Blog Posts

“But that wasn’t in my plan!”

I know. I know.

If you’re a planner, it’s a beautiful thing to have things mapped out. You feel focused, organized, and clear on what you’re supposed to be doing. You have a start date, a target for when you’ll finish. You have the power. You’re in control. You might even tingle a little bit, a warm sensation that signals the beginning of something new. And everything goes exactly as planned, right? Not always—okay, not usually—but go with me here. Although you have a vision, you have to know when to shift. Adjustments can still get you where you’re going, as long as you don’t quit. I love a well thought out plan just as much as any other obsessive, Type-A personality, but there’s power in the pivot.

And so it is with writing. You want to tell a story, a magnificent piece of fiction that has gripped your very core since the idea teased you in passing. You finally succumb to the hold it has on you and set out to write it. You make your outline. The words pour out, landing on the page exactly as you envisioned. The satisfaction. The pride. The glory! But lo and behold, thirty thousand words in, something shifts. Something feels off. Those endorphins turn into nausea, and the words slow to a trickle. Then the ideas stop altogether. You’re stuck. So you put your pen down and push your story away. You tell yourself you’ll get back to it in a week or two. But life happens and before you know it, six months have passed—or a year—and you feel defeated. What you do next determines everything.

I challenge you to pull out that manuscript. You have fresh eyes now. Where’d it stop working? Start there. Write through the confusion until something clicks. What you’ll end up with is a finished first draft that gives you something to work with. The stumbling blocks are all part of the process, intended to push us towards the best end product. Embrace the discomfort. Acknowledge the gut instinct that tells you something’s off, and pivot! If you’re not an outliner, all right. I get it. You still have to pull it apart at the seams and find out where it went wrong. The point is to keep writing to the end.

The most common thread amongst authors is the determination to keep writing. Whether you’re self-publishing, trying to get traditionally published, or writing for yourself because a writer is who you are… whatever the assignment, finish. Don’t be like those of us who tried, felt defeated by all the no’s, the confusion, the silence, and gave up. If you’re still breathing, it’s not the end. You can jump back in, right where you left off, and finish it. The story doesn’t know the difference and doesn’t care how long it’s been. There’s no judgement. Go through it with a fine-tooth comb and make the changes the story calls for. Kill your darlings. Break your outline. Pivot. Make an outline. Pivot. Change the way the story starts, how it progresses, or how it ends. Or make a new choice; write the next thing. Pivot.

The next decision you make, followed by forward motion, is always a win. Keep moving. Life happens. The winds blow. Plans change. People say no. But you decide the next play, only you. Feel all the feelings, scream or cry if you need to, but keep moving. Pivot. There’s power in that.

About the Author

Nikki Savoy dreams of joy and justice and writes about the intersection of Black love and Black pain in pursuit of the two. She writes the stories she craves, stories for and about Black women. She is a poet and singer-songwriter and is a member of Sisters in Crime. Nikki also serves on the Board of Directors for James River Writers in Richmond, Virginia, where she was born and raised, and lives with her husband and the youngest of their five children.

Let’s be honest, writers aren’t always the first in line for the camera. Many of us are more comfortable behind a keyboard than in front of a lens. But if you’re writing professionally, or even dreaming of it, a great headshot is essential.

Whether you’re pitching articles, publishing a book, speaking on a panel for the “Society of Reclusive Scribblers,” or just updating your website, the right photo helps you show up confidently. It tells the world: I’m here. I’m serious. And yes, I showered today.

A headshot is more than just a picture, it’s part of your author brand. As writer and photographer Julia Boggio puts it:

“A headshot gives the reader an immediate impression of you. A well-taken shot gives readers the feeling that they are in safe hands, [with] someone who takes their career seriously, and knows what they are doing. In contrast, a photo that looks hastily taken can be detrimental to your brand. It says, ‘I don’t care’ or ‘I don’t feel confident in myself.'”

That selfie from your cousin’s wedding five years ago? Probably not cutting it anymore. And while your cat might make a charming co-author, your author photo shouldn’t be just you holding them.

Here’s what to keep in mind when planning your perfect shot:

Timelessness matters
Think about tone. Are you a noir mystery writer channeling moody intensity in a black turtleneck? Or a children’s book author bursting with color and joy? Let your image reflect the vibe of your writing and make sure it can live on the internet forever without making you cringe a year from now.

Versatility is key
You want one photo that can do it all: book jackets, social media bios, speaker profiles, podcasts, interviews, etc. One good headshot goes a long way.

The best time to get a headshot? Before you need it.
Don’t wait until a publication asks you for a photo with a 24-hour deadline and you’re left cropping yourself out of a vacation pic. Be ready and be proud of the image you’re sending out into the world.

Make it you
There’s no one right way to pose for a headshot. It depends on your personality, your author persona, and your genre. The goal is to look like your best self—the version of you who knows your craft and owns your story.

About the Author

Clarissa Bannor is a writer, communications strategist, and passionate advocate for the arts. She thrives on building connections and supporting creative communities such as James River Writers, where she serves as Membership Coordinator.

When I first plugged a chunk of one of my stories into Chat GPT’s AI Writing Coach and asked it to respond, I was surprised that it seemed quite good at doing my job. I had hoped I was irreplaceable. It seemed to have, specifically, lots of insightful and astute praise.

LOTS of praise! My story got a 9/10 from AI. Obviously, the AI has excellent taste! My delight was tempered by the realization that my work as a writing coach was now obsolete. But I was still consoled by the description of my writing as insightful, impactful, resonant, and empathetic.

Then, to test this AI – which I now considered a wise friend and esteemed colleague – I plugged in a meandering and almost unreadable story from a sweet but scatter-brained 8th-grade basketball player I taught long ago. It’s a story memorably rife with craft problems of all shapes and sizes.

To my surprise, Chat GPT also lavished praise on this story. It got an 8 out of 10, which implies that there is no score below 8 out of 10. It was also deemed insightful, impactful and resonant.

I’m not sure the machine can tell if a story is just downright terrible. Or if it honestly would tell you if it was.

The robot offered a few milquetoast and abstract suggestions for improvement.

Curious, I began feeding it the best and worst pieces of writing I could find on my computer and watching how it responded.

It turns out that Chat GPT responds to Lorrie Moore’s most spectacular stories and the chaotic ramblings of my earliest stories with the same combination of perkiness and warmth. Everyone has “subtle” and “interesting” dialogue. Everyone is great! Everyone has room for improvement. Everyone is insightful and deep emotional resonance is everywhere.

The Best Test of Your AI Writing Coach: Mediocrity

Depositing one of my most mediocre stories provided the most illuminating test. This story was published some years ago, and while it’s okay, it’s certainly not amazing. It feels like it was written for a writing prompt because it was.

The AI said the same stuff and gave the story 9/10. Still, among its many abstract suggestions for improvements around a character who felt unreal (the story is about the fact that she feels unreal), and some commentary about the dialogue being dreamlike (like worrying that the Harry Potter books have a lot of wizards in them), it found the most salient problem with that particular story: plot and narrative arc.

Its recommendations:

• “Consider adding a few subtle grounding cues in the prose, especially during transitions between scenes or when shifting from reflection to direct interaction.
• More narrative coherence would help anchor the reader without sacrificing the dreamlike quality.”

Pretty vague, but it later gave more concrete suggestions in response to follow-up questions and pressure:

• Introduce a clearer external conflict or challenge that drives the plot forward (e.g., discovery, eviction, storm).
• Deepen the woman’s motivation to give her eventual departure more weight and clarity.
• Add a climactic moment or confrontation that serves as a turning point for the relationship.
• Make the house a more active, dynamic setting that impacts the characters.
• Give the ending a stronger sense of resolution by having the narrator make a choice or gain a new understanding.
• Allow for subtle character growth in the narrator, even if the story remains tragic.
• Connect class and family legacy themes more directly to the characters’ actions.

As you might have noticed, the challenge here is that these ideas are all quite vague or abstract. “Allow for subtle character growth” is…like? What does that look like in a scene?

AI Writing Coach’s fatal Flaw: Implementation

When I work with clients, we typically meet via Zoom. I screen-share the client’s essay, novel, or short story document and turn on track changes. Then, I read it aloud, cold, for the first time while we’re on the call. As I read, I pause to:

1. Ask questions as a reader might: For example, “Wait, is this character’s sister the woman we met earlier?”
2. Point out exactly what’s working well: For example, a recent client wrote a gothic fiction story that featured remarkably sharp and interesting metaphors and analogies. His figurative language was surprising, vivid, tonally appropriate, and apt.
3. Make minor changes or sometimes pause: We discuss a significant issue that has arisen, such as a lack of conflict within a scene or a lack of agency for a main character. I demonstrate how that significant issue could be resolved.
4. Clarify intent: When troubleshooting scenes, I ask the writer what they’re going for. They might state it’s about showing a relationship dynamic or demonstrating certain character traits and behaviors. Then I advise how to specifically rework the passage in question to affect those goals.
5. Complex craft approaches: I teach the client, in real-time, about complex craft questions like narrative distance, how to manage mini digressions for backstory, etc.

Chat GPT’s writing coach can’t do any of this.

When I asked it, for example, how specifically it would suggest that I take its example to “deepen the woman’s motivation to give her eventual departure more weight and clarity,” it responded with a slew of suggestions that were derivative, cliched, or irrelevant to the problem in question.

Sample AI solution:

In the beginning, add small moments that hint at her desire for stability, especially in the context of the house. She might touch or study objects in the house with a wistful reverence, as though imagining what it would be like to live there permanently.

Example Scene: After the narrator brings back some food and a bottle, she might inspect an old, dusty photo frame left by previous occupants. She looks at it for a moment too long, then laughs it off, brushing it away like it’s nothing. This small action hints at a hidden longing for something she’s never had but doesn’t want to admit to.

Ha! No thanks! Perhaps it is unsurprising that an AI tool that has been educated on all that has come before in literature will reach for a cliche. AI is, by definition, derivative.

To Sum Up: An AI Writing Coach Can Help, But….

You must be careful and extremely discerning. The AI writing coach suggested several significant structural changes to my story, some mutually exclusive (the house can’t burn down and be taken over by other drifters simultaneously).

Understanding that the latter idea, the competing drifters, has promise. Yet initiating that story element early and giving it space to develop would require a lot of skill.

In a last effort, I asked it to revise the story. It churned out a piece that used the same hammer (the woman’s desire to leave at conflict with her desire to stay) in EVERY single scene. It repetitively leaned on the words “distant,” “leave,” “disappearing,” and “stay.” It became, frankly, heavy-handed and annoying.

And I’ll leave it at that.

About the Author

Peter Mountford is a sought after writing coach and instructor. He is the author of the novels A Young Man’s Guide to Late Capitalism, and The Dismal Science. His work has appeared in the New York Times (Modern Love), Paris Review, Southern Review, The Atlantic, The Sun, Ploughshares, and Guernica. He teaches at University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe’s MFA, and through Mountford Writing. His latest book, a collection of stories called Detonator, was released September 2025.

As writers, we often work in solitude. The act of putting words on a page is, by nature, a personal endeavor. But what if we told you that the path to success and growth as a writer doesn’t have to be a lonely one? In fact, some of the most profound breakthroughs in writing—whether through craft, inspiration, or confidence—happen when writers come together, share their stories, and support one another. Building community can be a game-changer in your writing journey.

Why Community Matters
Writers’ lives can sometimes feel like they exist in isolation. We have our private worlds of imagination, our individual struggles with plot and character development, and the constant pursuit of the perfect word. This solitary nature of writing can often lead to self-doubt and feelings of being disconnected from the larger world.

This is where the power of community comes into play. Being part of a writing group or nonprofit like James River Writers creates a network of support and belonging. It reminds us that we’re not alone in the trials and triumphs of writing. Whether it’s sharing the pain of writer’s block or celebrating the joy of finishing a first draft, connecting with others who understand the unique challenges of writing fosters growth, resilience, and confidence.

Strengthening Craft Through Collaboration
Writing communities are fertile ground for improving your craft. Critique groups, writing workshops, and collaborative projects allow you to receive constructive feedback and fresh perspectives. Sometimes, we’re too close to our own work to see its flaws or potential. But when we share our work with others—who bring diverse viewpoints and experiences—we gain invaluable insights that elevate our writing.

Being part of a community gives us the chance to observe and learn from fellow writers. Whether they’re seasoned professionals or fellow beginners, each writer offers a unique approach to storytelling, structure, or language. These interactions open us to new techniques and inspire us to experiment in our own work.

The Motivation to Keep Going
Writing can be an emotional rollercoaster. The highs of inspiration can quickly turn into the lows of self-doubt. That’s where community can help keep us grounded. Fellow writers can offer words of encouragement when we feel ready to give up, and they can celebrate our successes, big or small, with genuine enthusiasm.

A community gives us accountability, too. Whether it’s through setting writing goals together, participating in group challenges, or simply having someone to check in with, the sense of shared purpose propels us forward. You’re not just writing for yourself—you’re writing for a collective, and that collective cares about your success.

A Safe Space to Be Vulnerable
Writing often requires us to share pieces of ourselves—our fears, hopes, desires, and vulnerabilities. It can be intimidating to expose such raw emotions on the page, let alone share them with others. But a supportive writing community offers a safe space to be vulnerable. You don’t have to worry about harsh judgment; instead, you’ll find encouragement, empathy, and a deep sense of understanding.

When writers come together, they create a culture of trust. This makes it easier to share works in progress, ask for help when struggling, and explore new creative avenues without fear of ridicule. In turn, this builds self-confidence and resilience in your writing.

Expanding Networks and Opportunities
Networking isn’t just for business people. As writers, our community connections can open doors to exciting new opportunities. Whether it’s an invitation to submit to an anthology, collaborate on a project, or participate in a literary event, the more connected you are to other writers and creatives, the more opportunities will arise.

Community is Key to Growth
Building a writing community is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward both personal and professional growth. It helps improve your craft, fosters motivation, opens doors to new opportunities, and provides a safe space for vulnerability. Here at James River Writers, we believe that when writers come together, magic happens—creativity flourishes, friendships are formed, and dreams are realized.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunities our community offers. Join a critique group, attend a workshop, or simply reach out to a fellow writer for support. Remember, you are never alone in this journey.

Together, we can accomplish more than we ever could on our own.

About the Author

Catie-Reagan King is an educator and editor who loves all things storytelling. She works as a mental health teacher and managing editor of an academic journal. In her free time, she enjoys participating in community theatre and teaching yoga.