Believe it or not, scarred characters are a popular trope in fiction. From Mr. Rochester to Harry Potter, some of our best-loved characters were scarred. What Does a Scarred Character Mean? Before diving into the details, let me clarify what I mean b...
As authors, we’re constantly bombarded by feedback. Some of it is amazing, but some make you wonder, ‘Why bother?’ Criticism and feedback are a natural part of the creative process. But how do you handle criticism and negative feedback? This is worth...
Do you celebrate milestones? Writing is a journey made up of thousands of tiny steps—and every one of them deserves a little love. From outlining your story to hitting “send” on that final draft, each milestone is proof that you’re doing the thing. Y...
The post The Prince’s Unraveling First Chapter appeared first on Aminata Coote.
We’ve all been there: staring at a document, obsessively rereading a sentence for the hundredth time, tweaking the same paragraph, or agonizing over every little word choice. This is the world of over-editing. It’s easy to get caught in a loop where...
Here’s a preview of The Librarian’s Wish first chapter. Alistair Johnson braced his forearms against the baluster of his rooftop balcony, the cool night air playing over his skin. “Did I make a mistake, Lord?” After years of dancing around the pretty...
Hi friends, I have a little secret I’ve been keeping, and since today is April 1st, I wanted to start by being very clear: This is not an April Fools’ joke! I am excited to welcome you to my brand-new Coote Book Shop. Why a Direct Shop? For a long ti...
Every Christian writer has that one moment—the one that demands more courage than they feel they have. Maybe it’s hitting “publish” on a vulnerable blog post. Maybe it’s weaving Scripture into fiction, knowing it might turn off a few readers. Or mayb...
Every writer has been there: the days when the words just won’t come, and inspiration seems like a distant memory. It’s easy to feel frustrated and defeated when creativity takes a hiatus, but the good news is that inspiration can be rekindled. There...
I had so much fun writing Conner and Ella’s story. Check out The Dressmaker’s Secret First Chapter. *** Conner Gilbert sank into his father’s office chair, the leather creaking beneath him. The faint aroma of sandalwood cologne and lemon lingered in...