April Davila - Author
I’ve just returned from a week-long silent meditation retreat, and while my inbox is full and the pace of life is picking back up, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what I’m bringing home with me. There’s something remarkable that happens … [Continue reading] about Making Time for Quiet Contemplation
I finished the final draft of my manuscript for 142 Ostriches in January of 2018. At that point, I blogged a lot about everything I was prepping to query agents, but I was nervous about sharing too many details. I just didn't know what to expect, and … [Continue reading] about All The #AmQuerying Details
Finding the Balance & Strengthening Your Story Ever stared at a critique that said “Add more details” or “Cut back on descriptions” and felt lost? You’re not alone. Some writers struggle to get enough detail on the page, while others find … [Continue reading] about Underwriting vs. Overwriting: Finding the Balance & Strengthening Your Story
Most writers know that making real progress in their writing requires more than just dedication and talent - sometimes, it’s about having the right support system and structured approach to keep moving forward. Many believe that simply forcing … [Continue reading] about Want to Make Real Progress in Writing?
A great first page is essential - it sets the stage, draws the reader in, and makes them want to keep turning the pages. But what keeps them reading? What makes a story linger in their minds long after they’ve finished it?The answer lies in structure … [Continue reading] about The Hidden Architecture of a Great Story – Structure and Plot
Five years ago, 142 Ostriches made its way into the world. It still feels surreal. Writing and publishing a novel was something I dreamed about for years - through early morning writing sessions, rejections, rewrites, and self-doubt. And now, five … [Continue reading] about 5 Lessons from 5 Years
How to write a compelling first page that hooks readers instantly?I’ve lost count of how many books I’ve picked up, read the first page, and set back down. It’s not that the writing was bad - it might have been perfectly fine. But if that first … [Continue reading] about How to Write a Compelling First Page