Is your query or manuscript still marketable or do you need to shift gears to a new topic or update your existing one?
It’s not unusual for me to hear a pitch from someone who has been working on a …
// by Barb Roose// 13 Comments
Is your query or manuscript still marketable or do you need to shift gears to a new topic or update your existing one?
It’s not unusual for me to hear a pitch from someone who has been working on a …
// by Barb Roose// 14 Comments
Do you believe in coincidences when it comes to your writing journey?
I don’t.
I don’t believe that “a-ha” moments or life-changing connections happen by chance. Today’s blog is an encouraging reminder that wherever you in your writing journey, you …
// by Barb Roose// 11 Comments
There are multiple short-term and long-term benefits of speaking events, especially when it comes to your writing career and even building your platform. For some, just talking about speaking events evokes some stress. That’s okay! You aren’t alone. Perhaps you …
Four Ways That Speaking Events Build Your Writing CareerRead More
// by Barb Roose// 15 Comments
I’m sitting at my gate waiting for my overnight flight to take off from the Seattle Airport back home to Ohio. This is a perfect time to get this post written!
For the past few days, I’ve proudly served on …
// by Barb Roose// 13 Comments
In honor of Mother’s Day weekend, let’s discuss a popular, but loaded term in the writing world that means something good, but can have some unintended, negative consequences.
What’s the phrase? Book Baby
Perhaps you’ve heard the following examples:
I …
The Unintended Consequences of the Phrase “Book Baby”Read More
// by Barb Roose// 11 Comments
Who is your book for?
While this isn’t intended to be a trick question, the quizzical looks that I often receive from writers during pitch sessions suggest otherwise.
After a few moments of chin-tapping or staring into space, here are …
Eight Questions to Get to Know Your Audience BetterRead More
// by Barb Roose// 14 Comments
When you imagine a literary agent behind his or her desk, what kind of expression do you see on their face? Depending on how you feel about your recent interactions with a literary agent, you may imagine a grumpy face, …
// by Barb Roose// 16 Comments
Ahhh, it’s mid-December. It’s the point at which we have one foot in 2021 and we’re thinking about testing out the waters for 2022. Before 2020, we used to get excited about rushing into the new year. Now, we’re a …
Three Questions to Help You Celebrate Your Writing YearRead More
// by Barb Roose// 8 Comments
A Thanksgiving Prayer for This Year
God, as we gather around our tables,
remembering all far and near,
We are grateful for Your keeping provision
that’s kept us through another wild year.
Through ups and down, the ins and outs,…
// by Barb Roose// 22 Comments
Today, I want to discuss three stereotypes that we should avoid when creating a diverse character, particularly African-American characters.
Before we jump into the three stereotypes that should be avoided, let’s refresh the “why” behind the need to increase diversity …
Three Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing African-American CharactersRead More