Why “Show, Don’t Tell” Is Ruining Your Writing (And the Voice Formula That Actually Works)
The common writing advice 'show, don't tell' is often misunderstood. Discover how to use the powerful 'Voice Formula' to infuse your descriptions with personality, emotion, and meaning, and avoid the 'show, don't tell' trap that can ruin your writing. Get practical, actionable tips to master the art of showing vs. telling.
Unblocking Your Voice: A Prompt to Reclaim Your Narrative
If you’re feeling like you’ve lost your voice or like the words aren’t coming as easily as they used to, you’re not alone. It’s something that every writer experiences at some point. Today, we’ll work through a few prompts to help you reconnect with that voice, remember what makes your writing uniquely yours, and create a space where those words can flow freely again.
How to Know If a Scene Deserves to Exist
Have you ever written a scene that feels… fine? The dialogue flows, the setting’s vivid, maybe you even nailed a killer line or two. But something’s off. It doesn’t move anything. Doesn’t reveal, haunt, or ripple forward. It just kind of… exists. Sits there like a placeholder that never got replaced. This blog is for that scene.
The Emotional Weather System of a Scene
When we talk about a scene, we talk a lot about what happens in a scene. But today, I want to focus on what moves through it.
The Best Literary Magazine Rankings for Writers (A Roundup)
There are hundreds of literary magazines accepting submissions right now. A few dozen of them would genuinely move the needle on your writing career. The gap between those two facts is where most writers lose weeks, and where a good ranking list saves you. The better news: the best lists don't all use the same methodology, which means they complement each other in ways that are actually useful. Here's what each one measures and when to reach for it.
No, It’s Not You: Why Even a Great Editorial Letter Might Not Save Your Book
You shelled out thousands for an editorial letter from a reputable editor. You did everything right. You cut your darlings. You lit a candle. Rewrote that saggy middle. Sacrificed a goat (okay, just your weekends). And still—crickets. Full requests fizzle out into polite nos. Maybe even the dreaded “this is great, but I’m going to pass” email that still haunts your dreams.
Why Agents Stop Reading: What Your Opening Pages Need to Deliver
Learn what makes agents stop reading—and what keeps them hooked. This deep-dive into first five pages covers craft techniques, common pitfalls, and real examples to strengthen your novel’s opening.
Become a Querying God: What Your Query, Synopsis, and First Five Pages Really Need to Prove
Learn what your query, synopsis, and first five pages must prove to stand out in today’s publishing landscape—plus tips to make every sentence count.
The Business of Being a Writer: What Nobody Tells You About the Work Behind the Words
Writing a book is only part of the work. This guide explores the invisible labor, emotional toll, and sustainable systems behind a real writing life—including how to protect your energy, track submissions, and diversify your creative career.
Beyond What You Know: Research as Ritual, Curiosity as Craft
Learn how to research for fiction in a way that feels intuitive, expansive, and emotionally true. This guide explores mentor texts, lived experience, curiosity, and craft tools to help you write beyond what you know—without losing your voice.
The Season of Showing Up: What Happens When You Return to the Page, Again and Again
Feeling stuck in your writing? Discover how to honor your creative cycles, rebuild momentum, and show up to the page, on your own terms.
Writing Consent in Romance: How to Portray Healthy Boundaries, Respect, and Agency in Fiction
Writing romance with care involves portraying consent, boundaries, and mutual respect with clarity and intention. Explore how to craft emotionally resonant, healthy romantic dynamics without losing chemistry or tension.
Beyond the Trope: Writing Diverse Characters Without Reducing Them to Stereotypes
Learn how to identify and avoid harmful tropes in your writing or editing process. This post explores how certain recurring character types, plot devices, and narrative choices can reinforce negative stereotypes or unhealthy ideals, and how to create more thoughtful, inclusive stories instead.
Writing Trauma Without Romanticizing Pain: Mental Health, Abuse, and Healing in Fiction
Writing about trauma in fiction requires care, honesty, and responsibility. Learn how to explore sensitive topics like abuse and mental health in your stories without glamorizing suffering or trivializing pain—while still writing with emotional depth and authenticity.
We are Currently Accepting Pitches for Guest Blog Posts!
The Burgeon Design & Editorial Team is seeking blog post pitches from writers, fiction editors, and book reviewers. We invite submissions focused on the publishing industry or the writing process, with a particular emphasis on topics that resonate with writers.
10 Things Keeping You From Finishing Your Book
Writing a book is a journey full of creativity, passion, and—let’s face it—plenty of challenges. No matter how deeply we love our stories, there are countless ways we can unintentionally stand in our own way. Whether it’s overthinking every decision or waiting for the perfect moment to start, these habits can creep in and slow down even the most motivated writers. But the beautiful thing is that once we recognize these roadblocks, we can take intentional steps to move past them and reignite our momentum.
Is Your Book Idea Worth Pursuing? Here’s How to Find Out
Writing is, at its core, a relationship between you and your reader. It’s not enough to love your own idea—your story has to give readers a reason to care. When you develop the ability to switch between your perspective as the writer and the reader’s point of view, that’s when the magic happens.