is no longer recommended,...

What is the basis of myths? And what are some examples of myths that different cultures share -- and those we don't share. Do you have any favorite myths? =============================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! You can find most of these posts over on my Blog / Yout...

What is Imposter Syndrome and how do we fight it? If you’ve fought with impostor syndrome, share how you’ve overcome it. Or at least fought it back. =============================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! You can find most of these posts over on my Blog / Youtube If...

If you're trying to get an agent or publisher, you've probably heard these terms. While even many industry professionals can be found using the terms interchangeably, they do actually have different meanings! =============================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! Y...

The size of a story is often dictated by the scope of the idea that spawned it. While some experienced writers can tell from the shape of the concept how long their story will be, it’s often a case of trial and error and years. =============================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your frien...

All writers have a voice and all stories have point-of-view characters -- it's how you bring them together that makes or breaks your story. =============================== Thanks for listening! I'll be back next Monday with more rambling ideas about writing. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and subscribe! You can find most of these posts over on my Blog / Youtube If you want...