Carolyn Howard-Johnson Author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers There are naysayers enough to fill every dark crevice in your defense against negativity. When people telling you not to publish a book (no, I won’t list all the reasons they will give you), here is a list for you to check…
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Are You Determined to Be a Writer?
“If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you!” ~ Zig Ziglar Cambridge Dictionary defines determination as, “the ability to continue trying to do something, although it’s very difficult. Cambridge Macmillian Dictionary defines it as, “the refusal to let anything prevent…
Your Children’s Fiction Manuscript and a Ghostwriter
Coming up with a fiction story idea is an amazing thing. Getting notes down or a basic outline takes it to the next level. Then some authors realize they need professional help to bring their ideas, notes, or outlines to life. This is when it’s time to hand it over. In this scenario, the ghostwriter…
Journaling is a Writer’s Best Friend
Guest post by Debra Eckerling Whenever someone asks me how to get unstuck – and believe me, I get this question a lot – my immediate response is journaling. Whenever someone asks me how to improve their writing, I tell them to start journaling. Whenever someone asks me how to develop a new idea, I…
5 Basic Functions of Dialogue
In an article over at Writer’s Digest, the author explained that ‘real’ dialogue doesn’t spell everything out. So, what does this mean? Well, people communicate with more than just words and often there’s a lot left unsaid in a conversation. Narration or the protagonist’s thoughts can fill in the blanks. Here’s an example from “Crispin…
Happiness – Studies Say You Can Attain It
The image above may not be everyone’s picture of happiness, but it is mine. I read an X (Twitter) post that was titled Things You Can Control. Reading through the list of 11 items I noted that a couple weren’t completely within our control. But the one that struck me was HAPPINESS. I thought it’d…
Take That Shot
I’m sure most everyone has heard this quote by former professional ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky: “100% of the shots you don’t take don’t go in.” Whether it’s the end of the year, the middle, or the end, this is such an appropriate quote. It’s wise to periodically take a step back and evaluate what…
Overcome Your Writing Distractions
Guest post by Melinda Brasher I recently went to a class conducted by writers Amy K. Nichols and Joe Nassise. They talked about writing in the age of distraction (squirrel writing, they called it). It was very helpful, so I’m going to pass on some of the ideas I found most useful. -Know your triggers….
Writing – Words to Live By
In a world littered with half-truths and lies, these are words to live by in your words and in your writing: Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates. At the first gate, ask yourself, “Is it true?’ At the second gate, ask, “Is it necessary?” At the third gate, ask, “Is it…
10 Tips to Writing a Query Letter
I have a client who is heading down the traditional publishing road. Since one of the most important elements of this process is the query letter, I have some tips on what to do and what to include. 1. Before you even think of writing your query letter, make sure you have a good story….