Riley Adams's Blog, page 19

LitLinks

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links 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 / MiscellaneousWhy Professional Editing is Vital for ALL Authors: @beemweeksPreparing for the ghostwriting interview: @jbernoffWriting: Be Your Best in Interviews: @lindsclareSelf-publishing News: Amazon to Use AI to Provide Review Summaries: @agnieszkasshoes @indieauthoralliConferences and Events / MiscellaneousThe German Book Prize Names Its 2023 Longlist: @Porter_Anderson Tips for Attending a Writing Conference: @P_M_AndersonDaniel Kehlmann: The German Peace Prize’s Salman Rushdie Speech: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe Ackerley Prize for Autobiography Names Its 2023 Shortlist: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration10 Quotes to Inspire Your Creativity: @BethVogt @ediemelson6 Useful ChatGPT Prompts for Fiction Writers: by Juliet DreamhunterCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers37 Days of Shakespeare: Henry VIII @cockeyedcaravan5 books to read during jury duty: by Nicole Kugel @lithubCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Stef Harris’ Double Jeopardy: @margotkinbergSeven Thrillers In Which Friendships Are Threatened: @ImMeganCollins @crimereadsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockWhat is Writer’s Block? A Guide to the Writer’s Worst Nightmare @reedsyhqCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyHow I Zero-Drafted a Novel in 6 Weeks: @KelseyAllagoodCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeDo the Questions Writers Ask Really Have Concrete Answers? @LarryJLeechII on @EdieMelsonWriting Myths: The Perfect Time/Place to Write: How Truman Capote Was Destroyed by His Own Masterpiece: @EbsBurnough @lithub5 Simple Ways To Make It As A Writer: @bang2writeAm I Becoming a Recluse? @SueColetta1How to Figure Out Which Writing Advice Fits You Best: @trishajennreads @janefriedmanKeep Trying, Don’t Give Up: @BeingTheWriterDo You Have What it Takes to be a Great Travel Writer? @jeremybassetti @colleen_m_storyWrite Like No One is Reading: by Liam CrossHow to Take Criticism and Turn It into Growth in 5 Steps: by Daniella LevyWhat’s the Best Way to Learn to Be a Writer? @annerallen11 takeaways to create a writing career from random and unpromising beginnings: @Roz_MorrisGenres / FantasyBoosting Your Speculative Fiction: 5 Creative Writing Techniques to Explore Alternate Realities: @StuartConover @HorrorTreeGenres / MysteryThe Characters of Cozy Mystery: @MandSMagazineHonoring a Fictional Lineage of Women Detectives: by Ripley Jones @crimereadsSix Rules for Writing About True Crime: by Barbara Butcher @careerauthorsPsychological Thrillers and the Concept of Home: @tashasylva @crimereadsPolitical Thriller Protagonists: @MandSMagazineGenres / Science FictionWriting Science Fiction: 8 Ideas for Quantum Leaps in Craft: @nownovelPromo / BloggingThe Powerful Impact of Finding Positive Blogging Role Models: @ninaamirThe Basics of Writing and Blogging for the Digital Audience: @ediemelsonPromo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingHow to Write a Book Description: by Lauren Aldrich @bookbubPromo / MiscellaneousHow to Market a Book for a More Successful Launch: @bookgalPromo / Social Media TipsThe Right Way to Use Social Media for Authors: @foxprintedPromo / Websites5 Stunning Author Websites (& What They’ve Done Right): by Alex J Coyne @theIWSGPublishing / MiscellaneousThe Rights Imperative for Frankfurt’s Guest of Honor Slovenia: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRichard Charkin: A Day in the Life of a ‘One Person Band’ Publisher: @rcharkin @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataAAP StatShot: US Sales Up 1.2 Percent in First Half of 2023: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingIn Brazilian Educational Publishing: A Crisis Averted: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUkrainian Independence Day: Hay Plans Second Lviv Partnership: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingFormatting in an email query: @Janet_ReidPublishing / Process / ContractsThe Intimidating Business Details of Contracts: by Laura Vanarendonk BaughHow to Negotiate Without Fear: @bookendsPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidHow Scammers Are Using Amazon and Amazon Trademarks to Rip Writers Off: @victoriastraussWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentList of 125 Positive Attributes: @BrynDonovanChoosing Your Character’s Occupation: @MaeClair1 @storyempireCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Grotesque: @beccapuglisi3 Unusual Female Character Tropes Audiences LOVE: @bang2writeWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Sara Blaedel’s The Killing Forest: @margotkinbergWriting Craft / ConflictThe Difficulty in Killing Zombies: from How to Fight WriteWriting Craft / Dialogue9 Common Dialogue Problems and How to Fix Them: @AnneRAllenTips on Writing Dialogue: @BookDoctor4uWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and Film5 Bits Of Writing Advice From Kathy Reichs: by Alex J. Coyne
@Writers_WriteScene Analysis: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn: @abigailkperry @diymfaBarbie Has Always Been About Storytelling: @ECthetwit @tordotcomWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWriting For Different Audiences: @MorganHzlwoodWriting in Present Tense: The Secret to This Popular Writing Style: @davechesson5 Timeless Tips for Career Novelists: @jamesscottbellWhat is a Foil Character? Our Definition and Examples: @davechessonWriting a Character’s Thoughts: @OpAwesome69 Ways to Show the Reader it’s Love: @kcraftwriter @writerunboxedStop Pulling on Threads: @richardgthomas3Writing in Future Tense: The Secret to Using This Unusual Tense in Writing: @davechessonHide Exposition Inside Confrontation: @jamesscottbellWriting Craft / Pacing13 Tips to Create Irresistible Stories with Powerful Pacing: @LynetteMBurrowsWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningHow To Outline By the Seat of Your Pants: @Stepha_OBrienWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarUsing Apostrophes with Letters and Numbers: @TheGrammarDiva

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Writing Myths: The Perfect Time/Place to Write

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I remember being in my twenties, out of college and unhappy with the banking job I had. I’d been an English major and was planning on writing, but was waiting for the right time. I’m not exactly sure when I thought the right time might be, but it didn’t seem to be when I was in a stultifying mortgage banking job. I’d remembered reading about the Lost Generation in Paris in the 1920s. Birmingham, AL in the 1990s didn’t seem to be quite the same.

Directly following my banking stint didn’t seem to be any better, either. I had a baby . . . a pretty active one. I was juggling playgroups, diapers, and grandparent visits. It definitely didn’t seem like the right time.

And that effectively took care of my entire 20s, ha.  :)

After a move to NC and baby #2 came, I started looking at things a little differently. There wasn’t going to be a mythical right time, was there? There were always going to be other obligations. There may not even be any peace and quiet. But writing was important to me, so I decided the right time was then and there.

Maybe you’re in the same spot. Maybe you’re wanting life to calm down just a little bit. But there’s that niggling thought in the back of your mind that you should be writing.

Here are some tips that helped me out:

Learn flexibility in terms of place and time. Can you write when you first wake up? During your lunch break? While your baby sleeps? In the carpool line? On paper? On a laptop?

Learn how to tune out what’s going on around you. You’ll get so much more done if you can block noise out. Or if you can write while listening to some sort of music or white noise in your earbuds.

Reduce your expectations. Shoot for something small and doable. 15 minutes. 5 minutes. A single page. Two paragraphs.

Value consistency over excellent work. To keep your project moving forward, it’s helpful to realize that you can always edit later.

How have you adjusted your writing time in order to get more done?

There Isn't a Perfect Place or Time to Write:
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Lit Links

 

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 / MiscellaneousIn the shoes of another: reflections on editing and ghostwriting: @jbernoffMore thoughts on hybrid publishing: @pubcoach9 Ways That Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Disrupt Authors And The Publishing Industry. An Update With Joanna Penn And Nick Thacker: @thecreativepennWhat Remedies Do Authors Have When Fraudulent Work Appears on Amazon? @JaneFriedman @HotSheetPubSelf-publishing News: Amazon (eventually) Tackles Latest Fake Books Scam: @agnieszkasshoes @indieauthoralliDear Author, Are You Human? Certifying Authenticity: @VictoriaStraussFantasy Author Shows How Crowdfunding and Substack Are Done: @howard_lovy @russellnoheltyBook Files and Formats: How to Protect Your Writing Investment: @Wogahn @janefriedmanEarning Full-Time Royalties on Part-Time Hours: @dkparsonswriter @selfpubformConferences and Events / MiscellaneousThe United Kingdom’s Forward Prizes’ 2023 Shortlists in Poetry: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesTom Chatfield Chairs ALCS, Singapore Announces Translation Symposium: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesLondon’s FT Business Book of the Year: A 15-Title Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurt Names the Philippines Its 2025 Guest of Honor: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Goal settingHow to Set and Achieve Personal Writing Goals: @TheLeighShulmanCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration31 Writing Prompts: @MiaJouBotha @writers_writeCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFive Great Thrillers Featuring Domineering Parents: by David Bell @crimereadsCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Graham Norton’s Holding: @margotkinberg37 Days of Shakespeare: Julius Caesar: @cockeyedcaravanFive Classic SF Stories About Invasive Species: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcom7 Contemporary Finnish Novels in Translation: by Mia Spangenberg @electriclit7 Books About Women Across the World Searching for Agency: @MihretSibhat @electriclitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingOptimizing Your Creative Energy — Starting, Focusing, Finishing: With Orna Ross and Joanna Penn: @indieauthoralliCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeUnleashing Your Writing Identity: @TheLeighShulmanEtiquette Basics When Sharing Online Content: @ediemelsonWriting Myths: The Solitary Writer: Helping verbs are curious, AND fascinating: by Edwin L. Battistella
@OUPAcademicEmylia Hall’s Journey to Happy Writing: @TheNovelryThe Most—and Least—Enjoyable Parts of Writing: @jamesscottbellCreate a Happy and Healthy Writing Life: by Ambre Dawn Leffler @diymfaHow ChatGPT Wrote My Book Title: by Marcie Geffner @writerunboxedShowing Myself in My Author Photo—Gray Hair and All: @authorcaitlin @lithubGenres / FantasyBuilding Sufficiently Advanced Magic in your World: @jrlalloGenres / HorrorThe Tale of an Accidental Horror Writer: by Gigi Griffis @crimereadsGenres / MysteryElectrify Your Thriller With These Tips from the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock: by Dana Isaacson @careerauthors5 Reasons Why Suburban Life is Irresistible to a Suspense Writer: by Clare Boyd @womenwritersHow Murder Mystery Theater Taught Me How to Craft Diabolical Puzzles: @gregkarber @crimereadsDouble Standards as Elements in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / Non-FictionFiction vs Nonfiction: Definitions, Examples, and Ideas: @davechessonGenres / Picture BooksWriting for a Difficult Audience—Young Readers: @shutta @floridawriters1Genres / Poetry5 Lessons Learned from Writing Poetry: by Manuela Williams @diymfaGenres / RomanceWriting Romance and Love Stories: Complete Guide: @nownovelGenres / ScreenwritingWhy Can’t a Novelist Write Like a Screenwriter? @annerallenPromo / BloggingCase Study: How I Became a Substack Featured Publication: @danblank @wegrowmediaWhy Bloggers Need to Be Ready for the Normal Ebb and Flow of Blogging Numbers: @EdieMelsonPromo / MetadataFinding Keywords for Your Book: @DancingLemurPre @TheIWSGPromo / MiscellaneousMarketing Your New Book on a Budget: @karencvThe Seven Processes of Publishing: Marketing: @indieauthoralliThe Seven Processes of Publishing: Book Promotion: @indieauthoralliPromo / PricingFour Lessons I Learned From Giving My Novel Away: by J.U. ScribePromo / Social Media TipsDon’t fall Into the TMI Trap on Social Media: @ediemelsonPublishing / MiscellaneousOpen Access: 100 Big Ten Titles on Gender and Sexuality: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesTaylor & Francis: A Push for Research Summaries in ‘Plain Language’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCopyright Update: Internet Archive Injunction Leaves Some Concerns: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPRH Rolls Out Banned Books Resources: ‘Let Kids Read’: @pubperspectivesIOP Publishing Announces ‘Environmental Research 2023’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesOpen Access: MIT Press to Expand its ‘Direct to Open’ Model: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingChina Bestsellers in July: Etiquette and Education: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada: A Nationwide Coalition Demands a Copyright Fix: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesNorwegian AR Platform Ludenso Partners with Books of Discovery: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesKen Cleary Made Scholastic’s President of International: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesRights Roundup: Chinese-Language Words-to-Screen: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingMyth vs. Expectation For Trad-Published Authors: @deanwesleysmithPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingLiterary Agent Interview: Daniele Hunter Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @NatalieIAguirre @DanieleDHunterPublishing / Process / ContractsPublishing Contracts You Shouldn’t Sign: @EricaVerrilloWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentFive Reasons to Identify Your Character’s Wounding Event: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: The Chosen One: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writers3 Quick Tips On Effective Character Development: @bang2writeA New Way to Think About the Lie the Character Believes: @kmweilandCreate a Character Profile Using ChatGPT or Sudowrite: by Steph PajonasCharacter in the Tapestry: Writing from Culture to Character: by Janet ForbesFlawed Characters: @gmplano @storyempireWriting Craft / Common MistakesDon’t Start Your Novel With the Weather: @LynneS_AuthorWriting Craft / DialogueDialogue Tags: Everything You Need to Know About Speaker Attribution: @davechessonWhat To Leave Out Of the Dialogue You Write: @PeggySueWells @ediemelsonWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFive Characters Who Make Extreme Choices for No Reason: by
Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / MiscellaneousThe Story Twist: by Marilynn ByerlyMastering Foreshadowing in Your Story: @JerryBJenkinsPassive Voice: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Misuses in Your Writing @storygridWriting for Children: Twisting Your Plot and Delighting Your Readers: by Jane ChoateWhat Fiction Writers Should Know About Passive Voice: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / POVFive Tips for Writing a Novel with two or more Viewpoint Characters: @gailaldwin @womenwritersPoint of View (POV): Five Elements: @StephenGeez @storyempireWriting Craft / RevisionOverwhelmed with Revisions? Use This Roadmap to Stay On Course: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersWriting Craft / ScenesChoosing the Right Scenes to Go in the Right Places: @livewritethrive

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Writing Myths: The Solitary Writer

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Today, I’m looking at another common myth: the solitary writer.

I’m thinking this one dates back to the days of Louisa May Alcott and earlier. I remember Jo and her “writer’s garret” where she would work. And, of course, we have Virginia Woolf with “A Room of One’s Own.”

That’s not to say it’s important to have some dedicated time and a space to write. But it may have more with having people respect those things than it is having a particular spot and time.

It can be helpful to write in a quiet spot by yourself. But sometimes, that quiet space at home is going to manage to remind you that the dishwasher needs to be unloaded, the laundry folded, and meals started. Sometimes I find that I can get the most done by working around others. There’s something about sitting in a library or a coffee shop among other people working on different things that can be motivating.

I think this isolation myth extends beyond a physical space. The life of a writer is often thought to be solitary in other ways. After all, many writers are introverts and observers. We can be more comfortable when we’re looking at the world through a lens.

Nothing exists in a vacuum, though. And writers do better, I believe, as part of a community.

The best things about the writing community to me are the support it offers and the information and resources it brings to the table. I wouldn’t have been able to get as far in my career today if it hadn’t been for the support of my blogging friends and mentors early in the process.

Where can you find your writing community? There are plenty of places online. There’s a great community at the Insecure Writers’ Support Group. There is also a great community of writers on YouTube (you can check out writing sprints here). Plus, there are plenty of writing groups on Facebook.

Maybe, like most everything, it’s important to balance out the quiet moments with the community.

Are you engaged in the writing community? How has it helped you as a writer?

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Lit Links

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links 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 / MiscellaneousI Would Rather See My Books Get Pirated Than This (Or: Why Goodreads and Amazon Are Becoming Dumpster Fires): @JaneFriedmanAcademia Opening Up to Indie Authors: Researching Self-publishing: @ReadingForce @indieauthoralliBalancing Speed and Substance: @AnneJanzerSelf-publishing News: IngramSpark Turns 10: @agnieszkasshoes @indieauthoralliConferences and Events / MiscellaneousMasha Gessen Wins Germany’s Hannah Arendt Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIn London, Schroders Backs the Business Book of the Year Award: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesEarth-Minded Wainwright Prize Issues a 10th Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesConferences and Events / NaNoWriMo5 Tips for NaNoWriMo First-Timers: @demimschwartz @nanowrimoCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationYour Magnificent “What If” Muscle: @jamesscottbellThe Best Music to Appease Your Nagging Muse: @KMazeauthorResearch Notes and Fun Facts For Writers: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthorsImproving Your Creativity: @GarryRodgers1
@killzoneauthors25 Hero’s Journey Story Ideas to Start an Epic Adventure: by Sue WeemsCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFive Riveting Thrillers Unfolding in Wooded Isolation: @Kate_Robards @crimereads7 Books about Gripping Family Secrets: @thaozer @electriclitPreaching to the Choir–Making a Case for Reading: @VaughnRoycroft @writerunboxedWhat You Can Learn When You Hate a Book: @bookendsFive Books I Will Never Forget (For Highly Specific Reasons): @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingFind More Time To Write by Utilizing These 15 Tips: @ediemelsonCreativity and Inspiration / Writing Life4 Writerly Types—Which One Fits You Best? @AneMulligan @ediemelsonHow to Learn From a Mentor: @dkparsonswriter @selfpubformWriting Myths: Work and Writing: What ghostwriting is really like: @DanielPaisner @ReadAlessandraHenry David Thoreau Was Funnier Than You Think, Particularly on the Subject of Work: by John Kaag and Jonathan van Belle @lithubA wild imagination + a shy disposition = a writer: @Roz_Morris @HarrisonHickma1On the Dangers of Teaching and Writing at the Same Time: @Clynchwriter @lithub10 Ways to Stomp Out Writer Perfectionism: @DiAnnMills @ediemelsonThe Top Ten Traits of Successful Writers – Can You See Yourself? @HowellWave @storyempireMake Writer Friends (Tips for INFP Fiction Writers): @amandalinehanGenres / FantasyCan I Write Progressive Christian Fantasy? by Oren AshkenaziGenres / HorrorScaring Your Readers: Tips for Writing Effective Horror: @horrortreeGenres / MemoirFirst Page Critique: Defining the Scope of Your Memoir: by Hattie Fletcher @janefriedmanGenres / MysteryCrime Fiction: The Dangers of Answering Ads: @margotkinbergHow Cormac McCarthy Used Crime Fiction’s Tropes to Make Masterpieces: @nkolakowski @crimereadsIn These Thrillers, the Setting Becomes a Pivotal Character: @CEMcKenzie1 @crimereadsFour Popular Mystery Tropes and Why We Love Them: by Katie Garner @crimereadsMystery Tropes: Stumbling Upon Bodies: @MargotKinbergWistfulness as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / RomanceThe Slow Pivot From HEAs to HFNs: by Christina Hamlett @womenwritersWriting (Un)Awkward Romantic Scenes: by Sara Butler ZaleskyPromo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingHow To Write A Logline: 5 Key Tips To Remember (And 5 To Avoid): @bang2writePromo / MiscellaneousWays for Authors to Cross-Promote Their Books: by Ellen L. BuikemaHow to Quick Pitch Your Book: @RuthHarrisBooksOn the Pitfalls of Book Promotion in the Internet Age: @TomRachman @lithubBusiness Musings: One Thing Versus Many (Niche Marketing): by Kristine RuschPromo / Social Media TipsDoes TikTok Still Sell Books? @indieauthoralliPublishing / MiscellaneousBeyond Book Banning: PEN America Warns of ‘Booklash: @Porter_Anderson ‘ @PubPerspectivesKKR Agrees To Buy Simon & Schuster for $1.62 Billion: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesAccessibility: Translator Mentoring at UK National Centre for Writing: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCopyright: Publishers, Internet Archive File Court Proposal: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataCircana on July’s US Print Book Market: A Slight Frontlist Gain: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingFree Expression: French and US Industries’ New Challenges: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBook Aid International: 25,000 Books for Ukrainian Libraries: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesGermany’s KulturePass: Books Lead in Unit Sales: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada: Valsoft’s Aspire Software Division Acquires Germany’s Klopotek: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAuthor Dmitry Glukhovsky Sentenced to Prison by Moscow: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesNotes From Armenia and Romania: Book Markets Under Pressure: @pubperspectives by Eugene GerdenThe Netherlands’ Wolters Kluwer Touts Citation Highs for Lippincott: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIndian Minister Irani Speaks at Publishers’ Conference: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingAre You Really Ready? When To Query Agents: by Lizzy Goudsmit-Kay @thenovelryWhen a copyright notice is a deal breaker: @janet_reidPublishing / Process / LegalitiesNegotiating Your Short Fiction Contracts: by Karawynn Long @sfwaWriting Craft / BeginningsFive Ways NOT to Start a Story: by Erica VetschWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentThe 7 Dragons for Character Development: @adchristiano @diymfaWriting Characters Readers Connect With: @donnajostoneCan Your Series Characters Evolve? Yes. Do They Have To Change Over Time? No. by David Housewrigh @crimereadsWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionWriting High Emotion Scenes: @lindasclareWriting Craft / DialogueDialogue Tags vs Action Beats: by Pat Spencer @a3writersWriting Craft / DraftsHow to Write a Good First Draft: @foxprintedWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow to Sharpen Your Story – with Kristina Stanley: @selfpubformWriting for Different Ages: @dlfinnauthorLearn from the Masters: @stacitroilo @storyempireWhat’s A Beach Read & How Do I Write One? by Susanne Bennett @writers_writeHow To Recycle Writing Ideas: by The Well-Rounded WriterCharacters care about external stakes. READERS care about internal stakes: by T.L. BodineWhat Does Your Character Want? Desire vs. Plot Goal vs. Moral Intention vs. Need: @kmweilandHow to Determine Your Novel’s Time Span: @livewritethriveDirectionality in Fiction: Why You Need it & How to Create it: @septcfawkesBlue Prose: What Is It, Do You Need It, and When to Avoid It: @davechesson280+ Strong Verbs: 3 Tips to Strengthen Your Verbs in Writing: @joebuntingWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingMaster List: Plot & Story Structure: from Writing Questions AnsweredWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchRevolver v. Pistol: Do Your Characters Know the Difference? @LeeLoflandWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionWhy Setting Matters: by C. Michele Dorsey @careerauthors

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Writing Myths: Work and Writing

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I once heard a writer say that it was a danger sign when you start calling your writing “work”. That writing should be fun and something we look forward to each day.

I get where the writer was coming from. And I think most writers do start with a true love of writing. The creative process can be fun. It’s often fun. But it’s definitely not always fun, at least for me, and I think for most of us.

But the thing that troubles me the most is that statement discounts the fact that writing, at least for those of us who are doing it either part-time or full-time, is also a business. And that business is work.

Most of my day is spent on the business of writing. That might be formatting translations, placing orders for covers, communicating with my editorial team, updating my website, running ads, or reading industry articles to make sure I’ve got the latest information on best practices for selling books.

If we don’t treat what we do as a job, if we don’t call it work, if we speak of it to others as a hobby or minimize it in some ways, we’re opening the door for others not to take it seriously.

My family and friends always ask me when they call if I’m in the middle of anything and if they should call me back. They respect my time and what I do because I respect it, myself.

That being said, I do try to remember to put the fun in writing. If days go by and I’m not having fun (feeling delight over a bit of dialogue, enjoying tweaking a draft), it’s a sign that I might be burning out. That’s when I make sure to take time to fill my writing well.

I’m curious to hear how writing feels to you most of the time? Work? Fun? A balance? How do you refer to your writing when you talk about it with non-writers?

Is Writing Work? Should It Be?
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Lit Links

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links 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 / MiscellaneousWriting for Children’s Magazines: @RDCwritesHow Intelligent is Artificial Intelligence? by Dave King @writerunboxedComparing Fiction vs Non Fiction Sales: by Doug LewarsHow to Sell Books Direct to Readers: The Complete Guide: @davechessonConferences and Events / MiscellaneousIn England: The Booker Prize Names Its 2023 Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGermany’s BücherFrauen, Book Women, Issue Their Prize’s Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationWriting Myths: Inspiration: 21 Road Trip Writing Prompts: by Joe BuntingCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: A.M. Stuart’s Singapore Sapphire: @MargotKinbergFive Novels Featuring Political Scandals and Skulduggery: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomThe Western Gothic in Film, Music, and Literature: A Primer: @jonbassoff @crimereadsThe Four Women-in-Fantasy Tropes I’m Bored With: by Emily RussellUnreliable Narrators, Unrealized Stories, and the Unexpected Perils of Hate-Reading: @kaliwallace @tordotcomDifferent Forms of Reading Still Count: @mollytempleton @tordotcom7 Obsessive Love Affairs in Literature: by Bronwyn Fischer @electriclitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingNo time to write? Make solid progress in just 5 minutes: @annkroekerCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyHow to Write 5,000 Words a Day: by Bamidele Onibalusi @theryanlanzCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeThe Daily Routine of a Full-Time Author? by P.S. HoffmanWriters Don’t Need to Suffer To Make Art: @HaleyJakobson @lithubHow to kill your productivity: @pubcoachWhy Dating Is Like a Whodunnit: @LM_Chilton @crimereadsThe Problem of Shuttering School Libraries : @margotkinbergLetting Go of Your Book: @terahsharris @writerunboxedThe Power of Community: Why Writers Thrive Together: @aprildavilaIt’s okay to be who we are – novelist Cynthia Newberry Martin @catchingdays @Roz_MorrisYou don’t need a vision: @austinkleonDon’t Forget to Play…in Writing: @msheatherwebb @writerunboxedI always wanted to be a stay-at-home freelancer, so why am I so sad? by Carmen Shea Brown @seejavaciawriteGenres / FantasyThe Low-Down on Urban Fantasy: by Sheree CrawfordGenres / HorrorHorror Mechanics: What Are They, How Do They Terrify, and Where They Go Wrong: by Peter Derk @litreactorDreadful Dialogues: Crafting Convincing Conversations in Horror Stories: @horrortreeGenres / MemoirTen Lessons about Writing Memoir that I Learned from Reading Memoirs: @Dian_Seidel @womenwritersGenres / MysteryHopes and Dreams as Elements in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergThe 19 Most Polished Detectives in Crime Film and TV: @oldrutigliano @crimereadsGenres / Non-FictionHow to Write a Nonfiction Book Chapter Without Tears: @jbernoff @janefriedmanGenres / Picture BooksWriting for Children: 3 Basic Tools: @karencvGenres / Screenwriting37 Days of Shakespeare: Introduction and Romeo and Juliet: @cockeyedcaravanPromo / Connecting with ReadersWhy Writers Need to Build An Audience: @terrywhalinPromo / MiscellaneousBoost Your Backlist on Amazon for More Sales: @bookgal @bowkerBusiness Musings: Niche Marketing: by Kristine RuschPromo / Social Media Tips7 Tips to Help You Grow Your Social Media Without Sacrificing Time to Write: @ediemelsonPublishing / MiscellaneousA US Court Temporarily Blocks a Library and Bookstore Law: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesArtificial Intelligence: Threat, Opportunity, and Shimmr: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRichard Charkin: The Big Deal About Big Publishers: @RCharkin @pubperspectivesCambridge University Press Reaches 100-Million User Milestone: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIngramSpark Marks Its 10th Anniversary: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingA PRH-Kalimat Partnership: South and Southeast Asian, Arabic, English: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesA Focus on AI Opens Frankfurt’s Reformatted Rights Meeting: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesEurope: A New Residence Map Pinpoints Opportunities for Translators: @JaroslawAdamows @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingHardcover vs Paperback: Definitions and When to Publish With Either: @davechessonPublishing / Process / Book DesignHow to Design Beautiful Chapter Themes for Your Books Using Atticus: @storyhobbitPublishing / Process / LegalitiesWhen The Copyright Trolls Came for Me: @victoriastrauss @writerunboxedPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidSmall Press Storm Warnings: Adelaide Books, Propertius Press, TouchPoint Press: @victoriastraussWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWriting: Character Strengths and Weaknesses: @lindasclareWriting Craft / DialogueTips for Writing Dialogue: @AuthorMarileneWriting Craft / MiscellaneousDavid Farland’s Hourglass of Evil: @davidfarlandHow to Build Sizzling Sexual Tension in Your Novel: @bang2write @onestop4writersHomonyms with Harmony: Commonly Misused ‘A’ Words: @harmony_kent @storyempireThe need to ditch story structure sometimes: @foxprintedThe Pros and Cons of Prologues: @richardgthomas3
@litreactorIn defense of chapter-opening anecdotes, also known as “malcolms”: @jbernoffWriting Craft / POVIs Deep Third an Actual POV? @foxprinted @JaneFriedmanWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingA Powerful Plot Point is a Strategy for a Successful Story: @LynetteMBurrowsPerfect Your Plot: @diymfaFive Scenes That Make or Break Your Novel: @nanowrimoHow to use the 27 Chapter Plot Structure: @themaltesetigerWriting Craft / RevisionRevising Tips for Beginners: @authorsatWhat Kinds of Revisions Do Agents Ask For? @bookendsWriting Craft / TropesOver Done Tropes—Magic Gunshot Wounds: @EliasJMcClellanWriting Tools / AppsMost authors still use Microsoft Word. But other writing tools have their fans: @jbernoffWriting Tools / ResourcesAI Tools and Resources: by Steph Pajonas

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Writing Myths: Inspiration

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

“I only write when I’m inspired, so I see to it that I’m inspired every morning at nine o’clock.” by Peter De Vries

I’ve always said much the same thing as Mr. De Vries. For me, when people ask, “Where do you get your ideas?” I say, “I sit down and decide to have an idea.”

That’s not exactly true. I sit down and decide to have ten ideas, usually. I’ll type them on a black document or my computer’s notepad or sometimes in longhand. Then I read them over a few times and decide what seems like the best one. Brainstorm as many as possible, then be selective.

I do love writing. I’ve always loved writing. But I’m very rarely inspired. If I am inspired, I’m usually caught unawares, rummaging for paper or my phone when I’m driving or about to fall asleep.

For me, writing is more of a discipline. You set the guidelines for how disciplined you want to be with it (as always, I recommend that you set the bar low). It’s less about the muse and more about just moving forward, however you can. If that means skipping ahead to a scene you’re excited about, that works just as well as working through the book in a linear fashion.

You can sit there looking at a blank page and wait for inspiration to strike. Or you can brainstorm ideas and force one out. After a while, the process comes a lot more naturally.

How inspired are you when you write?

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Lit Links

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links 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 / MiscellaneousMarketing Yourself as a Ghostwriter and Important Elements of a Ghostwriting Contract: @LindaGilden @ediemelsonBusiness Cards and Job Titles: by John GilstrapWill copy editing change your manuscript? @pubcoachHow Authors Can Use Bookfunnel To Reach Readers And Sell Direct: @thecreativepennOn the Self-Publishing News podcast with @agnieszkasshoes and @howard_lovy: It’s authors vs. OpenAI as lawsuits and petitions seek compensation for content scraped by ChatGPT. But it’s not so simple. @indieauthoralliSelf-publishing News: Draft2Digital Acquire Self Pub Book Covers to Offer wider Options for Indies Under One Roof: @agnieszkasshoes @indieauthoralliPublishing as a class project: @janet_reidConferences and Events / MiscellaneousSharjah Book Authority Begins Its Transitional Phase: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWhat’s Next After a Writing Conference? @TickledPinkTam @ediemelsonCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration6 Unique Ways to Think Up Story Ideas @TheRyanLanzCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Books About Friendships in Your 20s: by Katherine Lin @electriclitTop 10 books about missing persons: by Una Mannion @guardianbooksFive of the Greatest Turtles and Tortoises in Fantasy @ColeRush1 @tordotcomHow I Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace the TBR Pile: @mollytempleton @tordotcomLatinx Horror and Crime Fiction to Check Out: @mollsotov89 @crimereads7 Books About Black Women in Complicated Relationships: by Cecilia Rabess @electriclit
Five Works About Intelligent Beings Who Are Their Own Worst Enemies: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingSuggestions for When Life Throws a Roadblock Between You and Writing: by Lori FreelandCreativity and Inspiration / Writing Life5 Tips from a Horror Writer on Finishing Your Novel: by Will BoechlerLearning from Your First Series with James Blatch: @sacha_blackOn Toxic Productivity: 7 Insights Gleaned in Therapy (and how they relate to writing): @lisatener5 Ways to Know You’re Really a Writer: What Happens When Authors use Generative AI to Write a Novel? by Kristina StanleySigns You Might Be an Enneagram 7: @BrynDonovanAm I a ‘Real Writer’ Now? @MorganHzlwoodThe problem with most authors is that they start by writing: @jbernoffSeven Common Myths Writers Must Discard to Move Forward: by by Crystal Bowman @ediemelsonHow to Persevere in Your Writing: by Lori Z. ScottLiving and Writing in a Regional Area: by Sophie Masson @writerunboxedOrganizing the Mess of a Book: Four Methods for Staying Sane and Focused: @writeabookWhen Private Becomes Public: Facing Criticism and Exposure As Your Book Gets Published: @writeabookAll going somewhere wonderful – discussing creative energy with @AndrewVerlaine: @Roz_MorrisDoes Writing Fiction Make You More Empathetic? @joshuaisard @LitReactorGenres / FantasyFantasy Writing Prompts: 200+ Ideas to Create Magic: @nownovelGenres / MysteryThe Need to Feel Secure as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergPolice With Working Relationships With Civilians in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergWhat is an Amateur Sleuth? @mandsmagazineGenres / Non-FictionHow Your Nonfiction Proposal Shapes Your Book: @bookendsHow to Find the Courage to become a Nonfiction Writer and Author: @ninaamirGenres / ScreenwritingA Foolproof Guide To Writing A Killer Pitch Deck: @Bang2writePromo / Book Reviews3 Amazon reader review myths: What you need to know: @sandrabeckwithPromo / NewslettersHow to Write a Newsletter People Will Actually Share: by Lisa NormanPromo / Social Media TipsOn Leaving Social Media: @cinapelayo @litreactorPublishing / MiscellaneousEpisode 466: An Inside Look at the Publishing Industry: @diymfaSix Things I’ve Learned After Publishing My First Book: @writerwhitfield @womenwritersArtificial Intelligence: Issues in a Hot Summer’s Debate: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataAAP StatShot for May Shows the US Market Flat: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingChina Bestsellers June: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Serials: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPG Plans Artificial Intelligence Training for Independent Publishers: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGermany Funds Book Industry Exchange With Ukraine at €900,000: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSpain’s Book Market in 2022: Up 5.5 Percent: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesHarperEnfoque is HarperCollins’ New Spanish-Language Imprint: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesItaly’s Publishers and Artificial Intelligence in Europe: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIndian Publishers: At 50, Focused on ‘Nation Building’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBritish Independent Publisher HopeRoad Opens Fundraising Appeal: @Porter_Anderson @PubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingWhy One Writer Left a Traditional Press for Indie Publishing: @SueColetta1 @annrallenAmazon KDP: A Writer’s Guide to Kindle Direct Publishing: @reedsyhqWriting Craft / BeginningsHook Your Readers from Page One with Three Ingredients: by Rebecca MoodyPage One Pitfalls: @HankPRyan @careerauthorsWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentHow to Write Any Type of Character: from Writing Questions AnsweredHow to Reveal Your Character’s Vulnerability (Even Though It’s Human Nature to Hide It): @AngelaAckerman @OneStop4Writers @TheIWSG3 Powerful Writing Exercises To Make Your Characters POP: @bang2writeWhat’s the Difference? Your Character’s Ghost vs. Wound vs. Lie vs. Weakness: @kmweilandWriting Craft / Characters / Supporting CharactersWhy Trent Crimm Matters So Much In AppleTV’s Ted Lasso: @bang2writeWriting Craft / DialogueDialogue Trick: The Double Conversation: @Virgilante @storyempireRevealing character through dialogue: @ReadAlessandraWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmShrinking: Is Writing Like Therapy? @thejkstudioWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWriting the “I” Out of Your Fiction: @lindasclareWriting for the Inner Reading Voice: @annejanzerOmniscient POV versus Head Hopping: @Dwallacepeach @storyempireBeige Prose: What It Is, When You Need It, and When to Avoid It: @davechessonUnlocking the 8 Secrets of Web Novels: by Eitan Estheim @nanowrimoHow to Tighten Your Writing: @dkparsonswriter @selfpubformA simple tip for creating story structure, for plotters and pantsers alike: by Helena FairfaxElements of a Dual Timeline Novel: Connecting Past to Present: @MaeClair1 @storyempireAccentuate the Positive: @jamesscottbellJennifer Saint on Writing Greek Myth Retellings: @thenovelryWriterly Advice That Is Worth Listening To: @livewritethriveWhat Makes an Essay an Essay? by Kamm Prongay @DIYMFAWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningHow to Outline Your Story: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story BeatsAll About Eve Beat Sheet Analysis: by Shari Simpson @savethecat

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On Toxic Productivity

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

We live in a culture that puts a lot of value into being productive. There are tons of blog posts and news stories on how to be more productive. Productivity is frequently equated with success.

This post is for those over-achievers out there. You know who you are. :)  It’s about something called “toxic productivity”: something I hadn’t even heard of before last year. It’s also known as “action bias.”

What could possibly be bad about being productive? There’s definitely a downside, especially, I think, for writers and other creative people.  Psychology Today discussed the issue in this post byPalena R. Neale Ph.D, PCC, :

Psychologist Kathryn Esquer, founder of the Teletherapist Network, says, “We could have used our free time to rest, recharge, and restore ourselves, but many of us filled those hours with more work to feel worthy, fulfilled, and in control.”

And what’s more, doing “enough” is never enough for people who fall into the toxic productivity trap. Such people are never satisfied—they could always have done more, or done things better. And this dissatisfaction is accompanied by guilt.

The article covers areas that sound very familiar to me. I’m definitely a Type-A, get-it-done person. The only thing I might disagree with is their statement that toxic productivity can produce slapdash efforts. Because I’ve already put the planning into it (my outlines, for instance), the results usually turn out all right. Although the results aren’t the problem, there are plenty of others associated with the issue.

Another article, this one by Danielle Doolen for The Everygirl site, talks about the problem inherent in choosing to only tackle tasks “with a clear objective”:

When’s the last time you did something solely for enjoyment? Like taking a walk in silence without forcing yourself to listen to a career-related podcast or taking on a hobby just for fun without trying to monetize it. People who suffer from toxic productivity often have unrealistic expectations about what needs to be accomplished. Sometimes what needs to be done is nothing. It’s okay if not everything you do has a clear purpose. Rest and relaxation are productive because they allow you to come back refreshed and ready to tackle your next project.

Although I hadn’t heard about toxic productivity until recently, I’m well-acquainted with burnout. Now I try and do better about refilling my well, although I am fairly single-minded even in my relaxation. To make the most of my time, I have watch-lists and TBR (to-be-read) lists so I can quickly hop right into something that I think I might enjoy. The idea is to get creative refreshment from activities like reading, watching films, taking walks outside, and listening to music.

One thing I haven’t been great about doing with myself is setting boundaries. It’s important to have an end to the working day. Emails can wait until the next day and so can other writing-related tasks.

Maybe tell yourself: you’ve done well today. It’s time to pack it in. Talk to yourself as you’d speak to a friend. Would you tell your friend they could be more productive after they’ve put in a full day?

Have you ever heard of toxic productivity? Have you experienced it for yourself?

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