Improbable Press Blog

By Yvonne Knop So, do you love writing about the Renaissance yet don't personally know a white witch who lived in the 16th century and recently settled down near you after her retirement? Well, I have a suggestion to make to you: research. Research, research, research. Because you've no doubt read a book about a place you've been or lived, and suddenly a sentence throws you off because this is just not how that place is. I'm not talking about bad representation – we could write a whole book about misrepresentation of marginalized groups, wrongly depicted cultures, and male authors...

"Just a wee reminder that whatever you're writing right now…it's worth every moment of your time. It doesn't matter if there has been a story 'like' it—there's always been stories of falling in love, growing up, and on and on—this is your story told your way." I recently posted that on Twitter and several folks said they needed those words that day. Which has inspired me to also put those words here so you can see 'em again and, more importantly, weave them into your soul. No one can tell a story like you do, absolutely no one. I don't...

By Yvonne Knop If you want to be a published author, you need to give 100%. No, 120%. Or wait…maybe 140% if you cannot do 200%. Here’s the tea: If you don’t have the luxury of being a full-time writer, it’s going to be hard. Harder than a one-week-old bagel. And it’s one of the many reasons people give up or become impatient and publish a half-baked something that is only a book in terms of a noun to describe the item. Devoting this much free time to something others around you describe as „just your hobby” is exhausting and...

By Yvonne Knop Today, someone asked me: “How do you write?” To which I replied: “With my computer.” You might guess that this was not the answer my friend expected. So, I will try to pin it down here - in case anyone needs some inspiration. I say inspiration because there is no exact step-by-step guide to the writing process. It’s unique for everyone and every writer I know has a different approach. Here’s mine: The first step for me is an idea that just suddenly pops up in my head. I don’t write those ideas down. Almost never. I...

By Yvonne Knop I can with absolute confidence say that my debut novel would have never signed a traditional publishing contract without the help of others. And I don’t mean the cute 'Could you read this blurb and say what you think?' kind of help but the 'Could you read my manuscript a fourth time and edit it with me?' Kind of help. I am talking about engaging in writer’s groups on social media, calls with strangers online to talk about plot holes and character flaws, beta readers who tell you that chapter XY could be deleted, editors that tweak...