Holly Schindler
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hollyschindler.bsky.social
Holly Schindler
@hollyschindler.bsky.social
160 followers 200 following 320 posts
Author, artist, musician...a storyteller through any means possible.
linktr.ee/hollyschindler
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hollyschindler.bsky.social
EVERY writer struggles with backstory. Here, I share 3 setting types that naturally trigger memories and reveal your character’s past so you never have to resort to the dreaded info-dump! 🎬 🎥

youtu.be/cjPNJVnZ_WQ?...

#writersofbluesky #writingtips #writinglife #writingadvice #howtowriteabook
YouTube thumbnail of a writing-tip video, featuring a coffee cup, book, and headshot of Holly Schindler (video instructor). Reads: Stop info-dumping your main character's backstory.
November 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Think your main character WILLING responds to the inciting event? No way. They have to be dragged into this adventure kicking and screaming. More advice for Act 1: hollyschindler.substack.com/p/not-so-fas...

#writingtips #writingadvice #howtowriteabook #writeanovel #plotanovel
Title card for Substack post featuring hands taking notes.
November 10, 2025 at 4:27 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Mistletoe on Main Street: a cozy holiday read with the sweet Christmas ghost vibe of A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life, but with more love story. #christmasbooks #christmasreading #indieauthorsofbluesky #christmasseries #kindlechristmas
November 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
For the Thrift Store #spoonflowerchallenge, I went back to the '80s for a retro glam lipstick pattern. Oh, man, I loved me some Lisa Frank back then! #VisualStorytelling #patterndesign #vintage1980s #popartstyle
November 6, 2025 at 4:09 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Revising? Before you rip that manuscript apart, check your chapter breaks. Pacing can feel off because you're breaking chapters in the wrong place! For more, check out my chapter break course: www.hollyschindler.com/courses

#writingtips #howtowriteabook #writingadvice #writinganovel #writingcourse
November 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Diving into the 5-act structure I use to plot my own books, act 1 has 2 big jobs: offer a hook and an inciting event - hollyschindler.substack.com/p/act-1-of-t...

#howtowriteabook #writingtips #plotting #writingadvice #creativewriting
Substack post title card with a typewriter.
November 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
The easiest, quickest way to find the theme in your book. #writingtips #writingadvice #writersofbluesky #writingcommunity #howtowriteabook
November 1, 2025 at 4:20 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
For the book nuts! On the podcast, John and I talk all things ephemera, and the weird seemingly just scraps of paper we've found can actually sell: pickforprofit.podbean.com/e/ephemera-u...

#etsyseller #Ebayseller #vintageseller #etsyvintage #EphemeraCollectors
A desk of antique items and some paper marked Vintage.
October 31, 2025 at 2:04 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Don't just add one source of tension to your scenes. Layer. It. Up. hollyschindler.substack.com/p/biting-my-...

#howtowriteabook #writingtips #creativewriting #writingadvice #writingcommunity
Substack header for a post on adding tension to scenes. Features picture of hands typing.
October 29, 2025 at 6:20 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Thoughts on using a 5--yes, 5--act structure to plot your novel: open.substack.com/pub/hollysch...

#plotting #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writerscommunity
The 5-Act Structure
I Have an Idea for a Novel. Now What???
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:58 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
New at my InkBerry Cards shop...because sometimes, when a friend's having a tough time, all you can really say is...

inkberrycardsshop.etsy.com/listing/4389...

#greetingcards #SympathyGift #sympathycard #greetingcardshop #friendshipcard
A greeting card featuring a broken Ball jar, wilted flowers, and the phrase Well, Shit
October 24, 2025 at 4:49 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
A main character's positive change arc can naturally give you your book's theme (and keeps the theme from being tacked on at the end). #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writingtipsandtricks #writingadvicefromwriters
October 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
John got some GREAT questions in for the latest Q&A...This one's all about keeping your records (and sanity) intact...super important in a biz where receipts are rare!
pickforprofit.podbean.com/e/you-asked-...

#etsyvintage #ebayvintage #vintageseller #antiquesandcollectibles #antiquesandvintage
A couple looking at their taxes and records.
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Have you pantsed or plotted a novel (or several), only to be frustrated by the months and years of revision that followed? Most likely, in either case, you were missing something important: the emotional core of your book.
youtu.be/rZH-dopbDjg?...

#writersofbluesky #writingtips #writingadvice
The Golden Thread Method: Find Your Story's Emotional Core
YouTube video by Holly Schindler
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 4:44 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
You plotted. The story veered off halfway.
You pantsed. The draft turned into chaos.

The problem isn’t your process.
Your story’s missing its emotional core.

My Golden Thread Method helps you find it fast.

→ Grab it now: payhip.com/b/of7Pw

#howtowriteabook #writeyournovel #writingtips #writing
Book cover with basic white, gold, and black colors: The Golden Thread writing guide.
October 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
I cannot overstate how important it is to craft a solid self-protective lie for your main character. #howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writingtipsfromwriters #writeyournovel
October 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
EVERY antiques and collectibles shop hits slow times. 9 times out of 10, it's not your fault. But there ARE things you can do to help turn things around. This week on the pod: pickforprofit.podbean.com/e/slow-shop-...

#etsyvintageseller #etsyvintage #ebayvintage #ebayseller #antiquesandcollectibles
Antiques for sale with price tags
October 16, 2025 at 3:14 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Talk to me: all about crafting realistic dualogue

hollyschindler.substack.com/p/your-chara...

#howtowriteabook #writingtips #writingadvice #writingdialogue #writerscommunity
Substack post header featuring two people talking.
October 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Reposted by Holly Schindler
karenbmccoy.bsky.social
Author @hollyschindler.bsky.social talks about her middle grade book THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY, her adult holiday romcom MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET, and penning books in different genres. www.karenbmccoy.com/the-junction...
October 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
One of the MOST fun parts of doing author interviews is that I've been doing it long enough to see interviewers become authors themselves! www.karenbmccoy.com/the-junction...

#AuthorLife #authorinterview #authorinspiration #writerscommunity #writerslife
THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY and THE MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET (Ruby's Regulars) by Holly Schindler - Karen McCoy
Author Holly Schindler talks about her middle grade book THE JUNCTION OF SUNSHINE AND LUCKY, her adult holiday romcom MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET, and penning books in different genres.
www.karenbmccoy.com
October 14, 2025 at 2:08 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Working on a new writing resource for finding your story's EMOTIONAL CORE. This is a perfect first step to take when writing any novel. AND...get this: it works for plotters AND pantsers!

hollyschindler.substack.com/p/what-makes...

#howtowriteabook #plottingvspantsing #writingtips #writingadvice
What Makes a Story Feel Like a Story
Follow the Golden Thread: A New Way to Build Story Arcs
hollyschindler.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
John and I are Gen X-ers, and it's so hard for us to believe that Y2K stuff is actually now collectible! This week, on the pod, we discuss buying collectibles for the different generations: pickforprofit.podbean.com/e/the-nostal...

#antiques #antiqueshop #etsyshop #EtsySellerTips #eBaySeller
Podcast icon featuring a vintage neon sign in blue and red and yellow: Pick for Profit
October 11, 2025 at 7:15 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
Plotting 101 #howtowriteabook #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #writingtips #writingadvice #writinglife #writingtipsandtricks

youtube.com/shorts/GdgGb...
The Secret to Plotting Your Novel
YouTube video by Holly Schindler
youtube.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
I love drawing anything vintage related, so I had a blast putting this year's tea towel calendar together. This one features Pyrex dishes with the Gooseberry pattern!
www.spoonflower.com/en/home-deco...

#graphicdesign #teatowelcalendar #2026Calendar #pyrexjunkie #kitchendecor #kitchendesign
A tea towel 2026 calendar featuring Pyrex, lemons, and a gingham background.
October 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
hollyschindler.bsky.social
In honor of Banned Books Week, I'm reiterating my promise: Your story is powerful. If stories weren’t powerful, banning never would have existed. It's why I'm offering courses and writing resources. Together, we’re going to get your important story out. #BannedBooksWeek
October 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM