So you’ve finished the first draft of your new novel. Now what? I’ve edited half a dozen manuscripts in my writing endeavors, each one requiring
Author: Alison Potoma
Alison Potoma writes quirky and adventurous science fiction and fantasy books for readers of all ages. When she isn't writing, teaching art to middle schooler's, or designing a set for a play, she putters in the garden, gets lost in the world of video games, and builds things with power tools. Alison lives in Derry, NH with her husky dog, Koda.
So you want to write Flash Fiction?
In the spirit of Flash Fiction, this post will be 500 words or less. The previous words count. So do these. You get the idea.
Thoughts for Writers from a 24 Hour Play Festival
Last month, I participated in a 24 Hour Play Festival as a playwright. Essentially, I was locked in a theatre with a group of writers
Word Counts from the NYT Best Sellers’ List
The story of the word count I imagine most resembles the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The aspiring writer steps into a publishing house,
Need a Word Count Tracker?
I participated in NaNoWriMo this year, knowing full well that I was not going to make the 50,000 word goal. I write on average, according
Establishing a Writing Routine
The school year has started. Long gone are those endless days of summer where thousands of words flow out of me at my leisure. Being
Instagram for Writers
I’m a little late to the party, but, Instagram might be my new favorite thing on the internet. I’m often flummoxed about what to tweet
Plotting a Novel with Sticky Notes
This pantser has gone plotter, and for one particular reason: Speed. My first attempt at a novel took me two years. I wrote it by
Five reasons getting a rejection letter isn’t the end of the world
Over the past month, I have been sending out query letters to agents for my middle grade science fiction manuscript. Writing the query letter took much
Book Reviews: Samurai Santa, Gingerbread Pirates and Zombelina
The best part of being an auntie is sitting down with my nephews and nieces and reading a good book together before bedtime. I have
Why I Write Science Fiction and Fantasy
I’ve Been Reflecting As a kid, I loved science fiction. We were a Star Trek household. My father was a science teacher, and he loved any
100 Children’s Books to Read in a Lifetime
A Bit of End of Summer Fun If you have ever been on Facebook, you have probably seen posts like, ‘Which Harry Potter Character Are You?’,
Common Core for Writers
This week I have been grueling at my computer, writing curriculum maps for Visual Arts Standards grades K-8. When I am done, it will be
Being a Writer is like Growing a Garden
Candide is an operetta written by Leonard Bernstein, based on the novel by Voltaire. The finale song has always made my spine tingle. I turn
