#prose protips

After reading Ninth House, I'm reading every Leigh Bardugo interview I can find. It's no surprise that she has some great insights to share about the craft. 

We don’t need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of dos and don'ts: we need books, time, and silence. “Thou shalt not” is soon forgotten, but “Once upon a time” lasts forever. -Philip Pullman

Write the story you want to read.

Always start with character. Once you know your characters and their motives, the plot will often reveal itself.

Find a partner (in-person or online) and write a short story, trading off every paragraph.

Too many distractions in your home environment? Escape! Libraries, coffee shops, and public parks are all great alternatives.

I just finished Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo and I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor. Countless books have been marketed as "grownup Harry Potter," but Ninth House finally makes good on that pitch, using its magical premise to examine gender, class, and power in the Ivy League. It's very much an adult book (cw for several instances of sexual violence), but its ugly themes are handled with empathy and grace. I can't recommend it enough.

Hard work is important, but don't forget to rest! Your story will benefit from your self-care.