I’m writing this blog post with a strong sense of nostalgia. I’ve been a blogger for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers since 2019 (five years!) and have written posts on tension, character development, screenwriting, author photos, social media, and incorporating humor in your writing as well as dozens of other topics. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time…
Author: Maggie Smith
Storytelling on Screen: Would Your Novel Work for Film or TV?
Last month I was a guest at a book club where my second novel, Blindspot, was the selection of the month. It’s the story of an ambitious district attorney who hunts down the stalker harassing her and her teenage daughter, then finds herself arrested for murder when he turns up dead. Turns out, she’s got…
The Art of the Start: Four Different Ways to Begin Your Novel
This month I’m beginning my third novel, and I face a familiar, nerve-racking challenge: deciding how to start. The opening of a novel sets the tone for everything that follows, and I’m torn. Should I go back in time and give the reader a sense of how the conflicts playing out in the present spring…
Worth Every Penny: Six Writing Investments That Paid Off Big-Time
As a writer, finding the right tools can make all the difference between staying a newbie forever or graduating to published author. Over the years, I’ve tried countless gadgets, apps, and software—some were a waste, but others were game-changers. The tools and activities that stuck with me didn’t just improve my writing process; they became…
Using Social Media to Market Your Book
Social media platforms are increasingly important for any author launching a novel into the world. Not only are they free (music to a writer’s ears), but they offer a way to connect with potential readers across the globe, people you would never be able to reach via bookstore appearances or local one-on-one selling. By leveraging…