Riley Adams's Blog, page 185

Inexpensive Ways to Improve Your Writing or Get Published in 2012

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I was speaking to a lady the other day who is an aspiring author. She has been researching ways of improving her writing, but told me that everything seemed so expensive—the classes, the conferences, etc.

It could be expensive to improve our writing, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some cheap ways to improve our writing in 2012:

Of course, there are books to buy and magazines to read. There are excellent ones out there, actually. See if your local library has any books on how to write. It doesn't matter if the book is ten years old or not—good writing is good writing. Many libraries also carry Writer's Digest or Poets and Writers. Cost of a library book (that's not overdue)=free

Learn what areas you need to improve. Probably the best way to do this is by sharing your work. I know this is tough for some. I think it's easier to share with strangers, personally. There are plenty of online critique groups that can match you with writers of similar genres. Check out writer Clarissa Draper's excellent list of critique groups (or her own match-up program). Cost=varies, but there are many crit group programs that are free.

Once you know what you need to improve, you can easily find resources online to help you improve. I compile the best writing-related links that I can find each week and they are sent to the Writer's Knowledge Base where they're searchable for free. So, if you realize you have trouble with transitions, if your book has a saggy middle, if you have trouble with point of view (POV), then you can search the WKB for those terms and find hundreds of articles on those topics. Cost=free.

Buy some inexpensive notebooks and try writing different places and at different times if you can't seem to fit writing into your day. Make it portable…index cards for those minutes waiting at the dentist's office. Small notebooks for your briefcase or purse. Cost= a few dollars.

Try online writing classes. I know I don't talk much about classes on the blog, but I took five or six of them when I was starting out with my first book. I found them very helpful. I could choose the topic I needed help with, the instructors gave homework which I submitted for critique, and I got real feedback. Now, obviously, you can end up with a crummy instructor, so I'd check and see how many classes the writer has taught---or go through an organization like the Romance Writers of America.

I've found their classes are excellent and frequently aren't limited to romance (clearly, since I don't write it!) You can pay via PayPal and email back and forth. It's very simple. What's more, their classes are dirt cheap, compared to other venues. At a glance on their upcoming calendar (click on the link and scroll down) I see classes for using backstory effectively, writing steampunk mysteries, creating a web presence, writing synopses, weapons, queries, and more. Cost= $25-$30.

Free help pursuing the traditional publishing route. Have you got a book that you're ready to query? Here are a couple of sites to help you screen prospects: AgentQuery (which can help you find an agent who represents your genre) and Preditors and Editors which help you eliminate agents and editors and "publishers" who prey on writers. Cost= free.

The low cost of e-publishing. You can upload your books to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords for free. Your only costs should be for a cover design (which you come up with independently), a freelance editor (if your book hasn't been proofread), and someone to help you with formatting for epub and mobi (if you can't do it yourself.) For a list of epublishing professionals, check out my spreadsheet of cover designers, formatters, and freelance editors. Cost= varies for cover artists and freelancers. The publishing process itself is free.

Reading our genre. One of the best ways for us to improve our writing is by reading the genre that we want to write. Cost of a library book= free.

And, of course, the more we write, the better we get. I'm trying to fit in more writing….and reading…time for 2012. What are some ways you're planning to invest in your writing next year?

I've also given a holiday interview to Diane Morasco at Blogcritics. Thanks to Diane for hosting me.

Twitterific

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Below are the writing-related links I tweeted last week.

The Writer's Knowledge Base search engine, designed by software engineer and writer Mike Fleming, makes all these links (now over 12,000) searchable. Sign up for the free monthly WKB newsletter for the web's best links and interviews:http://bit.ly/gx7hg1 .

In recent news, my writing and computer programming friend Mike Fleming has launched his Hiveword Novel Writing Software. To check out what it's all about,just click here.

I've also released another backlist Myrtle Clover title to ebook. A Dyeing Shame is available on Kindle and Nook for $2.99.

Controversies Surrounding Ebooks in Libraries: http://bit.ly/rtVhSV @PassiveVoiceBlg

How Nook could lose 1 writer as a customer: http://bit.ly/vbFTY6 @shaunduke

Teen-Lit Queen Takes Up Book Packaging: http://buswk.co/uwR7qc @dianebrady

Character Trait Entry: Responsible: http://bit.ly/tKgvJC @AngelaAckerman

Are your characters 'beginning' or 'starting' activities too frequently? http://bit.ly/uWWU7e

A weekly roundup of links for historical writers: http://bit.ly/tdPBZZ @2nerdyhistgirls

Tips for the sick writer: http://norabpeevy.blogspot.com/2011/12/tips-for-sick-writer.html @NoraBPeevy

Tips for the sick writer: http://bit.ly/vqdIWN @NoraBPeevy

Want to be a screenwriter? Don't waste time on gimmicks: http://bit.ly/tRxDUI @scriptmag

Writing for Middle Grades: Being age appropriate: http://bit.ly/usn82H @authorajhartley

Choosing publications to query: http://bit.ly/vh4Gxa @robertleebrewer

Keeping It Real in Sci-Fi: http://slate.me/vXHVUe @zonal

The Myths of the Overworked Creative(video): http://bit.ly/ttbGHc @tonyschwartz

4 Ways to Move Beyond Discouragement in Your Author Career: http://bit.ly/sTPEO8 @bethbookcoach

What's different about crime fiction marketing: http://bit.ly/w0E8CK @erinfaye

For literary inspiration follow @AdviceToWriters. Jon Winokur dispenses writerly wisdom of the ages.

A useful resource for describing settings, emotions, shapes, textures, and more: http://bit.ly/eIGRMO @AngelaAckerman

The structure of a short story: http://bit.ly/ugD0fU @sarahahoyt

How to Use Uncertainty to Fuel Your Writing: http://bit.ly/rQLOXC @krissybrady

5 SF&F Novel Series That Should Come to TV: http://bit.ly/uijkCj @gammasquad

40 Inspiring Quotes About Reading From Writers: http://bit.ly/vnG2zE @flavorpill

Considerations when deciding between writing a memoir, novel, or fictionalized memoir: http://bit.ly/stKyKJ @DirtyWhiteCandy

The long road to a surprise best seller: http://bit.ly/shBgEg @AlexJCavanaugh

How dialogue can help readers know our characters: http://bit.ly/s24ZLB & http://bit.ly/vlux9y @mkinberg

How to blog: A Beginner's Guide for Authors: http://bit.ly/sWKGl6 @AnneRAllen

How to Create Another Day a Week Just for Blogging: http://bit.ly/v2vzHT @problogger

Your Book Trailer as Calling Card: http://bit.ly/rXu4gO @dataylor1

Character Development — Secret, Wall, Loss, Desire: http://bit.ly/rudOG7

What To Do When Your WIP Turns Against You: http://bit.ly/vKtZF1 @cjredwine

Making choices between fight or flight: http://bit.ly/rwt1dD @victoriamixon

An agent's tips for breaking into publishing: http://bit.ly/t3eWBj @RachelleGardner

The New World of Publishing: Why Bad Agent Information Gets Taught: http://bit.ly/uFQWrY @DeanWesleySmith

Know your netiquette: http://bit.ly/uVIO2O @roniekendig

5 Prompt Websites to Fill Your Creative Writing Well: http://bit.ly/tOeb5p @krissybrady

50 Diminutive Suffixes (and a Cute Little Prefix): http://bit.ly/teyXJ6 @writing_tips

Turning Self-Publishing Into Self-Employed: http://bit.ly/rwv1Rv @TweetTheBook

Build Your Platform Tip #2 Get Other Authors to Work for You: http://bit.ly/uHromD @kathilipp

10 Holiday Themed Science Fiction And Fantasy Stories: http://bit.ly/tB9fnj @BryanThomasS

5 tips for your LinkedIn profile: http://bit.ly/vLww6L @fuelyourwriting

Faltering Dialogue Punctuated: http://bit.ly/tCIx4D @KeliGwyn

Organize Your Writing Life: Ask Santa for a 2012 Planner: http://bit.ly/uxMI0L @KrissyBrady

Want to have a LinkedIn profile as a writer? A guide: http://bit.ly/ujcY9J @jhansenwrites

5 Major Turning Points on the Road to Finishing a Book: http://bit.ly/uQcBZl @writeabook

Enduring through writing's slow growth periods: http://bit.ly/tBIYzp @ollinmorales

'Clean Slate' Blogging: How to Write a Post Your Readers Will Remember: http://bit.ly/rJ8JQQ @catseyewriter

3 Ways to Work Through a Difficult First Draft: http://bit.ly/v2Z3hY @writeitsideways

4 steps for untangling plot threads: http://bit.ly/sImiPR @bluemaven

Is Your Novel a Spineless Weakling? http://bit.ly/u7hTKE @KristenLambTX

How to Make a Secret Door in Your Bookcase: http://bit.ly/sWBNUs @GalleyCat

3 post-NaNo articles on revision: http://bit.ly/4wP2Rc , http://bit.ly/4Xjyuc , http://bit.ly/5vqbuj @p2p_editor

5 Secrets "Miracle on 34th Street" Can Teach You About Persuasive Writing: http://bit.ly/sp3M0p @Copyblogger

A complete guide to Word's Track Changes for writers: http://bit.ly/sajUIh @Jhansenwrites

What Good Salespeople Know That Writers Should: http://bit.ly/s6SGqO @joannetombrakos for @janefriedman

Tightening your plot by layering: http://bit.ly/syX6fW @JulietteWade

The Ugly Truth About Consumer Book Reviews: http://huff.to/sTM9O4 @tglong for @IndieReader

Publishing, from a bookseller's perspective: http://bit.ly/vdSz6q

5 Reasons Not to Criticize First Drafts: http://bit.ly/txAXYB @mgherron

How to Network Without Networking: http://bit.ly/t01rM3 @nathanbransford

Tips on writing about another culture: http://bit.ly/rVPkGs @Holly_S_Warah

What to Do With Contradictory Feedback (And 2 Star Reviews): http://bit.ly/uLzK3F @JodyHedlund

Who, Which, That—or, How Not to Ruin a Sentence: http://bit.ly/v8JQSw @write_practice

How to Make Your Writing More Visible Online: http://bit.ly/v7eeOh @galleycat

Into vs. In To: http://bit.ly/uAWluM @BrianKlems

Get help: http://bit.ly/rKbpGi @writenowcoach

Should You Write Your Second Book First? http://bit.ly/vMiahZ @RedTashBooks for @DavidGaughran

How to Get the Most out of a Writers' Conference: http://bit.ly/tvxb6v @CAMorganti

12 Things You Were Not Taught in School About Creative Thinking: http://bit.ly/vOG1SF @MichaelMichalko

Writing to genre: http://bit.ly/rQuIqS @TheresaStevens

How to Make the Most of a Scene: http://bit.ly/t2jYMY @JamiGold

The Self-Published Author as the Self-Employed Author: http://bit.ly/tPJguD @PassiveVoiceBlg

Active versus Static Backstory and Description: http://bit.ly/s6nfgs @4kidlit

Write with authenticity: http://bit.ly/syIlno @JulieMusil

Will Packaging Save Print Books? http://bit.ly/t9ArsC @diannadilworth

Bookstore terms, shelf location, signings---from a bookseller's POV: http://bit.ly/su3o50

A dramatic change in backlist for authors: http://bit.ly/sMI6AT @bob_mayer

How to confront the fear of public speaking: http://bit.ly/vr37lY @Janefriedman @antiquityoaks

The new publisher: http://bit.ly/vmyhAF @pubperspectives

5 Reasons to Shed the Genius Within: http://bit.ly/vgBlda @LyndaRYoung

An analysis on 1 writer's ebook pricing experiment: http://bit.ly/u9sS2z @ElleLothlorien for @JAKonrath

Music's influence on @nicolamorgan 's writing: http://bit.ly/uuH6S2 @byrozmorris

Confidence Matters Just as Much as Ability: http://bit.ly/vCVN1X @creativitypost

Writing Predators: http://bit.ly/vmPXDj @WriteAngleBlog

5 More Tips for Cleaning Up Your Writing Right Now: http://bit.ly/v59sA2 @writing_tips

Writers, are you making these 25 financial mistakes? Advice from the profane & brilliant @ChuckWendig: http://bit.ly/vq1i5W

3 Ways to Get Out of a Blogging Slump: http://bit.ly/rIS1Of @urbanmusewriter

What Hunter S. Thompson Can Teach You About Powerful : http://bit.ly/sfKUl2 @junhax

Are publishers putting the squeeze on book bloggers? http://bit.ly/tukLgO @alisonflood

6 Questions NOT to Ask a Writer: http://bit.ly/uup3F0 @elspethwrites

30 Holiday Gifts For Journalists: http://bit.ly/uCgBGL @10000words

The 5 Biggest Mistakes in Writing Scenes: http://bit.ly/s94xKx

Why Only Focusing On Your "Target" Audience May Hurt You: http://bit.ly/rX1iU7 @RoniLoren

5 things new self-publishers should know: http://bit.ly/tCl5WE @cathryanhoward

How Much Time Should Writers Devote to Social Media? http://bit.ly/sJ1Qse @JodyHedlund

5 reasons the queries received by 1 editor have been disappointing: http://bit.ly/slxJo2

Online resources for finding character names: http://bit.ly/vydQOq @tn_tobias

When the Reader Becomes the Enemy: Lessons from Pottermore: http://bit.ly/sDDsie @JamiGold for @HP4Writers

Mobile Barcode Advice for Writers: http://bit.ly/tbILie @GalleyCat

2012 Events for the Screenwriter: http://bit.ly/txIRZd @scriptmag

How Much Should You Explain in a Story's Beginning? http://bit.ly/sfJaBB @KMWeiland

Formulae for Success in Publishing: http://bit.ly/rYAOpd

Charles Dickens' Plan Sheets: http://bit.ly/tP2p9u @wolferiver

How to Bring Your Characters Into Focus: http://bit.ly/rK9xHq @2KoP for @Writeitsideways

Creating a Facebook Fan Page for Marketing — 1 Author's Experience: http://bit.ly/t4S8Rx @GoblinWriter

Tips for Dividing Your Novel for Serialization: http://bit.ly/uwfJ6X @dirtywhitecandy for @TuesdaySerial

How To Make Traditional Publishing Writer Friendly: http://bit.ly/sz5Ozv @KristineRusch

UK Publishers Seek 'Most Thrilling Outcome for Readers and Writers': http://bit.ly/uUbw2B @pubperspectives

On writing programs and processes: http://bit.ly/uOMJZw @kalayna

Tips for keeping your writing sanity: http://bit.ly/tZFUTC @YAHighway

Amazon Creates $6M Fund For Books Available In Lending Library: http://bit.ly/tJ01fs @GalleyCat

The emotional cycle for writing: http://bit.ly/s4P0ir @CherylRWrites

Independent Children's Publishing in France: Inspired, International, Ingenious: http://bit.ly/vd67gA @oliviasnaije for @pubperspectives

Sharing our work: http://bit.ly/rtOhuu

FutureBook con,kids & Kindles, ebook pricing & more industry news from @Porter_Anderson for @JaneFriedman: http://bit.ly/u6KXZ8

What it means to be an artisan writer: http://bit.ly/tbnsqJ @camillelaguire

Your Writing Goals: DARE to Reach Them: http://bit.ly/v6B7rz @KWrites2

What Happens to Your Manuscript in Hollywood? Part One: Solicitation: http://bit.ly/rGk7Q4 @RSMellette

Why 1 writer is joining Amazon's KDP Select: http://bit.ly/tVRDjk @TweetTheBook

9 things about writing: http://bit.ly/vChWPI @tobywneal

Developing a business plan for our writing: http://bit.ly/uAzsWH @rileymagnus for @JFBookman

The Big Mistake of Author Websites and Blogs: http://bit.ly/uIxnIW @JaneFriedman

Self-Publishing And The Definition Of An Indie Author: http://bit.ly/vaQDdJ @TheCreativePenn

Writer Beware: The Fine Print of Amazon's New KDP Select Program: http://bit.ly/rvedN3 @Victoria Strauss

Explore different platforms as a writer: http://bit.ly/vq7OGS @thewritermama

How to Write an Irresistible Blog Bio: http://bit.ly/trsDtO @catseyewriter

A Couple of Notes About "Couple": http://bit.ly/v3ifZ0 @writing_tips

All Work and No Play Makes A Dull Writer: http://bit.ly/ska4YO @gillespiekarin

Guilt Free Writing Time: http://bit.ly/vdsywn @BretBallou

A Quick-Start Guide to Teaching Yourself Creative Software: http://bit.ly/vmPSf3 @the99percent

On critiques: http://bit.ly/vwLgkB @CSLakin for @KMWeiland

The Friendship of Arthur Conan Doyle & Harry Houdini (& its influence on Doyle): http://bit.ly/vfIMB7 @brainpicker via @Porter_Anderson

Amazon Book Review Policy Explained: http://bit.ly/umKOH1 @GalleyCat

Understanding POV: http://bit.ly/ugVIde @C_Herringshaw

Why an editor might decline an editing job: http://bit.ly/tA3IuZ

How to create great content for your blog: http://bit.ly/uBXN3g @jammer0501

Barnes & Noble Has Shipped One Million Nook Tablets, Industry Report States: http://tcrn.ch/uxsAo3 @mjburnsy

St. Martin's Press Defends Lenore Hart Against Plagiarism Charges: http://bit.ly/vn0BNK @GalleyCat

Write Your Screenplay: Don't Run From Cliché: http://bit.ly/v2z0ow @jacobkrueger

Know the goal of your marketing plan: http://bit.ly/t7tIzi

Fighting an Invisible Enemy: Accepting Feedback: http://bit.ly/uQCrdC @EDFsChronicles

9 Habits of Extraordinary Blogs: http://bit.ly/sgHhEr @fluencymedia

Invest in yourself: http://bit.ly/uJXctK @sharonbially

Real life diagnostics on character likeability: http://bit.ly/rtt5TS @Janice_Hardy

Tips for hosting guest bloggers on your blog: http://bit.ly/ttpwds @KSElliott_Shark

What 1 poet has learned about self-publishing: http://bit.ly/uI8BWq @robertleebrewer

The Latest Best Argument Against Perfectionism: http://bit.ly/uu6EvT

The romantic fantasy and fantasy romance subgenres: http://bit.ly/tJ4V6K @FantasyFaction

Top 10 ways to promote your virtual book tour: http://bit.ly/rEYL7L @BookMarketer

An introduction to fan fiction: http://bit.ly/u4gTDg @Kerrie_Flanagan

Quick and Dirty Calculation of Break Even As a Result of Promotional Costs—by Eduardo R. Casas

Thanks to Ed Casas for guest posting today and covering a topic I know very little about! Thanks to Ed for developing a formula for finding it out.

BY EDUARDO R CASAS
Below is a simple way to calculate how many books one has to sell to recover the promotional costs ( or any additional fixed cost) of a marketing campaign.

Both in units and dollars

You need to know 4 things:

A. UNIT SALES PRICE
B. VARIABLE COTS PER UNIT
C. TOTAL FIXED COSTS
D. PROMOTION COSTS

The spread sheet is flexible so that every time you have any additional fixed costs or promotional costs just simply enter the amounts on the cell 1 FC for fixed costs, 2 FC for promotional costs , 3 FC automatically sums up all the costs , and below you can see the results.

For those who can use Excel, it's rather simple , if you would like an Excel copy of the spreadsheet, please send an email address in the comments or comment with an email to my blog.

You can see given these factors that an additional 333 books need to be sold to cover this additional cost. Just plug in the cells motioned new costs and the spreadsheet gives you the new results.

Born in Havana Cuba, Ed now lives in Coral Springs Florida. His experience as an auditor has spanned over 20 years. He has traveled to many international locations and has dealt with all kinds of financial situations, providing a myriad of experiences, from which Ed has drawn on for inspiration for his stories. You can find Ed on his blog, on Facebook, and at his profile on Crimespace.

Each Book is a Different Experience

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I was running errands recently and ran into a mom I haven't seen for a while.

"Have you had any books come out lately?" she asked.

I've had four this year.  Two were traditionally published, two I released myself through e-publishing. My friend asked if the writing just got easier and easier.

In some ways, that's true.  The mechanical stuff, the organizing of a book, just knowing you can do it—that gets easier.

But each of those books had a story of its own behind it—completely separate from the story I was telling.  It wasn't always smooth going, either.

Finger Lickin' Dead was a breeze to write.  I laughed all the way through it and wrote it in no time flat.  Easy.

Hickory Smoked Homicide was a book that I nearly deleted off my computer 1/3 of the way through because I lost direction.  I was so frustrated and panicked when I knew my deadline was looming.  I talked to a friend who happened to be an expert in the area I was struggling in,  found my direction again, and the rest went smoothly.

Progressive Dinner Deadly was a book that I wrote in 2009.  It was easily tidied up and released.  Took me about two weeks to edit. I e-published it, myself.

A Dyeing Shame  was a backlist book that I wrote circa 2002.   It took me longer to clean up that book than it took me to write Finger Lickin' Dead.  I finally got it to the point where I was pleased with it….and it's a completely different book. Only the killer is the same.  I even changed some of the character names.  I finally released it last week.

The point of these reflections is to remind me not to get discouraged while writing.  It all works out in the end. And not to experience hubris when writing goes really well (e.g. Finger Lickin' Dead.) 

I learn something from every book I write.  I think I learn more when I struggle through it than when it comes really easily to me.

Have you found that every book has its own personality?  How do you stay encouraged through the process?

On Sharing Our Work

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I had Bad Parenting Moment #1,000,001 (at least) on Sunday when I was at the theater with my ten year old daughter.

She's recently become completely obsessed with horses.  She writes poetry about horses, reads horse books, watches horse shows.  And she draws many, many pictures of horses.

My daughter had her sketchbook with her while we were waiting for The Nutcracker to start (surprisingly, she'd agreed to go, even though there were no horses in the ballet.)  A friend of mine was also at the ballet, noticed my daughter's sketchbook (which I was holding for her), and asked her about her artwork.

I said, "Oh, yes!  She's drawn some amazing pictures of horses!  Let me show you." And, proud mama that I am, I opened that sketchbook right up and started flipping through it.

My daughter was absolutely horrified.  She snatched it right back out of my hands and gave me a reproachful look.  I apologized immediately and was still apologizing the next day.

You'd think, of all people, I'd understand about the privacy aspect of creativity.  And I do, but only in an academic way.  Even as a kid—even at my daughter's age—I wanted to share my writing.  I'd shove three or four 3-ring binders of stories at you if you showed even the slightest inkling of interest.  You could be a teacher, a friend's parent, a fellow ten year old kid,  some random adult—I wanted to tell you a story.

But what I've realized over the years is that there's also a lot of pleasure in writing for ourselves. I have to remind myself of this.  Sometimes I'll be at writing conferences and a writer approach me to talk about writing.  I'll start asking about what avenues they're pursuing for publication—magazines?  Literary journals?  Are they querying agents?  Publishers? Going the e-publishing route?

And sometimes—they just blink at me.  They're totally happy, completely satisfied artistically, by just writing. They just wanted to talk to me about the writing craft. 

Honestly, sometimes I think they're the lucky ones.  There's so much non-artistic work that goes with publishing— promo, figuring out platforms, considering what will sell.  It's easy to lose the joy of it.

Occasionally, I've run into writers (or they've emailed me) who've written for themselves for years…and are now thinking about sharing their work.  They've asked me where they start out. 

I think, if someone is considering sharing their work, they should start sharing in a limited way.  Maybe look into critique groups  (in-person or online) and start getting used to hearing feedback.  And, if that group doesn't work, try another.

Are you happy writing for yourself or are there other artistic things you'd rather keep private (playing an instrument, drawing?)  Or do you write some things for publication and some things for yourself?

And, if you're looking for a quick and easy chicken recipe, join me at Terry's Place this morning.  I'm sharing a recipe for Apricot Chicken. :)

Setting Goals

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

It's getting close to the end of the year again…and I really don't know where the year went.

One thing that I'm usually good at is setting goals and deadlines for myself. It's really how I stay on track with the different projects I've got going on.

My problem tends to be long-term planning. My agent usually will kick me in the rear a little, trying to see what big picture ideas I have. But I've found when I'm really busy, I'm just trying to keep afloat ...not setting big goals.

The September issue of Writer's Digest had an article by Elizabeth Sims entitled "10 Things for Every Writer's Bucket List." She included things like publishing a short story, taking a writing retreat, and freelancing.

I found the idea of a writing bucket list very appealing. It makes my head hurt to try to set definitive deadlines for specific long-term goals. But I sure as heck can make a list of things I'd like to do before I die.

I think the best way to make these kinds of goals is to not factor in any of the stuff we ordinarily would factor in. Don't think about the logistics, the money, the time away from the kids. Just make a list.

What would be on my bucket list? Off the top of my head, I'm thinking that I'd like to try writing different genres and subgenres. I'd write a historical saga, a police procedural, and maybe dabble in lit fic. Oh, and maybe some noir.

I'd like to go on a literary-themed tour.

I'd like to try to narrate an audio book.

I'd like to go on a long writer's retreat…the kind where I can be as antisocial as I need to be.

I'm going ahead and making my list. Because the way time is flying, I have a feeling the next ten years are going to pass by like a second.

What kinds of things would you like to do or try as a writer?

Twitterific

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Below are the writing-related links I tweeted last week.

The Writer's Knowledge Base search engine, designed by software engineer and writer Mike Fleming, makes all these links (now over 12,000) searchable. Sign up for the free monthly WKB newsletter for the web's best links and interviews:http://bit.ly/gx7hg1 .

In recent news, my writing and computer programming friend Mike Fleming has launched his Hiveword Novel Writing Software. To check out what it's all about,just click here.

I've also released another backlist Myrtle Clover title to ebook. A Dyeing Shame is available on Kindle for $2.99(still in the process of uploading to other platforms.)

Pricing strategies for ebooks: http://bit.ly/uaLyWb @MarkCoker

How To Make Sure Your Book Is The Best It Can Be: http://bit.ly/teBf0R @TheCreativePenn

Self-Publishing: Carnival of the Indies: http://bit.ly/vlP1d2 @JFBookman

Confessions of a Big Six Editor: The Triumph of the Slush Pile: http://bit.ly/rIfrgi @AnneRAllen

Book Design Basics Part 1: Margins and Leading: http://bit.ly/vHOGMZ @daveBricker via @JFBookman

Another nice roundup of links for historical writers: http://bit.ly/trMLrl @2nerdyhistgirls

Zen and the Art of Withholding Information: http://bit.ly/veOY2v @TheReviewReview

Science fiction, legal reality: http://lat.ms/thlA8k @latimeshiltzik

Moral ambiguity in fantasy: http://bit.ly/rqyUxv @jameslsutter

Publishing more women writers: http://bit.ly/vbOE9x @PoetryDivas

Review--Kindle Touch: http://bit.ly/vPaSpj @DearAuthor

The Twitter Retweeting Policy of @Scalzi: http://bit.ly/vlS5WG

The yearning for secret writing: http://bit.ly/v6Fj5J @lisa_rivero

Action/Reaction - The Pistons Powering Your Story: http://bit.ly/tQnAjv @KMWeiland

Finishing your NaNo draft? Don't open it again until Christmas. http://bit.ly/vmyv1W @Dirtywhitecandy

The best role model might be someone who reinvents his career: http://bit.ly/v3ec2T @LAGilman

How to Read a Book Contract – Non-Competition: http://bit.ly/vJd0qJ @PassiveVoiceBlg

Goal setting for writers: http://bit.ly/u6LiIA @annegreenawalt

If you suspect your agent wants to drop you: http://bit.ly/vMaydZ @literaticat

Appeal is ageless: http://bit.ly/tG1qGW

5 Ways to Never Run Out of Blog Post Ideas: http://bit.ly/sV6LwJ @Non_Toxic_Kids

Leading lines: http://bit.ly/vADDJ2 @RavenRequiem13

Creativity Tweets of the Week — 11/28/11: http://bit.ly/vG7nl6 @on_creativity

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Secondary characters can add dimension and tension: http://bit.ly/u4gERc @JulietteWade

Antagonists–The Alpha and the Omega of the Story: http://bit.ly/veN1Sr @KristenLambTX

Increasing tension in our novel: http://bit.ly/tvDdO9 @luciennediver

Hero's Journey--Thor: http://bit.ly/thSbP7 @PAShortt

Why Our Characters Must Fail: http://bit.ly/sigCyF @jillkemerer

5 Reasons To Sign Up For A Writers' Conference: http://bit.ly/sPiXYf @writeitsideways

23 Inevitable Questions to Ask Yourself at the End of NaNoWriMo: http://bit.ly/vjPGpp @VictoriaMixon

Essential Elements of a Bestselling Thriller: http://bit.ly/u7uLEU @JodieRennerEd

Have passion for your writing: http://bit.ly/w1ZNQ7 @jamieraintree

8 ways to find your writing groove: http://bit.ly/tXAqgL @authorterryo

How and where to begin a story: http://bit.ly/uvimiY @JulietteWade

Give your writing some physical therapy: http://bit.ly/vVgCmz @JHansenWrites

When You Need To Write FAST (And Procrastination Is Not An Option): http://bit.ly/rV4bbl @NovelRocket

Choose your own adventure: http://bit.ly/sux05p @FantasyFaction

Even Though Free is IN, Don't Forget to Buy Books Too: http://bit.ly/vBnbxi @JodyHedlund

Using QR Code to Promote Work: http://bit.ly/tt6aHt @luannschindler

Turn Your WordPress Blog Into a Book: http://bit.ly/sWNiSC @JaneFriedman

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Author Blogging 101: Where Are the Readers? http://bit.ly/rz7609 @JFBookman

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5 ways to generate blog post ideas: http://bit.ly/u66ih4 @problogger

What We Should Learn from the Collapse of Borders: http://bit.ly/v1Qurh @JosephJEsposito for @scholarlykitchn

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40 French Expressions "En Tout": http://bit.ly/vmmkPx

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Hook--the 1st line: http://bit.ly/w1Eo9n @artzicarol

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College-Aged YA Protagonists: http://bit.ly/rT6yVT @Kid_Lit

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The agent game: http://bit.ly/terHQR

Freelance Writing 101: Tired of Being Tired: http://bit.ly/sOkhzf @krissybrady

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The No. 1 Overlooked Skill for Every Author: http://bit.ly/w35kcH @JaneFriedman

Writer's Block: The 12-Step Cure: http://bit.ly/rJJ9nF @TheCreativePenn

5 Reasons Starving Artists Stay Starving: http://bit.ly/vu4Xqk @GeoffreyCubbage

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The editorial-business divide at scholarly presses: http://bit.ly/vgI8BM @kanderson

10 Mistakes SFF Writers Make With Research: http://bit.ly/sqoEAw @BryanThomasS

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Ports of Call in @GeneLempp 's blog series that connects archaeology with : http://bit.ly/rQpZMF

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From the 1st draft to the last: http://bit.ly/siQ8ew

4 Ways to End Your Writing Year Right: http://bit.ly/vuOGxG @WritersLeague

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10 Things You Need To Know About Writing Conflict: http://bit.ly/tqy27y @ajackwriting

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Cool tools to track platform growth: http://bit.ly/tE6Nko @WritersDigest

Dreamers Vs. Goalers: Writers Need to Be Both: http://bit.ly/s6pR83 @writeitsideways

What Writers Can Learn From Politicians: http://bit.ly/vaT1TI @greyhausagency

A Planner tackles NaNoWriMo: http://bit.ly/s54P8I

Top links this week for writers from @4KidLit: http://bit.ly/vkTuJ6

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10 blog posts that will command attention: http://bit.ly/uqyx54 @SeanPlatt

Screenwriters--translating Hollywood speak: http://bit.ly/uQyT5F @scriptmag #screenwriting

Audiobooks--a cautionary tale: http://bit.ly/tBJq1d @neilhimself

Writing To Sell: Sucker's Game Or Not? http://bit.ly/sZKrgV @jenna_blum

What to write: http://bit.ly/vq4I6N @bob_mayer

A writer's plea: http://bit.ly/tVMjy9 @kmcriddle

Swimming to find your characters. http://bit.ly/taAH18 @p2p_editor

Body Language: An Artistic Writing Tool: http://bit.ly/saJvet @SharlaWrites

Monday Musing: Are You Building Your World, Or Limiting It? http://bit.ly/vq4V2d #writiing

5 reasons for agent rejections: http://bit.ly/rqyGgl

A picture book illustrator's process: http://bit.ly/sdYljW @WheelerStudio

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Rethinking the Familiar Book Tour: http://bit.ly/teifgr @PassiveVoiceBlg

1 writer's top 5 writing tips: http://bit.ly/tfOs3E @kayedacus

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What Authors Need to Know About Virtual Book Tours: http://bit.ly/vVyJrE @BookMarketer for @JFBookman

Why you can't afford to take your eye off your Amazon sales: http://bit.ly/uZ771q @rule17

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The Book Signing Monologues: http://bit.ly/tu4rLW @krissybrady

10 Lessons Learned in 10 Months Blogging: http://bit.ly/rSZVbU

On Being the Writer You Are: http://bit.ly/sUKHgV

Why You Should Write 20 Posts Before You Launch Your Blog: http://bit.ly/tJI2TL @Problogger

Pen Names and Pseudonyms : http://bit.ly/vSUPSN

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The Next Phase of NaNoWriMo: Editing: http://bit.ly/t1Exl4

Understanding royalties: http://bit.ly/trBbQv @ChuckSambuchino

3 Tips for Curing "Someday Syndrome" : http://bit.ly/vq1Fg4 @JulieMusil

Slow Writer Reform School: http://bit.ly/sBuX3O @RoniLoren

The Importance of Writing Good Copy

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Jane Friedman had a great post on Writer Unboxed on Wednesday.  She said that copywriting is the number one overlooked skill for authors.

In her post, Jane covers several different ways that copywriting is important to writers.  

I loved her post because I've found exactly the same thing.  There have been tons of times when copywriting skills have come in handy.  Here are some places I've found copywriting useful:

Very short and sweet copy:  Bookmarks, directories/catalogs, tiny bios for places like Twitter, Twitter headlines, etc.  If you write enough Twitter headlines, you've mastered the art of headline writing.  For bookmarks, you've really just got a few words to say something about your book.  Twitter is 140 characters for a bio or tweet.

Long copy:  Writing a long bio is one of the hardest things I've ever had to write.  My life isn't the most fascinating thing on paper.  But it's amazing how many times I'm asked for a long bio. Plus, we always have an "about me" page to fill on our website or blog.  If you self-publish, you would need to come up with a product description for your book, too—not too long, but not too short, either.

Short ad-style copy:  My editor sometimes asks me to read other books from Penguin authors and to blurb them if I like the books.  If I'm writing copy that goes on a cover or inside the book, it's got to be pithy and persuasive.

Titles:  I'm always asked to submit title ideas for my books.  My publishers rarely choose them (they have a whole department of professional copywriters), but I want to submit something to them that is worthy of being chosen.  I did come up with Pretty is as Pretty Dies.

Epub Everything: In this new era of publishing, we'd better be ready to write all kinds of copy.  For Progressive Dinner Deadly, I wrote all the copy for the book…product description, title, and any short ad copy related to the mystery.

Professional emails:  Copywriting skills come in handy even with something that seems basic and mundane, like emails.   But it's good to be able to write an email that gets to the point quickly.

Writing copy is definitely different from writing our novels.  I've found that it can be very satisfying, though (maybe because we're using a different part of our brain?  Or because it's a challenge.)

What kinds of copy have you had to learn to write?  Have you found that it comes easier with practice?

Help for Dragging Plots

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

My husband is a regular viewer and fan of The Walking Dead series on AMC.

It's not the kind of thing I usually watch, but I've caught the show with my husband a few times. I know that a lot of writers watch it too, because I've see their posts in my blog reader.

Lately, the consensus of most of the posts I've read is that the show was dragging a little. That the plot wasn't moving quickly enough, that there was too much dialogue, not enough action, and that the group of survivors seemed to be bogged down.

My husband just wanted more zombies. :)

But then, Sunday night was the mid-season finale (I didn't even know there was such a thing) and the pace picked up.

There still weren't a lot of zombies in the episode, but I didn't hear any complaints from my husband. The writers had kicked the tension up a notch. I'll be vague here so there won't be any spoilers.

How the writers picked up the pace and made things interesting:

They pitted characters against each other in ways that developed the storyline.

They increased the tension by threatening a development that would put the characters at risk.

They added ambiguity to the situation by posing questions that they didn't immediately provide the answers to.

They added a twist.

They put a character in a situation where he had to act against his own moral code. (Great internal conflict resulting from external conflict).

They added depth to supporting characters by showing other sides to them.

The reviews online from writers I follow were very positive---they thought the episode worked well….even without more zombies.

What do you do when your plot starts dragging?

On Signings

by Elizabeth S. Craig @elizabethscraig

It's funny that writing promo usually equals signings in the minds of non-writers.

Frequently, I'll have an acquaintance or friend ask me if I'm planning to have a signing at one of the local bookstores.  Or they'll suggest a bookstore in another town that they're familiar with.

I'll always try to summon up some enthusiasm and a polite response, but usually I'm shrinking away a little.  Signings are my least favorite form of promo.

The problems with signings:

It's randomly targeted marketing instead of directly targeted.  You're basically just hoping that someone who walks into the store that day is interested in having a signed copy of any book.

The signing table that the store provides is usually not in a great spot.

You're having to basically do direct sales.  If you sit there mildly at your little table without saying a word, you likely won't have any sales at all.

Making a tough situation better:

Don't sit at the table.  Stand up or even walk around a little.

Have something to do…handing out bookmarks is a good thing to do (and can be a conversation-starter).

Plan the signing in a good location.  This could mean having it in the town you grew up in (where you still are acquainted with lots of people, but maybe they haven't had the perfect opportunity to buy your book).  This could also mean thinking outside the box and having the signing at a local craft fair or venue other than a bookstore.

Goodies for the bookstore staff are always popular.

Goodies for the shoppers are popular, too.  You can just put a little basket of individually-wrapped candy on your table and many more people will come by.  Some writers are especially clever and will have little tie-ins for their books attached their giveaway.

Before you leave your signing, ask the store if you can sign the leftover stock (and if they have some "autographed copy" stickers.)

Unless you're a big name, signings are usually not the best way to sell a bunch of books (although I've done well at signings in the town I grew up in…because my mother drums up business among her friends!)   Online promo is a free way to reach readers all over the world—who are interested in either you or the genre you write.

How do you feel about signings?  Have any additional tips to share?