Blog | Laura McNeill

What Decorating Cookies Can Teach Writers About Story Detail

Dec 12, 2018
2 min

What Decorating Cookies Can Teach Writers About Story Detail

I adore the holiday season. I love the twinkle of lights, stockings hung by the fireplace, the nip in the air (even in Birmingham, Alabama), and the scent of delicious treats, fresh from the oven, wafting through the house. In our house, the holiday season means baking cookies. Lots of cookies. Batches of sugar cookies. Snickerdoodles. Gingerbread cutouts. We whip up loads of royal icing and gather bottles of sprinkles and colored sugar. It’s a relaxing, fun, and messy way to

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Six Writing Lessons Learned from Watching ‘Stranger Things’

Oct 21, 2018
3 min

Six Writing Lessons Learned from Watching ‘Stranger Things’

My 13-year-old son loves Stranger Things. He sits on the sofa, rapt, as the music starts and the action begins. He can’t wait for season 3. And, not long ago, he invited me to watch it with him. I figure it’s either because I’m the coolest mom on the block or he’s expecting the fright of his life. (I know, I know. The latter.) Still, as a parent, I savored the experience, absorbing the show and his reactions. The grins. The shrieks. The looks of horror. The bouncing up and do

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Best Writing Books, Part 1

Apr 29, 2018
2 min

Best Writing Books, Part 1

I’m often asked about my favorite books on writing. I have shelves of books on writing, editing, publishing, story structure — you name it. But, when I’m asked to recommend the best writing books, the same volumes comes to mind. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft I agree with King. As an author, reading as much a possible gives you fuel. It revs up creativity, inspires, makes you think, and makes you laugh or cry. As for the keeping your butt in a chair statement, it might sou

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Writer Wednesday: 4 Reasons Not to Rush Revisions

Jan 20, 2016
2 min

Writer Wednesday: 4 Reasons Not to Rush Revisions

I’ll admit it. I’m an impatient writer. When I’ve finished the first draft of a book, I can’t wait to get it out into the world. I want to share the story that’s moved me and kept me up at night, the characters who’ve made me cry, and the novel’s eclectic and wonderful setting (this time, New Orleans). So, when I finally typed “The End” on the last page of my third domestic suspense manuscript in December, I was thrilled… but I also knew, in my heart, that it wasn’t ready for

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Publishing, Pen Names, and Breaking the Rules

Jul 1, 2015
3 min

Publishing, Pen Names, and Breaking the Rules

When I first began writing, several authors generously shared their unwritten rules for forging a successful career. They unanimously recommended: Writing in a popular genre Thinking long and hard before using a pen name Sticking with one genre Being a newbie to the business, their advice seemed reasonable and sound. After all, they’d played it safe, signed with agents, and landed long-term publishing deals. Fast-forward a year later, and I’d finished my first terrible, awful

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May 6, 2015
3 min

Writer Wednesday: Defining Platform & Brand

Defining Brand & Platform Can Be Confusing! There are quite a few abbreviations and terms tossed around in the publishing business, including ARC (advanced reader copy), A/W (artwork), and “Comp” (which just means layout). I’m sure you’ve also heard or read about an author’s “platform” and “brand”–important for both traditionally and independently published writers. At first, the terms might seem as confusing or interchangeable, but they are truly very different. Here’s an ea

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What’s In a Name? Selections for Center of Gravity

Apr 28, 2015
2 min

What’s In a Name? Selections for Center of Gravity

Naming characters is almost as daunting as naming a new baby. And, once your book goes to print, it’s just as permanent. As an author, much like a mother, you create and give birth to a person. That character, depending on Over time, the character becomes almost a living, breathing entity, capable of action, thought, mistakes, and triumph. Dozens of chapters are written, containing your heroine’s quirks and likes, a description of hair, skin, and eyes, her personality, and wh

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Signing ‘Center of Gravity’ Sept. 5 & 6, 2015 – Decatur Book Festival

Apr 1, 2015
1 min

Signing ‘Center of Gravity’ Sept. 5 & 6, 2015 – Decatur Book Festival

I’m super-excited to be a part of the 2015 Decatur Book Festival, taking place from Sept 5 – 6th. I’ll be speaking briefly and signing books for about ten minutes I will have an exact date and time in the coming weeks and will share that with you as soon as I have it! The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival is the largest independent book festival in the country, drawing people from all over the metro Atlanta area and North Georgia. See more at: https://www.dec

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Creating Unforgettable Settings: Mobile, Ala.

Mar 30, 2015
2 min

Creating Unforgettable Settings: Mobile, Ala.

Recently, I asked my Facebook friends about their favorite novel settings. The answers were awesome, and varied, with people mentioning everything from the graveyards of New Orleans to the Deep South and the streets of New York City to San Francisco. Natchez, Miss. There’s no doubt that a novel’s setting, when done well, improves a reader’s experience. For example, I can’t imagine Greg Iles’ Natchez Burning in anywhere other than small town Mississippi. Gone Girl needed a sub

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5 Ways to Write A Fantastic First Line

Feb 23, 2015
2 min

5 Ways to Write A Fantastic First Line

There’s no one perfect formula for writing fantastic first lines. They can be short or long, descriptive or straightforward. The choice, ultimately, is up to you. For more ideas, peruse your favorite books and study the first lines that really grab your attention. Figure out why. How do those first lines make you feel? What questions come to mind? Here are examples of five great ways to open your novel: 1. Be Suspenseful – “She heard a knocking, and then a dog barking.” – T

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5 Ways to Write Great Scenes – The Tiny Details

Feb 23, 2015
3 min

5 Ways to Write Great Scenes – The Tiny Details

Last time, I talked about 5 key things to keep in mind when writing scenes. Today, let’s break down the small, but crucial details. 1. First sentence – Is anyone taking a shower, having a dream, or drinking tea? Please, please, please skip all of these as scene openers. Donald Maas says this in Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook: “…cut scenes set in kitchens or living rooms or cars driving from one place to another, or that involve drinking tea or coffee or taking showers or

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5 Ways to Write Sensational Scenes – The Big Picture

Feb 23, 2015
3 min

5 Ways to Write Sensational Scenes – The Big Picture

Read a novel lately that you couldn’t put it down? What about a book that haunted you in your sleep or kept you up at night? The author of this novel, no doubt, wrote a fantastic story, and that story consisted of some pretty fabulous scenes. That’s what a novel is, after all. It’s a series of well-written scenes. Those scenes are sewn together in such a way that the reader is compelled to turn page after page. Think about scene writing like climbing up a giant cliff overlook

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7 Ways to Test Your Story Spark

Feb 23, 2015
3 min

7 Ways to Test Your Story Spark

Last time, I talked about story sparks—those small ideas writers use to jump start their novels. Those little epiphanies can come at any time, from anywhere–while you sleep, in a dream–even when walking your dog! To make sure those story sparks have staying power, many authors then use the “What if” technique to test their idea. Is it strong, compelling, and emotionally-charged? Some “What if” examples include: What if…teenagers were dropped into a world where the only escape

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What’s Your Story Spark?

Feb 16, 2015
2 min

What’s Your Story Spark?

Story ideas for me, and many other authors, happen when a little spark hits. It may be during dinner, or a conversation with friends. It may be on a plane, on a walk, or playing with my children. A spark sometimes hits at the moment you least expect it. So, what if you haven’t had a spark in a while? You can brainstorm to get your mind going! Like many of my writer friends, I use the “What if” method. Take a look at these examples: What if…teenagers have to fight to the death

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