Author Archives: Kell McKinney

Mum’s the Word

I’m not a native Texan. This was stunningly obvious to a fellow Hobby Lobby shopper who spotted me as I blinked at the homecoming decoration display. She touched my shoulder, smiled empathetically, and said, “Aw. Honey. You’re not from here, are you?” This sweet stranger spent fifteen minutes talking me through how to make aContinue reading “Mum’s the Word”

Unpopular Opinion: Pumpkin Spice Isn’t That Great.

This time of year, people like me lurk in the shadows, stealth-sipping our cinnamon teas or our chai lattes. No more hiding. I’m speaking up. I love autumn as much as the next gal. Honest. I do. I love decorating the house for Thanksgiving. A good harvest theme never gets old. What does get old,Continue reading “Unpopular Opinion: Pumpkin Spice Isn’t That Great.”

Three Things I Learned at a Writing Workshop

Writer friends, I know you. Some of you are on the fence about investing anything other than your time and imagination in your writing future. I know this because that’s where I was. Full of doubt. Overflowing with insecurity. As long as I didn’t take this “writing thing” too seriously, I hadn’t risked embarrassment orContinue reading “Three Things I Learned at a Writing Workshop”

Adjectivery

I recently participated in my first-ever Instagram author’s challenge. You’d think that someone who’d been a marketing manager – as in, paid real money to develop and activate marketing strategies for a living – would be aaalll over the marketing for her own writing work. You’d think that, and you’d be right to snicker aContinue reading “Adjectivery”

Onomatopoeia a.k.a. Sounds Like

ue story: I had to look up how to spell this word three times before I got it right. How often should we use this useful device in writing? Overdo it and you come off like you’re trying too hard. Don’t use it at all and you might be missing a spicy opportunity. Some ofContinue reading “Onomatopoeia a.k.a. Sounds Like”

Three Content Issues to Consider for Middle Grade Readers

Know your audience. That’s one of the first things they teach you in journalism school. What they don’t teach you is that this rule applies to writing pretty much anything else. Especially children’s fiction. But there’s a catch. When you’re writing for middle grade readers – or children of any age – you’re actually writingContinue reading “Three Content Issues to Consider for Middle Grade Readers”

Stating the obvious.

When I first decided I was going to make a for-real attempt at writing for a living, I started reading all the advice to new writers I could get my hands on. You know what the underlying thread is in nearly all of them – from award-winning, NYT Best-Selling icons to newbies? Every single personContinue reading “Stating the obvious.”