August 12, 2019

How Time Travel Helps You Write More

Hope’s Hacks(some ways to break up that writer’s block) This month’s cure: Time Travel   What the cure is: Going to historical villages, attending medieval faires, and other historical events    Why the cure will help: For some reason, going to a historical-themed village/play/event can kindle a creative spark. Maybe seeing actors trying their best imitations of Renaissance slang or watching a good Old-Fashioned joust can not only […]
July 8, 2019

Why spending time with friends helps your writing

Hope’s Hacks(some ways to break up that writer’s block)This month’s cure: Family and friends   What the cure is: Detoxing from a burn-out of writing all the time     Why the cure will help: I know, it sounds frightening. Taking a step away from the desk. But as someone who gets 5-8 bylines a week, and with book projects on top, I understand how quickly burnout can take over. […]
June 5, 2019

How to Write as you Travel

Hope’s Hacks(some ways to break up that writer’s block) This month’s cure: Travel Writing  What the cure is: Finding time to be productive as you travel   Why the cure will help: Summer usually involves some sort of travel. Whether you go to the Outer Banks with your 20-30 extended family members each year or decide to take a trip up to a major city in your State for […]
May 5, 2019

How Background Noise Beats Writer’s Block

Hope’s Hacks (some ways to break up that writer’s block) This month’s cure: Background Noise What the cure is: Finding which noises help you write Why the cure will help: Although some writers, like myself, prefer to work in absolute silence, others need some background noise to help them improve their productivity. Consider the following avenues of noise to break up that block: Songs in other languages: I don’t […]
April 9, 2019

Making Scents (Hope’s Hacks)

This month’s cure: Making Scents What the cure is: Filling your workspace with productive smells Why the cure will help: Nothing can turn a 500-word count goal into a meager 6 words if all you can smell is that pile of laundry in your closet that needs a good wash. Just like sights and sounds can affect one’s productivity, the same goes for scents. So get out those […]
March 5, 2019
dress

Say Yes to Dress(ing up): Hope’s Hacks

Hope’s Hacks (some ways to break up that writer’s block) This month’s cure: Say Yes to Dress(ing up) What the cure is: Wearing something fun while you write. Why the cure will help: They say dress for the job you want to have. I say, dress for the book you want to write. It’s sometimes hard to write a book set in the 1600s while wearing sweatpants. So […]
February 6, 2019
font

What Do You Font? Hope’s Hacks

This month’s cure: Font Runner What the cure is: Changing the font you use when you write. Why the cure will help: A recent trend in changing one’s font has proven to increase productivity in writing, and well, it’s fun.* Fantasy Font Suggestions: Algerian, Matura MT Script Capitals, Old English Text (if you can read it). Anything that screams Lord of the Rings or Medieval England. Sci-Fi Font Suggestions: Magneto […]
January 30, 2019
TV Pilot

25 Trends in Publishing: TV Pilots

About the column: A handful of agents and interns who work with Cyle have learned the latest and (sometimes so, sometimes not so) greatest trends in publishing right now. Tune in each week to find out what’s trending, ranging from ABA to CBA, children’s to adult. The authors of these columns have included social media tags at the end to keep up with trends they […]
January 23, 2019
longer MG and YA

25 Trends in Publishing: Longer MG and YA

About the column: A handful of agents and interns who work with Cyle have learned the latest and (sometimes so, sometimes not so) greatest trends in publishing right now. Tune in each week to find out what’s trending, ranging from ABA to CBA, children’s to adult. The authors of these columns have included social media tags at the end to keep up with trends they […]
January 16, 2019
graphic novels

25 Trends in Publishing: Graphic Novels

About the column: A handful of agents and interns who work with Cyle have learned the latest and (sometimes so, sometimes not so) greatest trends in publishing right now. Tune in each week to find out what’s trending, ranging from ABA to CBA, children’s to adult. The authors of these columns have included social media tags at the end to keep up with trends they […]
August 10, 2021

3 Ways to Reduce Stress With Video Games

Stress is a death sentence for the human body but is also a normal part of life. We all experience some stress at different points in our lives, and for many people, stress can be hard to manage. No matter what we do, stress thrives on one thing: over-working ourselves. You can relieve stress and provide your body with the mental and physical break that […]
July 13, 2021

An Irish Ring for an Irish Daughter

I have a 13-year-old daughter that I love more than anything in the world. She has always been my little princess and is now becoming a young woman. One of her favorite things to do is to celebrate her Irish culture and history. She plays the violin and fiddle, and she previously participated in competitive Irish Step Dancing. So, in celebration of her growing up, […]
July 10, 2021

How Not to Get Stuck with Home Mortgage Hidden Costs

When you find the perfect home, it can be tempting to just buy it. But before you commit yourself to a mortgage, there are some hidden costs that need to be taken into account. When we look at 2021 projections, these costs will affect your budget even more than they do now. A good mortgage rate calculator can help you know how much of an […]
July 9, 2021

4 Recreational Activities You Need to Try in 2021

When you think of the word “recreation,” what comes to mind? Is it a time where you can relax and get away from your daily life, or is it something that drains all of your energy? If you’re looking for things to do in 2021 that are fun and invigorating, here’s a list of four activities to try:   Swimming Swimming is a great activity for […]