We live in a digital world of pressing a button to order anything, including books. Does that mean traditional bookstores are obsolete? Of course not. Bookstore owners/managers can be an author’s friend and advocate in the community, but we, as writers, need to do our part in fostering that relationship.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”–Aristotle
What personal habits are keeping us (writers) from reaching our writing goals? Cluttered workspace? Unclear goals? Perfectionism? Taking on too many projects at one time? Disorganization? Lack of discipline?
Many of us have taken time management classes in an attempt to get more out of our days. However, sometime we don’t realize that writing and managing a writing career takes different types of time: actual writing time, time spent marketing, time spent communicating with clients (editors and others), time
interview by Jane McBride
Karin Kaufman, author of mysteries, thrillers and children’s books, used the website 99designs to create the cover of her new children’s title The Adventures of Geraldine Woolkins. Here, she talks about her experience and walks you through the process.
Evoking emotion is a crucial piece to effective writing. Sometimes, however, writers find themselves sabotaging the emotional impact in their stories by failing to address other story elements. How do we keep other parts of the story from interfering with the emotion and serve to enhance it?
Do you ever wonder how to use connective words? I do. I am constantly second-guessing myself on the proper use of such words as “than,” “as,” “nevertheless,” “neither,” “either,” etc.
Like transitions, connectives serve as a bridge, connecting anything from a word, a clause, a sentence, or a paragraph with
We all know about survival guides. There are guides to surviving in the wilderness. (I’d rather not, thank you.) There are guides to surviving parenthood, divorce, the death of a loved one, job loss, and just about every other conceivable situation.
Writers need feedback. Unfortunately, feedback can be hard to come by. What to do?
Your first reader should, of course, be yourself. After you’ve read through the manuscript and revised to the best of your ability, find several other readers to offer critiques. These first readers are often referred to
You’ve done your character sketches. Maybe you’ve even interviewed your characters, had them write letters to you, and pinned pictures of them on your Pinterest page. You’ve written a detailed synopsis, done a chapter-by-chapter outline. You’ve identified your story’s theme. You’re all set to start writing. Right? Wrong.
My husband owns a business that makes power supplies. He operates it as would any business person, with attention to inventory, marketing, record-keeping and, always, professionalism.
Did you know that writers are also business people? Sometimes, however, we forget that, focusing on the creative side and neglecting the business one.
This is special Fightin' Bookworm-only bonus content from Jane's article Get Your Foot in the Door with a Strong Query Letter
DO write a short synopsis (a few sentences for a picture book or easy reader, a paragraph for a chapter book, 1-2 paragraphs for middle grade and young
Most writers have weathered rejections. I know I have. For every acceptance I receive, I can count five to ten rejections. I’ve learned to live with this. (Mostly.) However, there are ways of minimizing rejections.
“I can’t control whether an editor likes my story,” an inexperienced writer may object.
Just as political candidates and parties need platforms, so do writers. We build those platforms through our online efforts and through public appearances/speaking. Many of us prefer using social media. It can be done within the privacy of our homes. If, however, you are ignoring using public speaking to promote
Bart Heird via Compfight
Those of us of a certain age cut our reading teeth on Nancy Drew, the Dana Girls, and other books starring teenage heroines. They were great. I wanted to be just like Nancy. I wanted to solve mysteries with her. Mostly, I wanted to look
