Category: motivation

  • Writing Advice From Authors I’ve Read

    Writing Advice From Authors I’ve Read

    Have you ever read a novel and wondered “How did the author write such great dialogue?” or “How can I write like her?” Sometimes after reading a book I liked, I’ll check out the author’s website. I’m excited when I see they have a page of writing advice. Here’s writing advice from some authors I’ve…

  • One Solution for Your Mid-NaNoWriMo Blues

    One Solution for Your Mid-NaNoWriMo Blues

    Is your NaNoWriMo story going nowhere? Here’s one possible solution: Throw in a new character. Don’t have time to create a new character? Here are some quick ways to create a new character for your work-in-progress: Index Card Shuffle: Take 10-15 index cards. On each card, write one character trait (ex. loves cars; wears homemade…

  • Some Tips on Self-publishing

    Some Tips on Self-publishing

    I went to some workshops on self-publishing at Imaginarium 2019. Here are a few tidbits I came across: Consider wide distribute-Don’t just put the ebook versions of your novels on Amazon KDP; also use Kobo, Smashwords, iBooks, etc.). If you opt to enroll your ebooks in KDP select, you can’t place them on any other…

  • Sorry, Not Sorry: Doing NaNoWriMo Again

    Sorry, Not Sorry: Doing NaNoWriMo Again

    In about a week and a half, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) begins. I’ve been participating in it since 2008, and I have no doubt it has helped me with my writing craft over the years. It has built my confidence in writing longer projects. Most of all, it’s just plain fun. Last NaNoWriMo, I…

  • What I’m Reading

    What I’m Reading

    I love reading books on writing. Here’s some on my to read list.

  • About Writing by Gareth L. Powell: Practical and Unique

    About Writing by Gareth L. Powell: Practical and Unique

    I read Gareth L. Powell’s About Writing: A Field Guide for Aspiring Authors. Twice. The second time, I took notes. Maybe you should, too. Powell is a bestselling speculative fiction author from the UK. He has twice won the BSFA Award for Best Novel, and has been a finalist for both the Locus Awards in…

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    Articles on writing I’ve read recently: How to Get a Literary Agent for Your Book Procrastination Is Part of the Process Writing In Media Res 3 Tips To Writing Page-Turning Fiction, Starting Today How do you describe a place? 6 setting tips Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger from Pexels

  • How I got to my rough draft

    How I got to my rough draft

    Now I’m getting to the fun part! Sorry I haven’t published in a while. I have a good excuse: I finished the draft of the novel I started for 2018’s National Novel Writing Month. I’m calling it The Sentient and it falls under the genre of science fiction, more specifically, space opera. One thing I’ve…

  • Four Day Streaker

    Four Day Streaker

    Don’t worry, I’m keeping my clothes on. Just finished four days straight of NaNoWriMo. Last night I was at 8,664 words which made me about a day ahead. How am I feeling about my story? I’m having the best time I’ve ever had with NaNo. And I’ve had some great years. I feel confident I’m…