Outer story is the foundation for all good books. Outer story grounds the reader in your material, whether you are writing about people, po...

Last night, just as the moon was coming up (almost full!), I was out in the garden planting lettuce seedlings. I started them from seed in...

One of my readers from New York asked if the storyboard W, which gives an easy way to enhance momentum in your story, could be used for nonf...

Like many creative artists who have jobs and families that demand attention, I sometimes dream of everything being quiet.  Of finally having...

It isn’t talent that makes an artist succeed. Talented people fail all the time. Success comes from belief in yourself, persistence with y...

I've just finished a book.  No, I mean, really finished it.  The last change is proofed, the last word typeset.  It's on amazon.com....

If you're interested in studying book-writing with Mary, there are a few spots left in the Your Book Starts Here online class, beginning...

A children's book writer sent me the following question:  "I am interested in writing a non fiction book for 11-18 year olds and wa...

A reader from Minnesota has gotten interest from a publisher, but the publisher has asked for a written statement of her book--often called ...

This week, I'm going to share a technique I teach in my workshops on writing vivid characters.  If you're interested in learning mor...