Riley Adams's Blog, page 14

LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousDon’t Get Hooked by Phishing and Scams: @sfwaConferences and Events / MiscellaneousAt London Book Fair: A Busy, Upbeat Opening Day: @Porter_Anderson @LondonBookFair @PubPerspectivesLondon Book Fair Thursday: A Freedom Statement: @Porter_Anderson @LondonBookFair @pubperspectivesAt London Book Fair: The PublisHer Excellence Awards Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @londonbookfairLondon Book Fair Closes, Citing 30,000 Attendees: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @londonbookfairCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsThoughts and Tips for Aspiring and Debut Authors: by JJ Elliott @womenwritersCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction; In The Spotlight: Dennis Shock’s Murder on Liberty Bay: @margotkinberg9 Great Speculative Whodunnits: by Amy Avery @crimereadsFive SF Stories Involving Memory Manipulation: @jamesdnicoll @reactormagHow to Read Faster and Retain More: Speed Reading 101: @storyhobbit9 Literary Mysteries With a Big Winter Mood: @Ceillie_Keane @electriclitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyHow To Write 50K Of A Novel In Just 1 Month: by Siân Rowland @bang2writeCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWhy Nonfiction Writers Should Try Writing Fiction (and Vice Versa): @AbbottKahler @lithubConfronting Sophomore Syndrome as a Published Author: @kylazhao_ @JaneFriedmanA Practice Has a Space: @spressfieldHow, When and Why Getting Your Butt Out of the Chair Can Make You a Better Writer: by Sarah Chauncey @JaneFriedmanNine More Movies Where Real-Life Writers Take the Spotlight: @reactormagWhen to write poetry, when to write prose? Interview with poet and fictioneer Mike Maggio: @roz_morrisOn Republishing a Book: @barbehr @theiwsgI’m Autistic and Writing Helped Me Find My Voice: by Lara Boyle @seejavaciawritePivoting, as Writers: by Diana Giovinazzo @writerunboxed6-Step Success Blueprint for a Great Writing Year: @JennyHansenCAIs Your Writing Falling Foul of ‘Moral Perfectionism’? Find Out Here: @bang2writeAuthors, Do You Fall In Love With Your Fictional Characters? @annerallen5 Tips to Effectively Juggle Writing Projects: @AneMulligan @EdieMelsonCautionary Tale in the Zone or Flow State: @SueColetta1Versatility pays: learn to write anything: @jbernoffWriting Blues: Get Inspired: @KMazeauthor5 Ways to Advance Your Literary Work through Means that Aren’t Normally Considered Writing: @KarenQuevillon5 Ways to Make a Writing Retreat “Pay Off”: @Solidgoldmacher @janefriedmanHow to silence your inner editor: @pubcoachGenres / MemoirHow to Be Self-Revealing in Memoir When You’re Not In Real Life: @lithubGenres / MiscellaneousKate Brody on Subverting Genre: @KateBrodyAuthor @llithubGenres / Mystery“Witch Hunts” as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergHospitality as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergPromo / Connecting with ReadersMoving beyond ‘Likes’ to real connections with readers: @danblank @wegrowmediaPromo / MetadataNavigating Amazon’s New 3 Category Limit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Authors: @SusanNealYoga @ediemelsonPublishing / MiscellaneousSustainability: The ‘Publishing 2030 Accelerator’: @Porter_Anderson @LondonBookFair @PubPerspectivesHow to Evaluate the Best Hybrid Publishers—Criteria, Red Flags, Options: @WogahnPublishing / News / International PublishingStudy: Book Piracy in Italy Is Costing €705 Million Annually: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRichard Charkin: ‘Unintended Consequences,’ the Sequel: @RCharkin @pubperspectives‘France Is Like Sleeping Beauty’: Bookwire’s ‘All About Audio’: @duperico @pubperspectivesAt London Book Fair: Mapping 192 European Audiobook Sales Channels: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesLondon Book Fair Charity: Book Aid International Sends More Books to Ukraine: @Porter_Anderson @LondonBookFair @PubPerspectivesAI at London Book Fair: European Publishers Cheer the EU Act’s Passage: @Porter_Anderson @LondonBookFair @pubperspectivesRights Deals Highlighted by London Book Fair’s Organizers: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingHow to Self-Publish an Ebook for Free: A Step-By-Step Guide: @indieauthoralliPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingLiterary Agent Interview: Rebecca Lawrence Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @NatalieIAguirrePublishing / Process / Services to AvoidAuthor Complaints at City Owl Press: @VictoriaStraussWriting: Outsmart the Scammers: @lindasclareWriting Craft / ArcHow to Get Your Plot Arcs Working Together: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / BeginningsDon’t smush exposition into dialogue (page critique): @nathanbransfordWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionShow Don’t Tell: 21 Emotions to Paint in Words: @writers_writeWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsWhat Do You Think of the Term “Villain Protagonist?” by Oren AshkenaziBrainstorming Your Perfect Protagonist: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFlog a Pro: Would You Turn the First Page of this Bestseller? @RayRhamey @writerunboxedThe 5 Best Passages From Books I Read in 2023: Steal These Powerful Writing Techniques: @NicoleJBianchiWriting Craft / MiscellaneousThe Importance of Story Structure: @aprildavilaHow to Transport Your Reader: @beckydean821Write with Intention and Discover Your Power: by Lynette M. BurrowsEditing Observations: @deanwesleysmithCan You Attain Perfection in Your Writing? @karencvSix reasons you’re confusing the reader: @nathanbransfordWrite what you know? Why the true test of authenticity is the effect on the reader – interview with James Ladd Thomas: @roz_morrisWriting Multiple Plotlines: Everything You Need to Know: @KMWeilandThe One Rule No Writer Should Break: @angelaackerman @onestop4writersWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningOutlines Can Save You Money: Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchWriting through the generations: Generation X: @gmplano @storyempireWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story BeatsBlake Snyder’s SAVE THE CAT Genre Tenets: @AuthorDesmond @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarUsing Antecedents: @nlholmesbooks @floridawriters1Malapropisms: Funny, But The Wrong Word: @TheGrammarDivaWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesAssessing Writing Feedback: Criticism, Commentary, and Critique: @foxprintedWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionDescribe Characters as You Go Along: @PhilAthansHow to Write Description When You Hate Writing Description: @Janice_HardyWriting Craft / Tension4 Types of Tension and How to Make Sure They Hit: @ByMichelleReneeWriting Craft / TropesCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Phony Politician: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersWriting Craft / VoiceHow to Establish a Character’s Voice: by E. S. FosterTips to Make Sure Your Writing Voice is Authentically YOU: @DiAnnMills @ediemelsonWriting Craft / Word CraftingWords that pack a punch – Power words: @JanSikes3 @storyempire

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Outlines Can Save You Money

This post is for self-publishing writers (because traditionally published writers get free editing) and writers who might be on the fence about outlining. Here’s my usual caveat: if you’re not outlining, and that’s working for you, you should definitely keep doing what’s working.

I’ve written a lot about outlines. You can find those posts here. I’m the kind of writer who finds outlines a necessary evil. I started off as a pantser, but it ended up making me run into issues when I was trad-pubbed. I find outlining really tedious, but I do like the results.

When you hire a freelance editor, the best way you can make the process less-expensive for yourself is to deliver the cleanest manuscript you can. That goes for developmental editors as well as copy editors.

I’ve mentioned before that it’s a good idea to read your outline through before working on your draft. Avoiding extra expense (and delays with editing) is a great reason to do that.

After you’ve finished writing your outline, read it straight through. Does everything in your story make sense? Do your characters behave according to their individual personalities? Do they make choices that make sense for them?  Are there any plot holes? How’s your pacing in the middle of your book? Does anything seem contrived? If you’ve organized your outline chronologically, is there too much happening on one day in your story? Do you see any continuity errors?

I used to just create my outline, then follow it daily without reading the whole thing through and getting a global view of the story. This made for a lot more editing on my part, and for any editors working with me.

Do you outline or are you a pantser? Or do you do something in between?

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousFreelance Writing Jobs for Beginners: Getting Started: @kwidenhouseHow to Handle Edits Like a Pro: @AnneJanzerConferences and Events / MiscellaneousBritish Book Awards: Small Press and Bookstore Shortlists: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe AAP’s PROSE Awards: 2024 Category Winners: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesJerusalem International Book Forum Delayed to 2025: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIn Los Angeles: Fêting the 2024 Audie Awards Winners: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUK: Women’s Prize for Fiction 2024 Longlist: Eight Debuts: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesItaly: Bologna Names Its 2024 Ragazzi Awards Winners: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe UK’s Nibbies: Books of the Year Shortlists: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSheikh Zayed Book Award: The 18th Edition Shortlists: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives‘Canada Reads’ 2024 Winner: Catherine Leroux’s ‘The Future’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Goal settingFuture-Proof Your Writing Goals: by Jan O’Hara @writerunboxedCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Kelly Young’s Sloppy Joe: @margotkinbergFive Strategies for Taming an Unruly TBR List: @jamesdnicoll7 Fiction Podcasts as Rich as Literary Novels: by Amy Lee Lillard @electriclit15 Small Press Books You Should Be Reading This Winter: @WendyJeanFox @electriclitCreativity and Inspiration / Motivation7 Tips to Craft Compelling Character Motivation in Fiction: @KMWeilandCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow an Alter Ego Helps You Achieve Writing or Blogging Goals: @ninaamirMaking Time for Writing: Crafting a Sustainable Routine for Busy Lives: @TheLeighShulmanProductivity That Fits You: by Marie Andreas @SFWACreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockGet Unstuck with Your Writing by Walking It Out: @RebeccaJClark @ediemelsonCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeDon’t settle for minimum attention: @danblank @wegrowmediaThe importance of including flexibility in your writing routine: Facing Fears, And Writing Unique Characters With Barbara Nickless: @thecreativepennAre Writing Contests Worth It? @burke_writer @killzoneauthorsHow to Write When You’re Scared: @WriteNowCoachHow to be sensibly “all in” with your writing: @pubcoachHow to balance writing for the market and writing for yourself: @nathanbransfordHow Writers Get Out of Their Comfort Zone: @ninaamirGenres / FantasyWorldBuilding: Crafting Magic: by Whitney CarterGenres / HistoricalHow to Write Historical Fiction: A Step-by-Step Guide: @storyhobbitGenres / MysteryA Celebration of Reporters in Cozy Mysteries: @TamaraLush
@crimereadsDress Codes as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / Non-FictionAvoid Random Acts of Content: by Stephanie Chandler @JaneFriedmanGenres / ScreenwritingWhy are screenplays formatted the way they are? @writingandsuchGenres / Short StoriesShort Story Words of Wisdom: @killzoneauthorsPromo / BloggingIs Your Blog Safe? One Security Feature You Must Have: @HughRoberts05Promo / MiscellaneousPromote Your Book at the Library: by Jodi M. WebbAdding Joy to Author Marketing: @KarenHWhiting @EdieMelsonPromo / PodcastsTo Get on Podcasts, Create a Media Kit: @micglogovac @janefriedmanPublishing / MiscellaneousAn Ode to Acknowledgments: by Sarah Wheeler @lithubMadeline McIntosh, Don Weisberg, and Nina von Moltke Open Authors Equity: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesHow Writers Can Open Industry Doors: @pick_penPublishing / News / International PublishingRights Roundup: Dreamscape Media’s Five Jon Fosse Audiobooks: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSouth Africa: Publishers Join Statement on Copyright Act: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesNielsen-GfK’s Pre-London Book Fair ‘Global Book Market’ Report: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / Querying4 Tips from the Query Trenches: @SueBEdwardsCredentials alone won’t carry the day (query critique): @nathanbransfordPublishing / Process / Book DesignDesigning eye-catching book covers: @bakeandwrite
@StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsWho is My Antagonist? @diannmills wkb5Writing Craft / Characters / DevelopmentStrengths and Weaknesses: Two Sides of the Character Coin: by Kelley J. P. Lindberg @RMFWNo, Characters In Your Story DON’T Have To Change. Here’s Why: @bang2writeWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionEngaging the reader to generate emotions: from Fix Your Writing HabitsWriting Craft / DiversityWhat Makes an Ethnic Villain “Ethnic” or “Villainous?” How Do You Offset it? @writingwcolorWhat Is LGBTQ+ Fiction—And Does a Writer Have to Be Queer to Write It? @amyfkoerner @janefriedmanWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryThe Chronology of Story: Flashbacks: by Kay DiBianca @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFive Moments of Contrived Angst From Popular Stories: by Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow Does the Storyteller Affect the Story? @foxprintedThe figurative language of C Pam Zhang: @pubcoachFresh Perspective Sells: by Kathryn Craft @writerunboxedUncovering the truth behind “Write what you know”: by Miffie SeidemanHow to Use Color in Your Writing: @annehawkinson @floridawriters1The Trapdoor on Top of Your Skull: @jamesscottbellIncreasing the Emotional Impact of Your Story: @angelaackerman @onestop4writersTurn Your Readers into Detectives: @MarissaGraffWriting: Spinning Fiction into How-to Articles: @lindasclareHow Many Characters Are Too Many? by Elaine Dodge @writers_writeWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningOutlining Finesse: @StephenGeezWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarWhat writers should know: Grammar: @dlfinnauthor @storyempireWriting Craft / RevisionNinety-Nine Words to Seek and Destroy: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesTips for Giving Feedback: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / ScenesYour Scene’s First Page – The Essentials: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / SeriesWhen Series go Wrong: by Dave King @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionHow to Make Setting Work for You: by Iris Yamashita @careerauthorsWriting Craft / TropesCharacter Type & Trope Thesaurus: Dark Lord or Lady: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writers

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Writing Routines: Flexibility

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

As any long-time reader of this blog will know, I love a routine. The more rote, the better. When I have these established routines, keeping up with my writing (and exercising and other tasks) is almost effortless.

But the really long-time readers of this blog will remember that when I started writing this blog in 2008, I had a couple of young children in the house. I still loved a routine, but I realized that I wasn’t going to get much writing done if I tried to follow one. Kids run on their own schedules of carpools, illnesses, and activities. So, although I was someone who liked a routine, I ended up working at being someone who could be flexible, too. Someone who could work in the in-between times. Someone who could squeeze out writing on demand and in very short periods of time.

And I think both of these methods (routine and flexible schedules) are important. Both of them work really well.

For tips for learning flexibility, see this post from August.

One of the tricks, I think, is being able to pivot. I’ve found it’s easier to pivot when I actually take a few minutes to look at my upcoming week/month/year and think about what might work best.

Consider asking these questions:

What still works overall?

When might you be able to get a few minutes of uninterrupted time?

Should you have shorter writing sessions?

If you have more time, should you intersperse longer sessions with other activities to maintain focus?

I’ve found that asking these types of questions can really help me maintain my writing activity, even when life goes through its ups and downs. Another thing I’ve tried to do is take a look at my day right in the middle of it, especially after a tough morning. Is there a way I can fit in just five minutes with my story? Is there a way I can reboot my day and feel as if I’m starting fresh?

How flexible are you with your writing routine? Has your routine changed over the years?

 

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousCopywriting jobs: 3 ways to separate the class from the crass: from Articulate MarketingThe Next Strategic Step On Your Author Journey And Author Nation With Joe Solari: @thecreativepennTips for Writers: How to Conduct an Interview: @LINDAGILDEN @ediemelsonConferences and Events / MiscellaneousUK: The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year 2024 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSweden’s 2026 Gothenburg Fair Names Québec Guest of Honor: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Edition: London Book Fair’s Rights Center: 500+ Tables: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Edition: Torino’s Rights Center Early Bird Rates End March 7: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationIdea gardens: @austinkleon24 Ways to Spark New Story Ideas in 2024: by Elle Carter NealTips to get your creativity on track: @nathanbransfordCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers8 Novels About Memory Loss: @manualofstyle @electriclitCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Lawrence Osborne’s On Java Road: @margotkinbergFive of the best books about fresh starts: @soratcli @guardianbooksBringing Color to Writing: by Rainey Hall @rmfw7 Novels Across the World About Turbulent Coming of Age: @AubeReyLescure @electriclit5 Books About Regretting That Cult You Joined: @OlivieBlake @tordotcomCrime Fiction Set in Ontario: @margotkinbergCreativity and Inspiration / MotivationHow to Find Inspiration To Keep Writing Your Novel: @jerrybjenkinsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingNo Time to Write: @sarahrcallender @writerunboxedStarting a ‘Writing Habit’ Isn’t Easy: by Ann Gordon @RMFWCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockThe Writer’s Block Post or How I Yeet the Yips: @Aeryn_RudelCreativity and Inspiration / SuccessThe Game-Changing Author Success Mindset: @bookgalCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeThe Über Skill for Writers: @foxprinted @janefriedmanWriting Is About Making Choices: @amyshearn5 Common Writing Fears…and How to Overcome Them: @BrynDonovanInto the Unknown: Stuck in a Writing Rut? It Might Be Time to Expand Your Comfort Zone: @Emilie_NoelleWinning Technique: Listen to Advice: @jrlalloThe Mental Game of Writing — Mindset: @SueColetta1 @storyempireAlexa For Readers and Writers: ;-) @margotkinbergClarity, calm, and craft: @danblank @wegrowmediaWho Is In Control of What You Do? @suecoletta1What Readers Gift To Writers: by Susanne Bennett @writers_writeWhat Do You Write to Resist? @KelseyAllagood @writerunboxedNavigating the Author’s Journey: Overcoming Top 5 Challenges: @bookgal @bowker wkb31This Year, Ask Yourself What Kind of Writer You Want to Be: @jamiattenberg @electriclitOn the Long, Lonely Apprenticeship of the Writing Life: @kayla_min_and @lithubHaving a Practice: @spressfieldHow to work with purpose: @pubcoachCultivating a Writing Life: @drslayton @careerauthorsI want to write a book. Do I have what it takes? @annkroekerGenres / MysteryCozy Mystery Subgenres: Making the Perfect Blend: @BooksbyPatricia @crimereadsWhat’s a Cozy Mystery? @laina_turnerExploring the Isolation of the British Countryside: @StigAbell @crimereadsGenres / Science FictionThe LGBTQ+ Speculative Experience: @ElleEIre @sfwaGenres / Short StoriesHow to Write Characters in a Short Story: by Michelle Renee MillerPromo / MiscellaneousYou, Your Reviews and Your Lifelong Marketing: @FrugalBookPromoBook Marketing Timeline: by Rose Cushing @theiwsgPromo / PlatformsAuthor Branding for 2024 with Anna Caig: @sacha_blackPromo / Websites10 Tips for Creating a Successful Author Website: @bookgalPublishing / MiscellaneousUnintended Consequences in Publishing: @rcharkin @pubperspectivesOxford University Press Launches Its ‘Little Oxford’ App—With Data: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesMarcus Leaver at Gemini Books Appoints Caulfield, Greenwood, Munnings: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesDiversity in US Publishing: The New Lee & Low Report: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingBookwire and John Marshall Media in New Audiobook Partnership: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSpanish-Language Audio: Barcelona’s Libranda and Berlin’s Zebralution: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesEmcee Syd Atlas on Germany’s Books at Berlinale: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesChildren’s Books In Italy: Pre-Bologna Statistics: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesChina Bestsellers in January: Fond Memories Drive Sales: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-Publishing“Where should I sell my book?” What every indie author needs to know: @sandrabeckwithWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentDifferent Types of Characters in Literature and How to Use Them: @ByMichelleReneeCharacter Type & Trope Thesaurus: Funster: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersWriting Craft / DiversityDiversity Win: Is “Crazy Rich” POC Representation Necessarily Empowering? @writingwcolorWriting Craft / DraftsThoughts On Drafting: Writing Craft / EndingsHappy Ever After Is A Choice Not A Given: by Elaine Dodge @writers_writeWriting Craft / MiscellaneousUnload Those Adjectives: @shutta @floridawriters1Seven Ways to Deal With Unwanted Hooks: by Chris WinkleThe Ultimate Key to Novel Writing: @ACW_Author @ediemelson3 Ideas to Breakthrough When You Hit a Plot Snag in Your Novel: @lornafaithMy Favorite Writing Reminders: @JamesScottBellHow Story Structure Relates to Our Lives: @suecoletta1How to Write Like C. S. Lewis (Video): @NicoleJBianchiHow to Convert Exposition into Ammunition: @septcfawkesWriting: Learning Better Writing Techniques: @lindasclareSex in Stories? What’s All the Fuss? @beemweeks @storyempireWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchHow to Write Realistically About Drug Use in Your Novel: @MiffieSeideman @janefriedmanWriting Craft / ScenesWhy the Last Lines of Your Scene Are Critical: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / Voice3 Things Writers Need to Know About Voice: @diymfaWriting Tools / AppsHow To Edit PDF Files Like A Pro: Pro Tips & Tools For Writers: @bang2write

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On Drafting

By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethspanncraig

One of the big mysteries to me when I was starting out as a writer was where the drafting “sweet spot” was. Some writers seemed to have things down to a science, doing specific edits during specific drafts. Some seemed like their drafts were random tweaks during each read-through.

There didn’t seem to be a formula for it, so I stumbled around for a while. I wasn’t even sure what qualified for a draft. Was it when I made a full pass through the document? Was it when I changed a certain percentage of the document?

Now that I’ve been writing for a while, I’ve developed my own process toward drafting. That’s the best way for writers to handle it: find what works best. For me, it’s writing straight through the manuscript, eschewing editing and skipping chapter breaks, most description, and some subplots until the next draft.

Along the way, I’ve seen two troubling areas for writers approaching drafting.

One is the writer who is so relieved to have gotten to the end of their manuscript that they can’t get it submitted fast enough. This is going to be problematic for a variety of reasons. One is that the editing process, if you’re paying for an editor, is probably going to be pretty expensive. At any rate, it’s going to be a lot more expensive than if you’d settled down, read it through, and made corrections. For the querying writer, you’re likely delivering a mess into someone’s inbox at an agency or publisher.

Just as much of a problem is the writer who never stops drafting. The writer who second-guesses every word and who’s done countless drafts. This insecurity or perfectionism can keep writers from submitting their work or from publishing it themselves.

Maybe everything is better with moderation. There’s no hurry to rush something out of the gate. But there’s no need to sit on a manuscript through countless iterations, either.

Has your drafting process changed through the years? What kind of drafter are you?

 

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousHow to Break Into Trade Magazines as an Author: @bookgalHow to Be Photographed: 12 Tips for Putting Your Best Writerly Face Forward: @michellewildgen @lithubIngramSpark and Ingram Services: What Self-Publishers Need to Know: @WogahnHow Many Times Should an Editor Review My Work? More Questions Answered by Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black in Our Member Q&A Podcast: @MichaelLaRonn @sacha_blackConferences and Events / MiscellaneousTaiwan’s President Opens Taipei International Book Exhibition: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesMadrid’s Audio Day PARIX: The GSR’s Spanish-Language Audio Event: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesYS Chi Named London Book Fair’s Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSingapore’s Asian Festival of Children’s Content: May 23-26: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesArchitect Herng Tzou on MVRDV’s Hit Pavilion at TiBE: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Goal settingTen Reasons Why Weekly Writing Goals Are Better Than Project Deadlines: @ZenaDellLowe @ediemelsonTop 10 Writers’ Resolutions for 2024 Writing Success: @bang2writeA Writer’s Resolve: Eight Inspirations for Your New Year: @theladygreer3 Ways To Set Powerful Writing Goals: @StephMorrill @goteenwritersCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers20 Optimistic Fantasies to Brighten Your TBR Stack: by Stubby the Rocket @tordotcom9 Novels Featuring Parasocial Relationships: by Lisa Zhuang @electriclit13 Poems to Soothe Your Soul: @LittleInfiniteCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: John Creasey’s Death on Demand: @MargotKinbergModern Poetry for Black History Month: @LittleInfinite7 Books on the Dark Side of True Crime: @KateBrodyAuthor @electriclitThe Comfort of “Competence Porn” Stories: by Rachel Ayers @tordotcomBooks by Black Authors in Oprah’s Book Club: @LittleInfiniteCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow To Actually Get Writing Done: @writingandsuchHow a Writing Practice is Like Playing the Violin: @diymfaCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyIncrease Your Wordcount with Voice-to-Text: by Eldred BirdCreativity and Inspiration / Writing Life3 Reasons to Accept the Varied Seasons of Creativity: @livewritethriveCraft Jam: Get Your Story to “The End”: @diymfaI Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now: @Sandra_Cox @theiwsgAre you working too hard? @pubcoachThe Things I Love Most About Being a Writer: @ediemelsonHow Upper and Lower Case Letters Changed the World: by Suzanne PurkinsMake Sure Your Writing Companions are a Good Influence: Beware These 9 Traits of Toxic Writers: @ediemelsonStop Making Excuses: Why There’s Always Time to Follow Your Writing Dreams: by Angela Brown @lithubHow to Corral Your Nightmares for Use in Your Next Novel: by Colin O’Sullivan @crimereadsWarm Up in Nature: @AnneJanzer7 Extraordinary Authors With Extraordinary Word Counts: @AnthonyEhlers @writers_writeWhat Does Your Writing End Game Look Like? @SarahSallyHamer @ediemelsonThe Dumb Stories We Tell Ourselves and What To Do About Them: by Johnny B. TruantHow your mindset can boost your productivity: @pubcoachReassessing Your Writing Career: @foxprintedHow To Freewrite: @getfreewriteGenres / HorrorHow to Write Horror: A Step-by-Step Guide for Authors: @storyhobbitGenres / HumorHow to Write Comedy: Situational Comedy: by Ellen L. BuikemaGenres / Middle-GradeDeveloping Outlines and Character Details When Writing Middle Grade: @karencvGenres / MysteryMemorable Characters: @mandsmagazineDialect in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergHow to Write Fiction about True Crime: @KateBrodyAuthor @crimereadsThe Rise of “Mom-Noir”: @k_faulkner @crimereadsOverspending as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergThe Importance of the Plot Twist: by Heidi Perks @crimereadsGenres / Picture BooksRhyming and Children’s Stories: @karencvGenres / Young Adult4 Things Every YA Writer Should Know About Teens: @sblaircameron @janefriedmanPromo / BloggingGrow Your Online Reach with These 10 Tips for Submitting Blog Posts & Articles Online: @ediemelsonPromo / MiscellaneousHow to Be a Successful Author in Today’s Market: @bookgalPromo / PlatformsAre You Managing Your Personal Brand? by Lisa E. BetzPublishing / MiscellaneousWhy Aren’t There More Pandemic Novels, Anyway? @chuckwendigFound in Translation: @arpitayodapress @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingAt Delhi Book Fair: Sharjah Highlights Indian Publishers’ Engagement: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUK: Society of Authors Wants More Clarity in Spotify’s Terms: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPRH: A New Role for the UK’s Grantham Site: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Process / ISBNsPurchased vs Free ISBN Numbers: @LinWilsonauthorWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCreating Empathy for Your Characters: @johnaugustWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsSteadfast Stories: Protagonists without Change Arcs: @septcfawkes @davidfarlandWriting Craft / DialogueDoes Genre Make a Difference in Writing Dialogue? @DiAnnMillsWriting Craft / DraftsGuide to Drafting: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWhat Gives a Story Meaning? by Chris WinkleSharing the Spotlight: 6 Tips for Collaborative Storytelling: @hildy9595 @SFWAHow to Use an Unreliable Narrator: from MythcreantsWhat Should I Do If My Work Is Called Problematic? from MythcreantsHow Writing Challenges Made Me a Better Writer: @RDCwrites @SFWAShow, don’t tell: by ModifieduchihaWriting True: @lindasclareBe proactive in learning the writing craft: @livewritethriveThe Missing Piece of Your Story World: @DonMaass @writerunboxedWriting Craft / RevisionThe Editor Over Your Shoulder: by Renni Browne and Dave King @killzoneauthors

 

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

I’m taking tomorrow off for Presidents Day, so I’ll be back again a week from today with another installment of Twitterific. :)

Business / MiscellaneousAuthors: Why You Should Register Copyrights: by Margot ConnerThe Right Endorsers to Promote Your Book: @KarenHWhiting @ediemelsonThe 15-Year Author Business Pivot: @thecreativepennConferences and Events / MiscellaneousChina’s Shanghai Children’s Book Fair Names 2024 Dates: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIn the United Kingdom: The Yoto Carnegies’ 2024 Longlists: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSetting up an Indie Author Festival: @indieauthoralliInternational Prize for Arabic Fiction: The 2024 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesTaipei International Book Exhibition 2024: Professional Programming: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUS National Book Awards: Opening to Non-US Citizens: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @nationalbookLondon Book Fair: Main Stage Programming Announcements: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsFirst novel finished? Do’s and Don’ts: @annerallenCreativity and Inspiration / Goal settingFive Top Tips To Smash Your Writing Goals in 2024: @bang2write @onestop4writersCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCozy Up With These 22 Chilly Winter Reads: by Stubby the Rocket @tordotcomCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice For Murderers: @margotkinbergEight Fantasies About the Joys of Bread and Baking: by Lindsay Eagar @tordotcom5 Books for Mystery Lovers Who Want to Be Transported: @pazdice @crimereadsCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Rebecca Makkai’s I Have Some Questions For You: @margotkinbergWhat Makes a Story Comforting? @mollytempleton @tordotcomMysteries Set in the 1990s: @mandsmagazineCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyHow to Write Four Books a Year with Ines Johnson: @Sacha_BlackCreativity and Inspiration / SuccessMeasure Your Success by What You’re Doing, Not What You Want to Do: @foxprintedCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeHow We Spend Our Days: On Wintering and the Value of Giving and Taking Care: by Amanda Parrish Morgan @lithubArtificial Intelligence… again: @Virgilante @storyempire5 Common Reasons Why Writers Give Up Too Early: by Jenny HansenAsking for Help is Scary (Especially if you’re a Writer): @pick_penBoost Your Writing Focus: Effective Strategies to Overcome Decision Fatigue: @badredheadmediaTen Great Gifts for Your Writing Self: @PaulaSMunier @careerauthorsCelebrate what you create: @danblank @wegrowmediaWinter Wonder—The Enduring Gift to Writers: @VaughnRoycroft @writerunboxedFresh Start February: 5 Ways to Begin Again: @seejavaciawriteHow I Co-Authored a Dual Memoir with my Father Without Discussing it with him: by Christina Vo @womenwritersReflect and Renew: @WriteNowCoachInspirational Indie Author Interview: Wayne Kelly. Through Songs, Films, and Novels, British Author is a Born Storyteller: @howard_lovy @indieauthoralliBoundary Boss: @spressfieldHow to Overcome the Only Obstacle Between You and Successful Authorship: @ninaamirGenres / Mystery10 Things We Learned in 20 Years of Writing Mysteries: @CleoCoyle @crimereadsAdding Supernatural Elements to Cozy Mysteries: @SierraCrossBookFictional Writers as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergCravings as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergCrafting Cozy Mysteries: @mandsmagazineGenres / Short Stories10 Steps to Outlining a Short Fiction Story: @JillWilliamson @goteenwritersPromo / AdsThe Art of the Book Deal: Navigating the Maze of Advertising Options: @kadaxisPromo / Book ReviewsWhat to do about reviews: the good, the bad and the ugly: by Andy Maslen @AuthorsAiPromo / Miscellaneous7 Best Ways to Promote Your Book: A Comprehensive Guide: @bookgalPromo / NewslettersYour Substack Isn’t For Everyone: by Elizabeth Held @janefriedmanPromo / Pricing11 Pricing Strategies Every Author Should Know: How to Price Your Book for Success: @bookgalPublishing / MiscellaneousAcademic Publishing: Springer Nature Has Two new Transformative Agreements: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesHachette’s David Shelley Names Sally Kim to Lead Little, Brown: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesElsevier’s Scopus AI Tool Rolls Out for Database Customers: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International Publishing‘Activist’ Fiction: France’s Magnier Looks for Rights Sales at Bologna: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAt London Book Fair: International Publishers Association Perspectives: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBologna Book Plus Releases New Audio Forum Program: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGermany’s Brandenburg, Börsenverein, and MVB: ‘Books Checks’ for Reading: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAudio and Ebooks: Storytel’s 2023 Report and ‘Ambitious Targets’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesItaly’s Fondazione LIA: ‘APACE’ for the EU Accessibility Act: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingIt’s not an agent’s job to give you feedback if you’re not their client (query critique): @nathanbransfordGetting Representation As A Writer: by Tom Vaughan @bang2writeResearching the Right Literary Agents for You: by Christopher Hoffmann @janefriedmanPublishing / Process / Book DesignTips for Creating a Book Cover That is Truly Captivating: @bookgalPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidHow to Spot a Fake Literary Agency: @victoriastraussWriting Craft / BeginningsAvoiding Confusion During Your Opening (podcast): from MythcreantsSpecificity matters in opening pages too (page critique): @nathanbransfordFlog a Pro: Would You Turn the First Page of this Bestseller? @RayRhamey @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsWhat If the Villain Makes Sense? @cyallowitzWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentGrappling with Two Character Types: by Sophie Masson @writerunboxedHow To Fix Flat, Two-Dimensional Characters: by Ross Hartmann @davidfarlandHow To Build A Flesh And Blood Character: @angelaackerman @onestop4writers @davidfarlandWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsSeven Ways a Humble Hero Can Make a Difference: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Characters / Supporting CharactersIt’s a Wonderful Spice: Minor Characters: @jamesscottbellWriting Craft / EndingsEndings: Words of Wisdom: by Dale Ivan Smith @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmIt’s a Wonderful Life Beat Sheet Analysis: @DonRoff @savethecatWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWrite What You Know: Understanding this Classic Writing Advice: @JerryBJenkinsFive Stories With Unbalanced Factions: by Oren AshkenaziAdding Cinematic Sizzle to Your Fiction: @livewritethrive7 Tips to Having Enemies Become Allies: @cyallowitzHelp for a Plot that Seems Flat: from Fix Your Writing HabitsWriting Craft / RevisionHave You Tried Back to Front Editing in Writing? @BrynDonovanMake Your Story Golden with Systematic Editing: by Lynette M. BurrowsWriting Craft / Settings and Description5 Tips for Crafting Unforgettable Settings: @livewritethrive @writerunboxedWriting Tools / MiscellaneousBackup and Image Your Computer: @worddreamsUncategorized7 ways to deal with the rejection of your manuscript submission: by Robert Stewart @OUPAcademic

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Adding Supernatural Elements to Cozy Mysteries

by Sierra Cross, @SierraCrossBook

Hi all! I’m Sierra Cross, author of the Blue Moon Bay Witches series, and I’ve been writing about magic since the early 2000s, when the dominant trope in urban fantasy was “The Masquerade.”

Back in those angst-ridden old days, supernatural were forced to hide their differences from the world and operate in the shadows.

Wow, we’ve come a long way since the first cans of Tru Blood hit the market. Let’s talk about what lights readers up in 2024!

Tip 1: Don’t add supernatural elements to your mystery – instead, ground your story in the supernatural … and add a mystery.

As a reader, when I open a supernatural cozy mystery I long to escape the real world and be immersed in a magical place. Fully. Immersed. I don’t merely wish to visit a normal town where one or two characters deals in a touch of the mystical from time to time. No, I want to be transported to another world … that happens to look like a small town. Spend some time with worldbuilding. A well-thought-out overview and clear storytelling details will logically and sensorily anchor the reader – and make it clear they’re not in Kansas anymore.

Magic in these stories needs to be foundational, not a flavor you sprinkle on, or you risk falling into the crack between two different sets of reader expectations. If it’s not a straight cozy and not quite a para cozy either, who is your reader? (Caveat: if you want to be writing magical realism, and that’s your brand, great. I want to save you the frustration if you simply weren’t aware of a paranormal cozy reader’s expectations.)

Tip 2: Magical or not, it’s a cozy at core.

Remember how I said as a para cozy reader I long to be whisked off to a magical world that feels real? That’s true. But at the same time, because I’m seeking a calm and soothing reading experience, your world can’t feel too realistic in the sense of being chock full of heavy, real-world problems, political conflicts, etc. Instead, you handily replace all those problems with magical ones. Everything from your heroine’s core wound to your murderer’s motive will be related to the supernatural.

Can the magical stuff ever be symbolic of something that happens in our world? Absolutely. In fact it deepens your story’s theme if its made up, magical problems ring true and meaningful.

Even so, make sure you render them to be lighter in tone (even humorous) and shrink them down to a town-sized scale, from a global one.

What the hex, maybe you can even replace jarring swear words with whimsical, magic-themed “curses.”

Tip 3: Read widely in the genre to understand it deeply.

You probably already know that most paranormal cozies feature a witch protagonist, but does that mean you must have one? (Short answer: no. If you can make a vampire, mermaid, or gargoyle a relatable protagonist, awesome.)

What other tropes are currently popular in this genre, and what is at the heart of their appeal to its fans?

As a reader, I can tell you that some tropes I enjoy in magical cozies (such claiming your power, found family, and small town) induce feelings of vicarious community. Also, I appreciate that the current era of witch cozies celebrates female friendship, sisterhood, and the female self – quirks and all.

Those are my own favorite discoveries, the things I delight in. As you read you’ll come up with your own observations. Take notes on tropes in your favorite magical cozies the same way you would with other conventions, such as chapter length, pacing, setting, and POV.

It’s 2024 and nobody’s hiding their magic behind a bushel anymore, so don’t hide yours either. Claim your power and write that magical book.

About the author, Sierra Cross

Modern magic, infused with heart and humor.

I’m the author of two series, BLUE MOON BAY WITCHES and COVEN OF FIRE.

BLUE MOON BAY vibes: cozy sweaters and the perfect magical mocha. Slow burn romance, paranormal mystery, and heartwarming female friendship.

COVEN OF FIRE vibes: Spells and skyscrapers. Warriors and warlocks. Coven secrets, nonstop action, and forbidden romance.

When I’m not spinning urban fantasy tales, you can find me flying after my 5-year-old witchling, cackling with my coven sisters, or reading and drinking coffee while cuddled up with my cat familiar.

Three Tips for Writing Paranormal Cozies from @SierraCrossBook :
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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousWhen is it Acceptable for a Writer to Borrow from Other Writers? @ediemelsonHow Generative AI Search Will Impact Book Discoverability In The Next Decade: @thecreativepennLet’s Learn From This Debut Author Mega-Fail: @PhilAthansConferences and Events / MiscellaneousTrade Fair on Tour: Bologna Children’s Book Fair and Book Plus in India: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUK: The New Parliamentary Book Award Winners: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPurses Totaling £28,000: The UK’s 2024 Translation Prize Winners: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsTips for Getting Started With Your First Book: @nathanbransfordCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationYour Book Means Something: @jamesscottbellCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Books About Authorship Hoaxes: by Ayden LeRoux @electriclitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingCarving Out Writing Time: Strategies for Balancing Writing and Self-Care: @TheLeighShulmanHaving a Practice: @spressfieldHow to Write During Busy Months: @StephMorrill @goteenwritersCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeGetting Back on Track When Your Writing Is Derailed: @foxprintedTwisting My Life Into a Story Sacrificed My Ability to Live It: by Jessica L Pavia @electriclitWhat Constitutes Success for a Writer? Emergency Planning for Writers: by Marilynn ByerlyBooks Bring Us Together: @jimdempsey @writerunboxedMaking Room for New Beginning: @AnneJanzerWrite Your Way Whole: by Kathleen McCleary @writerunboxedHow My Journaling Stories Turned Into a Novel: @michaeleonauth @colleen_m_storyGenres / FantasyCan My Soft Magic Be Used in Turning Points? by
Oren AshkenaziGenres / HorrorThe Pros and Cons of Gore in Horror Fiction: by Rose Atkinson-Carter @horrortreeGenres / MysteryFemale Criminals in Fiction: @mandsmagazineHats as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergHow to Write a Thriller: Definition, Examples, and Instructions: @storyhobbitVideo Games as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergReunions With Old School Friends as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / Non-Fiction4 Tips to Help Writers Make Nonfiction Engaging: @CindyDevoted @ediemelsonGenres / RomanceFate deals the cards: a review and interview with romance writer Romy Sommer: @nownovelGenres / Science FictionChoose Your Own Dr. Scientist Adventure: @JasonPBurnhamMD @sfwaGenres / Short Stories“How Should I Publish My Short Stories?” @LisaTenerPromo / BloggingHow an Alter Ego Helps You Achieve Blogging Goals: @ninaamirPromo / MiscellaneousHow to Market a Book: 6 Steps From a Full-Time Author: @KMWeilandPromo / PlatformsThe Write Image: Crafting Your Author Brand Through Image and Packaging: @AmandaWinsteaddPromo / Podcasts5 Ways Podcasting Can Help Your Writing Career: by Jacquie J Sarah @bang2writePromo / Social Media Tips12 Ways to Update Your Online Identity: @worddreamsPublishing / MiscellaneousThe US’ IPG Adjusts its International Management Leads: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @IPGbooknewsWhy Do Publishers Close Imprints? @JaneFriedmanPhysics Publishers Say They’ll Put ‘Purpose Before Profit’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataStatShot: US Market Was Up 0.6 Percent in November, YTD: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingAudioUK Issues Its 2024 Trade Association Manifesto: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPA’s Karine Pansa: ‘It’s About Our Responsibility’: @Porter_Anderson @karinepansa @IntPublishersRemembering India’s Asoke Ghosh: ‘Friend, Mentor, and Guide’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesMelissa Fleming To Speak at International Publishers Congress: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCheers in Czechia for the End of VAT on Books: @JaroslawAdamows @pubperspectivesThe Netherlands in Taiwan: 400 Years of Shared History: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBologna’s Newest Rights Center; London’s ‘Introduction to Rights’ Seminar: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Roundup: A 2023 Finlandia Prize Winner Sells Quickly: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingWho Needs a Literary Agent, Anyway? by Mark Williams @annerallenPublishing / Process / Book DesignDo Indie Authors Need Professionally Made Covers? @BrynDonovanPublishing / Process / ISBNsThe ISBN and Self-Publishing: Learn the Essentials in 5 Minutes: from Author ImprintsWriting Craft / BeginningsMy Top Seven Tips for Improving Your Story’s Opening: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsQualities of a Great Villain: @burke_writer @killzoneauthorsStory in Trouble: 5 Signs You’re Ignoring Your Antagonist: @colleen_m_storyWriting Craft / Characters / ArcWriting Negative Character Arcs: Types and Principles: @septcfawkesWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCan Clothes Make the Character? @DavidCorbett_CACharacter Type & Trope Thesaurus Entry: Lady of Adventure: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersHow To Use Creatures To Create Characters: by Elaine Dodge @writers_writeHow to Create Complex Character Outlines: @Author_S_EAdd a Luke Skywalker Moment: Give Your Main Character a Bitter Choice: @janetsfox @janefriedmanWriting Craft / Common MistakesWriting: On Homophones: @lindasclareWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFive Obnoxious Villains in Popular Stories: by Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / MiscellaneousThe Writer Has One Job: @PeggySueWells @ediemelsonAudiences Don’t Suspend Disbelief – We Do It for Them: by Chris WinkleSeven Secrets of Suspense: @HankPRyan @careerauthorsTake Advantage of Your Reader’s Expectations: @janice_hardyWhat is Overwriting and Tips to Avoid It: @ediemelsonHow to Portray Strong Friendships: @jamigoldPinch Points That Reveal The Opposition In Your Fiction: @livewritethrive @davidfarlandProof: You Can Start on the Fly: by Kathryn Craft @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story ConceptWeighing Story Ideas: @davidfarlandWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarCommonly Misused ‘G’ Words: @harmony_kent @storyempireWriting Craft / SubtextWant Strong Dialogue? Don’t Forget The Subtext: @beccapuglisi @davidfarlandWriting Tools / Miscellaneous8+ Ways To a Speedier Computer: @worddreamsUncategorizedThree Short Story Writers On Publishing and Crafting Their Debut Collections: by Brandon Choi @electriclit

 

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