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Writing Resources

Currently Writing?

Choose one of the following categories or browse through their respective posts below for practical tips, actionable advice, and inspiration for your writing process!

Writing Performance

Writing Performance

Writing Craft

Writing Craft

Bookish Appreciation

Bookish Appreciation

Book Reviews

Book Reviews

Writing Craft

For posts on plot, characterization, dialogue, pacing, structure, POV, planning, outlining, style, technique, and tools.

5 Key Ways Writers Can Avoid Burnout (for NaNoWriMo and beyond!)

Style Guides vs. Style Sheets (two important tools in a writer’s toolbox)

An explanation of style guides and style sheets, their relationship, and how each tool can better your writing (whether you traditional or self-publish!).

Style Guides vs. Style Sheets (two important tools in a writer’s toolbox)Read More

Category: Writing CraftTag: writing tools

3 Essential Concepts for Character Development (Backgrounds, Motivations, and The Research Paradox)

3 Essential Concepts for Character Development

Learn the fundamentals of character development: the influence of a character’s background, their driving motivations, and recognizing The Research Paradox.

3 Essential Concepts for Character DevelopmentRead More

Category: Writing CraftTag: character motivation, characterization

Style Guides 101: What they are, why they're important, and how to pick yours!

Style Guides 101: What they are, why they’re important, and how to pick yours!

Style guides aren’t just for editors! Learn what they are; why they’re important for both traditional and self-publishing authors; and how to select yours.

Style Guides 101: What they are, why they’re important, and how to pick yours!Read More

Category: Writing CraftTag: writing tools

The ABCs of Style Sheets (feat. a Free Style Sheet Template!)

The ABCs of Style Sheets (feat. a Free Style Sheet Template!)

A practical style sheet how-to guide and free template to help you build your own. Just remember to keep it simple, straightforward, and easy to fill out!

The ABCs of Style Sheets (feat. a Free Style Sheet Template!)Read More

Category: Writing CraftTag: free templates, writing tools

Writing Performance

For posts on motivation, productivity, inspiration, writer’s block, and more.

5 Key Ways Writers Can Avoid Burnout (for NaNoWriMo and beyond!)

5 Key Ways Writers Can Avoid Burnout (for NaNoWriMo and beyond!)

Reduce the risk of burnout and avoid a motivational crash by using the following practical and actionable tips to create a sustainable writing process.

5 Key Ways Writers Can Avoid Burnout (for NaNoWriMo and beyond!)Read More

Category: Writing PerformanceTag: productivity

9 Focus Tips & Tricks for Writers (to help you achieve writing "flow"!)

9 Focus Tips & Tricks for Writers

Trouble focusing is one of the top struggles for writers. These focus tips and tricks can be used individually or in tandem to reach that peak work “flow”!

9 Focus Tips & Tricks for WritersRead More

Category: Writing PerformanceTag: inspiration, productivity, writer's block

Seven Writing Inspiration Hacks

7 Writing Inspiration Hacks

No matter your writer’s block, you can use the following inspiration hacks to brainstorm, get your thoughts together, or simply reboot your creative side.

7 Writing Inspiration HacksRead More

Category: Writing PerformanceTag: inspiration, writer's block

Bookish Appreciation

For sources of inspiration for your manuscript, book lists on various topics, and general bookish appreciation.

5 Reasons to Love Your Local Library

5 Reasons to Love Your Local Library

As an enthusiastic and lifelong fan, I’ve made a list of five outstanding reasons (from programs to books to supporting authors) to love your local library!

5 Reasons to Love Your Local LibraryRead More

Category: Bookish AppreciationTag: libraries

5 Original Fierce Fantasy Book Heroines (My favorite MCs as inspiration for your next Fierce Female Leads™)

5 Original Fierce Fantasy Book Heroines (my favorite MCs as inspiration for your next Fierce Female Lead™)

As you’re working on your manuscript’s character development, consider these five heroines as inspiration for your strong and independent female characters.

5 Original Fierce Fantasy Book Heroines (my favorite MCs as inspiration for your next Fierce Female Lead™)Read More

Category: Bookish AppreciationTag: book lists, Fierce Female Leads™

Writing Resource Freebies

Enter your details in either (or both!) forms to grab a free copy of my printable and easy-to-use Style Sheet Template or Proofreading Workbook for Writers.

Find out more about Style Sheets (and how to use them) in my ABCs of Style Sheets post!

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Hi there, friend!

I'm Kimberly Laurel and welcome to The Trusty Bookmark! My mission is to provide the support you need to craft a story you're fearlessly proud of sending out into the world. Questions? Contact me via the blue Chat bubble in the corner or here.

Editing Services

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Kind Client Words

It was great working with Kimberly. She improved my writing by pointing out redundancy [and] I appreciate the patience she had with this new author. Read more → “Copy Edit Testimonial: David Biesty”

David Biesty, The Outcast Missing Someone

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Kelsey P.

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Glen Gabel

The editorial letter was more than I ever could have asked for. Everything was written out very well and organized so that it was so easy to go back through and see what they were talking about. Read more → “Developmental Edit Testimonial: Alexis C.”

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Your advice is going to help better my writing, not only for this project but for any others; being a first time writer, this type of advice is very valuable. I am beyond grateful for your help. Read more → “Developmental Edit Testimonial: Andre Balanji”

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