APRIL DAVILA
Award-Winning Author & Writing Coach
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APRIL ONLINE
Online Community
A powerful writing group.
This online community of writers combines weekly group coaching with regularly scheduled writing sessions. Keep yourself accountable, get advice when you need it, and do what it takes to finally finish your manuscript.
Scribbling Buddha
A weekly newsletter.
April's essential guide to interesting things, generally (but not always) related to books, writing and mindfulness practice. The Scribbling Buddha newsletter goes out every Friday with a list of 8 Great Things you need to know.
Private Coaching
Take your writing to the next level.
Sit Write Here coaching packages are built around a unique, mindset-first program to help aspiring authors hone their skills while developing a regular writing practice so that they can finally finish their novel or memoir.
142 OSTRICHES
Set against the unexpected splendor of an ostrich ranch in the California desert, April Dávila’s beautifully written debut conjures an absorbing and compelling heroine in a story of courage, family and forgiveness.
“A vivid, uplifting debut...”
—Publishers Weekly
Recent Blog Posts
Don’t Waste Your Feedback Reads
You only get so many feedback reads. Don’t waste your reads by asking someone to give feedback on something that isn’t as good as you can possibly make it.
Letting A Draft Rest
Usually I love this time when I let the draft rest between revisions, but things are different in 2020.
My More Authentic Self
I’ve stopped waiting for someone to tell me that there’s a place for my authentic self in this world. I’m here. I don’t need anyone’s permission.
The First Chapter: Get To The Good Stuff
I always write my first chapter last. Those pages are so critical to hooking your readers and they have to pull a lot of weight while feeling effortless…
Writing Difficult Times
Do we change our stories to reflect 2020? Or do we ignore the terrible things that are happening? Or do we write into a future where things are better?
My Writing Community: An Invitation
The Mindful Writers Group is a community of writers meeting every Friday at 9:30am PST to meditate, write, and hang out for a bit.
All The #AmQuerying Details
For anyone preparing to query agents, I’m sharing my query letter, synopsis, elevator pitch, and one-page synopsis. #amquerying
You Never Get A Second Debut Novel
I used to roll my eyes when people said: you only get one debut novel. But now that I’ve come up and over that hill, I have a new perspective on the idea.
Cultivating Emotional Resonance
Emotional resonance is that magical, empathetic connection some authors are able to create between their characters and their readers.
Present Tense As A Zoom Lens
When people tell their stories out loud, they tend to shift into present tense when they get to an intense moment, using the tense shift like a zoom lens.