You've committed two drafts to paper, followed every spellcheck suggestion, and triple-checked to make sure your main character’s (or MC’s) eyes don't alternate color like a kaleidoscope between chapters. You've done all you can, and there's only one more daunting step before sending it off to query or publishing: Editing. You can edit yourself, sure, but the old adage about a … [Read more...] about 5 Tips For Choosing An Editor
Writing Tips
Writing Horror
We all love to be afraid from time to time. That is why we listen to ghost stories with rapt attention from a very young age. It thrills us, makes us look over our shoulders, but we always come back for more. Hook your reader with conflict and tension right in your first sentence. Have a good setting for your story; an reader on edge. The more on edge your reader is, the … [Read more...] about Writing Horror
Writing Characters: Know Them Well
The characters of your story move your story forward. In order to create characters that are real, you must first get to know your own characters well. You need to know them so well that you get inside their heads. What are their dreams? Their fears? Why do they react the way they do? What secrets are they hiding from the world? Like Thoreau said: “Dreams are the … [Read more...] about Writing Characters: Know Them Well
Writer’s Block: Breaking the Chains
We’ve all been there. Staring at the blank page wondering what we’re doing, how we got here, and what on earth to do next. For some it may be a few hours, for others it may be years. I was one of the unfortunate ones who let the Block chain me down for four years. Why does that stinking little cursor keep blinking when the words just won’t come? So, I’ve made a brief list of … [Read more...] about Writer’s Block: Breaking the Chains
Targets and Goals when Selling My Book
Selling your book online or in the real world is a daunting task. I applaud any author out there fighting the good fight. I wanted to take a minute to talk about some things that may help indie-authors better understand what some of their goals and targets could be, and what things might work in turning leg work into book sales. In the next few days I will do a step by step … [Read more...] about Targets and Goals when Selling My Book
What Exactly is Creative Nonfiction?
When I was an undergraduate at UNM (University of New Mexico), I took Intermediate Creative Nonfiction, a class that should have branched out into various forms of nonfiction, but instead stuck solely to memoir and the personal essay. This does not mean I am not in favor of the memoir; it is the genre that holds every ounce of humanity, validity, and originality of our … [Read more...] about What Exactly is Creative Nonfiction?
How to Edit My Work for Submissions
When I started piano lessons, my teacher insisted I do daily exercises to improve speed, dexterity, and precision. I dreaded tedious repetition of drills designed to fine-tune my playing or, as my teacher put it, “to do your best work.” What do piano practice and editing have in common? Both involve tedious repetition of the same actions until you achieve your best work. … [Read more...] about How to Edit My Work for Submissions
5 Writer’s Blogs You Should Be Reading
Building a good author's blog can be difficult. Many authors, who I meet, do not have a clear understanding of what their blogs should be about. Sometimes I see authors's blogs that are static; they are never updated. Sometimes I just see book information and a bio. Many times authors do not understand the importance of frequent updates or even what information to include. … [Read more...] about 5 Writer’s Blogs You Should Be Reading
Help Me Name My Character
I see the questions on Twitter about once a week: Can you please help me name my characters? What is an excellent Swedish name for a character? I see these questions in many variations, so I put together a list of sites that help you name and define characters. I have used real people for inspiration for my character at times. When the “real” people find out about it, they … [Read more...] about Help Me Name My Character
10 Days to Write Better: A Writing Challenge
10 Days to Write Better: A Writing Challenge Writers are always looking for the ways to hone creative skills and work on certain trouble areas. The writing challenge is a great way to exercise your writing, no matter if you are a beginner or an experienced writer. Are you still trying to nail down your style? Do you struggle with characters development? Or maybe you are just … [Read more...] about 10 Days to Write Better: A Writing Challenge
