Ryan Lanz's Blog, page 192

10 Reasons for Authors to Blog

One of the questions I’m most asked is “How do you find time to write a blog?” I can answer this quite simply–I find the time in the same way that I find time to do the grocery shopping, read poetry, or stroke the cat. We all find the time to do the things … Continue reading 10 Reasons for Authors to Blog

Writing for Others–Writing for Yourself

Writers are often asked if they write for themselves or for others. In some ways, it’s a meaningless question: most authors wouldn’t have chosen such an uncertain profession if they didn’t obtain personal satisfaction from the process itself, and it’s impossible for a published author to completely ignore the problem of what other people … Continue reading Writing for Others–Writing for Yourself

Where is Publishing Headed?

Today, the publishing business is in turmoil. For 500 years, the methods and practices of book publishing remained largely unchanged, but today the industry finds itself faced with the greatest challenges since Gutenberg. These challenges are the outcome of two processes. On the one hand, the publishing business has been transformed beyond recognition by … Continue reading Where is Publishing Headed?

7 Writing Rules For Fiction

Overwhelmed by fiction-writing advice? Me too, and I’m an editor as well as a writer. Everyone and anyone who has a blog or website seems to be keen on throwing in their penny’s worth. A lot of it is genuinely good advice. But what works for them won’t necessarily be right for you. Want … Continue reading 7 Writing Rules For Fiction

Ten Quote Tuesday (#47)

Welcome to another installment of Ten Quote Tuesday! If your creative juices have trouble flowing today, then read these quotes to nudge awake the sleeping muse. If there is a particular quote you enjoyed, let us all know with your comments below. Check out last week’s episode here. Quotes “People do not deserve … Continue reading Ten Quote Tuesday (#47)

The Top 5 Writing Decisions I’ve Made So Far

Like many of you, I’ve been a keen reader since childhood. Reading was an escape when my loving, boisterous family overwhelmed me, when the world was quiet and friends slept, and the television pixels seemed to zap energy rather than give it. I started with Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, and Judy Blume and was … Continue reading The Top 5 Writing Decisions I’ve Made So Far

Wizard’s First Rule – Book Review

Originally posted on The Book Review Directory:
? Wizard’s First Rule Series: Sword of Truth #1 Format: Kindle Rating: 4 stars Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)Richard Cypher’s decision to help a woman in the Upper Ven near the Boundary between the Midlands and Westlands creates more trouble than first appears. The woman, Kahlan Amnell, brings with…

It’s a Thing Now: Adult Coloring Books

When Penguin Random House announced recently that it had acquired world rights to the next two adult coloring books from Johanna Basford, the so-called queen of coloring, it was just the latest sign that the demand for coloring books in the U.S. is continuing to surge. The first book, Lost Ocean, which contains undersea … Continue reading It’s a Thing Now: Adult Coloring Books

What is Your Character’s Fatal Flaw?

If you look at great characters in literature, they each have a flaw which drives the plot forward. I strongly believe thatoneof the most important pieces of advice forwriting a character is togive them a “fatal” flaw. So I’ve taken it upon myself to break down a few popular reads in terms ofmain characters … Continue reading What is Your Character’s Fatal Flaw?

Does Amazon’s New Payment Scheme Require Literary Surveillance?

Let’s say you go to dinner tonight, but the cookwho makes your meal is paid only for the bites you take. How would the restaurant manager know? He’d have to watch you closely, counting the number of times you bring the fork to your mouth. This week we learned that Amazon will launch a … Continue reading Does Amazon’s New Payment Scheme Require Literary Surveillance?