Riley Adams's Blog, page 20

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 / Miscellaneous3 tips for developing an editorial business mindset: @LouiseHarnby5 ways editors can use text generative AI as a business tool: @louiseharnbyConferences and Events / MiscellaneousCreative Ideas for Booking More Author Events @bookgalCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFive SFF Stories in Which Kids Save the Day: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcom6 Novels About the Great Women Behind the Greatest Artists: by Cameron Kimball @booktrib8 Books About the Lives of Women Writers: by Logan Steiner @electriclitRecognizing and Balancing the Risk Quotient in Your Writing (and Your Life) @writeabookSix Great Thrillers Featuring Manipulative Mom-Friends at Their Best: by Ashley Audrain @criimereadsTop 10 Funny Quotes from Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray: @tspoetryCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: A.C. Baantjer’s The Death of a Clown: @margotkinberg8 Stories Within Stories: by Keziah Weir @electriclit50 of the Greatest Summer Novels of All Time: @lithubFive Classic SF Stories About Tidally Locked Planets: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow to Balance Being a full-time Parent or Caregiver and Indie Author: @indieauthoralliCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s Block5 Steps to Beat Writer’s Block: by Brian Andrews @careerauthorsCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeHow the Essay and the Novel Inform and Influence Each Other: Jane Smiley @lithubCompassionate Caregiving and Writing: by Suzanne Marriott @womenwritersDon’t Hide Behind Your Book – with Isabelle Knight: @selfpubformFive Ways NaNoWriMo Turned Me into a Writer at Fifty-One: by Dorothy Wong @nanowrimoThe Importance of Celebrating Milestones as a Writer: I Became a Writer When I Needed a Fresh Start: by Rajat Singh @electriclit10 Ways to Nurture a Young Writer: @KB_Jensen @janefriedmanToo Many Storytellers Blame the Audience: by Chris WinkleChatGPT Is A Menace: @MeganJKaleita @litreactorLessons for Writers from 100 Daily Videos: @danblankWriting is a muddle – how to enjoy the muddle: @Roz_MorrisThe Daily Routine of a Full-Time Writer: @kmweilandHow Being Called a Plagiarist Made Me a Writer: by Siena Sterling @crimereadsInspirational Indie Author Interview: Mark McGuinness. Poet Helps Creative People Discover Their Own Voices: @howard_lovy @markmcguinnessInspiring Advice From Working Writers: @iwsgGenres / HorrorFive Folk Horror Favorites To Get You Started: @KWhiteHorror @horrortreeGenres / MiscellaneousRethinking Genre, or, The Great Genre Rebellion: by Wendy Walker @crimereadsGenres / MysteryPolice Speaking With Long Term Residents in Mysteries: @MargotKinbergCharacters of Southern Noir – Mystery and Suspense Magazine @MandSMagazinePromo / Miscellaneous5 Ways to Build an Audience for a Debut Book: @dkparsonswrite @selfpubformNovel Marketing And Christian Publishing With Thomas Umstattd Jr.: @thecreativepennBook marketing for Indie authors: Calls to Action: @indieauthoralliPromoting Backlist Books: @AnnMarieNieves @writerunboxedCreating Superfans with Dan Parsons and Melissa Addey: Promo / NewslettersLead Magnet for Unpublished Writer: @goodstorycoPromo / WebsitesAuthor Website: Your 3 Best Options for a Book-selling Website: @storyhobbitHow to Create a Niche Website: The Best Content Marketing for Authors? @storyhobbitPublishing / MiscellaneousTop 10 Myths about Sensitivity Readers (And Why They’re Wrong): @bang2writePublishing / News / International PublishingRights Edition: Canada’s Crisis Triggers Downsizing at Access Copyright: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Roundup: Summer’s International Rights Sales: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Edition: Frankfurter Buchmesse’s Rights Center Reports a Sellout: @Porter_Anderson @bookfair @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / Querying5 Tips for Following Up with Literary Agents: @bookendslitPublishing / Process / Book DesignThe Advantages and Pitfalls of Illustrated Romance Covers: by P.N. HintonPublishing / Process / LegalitiesBrand Names – Carol Van Den Hende & Deborah C. Mortimer: @diymfaWriting Craft / BeginningsEight Ways Not to Start a Novel: @annerallenWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCharacter Type & Trope Thesaurus: Orphan Archetype: @beccapuglisiPersonality Traits of Flawed Characters: @gmplano @storyempireWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmThe Five Tradeoffs of Animorphs’s Worldbuilding: by Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWhen Your Characters Speak a Language Other Than English: @Jyotsna_Sree @janefriedmanWhy you should consider expressive writing: @pubcoachWhat Fiction Writers Can Learn from Coups: by Piper Bayard and Jay HolmesHelp! I’ve Lost Control of My Story: @annehawkinson @floridawriters1How to Write a Coming of Age Story: A Complete Guide: @joebuntingWriting from Within: Crafting Internal Narratives: @Janice_HardyThe four simple questions every potential author should answer first: @jbernoff7 (More) Things I Wish I’d Known as a Beginning Writer: @SeptCFawkesHow to Give Your Narration Flavor: by Andrea LundgrenWriting Craft / ScenesThe 10 Most Important Questions to Ask about Your Scenes: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionTips for Creating a Spine-Tingling Setting: by Amy Christine Parker @diymfaWriting Craft / TensionWriting Tension: 8 Ways to Ramp Up Tension in a Scene: by Taylor MunsellWriting Tools / Miscellaneous8 Best AI Writing Tools: Amazing Options For Fiction and Nonfiction: @storyhobbit

 

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
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Celebrating Milestones as a Writer

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

 

Today’s topic is on something I’m really bad at: celebrating writing wins.

I’m trying to do better. My usual m.o. is to finish one project and immediately hop into another, often on the same day.

That approach is good for making progress, but it’s not necessarily good for preventing burnout.  When I don’t acknowledge that I’ve done something I should be proud of (finishing a book or an outline, editing a tough section of a book, or creating ad copy for Amazon ads), I do end up feeling more run-down. It’s as if I’m looking for a little self-congratulation.

Whatever your writing-related wins are, they deserve recognition. It’s a celebration of more than just a particular milestone. It’s also a celebration of your drive, consistency, and creativity. Not only can celebrating these wins help prevent burnout, they can also help replenish our motivation and keep us going.

The scale of the celebrating is entirely up to you. It can be private (mine usually is) or can be celebrated by a group. It can be inexpensive (binge-watching that show you haven’t had time to watch) or pricier (something you’ve wanted to buy yourself for a while). I like picking up take-out for myself.

The point is just to take time out of your busy schedule to give yourself a little pat on the back. Writing and the writing business can be grueling—we need all the encouragement we can get.

Are you good about celebrating your writing wins?

Celebrating Writing-Related Wins:
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Image by nck_gsl from Pixabay

The post Celebrating Milestones as a Writer appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

Lit Links

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 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 / MiscellaneousApproaching another author for help: by Leslie BudewitzInterview: Laura Elliott, Ghostwriter: @GoodStoryCoThe Value of Copyright: @pubcoachHow to Create a Squarespace Website for Authors: @davechessonConferences and Events / MiscellaneousWinners of the Society of Authors’ 2023 Awards: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUK: Christine Pillainayagam, KLeah Thaxton Win the Branford Boase: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration6 Ways Tabletop Gaming Can Help Improve Your Writing: by Whitney CarterCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCelebrate Pride with These Speculative Graphic Novels: @SWytovich @litreactorFour Science Fiction Novels Set in Future Versions of San Francisco: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCrime Fiction With No Sleuths: @MargotKinbergSix Favorite Authors Writing in New or Unexpected Genres: @QueenOfRats @tordotcomFive Satisfying Standalone Books for Instant Gratification: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Naomi Hirahara’s Clark and Division @margotkinbergWhy Are Stories Popular Despite Problems? by Oren AshkenaziCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in Writing10 Time Management Tips for Fiction Writers: by Juliet Dreamhunter @livewritethriveCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeCreative Writing vs Writing as Therapy: by Sara Kopeczky
@TheRyanLanzThe Writing Juggling Act: @karencvFind Your Writing Team: @TimSuddeth @ediemelsonWhat Sort Of Writer Are You? by Dale Ivan Smith @killzoneauthorsWhy Authors Need Continuous Learning: by Doug Lewars5 Things Gardening Teaches About Writing: @QuotidianWriterReaders’ Pet Peeves. Should Writers Pay Attention to Them? @annerallenHow is Your Writing Lately? by P. S. HoffmanYou Gotta Have Heart: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsSecond Novel Syndrome: by Lily Lindon @thenovelryHow I’m Sustaining My Love for Writing and How You Can Too: by LaKisha Cargill @seejavaciawriteGenres / HistoricalHistorical Writing: Get Your Facts Straight: @JoanHallWrites @storyempireGenres / Memoir‘I was terrified just before it was released’ – Anne Pinkerton @AAPinkerton on writing a grief memoir: @roz_morrisWriting Your Transcendent Change: Memoir With Marion Roach Smith: by Marion Roach Smith @thecreativepennGenres / MysteryUnusual Settings in Crime Fiction: @MandSMagazineFor the Love of Serial Killers: @MandSMagazineGenres / Non-FictionHow to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template]: @reedsyGenres / PoetryPoetry and AI: by Shutta Crum @floridawriters1Genres / Screenwriting10 Quick Reasons Why Writers Should Become Script Readers: @bang2writeGenres / Short StoriesCreating Scenes In Short Story: @JunetaKey @theiwsgWhy Short Stories Are Difficult to Write: by Teagan BerryPublishing / MiscellaneousSelf-publishing News: USA Today Bestseller List is Back: by Dan Holloway @indieauthoralliPublishing / News / DataEIBF Issues Its 2022 Bookselling Markets Report: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingAt CONTEC Mexico: Examining the Hopes and Hurdles of Sustainability: by Adam Critchley @pubperspectivesThe Netherlands’ Elsevier Gains Benetech Accreditation: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesMVB’s New UK Teleordering Service Platform Goes Live: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesJerusalem’s Educational Bookshop: ‘The Palestinian Point of View’: @OliviaSnaije @pubperspectivesTech Publisher IEEE in Transformative Agreement With Spain’s Universities: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAt Frankfurt’s CONTEC Mexico: ‘Art for Audio’s Sake’: @pubperspectives by Adam CritchleyIn Geneva: WIPO’S Marrakesh Treaty’s 10 Anniversary: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesThe United States Rejoins UNESCO After Its Trump-Era Exit: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSustainability: Taylor & Francis Opts for Paper Wrapping in the UK: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSven Fund: 10 Years of Open Access at Knowledge Unlatched: @HannaSJohnson @pubperspectivesRights Edition: Tokyo and Kansai Rights Meetings Announced: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingMy Pathway to Self-Publishing: by Marisa K. Jones @womenwritersPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingCareful with teenage petulance (query critique): @nathanbransfordBut what if I piss off the agent? by @janet_reidPublishing / Process / Book DesignAIGA Names Its 2022 50 Best Book and 50 Best Cover Designs: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesHow to Create a Book Cover that Wows [2023]: @nownovelWriting Craft / Arc8 Point Story Arc: What Is It and Is It Worth Using? @SWMillarAuthorWriting Craft / BeginningsWhy No One Is Reading Past Your First Chapter: @janice_hardyWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCharacter Type & Trope Thesaurus: Magician: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsGiving Your Hero Agency When Things Go Wrong: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / ConflictHeight and Combat: from How to Fight WriteWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFive Stories With Poorly Established Stakes: by Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / MiscellaneousJennifer McMahon’s Top Writing Tips: @Writers_WriteHow Can We Define Our Story’s Essence? @jamigoldWriting Craft / POVPoint of View (POV): Structuring: by Stephen Geez @storyempireWriting Craft / RevisionManuscript Changes During Copyediting: by Jeanette the Writer @diymfaWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesWhy Your Book Needs Beta Readers: by Andrea LundgrenWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionHow Place Shapes Story: by Janice Deal @womenwritersWriting Craft / World-BuildingWorldbuilding 101 for Writers: Agriculture: @ACW_Author @ediemelsonWriting Tools / ResourcesThe 3 Best Courses on Selling Books Direct to Readers @StoryHobbitUncategorizedWhat Metaphor Fits Your Writing Career? @theladygreer

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Twitterific:
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The post Lit Links appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

Twitterific Writing Links

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 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.

Creativity and Inspiration / Inspiration40 Coming of Age Story Ideas: @suelweems @write_practiceCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFive Fantasy Stories in Which the Moon Is More Than a Moon: @ColeRush1 @tordotcomFive Surprisingly Sympathetic Supervillains: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomFive Books That Help Me Face Anxiety and Feel Better About the World: @ColeRush1 @tordotcom“How Choose Your Own Adventures helped me win the Booker prize”: @GuardianBooks @ShehanKaruFive Authors Who Adapted Others’ Stories (Plus Their Own): @randeedawn @tordotcomCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockHow to Get Unstuck by Asking Questions (About Your Book): @LisaTenerCreativity and Inspiration / SuccessTwo Success Factors No One Wants To Talk About: by Jaime BuckleyCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWriting Advice You Should Never Follow – A Top-10 List for Writers: @EdieMelsonThe selfless work of book promotion: @jbernoffWriting: Getting Back to It: @LindasclareIs Your Writing Good Enough? @bookendslitAre You Creating Your Writing Career or Someone Else’s? @FoxPrintEdOn Migraines, Pain, and Creativity: @AmyGracieL @The_Millions3 Tips From My Failure As an Author: @KelsieEngenAI For Good, AI For Bad, AI for All: from Fix Your Writing HabitsThe Easy Way to Become a Better Writer: @PSHoffmanAuthorLet’s Chat About ChatGPT @jamesscottbellHow Travel Can Boost Your Creativity: by Susanne Bennett @writers_writeFighting Writer Discouragement–in Ourselves and in Others: @ediemelsonWriter Wannabes and other Literary Cooties: @ruthharrisbooksIt’s Okay To Ask For Help: @mtjohnson51I Feel Bad For New Writers… More Myths @deanwesleysmithLies About Writing that I Sometimes Believe: @AHuelsenbeckWhy David Sedaris Still Keeps His Daily Diary: by Sam FragosoGenres / HorrorHow Horror, As a Genre, Works: by John Truby in Conversation with Brad Listi @lithubGenres / MemoirThe Ethics of Writing Hard Things in Family Memoir: @kellymcmasters2Genres / MysteryCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: J.M.Gregson’s Murder at the Nineteenth: @MargotKinbergFictional Court Cases in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / Non-FictionHow to Write Nonfiction When You’re Not an “Expert”: by Liz Green @JaneFriedmanGenres / Young AdultCrafting the Parents in Your YA Novel: @domwritesbooks @diymfaPromo / Ads5 Reasons Your Amazon Ads Aren’t Working: @BookgalPromo / Blogging10 Reasons for Authors to Blog: by Robin Houghton @TheRyanLanz3 Reasons You Need a Blog if You’re a Children’s Writer: @WritersCoachPromo / Book ReviewsVanishing Reviews on Amazon: @BeemWeeks @StoryEmpirePromo / MiscellaneousAre you promoting yourself before you’re ready? @pubcoachPromo / NewslettersEverything an Author Needs to Know About Reader Magnets: @bookgal @bowkerPromo / PlatformsAre You Sure You Don’t Have an Author Platform? by Lena Nelson @janefriedmanPromo / WebsitesHow to Choose a Website Template for Bloggers & Writers: by Nancy P. HowardPublishing / MiscellaneousHow to Write Submission Guidelines for Your Anthology: by Deborah Sheldon @HorrorTreePublishing / News / International PublishingRecalling Ukrainian Writer and Activist Victoria Amelina: @porter_anderson @PubperspectivesIn Berlin, Two Literary Agencies Merge To Form Gaeb & Eggers: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesGerman Book Market Report 2022: Turnover Down 1.9 Percent: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCONTEC Mexico: ‘Is the Publishing Industry Sustainable?’ @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesMauro Mazza Gets Started as Italy’s Frankfurt 2024 Commissioner: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesChina’s May Bestsellers: Online, on Film, and Stage: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingWhat Not To Do When Sending Off Your Manuscript: by Charmedward @TheRyanLanzPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / PitchesHow to write a killer one sentence pitch (or logline) for novels and memoirs: @NathanBransfordPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / RejectionsReframe Rejection: @WriteNowCoachWriting Craft / BeginningsGive your protagonist something to do (page critique): @NathanBransfordYour first pages: 5 book openings critiqued by @agentpete @mattschodcnews and @roz_morris: Writing Craft / Characters / AntagonistsHow To Bring Back a Defeated Villain: by Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentDon’t Place a Protective Shield Around the Characters You Write: @DiAnnMills @EdieMelsonCharacter Tropes and Types: Innocent: @AngelaAckerman @onestop4writersWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsThe Joy of a Bewildered Protagonist: @jon7payne @CrimeReadsWriting Craft / Common MistakesAvoid the Bubble Scene: by Marilynn ByerlyWriting Craft / DiversityYou’re Doing It Wrong: Fix Your Asian Characters: by Melissa Yi @CrimeReadsWriting Craft / EndingsWhy Story Endings Are Often Predictable – And That’s Okay: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryHow to Write a Character’s Backstory: @JerryBJenkinsWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFive Ways SF Writers Sidestep the Problem of Relativity: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomWriting Craft / Literary DevicesHow a Writer Can Manage Tone: by Doug Lewars @TheRyanLanzWriting Craft / Miscellaneous7 Things I Wish I’d Known as a Beginning Writer: @SeptCFawkesWriting A Book: Information Delivery Elements: @KMAllan_writerHow to Write a Myth: @evamarie41 @HorrorTreeCommercial Fiction vs. Literary Fiction: Which Do You Write and How to Tell the Difference: by Andrea Lundgren5 Ways to Use Your Character’s Shadows to Power Your Story @KMWeilandCrafting Your Novel’s Key Moments With John Matthew Fox: @thecreativepennPros and Cons of the Battle Fiend: @cyallowitzWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingWhat is Story Structure? @ByMichelleReneeWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchWriting-Related Research: Common Misconceptions About Surviving Extreme Cold: @gideonpsmith @DanKoboldtWriting Craft / RevisionHow to Edit a Novel: 8 Top Tips for Editing a Book: by Shane MillarWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesHow Writers Can Recover From a Bad Beta Reader: @losapalaWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionTips for Distant Settings: @authorterryo @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / TropesWhy the “Intelligent Asshole” Trope Needs to Die: by jennsepticeyeWriting Tools / ResourcesFree Resources for Writers: by Erica Converso @onestop4writers

 

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Twitterific:
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The post Twitterific Writing Links appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

Twitterific Writing Links

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 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 / Miscellaneous5 Ways to Make Money Using Skills You Already Have: @quiettypeblogI Feel Bad For New Writers: Myths: @DeanWesleySmith5 Ways to Use ChatGPT as an Author: @dkparsonswriter @SelfPubFormA 6-Step Guide to Publishing a Bestselling Book (podcast): @DanBlank @WeGrowMediaConferences and Events / MiscellaneousCanada’s New Weston International Award in Nonfiction Goes to Robert MacFarlane: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesIn London, the PEN Pinter Prize Goes to Michael Rosen: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUNESCO’s Sharjah Prize Goes to Istanbouli and Ben Boubaker: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesCLMP’s Ninth Annual ‘Firecracker Awards’: Five Categories in 2023: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Careers in Writing and Day JobsDoes Your Job Influence Your Writing? @EliasJMcClellanCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration15 Fascinating Story Starters From Nextdoor: @BeingTheWriter @womenonwritingCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFive Classic SF Novels Featuring Advanced Body Modifications: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCharacter Creation in Mysteries: by James Polkinghorn @MandSMagazine5 Feel-Good Comfort Reads: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingActive Questions and Productivity: @SueBEdwards @womenonwritingHave a Productive Summer Writing by Incorporating These 4 Tips into Your Routine: @ZenaDellLowe @EdieMelsonHow to Overcome Obstacles to Writing: @ecellenbCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockMindset, Motivation, and Tchotchkes: @GarryRodgers1Creativity and Inspiration / SuccessIntent and Writing Success: @KarenCV @FrugalBookPromoCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeBusiness Musings: Creative Cross-Training: by Kristine RuschWriting: A Form of Deep Play by Stacey Shubitz @2writingteachrsThe Four Sources of Shiny Object Syndrome: @kadavyThe Person Who Wrote It Is Eating Ramen: Samantha Irby on Writing for TV: @lithubGood News for Older Women Writers: Your Age Is a Bonus: @writeabookFinding a Work-Life Balance for Writers: @PattySmithHall @EdieMelsonIs It Ethical to Use Generative AI in Fiction Writing? by Oren Ashkenazi and Chris WinkleHow to be the best mentor ever: @KMazeauthorWhat I Learned About Writing From Reviewing: @TheBookMaven
@lithubGenres / MiscellaneousSeries Versus Standalones + 6 Tips for Making Graphic Novels by Mira Reisberg: @ChildrensBookAcGenres / MysteryPortraits as Elements in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergWhy Murder Mysteries Intrigue: by Charlene Bell Dietz @MandSMagazineA Closer Look at Mystery Beginnings: @MargotKinbergWhat is a Hard-Boiled Mystery? @MandSMagazinePostwar Times as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / Poetry15 Tips for Writing Poetry: @WordDreamsPromo / BloggingA Closer Look at Substack: by Cathy C Hall @womenonwritingCould you be a monkey bar blogger? @pubcoachPromo / Miscellaneous190 Advanced Marketing Strategies with Nick Thacker: @sacha_black5 Ways to Use AI in Your Book Marketing: by Rose Atkinson-Carter @TheIWSG @ReedsyHQTips for Setting a Budget for Your Book Marketing: @BookgalPublishing / MiscellaneousA ‘Freedom to Read’ Campaign Amid US Censorship: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesOxford University Press Distributes Kids’ Titles with IPG: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesPlan S’ 2022 Report: ‘Clearly Disappointing’: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesSpringer Nature Issues Its New ‘Progress Report’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPenguin Random House’s New Inklore: ‘Pop-Comics’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / DataAAP’s StatShot: US Trade Revenues Down 11.2 Percent in April: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingUkraine: Kyiv’s Book Arsenal Festival Draws 28,000: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrance: 2022 Book Revenues Were Down 5.4 Percent: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSwiss Publisher Frontiers in Deal with Polish Biochemical Society: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / PitchesPitch and Win: Guide to Online Pitch Events: @JJGraham_Books @DIYMFAPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingWhat does the protagonist have to do? (query critique) @NathanBransfordQuerying Basics: 5 Tips for Landing a Literary Agent: by Dario Villirilli @ReedsyHQPublishing / Process / FormattingEpilogue vs Prologue: What’s the Difference and How to Format: @DaveChessonPublishing / Process / LegalitiesEditing Clauses in Publishing Contracts: What to Watch For: @victoriastraussWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsCreating that “Killer” Character: by Georgio Konstandi @TheRyanLanzWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCreating Believable Characters is a Challenging & Rewarding Part of Being a Writer: @AneMulligan @EdieMelsonHow do You Write Compelling Characters? Find the Source of Their Pain: @ejcop @CrimeReadsHow to Create Insanely Complex Characters Using “Shadow Theory: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionRevealing Emotion Using Show vs Tell: by Winnie Griggs @SKRViLLWriting Craft / Common MistakesCommon mistakes new fiction writers make: @NatRussoWriting Craft / ConflictRita Chang-Eppig on How to Write a Fight Scene: @lithubWriting Craft / DialogueDialogue Writing Examples from Top Books vs AI: @nownovelWriting Craft / HumorFive Simple Ways to Make Your Writing Funnier: @MikeLukas4Writing Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmSuccession & Barry – 6 Ways to Write Characters You Love to Hate: @Jamie_Nash @savethecatSix Lessons from My Writing Crush: by Keith Cronin @WriterUnboxedWriting Craft / MiscellaneousThe Devil’s in the Details: by Dave King @WriterUnboxedMetaphysical elements in writing: @JanSikes3 @StoryEmpireHow to Write a Character’s Breaking Point: @AuthorMarileneFive Writing Tips from The French Chef: by J. M. Kessler @DIYMFA5 Things Your Readers Need From You: by Andrea Lundgren @TheRyanLanzLittle Cuts Bring Big Benefits: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsArtistic License: @Virgilante @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesShould You Leave Your Critique Group Once You’re Published? @annerallenWriting Craft / Word CraftingWelcoming the Weak Words in Revision: @AnneJanzerWriting Tools / AppsCampfire for Plotters, Pantsers, and Plantsers: by Ann Christy @TheStoryEditorBest Book Writing Software 2023: Top 5 Programs for Writers: by Shane Millar @TheStoryEditor

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Twitterific:
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The post Twitterific Writing Links appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

Twitterific Writing Links

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

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

I’m taking a few weeks off from blogging for a summer break. I’ll continue posting Twitterifics, though. :) I’ll be back July 17 with regular posts. 

Business / MiscellaneousHow to Get Started in Ghostwriting: @LindaGilden @EdieMelsonCreating a Publication Timeline for Your Next Release: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersDon’t blurb bad books: @jbernoffConferences and Events / MiscellaneousThe 2023 German Book Trade’s Peace Prize: Salman Rushdie: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBeijing International Book Fair Reports 2,500+ Exhibitors: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe UK’s Yoto Carnegie Medal: A First Win for a Book in Translation: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe UAE’s $544,528 Golden Narrative Opens for Submissions: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFive Authors Who Wrote Sequels to Someone Else’s Work: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomTerrible Mothers in Horror: A Reading List: by Katrina Monroe @CrimeReadsWhodunnits With a Killer Twist: by Gabriella Lepore @CrimeReads9 Novels About Characters Looking to Be Transformed by Sex or Love: by Hanna Halperin @ElectricLitSix Novels Exploring the Underbelly of Privileged Enclaves: @LindsayJCameron @CrimeReadsBuilding Our Personal Libraries, and the Books We Leave Behind: @mollytempleton @tordotcom6 Mid-Life Memoirs of Transformative Years: by Megan Beauregard @BookTribCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Paul D. Brazill’s Stray Bullets: @MargotKinbergCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingWriting Sprints: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockCombating Writer’s Block By Inspiring Creativity: @AmandaWinsteadd @A3writersCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeHow Writing a Novel is Like Raising an Unruly Child: @KelsieEngenThe unique challenges of writing out of order: @cara_putmanWill AI Replace Writers? It Already Is. @FoxPrintEdI Feel Bad For New Writers: @deanwesley20How Finding Your Why Helps You Keep Writing: @GraceBialecki @DIYMFABuilding Bits of Life into a Novel: @kcraftwriter
@WriterUnboxedI Feel Bad For New Writers: Things Change: @DeanWesleySmithWriter’s Block And The New Writer: What My 11-Year-Old Daughter Learned At Authorcon: 2 @P_M_Anderson @LitReactorHow To Write About Your Mother:
@RTMcDonell @lithubIn Praise of Meandering: by Valerie Nieman @WomenWritersMaking Art From Life. Mental Health For Writers: @tobywneal @thecreativepennWhy There’s No Such Thing as “Just a Story”: @KMWeilandBecoming a Mom Has Made Me A Better (And Worse) Writer: @AuthorSATHow to harness the power of distraction free writing: @pubcoachThe Good, the Not-So-Good and The Frustrating Aspects of Entering Writing Contests: @EdieMelsonGenres / MysteryImportant Elements of Mysteries: @jrlauthorMob Mentality in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / Non-Fiction3 ways to choose your irresistible self-help book topic: @_GinnyCarterGenres / Short StoriesGetting Your Short Story Published: What You Need to Know About Submission, Rights and Payments: @RayneHallPromo / MiscellaneousHow to Leverage Book Awards: @LisaTenerBook Club Adventures: by Sheena WilkinsonStrategy and collaboration tools for a modest book launch: @jbernoffPromo / NewslettersTips to Improve Newsletters: Design: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthorsPromo / Social Media TipsThe Top 3 Simple Instagram Tips for Writers: @art4earthlings @DIYMFAPublishing / MiscellaneousHow to write acknowledgments: @jbernoffRichard Charkin: Chatting Megatrends With ChatGPT: @rcharkin @pubperspectivesSelf-publishing News: Twitter Sued Over Failure to Enforce Copyright Violation Notices: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIPublishing / News / International PublishingWorld Refugee Day: Italian-Ukrainian Bilingual Books in Naples: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesReport: Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Backs the Hurowitz S&S Bid: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesTaylor & Francis Reports ‘Accelerating Open Access in the UK: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingHow Rigid Are Deadlines in Publishing? @bookendslitPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / RejectionsHave you met your rejection quota? @pubcoachPublishing / Process / DistributionBest Ebook Affiliate Program: My Top 7 Recommendations: @DaveChessonWriting Craft / BeginningsCareful with the “here’s what you need to know” opening (page critique): @NathanBransfordWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentBirth Order and Character Development: the Only Child: @gmplano @StoryEmpireWhat is Your Character’s Fatal Flaw? @KelsieEngenEnhance Your Story’s Rampant Appeal With Archetypes: @JunetaKey @TheIWSGCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Explorer: @AngelaAckerman @onestop4writersWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsProtagonists Who ComeOut Of Nowhere: by PJ Parrish @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Common Mistakes10 Tips for Writing a Boring Story: @KelleyLindberg1
@RMFWritersReasons Why Readers Quit a Book: @WordDreamsWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and Film‘How To Steal Like An Artist’ – Writing Advice From Austin Kleon: by Susanne Bennett @austinkleon @Writers_WriteWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWriting Fiction: Summary or Action? @LindasclareHow to Write Better Prose: @AuthorMarileneHow to Write a Summary: An Essential Guide: @themaltesetiger3 Things to Do When You Can’t Use Your Favorite Writing Style: by Pekoeblaze @TheRyanLanz9 Magic Ways Collaborative Storytellers Empower Writing: by Lisa NormanWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / NamingHow to Create the Perfect Fiction Title: @diannmillsWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story Concept6 Questions to Get to the Heart of Your Story: @LiveWriteThriveWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesWriting Critique Groups – Can’t find one? Create your own: @Dwallacepeach @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionHow to Research a Location You Haven’t Actually Been To: by Helena Fairfax @TheRyanLanzWriting Craft / Word CraftingWhat’s The Big Deal About Was? @authorterryo @killzoneauthors

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Important Elements of Mysteries

by J.R. Lancaster, @jrlauthor 

For those of you who don’t know me yet, mysteries are my jam so there couldn’t be a more perfect topic for me to chat about. More so, let’s talk about important elements in mysteries.

Could there be anything more gratifying than reading a mystery where you have no clue who did it or why, but the resolution makes so much sense? Not at all. Now, I could say a million things about what should be in a mystery according to the experts, but I think I’d rather share what I think makes a good mystery. This is purely from a reader’s standpoint because, after all, we are supposed to write the book we want to read, right?

First up, foreshadowing.

Give me all the things I wish I would have seen along way and reveal it to me at the end! A great mystery has you fooled into thinking you can solve the puzzle when in reality, you haven’t the slightest hint of what’s in front of you. It’s like a magician tricking you with the left hand while the right one is doing all the work.

Next, is layering on the suspense.

For a good mystery I need to feel something is coming without seeing it.  This is the ultimate distraction from the clues peppered within the plot. I want to be distracted by the feeling of fight-or-flight. That’s all part of the fun.

Give me all the Red Herrings.

This really goes beyond someone being a great writer and boarder’s common sense. We need clues not to seem out of place, they have to make so much sense, the reader has no idea you’ve already given them the key to unlocking it all. As a reader, I want to be led astray, tricked, and thrown off course. Why? Because you bet your bottom dollar, I will be paying attention. Not to mention, when I figure out that I’ve got it wrong I’ll be hooked until I find out the truth.

This is a big one, pacing.

I have found the secret for me is to begin a chapter with a inciting incident and end it with a question. The middle is filled with all the action to get from point A to point B. When writers do this, I have that good ol’ fashioned feeling of ‘just one more chapter.’

And lastly, a strong finish.

At the end of the novel a riveting mystery needs to line it out for me. What were the clues I missed? What might I have figured out? Why was wrong in my first theories? And what are you going to do about it? All I am looking for is a resolution to the game of cat and mouse that we’ve been playing from cover to cover.

When you combine all of these elements you have the making of an immersive experience for readers. And that’s really the goal. Think about it like the board game CLUE or CLUEDO. Almost everyone has played it, and even if you haven’t, you’ve certainly heard of it. How did it become so popular? It gives players an experience not just a storyline.

I hope you have had fun exploring this with me! It was really interesting to compare and contrast my favorite mysteries in order to identify what hooks me as a reader. I would love to hear what you would add to the list!

Important Elements for Mysteries by @jrlauthor :
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J.R. Lancaster is a published journalist, Editor and CEO of Musings & Company Creative Agency. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and children. J.R. is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University and possesses an MFA in Creative Writing and Teaching Degree in English. She has a passion for writing that is only rivaled by her love of reading. In her spare time, you can find her outside with her family or behind the pages of a book. Connect with J.R. on Twitter @jrlauthor or Instagram @authorj.r.lancaster.

 

Book Blurb:

Basil Billingsly has dedicated more than ten years to flying under the radar of everyone in Badger’s Hollow.

He employs Mrs. Greene to do his bidding  while he sets to work with clients far from prying eyes in the Village. He answers to no one and there isn’t a soul alive that relies on him either. Everything was perfect, until it wasn’t.

Now, a decade later, the killer has struck again, and Basil is forced to revisit the unsolved murder of his mother. Torn between love and lies, Basil must sort out his feelings before it’s too late. Old habits die hard, will he break them to save his friends, or will solitude call him home?

 

Image by Dorothe from Pixabay

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Review Those Outlines

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

It’s recently struck me how much I’ve had to say about outlines lately. I’ve gone from being a pantser, to being a reluctant outliner, to having a grudging respect for a tool I never wanted to use in the first place.

I now follow my outlines fairly closely, although I permit myself any deviations needed to improve the story. But I realized for one of my last books that I’d left myself a few choices in my outline. I wrote “either do this, or do this.”  I guess I figured I’d have a better feel for the story once I was writing it and could make a more natural decision later on.

The only problem was that I was following the outline and didn’t realize there was a fork in the road until the fork suddenly appeared. I write my outlines about 3-4 months before I work on the book, so I didn’t have any recollection of the divergent story ideas.

Not only that, but taking one story path over the other meant other changes were needed earlier in the story. It was sort of a domino effect.

The point is, any issues would have been headed off if I’d just reread the outline before I hopped right in. I need to either read the whole document (usually mine run about 30-35 pages) before I start, or I need to review and revise the outline directly after I finish writing it.

A quick tip, but one that might help a few folks out. :)

Are you an outliner? Have any writing tips for outlines or anything else?

Review Those Outlines:
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Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

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Twitterific Writing Links

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 65,000 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 / MiscellaneousThe Non-Traveling Travel Writer: @BNKennedy10 @womenonwritingBusiness Musings: Go Wide or Run Away or Amazon Fail: by Kristine RuschWhat does a technical writer do? by Edwin L. Battistella
@OUPAcademicConferences and Events / MiscellaneousIn France: Lyon BD Festival Opens its ‘Comic Season’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBeijing International Book Fair: A Four-Day Run This Week: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBarbara Kingsolver Wins the Women’s Prize for Fiction: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurt Guest of Honor Slovenia: A ‘Honeycomb of Words’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPA’s Karine Pansa at Seoul International Book Fair: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @IntPublishersCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationTarot Cards for Writing Inspiration: by Willow Croft @HorrorTree365 Daily Writing Prompts to Transform Your Craft: @jordkanedits @nownovelCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers9 Books About Immigrants to the Middle East: @taniamalik @ElectricLitWhat Hemingway Means in the 21st Century: by David Barnes @lithubUnconventional Characters in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinberg7 Babysitters Club Books that Changed My Life: @jchenwriter @ElectricLitFive SFF Stories Featuring Magical Paintings: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Jeffrey Siger’s Murder in Mykonos: @MargotKinberg13 Novels That Reclaim the Stories of the Women of Greek Mythology: by Katie Bloomer @BookTribCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Elizabeth Kent’s The House Opposite: a Mystery @MargotKinbergCreativity and Inspiration / MotivationFacing a Lack of Motivation? Just Jump Right In: Creativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingRituals for Writing–The Relief of No Choice: @writeabookCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockFive Ways to Beat Writer’s Block: by Ann Putnam @DIYMFACreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeHow My Lifelong Affair with Stamps influenced my Writing: @hollyswimsuit @WomenWritersDentistry and Doubt: On Writing About Teeth: @JiananQian @The_MillionsA Reader Is Not a Consumer of Books: @mollytempleton @tordotcomLetting the Story Go: Field Notes from a Brutal Time: by Janet Steen @lithubWould you benefit from napping? @pubcoachJournaling helped me slay imposter syndrome in disguise: by Sherilyn Anderson @seejavaciawriteComing Into Fiction Publishing Right Now Is Confusing: @DeanWesleySmithFrom Nursing Home to Published Author: @tnewmanwrites @WomenWritersWhy write fiction? @pubcoachUsing Your Creative Mission to Discover Your Publishing Purpose: Creative Self-Publishing Podcast with Orna Ross and Howard Lovy: @IndieAuthorALLI7 Writing Rules For Fiction: by Kate Foster @TheRyanLanzThe Literary Lives of Mid-Century Nuns: @nickripatrazone @The_MillionsDave Eggers on Writing from the Subconscious: @lithubGenres / Memoir30 Prompts to Start Writing Your Memoir: @getfreewriteGenres / MysteryIdentity Faking in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergWhat Makes Seattle Such a Good Setting for Thrillers? @Weissbourd @CrimeReadsHow to Create Suspense: by Charlene Bell Dietz @MandSMagazineGenres / Science FictionFive SFF Characters Who Could Have Greatly Benefited From Therapy: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomGenres / Short StoriesSix Word Stories: How to Write the Shortest Story You’ll Never Forget: @joebunting @write_practiceHow to Turn a Short Story Into a Novel: @dkparsonswriter @SelfPubFormWhat is Flash Fiction? Definition and Examples: by Lisa Taylor @TheStoryEditorPromo / Blogging7 Reasons Why You Don’t Blog Even When You Have the Time: @NinaAmirPromo / MiscellaneousHow to Market a Self-Published Book: 4 Cornerstones to Success: @BookgalPromo / VideoHow Writers Can Be Successful on Media Interviews: by Anne Alenskis @colleen_m_storyPublishing / MiscellaneousScholarly Journals: Wiley in European Hematology Association Deal: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives‘AI Voices’ in Audiobooks: Storytel in ElevenLabs Partnership: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesTracing the Evolution of Celebrity Memoirs, from Charles Lindbergh to Will Smith: by Landon Y. Jones @lithubPublishing / News / International PublishingIn France, Vivendi’s Acquisition of Lagardère Approved: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGermany’s ContentShift Announces Its 2023 Top 10 Start-Ups: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesChina Bestsellers in April: When Touring Still Counts: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGermany Rolls Out Its KulturPass for 18-Year-Olds: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesEuropean Publishers Welcome Parliament’s ‘AI Act’ Draft Approval: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Roundup: Mind Your Metadata: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Edition: Kamran Sardar Khan on Books and Screens: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Edition: Liber Madrid Invites 624 Buyers from 63 Countries: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingLiterary Agent Interview: Karly Dizon Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @NatalieIAguirreTry not to switch POVs midstream in a query (query critique): @NathanBransfordPublishing / Process / DistributionThe Seven Processes of Publishing: Book Distribution: @IndieAuthorALLIPublishing / Process / FormattingIndex in a Book: How to Write and Format an Index: @DaveChessonAcknowledgments Page: How to Format This Often Overlooked Element: @DaveChessonPublishing / Process / LegalitiesBook Disclaimers: Tips for the Indie Author: @KathrynGoldmanWriting Craft / BeginningsTypes of Opening Scenes for Your Novel: from Coffee Bean WritingWriting Craft / HumorTop 10 Things You Need to Consider If You Want to Write Comedy: by Daniel A. Roberts @TheRyanLanzWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmThe Sum of Too Many Fears: Star Trek’s Changelings: @dancinghorse @tordotcom5 Bits Of Writing Advice From Arthur Hailey: by Alex J. Coyne @Writers_WriteWriting Craft / Literary DevicesHow Theme in Fiction Gets to the Heart of Your Characters: @LiveWriteThriveWriting Craft / Miscellaneous7 Story Archetypes: What They Are and How to Use Them: @sleclercauthor @TheStoryEditorPassive Voice vs Active Voice: by Heather Wood @TheStoryEditorHow to Write a Training Sequence: by Chris WinkleThe AI-Assisted Artisan Author: @thecreativepennCutting the DULL from Your Scenes: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsA. A. Dhand on Writing a Page-Turner: @thenovelryHow To Make Any Story Creepy Using The Uncanny: by Oliver Fox @Writers_WriteHow to use dialogue snippets as a narrative tool: @LouiseHarnbyWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingFive Thoughts About Thinking in Acts: @emma_darwinWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchHow to Find and Choose the Best Images for Your Project: by Virginia Seymour @JSTORUsing ChatGPT for Book Research? Take Exceeding Care: @susanne_dunlap @JaneFriedmanWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story ConceptTry the Bad Idea Exercise: @jrlalloWriting Craft / RevisionEditing a Book: Steps and Process: by Polly Watt @TheStoryEditorA Few Quick Editing Tips: @MorganHzlwoodWhat I Learned Revising My First Novel After Publication: by Lisa Harding @lithubWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesHow Beta Readers Might Save Your Book from Disaster: @suzyvadori @onestop4writersWriting Craft / ScenesThe Fascinating Neuroscience of Scene: @manzanitafire @JaneFriedmanWriting Craft / Scenes / ConflictAdversarial Conflict: Who Is Making Trouble In Your Story? @AngelaAckerman @onestop4writersWriting Craft / TensionWriting Tension in Every Line: @Lindasclare

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Jump Right In

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I'm pretty disciplined with my morning writing session. I get up, get ready, let the dog out, then settle down to write with a cup of tea. I reach my goal for the day before I get up from my chair.

The problem sometimes is any additional writing sessions during the day. The reason I protect my early-morning writing time so much is because there are so many different ways a day can get derailed during its course. You know what I mean: everything from family crises to mundane things like errands that need to be run or cleaning and cooking to complete.

I've found that what works for me is telling myself to get started with a writing session before I'm really ready to do so. To jump right in.

There I'll be, trying to figure out when I can squeeze in more writing time. I'll look at my to-do list and start thinking that 3 p.m. looks good. Apparently, my muse is an imp because she'll say, “How about right now, instead? This minute? Only a short one.”

As I've mentioned before, if I bring out my loyal timer, I'll do it. I can convince myself to do anything if it's just in 5 or 10 minute increments. I'll usually blow right through the timer and go an extra five or more minutes.

By jumping in before I'm ready, I think it's a way of decreasing my own expectations on my performance. I'm lowering the bar for myself. Giving myself a little grace. And I'm always relieved that I squeezed in the time.

How about you?  Do you throw yourself into your writing when you're not ready? How do you motive yourself to write (or to do anything that requires effort?)

Writing Sessions: Jump Right In
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