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How to talk about your book with confidence
Over a decade ago, I was working as a bookseller and book buyer at an independent bookstore. This was before the time of Bookstagram and...

Karyn Fischer
Apr 3, 20249 min read
142 views
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How to write a scene
Did you watch the Oscars this past weekend? I didn’t, but I used to love watching the celebrities dress to the nines, and celebrate the...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 13, 202412 min read
51 views
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How to Raise the Stakes in your Novel
Over the holiday break, I really tried to lean into staying present with my family, resting and reading books, and thinking about my own...

Karyn Fischer
Jan 12, 20248 min read
68 views
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A therapist's guide to mining character
If you’ve been following me for a while, you might already know that I am an identical twin. One question I sometimes get asked is...

Karyn Fischer
Dec 4, 20234 min read
48 views
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How to use specificity to elevate your writing and resonate with more readers
I’m reading a fabulous book right now called Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs. It’s an adult bookish fantasy that comes out in June...

Karyn Fischer
Nov 27, 20234 min read
22 views
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Interiority: The most common mistake I see writers make
Do you know what the hardest part of fiction to get right is? The one I see most of my clients and slush pile contributors get wrong?...

Karyn Fischer
Oct 26, 20234 min read
284 views
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How to master the passage of time in your novel
Have you ever listened to someone—maybe a rambling uncle at Thanksgiving dinner, or a friend telling a riveting he-said-she-said bit of...

Karyn Fischer
Sep 13, 20234 min read
204 views
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How Peter Pan and Wendy captures the essence of story
I had the immense pleasure of watching Peter Pan and Wendy the other Friday when it debuted on Disney+. I wasn’t expecting to like it...

Karyn Fischer
May 10, 20236 min read
6 views
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How to determine if a literary agent is the right fit for you
How do you know if your agent is "The One?" Well, as with romantic relationships, it takes more than initial interest to create a great,...

Karyn Fischer
Apr 26, 20232 min read
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On Jigsaw Puzzles and Perseverance in Writing
I have a close friend who hates jigsaw puzzles. She says she doesn’t have the patience for them, that it takes too long to hunt down one...

Karyn Fischer
Apr 21, 20233 min read
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Traditional Publishing vs Self Publishing - The Pros & Cons
There's no doubt about it...self-publishing is blowing up. It's quickly becoming a more valid means of getting your story out in the...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 26, 20232 min read
15 views
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How to craft great dialogue
Confession: I freaking adore Emily Henry’s books. If you haven’t read them, and you enjoy a good romance, I recommend picking one up....

Karyn Fischer
Mar 23, 20235 min read
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The essential components of scenes
Over the weekend I took my 5-year-old daughter to see her first real play, Beauty and the Beast. Based on the Broadway musical of the...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 21, 20234 min read
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The importance of play in creative writing
The other day, as I was working, I saw my puppy, Bruno—a derpy Aussiedoodle—playing with something. (Probably one of the billion...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 21, 20232 min read
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A simple trick to make your setting feel essential to the story
Cancun is known for its clear turquoise water, white sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and Mexican culture. It is a beautiful backdrop for...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 16, 20232 min read
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Why wedding toasts really make us cry
Have you ever gone to a wedding and listened to a toast that really spoke to you or made you feel some powerful emotions? Have you ever...

Karyn Fischer
Mar 16, 20233 min read
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On pickleball and mastering a new skill (like writing fiction)
The first time I tried pickleball I felt like a prize fool. I was playing doubles with my husband and a girlfriend and her husband. Her...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 23, 20234 min read
13 views
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Why these Super Bowl commercials made me cry (and what fiction writers can learn from it)
As I've said in past posts...I am not a sports fan. So this past weekend's Super Bowl event did nothing for me, besides give me an excuse...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 19, 20233 min read
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How to get rid of the writing blues
The question "What am I doing?" kept running in a loop in my mind. My mind was telling me all the stories: That I was spinning my wheels...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 17, 20233 min read
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How to use the 8 Types of Love to build story resonance
Think you're not writing a love story? Well, I hate to break it to you, but you are. All stories are love stories. Hear me out: Love is...

Karyn Fischer
Feb 10, 20235 min read
14 views
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