Coryn of Bellsferry: Blood Thieves -Chapter 5: Unexpected Guests

Hunter aesthetic!  Coryn Aesthetic! Chapter 5 of Coryn of Bellsferry: Blood Thieves is here! Check it out on Wattpad! “I shivered, despite the summer heat. What if something happened to me? What if the Blood Thieves got to me? What would that do to my daughter, losing the person closest to her? She barely knew

Make Your Protagonist Problematic Tip 1: Fear

Your protagonist has to have at least one fear that needs to be squashed throughout her journey. Whether it’s the fear of failing, or the fear of losing a loved one (like Katniss from Hunger Games), the fear needs to be real, relatable, and a reminder to her and your audience at crucial moments. The

Cheaper Edits for Some Special Preciouses

Those of you interested in having me as a developmental editor are getting a price-break from my already reasonable editing service fees. Short story edit A thorough edit of your story, improving various aspects such as plot, characters, dialogue, stakes, emotional appeal, originality, conflicts, and resolution. Short story edit rates $0.04 $o.03 a word. Novel edit A complete

Critique Friday: “Allies of the Night” Reading

It’s Critique Friday! Today’s reading is from an action-packed horry/fantasy/adventure by Nicholas Scott. If you want your first 1500 words to be read and posted here on my blog and on my YouTube channel, send it via email to NatashaSapienza[at]gmail.com  Don’t send your manuscript if there’s anything erotic in it.  Happy helping!

Writing Craft Wednesday: Action Scenes vs Rest Ones

When the heroes in your story are fighting the villains, there shouldn’t be too much time to take in every detail. Long sentences must be shortened. Short sentences make us more anxious. For example: Sara mustered all the strength she had left and swung her fist at Bale’s cheek. He grabbed her hand and twisted

Critique of “Song of the Daystar” by Nichole

I know it’s Main Character Monday, but I’m finding it quite difficult to film and edit readings and then edit/critique your pieces when sent the day of or before Critique Friday . So if you would like a recorded reaction to your first 1500 words and a written critique, I ask kindly that you please

Critique Friday! Video Reading of “Song of the Daystar”

You know what time it is: Critique Friday! Here’s my initial reaction/reading of Nichole’s, “Song of the Daystar.” It’s another fantasy piece–yay!–so I decided to get into character and wear my special tunic and headband. For more readings and funny moments be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel.  And well done, Nichole!

I need something to critique and film a reading for!

Attention writers: Critique Friday is tomorrow and I still need a piece to do a reading from and a critique for. Want to see a reader’s first reaction to your first 1500 words? I’ll record my favorite part from your excerpt and share it on my blog and Facebook page, along with a written critique

Raise the Stakes!

What’s going to happen if your character doesn’t fulfill his goal? What is at stake for your hero? The more your main character has to lose, the better. This can be loss of life; family, friends, wife, husband, children, himself, the world. It can be loss of health, a ruined reputation, loss of income, you

Critique Friday: Critique of “The Red Tattoo”

All of my critiques are in bold font. If you want to watch my reactions to reading this for the first time, click here. If you wanna get to the meat-and-potatoes of my review, just scroll down to where it says, “overview.” Hope this helps, Jessi! ———————– I pulled a large rock from the collapsed mineshaft. (I’m