Category: writing tips

  • Shame. Shame.

    Shame. Shame.

    Game of Throne fans will understand the title of this post. But even if you don’t know the reference, you may understand the feeling of “shame” when you don’t finish National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) with fifty thousand words. And I say, “It’s okay. Forget about it.” Some years I “win” NaNoWriMo, some years I…

  • 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…

  • How to sell more books

    How to sell more books

    I can across the article on getting your book noticed. It has some good ideas.

  • 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…

  • What is the most important aspect of revision?

    What is the most important aspect of revision?

    Originally posted on Andrew M. Friday: NOTE: I dusted off some notes I took for a webinar, How to Revise Your NaNo Novel, from January 2016. Grant Faulkner hosted the segment on writing advice with guest speakers KM Weiland, James Scott Bell and Kami Garcia. The following was one of the questions asked. What is…

  • Author Interview: Pat Paxton

    Author Interview: Pat Paxton

    I dog sit for a friend in a town across the river from where I live. A couple of times, while walking the dog, I came across one of my friend’s neighbors. Pat would also be walking his dog. One afternoon, Pat invited me to chat in his backyard while the dogs played together. I…

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    Some articles on writing I’ve read lately . . . More on Plotting, Pantsing & Personality Type How to Stay Inspired as a Writer Show What Your Characters Are Afraid Of How to Hurdle Your Writer’s Block How to develop your book idea: 8 exercises What Microtension Is and Why Writers Must Master It 3…

  • Five Tips on Marketing

    Five Tips on Marketing

    While at Imaginarium 2019, I ended up going to more workshops on marketing than I had planned. I realized creating awareness of a novel presents itself as a whole separate part of the publishing process than its creation. I managed to come away from the conference with several pages of notes. I want to share…