Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh

How I Wrote 10,000 Words in 14 Days (And How You Can Too)

When I first started writing fiction, hitting just 500 words felt impossible. I’d write, delete, rewrite, delete again, trapped in an endless cycle of frustration. But recently, I challenged myself: write 10,000 words in just 14 days—and actually finish something. Spoiler alert: It worked.

The trick? Small daily goals, a super-simple outlining method, and zero editing (at least at first). Turns out, messy writing beats no writing every single time. Curious how I did it? Keep reading—I’ll walk you through exactly how you can do it too.

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Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh Self-Publishing 101 Brandon Rohrbaugh

How to Choose the Perfect Book Cover (Even If You’re Not a Designer)

Your cover is your book’s first impression—and it can make or break a reader’s decision to click. In this side-by-side example, you’ll see the clear difference between a professionally designed cover that grabs attention and one that falls flat. From genre alignment to typography and clarity at thumbnail size, these details matter more than you think.

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Creative Writing Tips Brandon Rohrbaugh Creative Writing Tips Brandon Rohrbaugh

Show, Don’t Tell: The Golden Rule of Writing (And How to Actually Do It)

If you’ve ever taken a writing course, read a craft book, or gotten feedback from an editor, you’ve probably heard the phrase: “Show, don’t tell.”

But what does that actually mean?

It’s one of the most important (and misunderstood) rules in fiction writing. And today, we’re going to unpack it—clearly, thoroughly, and with real examples—so you can start using this technique to make your stories come alive.

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Creative Writing Tips Brandon Rohrbaugh Creative Writing Tips Brandon Rohrbaugh

Writing Dialogue That Feels Real

Let’s be honest—writing dialogue seems easy until you actually sit down to do it. Then suddenly every conversation sounds either painfully stiff or like a confusing jumble. Great dialogue does more than fill space—it reveals character, builds tension, and moves the plot forward.

So how do you write dialogue that feels real while still serving a purpose? Let's break it down together.

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