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Colleen McCracken

Fantasy & Sci-fi Author

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Category: Writing Tips

Unsolicited advice from your local opinionated writer.

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Writing Tips

Underwriting vs. Overwriting: How to make it through a novel when your brain only wants to write half

colleenmccrackenJuly 19, 2023October 11, 2023

Do you ever write a draft and then look back at it and realize that you did not in fact

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Writing Tips

How to prepare for revising a novel

colleenmccrackenJuly 3, 2023May 18, 2025

It’s July, which means it’s time for Camp Nanowrimo! This month I’m attempting to add at least 30,000 words to

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Writing Tips

How to write good symbolism

colleenmccrackenMay 14, 2023October 11, 2023

I’ve been thinking a lot about symbolism lately, mainly because I’ve read, watched, or played a couple of things recently

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Writing Tips

4 more tips for writing realistic sci-fi technology

colleenmccrackenMarch 19, 2023October 11, 2023

Many moons ago, I did a post on ways to make your sci-fi technology more realistic. My day job is

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Writing Tips

Goal setting for people who hate goals

colleenmccrackenJanuary 1, 2023October 11, 2023

Happy new year! And happy New Year’s resolution season to those who celebrate. I, for one, do not. But this

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Writing Tips

Do you really need to Google that? A beginner’s guide to novel research

colleenmccrackenDecember 21, 2022December 21, 2022

Research is one of my favorite parts of the writing process, but I’ll be the first to admit I tend

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Writing Tips

5 features in Scrivener that will make your writerly life easier

colleenmccrackenDecember 11, 2022December 11, 2022

Scrivener is a piece of fabulous writing software, which I have been using since 2011. It’s technically a word processor,

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Warmup Wednesday

Warmup Wednesday: Get ready for the Now What? Months!

colleenmccrackenNovember 30, 2022May 18, 2025

Author’s note: This post was originally written prior to the November, 2023 child grooming scandal and subsequent slow death of

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Story Structure Sunday

Story Structure Sunday: How to end a novel

colleenmccrackenNovember 27, 2022May 18, 2025

Author’s note: This post was originally written prior to the November, 2023 child grooming scandal and subsequent slow death of

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Stupid Advice Saturday

Stupid Advice Saturday: Should you really write every day?

colleenmccrackenNovember 26, 2022May 18, 2025

Author’s note: This post was originally written prior to the November, 2023 child grooming scandal and subsequent slow death of

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About Me

Hi, I'm Helen! I write fantasy and sci-fi under the pen name Colleen McCracken. I'm a bookworm and literary analysis junkie from the Pacific Northwest heading down the road toward publication, and sharing advice, analysis, and updates along the way. My debut fantasy novel, Hunter of Seals, comes out October 28th, 2025!

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Recent Posts

  • Hunter of Seals is AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER!
  • Big HUNTER OF SEALS Update: Cover reveal, release date, & ARC signups are live!
  • So you need to pick an editor… now what?
  • So you got some feedback… now what?
  • The magic and terror of sharing your writing

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