Susan and John Ruff, Fantasy Authors

Category: Uncategorized

  • Meanwhile at Emerald Cove…

    It’s been a while since I provided an update on the Emerald Cove writers’ critique group, so this seems like a good time. The big news is that we may actually be able to start meeting again. Meeting for real. In person. Around a table. At our favorite Denny’s. Yay!!!…

  • Second Draft Anyone?

    There comes a point in an author’s career when one must face the prospect of…shudder…rewriting. I tend to approach writing the second draft of a novel with all the enthusiasm of eating leftovers. It’s a lot easier to make dinner by throwing leftovers in the microwave than it is to…

  • Blogging About Writing: What My First Year Taught Me

    Woohoo! Tomorrow (May 1) is my one-year anniversary for writing this weekly blog. It seems like a good time to reflect on what I’ve learned from blogging for a year. 1. The most important lesson: Engaging in any kind of writing makes me want to write more. When I first…

  • Is Fiction Writing Like Exercise?

    Prior to the pandemic, did you ever run into this scenario? You pay for a monthly membership to the local fitness center. At first, you’re all excited about the prospect of getting into shape. The friendly trainers at the center give you an orientation to show you how to use…

  • When You’re Bored…Write!

    Are you looking for more time to write your novel during your crazy, hectic schedule? Here’s a suggestion: Use those times when you are forced to sit and wait for an appointment. Even during the pandemic, we still occasionally find ourselves in a waiting room (or waiting in the car…

  • Back to the Drawing Board

    In a recent blog post, I discussed the brainstorming process that John and I use to develop plot ideas for novels. Last night, John pointed out to me that I forgot to mention my favorite tool to assist in that process. No, it’s not a fancy software program designed to…

  • Writing Sequels Responsibly

    Ever since John and I published 60th Hour a year ago, I have been learning about the marketing and writing strategies employed by successful Indy authors. (Yes, I should have learned about those strategies before we published, but back then I didn’t even know what I needed to know. And…

  • Brainstorming Plot Ideas

    So you’ve finished your fantasy book. Now what about a sequel? If you’re an Indy author, people expect you to write sequels. If you’ve done your world building well, your readers are already invested in the characters and the universe. They want to go back and play in your world…

  • Second Draft Writing Critiques?

    Imagine this scenario: You invite a small group of friends over for dinner. You prepare an elaborate meal for them, and you all have a great time eating, laughing, and talking together. Your friends are also cooks, so they give you tips and suggestions for how the food might be…

  • Lessons Learned from Writing 500 Words of Fiction Per Day

    On January 1, 2021, I took a chance and publicly posted a set of New Year’s resolutions. Among other things, I resolved to continue writing 500 words of original fiction per day until I finished the first draft of our current novel: Prophecy’s Malignant Son. It is now March and…