Blog

Are You Being Too Kind? Why Writers Need to Be (a Little) Cruel.
When I mentor writers, I find they often resist depicting the conflict in their stories. It’s as though they don’t want to see their characters suffer. While it may spring from a generous heart, it’s a misguided kindness. Avoiding conflict drains a story of tension....

Is Your Question One of These?
The Top 5 Questions I Get Asked. Here are the five questions I'm asked most often when I mentor writers in my master classes. Maybe one of these issues is something you've been pondering, too. If so, I hope my answers will be a help. 1. What’s the difference between a...

I Was So Nervous About This
Fear of the New – Busted! You haven’t heard from me in a while, and if you’re a writer you’ll understand why. I’ve been in the writing cave. It wasn’t easy stepping inside, though. I stood at the entrance feeling nervous. It’s been four years since I’ve written a...

How 3-Act Structure Can Enrich Your Story
"The enemy of art is the absence of limitations." ‒ Orson Welles (pictured above) It's a fascinating artistic paradox. Total freedom inhibits creativity, whereas strategic limits generate creativity. Strategic limits? you ask. Let me give you an example of the...

Don’t Weaken Your Writing with this Fundamental Flaw
First Principles If there is one bedrock principle of good storytelling, it's this: "Show. Don't tell." That is, the most vivid way to convey something is to show it, not tell it. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, yes . . . and no. The goal is to create an emotional...

Let Your Inner Actor Bring Your Story to Life
Shakespeare was an actor. So was Dickens. And so are you. Think about it. When you create stories, you play the lead role inside your head, don't you? In fact, you play all the roles. It’s one of the most satisfying aspects of being a writer, getting all the parts...

Deep Genre: The Serious Writer’s Mission
(Image: bestselling author John le Carré) Why Genre Matters I sometimes hear emerging writers say, “My book doesn’t fall into a genre. It’s a literary novel.” But is it? Often what they mean is that, naturally, they want their story to be thought of as serious....

What Makes a Killer Mystery? Here’s a 5-Point Checklist.
Are you writing a mystery novel? Or thinking about it? If so, my checklist below might help you. I’m at work on a mystery myself. My previous books have been historical novels and thrillers, including my latest release, The Man From Spirit Creek, but this is my first...
This Rejection Made Me Want To Give Up Writing. Then Everything Changed.
The Doubt Demon Do you battle the doubt demon? That scary inner voice that whispers, “What makes you think you can make it as a writer?” I know exactly how you feel. In my career as an author, I've faced every doubt demon you're facing now. Let me tell you a...
What’s Your “North Star” Word?
Painting: Holiday North Star by Gretchen Kelley Happy 2020! At the close of every year my daughter Sara chooses a word to represent how she wants to navigate the upcoming year. One word to be her “North Star” for her business and her life. For example, one year she...
Barbara Kyle is represented by:
Alec Shane
Writers House
21 West 26 Street
New York, NY, 10010
ashane@writershouse.com

Barbara Kyle is the author of the bestselling Thornleigh Saga historical novels and acclaimed thrillers. Over half a million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Her new novel The Deadly Trade will be published in Fall 2023. Barbara has coached hundreds of writers in her online programs and many have become award-winning authors.