- Aug 12
- 4 min
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Alchemy... writers' blog
(al·che·my - noun) : a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination
Welcome to our Alchemy blog, specially curated for young adult authors and enthusiasts alike. Within these digital pages, we delve into some of the hottest trends in young adult literature and culture, provide expert advice to aspiring authors, and explore the cultural nuances that infuse richness into our stories. Whether you're an emerging writer seeking inspiration or a dedicated fan looking to deepen your connection with your favorite authors, you've stumbled upon a fine destination. Welcome to a world where words hold the power to shape our future.
- Sep 9, 2023
- 3 min
- Aug 26, 2023
- 2 min
- Aug 15, 2023
- 2 min
- Jul 12, 2023
- 3 min
- Jul 6, 2023
- 2 min
- Apr 5, 2023
- 6 min
- Feb 15, 2023
- 3 min
- Jan 11, 2023
- 2 min
- Dec 12, 2022
- 2 min
- Aug 30, 2022
- 2 min
Effigy Press Admin
- Aug 12
- 4 min
You're Trying Too Hard!
Tim (author) and LeeAnna (human being) of Effigy Press consider the quirky human dynamic of trying too hard and self-sabotage -...
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T.S.W.Sharman
- Sep 9, 2023
- 3 min
The Fault in Our... Library?
If you haven’t heard of the Hamilton East Public Library Board I wouldn’t be surprised. And, no, it’s not the latest work of young adult...
16 views0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Aug 26, 2023
- 2 min
Every moment in your life is... wait, WHAT?
“Every moment in my life is sacred,” he said. I didn’t ask further. I already knew his history of trauma, depression, self-harm. Suicide...
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T.S.W.Sharman
- Aug 15, 2023
- 2 min
I strongly suggest you GO GET SOME CULTURE. Seriously.
On a recommendation (and frankly being completely unable to resist the title) I’ve been reading Martin Amis’ collection of literary...
6 views1 comment
T.S.W.Sharman
- Jul 12, 2023
- 3 min
I feel I've been missing something lately... more evil!
A writer – and extensive reader – of modern fiction recently commented to me sadly about the absence of clarity they felt from reading...
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T.S.W.Sharman
- Jul 6, 2023
- 2 min
Is it just me, but I want MORE violence and sex.
Don’t judge me, but I watch a lot of content on streaming services. Max, AppleTV+, Netflix. And I mean A LOT. Unlike movies, which I...
2 views0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Jun 2, 2023
- 4 min
My vocabulary got a big shock from a new word. Now I'm really worried.
I received a response to my Verschlimmbesserung blog that read: “Well, disimprovement is a word, yanno!” Not knowing the word yanno I...
3 views0 comments
Elizabeth S.
- Apr 20, 2023
- 2 min
A teenager's scoop on dating... it's waaay more boring than you think.
Look, all you nice people out there writing about how teenagers and young adults date, I hope you can remember when you were that age...
2 views0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Apr 5, 2023
- 6 min
Oh No... Not Dating!
Dating is part of the lives of many readers of young adult (YA) and new adult (NA) fiction. Some 50% of fifteen-year olds, and more than...
8 views0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Mar 2, 2023
- 3 min
Having won once (I think) vs. ChatGPT, I took it on again. How did I do?
In part 2 of “Me vs. ChatGPT” I had another battle with the AI that literally everyone can’t seem to stoptalking about. The instructions...
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T.S.W.Sharman
- Feb 15, 2023
- 3 min
I went toe-to-toe with ChatGPT... I really hope I won.
I give myself a creative writing challenge against ChatGPT
2 views0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Jan 11, 2023
- 2 min
The Germans have something we don't... and I want it now!
There's no word for this... at least there isn’t in English. But there is in German, and it just so happens it’s one of my very favorite...
1 view0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Dec 12, 2022
- 2 min
Netflix's Wednesday sure is a pretty interesting character. But why?
So why is the show Wednesday on Netflix so popular? The Netflix teen-comedy series Wednesday was released November 23, 2022 – on a...
4 views0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Oct 12, 2022
- 2 min
Er, one of my characters actually came to life. What the hell do I do now?
God invented editors to remind writers they can’t play God with their characters. I don’t remember who said it, but it’s true. In this...
5 views0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Sep 29, 2022
- 3 min
So you just created a new character. Only problem is, they're kinda boring.
I find one of the most challenging aspects of writing fiction is the introduction of a new character, especially one of lesser...
1 view0 comments
T.S.W.Sharman
- Aug 30, 2022
- 2 min
Do you have a story for me?
As my first post in Alchemy, this must be the place to start – the story. The pre-eminent role of a fiction writer is to tell a...
1 view0 comments
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