L.V. DITCHKUS

Some authors write every day. Others (like me) write a minimum number of hours per week. When I look back at my logged hours, I see very...

So you’ve finished writing the best book on the planet. Now it’s time to design a cover that potential readers can’t resist. Besides the...

As a judge for the upcoming Self-Published Science Fiction Competition (SPSFC), my team and I will be reviewing about 60 books (out of...

For those who love to plant flowers in the spring, there is nothing like cleaning out the beds and putting new plants into the soil. The...

In our 40s, some people have a mid-life crisis and dwell on lost youth to the detriment of enjoying their remaining years. Those who...

Many authors work for years on a novel they never finish. To them, the idea of writing a book series might seem unfathomable. But if...

Ask any writer what one of their greatest frustrations are, and they will have a long list. However, that list will most likely...

Did you know wild elephants average just 2 hours of sleep a night? Thankfully, humans typically get more sleep than that. But suffice it...

Assume you’ve written the perfect novel, and you’d like to start looking for an agent or consider self-publishing. How do you know your...

First off, what is an anthology? An anthology is a published collection of short stories or poems. It can be written by different authors...

If you’ve never heard of NaNoWriMo (https://nanowrimo.org), you might be amazed or in awe of what it does. This organization supports the...

Check out the Speculative Fiction Writers Group post from L.V. Ditchkus: https://specficwriters.com/is-sasquatch-the-next-big-thing/

As a new writer, I loved developing the first draft. My creative juices flowed, and new ideas gave me goosebumps. The editing process...

Everyone has ideas about what they are looking for in a good book. Here’s what I want: 1) Characters who are believable and make me want...

Of course, the primary point is that size matters. While there are a variety of views on how many words are in each, in my opinion, short...

The decision an aspiring author makes when choosing between the traditional and self-publishing routes can be a game-changer – both for...

In a couple of weeks, I will attend a major writers’ conference. So it’s time to tune-up my pitch (aka logline). I’ve been reading the...

Some view writing as a solo journey, but many, including myself, rely on others to help improve their craft and learn about what’s...

Being a former accountant and banking supervisor, I understand the importance of rules. There are boatloads of rules in writing. Not just...

Writing characters who are full of life and who readers can feel something about (e.g., love, despise, fear, or empathize with) can be a...