Six Scary Good Books and Why They Still Haunt Me

October 15, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

With all the reading I do (roughly 30 books per year), I occasionally come across titles that give me the chills and haunt me long after I finish reading them. I’m not talking about horror stories either, which I don’t read anyway as a rule. I get scared easily. It doesn’t take much for me to go from being a chilled-out baby boomer to an anxious insomniac. The smallest gruesome details, even in the most literary of published words, can leave an indelible mark on my imagination.

While I try to avoid reading those types of stories with some element of horror, every now and then, I do read one with a difficult-to-read scene (The Book of Ruth) or I challenge myself to read out of my comfort zone (In Cold Blood). Other times, a book I’m reading has kept me awake at night, the suspense so great I was afraid to sleep.

I’ve scoured my reading lists from the past few years to curate a list of the best, most haunting reads, just in time for Halloween season. These books haunted me in ways I didn’t expect and left a lasting impression.

Why did these titles make my “scary” list?

They might have contained a gruesome scene of brutal violence that I could not unsee in my imagination.
Some scenes only hinted at violence, just enough to feed my own fears and prod my imagination to fill in the blanks.
Some stories contained scenes that kept playing over and over in my head, preventing me from falling asleep at night.
The story presented a sad, dark view of our future that felt real and viable.

Here is my short list of books that have haunted me over the years. Your own list of scary or haunting books may be different. What is the same is the way these stories make you feel and the lasting impressions they make on your psyche.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
I don’t usually read true crime, but I had heard so much about ICB that I challenged myself to read it. This is considered the premiere example of true crime, and Capote does it with tremendous empathy for the villains. The story doesn’t feel exploitative or flashy either, and the facts are presented in a way that helps you understand the mindset of the murderers and the events that led up to their crime. That is what made this book so haunting, helping readers understand that there’s more to a crime than meets the eye.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Morena-Garcia
This title is the closest thing to horror that I’ve ever read. I had heard a lot about it and I was curious about what the story was about. Morena-Garcia gives a Mexican spin on traditional gothic horror. Well-written with a likeable main character who behaved with greater maturity than her 21 years. The story was packed with a lot of gruesome and paranormal details that were both fascinating and horrifying at the same time.

The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton
I still cannot stop thinking about The Book of Ruth, which I read about five years ago.
Though this book is a work of fiction and not horror or true crime, it could easily have been one of them because of the way Hamilton presented the sequence of events. She also included back stories for the two people the main character Ruth was closest to – her mother and her husband. As the story progressed, the reader could see the growing tension and animosity between those two characters up until their final confrontation. This book haunted me in two ways: the brutal violence Ruth witnesses and her capacity to forgive in the end.

A Deadly Game of Magic by Joan Lowery Nixon
Nixon was a popular young adult novelist of the 1970s and 1980s, and I remember reading a few of her stories when I was younger. While the set-up for A Deadly Game wasn’t original – four teens seek shelter in an apparent abandoned house during a storm – Nixon turned their experience into a gripping, spine-tingling page turner around an evil magician who may or may not still be alive. There was no clear sign of violence, no actual blood and gore. But Nixon leaves enough clues, including a guillotine set that the magician had used for his tricks, to make readers use their imagination to fill in the blanks. Sometimes that can be more scary than seeing the horror on the page. This one gave me a few sleepless nights.

One By One by Ruth Ware
This was the first of Ware’s psychological thrillers I read, and what an introduction it was. The story centers around a group of work colleagues who are trapped in an isolated chalet in the Swiss Alps, and one by one, they keep disappearing. The pacing and multiple points of view kept me guessing about what would happen next. The tension was so fraught that I had difficulty sleeping at night. Casual readers of suspense or Ware fans might say that I’m overreacting, that this was not one of her best works. But for me, there was something about the way she weaved in the story elements and tension that kept me looking over my shoulder.

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
I shake my head every time I see this title described as magic realism. Sure there is a “special school,” but the specialness has nothing to do with magic. I would describe this story as dystopian much like the Handmaid’s Tale. The story centers around an imagined society that raises orphaned children for a very dark purpose – to be sacrificed to help other people live. As readers see these children grow up and knowing what their future holds, leaves me feeling haunted in ways traditional crime novels do not.

What do you think? Are there any books that have haunted you? What types of stories scare you?

What Writers Should Know about Book Bans and Censorship

October 8, 2026October 8, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

This week is Banned Books Week, an initiative devoted to creating greater awareness about censorship and book banning initiatives and to remind the reading public to fight for the freedom to read.

As an avid reader and aspiring novelist, this issue is personal. I hate the thought that someone I don’t know can dictate what is not available for me to read. No author wants their books banned or restricted from access.

“It’s not a badge of honor to have books banned,” says author Jodi Picoult in an interview with the BBC. Picoult has had several of her books banned, most notably Nineteen Minutes, a story about a school shooting. Although it’s not the content of that story that was behind the ban, she says. It was a single word that appeared on one single page in the book. You can read more about her experience here.

Stephen Chbosky, who wrote The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which frequently lands on the banned books list, describes it this way: “Banning books gives us silence when we need speech. It closes our ears when we need to listen. It makes us blind when we need sight.”

Books are banned for several reasons:

Representation of LGBTQ+
Racial diversity
Religious views
Violence
Sexual content

The American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) publishes data about book censorship efforts in the U.S. In 2025, OIF documented the second highest level of book censorship attempts. It also noted that most attempts are “organized efforts to systematically suppress voices and ideas.”

Here are a few other things they’ve documented:

* There were 4,235 unique titles that were challenged in 2025, of which 39% were titles that represented LGBTQ+ and people of color.

* 92% of censorship campaigns were initiated by pressure groups and the decision makers and board administrators that were swayed by their efforts. That’s a 20% increase over 2024.

* Less than 3% of censorship attempts were initiated by parents or individuals.

* OIF tracked 713 censorship incidents targeting library materials and services in 2025. Roughly 68% were books and graphic novels.

* Most book challenges occurred at public libraries (51%) followed by school libraries (37%) and school curricula (8%).

* During the 2024-2025 school year, PEN America, which advocates against book bans, documented bans in 87 public school districts and 23 states.

* Florida, Texas and Tennessee led all states with instances of book challenges. Florida had 2,304 instances in 33 districts; Texas had 1,781 instances in 7 districts, and Tennessee had
1,622 cases in 8 districts.

However, a more recent report by PEN America cites an increase of book bans in Texas from under 2,000 last year to 8,193 in 2026. I suspect much of that increase is due to the use of AI in generating a list of terms to search for.

Why should we be concerned? Because attempts at censorship and book bans have been increasing at an alarming rate over the past five years. While 4,235 unique titles had been challenged by pressure groups in 2025, the annual average of challenges was only 273 between 2001 and 2020. The number of challenges has grown exponentially since then.

So what can you do to stem the tide? Here are a few suggestions from OIF and PEN America:

* Read a banned book or add it to your TBR list. I recently read Looking for Alaska by John Green (which I recommend) and a couple others are on my TBR shelf, including Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes and Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

* Share a banned book with a friend or fellow reader, or contribute it to a local Little Free Library so neighbors have access to it.

* Join organizations whose mission is to fight censorship and book bans, such as Unite Against Book Bans, Freedom to Read Foundation and PEN America.

* Support authors whose works have been banned. Attend their author readings, or buy or borrow their books. Even better, follow them on social media or send them a thank you note to support their work.

* Vote in local school board elections. Attend school board meetings and town halls, and ask candidates if they will defend the freedom to read.

* Report a book ban to either PEN America or ALA OIF. They track these challenges and can advise on what to do next.

* Share your story on social media about how a banned book changed your perspective.

You’ll find plenty more suggestions on PEN America’s website. I also recommend watching the film “The Librarians” if it comes to your town or if you find it on the PBS website. It recounts the efforts of several librarians to fight censorship campaigns in their communities.

Book bans and challenges affect all of us. Whether you write a thank you note to your local librarian, read a banned book, or get involved with your school board, there’s something we can all do to protect the freedom to read.

Essential Traits of Creative Writers

September 24, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

I’ve been on this creative writing journey for eight years. The more I write, the more I realize that there are certain traits most writers have that go beyond basic writing skills or understanding story structure.

From having a natural curiosity about the outside world to developing empathy for others, writers tap into a well of personal insights and experiences to create stories that readers will relate to. These traits provide the mental and emotional edge they need to be successful as a creative writer. You’re not likely to find these same traits in other professions.

Here are the most essential traits of creative writers and how they help shape their stories.

Curiosity. Writers are naturally curious about the outside world and enjoy exploring and learning about different experiences and ideas, places, cultures, cuisine, music. All this can inspire unique settings and characters. They enjoy doing research, asking questions about things they’re curious about, interview subject matter experts and search the web for answers. Google is their best friend, always at their fingertips. Without curiosity, writers would lack the depth of knowledge and understanding about the world around them that would typically enrich their stories. Curiosity is essential for continuously learning about the world and about themselves.

Patience and perseverance. As essential as these traits are, they’re often the most difficult to cultivate. Many writers may abandon a project after months or years of working on it because it’s not coming together fast enough or easily. That’s where a healthy dose of patience and perseverance are required. It’s like running a marathon. Writing a novel is not for the faint of heart; it takes effort every single day to see how your story comes to life on the page. Writers must also be patient with themselves because writing takes a lot of practice. Their development as professional creative writers is a slow, steady process. It doesn’t happen overnight. But with patience, they can persevere and make progress towards their writing goal.

Observation and awareness. Writers are notorious people watchers and eaves droppers. Being aware of the world around them is an essential trait for creating realistic settings, characters and dialogue. That’s why most writers carry a small notebook to jot down things they see and hear when they’re out and about. Those powers of observation are necessary to create true descriptive stories that make readers feel they are really there with the characters and with the author.

Imagination and originality. Writers have the ability to think outside the box, to always look at the world from different perspectives and to ask the question, “what if?” That simple question can lead to a myriad of situations and story scenes. “What if?” questions challenge you to look at situations differently. For example, what if a woman became president of the United States? What if men could live on the moon? What if we could travel five years into the future, spend one hour there, then return to the present time, which, by the way, is the basis for the novel In Five Years by Rebecca Serle. Reimagining our world is essential for creating original stories worth reading.

Empathy and emotion. What makes creative writers stand out from non-fiction writers or AI-generated content is emotion. Creative writers know how to bring emotion into their writer and appeal to readers’ empathy for their characters. That ability to feel and understand another person’s suffering makes it possible to share the depths of humanity on the page. Without this trait, stories would simply be words on a page, and writers wouldn’t be able to connect to their readers. Empathy and emotion are what connects us to each other.

Self-discipline and commitment. Dedication is the name of the game. Without commitment to the craft, most writers wouldn’t jot down a single word. Writing takes discipline to keep writing even when you don’t feel like it or when your heart isn’t in your story. Commitment shows you’re willing to work at your craft and to keep learning and growing. That’s why most experts advise writing a little every day to keep those skills fresh and to maintain momentum. It may not be your best work on that day, but it’s better than not writing at all. After all, you can’t edit a blank page.

A passionate belief in their story. One of the most overlooked traits of a writer is belief – belief in the story and belief in yourself. Belief is the foundation for your writing, much like the cement foundation that is laid when building a house. Without belief, you wouldn’t be willing to set aside time from your already busy lives to create stories. Not only must you believe in your talent and storytelling ability, you must believe in the story you want to tell. Without that belief, your story isn’t likely to come to life.

Risk taking. I’ve written about this before that writers are natural risk takers. They take risks with their writing, constantly experimenting with plot structures, story development, genre mashups, and characters. Every time they sit down to write, they’re taking a risk with their time and schedule too, hoping that the time they put in eventually pays off with a finished product they can be proud of.

Book editor Tiffany Yates Martin said it best when she compared writing to buying a lottery ticket. “Think of your stories as lottery tickets – with each one, you’re creating the chance to hit the jackpot, but there are no guarantees and the odds aren’t in your favor.”

Still writers persist because they love what they do – to craft stories that they hope people will read.

What do you think? Do you have all these traits, or only a few of them? Are there other traits you think are essential for successful writers?

Where to Find Fresh Story Ideas in Your Own Neighborhood

September 16, 2026September 14, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Many years ago, I was enjoying a late lunch in a food court across the street from where I worked at the time. As I sat down to eat, my attention was drawn to a young couple sitting at a nearby table who were in the midst of a spat. I wasn’t close enough to hear what they were saying, but I could tell from the woman’s raised voice, her harsh tone of voice and her gesturing that they were arguing about something. Oh, to be a fly at that table to hear what she was saying to her male friend, who was trying in vain to calm her down. Even better to be a writer to capture the essence of their argument and re-write the exchange as part of a current work-in-progress.

Sometimes the best ideas come from your immediate surroundings or your neighborhood. This is especially helpful for those times when you feel stuck in your writing. You can find story inspiration anywhere, of course, but your neighborhood is chock full of unique settings and individuals that can spark your imagination. The key is being aware of your environment and making note of what you see and hear.

Here’s how to find story ideas in your own neighborhood:

* Sit alone with nature.

If you’re lucky to have a porch or patio, sit out there first thing in the morning or in the evening. (If you don’t have a porch, patio or backyard, the nearest garden or park will suffice.) In the quietness of the morning especially, watch the world around you. What do you notice? Watch the sky as the sun rises higher and notice how the colors change. Observe the way the trees and shrubs move as the breeze blows. Watch as the birds flutter past and the squirrels chase each other.

Also notice the sounds – dogs barking, the buzz of insects, the whoosh of the wind. Do these sights and sounds inspire you or help you recall a memory? Jot down your observations and note how they make you feel. Use these observations to create memorable descriptions in your prose. While this exercise may not generate any story ideas per se, they can help tune into the tiniest of details and bring them to life on the page.

* Notice your physical surroundings.

The next step beyond sitting alone with nature is to notice your physical surroundings. Check out the buildings in your neighborhood, streetscapes, sculptures and murals. Is a neighbor’s house freshly painted or is the paint chipping and falling off? Is their lawn taken care of or is it overgrown with weeds? A house with a wraparound porch might exude a different mood than one with a few stone steps and a broken window. What kind of building is the central library located in? The mayor’s office? The hospital? Are there any notable public art like sculptures or murals? What is the story behind them? The physical surroundings might conjure up a unique story idea or simply provide an intriguing backdrop to a scene.

* Become a people watcher.

You can learn a lot about a person just by watching them from a distance. Head to the local park, an outdoor cafe or some other public place, then make yourself invisible and watch people as they stroll past you. Note how they dress – casual, business, formal or eclectic. Where do you think they might be headed dressed as they are?

Are they carrying anything with them, like a backpack or a laundry basket? Imagine what their story might be. What’s inside their backpack? Are they carrying books for school or a change of clothes because they’re sleeping over at a friend’s house – or something more sinister like a stolen artifact from a historical site? An elderly woman carrying a shopping bag, for example, might have finished her grocery shopping or she might be transporting contraband. (Hey, you never know). Watching people can inspire all sorts of crazy ideas about characters and their mysterious comings and goings.

* Eavesdrop on conversations.

While watching people can be fun, so can eavesdropping, whether intentional or not. You can pick up some fascinating tidbits about people’s lives when you overhear two people talking. It can be fun to pretend that you’re busy doing one thing, like reading a book or gardening, when what you’re really doing is listening to an old married couple squabble over their breakfast. Note not only what people say but how they say it. The tone of voice can say as much, maybe more, than the words they use. Eavesdropping can be a useful skill when trying to write dialogue too.

* Explore interesting places of significance.

Every town and city has its landmarks and points of interest that can serve as an interesting backdrop for stories. City skylines can provide breathtaking views, perfect for a romantic rendezvous on a rooftop deck or conversely, that same deck can be the scene of a grisly murder or a VIP’s kidnapping.

Consider a popular ball park, a cemetery where numerous historic figures are buried, or a famous art museum can all provide intriguing settings, whether that story is a mystery, a psychological thriller, historical fiction or modern romance. So the next time you walk around your neighborhood, visit the most significant places that you know of. It just might spark an idea for enhancing your work.

* Explore your town’s history.

Where there’s a town, there’s history. Chicago has plenty of that – the great Chicago fire, the World’s Fair of 1893, the blizzard of 1967. History supplies numerous story ideas, but sometimes it’s the side stories, the subplots and secondary characters that’s worth writing about. Learn more about your town’s history. Check out your local library for research or visit the historical society. You’re bound to come across someone from your town’s history no one knows about, or an event that went largely unnoticed. Whatever piques your interest is likely to have storytelling value.

The next time you feel stuck with your writing, take a walk in your neighborhood. You may just come across an idea that’s worth writing about.

Dissatisfied with Your Writing Progress? It Might Be Time to Audit Your Habits

September 2, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

I used to be really good at keeping to a schedule. It was easier when I held a steady job. I’d get up in the morning, dress for work, have breakfast, then wait for the bus to take me to my job. After work, I had another routine, usually going to the fitness center in my office building to work out, take the bus home, make dinner, then collapse on the TV or read before bedtime.

Routines can be easy to fall into – and fall out of. When I no longer had a steady job and began freelancing, well, my routine fell apart. I had to develop a different routine for myself, one that allowed me to squeeze in time for my personal writing projects.

Developing a writing habit isn’t that much different. It’s a matter of finding the right time, the right space and the right mindset. If any of those factors are off, that can hinder your writing progress. Having a writing habit can help you stay focused, produce more writing and avoid burnout.

What happens when you fail to make progress on your current project or you lose interest in your story? The problem may not be a lack of knowledge about the writing craft. Instead, it may have more to do with your writing routine, or lack of one. Here are a few signs it might be time to audit yourself:

* You’ve become dissatisfied with the quality of your writing.
* You don’t feel connected to your writing or your project.
* It’s easy to find other things to do instead of tending to your work.
* You’re dissatisfied with the progress you’re making on your current project.
* Something has changed in your life routine, such as changing jobs or moving, which can impact your writing routine.

Before tweaking your routine, you need to know exactly what’s not working, writes editor and book coach Tiffany Yates Martin. She recommends doing an audit of your writing habits to examine the effort you’re actually putting in. Are you spending more time with online research or social media? That means time away from actual writing, she explains. Her post on audits is worth a read.

Mind you, this isn’t about assessing your skills or your craft. It’s about making yourself aware of what isn’t working with your routine so you can make necessary changes to become more productive with the time you do have.
When you assess your routine, be honest with yourself. Here are a few questions to keep in mind.

1. Do you have a writing routine? If not, why? Would your writing benefit from having one?

Perhaps the reason why you’re not making progress toward your writing goals is because you don’t have a routine in place. In which case, it might help to set up a regular time and place for your writing. Or schedule it in your journal or calendar. Understandably, setting a routine may not be possible due to travel, work or school schedules. The important takeaway is awareness. As long as you are aware that not having a writing habit may be the reason you’re not making progress can help you identify a solution.

2. Assuming you have a writing routine, how often do you write and how long are the sessions?
Is the current setup working for you?

You might have a writing routine in place, but that doesn’t mean it’s working for you in its current state. Perhaps you’re writing every day for an hour, but you still feel you’re not making a lot of progress on your story. In which case, maybe you need to add another fifteen minutes to your sessions. Conversely, if you are putting in three hours or longer in the hopes you’ll make better progress, you might experiment with cutting back on your sessions to avoid burnout. Sometimes having a limited time to write forces you to stay focused on the project at hand.

3. What do you actually do with your time? How much do you accomplish during your writing sessions?

This is a tricky question for many writers because their writing sessions may include other tasks, such as proofreading or research, which is fine as long as it pertains to your current project. But if you’re checking emails and looking up information on the internet that has nothing to do with your manuscript, then that’s a sign that you’re either procrastinating or you’re bored. Be aware of how you use your sessions.

Ditto with taking breaks. All those breaks add up and can cut into your productive time. If you’re constantly taking short breaks to play games or browse news stories, it’s time to scale back on those activities and refocus your efforts. It might help to set a timer when you take a break and keep it limited to ten minutes or less.

Be honest with yourself. No judgement either. The audit is intended to make you aware of the weak spots in your habits. It’s up to you to figure out how to change them.

4. Do you set goals for your writing sessions? Do you know what you want to accomplish during that time?

Not knowing how you plan to use your writing time may contribute to your lack of progress. If this step is missing, start your sessions with a small goal in mind, such as drafting 500 words to finish a scene, or reviewing and editing the material you wrote the previous day. Having that small goal in mind keeps you focused so you’re not looking for something else to do.

5. Do you reward yourself for meeting milestones?

Celebrating milestones, such as finishing the first draft or writing 10,000 words in a week, gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps you stay motivated. Author Steven James rewards himself with a sticker in his calendar to mark every day that he writes for three hours. When he sees all those stickers, he knows he’s made progress.

How often you audit your writing habit is up to you, but generally speaking, every six months is a good plan to start with. You might also consider an audit whenever your work or life routine has changed, such as moving to a new house or starting a new job. When your life routine changes, your writing habits will naturally be affected.

If you’re dissatisfied with your writing progress or feeling easily distracted or uninspired, performing an audit of your writing habits can reveal whether your current routine is working.

Creating a Seasonal Writing Practice

August 27, 2026August 26, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

I can’t believe that summer is already winding to a close. Kids are back at school, and soon the weather will turn cooler and the leaves on the trees will change into more festive autumn colors.

This summer has been especially difficult. Heat waves with high humidity, intense storms and smoke from wildfires have forced me to stay inside my apartment for much of the summer. You’d think that would motivate me to write more, but it didn’t. During the summer months, my mind turned to mush. If it hadn’t been for my writer’s group and weekly sprints, I probably would not have written a single word!

That got me thinking about the impact of the seasons on our writing routines. I’ve noticed that my routine and motivation slows down during the summer months, while my writing kicks into high gear in January when it’s bitterly cold outside. During those long, cold days, it’s easier for me to focus on creative pursuits to pass the time.

Likewise, spring seems ideal for cleaning, decluttering and redecorating. I feel more energized then. I’m in the frame of mind to revise my work in progress and cut out unnecessary scenes and characters that slow down the story. Meanwhile fall is the time for reflection and education. Attending a conference, learning more about the writing craft or simply dreaming of your next story idea might be on the agenda.

Just as nature goes through periods of growth, rest, renewal, and abundance, so can our creativity, writes Marianne Jennings on her Substack, Weekly Writers Check In. “Your writing can have seasons too. That’s not a weakness; it’s wisdom.”

By paying attention to your own patterns, you might notice a rhythm to your writing behavior. The key is to observe those patterns without judgment or criticism, says Jennings. Then take advantage of those seasonal patterns by creating a routine that taps into your most productive energies.

Depending on your situation, your seasonal writing practice might look like this:

Winter – With less daylight at our disposal, you might feel inclined to have shorter writing sessions. Or if you’re like me and hibernate when it gets cold, you immerse yourself into your writing projects. Much like curling up with a good book, why not write one during the winter to keep your heart warm and keep your creativity flowing?

Spring – It’s a time of fresh starts, deep cleaning and planting seeds for the future. Spring might be the ideal time to take out a manuscript you had buried in a desk drawer, dust it off and tackle a revision. LIke cleaning out closets, you might cut unnecessary scenes and characters. Maybe you prefer to plant the seeds of new story ideas, then water and care for them so they grow into mature projects.

Summer – There’s plenty of daylight to work by, so some writers might enjoy longer writing sessions or sitting out in the garden surrounded by nature and warmed by the sun. Or perhaps you move those creative writing sessions to the early morning to take advantage of early sunlight and stay out of the heat. For others, summer is too busy to write, packed with outdoor activities, fun times with family and friends. Writing might take a back seat then because you feel less focused. Instead, you might use the time for observing the world around you, people watching and taking notes for possible new stories.

Fall – With the school year starting, fall can feel like a fresh start in a different way than spring. As kids return to school, you might decide to do the same by attending a conference, reading up on craft or joining a writer’s group to get feedback on your work. Fall is about changes too. You might decide to experiment with a different genre or rethink your writing process. Other writers find the fall time to be a period of reflection, so they might daydream plots and characters.

Every writing season is different, and no two people will experience them the same way. Be aware of how the seasons affect you then adapt your practice to their ebbs and flows. You may find a more productive way to arrive at “The End.”

Writing a Novel Takes Practice

July 23, 2026July 22, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

I’ve drafted several novels over the past few years, and one thing I’ve learned is that writing them is hard work. Really hard work. My writer friends assure me that my efforts will not go to waste. With each story I draft, I’m learning about the craft and I’m growing and maturing as a writer.

If you’ve ever attempted to write one yourself, you know how daunting it can be. There’s so much to learn. That’s why so many aspiring novelists give up and why many unfinished manuscripts land in the garbage bin.

But instead of throwing away those half-finished manuscripts, maybe what’s needed is a shift in perspective. Rather than call them a wasted effort, call them practice novels.

I first heard that term “practice novel” several years ago at a writing panel discussion. One of the panelists described how she had been working on a particular story for months before deciding it wasn’t working, so she tucked it away into a drawer and began working on another story, which did eventually get published.

Practice novels are experimental manuscripts. They allow you to test out different story ideas and scenes and help you develop your story development process. It may never see the light of day, but may simply give you the skills and confidence you need to move forward with other projects that may get published.

Think of a practice novel as the opening act to the concert headliner or the appetizer before the main course. It whets your appetite to see what’s next.

There are several specific ways that practice novels can help your writing.

* Practice novels are ideal starting points for beginning writers.
Many beginning novelists have no previous writing experience or have never published anything. Others might have earned a degree through an MFA program, but are still writing with the training wheels on. Practice novels can help beginning writers learn the art of storytelling, everything from plot structure, dialogue, character development, tension and conflict. You learn as you go, learning from mistakes, picking up helpful tips from other writers or by taking workshops. It’s a piecemeal process and a lengthy one. There are no short cuts. You could work on one practice novel for several months or years, but the time and effort is never wasted because you are continually learning and honing your craft.

* Practice novels help you develop good writing habits.
Drafting the practice novel helps you set goals for yourself and solve storytelling problems. You might pay more attention to how you think and feel, which aids in creating interiority for your characters. You may pay more attention to the world around you, observe others’ behavior, eavesdrop on peoples’ conversations and pay more attention to scenic details, like the exact color of the sky or how the leaves of the trees blow in the breeze. As you create your characters, you observe the world through their eyes or you may become more curious about what makes people tick. Practice novels enable you to notice your strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and what skills you need to develop.

* Practice novels enable you to test out different genres and story ideas.
If you read a variety of genres, it’s only natural you want to experiment with each of those styles of writing. Perhaps you’re a fan of both romantic suspense and cozy mysteries, for example. While the two share common elements, there are also significant differences in the ways the stories develop. Practice novels enable you to experiment with both genres before deciding which one works best for your personal writing style and that particular story idea.

* Practice novels may never get published, but parts of them can be – later.
The whole manuscript may not be ready for publication, but there might be certain scenes or characters that can be integrated into other projects that will eventually get published. Which is why it’s not prudent to toss away a practice novel. You never know if a scene or character inspires a new story idea that does turn into a publishable work. The work you do on a practice novel is never wasted when parts of it can be used in future works.

* Practice novels can help you stick to a writing routine.
When you know you’re working toward a specific goal, like completing a novel, it’s easier to stay motivated to write every day (or almost every day). It’s also easier to find time to write, no matter how busy you are because you are immersed in your work.

If practice novels seem too big of a goal to pursue, try writing short stories instead. You can still hone your craft and learn the basics of creative writing, such as plot development, character arcs and pacing. By submitting your work to an editor or critique group, you’ll get feedback sooner, so you know whether your story idea is worth the effort.

Writing a practice novel can lay the groundwork for future success while helping you work out the kinks of your writing process. If you harbor any doubts or questions about your abilities, the practice novel can usually answer them. Furthermore, the time you put into them is never wasted because you can adapt pieces of it for other projects.

Whether the novel you’re working on is published or not, just completing a draft and writing “The End” is something worth celebrating.

Writing a Novel Summary

July 16, 2026July 16, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

Last week, I wrote about drafting a novel synopsis as a means of working out plot issues. A synopsis is a detailed account of your novel complete with inciting incident, plot development, climax, resolution. Yes, it also includes all the spoilers. Most agents and editors require a synopsis when you pitch your manuscript. You can check out that post here.

A lot of folks confuse the synopsis with the plot summary, which is a shorter description of the plot. While a synopsis can be anywhere from two to five pages in length, a summary is usually several paragraphs and it doesn’t give away the ending. There are no spoilers with a summary. Check out this video presentation from Reedsy, which provides a clear explanation of each.

If you’re still confused, check out the book descriptions on Amazon and Goodreads or browse the back of books in a bookstore or library. You’ll find the plot summary there. In three paragraphs, the summary describes the main plot and primary characters, the problem they’re trying to solve and the stakes they face. The summary’s purpose is to pique the interest of readers without giving away the ending.

The plot summary has several common elements, described below. I’ve also included a couple of examples:

* The first paragraph introduces the protagonist, showcases their world and what they desire. The inciting incident sets the story into motion and hints at the conflict that the protagonist faces.

From The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick:

“Mother of two Live Green barely scrapes by as a maid to make ends meet, often finding escape in a good book while daydreaming of becoming a writer herself. So she can’t believe her luck when she lands a job housekeeping for her personal hero, mega bestselling author Essie Starling, a mysterious and intimidating recluse. The last thing Live expected was to be the only person Essie talks to, which leads to a tenuous friendship.”

From The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi:

“Escaping from an arranged and an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way from her 1950s rural village to the vibrant pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the henna artist–and confidante–most in demand by the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own.”

* The second paragraph describes the core plot and conflict without giving away the ending.

From The Messy Lives of Book People:

“When Essie passes away suddenly, Liv is astonished to learn that Essie’s dying wish is for Liv to complete her final novel. But to do so, Liv will have to step into Essie’s shoes.”

From The Henna Artist:

“Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow–a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that Lakshmi has carefully cultivated is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those who surround her as she does.”

* The third paragraph, which may only be one sentence, hints at the resolution and how it might impact the protagonist’s future.

“As Liv begins to write, she uncovers secrets from the past that reveal a surprising connection between the two women – one that will change Liv’s own story forever.”

“Vivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel.”

With each of these examples, you can see the progression of the plot summary, the description of the character, their desire, and what gets in the way of their achieving that desire. But also note how the summaries don’t give away the resolution, but only hints at its potential impact on the protagonist.

Try this exercise: As you work on your current manuscript, draft a summary using the three-step formula above. Preparing a plot summary can not only help you refine your plot, it can be used to pitch to potential editors and agents.

How Drafting a Synopsis Can Help You Revise Your Novel

July 8, 2026July 8, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ 1 Comment

I’ve been in a bit of a writing slump lately. Perhaps it’s the summer heat that has zapped my energy or self-doubt rearing its ugly head again. Either way, I’ve had no motivation to work on my current novel project(s).

It’s enough to make this grown-up writer cry.

I’ve tried several things to get out of this slump:

* Writing scenes for a totally different story to see if it has legs
* Writing character profiles to better understand their backstory, needs and desires
* Rewriting a previously drafted scene with a different character POV
* Rewriting a previously drafted scene with a character that has aged 30 years

So far none of them has sparked any kind of excitement about my work.

But there’s one more thing I’m trying: Drafting a synopsis of the story in the hopes it will help me spot plot holes before they grow into canyons.

For the novice writers, a synopsis is a comprehensive, detailed account of the novel from start to finish, including character arcs, plot twists, the climax and resolution. At two to four pages, double spaced, it’s usually written in third person present tense and is used to pitch your novel to agents and editors.

Writing a synopsis before drafting or revising your story can be helpful for two reasons, according to the Writer’s Block Party blog:

* A synopsis is the sweet spot between a query letter and a full outline
* It can help you stay on track during the drafting or revision process.

A typical synopsis includes the following elements.

* Initial premise/concept
* Setting – time and place
* Main character – what they desire, motivation, problems they’ll face as they pursue their goal. Make sure you show what makes the character unique.
* Any side characters, allies, or friends – who will help the protagonist achieve their goal
* Antagonist or opponent – what do they want, how will their desires clash with those of the protagonist?
* Any potential love interest?
* Inciting incident – what sets the action in motion?
* Rising action and midpoint scene
* Logical plot development
* Climax and resolution

That’s a lot to consider in the early stages of writing. But the process of drafting the synopsis will help you see the scenes or elements of your story that are missing or need attention. Is the protagonist’s character arc lacking? Are their story goals clear? Are the stakes high enough? Is there enough conflict and tension to move the story forward?

In addition to the elements listed above, the Reedsy experts (watch the video in the link) recommend the following suggestions:

* Voice – Make sure you show strong narrative writing in the synopsis. If the writing is poor, editors and agents may assume the novel won’t be well-written either. Use voice to convey the book’s tone, mood and atmosphere.

* Plot twists – Include the key plot twists that they’ll find in your novel and set them up the same way so readers of your synopsis can see their impact.

* Themes – The synopsis should hint at any themes in your story to showcase the level of complexity.

I like the idea of drafting a synopsis before the revision stage because it can help you refine your story idea, spot plot holes and create stronger character arcs.

If you’re just starting the drafting phase, you may only have a few scenes and characters in mind. Go ahead and summarize those scenes and build your story synopsis from there. You can always go back to refine the premise and plot points as you think of new scenes.

Another advantage of creating the synopsis before revising is that it’s a working document so you can jot down plot details to see if they’ll work. That way you won’t forget them or lose track. They’re all written down for future reference. However, as you draft and revise your manuscript, those scene and character details may change, so be flexible.

If you ever feel stuck while revising, try writing the synopsis. It might just be the key to unlocking your creative inspiration so you can plan a better story.

How to Get Over a Mid-Summer Writing Slump

June 22, 2026 ~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment

This post was originally published in 2022, but the topic is as pertinent now as it was then.

Ever have those days when you simply don’t feel like writing? Funny that those days seem to occur most often during the summer. Blame it on the heat that makes everyone feel lazy. Or the distraction of summer activities – picnics, parties, the beach, outdoor movies in the park. When it’s summer, the last thing you want to do is work. And writing is work. A lot of work.

Conversely, maybe you’re too busy with work assignments and deadlines to squeeze in any pleasurable writing time. Despite my busy schedule, I feel like most days I’m waiting for email responses, interview confirmations and reviewed manuscripts, which make me feel like I’m not getting anything accomplished.

Welcome to summer, where everything and everyone seem to slow to a crawl. That includes your writing practice, which can feel like you’re in a race with snails.

How do you get back into that creative flow? How do you keep your writing practice going when there are so many summer distractions and obligations to take care of? Here are a few strategies that have worked for me. They might work for you too.

*Shorten your schedule. It might be necessary to shorten the schedule. For example, instead of writing every day, cut back to three or four days a week. If all you can give to your writing is three days a week, then go with that shortened schedule. Then when summer ends and activities slow down, you can always go back to writing every day. The most important thing to remember is to keep to some kind of schedule so you don’t lose momentum or motivation.

* Write in the early morning. If you can’t find the time to write during the day, try writing before breakfast. Many writers swear by this practice. It’s quiet at that early hour before the rest of the world awakes, and you can actually hear yourself think. You might be able to do your best work then.

* Write in the evening. If the early morning does not fit your schedule or appeal to you, try writing after dinner or before bedtime. You might find it more relaxing and it might help you get to sleep.

* Write in short bursts. Sessions of 10 to 15 minutes can help you stay productive. You’d be surprised how much you can get done in that brief amount of time. Check out my earlier post about writing in 15-minute sessions.

* Skip a day or two. It’s okay if you have to cut back on writing time to make room for other activities. Just don’t extend it too long or you might have trouble getting motivated to start writing again. Engage with the outside world and exploring new people and activities. They can only help to enrich your writing.

* Focus on non-writing activities. With less time available, writing may not be practical. Use your time instead to read about the writing craft, do research for your work-in-progress, or study the works of a favorite author.

*Set small goals. Setting smaller goals will feel less daunting and may be easier to achieve. Set a goal for writing one page a day. Or 1000 words a week (or about 200 words a day). By writing one page a day, you can still make steady progress toward your larger writing goal.

If none of these suggestions work, then try this exercise. Close your eyes and imagine your life without any kind of writing at all. What if you never wrote another word again? How would that make you feel?

If you see that your world would be drab and empty without writing, then use that vision as a catalyst for your writing practice. Use it as motivation to keep writing.

Summer brings all sorts of temptations that can drag you away from your writing practice. But with proper planning and setting small goals, you can still make progress while enjoying all that summer has to offer.

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