Riley Adams's Blog, page 31
May 28, 2022
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.
In observance of Memorial Day, I won't be blogging tomorrow. I'll be back next Sunday.
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May 22, 2022
4 Things to Remember When Writing About Difficult Subjects
by Colleen M. Story, @colleen_m_story
Difficult subjects.
We’d all rather avoid them. It’s easier to write about good things happening to our characters. Falling in love. Getting a new job. Striking out on an adventure.
But physical or sexual abuse? Assault? Addiction? Suicide?
That’s where we can get a little squeamish.
Yet when the muse says you need to write about these difficult topics, you must honor the muse!
How to manage it? Keep the following four things in mind.
When Writing About Difficult Subjects: Show EmpathyWhen writing about difficult topics like abuse or assault, it can be tough to find empathy for the perpetrator. Particularly if you have personal experience as a victim, it can be satisfying to portray your perpetrator as completely evil, and then to dole out the justice he or she deserves.
Perhaps justice that was sorely lacking in your life.
There’s nothing wrong with doing this on a practice story, in your journal, or even in the first draft of your novel. But it’s important to remember that if you want to create a publishable story that readers will enjoy, you have to accurately portray all of your characters, even the ones you may dislike.
My next novel coming out, The Beached Ones, explores a couple of difficult topics. One is verbal abuse between a parent and a child. At first, my parent character was rather one-dimensional, with the reader seeing her only through the child’s eyes.
Later, I realized that no matter how dysfunctional, this relationship was important in my hero’s journey and needed further exploration. That required digging into the parent’s past a little more, realizing what had made her who she was, and doing my best to put myself in her shoes.
This took time, and it wasn’t until the later drafts that I succeeded, but I was much happier with the story when I did. It felt more authentic, and the hero’s journey much deeper and more satisfying.
This doesn’t mean you have to let your perpetrator off the hook. Finding true justice in your story can be healing to you personally, and will likely appeal to readers’ sense of justice as well. Allow your bad guy’s fate to play out as it will in your plotline. Just be sure that he or she is a full-fledged, well-rounded character just like the rest of your main characters.
When Writing About Difficult Subjects: Trust Your MuseIt’s funny how writing works. You’ll be working away on a story you think is about one thing, when all of a sudden something else will pop up.
If that something else happens to be a difficult subject, most times, it’s best to trust the muse and see where it goes.
Usually, if this comes up in the course of your writing without you thinking too much about it, it means you're probably ready to address this topic. That's a good sign, as it suggests that you may have gained enough distance from it that you can now handle it well within the confines of your story's world.
That’s what happened to me. Another topic that my novel explores is suicide. I didn’t intend to write about this topic. I hadn’t thought about the suicide that occurred when I was young for many years.
But here I was writing about characters who had been touched by suicide in one way or another. I trusted the muse and went with it, and now I’m really glad I did. You too may find that an old trauma rears its ugly head in your writing. Trust yourself—if you feel ready to write about it, don’t let anything stop you.
When Writing About Difficult Subjects: Face Your FearWriting about difficult subjects can be frightening.
I worried that no publisher would want to touch a story that explored the subject of suicide. (I was wrong.) I worried what people might think of the story or the fact that I'd had a personal experience with suicide, which I knew I'd need to reveal eventually.
When a difficult subject comes up in your story, you too may worry about writing it. What will other people think? Will you be able to do justice to the topic?
Fear can come up in the writing, too. As you're writing your scenes, you may notice old feelings reappearing, memories coming forward, and questions re-emerging about everything that may have happened in your life.
It can be difficult to stay with it sometimes, considering that to write a successful novel, you usually need to create multiple drafts.
This is why it can help to have some distance from any traumatic experience before you try to write a story that deals with a similar subject. But if the muse is telling you that this is the story you must write, do your best to face your fear and move forward. Usually, it’s the only way to keep growing as a writer.
When Writing About Difficult Subjects: Separate Experience from StorySometimes writers want to write about what happened to them just as it happened. Then when an editor or mentor tries to point out the flaws in the story, they’ll say, “But that’s how it happened!”
If you find yourself doing this, consider that you’re still too close to the experience to turn it into a story. You need more distance.
A story requires structure, pacing, characterization, rising and falling action, and all the rest. If you try to force a difficult topic onto your characters simply because it’s a topic that’s bothering you, personally, that probably won’t work very well.
Consider journaling about it first. See where it takes you. Journaling can help you get the story out, process your emotions, and ease you into a place where you can better see all sides of the story—which is what you need to do as a writer.
Remember your reader: He or she is coming to you for entertainment, first and foremost. For you, the story may be a way to overcome the trauma. But for a reader, it needs to be an enjoyable way to pass the time. Think of your reader before you commit to creating a story.
A Final Thought on Writing About Difficult TopicsMy editor for The Beached Ones once told me that she thought the book had a lot of empathy, as well as an “uplifting” ending. I loved hearing that, as I wanted to give my readers hope.
We all go through difficult experiences in life. If we’re not careful, they can bring us down so low that we have a hard time picking ourselves back up.
The right book can help. You probably already know an author who helped you cope with a difficult experience. Imagine being able to be that author for someone else.
Not that everything has to be wine and roses for your character in the end. But to form a complete arc, your character will need to find a way to move on.
What’s amazing about writing is that this can help you move on too. Even if the story is completely different from what you may have experienced. If it explores a similar topic, you may be amazed at how following your character’s journey can help both of you emerge as stronger, more resilient people.
The Beached Ones did that for me, and I’ll be forever grateful.
Note: The Beached Ones is forthcoming from CamCat books in June 2022. Get your FREE excerpt here, or preorder now! (Buy links and book trailer here.) Get FREE chapters of Colleen’s books for writers here.
Colleen M. Story is a novelist, freelance writer, writing coach, and speaker with over 20 years in the creative writing industry. Her latest release, The Beached Ones, is forthcoming from CamCat Books in June 2022. Her novel, Loreena’s Gift, was a Foreword Reviews’ INDIES Book of the Year Awards winner, among others.
Colleen has written three books to help writers succeed. Your Writing Matters is the most recent, and was a bronze medal winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards (2022). Other award-winning titles include Writer Get Noticed! and Overwhelmed Writer Rescue. Enjoy free chapters of these books here.
Find more at her author website (colleenmstory.com) or connect with her on Twitter (@colleen_m_story) and LinkedIn.
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May 21, 2022
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.
Business / MiscellaneousWhy Editors Must State the Obvious: by Kara Henderson @TheStoryEditorHow to Create a Lead Magnet: A Simple Writing Formula: @kwidenhouseDo editors and proofreaders need a website? @LouiseHarnbySelf-publishing News: OverDrive Targeted by Parent Groups in the Latest Library Book Ban Dispute: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIConferences and Events / MiscellaneousWales' Dylan Thomas Prize Names Patricia Lockwood its 2022 Winner: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGerman Nonfiction Prize To Offer NFTs With the Creatokia Marketplace: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesLeipzig Book Fair Postpones Its 2023 Dates From March to April: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesTuesday at Jerusalem International Book Forum: May 17: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesVincent Kling Wins the 2022 Wolff Translator’s Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesExhibiting at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair: Librairie Clavreuil: @jaroslawadamows @pubperspectivesLondon Book Fair Director Andy Ventris Is Reported to Be Leaving: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @LondonBookFairSheikh Zayed 2022 Cultural Focus Personality: Abdullah Al-Ghathami: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersTop 10 world-spanning novels: @ca_davids @GuardianBooks11 Books for Perilous Times: @HankPRyan @BookTribIs It Possible to Read Without Expectations? @mollytempleton @tordotcom8 Jamaican Women Writers You Should Be Reading: @donna_hemans @ElectricLit7 Books Where Everything Goes Devastatingly, Tragically Wrong: @kleopatra_o @LitReactorCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Peter Swanson’s Eight Perfect Murders: @MargotKinbergArmchair Travel: Cozy Mystery Towns To Visit: by Holly Danvers @CrimeReadsWhy Stories Are Dangerous — And Why We Need Them Anyway: @jgots @tordotcom5 Unconventional Families Searching for Their Place the Universe: by Chelsea Ciccone @BookTribCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeFamous Yet Elusive: On Charles Dickens’s Unstable Reputation: By Robert Douglas-Fairhurst @lithubActually, Not Everything is Writing: Sarah Moss on Why She Likes to Knit and Run: @lithub7 Ideas to Help You Get Through a Hard Writing Season: @StephMorrill @GoTeenWriters“My New Favorite Task/Calendar App”: by D'Ann MateerWriters and Health: @gmplano @StoryEmpireAre you using too many big words? @pubcoachStress and Writing: Writing During Stressful Times: Don't get pigeon holed by a rule or some advice: by Pat Hatt @TheIWSGTailoring a Writing Space to Suit Your Needs: @DAK86 @theiwsgFreytag’s Pandemic: The Arc of One Author and Two Book Launches, in Five Acts: by Liza Nash Taylor @WriterUnboxedIt’s Crucial to Know Who You Are as a Writer: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthors3 Reasons Why Writers Need Good Writing Friends: @CindyDevoted @EdieMelsonInspirational Indie Author Interview. Julie Bonn Blank: Writer Uses Her Experience to Help Others Who Have Been Abused: @howard_lovy @juliebonnblank @indieauthoralliDo You Really Need Talent? by PJ Parrish @killzoneauthorsWhy writing is a practice… you need to practice: @pubcoach13 Writers Who Really Loved Cats: @SeanBHutchinson @mental_flossInspirational Indie Author Interview. Jennifer Helfand: After a Childhood of ‘Not Fitting In,' She Helps Her Readers Find Their Way: @Howard_Lovy @IndieAuthorALLIGenres / FantasyUsing Portals in Fiction: @cyallowitzGenres / HistoricalThe Joy of Researching Historical Fiction: @ouijum @CrimeReadsGenres / MemoirPut Your Words Down, Flip Them, and Reverse Them: Writing Your Memoir in Reverse Chronology: @JoiyaE @GoodStoryCoGenres / MiscellaneousKnowing the feel of your genre: @AuthorsAi @StephMagisterGenres / MysteryTough Characters with Soft Spots as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergArt as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergThe Appeal of Hard-Boiled Fiction: @clenow @MandSMagazineGenres / Picture BooksFive Tips for Writing a Children’s Story: by S.J. Rosson @DIYMFAGenres / PoetryHow to Begin to Write Poetry: @dianaraabGenres / Romance11 Popular Sub-Genres In Fantasy Romance: @AnthonyEhlers @Writers_WritePromo / AdsHow to Promote Any Book with BookBub Ads: @CarlynAtBookBub @BookBubPromo / BloggingThe benefits of guest posting: @pubcoachPromo / MiscellaneousA Marketing Revamp for your Older Book Title: @BookgalPromoting a Book on Amazon Just Got Easier: ! @BookgalPromo / NewslettersA Thousand New Email Sign Ups in a Week? It’s Possible. @ashleigh_renard @JaneFriedmanPromo / PodcastsBrian McClellan: Five Things I Learned Starting My Podcast : @BrianTMcClellan @ChuckWendigPromo / Video5 Lessons on Creating Video Like a Pro: @Joderama @CMIContentPromo / WebsitesHow To Design An Author Website: Complete Guide (2022): @uxhacks_ @DaveChessonPublishing / MiscellaneousWhat Does “High Concept” Mean? @BrynDonovanStorytel: Streaming Revenue Up 35 Percent in Q1 Year Over Year: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWhy You Should Consider a University Press for Your Book: @adammmmmrosen @JaneFriedmanSome Practical Notes for Publishers on Readers with ALS: by David H. Stam @lithubWriting Books for Rapid Release: @CarissaAndrews @IndieAuthorALLI270+ Writing Contests: . As always follow advice from @victoriastrauss on contests: https://t.co/WXFMPAQURDPublishing / News / International PublishingCamilla, Duchess of Cornwell, Is Now the Patron of Book Aid International: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesJerusalem International Book Forum Opens: In-Person Again: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / PitchesHow to Pitch a Story: 10 Killer Pitch Tips: @nownovelPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingWhen Are You Ready to Query? @AuthorSATPublishing / Process / Book DesignWhy DIY book covers kill your sales and how to choose a professional designer who will hit the mark: @miblart @sandrabeckwithPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidAnother Fake Agency Referral Scam: Harper Literary / Bantam Wings: @victoriastraussWriting Craft / BeginningsLiterary and historical novelists – your first pages: 5 more book openings critiqued by @agentpete @mattschodcnews and @Roz_Morris Writing Craft / Characters / ArcDynamic vs. Round Characters: Who Needs a Character Arc? @thenovelsmithyWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentMaking Your Characters Real Individuals, Making Them Stand Out: @writeabookFear Thesaurus Entry: Relational Commitment: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersWhat Does Your Character Do All Day? @jessicastrawser @CareerAuthorsHow Can My Angry Character Be Likable? by Chris Winkle @mythcreantsCrafting Rich Characters: @Dwallacepeach @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmScript Analysis: ‘Rocketman’ — Scene-By-Scene Breakdown: @GoIntoTheStoryGreat Scene: “A Quiet Place”: @GoIntoTheStoryScript Analysis: “Roma” — Scene By Scene Breakdown: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Hustle & Flow” (2005): @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Hustlers” (2019): @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (1997): @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” (2020): @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / MiscellaneousTheme Versus Meaning: @DonMaass @WriterUnboxedOpen Doors in Your Writing: @DanaDeGreff @DIYMFASuspense: Techniques to Keep Readers Turning the Page: @DonnaGalanti @NatalieIAguirreHaving Trouble With Novel Structure? Look at It Like a Mixtape: @MeshaMaren @lithubSeven Tips for Becoming a Better Writer: by Sherry Leclerc @TheStoryEditorWord Count Goals for the Three Acts of Your Novel, Memoir, or Nonfiction Book: @writeabookThe Writer’s Ultimate Responsibility: @jimdempsey @WriterUnboxedHow to Choose a Writing Tone and Style that Connects with Your Audience: @BirdsOAFpress @NinaAmirWriting: Story Must-Haves: @LindasclareWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningAlmost Outlined: Working Past Mental Bottlenecking to Create a Killer Book Outline: by Hannah Eason @TheRyanLanzWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingHow to Effectively “Advance Your Plot”: @LiveWriteThriveWriting Craft / Punctuation and Grammar10 Reasons to Use Quotation Marks: @TheGrammarDivaWriting Craft / Revision“What I Enjoy About Editing”: @HowellWave @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / ScenesStory Tropes: The Building Blocks of Scenes: @StoryGridWriting Craft / SeriesWhy Sequels Don’t Erase Mistakes in the First Book: byOren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionDescribing New Settings: from A SundeenWriting Craft / Word CraftingReligious terminology continued: bless your heart, my dear! by Anatoly Liberman @OUPAcademicWriting Tools / AppsUse These Key-Commands To Whip Through Gmail: @pomeranian99Writing Tools / ResourcesBest Udemy Courses for Self Publishing Authors–Only $9.99 This Week: @DaveChesson
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May 15, 2022
Stress and Writing
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Moving is listed as one of the five most-stressful life events. I didn't necessarily think that was incorrect, but I may have thought I might be a bit more immune to it. I'm a planner and a very hard worker. A list-maker. Surely it wouldn't be as stressful for someone like me.
So not true, ha! And we're currently still renting an Airbnb while we house-hunt in a crazy buyers' market.
The bright side is that the change of perspective has done me and my writing a lot of good, as I mentioned in this post. I'm spending time in a new place. When I stare out the window when I'm writing, I'm seeing different things. The experiences I have here are new, too.
Another bright side has been the writing, itself. Besides reading, writing has always been my favorite activity.
When my father died in 2020 and I was trying to help my mother cope, I stopped writing for a couple of weeks. At the time, it felt like the right thing to do. But at the end of the two weeks, I felt strangely unmoored. When I started writing again (early in the morning before my mother woke up), it was one little thing that was going right.
A proviso: not every writer will find stress-relief from writing, no matter how much he or she enjoys it. But you could give writing a go when your life is crazy and see how it goes. If it doesn't work out for you or adds to your stress in any way, just take a break. The most important thing is to take care of yourself, in whatever way works best.
I wrote this post because most writers completely stop writing during times of stress. I wonder if, for at least a few of them, writing through their stress might prove to be a partial remedy.
Here's why writing has helped me through the last few months:I can escape to another world. It's armchair travel on a completely different level.
I have control over everything in that world. When you don't have a lot of control over what's going on in your life, there's something very satisfying about having complete control over something.
Writing has always been soothing to me. The creative process is fun to me. I enjoy almost every aspect of writing (okay, outlines aren't necessarily fun, but there's something very satisfying when all the different parts of the story come together).
Following a daily routine helps me manage stress. It's more than just going through the motions. Having a set morning routine is almost like following a ritual. Not only is it calming, but it helps me (again) feel somehow more in control.
I enjoy the smug feeling from having made my goal that day. This is just sort of icing on the cake. I feel the same way after exercising, journal writing, and working on promo. I've tackled a challenge and that always makes me smile.
I've realized that I also doubled-down on my writing during 2020 (aside from the period following my father's death), which was a pretty stressful year for everyone.
Again, like most things, this won't work for all writers. But if you're having a stressful time and feel at loose ends, see if you can give it a go for a day or two and see if it helps at all.
What do you do for stress relief?
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May 14, 2022
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.
Business / MiscellaneousBusiness Musings: Exclusivity in 2022: @KristineRuschHow This Journalist Started Her Own Successful Writing Business: @FamilyLines @colleen_m_storyThe 5 Most Important Questions to Ask Your Book Marketing Team: @BookgalWriting Tips: Lessons Learned From Rewriting My First Novel Over A Decade Later: @thecreativepennSelf-publishing News: Kindle Storyteller UK 2022 Open to Entrants: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLIHow to sell a book: From first draft to market: @nownovelTen Years of Self-Publishing 2012 to 2022: @IndieAuthorALLIBest Practices for Working with an Independent Editor: @LisaPoisso @onestop4writersCreativity and Inspiration / Goal settingSet Writing Goals That Work: by Cole SmithSetting Goals as a Writer: @radekpazderaCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersHow Lewis Carroll Built a World Where Nothing Needs to Make Sense: @erinmorgenstern @lithubDeeply Flawed Mother Figures of Literature: A Reading List: by Mary Kuryla @lithubIf I Don’t Remember What I Read, Did I Really Read It At All? @mollytempleton @tordotcom7 stories for sleepless nights: @prepartynap @lithubCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Marianne Wheelaghan’s Food of Ghosts: @MargotKinbergWant to Be a Writer? You’ve Got to Read: @KarenCVCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWriting Slow: What Went Wrong? by Jill KemererHow to Be a Working Writer: @FoxPrintEdHow to Prevent Digital Burnout as an Online Business Owner: @quiettypeblogDispatch From the Querying Trenches: Shelving a Dream: @karisrogerson @LitReactorWhat Causes Burnout? @KMazeauthorHow much money can book authors make? @pubcoachToo much TV might spoil your… prose writing: @Roz_MorrisAre Rodents Eating Your Fiction? @jamesscottbellPivoting On The Creative Journey With Johnny B Truant: @sterling_stone @thecreativepennGetting Lost and Trying to Get Home: by Crystal Otto @womenonwritingA literary guide to crying in New York City: @snigdhak @lithubShould You Take a Break From Writing? 5 Red Flags: @KMWeilandHow to Write When You Don't Feel Like It: 5 Practical Tips You Can Try Today: @joebunting @write_practiceIs recency bias harming your writing? @pubcoach“When? Where? How?” Margaret Atwood Considers the Burning Questions of the Writing Life: @MargaretAtwood @lithubHow the Beat Generation Created the Uniform for Disaffected Youth: @sophielouwilson @lithubTen Tips from a Chiropractor for Writers: @burke_writer @killzoneauthorsGenres / HorrorWhat Are Your Favorite Horror Authors Afraid Of? @Gabino_Iglesias @LitReactor13 Ways to Freaking Freak Out Your Horror Readers: @shaylaleeraquel @JaneFriedmanGenres / Memoir“Writing a Memoir Taught Me How to See My Mother”: @STurkle @lithubWhat If Your Memoir Is Middle Grade? @GuerillaMemoir @JaneFriedmanGenres / MiscellaneousPicking or switching your genre: @ryanschowwriter @AuthorsAiGenres / MysteryWhy Do People Kill? 15 Motives for Murder: @BrynDonovanImpersonation as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergThe Internet as a Tool in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergCrime Fiction: The Impact of Trauma: @MargotKinbergGenres / Non-FictionHow to Write a Thought Leadership Book: @StacyEnnis @JaneFriedman7+ Steps You Must Take to Write a Transformational Book: @NinaAmirGenres / RomanceCan We Still Judge a Romance Novel by Its Cover? @awallintime @ElectricLitGenres / Science FictionFive Common Weapon Mistakes in Speculative Fiction: by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsGenres / Short StoriesA Constellation of Fiction: How to Tell When You Have a Short Story Collection: @LeslieKirkCamp @lithubPromo / BloggingBlogging Tips to Increase Website Traffic @SusanNealYoga @EdieMelsonBlogging for Business: Six Tips to Help You Start (and Keep) Blogging on a Regular Basis: @WritersCoachPromo / Book Reviews“Death to Stars: Why I Won't Use Stars to Rate Books Anymore”: @SadieHartmann @LitReactorPromo / MiscellaneousEncanto Beat Sheet: by Cory Milles@savethecatPromo / Social Media TipsWriters Lifts: Sharing the Love or Twitter Pyramid Scheme? @helpfulsnowman @LitReactorWriters: The TikTok Market 101: @LinWilsonauthorPublishing / Miscellaneous“Things I Wish I Knew Before I Published”: @LynetteMBurrowsReconsidering the Conventions of the So-Called Internet Novel: @exhaustdata @lithubAnne Applebaum at the AAP Meeting: ‘Publishing the Opposition: @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesWe All Need to Be Defended Against Predatory Publishing Practices: @brooke_warner @JaneFriedmanWhat To Expect When Hiring a Sensitivity Reader: @TheLeighShulmanPublishing / News / International PublishingChildren's Books Edition Rights Roundup: Spring Titles: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives‘Whispered' News: Beat Technology's ‘Fluister' for Dutch Publishers: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPA's Al Qasimi in Latin America: Empowerment for Women: @Porter_Anderson @Bodour @IntPublishers @pubperspectivesSpringer Nature Opens Open-Access Book Deal with Max Planck Society: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesItalian Publishers Report a 2.5-Percent Slip in Units Sold Through April: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingHow to Find a Literary Agent and More Publishing Advice: @LisaTenerPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / PitchesHow to Pitch Like a Hollywood Pro: by Peter Desberg and Jeffrey Davis @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingThe two key fundamentals of plot descriptions (query critique): @NathanBransfordPublishing / Process / LegalitiesHas a publisher held your book hostage for 35 years? Here's a way to get the rights back, legal and free: by EdittorrentDo You Need an Author Pen Name? @LiveWriteThriveWriting Craft / BeginningsOn Engaging the Reader: by Barbara Linn Probst @WriterUnboxedPage One: “Twins” (1988): @GoIntoTheStoryFlog a Pro: Would You Turn the First Page of this Bestseller? @RayRhamey @WriterUnboxedWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentFear Thesaurus Entry: Leading: @AngelaAckermanStory Development and Execution: Character: @stacitroilo @StoryEmpireDig Deeper than Descriptions to Create Nuanced Characters: @FoxPrintEdWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and Film“Five Tearjerker TV Episodes That Never Fail to Make Me Cry”: @ColeRush1 @tordotcomPage One: “The Hours” (2002): @GoIntoTheStoryGreat Scene: “There Will Be Blood”: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Hotel Rwanda” (2004): @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “The Hunt for Red October” (1990): @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / MiscellaneousBasics and Strong Writing: @TheCaregiversR1The Top 10 Ways to Write Better Right Now: @PSHoffmanAuthorFive Clever Techniques for Writers to Make Your Audience Care: @ZenaDellLowe @EdieMelsonWhy Are Disingenuous Reveals So Common? by
Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsShow characters getting from Point A to Point B: @NathanBransfordWriting Craft / POVGuide to Writing Third Person POV: @writingandsuchWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningA Quick Tip for Outliners: Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / Story BeatsThe Maid Novel Beat Sheet: @marilynbrant @savethecatWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story ConceptThree Simple Tips on How to Have Great Ideas: @Peter_Rey_Writing Craft / Punctuation and GrammarThe Very Shocking Facts about Adverbs: by Dana Isaacson @CareerAuthorsWriting Craft / RevisionRevising for Tone During Difficult Times: @kathycowley @WomenWritersWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesThe Art and Craftiness of Critique: @LorraineDWilke @WomenWritersAre You Suffering From Feedback Trauma? @Bang2write3 Tips when Asking for Feedback: @SueBEdwards @womenonwritingWriting Craft / ScenesFixing A Stuck Scene: @KMAllan_writerWriting Craft / SeriesWriting a Sequel: @_MelAuthor_ @A3writersWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionBring Your Writing to Life by Using Colors to Paint Your Story: @AneMulligan @EdieMelsonThe Main Characteristics About the Main Characters We Write: @PeggySueWells @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / SynopsesWrite Your Synopsis Without Losing The Essence Of Your Story: @AnthonyEhlers @Writers_WriteUncategorizedThe Little Library Banned Book Project: @KBullockAuthor @WriterUnboxed
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May 8, 2022
A Quick Tip for Outliners
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I've mentioned before (in 2019) that it's very helpful for outliners to hold onto their outlines instead of trashing them. I find them very helpful cheat-sheets when I'm about to discuss a book with a book club or at a library.
But I've recently found another great use for my outlines for those of you who use them. I almost always write short, no matter what project I'm working on. I like to bump up my word count, but not at the expense of my story. In other words, I don't want to just add a bit of fluff to the book.
What I've been doing lately is to use my outlines to find areas of my story to revisit. For my last book, I realized from re-reading my outline that I'd introduced a small thread about one of the supporting characters and then never followed up on it. It wasn't necessarily something that had to be followed up on (it wasn't a loose thread, in other words), but I think when I revisited the subplot later in the story, it probably gave readers more of a feeling that everything was getting wrapped up.
Before, I'd been brainstorming completely new subplots and character development bits to fill in the plot. I found, after re-reading my outline, that just wasn't necessary. And it was a lot more relevant than coming up with something new for my readers to follow.
Another benefit: sometimes it's easier to catch minor inconsistencies and small plot holes in the outline than it is in a 200 page draft.
I feel I do need to make a proviso here. My outlines are long. . . they average 35 pages and take about a week for me to write. But I think the same benefits could be had with a shorter document, as long as you outline subplots as well as the main plot.
That's my tip for today, but I'm interested in hearing from you. Have you come across any writing-related tips lately that work for you?
A Quick Tip for Outliners:
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May 7, 2022
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 61,000 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.
New Stuff:CS Lakin, a writing coach, editor, and author, has a new course up. It offers 12 hours of instruction, 4 bonus videos, and dozens of sample scenes and worksheets. She has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more about her course here (this is an affiliate link).
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@WriterUnboxedWriting the High-Concept Novel: @diannmills
@KillerNashvilleHow Should My Hero Recruit a Crew? by Oren Ashkenazi @mythcreantsHow Do You Create Suspense in a Story? @AlexJCavanaugh @damyantigInterview with Randy Ingermanson – The Snowflake Guy: @burke_writer @SnowflakeGuyWriting: Call Outs, Sidebars and Breakout Boxes: @LindasclareWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingHow to Make a Storyboard: by A. P. McKinney @TheRyanLanzRobert Dugoni on creating page-turning plots: @robertdugoni @AuthorsAiArchetypes and Story Structure: How They're Connected: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchSo You Want to Bury A Body: Grave Digging for Writers: by Terry Newman @DanKoboldtWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarThree Things about Semi-colons: @emma_darwinAbout Dangling Participles, Dangling Modifiers, and Missing Modifiers: @BookDoctor4u @womenonwritingWriting Craft / RevisionCutting Back a Long Manuscript: by Dave King @WriterUnboxedWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesFrom Panic to Process: What Taking Criticism Actually Means: @MarissaLingen @UncannyMagazineWriting Craft / Scenes / ConflictHow to Create Story Conflict: The Conflict Triangle with the Stakes Character (Video): @NicoleJBianchiWriting Craft / Settings and Description3 Top Tips On Describing Your Character's Appearance: @Bang2writeWriting Craft / TransitionsWriting Transitions: @JoniMFisher @FloridaWriters1Writing Craft / VoiceAuthor Voice vs. Narrator Voice vs. Character Voice: @SeptCFawkesWriting Tools / ResourcesTech Tips for Writers: Windows has a clipboard stream: @WordDreamsUncategorizedHow Many Ways Can You Say the Word “Love”?: @KathySWriter @annerallen
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May 1, 2022
On File Organization
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Apologies in advance for the dry topic. :) But I thought I'd share my thoughts on organizing writing-related computer files, which has helped save me time and keep me from making bad errors.
Making errors through poor file management might sound like a strange thing. But it's very easy to do if you're updating a document, for instance. Not only do you need to update the source document (often Word), but you need to update the epub. You'll need to update the PDF for a printed book. If you share free copies through sites like BookFunnel or ProlificWorks, you'll need to update a mobi file, too. Then maybe you realize after you've downloaded files in all the formats that you meant to update your book list. After you do that, you download the files in all the different formats yet again. Later, maybe years later, when you want to make additional corrections or updates, you might be left wondering where the updated file is or which one was the most current. You could go back to the dashboard for the retail site and download the file from there but it's easier to just have your own files neatly labeled and on your own computer.
It doesn't have to be a complicated system. . . in fact, I think it works better when it's simple.
Inside My Documents, I have a folder for each series. Inside each series folder, I have a folder for each title. Inside each title's folder, I have a sub-folder for covers, and for various formats of the finished book. I also include the book description, the outline, and the final Word doc.
I like to keep my cover files in more than one place so I have a cover folder on the OneDrive cloud app. Inside the main folder is a sub-folder for each series. Inside that is a folder for each title which contains paperback covers, translation covers, hardback covers, audio covers, etc.
The file problem is even worse if you have a lot of books out, which makes having a system even more important. As I write this, I have 45 books out. It makes me feel better knowing that I can easily put my hands on a file without getting confused. Or, perish the thought, accidentally publish an old file when making an update.
This is what works best for me, but I'm curious to know what you've done to make sense of all the files on your computer. Any tips?
Organizing Book Files and Covers:
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April 30, 2022
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 63,000 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.
Business / MiscellaneousThe Creative Potential Of NFTs For Authors With J. Thorn And Joanna Penn: @thecreativepennThe Author's Ultimate Guide to Multiple Streams of Income: @IndieAuthorALLIWhat's a Writing Coach (and what kind do I need)? @annkroekerSelf-publishing News: Barnes and Noble adds audiobooks to Nook app: @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLITurn Activities and Hobbies into Articles: by Peggy Sias Lantz @FloridaWriters1Freelancing: 60+ pitching guides for Vox, NatGeo, Wired, BBC, WaPo, Wirecutter, Slate, and more: @TimHerreraConferences and Events / MiscellaneousGeorgian Author Iva Pezuashvili Wins the 2022 European Union Prize: @Porter_Anderson @EUPLPrize @pubperspectivesIn London: Women's Prize for Fiction Names Its Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @WomensPrize @pubperspectivesSheikh Zayed Book Award Trustees Endorse 2022 Winners: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives6 Reasons Writers Should Attend a Writing Conference: @LindaGilden @EdieMelsonRed Pheasant Cree Nation's Michelle Good Wins ‘Canada Reads' 2022 : @porter_anderson @pubperspectivesAUPresses Names 91 Design Winners and Highlight Ukraine Content: @Porter_Anderson @aupresses @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationThe Story of Your Dreams: @jimdempsey @WriterUnboxedCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers5 Books About the Bleak Horror of Winter: by Evie Green @tordotcom7 Killer Horror Books About Murderous Animals: @TorNightfireWeird Short Story Writers for Strange Times: @JasonOckert @lithubCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Susan C. Shea’s Love and Death in Burgundy: @MargotKinbergThe best books about the allure, tragedy, and terrifying majesty of high-altitude mountaineering: @Roz_MorrisGone, But Not Forgotten: 12 Great Mystery Authors Readers Still Love: @RickBleiweiss @CrimeReadsMust-Read Crime Fiction by Filipino Authors: @MPMtheWriter @CrimeReadsWomen and Impossible Decisions in Crime Fiction: @emilyanaymark @CrimeReads6 Novels With Twist Endings That Will Leave Your Jaw on the Floor: @WendyCorsiStaub @CrimeReadsThe Darker Side of Jane Austen: @kbirdwrites @crimereadsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in Writing“What a Month of Writing Every Day Taught Me”: @theladygreer @WriterUnboxedHow Do I Establish a Disciplined Writing Practice? by F.E. Choe @DIYMFACreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWriting and the Creative Life: Why Your Brain Loves Good Storytelling: @GoIntoTheStoryOn Taking Writing Lessons from Quantum Physics: @H_Bustani @lithubWriting with Depression: @cashewcutlet @WriterUnboxedOn the Insanity of Being a Scrabble Enthusiast: @ollie @lithub10 Top Tips About Bad Reviews: @Bang2writeOn Changing Perspective as a Writer: Want to Write a Great Novel? Be Brave. | @manzanitafire @JaneFriedmanWhy You Should Write What You Don’t Know: @beaiswriting @LiveWriteThriveSaved By Quilting: A Crime Writer’s Ode To Crafting: by Bruce Leonard @CrimeReadsWhat to Ask to Find Your Motivation: by LA Bourgeois @DIYMFAWhy You Should Keep Your Projects Secret: by D.J. Billings @emiliewapnickInspirational Indie Author Interview. Harriet Hodgson: After Tragic Losses, Educator Teaches Others How to Cope with Grief: @healthmn1 @Howard_Lovy @IndieAuthorALLIBurnout – The Importance of Rest in What You Do: @Peter_Rey_How to Start Writing: @PhilAthansSay yes and never do it: @austinkleon7 Steps to Healthy Emotional Endurance for Writers: @MiffieSeideman3 Shifts You Need to Make to Finish Your Book: @justjanna @JaneFriedmanBusiness Musings: Focus (A Process Blog): @KristineRuschWriting Your Lost Loved Ones: Thoughts on Grief, Love, and Character: @KendraGriffin42 @RMFWritersThe Happy Harsh Truths of a Writing Career: @FoxPrintEdGenres / HorrorHorror’s Power to Inspire – Why Scary Movies Can Be Good for Kids: @pementelm @BDisgustingGenres / MemoirAutobiography vs. Biography vs. Memoir: @DaveChessonGenres / MiscellaneousChristian Fiction: How to Write Straight to the Heart: @audreycfrank @EdieMelsonGenres / MysteryEyewitness Errors as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergSara Gran Considers The Art of Suspense: @CrimeReadsAwards Fictional Sleuths Might Receive: @MargotKinbergGenres / Picture BooksFour Ways to Add Humor to Your Picture Books: @lori_z_scottGenres / RomanceTips for Writing Healthy Romantic Relationships: from The Dragon's DenDefending Romance Novels: @helpfulsnowmanGenres / ScreenwritingReader Question: Are there any script rules that really shouldn’t be broken? @GoIntoTheStoryPixar and Visual Storytelling: @GoIntoTheStoryPromo / MiscellaneousWhat's Your Comfort Zone about Promoting Your Book? Thoughts on the Tricky Line We Authors Walk: @writeabookBook Marketing Tips For The Long Term: @JohnKremer @thecreativepennWhat is a Lead Magnet, and How Does a Writer Start One? @khogrefeparnell @EdieMelson5 Secrets of Great Marketing Copy: @SnowflakeGuy8 ways to leverage someone else’s network: @sandrabeckwithPromo / Social Media TipsHow to Write Powerful Instagram Captions | Free Prompts: @RobynRostePublishing / MiscellaneousOn Trust and the Trade: @rcharkin @pubperspectivesWhy Do Some Publishers Have Specific Word Counts For Novels? @BrynDonovanBook Marketing: A TikTok ‘Read-Along' With HarperCollins: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives5 Things to Know About Working With a Publisher: by Rose Atkinson-Carter @youfirstwriterAbridged vs Unabridged Books – What’s the Difference? @DaveChessonAnnual Reviews' Journals on a ‘Subscribe to Open' Model: @Porter_Anderson @AnnualReviewsPublishing / News / DataAn Easter Surprise in the States: 30 Million Units Over 2019: @Porter_Anderson @npdgroup @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingFrankfurter Buchmesse Makes a New Appeal for Ukraine's Book Industry: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @Book_FairIngram's Lightning Source at Sharjah Publishing City: A Conversation: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesSharjah and Wroclaw Announce a ‘Stand With Ukrainian Writers' Fund: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPen Names for Authors: @writingsmarterWriting Craft / Common MistakesShow, Don’t Tell: @BeemWeeks @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / ConflictHand-to-Hand Writing: 7 Tips to Grappling: @cyallowitzWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmScript Analysis: “Nebraska” — Scene By Scene Breakdown: @GoIntoTheStoryGreat Scene: “Get Out”: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Good Will Hunting” (1997): @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWriting About High School: by Gigi Collins @GoodStoryCoWriting the Tom Brady Way: @jamesscottbellMaking Story Structure Your Own: @KMWeilandTips to Create a Bestselling Title: @MargieLawsonThe 4 Pillars Of Magic Realism: by Oliver Fox @writerswriteHow to Write Plot Twists: Your Complete Guide: @JerryBJenkinsHandling foreign words in fiction: by John GilstrapThe Dark Side: Exploring the Unknown in Your Writing: @KAMcCleary @WriterUnboxedSad things you can do in a book other than killing of a character: by Hannah RussellWhat Is A Pastiche & Why Should I Write One? by Susanne Bennett @writerswriteWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingThe 8 Points of Progress in Plot: @SeptCFawkesLearn the Seven Elements of Plot: @CindyDevoted @EdieMelsonBasic Story Structure: 5 Plot Points: by Jill KemererWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchUnderstanding Horses: Preserving the Species: @dancinghorseWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarUsing italics versus quotation marks: @TheGrammarDivaWhat are light verbs? by Edwin L. Battistella @OUPAcademicHow to Use (or Not Use) a Hyphen: @MaryNorrisTNY @NewYorkerWriting Craft / RevisionStages of the Writing Craft: When is it Worth Rewriting? @OrnaRoss @thecreativepenn @IndieAuthorALLIWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesWhat to do when critiques become dangerous: @pubcoachUnstuck: Feedback That Stops You Cold: @marthamconway @WomenWritersWriting Craft / VoiceHow to Craft Your Writing Voice: @SeptCFawkes @sacha_blackWriting Tools / ResourcesMore on the Good Story Learning Community: @GoodStoryCo @TheIWSGThe 25 best podcasts for writers: @jessjoho @mashableResources for querying, book proposals, and researching agents: @ericsmithrocksUncategorized10 visuals that will change how you see success and productivity:
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April 23, 2022
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 63,000 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.
Business / MiscellaneousWhen a Writer Dies: Making Difficult Decisions About the Work Left Behind: @EricNewton1 @JaneFriedmanDevelopmental Editing for Nonfiction and Memoir: @GoodStoryCoSelf-publishing News: Will Europe's Digital Markets Act make Amazon more Open or more Closed? @agnieszkasshoes @IndieAuthorALLISelf-Publishing Predictions for the 2020s: @IndieAuthorALLIBest Book Sales Tracker: How to Track Book Sales Across All Platforms: @DaveChessonHow Do I Obtain Photo Permission In My Book? Other Questions Answered: @MichaelLaRonn @OrnaRoss @IndieAuthorALLIConferences and Events / MiscellaneousGeorgia's World Book Capital Program Stages Its Black Sea Conference: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesThe £75,000 Wolfson History Prize Shortlist: 50th Anniversary: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesDawnie Walton Wins the 2022 Aspen Words Literary Prize: @Porter_Anderson @dawniewalton @AspenWords @pubperspectivesOn World Book and Copyright Day: Indian Publishers Stage a Conference: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Novels About Family Curses: @damfino1895 @ElectricLitAn Unconventional Ride: 8 Daring Novels of Train Travel: by Judy Moreno @BookTribFive Flawed Books That Are Still Worth Rereading: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomThe true story behind Mr. Darcy’s infamous hand flex: @walkercapl @lithubCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: R.V. Raman’s A Will to Kill: @MargotKinbergCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingWhat Happens When You Write 20 Minutes a Day? @writingthrulifeElusive Writing Routines: @aprildavilaHow to stop putting off your writing: @pubcoachCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeHow to write about difficult topics: @pubcoachWhy It’s Hard for Writers with Low Self-Esteem to Receive Praise for Their Work: @losapalaShake Up Your Writing Routine: by Sarah BlizzardPandemic Writing: @FinishedPages @womenonwritingThree Types of Creators: @GoIntoTheStory6 Tips to Increase Your Concentration: @MichaelHyattLife of a Writer—Revelation: @AnitaRamirez3 @DIYMFAWriting Letters to Lost Loved Ones: @jonisensel30 Top Tips For Your Younger (Writer) Self : @Bang2writeAuthor Wishes for 2022: @TheIWSG @cleemckenzieYes, Writers Need to Hear the Hard Truths. But Warnings Can Go Too Far: @AuthorSAT @JaneFriedmanWho Killed Christopher Marlowe? by Alan Judd @CrimeReadsSo You Want to Marry a Mystery Writer: @ElizabethCBunce @CrimeReads“What Happened When I Put My Self-Published Books EVERYWHERE”: @helpfulsnowman @LitReactorMystery author Elizabeth Spann Craig talks about writing inspiration and publishing: @DonnaReedVO5 Steps for Building a Powerful Train of Thought: @KatyKauffman28“8 Things I’ve Learned Since Becoming a Published Author”: @calbish @WomenWritersHow to Gracefully Leave Your Writing Group: @LisaEllisonsPen @JaneFriedmanTop 10 Insane Things No Writer Has Done But Someone Should: @AmongTheZombies5 Ways to Start Your Journaling Practice: @seejavaciawriteDumb Little Writing Tricks That Work: Unplug your Internet: @GoIntoTheStory5 Similarities Between Running and Writing: by Sara Kopeczky@TheRyanLanzThree Keys to Writing in a Distracting World: @GoIntoTheStoryHow to Write Better by Not Writing: @EJaneBrazier @DIYMFAAn Unexpected Gift from Covid: by Keith Cronin @WriterUnboxedWriting Like You Read: @MaryGillgannon @RMFWritersGenres / Fan FictionWriting Fanfiction: Tips for Avoiding Common Pitfalls: by Ville V. Kokko @NaNoWriMoGenres / Fantasy7 Tips to Using Magic Tricks in Fantasy Fiction: @cyallowitzGenres / MemoirOvercoming Writer's Block: Memoir Edition: by Amy Wilson @GoodStoryCoGenres / MysteryPost-War Tension as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergThe Nosy Neighbor in Crime Fiction: Busybodies, Gossips, and Internet Sleuths: @allisonbuccola @CrimeReadsThe Art of Throwing Truly Memorable Parties – In Suspense Novels: @larazontallyThe Impact of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” on Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergGenres / Picture Books5 Common Themes in Children’s Writing: @KarenCVTucking Your Reader into the Story World of Picture Books: @Shutta @FloridaWriters1Genres / ScreenwritingHow to Sell a Screenplay : Contests & Festivals: @thejkstudioGenres / Short StoriesThe Rise of Short Stories: @gmplano @StoryEmpirePromo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingHow to Write the Perfect Author Bio: @LiveWriteThriveHow to Write a Book Description: @StoryHobbit @DaveChessonPromo / MiscellaneousWhat Makes You Buy a Book? @JoanHallWrites @StoryEmpireAn Introvert’s Guide to a Public Online Presence: @HiTessaBarbosaHow to Jumpstart Book Sales in 5 Steps: @wogahn7 ways to blow a media opportunity: @sandrabeckwithPromo / Social Media TipsSocial Media is Still Valuable for Writers: @EdieMelsonPublishing / MiscellaneousWhat is Typesetting? What Every Indie Author Should Know: @DaveChessonPut a Fresh Face on Those Older Books: by Ruth Logan Herne
@SKRViLLPublishing / News / DataGoing Up: UK Publishers Say 2021 Sales Rose 5 Percent, a New High: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingPEN's Freedom to Write: 227 Writers, Intellectuals Jailed in 36 Nations: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesChina Bestsellers: Film and TV Support Fiction in February: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUkraine's Vivat Publishing Launches a Book in a Bomb Shelter: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center Names Liesl Gerntholtz to Top Post: @Porter_Anderson @LieslGerntholtz @PENamerica @pubperspectivesCatherine Nabokov: An Editor in Business as a Literary Agent: @oliviasnaije @cathnab @pubperspectivesGermany's World Book Day: ‘I'll Give You a Story' of a Secret Lake: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBooks from Ukraine: A Call to Buy Rights to Support Publishers: @HannahSJohnson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingPublishing a Novel in 2022: 10 Useful Insights: @nownovelWriting Craft / BeginningsHow to lose a reader (page critique): @NathanBransfordWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsWhy Do We Feel So Much Empathy for Villains? @JackieMitchard @CrimeReadsWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentRelationship Thesaurus Entry: Giver and Taker: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersGiving your characters a personality: @GretaBoris @ReadAlessandraGetting Into Your Character's Head: by Marilynn Byerly5 Myths To Break When Writing A Good Character: @AnthonyEhlers @writers_writeWriting an Un-Put-Downable Character: Personality: @acw_author @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionTechniques to Create Emotion in Readers: by Steve Hooley @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / ConflictConflict in Fiction: What It Really Is and Why It's Important to Plot: @KMWeilandNine Personality Clashes for Character Conflicts: @mythcreantsWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmGreat Scene: “Inception”: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Forbidden Planet” (1956): @GoIntoTheStoryScript Analysis: “Midsommar” — Scene-By-Scene Breakdown: @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Frost/Nixon” (2008): @GoIntoTheStoryPage One: “Fury” (2014): @GoIntoTheStoryHow the Male Point of View Shapes the Narrative of The Great Gatsby: @JillianCantorScript Analysis: “Mudbound” — Scene By Scene Breakdown: @GoIntoTheStoryWriting Craft / MiscellaneousSatire and How to Write One: by Susanne Bennett @writers_write6 Cheats to “Tell” Well (When It's Warranted): @SeptCFawkes @onestop4writersWriting: Autobiography in Fiction: @LindasclareWhy An Author Should Kill a Character: @SarahSallyHamer @EdieMelsonHow To Show A Character’s Decision: @StephMorrill @GoTeenWritersWriting Craft / PacingAre You Rushing Or Dragging? About Pacing Your Script: @ozzywoodWriting Craft / POV3 Tools to Deep Point of View: Immerse Your Readers Into Your Story: @AliceGainesSeven voices – how to write a novel in multiple points of view: @Roz_MorrisWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Research15th Century Clothing for Writers: @DanKoboldtHow Much Research is Enough? by Diana ClarkUsing Research to Craft an Authentic Story: @Roz_Morris @TomoKarresWriting Craft / Series / Series BibleCreating a Series Bible: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsStory Development and Execution: The Story Bible: @stacitroilo @StoryEmpireWriting Craft / Settings and Description9 Ways Clothes can Energize your plot and define your characters: @RuthHarrisBooksWriting Craft / Word Crafting5 Line Editing Tips for Polishing Your Prose: @thenovelsmithy
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