Writing is such a unique journey for each and every writer. Some find it easy to meld their chapters one into another; others find it easy to get just the right ending, with some kind of twist or surprise that gives it a great edge. Others still, find it easy to jump right into a…
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3 Steps to Querying Publishers and Agents
You’ve been slaving for months, maybe years, on your manuscript. You’ve read about belonging to a critique group to help hone your work and took the advice to heart. You have also listened to the advice about submitting your manuscript to an editor after your critique group is done with it, and after you’ve meticulously…
Balance in Fiction Writing – The Major Elements
There are five major elements to a fiction story and it’s the combination of these elements that make the story complete, interesting, and considered good writing. Too much of one or not enough of another can affect the readers ability to connect with the story. So, what are the major elements of a story? The…
Create a Believable Protagonist with Realistic Characteristics
It’s noted that you should let the reader see your protagonist’s characteristics within the first few pages. This enables the reader to quickly identify with him. This connection will determine whether the reader turns the next page. Unless you’re writing fantasy or science fiction, your protagonist will have ordinary strengths (possibly extraordinary, but within the…
Keep Your Writing Goals Front and Center
As a writer, you have to move forward to keep up with the onslaught of books and authors in the book publishing arena. And, you especially need to be sure you’re keeping in alignment with your writing goals. This means every now and then you need to stop to evaluate what your core goals are…
Writers – 4 Powerful Steps to Breaking Bad Habits
Habits are pretty much who you are. Are you a positive thinker? Are you ambitious? Do you work hard? Are you a compulsive cleaner? Do you procrastinate? Do you fear jumping in? Some of the items above are traits, but they are also habits created – they reflect your actions and reactions. They are part…
6 Tips to Make the Most Out of Writing Workshops
Guest post by writing coach Suzanne Lieurance Six Simple Ways to Make the Most of Any Writing Workshop or Writing Class If you’ve recently signed up for a writing workshop or writing class, in the hopes of becoming a better writer, then follow these simple steps to make the most of that experience: 1) Read!…
Book Marketing and Landing Pages – 4 Questions to be Answered Quickly
The internet is teeming with information on everything you can possibly think of. This includes information on your business platform. But, with all this information available, there are still many who aren’t aware of the basics, the dos and don’ts of an online platform. I recently came across a website on ‘article submissions.’ Finding it…
Working with a Children’s Ghostwriter – The Process
It’s easy to understand that the idea of having a children’s book ghostwritten can be nerve-wracking. You’ll no doubt have a number of questions: – Does the ghostwriter know what she’s doing?– Is she qualified? Is she a skilled writer?– Does she know the genre you want a book in?– Is she reasonably priced?– How…
Book Marketing – The Foundation
Every author has thought it, said it, and heard it: promotion is the roll-up-your-sleeves and dig-in part of writing. It’s the much more difficult and time consuming aspect of writing that every author needs to become involved with . . . if she wants to sell her books. To actually sell a book, you need…