Riley Adams's Blog, page 19
October 7, 2023
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.
21 Edgar Allan Poe Gifts for Fans of the Notorious Writer: by Jaylynn KorrellIs Writing Your Dream or Fantasy? by Crystal Grant @goteenwritersHow to Waste Time: 5 Ways To Do It Well: by Emil Rem @write_practiceHow to Know Your Book is Done: @bookendslitMake an appointment with yourself: @austinkleonFive Simple Rules for Better Writing by Josh Stallings: Genres / FantasyAre These Classic Monsters Problematic? by Oren AshkenaziHow to Write and Create Creatures: from Coffee Bean WritingGenres / MemoirQuestioning our notions of home – memoirist and writing coach Jennifer Lang: @Roz_MorrisGenres / MiscellaneousHow to Write a Graphic Novel and Publish It in 6 Easy Steps: @davechessonGenres / MysteryCrime Fiction Research: Sheriffs: Who Are They and What Are Their Duties? @LeeLoflandCombining Crime Fiction and Fantasy: @MargotKinbergA Lovely Place to Die: Favorite Settings for a Charming Murder: by Mark Waddell @CrimeReadsGenres / Non-FictionHow to Write a Self-Help Book: The Complete Process: @davechessonHow to Write an Autobiography and Publish it in 7 Easy Steps: @davechessonGenres / PoetryWriting Poetry In The Dark With Stephanie Wytovich: @thecreativepennGenres / RomanceIs Your Romance Novel Circling the Drain? – @TammyLoughBooks @diymfaGenres / Short StoriesHow I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Novella: @MrWarrenWagner @litreactorWriting Short Stories to Jumpstart Your Novel Writing: @LiteraryEllyMay @writerunboxedPromo / BloggingMaximizing Your Author Website’s Potential with Blogging: by J. Alexander GreenwoodPromo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingHow Your Amazon Author Bio Can Help You Sell Books: @bookgalPromo / Connecting with ReadersHow to find your readers: @DanBlank @WeGrowMediaPublishing / MiscellaneousChildren’s Books Edition: PRH’s ‘Banned Wagon’ Rolls Sunday: @Porter_Anderson Book Parts and Better Engagement – Anatomy of an Afterword: @KMazeauthorTaylor & Francis: A Platform for Pitching Submissions to Its Journals: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesAt Frankfurt: Demand for More Books and Cultural Media Coverage: @Porter_Anderson @book_fair @PubPerspectivesUK and Australia: Spotify Opens ‘Audiobooks in Premium’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesIn England: The Society of Authors’ CEO Nicola Solomon is Retiring: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCanada’s Wattpad Updates Its Paid Program: ‘Originals’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesSustainability: SBTi Verifies Springer Nature’s Net Zero Targets: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / AmazonKDP Limits Titles: We Learn How Tricky It Can Be to Legislate Technology: @agnieszcasshoesPublishing / News / International PublishingChildren’s Books Edition: Pre-Frankfurt Rights Roundup: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUK: National Centre For Writing Names Literary Translator-Mentees: @Porter_Anderson @PubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / PitchesHow to Successfully Pitch Op-Eds and Timely Cultural Pieces: by Estelle Erasmus @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingQuerying after a less than stellar debut: by Janet ReidQuerying is the Worst: @MorganHzlwoodWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentFlawed Characters: @gmplano @storyempireWriting Characters Readers Connect With: by Donna Jo StoneHot Tip for Character Relationships: The Relationship IS a Character: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsDoes the hero have at least one big “I understand you” moment with a love interest or primary emotional partner? @cockeyedcaravanWriting Craft / HumorHow Authors Can Use Humor in Their Stories: @DouglewarsWriting Craft / Miscellaneous10 Common Writing Techniques and How to Use Them: @richardgthomas3 @litreactor5 Tips To Show Time Passing In Deep Point Of View: @LisaHallWilsonExposition in a Story: @FrancineElena @TheNovelryThe Good The Bad and the Unsympathetic Character: @Elliot_Laura @womenwritersA Risk Worth Taking : @JamesScottBellWriting About Pain: Describing Minor Injuries: @angelaackerman @onestop4writersFive Fake Turning Points Storytellers Keep Using: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesOn Finding a Critique Group: @shuttaWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionSetting – The Versatile Tool for the Fiction Writer: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / World-BuildingWorldbuilding 101 for Writers: Writing Technology and Magic Systems: @ACW_Author @EdieMelsonDepicting Real World Religions Alongside Constructed Religions: @WritingwColor
The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
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October 1, 2023
Writing Myths: The First-Book Success Story
By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I’m not saying the first-book success story doesn’t happen. There are definitely the To Kill a Mockingbirds out there to prove me wrong.
But I do think this particular myth is harmful for writers. It can make you place too many high expectations on a single book. And there are plenty of reasons not to do that.
One big reason is that you can get far too invested in the single book. There are plenty of ways to be overinvested. One is to put too much money into book design or promotion. Another is to follow reviews and sales too closely instead of starting to write the next book.
Writing the next book is critical, even if book one is a success. Maybe especially if it’s a success. You move forward, get better at your craft, explore different ideas. And you don’t focus everything on worrying about the first book.
Another problem can crop up if you’re too invested in your first book. Self-doubt. It’s easy, and maybe a helpful thing, to get very excited about your work, especially if you’re new to writing. If you publish something and it’s not an immediate critical or commercial success, it could feel like a major set-back. You could end up doubting your story or your talent.
If you go into publishing a first book with realistic expectations, it’s easier to avoid insecurity. Easier to move on to the next project. And you might find that your first book becomes a financial success years after it’s published, when you’ve found more of a readership.
What were your expectations before publishing your first book? What advice would you add to mine for new writers?
Writing Myths: The First Book Success Story:
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September 30, 2023
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.
@cambridgeuniSalman Rushdie Appears at Frankfurt’s Saturday Gala: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFT Schroders Business Book Awards’ 2023 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesFrankfurt’s 75th Edition: Two Agents’ ‘LitAg Moments’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationWriters, Inspiration Will Fail You: @mindofkyleamCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Gerald Elias’ The Devil’s Trill: @MargotKinbergThe One Book Every Writer Needs: @chadrallenCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingMake the Most of Having 15 Minutes to Write: @theiwsgHow to Write a Book When You Don’t Have Time to Write a Book: by Bradeigh Godfrey @careerauthorsCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeThis author traveled 9,000 miles to 21 bookstores in 3 weeks: @danblank @wegrowmediaWho Do You Write For? @KarenCV3 Quick Writing Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: @authorSATOwning Your ‘Work Story’: @Porter_Anderson @writerunboxedHow to Rediscover the Joy of Writing: @KMWeilandMaturing as a Writer: @FinishedPagesWhat To Do When You Hate Your Novel: by Gillian Bronte Adams @goteenwritersFiction Is a Hallucination, Packaged for Public Consumption: @geplunkett @electriclitWe are all united by our need to find meaning – Carolyn R Russell: @Roz_Morris10 Gifts to Give Your Favorite Writer: @SueBEdwardsHow Do You Protect Your Writing? @foxprintedFeatured Writer on Wellness: P.J. Peterson: @colleen_m_storyGenres / FantasyHow Do I Plan For Eclectic Magic? by Oren AshkenaziGenres / MemoirMining Your Memories: 3 Forms of Memory Every Memoirist Must Know: @LisaEllisonsPen @JaneFriedmanGenres / MiscellaneousGrowing Pains: Why Coming of Age Stories Are for Everyone: @Emilie_Noelle @writerunboxedGenres / MysteryThe Plight of Workers as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergMemory as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergVeterans in Mysteries: @MandSMagazinePromo / MiscellaneousHow to clean up your links: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthors10 Updated Word of Mouth Tactics To Power The Holy Grail of Traditional Book Marketing: by Laurence O’BryanBusiness Musings: Niche Marketing: by Kristine RuschPromo / NewslettersHow to Write Sharable Newsletters: by Lisa NormanPromo / PlatformsHow to Build an Author Platform That Attracts Readers: @bookgalPublishing / MiscellaneousWhen Publishing Drives You Batty: by AK NevermorePublishing / News / International PublishingGermany’s Ebook Report: Fewer Buyers, More ‘Intensity’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesWriters Stand in International Solidarity on Strikes and AI: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesIPA Alert: Dominican Republic Is Nationalizing Textbooks: @Porter_Anderson Children’s Books Edition: L’École des Loisirs’ New ‘House of Stories’: @OliviaSnaije @PubPerspectivesItaly’s Publishers Elect Innocenzo Cipolletta President: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingWhat is a Literary Agent? @hellegillyWhat Happens When an Agent Submits Your Book? @bookendslitPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingLiterary Agent Interview: Jen Newens Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @NatalieIAguirreHow Can I Convince Editors That My Information Can Be Believed? @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidLatest Writing Scams Authors Should Look Out For: @annerallenWriting Craft / BeginningsYour first pages – 4 more book openings critiqued at @Litopia by literary agent @agentpete author @anniesummerlee and @Roz_Morris: Writing Craft / Characters / DevelopmentGive Your Characters Memories: @jamesscottbellCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Pessimist: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersExplore the Fictional Character That You Present to Readers: @AnneJanzer @JaneFriedmanDon’t Let Your Characters Give Up — and Don’t Let Yourself, Either: by Natalie Hart @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionBe Afraid! Creating Fear in Your Characters: @diannmills
@careerauthorsWriting Craft / Common MistakesDo your heads hop? Some tips on choosing point of view and keeping it consistent: @HelenaFairfaxWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFive Stories That Would Be Better Without Cops: by Oren Ashkenazi4 Tips For Memorable Characters From Jack Sparrow: @LisaHallWilsonWriting Craft / MiscellaneousKey details are the difference between generic and unique (query critique): @nathanbransfordUsing Peace, Quiet, and Introspection to Intensify Your Writing: @richardgthomas3Essential storytelling details I now include on autopilot – and learned by being edited: @Roz_MorrisWriter’s Toolbox: @Virgilante @storyempireWriting About Pain: Three Stages of Awareness: @angelaackerman @onestop4writersAim to make your book perfect – why it’s worth it and how it’s possible: @Roz_MorrisWriting About Pain: Different Types to Explore: @beccapuglisiSplicing Time: Handling Multiple Storylines: by N.L. Holmes @floridawriters1Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingHow to hide plot twists from both your readers and your characters in a way that is not frustrating or annoying: by Bone and ButterflyWriting Tools / MiscellaneousTech Tip for Writers : My Program Froze: @worddreams
The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
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September 25, 2023
Make the Most of 15 Minutes to Write
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
The holidays are coming up quickly and you might be feeling a little pressed for time. I guest post at the wonderful IWSG site today, talking about how to squeeze your writing time into 15 minutes. Hope you’ll hop over.
Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay
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September 23, 2023
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 / MiscellaneousPublishing Books For Children And Profitable School Visits: @TonyaDEllis @thecreativepennConferences and Events / MiscellaneousRights Roundup: Warming Up for Frankfurt: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairSharjah Book Authority Announces its 2023 Publishers Conference: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesSlovenia at Frankfurt: Laibach’s Sharp-Edged ‘Alamut’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesThe Challenge of Conference Chit-Chat: @magpie0218 @RMFWThe German Book Prize Announces Its 2023 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesFrankfurt’s News Conference: ‘The Democracy Fair’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS National Book Awards 2023 Longlist: Poetry: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesIn England: The Booker Prize Names Its 2023 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @TheBookerPrizesPanama and Spain: Wales’ Hay Festival Adds Two New ‘Forums’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPresenting to Writing Groups: @EldredBirdCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Books With A Dark Playfulness: by Arianna Reiche @electriclitCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Kerry Wilkinson’s The One Who Fell: @MargotKinberg5 Reasons Why I Leave a Book Half-Read: by Michael Cristiano10 Books Portraying a Search for Truth: by Babak Lakghomi @electriclitBehind the Scenes: Five Memorable Mysteries for Performing Arts Lovers: @lslaughter2 @crimereads10 Novels About Mad Scientists: by Akemi C. Brodsky @electriclitCozy to Cold-Blooded: Puzzle Mysteries: @avonlea79Creativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingDesigning Your Writing Life: Creating a Routine That Works for You: @TheLeighShulmanCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockHow to avoid writer’s block: @pubcoachCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeFocus on What You Can Control: by Sara BirenWriting Myths: Real Writers Write Every Day: Types of negative thinking that hold back your writing: @PubCoachVision Your Epic Wins: @WriteNowCoachReading—and Writing—Like an Asian American: by David Shih @lithubSeries VS Standalone: Cage Match: @chuckwendigHow to Escape Imposter Syndrome in Your Writing Life: by Lynette M BurrowsHow to Turn Your Writing Setbacks Into Setups for Success: @ninaamir7 Tips to Maintaining Your Sense of Self: @cyallowitzWriters Who Make You Furiously Jealous Are Your Best Mentors: @annkroekerWriting Tough Stuff: Five Tips to Make it Easier: @AineGreaneyGenres / Fantasy9 Great Fantasy Novel Opening Examples: @BrynDonovanGenres / Middle-GradeWhy You should Tackle Tough Topics in Middle Grade Writing: by Lori Z. ScottGenres / MysteryOn Cozy Mysteries: @KdibiancaEndorsements as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergFamily Dynamics in Thrillers: @MandSMagazineCrime Fiction: The Importance of Knowing the Victim’s History: @margotkinbergGenres / RomanceHow to Write a Strong Love Interest: @AuthorMarilenePromo / Connecting with ReadersFinding Readers for Your Indie Books: ALLi Ultimate Guide: @indieauthoralliPromo / Miscellaneous5 Things Influencers Look for in a Book: @TheRealBookSpy @careerauthorsWhat to Know about Radio and Podcasts: @AnnMarieNieves @writerunboxedPublishing / MiscellaneousFrankfurt-Bound Richard Charkin: ‘Think Deeply About the Rights’: @RCharkin @PubPerspectivesDevelopments in Audiobooks: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesNihar Malaviya Made Permanent PRH CEO by Bertelsmann: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesHow to Write a Book in ChatGPT: My Complete Process: @storyhobbitHachette Names Lauren Monaco as EVP, Director of Sales: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS Schoolyear Book Bans Jump 33 Percent Over Last Year: @Porter_Anderson @PENamerica @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingChina Bestsellers in August: Relationships and André Gide: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingHow to Query When You’re Writing in Multiple Genres: @bookendslitHow to Land an Agent for a Graphic Novel: @woodmanmaynard @janefriedmanPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / RejectionsHow to Deal With Rejection: Celebrate! @ltinthecity @JaneFriedmanHow to Recognize a Good Writing Rejection and Use It to Make Your Publishing Dreams Come True: @EdieMelsonPublishing / Process / Book DesignHow to Design a Cover for the Emotional Center of a Novel: @MathMonahanPublishing / Process / Self-PublishingAnswers to Your Indie Publishing Questions: @LisaTenerWriting Craft / BeginningsFirst Page Critique – Or, the Devil You Don’t: @burke_writer @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsLessons from the Evil Spawn: by Dave King @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Mad Scientist: @beccapuglisiCrafting Characters Who Make Your Readers Care: @thiswritersays @womenwritersWriting a New Story: Creating Characters with the Story Equation: @JillWilliamsonWriting Craft / DialogueThe Expanded Ultimate Story Checklist: Is the dialogue more concise than real talk? @cockeyedcaravanDoes the dialogue have more personality than real talk? @cockeyedcaravanWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryHow to Write a Flashback: @JerryBJenkinsWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow to Determine the Age of Your Target Reader: @livewritethriveHow Do I Establish a Friendship Across Time Jumps? by Chris WinkleFemale Author Writing a Male Character: by Harry Bingham @annerallenThe Basic Formula of Fiction: @JamesScottBellHow to use poetry in fiction: @nownovelMaking Clichés Work for You: @Janice_HardyTightening our Prose: Filter Words: @DwallacepeachHow Serialized Fiction Can Improve Your Writing: @JunetaKey @theIWSGWhat Are Plot Devices? (Why You Should Be Cautious): @KMWeiland4 Thoughts about Cultural Appropriation (and how to avoid it): @MarthaEngber @womenwritersThe more a character puts in a bucket, the more there is to spill: @nathanbransfordHow to Create Interlocking Questions: by Marilynn ByerlyWriting Clean Sentences: @lindasclareMetaphysical elements in fiction writing – sound vibrations: @JanSikes3 @storyempireBook Family Tree: A New Way to Think About Your Book: by Ilana DeBare @JaneFriedmanQuelling Those Writerly Quirks: by Barbara Linn Probst @writerunboxedWhat “Show, Don’t Tell” Actually Means: by Chris WinkleThe Power of Images Great and Small: by Rich KaplanWriting Craft / TensionWriting with Tension: @dlfinnauthorWriting Craft / VoiceHow Do You Find Your Narrator’s Voice? @MBarker_190 @onestop4writers
The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
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September 17, 2023
Writing Myths: Real Writers Write Every Day
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
This is a myth I’ll quickly debunk. It annoys me when writers say there’s only one way to do things correctly.
And I am a writer who writes daily.
However, there are many very effective ways to get your writing goals met. What are goals? They can be measured in time spent at a task, project-specific progress (half a chapter completed, a section of an outline finished), or in words. There is no right way to set a goal. If one type of goal doesn’t work for you, you can try setting another type of goal.
Whatever works best for you is the best option . . . always. If a daily goal is impossible or causing a lot of stress, a weekly or bi-weekly goal works just as well. As I’ve mentioned here before, it’s often more important to have consistency than it is to have a large, impressive goal. Better to have a checkmark on your calendar that you’ve completed your weekly goal than to have a bunch of missed days for a daily goal.
Plus, you don’t have to be picky about what constitutes writing. If you’re working on necessary research, it’s writing. If you’re outlining or revising, it’s writing. It’s all part of the process.
How often do you write? What do your goals look like?
Writing Myth: Real Writers Write Every Day:
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September 16, 2023
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 / MiscellaneousHow to get good at growing your audience: @danblankHow to Work with an Audiobook Producer: @indieauthoralliBusiness Musings: The Problem With Skimping: by Kristine Kathryn RuschSelf-Publishing News: What does Amazon’s AI Policy for KDP mean for indie authors? by Dan Holloway @indieauthoralliConferences and Events / MiscellaneousPublisHer Holds a First Rio Event During the Bienal do Livro: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesBuchmesse’s 75th Year: ‘Frankfurt Academic’ Programming: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairBritish Academy Names Its Shortlist; Reports on Sales Impact: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesNigeria’s Aké Arts & Book Festival Wins First Aficionado Award: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS National Book Awards 2023 Longlist: Young People’s Literature: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS National Book Awards 2023 Longlist: Translation: @Porter_Anderson @NationalBook @PubPerspectivesAt Frankfurt Book Fair: Politics and Policy in the Pavilion: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @Book_FairCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Bruce Hammack’s Exercise is Murder: @MargotKinberg7 Must-Read Nigerian Horror Novels: @AdorahNworah @electriclitThe benefits of reading like a writer: @nownovelFive Stories About the Unintended Consequences of Time Travel: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomFive Books Featuring Strange Gods: by Tobias Carroll @tordotcomFive Surprisingly Devoted SFF Couples: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcom9 Poetry Collections For Beginners: @LittleInfinite7 Novels About Girlbosses and the Dark Side of Social Media: by Noelle CrooksOn Learning to Read Generously: @mollytempleton @tordotcomSink Your Teeth Into These 5 Books About Vampires: by Linden A. Lewis @tordotcomCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeDogging the Watchdog: In Which a Scammer Tries to Troll Me: @victoriastraussHow to get everything done (including your book): @jbernoffOn The Ethics of Taking Writing Inspiration from True Crime: by Victoria Selman @crimereadsWhy Writers Make Great Spies: by Susanne Bennett @writers_writeOf Sweet Spots and Near Misses: @IrishRoad @womenwritersAfter the Deadline: @theladygreerWriting Myths: Slow/Fast Writing is the Best: Forgive The Writers, For We Are So Tired: @ChuckWendigSomeone Needs to Hear Your Story: @aprildavilaJulia Cameron on Learning to Write Sober: by Julia Cameron @lithubThe Grift of Fiction: @DavidCorbett_CAGenres / HistoricalHow to Research for Historical Fiction: @DKParsonsWriter @SelfPubFormGenres / MiscellaneousOn Breaking Genre Rules: by Marilynn ByerlyGenres / MysteryNot Speaking the Local Language as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / Short Stories20 Tips For Writing a Captivating Short Story: by Mindy HalleckThe Gamemaster’s Guide to Short Story Plot: by Ursula Whitcher @sfwaPromo / BloggingA 12-Step Process for Getting Desired Blogging Results: @ninaamirIncrease the Readability of Every Blog Post You Write with These Tips: @ediemelsonPromo / Book Reviews17 Places to Find Book Reviewers: @joewalters13 @IndieBookViewPromo / MiscellaneousGuide To A+ Amazon Content That Sells: @KatBaldwinPromo / NewslettersBeing Hacked Made Me Realize the Importance of Newsletters: by Diana StoutPublishing / MiscellaneousOxford University Press Opens Topical Interdisciplinary Research Tool: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesEye on the Publishing Business: @jamesscottbellHow to Get a Book Published: 10 Steps: @TheNovelryHow Scientific and Technological Breakthroughs Created a New Kind of Fiction: by Joshua GlennPublishing / News / AmazonIMHO: What Remedies Do Authors Have When Fraudulent Work Appears on Amazon? @JaneFriedmanPublishing / News / DataCircana BookScan: US Print Book Market ‘Slowing a Bit’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingThe Philippines: Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa Acquitted: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives wkb64How the Booksellers of Paris Are Preparing for Next Summer’s Olympics: by Jacqueline Feldman @parisreviewIn Mexico: Government Textbooks Spur Nationwide Criticism:@Porter_Anderson | Allegations of political indoctrination, distorted history, and flagrant errors are greeting the academic year’s new government-made schoolbooks.European Publishers Welcome Parliament’s Book Sector Report: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingWhat to expect from your publisher’s marketing and publicity teams: @JBernoffPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingLiterary Agent Interview: Heather Cashman Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @HeatherCashman @NatalieIAguirreWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCharacter Type & Trope Thesaurus: Snob: @BeccaPuglisiCharacters Also Need A Soul: 5 Tips to Write Interesting Characters: by Cátia Isabel SilvaHow to Build Your Characters in Six Easy Steps: by Nat LeblancWriting Craft / DialogueMake the Dialect You Write Shine with These 4 Tips: @CindyDevoted @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmThe 5 Worst Book To Film Adaptations: @writers_writeWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow Do I Build Attachment to Objects? by
Oren AshkenaziWriters, have you fired “Chekhov’s Gun”? @annerallen @killzoneauthorsDoes each character, including the hero, have a limited perspective? @cockeyedcaravanWhat is the Denouement of a Story? Definition and When to Use: @DaveChessonWriting: Prologues, Pro or Con? @lindasclareWhat Makes a Reader and Character Connect: @TheRyanLanzFive Mistakes That Reverse Social Justice Messages: by Chris WinkleDo the characters avoid saying things they wouldn’t say and doing things they wouldn’t do? @cockeyedcaravanHow to Write the Climax of a Story: And What NOT to Do: @DaveChessonDo the characters interrupt each other often? @cockeyedcaravanThe Don’ts And Definitely Don’ts of Writing Stupid-Funny Books by Peter Derk: @litreactorWriting Craft / Pacing5 Tips for Pacing in Your Story: by Sariah JimenezWriting Craft / POVMultiple Points of View without Head Hopping: @annerallenWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningThe Bitter Butter…Pantser, Plotter Divide: by Diana Giovinazzo @writerunboxedStory Structure and the Essential Outline: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingDo the characters consciously and unconsciously prioritize their own wants rather than the wants of others? @cockeyedcaravanWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesOn Critiquing Nicely: @HopeClarkWriting Craft / TensionThe Two Most Important Tricks for How to Build Suspense: @kmweilandWriting Tools / MiscellaneousHow AI Tools Are Useful For Writers With Disabilities And Health Issues With S.J. Pajonas: @thecreativepenn
The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
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September 10, 2023
Writing Myths: Slow/Fast Writing is the Best
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
It’s always a little frustrating to me when writers say a particular approach to writing is the only way to go. Just because something is right for you doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.
I’m a fast writer. But that’s not going to work for everyone. Sometimes writers are deeply into word-crafting. Sometimes writers have complex plots and universes to world-build. Some writers have less time to devote to writing or are writing while wrangling young children or helping their parents. And some writers might just be very slow to put words on the page, which could be related to insecurity or not having a plan for their story.
There are also slow writers who feel that you can’t create a thoughtful or entertaining story without laboring over every word. It’s possible that this approach might be truer for literary fiction than for commercial fiction. But there have been entertaining and interesting quickly-written stories at least since the days of pulp fiction from the 1920s-1950s. You can write fast and create books that are fun to read.
As with many things in life, there can be a touch of truth in both approaches. I write quickly and edit slower. Maybe a slow writer who wants to speed up a little could find ways to rev up the process (detailed outlines, skipping description and chapter breaks until the second draft) without feeling pressure.
But the point is that you don’t have to follow anyone else’s method. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You’re free to go with whatever works for you or change it if or when that method no longer helps you create.
Are you a faster or slower writer? Do you ever feel you should speed up or slow down?
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September 9, 2023
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 / MiscellaneousSubgenres and Comp Books. Find Ones that Sell Books Better: by Kris MazeContract, Payment Delays at the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction: @victoriastrauss8 Things Book Promotion Companies Wish Authors Understood: @bookgalHow to Decide the Target Audience of your Cartoon Series: @pick_penSelf-publishing News: UK Publishers Call for Government to Protect Copyright at AI Summit: by Dan Holloway @indieauthoralliWattpad Authors Who’ve Gone From Page to Screen: @JaneFriedmanConferences and Events / MiscellaneousAt Frankfurt Book Fair 2023: Books-to-Film Events: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesSix Tips for a Book Party on a Shoestring: @burke_writer @killzoneauthorsGermany’s Chancellor and Slovenia’s President To Open Frankfurt: @Porter_Anderson @book_fair2023 Longlists Named by American Literary Translators Association: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesEngland: The £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize Names Its Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesNational Book Foundation: Paul Yamazaki Wins the Literarian Award: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe £50,000 Wolfson Prize Shortlist: ‘People and Societies’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS National Book Foundation Honors Poet Rita Dove: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesSharjah International Book Fair Names South Korea Its Guest of Honor: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / First Novels6 Tips For How To Write A Novel When You Never Have Before: @StephMorrill Creativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Anna Celeste Burke’s A Dead Husband: @margotkinbergThe Doctor Is In: Five SFF Stories Featuring Therapists: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomOn Patricia Highsmith and the Horror—and Revelation—of Obsession: by Hannah Meyer @lithubFive SFF Novels With Fun Approaches to Time Travel: by Vanessa Len @tordotcomRead Your Genre, Read Widely: @AkNevermore @diymfaFive Classic SF Stories About Letting A.I. Do All the Work: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcom8 Books About Friendships With Wealth Disparities: by Julia Fine @electriclitFive Gripping SFF Narratives Composed of Interlinked Short Stories: by Lorna Wallace @tordotcom21 Thoughts (Not Rules) About Reading Habits: @mollytempletonCreativity and Inspiration / MotivationTake the Creative Risk (podcast): @danblankCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWhat Completism Can Teach Us About the Creative Process: @RhianSasseenWhy do we read and write? @nathanbransfordFinding Your Perfect Writing Rituals: @KBullockAuthorAdvice For New Writers: by Leenna NaidooBreak Out of Your Writing Rut: @writenowcoachHow Writers Can Deal with Unsupportive Family and Friends: by Lisa Fellinger @livewritethriveTech Tip for Writers–Back up a cloud file: @worddreamsVacation Spots for Writers – An AI opinion: @HowellWave @storyempireEvery Writer Needs to Develop These 2 Online Habits: @ediemelson7 Tips to Handling Author Pride: @cyallowitzStart a Writing Club for Teens at Your School: @authorSATOrganizing Your Ideas: @JoanHallWrites @storyempireTempus Fugit: @grantdrawsWhat Fidget Spinners Can Teach Us About Writing: @PFC_PupHow to Protect Your Creative Work from Criticism: @losapalaWriting Cultures Not Your Own: @beemweeks @storyempireOn Being a Writer and a Mother to Children Who Don’t Love to Read: @aimiekrunyan @lithubGenres / MysteryFinding links between victims and suspects in crime fiction: @margotkinbergDistinguishing Features as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / Non-FictionNon-Fiction Marketing Strategy for Indie Authors: Six Steps to Success: Promo / PlatformsAmazon’s Algorithms and Branding: @MorganHzlwoodPromo / PodcastsHow to Pitch Author Podcasts or Start Your Own: @bookgalPromo / Social Media TipsWriting and Balancing Social Media: by Eve MessengerBuilding Your Brand on TikTok Isn’t Curation, It’s Authenticity: by Kerry Chaput @JaneFriedmanPublishing / News / International PublishingCanadian University Presses in De Gruyter Distribution Partnership: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesElsevier and Projekt DEAL: More Open Access in Germany: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesItaly’s Publishers Ask Rome to Raise Family Schoolbook Funding: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishers Association Cheers the UK Rejoining Horizon Europe: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingPros and cons of self-publishing – should you do it? @nownovelPublishing / Process / LegalitiesIndie Authors Need to Talk About… Copyright: @indieauthoralliWriting Craft / BeginningsDeconstructing Chapter One: @HankPRyanHow To Write A Fantastic Opening Sentence In Your Novel: @bang2writeWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentIconic Characters: Made Not Born: @DonMaassWriting Craft / Common MistakesDo you use too many filler words in your writing? @pubcoachWriting Craft / DialogueHow to Master Your Dialogue (Podcast): @sacha_black @JffelkinsWriting Craft / Literary DevicesTones in Writing: The Ultimate Guide for Fiction and Nonfiction: @davechessonWriting Craft / MiscellaneousMusic and Mood in Writing: by Casey Cooper @diymfaWriting: Threads of Meaning: @lindasclareAdapt or Die: Telling Stories about Change: @ElizabethHuergo @writerunboxedHow to Use Meal Scenes to Develop Characters, Relationships, and Your World: by Lacey PfalzHow to Write Interesting Happy Scenes? 6 Tips: @kmweilandAre You Missing These Opportunities to Write a Better Story? @Janice_HardyStupidity as a Plot Device: by Marilynn ByerlyWhat I Learned Cowriting A Novella: by Gareth L. Powell @SFWA5 Ways Out of the Middle Malaise: @PaulaSMunierWhat is a Plot Point? Definition, Examples, and Industry Tips: @davechesson3 Lessons Learned in a Class on Writing Essays: @SueBEdwardsWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesWriting: Feedback in Crit Groups: @lindasclareThe Benefits of Joining a Writers Group: by Cynthia HilstonWriting Craft / ScenesHow to Create a Scene Outline: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / VoiceFinding your writing voice: 5 points to consider: @nownovel
The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On LitLinks:
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The post LitLinks appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.
September 2, 2023
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.
Hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day! I’ll be taking tomorrow off from the blog. See you back here next Sunday.
Business / MiscellaneousYour Publishing Options With Rachael Herron: @thecreativepennSurprising benefits of launching a book – for the whole marketing funnel: @jbernoffConferences and Events / Miscellaneous9 Benefits Found on a Group Writing Retreat: @TickledPinkTam @ediemelsonIn England: The Polari Prize’s 2023 Longlists: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesIndia’s Jaipur Literature Festival Heads for Three US Cities: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesHave a successful Book Signing by Checking These 14 Things Off Your To Do List: @EdieMelsonNYU’s New Advanced Publishing Institute: 2024 Speakers: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationWriting From Your Shadow Side With Michaelbrent Collings: @thecreativepennCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFive SFF Novels That Will Make You Long for a Breath of Fresh Air: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcom8 Novels With Narrators That Defy Our Expectations: by Nathan Go @electriclit8 Poems Everyone Should Know – Little Infinite by Tanya Marion @LittleInfinite5 Iconic Horror Books From the Early ’90s: @JimmyRJuliano @tordotcom7 Crime Books Featuring Special Events Going Off the Rails: by Jamie Day @crimereadsTake a Minute to Celebrate the Forgotten Greats of Science Fiction: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomGood Movies as Old Books: @MattStevensCLTAm I Reading Too Many Books at Once? @mollytempleton @tordotcomTime Travel Stories That Explore What It Means To Be Human: @HolSmaleBraille Is Alive, Well, and Ever-Evolving: @smswritesCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in Writing5 Tips for Building a Sustainable Writing Practice: @ArianaThePoet What Can You Write in 15 Minutes? @KelsieEngenWriting and Time Management: @dlfinnauthorCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifePublish A Book with a Family Member: @indieauthoralliTime, Space and Grace: 7 Success Factors for Neurodivergent and Cognitively Impaired Self-Published Authors: @indieauthoralliI’d Rather Commit A Murder Than Write One: @lizzienugent @crimereadsPaul McCartney on not-knowing and doing it now: @austinkleonFive Lessons Learned After I Signed With My Agent: @JenBohmueller @writerunboxedWhy Writers Should LOVE the Back-to-School Season: @ediemelsonEverything That Will Tempt You to Quit Writing and How to Deal with It: @MegDowellGenres / FantasyThe Seven Best Fantasy Settings For Your Novel: by Andrea Stewart @thenovelryGenres / Humor11 Ways to Add Funny to Fiction: by Dave Cohen @selfpubformGenres / MiscellaneousHow to Pick Your Writing Niche – And Why You Need One: @NathanielTowerGenres / MysteryCatalysts in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergDo Heists Require a Meta Mystery? by Oren AshkenaziDisgruntled Employees as an Element in Crime Fiction:@margotkinbergPsychological Crime Thrillers: @MandSMagazineTwists in Suspense Fiction: @MandSMagazineGenres / RomanceSeven steps for creating a strong character arc in your romance novel: @HelenaFairfaxPromo / MiscellaneousFive Main Areas To Help Authors Market Their Books: @KarenHWhiting @ediemelsonPromo / PlatformsThe Importance of Author Branding: by Doug LewarsPromo / Social Media TipsWhat to Post on Instagram as Authors: @jessicathauthorPromo / WebsitesThe Author Website: Which is the Best Hosting Service? by Margot ConorWho do you blame when something goes wrong with your blog? @HughRoberts05Publishing / MiscellaneousAmazon’s Literary Partnership’s 2023 US Beneficiaries: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesTexas Censorship Law Is Blocked, One Day Before Implementation: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataPRH: 9-Percent International Revenue Gains, January-June: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingBrazilian Publishers in Rio: Book Fair ‘Professional Days’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives‘Chytomo’ Opens New Award for Ukraine Publishing: @PubPerspectivesKarger and Kortext: Research for England’s National Health: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesItaly: Publishers Call for Pandemic-Era Library Funds to Continue: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesAbu Dhabi Arabic Centre Partners With Russian Academy of Sciences: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingQuery Quest: Agent Query Checklist : @Aeryn_RudelTop 10 Reasons Your Query Didn’t Sell Your Book: @bookendsPitch Yourself Before You Pitch Your Book: by Catherine Baab-Muguira @janefriedmanPublishing / Process / ContractsHow to negotiate with a publisher: @jbernoffWriting Craft / Arc10 Key Questions to Help Writers Flesh out the Story ARC: @ZenaDellLowe on @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Hopeless Romantic: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersFind Your Fictional Characters’ Energy Motivators: by Deborah-Zenha Adams @annerallenWriting Craft / Characters / Supporting CharactersHow To Write Supporting Characters That Readers Love (6 Tips): @LibbyPageWritesWriting Craft / Common Mistakes3 Ways To Eliminate Head Hopping When Writing: @KMAllan_writerKnow the Rules Before You Break Them: @jamesscottbellWriting Craft / Diversity20 Tips for Writing LGBTQ Characters: by Tucker Lieberman @IndieBookViewWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmThe Messy Middle: The Brown Sisters Trilogy: by Colice Sanders @diymfa37 Days of Shakespeare: Henry V: @cockeyedcaravanWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow to Make a Cliché Work for You: by Lori Z. ScottMoral Copying: @stacitroilo @storyempireMixing it up in your writing . . . like Pedro Martinez: @jbernoffHow to Use Misdirection in Your Story for Greater Impact: @KMWeilandHow to Instantly Add Depth to Your Story: by Fake RedheadA 12-Step Process for Getting Desired Writing Results: @ninaamirFive Mistakes That Destroy a Story’s Message: by Chris WinkleWhat is the Inciting Incident? Definition, Purpose, Examples, Tips: @SeptCFawkesThe Rhetorical Triangle for Writers: @SueColetta1Writing Craft / POVMind Your Own Business! or Maintaining the POV: @nlholmesbooks @floridawriters1Writing Craft / RevisionThe Bread Machine Editing Trick: @jan_ohara
@writerunboxedA Line-By-Line Revision Tip No One Talks About: @authorSATWriting Tools / AppsEasy Speech-to-Text Tools: @worddreamsWriting Tools / Books5 How-To-Write Books That Have Impacted My Writing: @ElaineRosemaryD @writers_write
The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On LitLinks:
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The post LitLinks appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.
