The setting of a story is so much more than just where the story takes place. If done well, setting can help create the mood and tone of the story and can even act as a character itself. Setting is not just the physical space in which the story takes place, but the time period … Continue reading Behind the Scenes of Somewhere Only We Know: Setting
Writing Tips
Reading Your Own Writing
I’ve been reading through Somewhere Only We Know for the first time since I did my final check before publication in order to pull out quotes and passages that I can use for promotional stuff, and it is definitely a weird experience. Two thoughts constantly run through my head as I read it. The first … Continue reading Reading Your Own Writing
Getting Re-inspired by Les Misérables
I recently had to take a break from reading and writing due to a medical condition, and I was absolutely miserable. As my stack of books from the library that I couldn’t read grew higher and my notebooks sat untouched, I grew more and more desperate to get back to my job. However, now that … Continue reading Getting Re-inspired by Les Misérables
Choosing Point of View
Though I know that many YA readers enjoy first-person stories—just look at such popular series as The Hunger Games, The Selection, and Divergent—and my novel Somewhere Only We Know is written in the first person, I don’t see myself using that point of view (POV) very often in the future. It felt completely natural to … Continue reading Choosing Point of View
Kristen Simmons, Natalie D. Richards, and Mindee Arnett at Books & Co
Last night I got to see three authors at Books & Co in Dayton: Kristen Simmons, Natalie D. Richards, and Mindee Arnett. Simmons and Richards were there to talk about their new books, Metaltown and One Was Lost respectively, and Arnett led the panel. She asked them lots of questions, from what two sticks inspired … Continue reading Kristen Simmons, Natalie D. Richards, and Mindee Arnett at Books & Co
The Four “P”s of Publishing from Antioch Writers’ Workshop Mini-Workshop: Finding a Venue for your Work
This weekend I attended Antioch Writers’ Workshop free mini-workshop at Books & Co in Dayton. This event was led by Sharon Short and Kate Geiselman, and they discussed how to go about finding a venue for publishing your work. This mini-workshop was really helpful, and they talked about everything from literary magazines to agents and … Continue reading The Four “P”s of Publishing from Antioch Writers’ Workshop Mini-Workshop: Finding a Venue for your Work
Margaret Peterson Haddix at Books & Co
Last night I got the chance to see one of my favorite writers. Margaret Peterson Haddix was at Books & Co in Dayton last night to launch her new book, Children of Exile, which is the first in a new trilogy and her 38th book. Children of Exile sounded so interesting as she described how … Continue reading Margaret Peterson Haddix at Books & Co
Mixing the Past and Present in Setting
As I said here, on my writer’s retreat I made a big breakthrough on the project I’m trying to get started on. The book is a dystopian set well into the future, and will feature a princess as one of the main characters. Because it is a princess, the setting that immediately came to mind … Continue reading Mixing the Past and Present in Setting
Make-Your-Own Writer’s Retreat
What do you do when your husband has to go on a business trip to Chicago? Make your own writer’s retreat, of course! My husband is an engineer, and he had to go to Chicago last week to oversee some testing of his company’s products. So I decided to tag along on his trip. Lately … Continue reading Make-Your-Own Writer’s Retreat
Proofreading Methods and Tips
I didn’t realize how hard it would be to proofread a novel for publication. Even now, as I am going through the proof of my novel, which should be practically ready to go, I am finding more typos than I’d like to admit. Normally I am a decent typist, but I tried to do something … Continue reading Proofreading Methods and Tips
Bri Marino Creates 