Author: Tanya

Tanya Marcy is a writer, storyteller, and avid reader who loves advising writers and mentoring young creatives.

Go Pro! Why You Want a Professional Website or Blog

Do you have a professional website or blog? Although it can be tempting to just opt for the free choice, every writer needs a professional website. Sometimes free is a viable option, and, let’s face it, just plain cool. But you still pay a price when you choose free – even if it doesn’t come… Continue reading Go Pro! Why You Want a Professional Website or Blog

How Do I Tell My Story? Choosing the Best Narrative

I’m often asked about narrative: How do I know what tense to use to tell my story? In whose POV (*Point Of View) should I tell it? Should it be in first-person or third person…or second-person? (Wait, is there such a thing as second-person??) Choosing a narrative isn’t as easy as some are maybe led… Continue reading How Do I Tell My Story? Choosing the Best Narrative

Build the Brand that is YOU with Paul Angone’s “101 Secrets For Your Twenties”

“Truly going after your dream can feel like rappelling into the Grand Canyon – enormous, overwhelming, breathtaking, and a very real feeling that you might fall to your DEATH.” What does it mean to truly go after your dream? For a good chunk of my 20-something life, I tried on new career options like they… Continue reading Build the Brand that is YOU with Paul Angone’s “101 Secrets For Your Twenties”

Writing Myth B-U-S-T-E-D! What You Really Need to Know About Writing

I’m consistently shocked by how many young kids and teens say they can’t write. I write say they can’t write because they can actually write – if given the right tools and motivation. Unfortunately, the right tools and motivation aren’t often given to kids and teens within the school system. Heck, sometimes even in creative… Continue reading Writing Myth B-U-S-T-E-D! What You Really Need to Know About Writing

Does it Really Matter Where I Market My Novel?

~ The photo featured with this post is by Marina Blaze Photography! Check out more of her photos on Facebook. ~ Since a lot of people know I’m a marketing genius into marketing, I’m often asked the question, “Alright, Smarty Pants, so where would you market my novel?” Okay, minus the “smarty pants”. The point… Continue reading Does it Really Matter Where I Market My Novel?

What is Creative Anxiety?

There’s a story I just love, that I heard from the popular TED talk with Sir Ken Robinson. (It’s a very good talk, by the way, if you haven’t seen it; really funny and really moving.) He’s talking about creative kids and the traditional school system, and he goes into a story about a young… Continue reading What is Creative Anxiety?

I Want to Be Published, NOW! Obliterate the “Get Rich Quick” Mentality: Be Brave, Start Small

When I was in high school, I secretly wanted to be a young, published author. I think every teenage writer does. What else can we expect of our young writers when, as a society, we’re constantly throwing the likes of J.K. Rowling’s explosive Harry Potter success story in their faces? I mean, for a couple… Continue reading I Want to Be Published, NOW! Obliterate the “Get Rich Quick” Mentality: Be Brave, Start Small

Characters First or Story First? A Checklist for Creating Dynamite Characters

Any writer knows there’s no right or wrong way to start telling your story. You’ll hear writers talk about outlining versus little-to-no outlining; some prefer to do detailed outlines while some (like me) do their best work when writing on-the-fly. You don’t hear quite as much talk, though, about the order of creating characters and… Continue reading Characters First or Story First? A Checklist for Creating Dynamite Characters

Comparing “Life of Pi” the Movie to “Life of Pi” the Novel: Adapting Book to Screen

I’d imagine the toughest feat for a writer would be that of adapting a novel into a screenplay. The two are such distinctly different animals in development, and yet in execution both must convey the same essence. In writing a screenplay based on a book, you are writing for two different kinds of audiences –… Continue reading Comparing “Life of Pi” the Movie to “Life of Pi” the Novel: Adapting Book to Screen