Hillary DePiano https://www.hillarydepiano.com/ playwright, fiction and non-fiction author Sun, 24 May 2026 21:28:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/www.hillarydepiano.com/pages/wp-content/uploads/cropped-HD-logo.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Hillary DePiano https://www.hillarydepiano.com/ 32 32 3914867 noplaywright, fiction and non-fiction author Grab a free copy of Building a Writing Life (and welcome to the new newsletter!) https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/grab-a-free-copy-of-building-a-writing-life-and-welcome-to-the-new-newsletter/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/grab-a-free-copy-of-building-a-writing-life-and-welcome-to-the-new-newsletter/#respond Mon, 25 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=29017 Free Book Offer as part of the Reach Your Full Potential Nonfiction Books bundle ! Grab a copy of Building a Writing Life Building a Writing Life, is part of […]

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Free Book Offer as part of the Reach Your Full Potential Nonfiction Books bundle !

Grab a copy of Building a Writing Life

Claim Here

Building a Writing Life, is part of a great group bundle offer where you can claim my ultimate beginner writers guide along with lots of other great books for free! You can check that out here.

Now that we’ve gotten that business out of the way…

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the new Unpublishable Pennings newsletter!

The Blogging / Mailing List Conundrum

The number one thing people have been asking of me for years now is an actual regular newsletter. And I always demurred because I used to blog So Often (in The Before Times, I used to blog five times a week across my two different blogs, and that was WAY too much, no one should blog that much) and wasn’t that basically just like a newsletter?

And then, of course, I suffer from “but I don’t want to bother people!” syndrome where I have Catholic guilt every time I send out an email blast… even though you’re all people who specifically signed up to hear from me.

This put me into a chicken and egg situation where I couldn’t figure out how to serve those two masters: people who wanted regular updates and writing articles from me and people who just wanted the headlines only (new writing classes, book release, sales, etc).

Should I send out a newsletter weekly? Monthly? Only as-needed? As I waffled back and forth between which way to lean, I simply posted nothing for a long while because I got in my head about it.

I miss blogging.

I miss chatting with you all.

Most importantly, I LIKE sharing writing articles and craft tips and I hated I no longer had a good way to do it.

I needed to find an option that worked for everyone.

Welcome to the hybrid solution!

I never really liked Brevo so I’m ditching it. I’ve already got a space here that I control fully and I already mention everything newsworthy on the blog anyway, why not simplify my life and consolidate!

Blog? Newsletter? What am I looking at here?

Both! WordPress now has the capacity to serve as a Substack-like mailing list so I’ve just decided that we’ll merge the two.

This is my blog.

It’s now also my newsletter.

Beyond keeping everything in-house and only having to update one location (easier for me!), what I love the most about this is that Jetpack gives you, the reader, total control over your subscription!

  • Choose how you get posts! Get posts via email, the WordPress app where you already read your other subscribed blogs or just log into the website and read in your browser when you see me mention something that looks interesting on social media. Choices! As long as you’re signed up as a subscriber, you can choose how you read updates instead of being stuck with email as your only option.
  • Choose whether you get emails as they happen or digested weekly or monthly. This is my favorite feature of all because it’s the solution to my email frequency dilemma! I don’t have to worry about sending too many emails because YOU, dear reader are in control of how often you get posts. So I can frolic as chaotically as I wish across the blog and post whenever I want and you can decide whether you want to get posts live as-they-happen or digested later to fit your schedule. So the people who only want a monthly newsletter get their monthly newsletter and I don’t have to overthink whether I’m posting too often.

This also gives me the flexibility to still update the blog regularly, but also nest subscriber only content in the middle of posts for everyone. The best of both words! There will also be subscriber only posts where I can talk a little bit more about the behind the scenes type stuff I don’t necessarily want to broadcast to everyone.

And, of course, it’s WAY easier for us to have conversation since the comment section is already built right in!

Frequency

While I would ultimately like to promise a regular update schedule, right now I’m just aiming for at least one proper article up monthly and then we’ll see where we got from there.

Yes, Free!

Right now, the subscriber method is just so I can make certain content exclusive to my most devoted readers without having to worry about it going out to everyone or being scraped for AI training. I have no plans to charge or monetize anything yet and– even if I do– I will still always offer a free option.

We’ll figure it out together

I expect there will be a bit of a learning curve as I figure out what works best because I’m used to blogging one way and doing mailing list posts another and now I have to merge the two but I, for one, am excited about the possibilities this opens up!

(And also, don’t worry, they won’t all be this long! I just had a lot of business to cover for the first edition!)

As part of this new process, I’ll be starting a few different blog series that we’ll cycle between from week to week. Some of the ones I’ve got planned are…

  • The Next Write Thing: tips for writing in a world gone mad
  • What Works For Me: Strategies I’ve implemented in my writing life I want to share in case you find them helpful too!
  • Get It Writ: Join me as I test out major productivity methods and see how they could apply to writing
  • Behind the Scenes: Backstage candid stuff about the writing world that I don’t necessarily want to share with the entire internet
  • Tools of the Trade: In dept reviews of writing services and software
  • …and then update posts that are more of your typical newsletter-y content at least quarterly just so you know what I’m up to!

To that end, here’s more of a personal update to what’s been happening with me:

What I’ve been up to…

Bookkeeping logistics nightmare. WaveApps is changing their payment structure on June 1st and taking away automatic bank transaction import for free accounts. Since both my companies use them for bookkeeping / invoicing and paying double for a service that didn’t really serve my needs was NOT desirable, I lost a whole day of writing to trying to find a solution. After trying ZipBooks, ZohoBooks and GnuCash (all of which had their strengths, but none of which could do automatic imports from both PayPal and Chase Bank like I needed), I finally found a simple solution in the combo of BanktoSheets (which is a mere $5 a month for up to five bank connections aka FAR cheaper than paying for two accounts on Wave/Zip/Zoho/et al) and the free Wave Connect plugin for Google Sheets.

So if anyone else is going through that same struggle, hopefully knowing about those options upfront will save you some time!

What even is comfort, really? Long term readers will remember I have joint issues and I’ve been going through the arduous process of trying to upgrade my writing set-up to be more ergonomic. Changing so many things at once is mostly making me feel like I am losing my mind trying to figure out if this way is better, worse, or if I have never actually experienced comfort in my life.

At some point, I’d like to do a big breakdown of everything I discovered during this process and exactly what I ended up with, but I’m going to live with this current set up for a while and make sure this actually works long term before I do. If you had asked me 48 hours ago, I would have told you my current set up was perfect… except today my wrist is randomly hurting and I’m just sitting here like whyyyy which part of this is the problem when will I know peace??

I’ve been cheating on you. So there is an elephant in the room we might as well address right up front: I have started a few secret pen names that I am not going to share on here. The why is very simple: branding and the fact that most of what I write under my real name is either all ages or skews young and people get cranky if perceived “kids” authors write something a little more adult. No, it shouldn’t be like that but, yeah, it still is.

Someday I might just put that writing side by side on this site but, for now, I need to keep those disconnected.

This has left me in a weird situation, though, because one of the things I always used to do on this blog was be completely transparent about my writing process and how my various drafts were going and, if I’m going to keep doing that, I’m going to have to become vague about exactly what I’m working on. Suffice it to say I AM still writing at the usual ludicrous volume, have lots of extremely cool stuff in various states of completion, but (for the foreseeable future anyway) you’ll have the somewhat jarring experience of me talking about all these novels I am clearly writing while it looks like I have nothing to show for it on this blog specifically.

Blog clean up in progress! As part of making this switch from just a blog to blog and newsletter both, I’m doing a big clean up of old posts. This blog is actually a horrifying Frankenstein of my old Geocities, Tripod/Lycos AND Blogger blogs all smashed together and a big clean up of old posts is FAR overdue. (Don’t worry, I kept an archive of everything! It will just live offline.) As part of this, I may shamelessly clean up some of my older post and repost them new because there’s a lot of good content buried in my back catalog and it’s really hard to find right now.

Tho I’m STILL trying to find a solution for posting series that I like…

In Progress

  • Publication for The Raven / Lenore which I’m excited to get out there since it’s fast becoming one of my most requested short plays
  • The next How to Start Writing book. Now that Make Ready to Write is finally getting out the door, it’s time to look ahead! My original plan was to focus next on the editing book (which will replace NaNo Now What, more on that in a future post!), but I think it might make more sense to make the writing productivity book #3 since that fits the flow of the series better. Either way, both of those are close to ready to roll and so my hope is to have the next two books in that series out soon.
  • Multiple very cool novels in various states of completion I can talk about sorry because they are for my secret penname, but arghhh they are so good, I can’t wait for people to read them!

Feel free to leave a comment on this post to let me know which one you’d be the most interested in seeing!

That’s it for now, but I’m excited to start our new newsletter journey together and all the ways this new format will let us stay better connected!

Oh and if you’re just viewing this on the blog or came from social media and want to make sure you can always see subscriber only content in the future, you can sign up for a free account below!

Upcoming Events

View Calendar

The post Grab a free copy of Building a Writing Life (and welcome to the new newsletter!) appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/grab-a-free-copy-of-building-a-writing-life-and-welcome-to-the-new-newsletter/feed/ 0 29017 Hands Free Writing with Dictation and Voice-to-Text on May 16, 2026 11 AM (EST) [Zoom Workshop] https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/hands-free-writing-with-dictation-and-voice-to-text-on-may-16-2026-11-am-est-zoom-workshop/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/hands-free-writing-with-dictation-and-voice-to-text-on-may-16-2026-11-am-est-zoom-workshop/#respond Fri, 08 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28925 Have you ever noticed that your best writing ideas always seem to come when you’re nowhere near a keyboard? Stuck in traffic, doing the dishes, folding the laundry… if only […]

The post Hands Free Writing with Dictation and Voice-to-Text on May 16, 2026 11 AM (EST) [Zoom Workshop] appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> Have you ever noticed that your best writing ideas always seem to come when you’re nowhere near a keyboard? Stuck in traffic, doing the dishes, folding the laundry… if only there was a way to write hands-free! Fortunately writing with voice-to-text has never been easier or more accessible. Writing with your voice can be faster than typing and the secret to fitting more writing around your already busy schedule. From live dictation to transcribing recorded audio after the fact, join us for this Zoom workshop where we’ll cover everything from the hardware and software you need to get started to tips for becoming a dictation pro!

Hosted by Hearts Through History

USD Fee: $10 HHRW Members/$15 Non-Members

Register Here

The post Hands Free Writing with Dictation and Voice-to-Text on May 16, 2026 11 AM (EST) [Zoom Workshop] appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/hands-free-writing-with-dictation-and-voice-to-text-on-may-16-2026-11-am-est-zoom-workshop/feed/ 0 28925 Make Ready to Write is available for pre-order! https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/make-ready-to-write-is-available-for-pre-order/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/make-ready-to-write-is-available-for-pre-order/#respond Fri, 08 May 2026 03:37:32 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28989 My guide to prepping a writing project for both plotters and discovery writers is finally coming in paperback and eBook to just about everywhere on June 7th because, well, I have […]

The post Make Ready to Write is available for pre-order! appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> My guide to prepping a writing project for both plotters and discovery writers is finally coming in paperback and eBook to just about everywhere on June 7th because, well, I have kids and I thought that would amuse them.

(You know because it’s… 6/7…)

I’ve gotten a ton of positive comments on this book and I’m so excited for it to finally be out there where everyone can read it! 

One of the big reasons I wanted to write this book was that I had never seen a “pantser friendly” guide to prepping a writing project that felt like what I personally needed and my hope is that this will really fill that niche for people who want to do a little prep work to make the drafting process easier without having to know the plot ahead of time.

Make Ready to Write

the ultimate writing prep guide for both plotters and discovery writers

This is it! It’s finally time to start that story you know you have inside you. But where do you begin?

Whether it’s a novel, script or even a non-fiction book, this is your ultimate guide to prepping a major writing project even if you’re an outline-allergic discovery writer.

From research and character development to story bible organization and prepping your life for the creative challenges ahead, this guide is full of simple, actionable steps you can take right now to make the drafting process easier even if you prefer to “pants” your way to the end. And if you are a plotter, you’ll find an overview on common story structures and character arcs to give you a roadmap for the narrative journey ahead.

There’s a long, hard campaign between now and when you type The End. But don’t despair! With the right plan of attack, you’ll be ready to fight your way through whatever this story throws at you and see this through to victory.

So strap in. Rally the troops. And get set to do this thing because it’s time to Make Ready to Write!

Coming June 7th in paperback and eBook!

Pre-Order Now

Free copy, anyone? 

I have a limited number of digital ARC for readers willing to read the book and leave an honest review, but I’m limiting that offer to blog members for security so you need to login or sign up (free) to see the request form below. A free copy in exchange for a few minutes of your time helping me spread the word? You know you want it. 

(If you’re not seeing a form to request an ARC here, that’s because you need to log in!)

Behind the scenes

This book was supposed to come out back in 2020 and then, of course, everything went to heck and it became This Whole Thing. Every time I picked it back up to try to get it out there, I took the psychological damage of having to re-enter my pre-pandemic headspace. 

What helped, though, was all these writing workshops I’ve been teaching. Meeting all of you in these classes who were so appreciative of my advice and eager for more lit a fire under me. I totally rewrote the whole thing earlier this year to dust off the lockdown stink and I think the result is better than ever. 

I hope you’ll love it!

The post Make Ready to Write is available for pre-order! appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/05/make-ready-to-write-is-available-for-pre-order/feed/ 0 28989 Online Writing Workshop: Revitalize Your Author Platform at CRW on April 1 – April 30 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/online-writing-workshop-revitalize-your-author-platform-at-crw-on-april-1-april-30/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/online-writing-workshop-revitalize-your-author-platform-at-crw-on-april-1-april-30/#respond Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:00:12 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28826 Revitalize Your Author Platform Making the most out of your author website, blog, mailing list, social media and more Contemporary Romance Writers April 1 – April 30 4-Week Online Workshop […]

The post Online Writing Workshop: Revitalize Your Author Platform at CRW on April 1 – April 30 appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> Revitalize Your Author Platform

Making the most out of your author website, blog, mailing list, social media and more

Contemporary Romance Writers

April 1 – April 30

4-Week Online Workshop

You’re a real wizard with words but computer stuff? Not so much. Whether you’ve got a long neglected website or never really set up a proper web presence, author, e-commerce expert and big honkin’ nerd Hillary DePiano is here to show you easy ways to get more out of the tools you’ve already got… even if you’re not even remotely tech savvy. From marketing essentials like building a website to tips for turning blog readers and social media followers into lifetime fans, we’ll demystify the tech stuff and help take your writing career out of the dark ages!

This workshop is for CWR Members ONLY, but membership is $40 and will include both this and September 2026’s Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction (Understanding Scene and Sequel)

Register Here
June 2026
Jun 15
Jun 15, 2026All Day
MASTER CLASS: Lights, Camera, Novel! Script-Writing Secrets for Novelists
WriterUniv.com,

(limited to 25 people) Prerequisite: Must have a story idea you are interested in developing. Stories don’t only come from novels. We see them at the movies, on our TV screens, live on stage or in our favorite video games and comics. As novelists in the modern world, our competition for readers’ attention often isn’t[…]

Find out More
August 2026
Aug 03
Aug 03, 2026All Day
Advanced Self-Publishing
Hearts Through History,

Advanced Self-Publishing Aug 3- Aug 14, 2026 Hearts Through History [Forum Workshop] There’s never been a better or easier time to self-publish or be an indie author! But the market is crowded and there’s a big difference between doing it and doing it right! Author Hillary DePiano hasn’t just self-published over three dozen titles for[…]

Find out More
October 2026
Oct 10
Oct 10, 20262:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically [Zoom Workshop]
Romance Writers Online,

Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically Presenter: Hillary DePiano October 10, 2025 2 pm EST 90 minutes $15 (Free for RWO General Members) Unlock your creativity and conquer writer’s block in this Zoom workshop on using scriptwriting tricks to take your novel to the next level! Draw on techniques used in theatre,[…]

Find out More

The post Online Writing Workshop: Revitalize Your Author Platform at CRW on April 1 – April 30 appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/online-writing-workshop-revitalize-your-author-platform-at-crw-on-april-1-april-30/feed/ 0 28826 Setting Better Creative Goals [Zoom Writing Workshop] at GSRW on March 28 @ 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm EST https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/setting-better-creative-goals-zoom-writing-workshop-at-gsrw-on-march-28-130-pm-230-pm-est/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/setting-better-creative-goals-zoom-writing-workshop-at-gsrw-on-march-28-130-pm-230-pm-est/#respond Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:50:36 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28822 Just as characters need a goal to drive their story forward, us writers need a plan to focus our creative efforts. From drafting and revision to publication and beyond, writing […]

The post Setting Better Creative Goals [Zoom Writing Workshop] at GSRW on March 28 @ 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm EST appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> Just as characters need a goal to drive their story forward, us writers need a plan to focus our creative efforts. From drafting and revision to publication and beyond, writing is complex and setting realistic targets can be complicated and highly personal. A good writing goal isn’t just S.M.A.R.T., it’s tailored to your specific process so you’re less likely to get overwhelmed or discouraged. From motivational tracking tools to long-term project planning, this Zoom workshop will cover strategies not only for getting through your current project, but also building your writing career book by book.

GSRW members FREE / non-members $25

10:30 – 11:30AM (Pacific Time) / 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (EST)

Register Here
Zoom Workshop Setting Better Creative Goals March 28, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM (Pacific Time) Presented by Hillary DePiano, hosted by Golden State Romance Writers
June 2026
Jun 15
Jun 15, 2026All Day
MASTER CLASS: Lights, Camera, Novel! Script-Writing Secrets for Novelists
WriterUniv.com,

(limited to 25 people) Prerequisite: Must have a story idea you are interested in developing. Stories don’t only come from novels. We see them at the movies, on our TV screens, live on stage or in our favorite video games and comics. As novelists in the modern world, our competition for readers’ attention often isn’t[…]

Find out More
August 2026
Aug 03
Aug 03, 2026All Day
Advanced Self-Publishing
Hearts Through History,

Advanced Self-Publishing Aug 3- Aug 14, 2026 Hearts Through History [Forum Workshop] There’s never been a better or easier time to self-publish or be an indie author! But the market is crowded and there’s a big difference between doing it and doing it right! Author Hillary DePiano hasn’t just self-published over three dozen titles for[…]

Find out More
October 2026
Oct 10
Oct 10, 20262:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically [Zoom Workshop]
Romance Writers Online,

Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically Presenter: Hillary DePiano October 10, 2025 2 pm EST 90 minutes $15 (Free for RWO General Members) Unlock your creativity and conquer writer’s block in this Zoom workshop on using scriptwriting tricks to take your novel to the next level! Draw on techniques used in theatre,[…]

Find out More

The post Setting Better Creative Goals [Zoom Writing Workshop] at GSRW on March 28 @ 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm EST appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/setting-better-creative-goals-zoom-writing-workshop-at-gsrw-on-march-28-130-pm-230-pm-est/feed/ 0 28822 Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction (Understanding Scene and Sequel) [Zoom Workshop] at New Jersey Romance Writers on March 21 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/unlock-the-power-of-action-and-reaction-understanding-scene-and-sequel-zoom-workshop-at-new-jersey-romance-writers-on-march-21-1100-am-1200-pm/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/unlock-the-power-of-action-and-reaction-understanding-scene-and-sequel-zoom-workshop-at-new-jersey-romance-writers-on-march-21-1100-am-1200-pm/#respond Sat, 14 Mar 2026 15:42:28 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28820 $10 per person, free for NJRW members Beginner writers all suffer the same challenges: passive characters, uneven pacing, meandering plot and the dreaded “Happy People in Happyland.” Readers crave active […]

The post Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction (Understanding Scene and Sequel) [Zoom Workshop] at New Jersey Romance Writers on March 21 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> $10 per person, free for NJRW members

Beginner writers all suffer the same challenges: passive characters, uneven pacing, meandering plot and the dreaded “Happy People in Happyland.” Readers crave active protagonists, characters who chase their goals and drive the story forward with the choices they make in the face of adversity. Non-stop action can be just as boring as a story where nothing happens. Finding that balance between action and reaction is the key to writing a character driven story that’s full of delicious page turning tension.

In this workshop, we’ll delve into scene structure and how understanding the cause-and-effect trajectory of your character’s journey not only strengthens your novel’s conflict and internal story logic, but also means richer, more three-dimensional characters. Whether you’re a discovery writer letting your characters take the reins or hardcore plotter writing to narrative goalposts, you’ll find that understanding scene structure can be a key part of your prep process, the secret to better flashlight drafting, a gut check to guide your revision, or a tool for diagnosing story issues and beating writer’s block.

Register Here
Zoom Workshop March 21, 2026 11 A.m. to noon (Eastern Standard Time) Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction: Understanding Scene and Sequel. Presented by Hilary DePiano, hosted by New Jersey romance writers.
June 2026
Jun 15
Jun 15, 2026All Day
MASTER CLASS: Lights, Camera, Novel! Script-Writing Secrets for Novelists
WriterUniv.com,

(limited to 25 people) Prerequisite: Must have a story idea you are interested in developing. Stories don’t only come from novels. We see them at the movies, on our TV screens, live on stage or in our favorite video games and comics. As novelists in the modern world, our competition for readers’ attention often isn’t[…]

Find out More
August 2026
Aug 03
Aug 03, 2026All Day
Advanced Self-Publishing
Hearts Through History,

Advanced Self-Publishing Aug 3- Aug 14, 2026 Hearts Through History [Forum Workshop] There’s never been a better or easier time to self-publish or be an indie author! But the market is crowded and there’s a big difference between doing it and doing it right! Author Hillary DePiano hasn’t just self-published over three dozen titles for[…]

Find out More
October 2026
Oct 10
Oct 10, 20262:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically [Zoom Workshop]
Romance Writers Online,

Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically Presenter: Hillary DePiano October 10, 2025 2 pm EST 90 minutes $15 (Free for RWO General Members) Unlock your creativity and conquer writer’s block in this Zoom workshop on using scriptwriting tricks to take your novel to the next level! Draw on techniques used in theatre,[…]

Find out More

The post Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction (Understanding Scene and Sequel) [Zoom Workshop] at New Jersey Romance Writers on March 21 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/03/unlock-the-power-of-action-and-reaction-understanding-scene-and-sequel-zoom-workshop-at-new-jersey-romance-writers-on-march-21-1100-am-1200-pm/feed/ 0 28820 Setting Yourself Up for Writing Success: Preparing to Write a Book [Forums Workshop] @ RWO from February 2 – February 27 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/setting-yourself-up-for-writing-success-preparing-to-write-a-book-forums-workshop-rwo-from-february-2-february-27/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/setting-yourself-up-for-writing-success-preparing-to-write-a-book-forums-workshop-rwo-from-february-2-february-27/#respond Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:28:43 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28816 Setting Yourself Up for Writing Success: Preparing to Write a Book Presenter: Hillary DePiano 4 Weeks February 2 – 27, 2026 $30 (Free for RWO General Members) Forum Workshop Overview […]

The post Setting Yourself Up for Writing Success: Preparing to Write a Book [Forums Workshop] @ RWO from February 2 – February 27 appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]>

Setting Yourself Up for Writing Success: Preparing to Write a Book

Presenter: Hillary DePiano

4 Weeks

February 2 – 27, 2026
$30 (Free for RWO General Members)
Forum Workshop

Overview

This is it. You’re finally ready to start writing that book you know you’ve got inside you. But where do you start? Join author Hillary DePiano for a crash course in novel prep. From research, characters and brainstorming scenes to story structure and organization, you’ll have everything you need to jump into your story with confidence. Whether you prefer to outline your story ahead of time or wing it as you go, you’ll find plenty of simple, actionable steps you can take right now to set yourself up a smoother, less painful drafting experience.

Register Here
4 Week Workshop Feb 2 - Feb 27, 2026 Setting Yourself Up for Writing Success Preparing to Write a Book Presented by Hillary DePiano Hosted by RomanceWritersOnline.org
June 2026
Jun 15
Jun 15, 2026All Day
MASTER CLASS: Lights, Camera, Novel! Script-Writing Secrets for Novelists
WriterUniv.com,

(limited to 25 people) Prerequisite: Must have a story idea you are interested in developing. Stories don’t only come from novels. We see them at the movies, on our TV screens, live on stage or in our favorite video games and comics. As novelists in the modern world, our competition for readers’ attention often isn’t[…]

Find out More
August 2026
Aug 03
Aug 03, 2026All Day
Advanced Self-Publishing
Hearts Through History,

Advanced Self-Publishing Aug 3- Aug 14, 2026 Hearts Through History [Forum Workshop] There’s never been a better or easier time to self-publish or be an indie author! But the market is crowded and there’s a big difference between doing it and doing it right! Author Hillary DePiano hasn’t just self-published over three dozen titles for[…]

Find out More
October 2026
Oct 10
Oct 10, 20262:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically [Zoom Workshop]
Romance Writers Online,

Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically Presenter: Hillary DePiano October 10, 2025 2 pm EST 90 minutes $15 (Free for RWO General Members) Unlock your creativity and conquer writer’s block in this Zoom workshop on using scriptwriting tricks to take your novel to the next level! Draw on techniques used in theatre,[…]

Find out More

The post Setting Yourself Up for Writing Success: Preparing to Write a Book [Forums Workshop] @ RWO from February 2 – February 27 appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

]]> https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/setting-yourself-up-for-writing-success-preparing-to-write-a-book-forums-workshop-rwo-from-february-2-february-27/feed/ 0 28816 Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction (Understanding Scene and Sequel) [2-Week Forum Workshop] starting Jan 19th at SavvyAuthors https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/unlock-the-power-of-action-and-reaction-understanding-scene-and-sequel-2-week-forum-workshop-starting-jan-19th-at-savvyauthors/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/unlock-the-power-of-action-and-reaction-understanding-scene-and-sequel-2-week-forum-workshop-starting-jan-19th-at-savvyauthors/#respond Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:19:38 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28813 Class Length 2 Weeks Beginner writers all suffer the same challenges: passive characters, uneven pacing, meandering plot and the dreaded “Happy People in Happyland.” Readers crave active protagonists, characters who […]

The post Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction (Understanding Scene and Sequel) [2-Week Forum Workshop] starting Jan 19th at SavvyAuthors appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

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  • SavvyAuthors Subscriber Member Pricing: $26.25
  • Basic Member Pricing: $30.00

    • Class Length 2 Weeks

    Beginner writers all suffer the same challenges: passive characters, uneven pacing, meandering plot and the dreaded “Happy People in Happyland.” Readers crave active protagonists, characters who chase their goals and drive the story forward with the choices they make in the face of adversity. Non-stop action can be just as boring as a story where nothing happens. Finding that balance between action and reaction is the key to writing a character driven story that’s full of delicious page turning tension.

    In this workshop, we’ll delve into scene structure and how understanding the cause-and-effect trajectory of your character’s journey not only strengthens your novel’s conflict and internal story logic, but also means richer, more three-dimensional characters. Whether you’re a discovery writer letting your characters take the reins or hardcore plotter writing to narrative goalposts, you’ll find that understanding scene structure can be a key part of your prep process, the secret to better flashlight drafting, a gut check to guide your revision, or a tool for diagnosing story issues and beating writer’s block.

    • Start date Jan 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM
    • End date Feb 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
    • Registration ends Jan 21, 2026
    Register Here
    2 Week Workshop Jan 19 to Feb 1, 2026 Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction: Understanding Scene and Sequel Presented by Hillary DePiano Hosted by SavvyAuthors.com
    June 2026
    Jun 15
    Jun 15, 2026All Day
    MASTER CLASS: Lights, Camera, Novel! Script-Writing Secrets for Novelists
    WriterUniv.com,

    (limited to 25 people) Prerequisite: Must have a story idea you are interested in developing. Stories don’t only come from novels. We see them at the movies, on our TV screens, live on stage or in our favorite video games and comics. As novelists in the modern world, our competition for readers’ attention often isn’t[…]

    Find out More
    August 2026
    Aug 03
    Aug 03, 2026All Day
    Advanced Self-Publishing
    Hearts Through History,

    Advanced Self-Publishing Aug 3- Aug 14, 2026 Hearts Through History [Forum Workshop] There’s never been a better or easier time to self-publish or be an indie author! But the market is crowded and there’s a big difference between doing it and doing it right! Author Hillary DePiano hasn’t just self-published over three dozen titles for[…]

    Find out More
    October 2026
    Oct 10
    Oct 10, 20262:00 pm – 3:30 pm
    Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically [Zoom Workshop]
    Romance Writers Online,

    Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically Presenter: Hillary DePiano October 10, 2025 2 pm EST 90 minutes $15 (Free for RWO General Members) Unlock your creativity and conquer writer’s block in this Zoom workshop on using scriptwriting tricks to take your novel to the next level! Draw on techniques used in theatre,[…]

    Find out More

    The post Unlock the Power of Action and Reaction (Understanding Scene and Sequel) [2-Week Forum Workshop] starting Jan 19th at SavvyAuthors appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

    ]]>     https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/unlock-the-power-of-action-and-reaction-understanding-scene-and-sequel-2-week-forum-workshop-starting-jan-19th-at-savvyauthors/feed/ 0 28813     Upcoming Writing Workshops: 2026 Teaching Schedule https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/upcoming-writing-workshops-2026-teaching-schedule/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/upcoming-writing-workshops-2026-teaching-schedule/#respond Tue, 06 Jan 2026 04:34:16 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28645 The new year is barely a few days old but I’ve already got a whole slate of classes lined up for 2026 that I can’t wait to share with you! […]

    The post Upcoming Writing Workshops: 2026 Teaching Schedule appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

    ]]>     The new year is barely a few days old but I’ve already got a whole slate of classes lined up for 2026 that I can’t wait to share with you!

    We’ve got lots of brand new classes I’ve never taught before coming up (and some I’ve only ever taught in person and never online) and I think you’ll find a lot of great stuff. Both the Script Writing secrets and Scene and Sequel are classes people have specifically asked me to start teaching that I have a feeling will be a big hit!

    I’ve also got three Zoom classes mixed in with the text classes.

    While it’s tempting to wait until the last minute, several a maximum number of participants so if you’re eyeing any of them, make sure you secure your spot before they fill up!

    Quick tip that I’m teaching at RWO twice this year and RWO members get workshops free so if you become a member, Join before my workshop and it’ll not only pay for both workshops, you’ll also get all their other workshops for the year included for the same price!

    Also note that both my workshops at CRW are Members Only this year, but if you join then you’ll not only get both of my workshops for one low price, you’ll also get all the other classes and benefits that membership includes.

    Anyway, here is my 2026 schedule….

    June 2026
    Jun 15
    Jun 15, 2026All Day
    MASTER CLASS: Lights, Camera, Novel! Script-Writing Secrets for Novelists
    WriterUniv.com,

    (limited to 25 people) Prerequisite: Must have a story idea you are interested in developing. Stories don’t only come from novels. We see them at the movies, on our TV screens, live on stage or in our favorite video games and comics. As novelists in the modern world, our competition for readers’ attention often isn’t[…]

    Find out More
    August 2026
    Aug 03
    Aug 03, 2026All Day
    Advanced Self-Publishing
    Hearts Through History,

    Advanced Self-Publishing Aug 3- Aug 14, 2026 Hearts Through History [Forum Workshop] There’s never been a better or easier time to self-publish or be an indie author! But the market is crowded and there’s a big difference between doing it and doing it right! Author Hillary DePiano hasn’t just self-published over three dozen titles for[…]

    Find out More
    October 2026
    Oct 10
    Oct 10, 20262:00 pm – 3:30 pm
    Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically [Zoom Workshop]
    Romance Writers Online,

    Save the Book: A Novel Approach to Writing Cinematically Presenter: Hillary DePiano October 10, 2025 2 pm EST 90 minutes $15 (Free for RWO General Members) Unlock your creativity and conquer writer’s block in this Zoom workshop on using scriptwriting tricks to take your novel to the next level! Draw on techniques used in theatre,[…]

    Find out More

    The post Upcoming Writing Workshops: 2026 Teaching Schedule appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

    ]]>     https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2026/01/upcoming-writing-workshops-2026-teaching-schedule/feed/ 0 28645     Coming November 1st: The She Bear in eBook and Paperback https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2025/10/coming-november-1st-the-she-bear-in-ebook-and-paperback/ https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2025/10/coming-november-1st-the-she-bear-in-ebook-and-paperback/#respond Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:23:00 +0000 https://www.hillarydepiano.com/?p=28572 On November 1st, The She Bear will release in eBook and paperback at all major retailers. The pre-order for the eBook is already up most places and the paperback will […]

    The post Coming November 1st: The She Bear in eBook and Paperback appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

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    Pre-Order Now

    On November 1st, The She Bear will release in eBook and paperback at all major retailers. The pre-order for the eBook is already up most places and the paperback will slowly populate to retailers on it’s own unknowable schedule.

    This will be the fifth play in the Fairly Obscure Fairy Tale Plays series and it’s one of my favorites so I’m hoping people love it as much as they loved the others!

    The She Bear

    by Hillary DePiano
    An adaptation of The She-Bear from Giambattista Basile’s The Tale of Tales (Il Pentamerone, Lo cunto de li cunti).

    When a pack of wolves nearly tear the prince apart, the very She-Bear he’d been hunting saves his life. As man and beast heal from their wounds, the prince starts to wonder: Is he losing his mind? Or has he really fallen in love with a bear? Magic and mayhem, romance and the ridiculous dance hand in paw in this modern adaptation of the Italian fairy tale where love is the best kind of madness.

    • Comedy / Fantasy
    • One Act
    • 30-45 minutes
    • 1 Male 2 Female 1 Any
    • Cast size: 4-10+ (ensemble of wolves & the prince’s hunting party can be as large or small as needed)

    Features

    • Small cast with majority female roles.
    • Opportunity to add additional performers and an ensemble as needed.
    • Great length for drama competitions and classroom study.
    Pre-Order Now

    The post Coming November 1st: The She Bear in eBook and Paperback appeared first on Hillary DePiano.

    ]]>     https://www.hillarydepiano.com/2025/10/coming-november-1st-the-she-bear-in-ebook-and-paperback/feed/ 0 28572