Ryan Lanz's Blog, page 9

The Future of Books: 3 Audacious Predictions for the Next 20 Years

Years ago, I worked for a startup that launched a social media site for published authors. This was the first place where I really started to meet writers and come in contact with people in the industry. In the spring of 2008 one of the topics being bantered about on our website was the question […]

5 Ways to Stretch Your Word Count

I have been on a steep learning curve, growing exponentially in the world of writing, publishing, and editing. It wasn’t until I *actually* went to prepare my New Adult speculative fiction novel for publication that I realized I had a problem: the word count of 50,000 words was too short. Now, I know what you’re thinking. In fact, I’ve already […]

Why the Submission Process is Hard for Writers

Literary journals and magazines are a huge opportunity that writers should take advantage of. These chances to get your work to the world not only mean you grow in skill, but also it means you grow your list of writing accomplishments. However, submitting alone is a huge mountain to climb when you’re just getting started […]

Who Are You Writing For?

Ah, the deep thoughts that enter your mind when you have just a little bit of spare time to think. There are entire clickbait articles on these types of things. I know. I’ve read several. Many of them still have my head swimming. However, the questions that I considered recently had a lot more to […]

You Want Me to Change THAT? How to Receive Constructive Criticism

The moment has come. You sit in front of your computer; anxiety claws at your stomach, your hands twitch, but finally, finally, you force yourself to open that email. The one you are equal parts excited for and dreading. But, you have no choice. This is the next step. What in the world could work […]

5 Tips to Create a Deep Character Voice

There’s no single ‘perfect style of writing.’ Everyone connects to words a little differently, and what grips me may not grip the next person. Be that as it may, one of my personal passions in both writing and reading is building a deep emotional connection between the reader and the character. One of the main […]

3 Things to Do Immediately After Losing a Writing Job

At some point throughout your career as a writer, you will face rejection. Sometimes that comes in the form of losing a job or client. At some point throughout your career as a writer, you will face rejection. Sometimes that comes in the form of losing a job or client. The income was there, and […]

Use Translation to Help Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a mighty beast. It catches every writer off guard and sometimes, it takes months–if not years–to shake off. Sometimes, it feels like nothing is conquerable in the mind of the lost writer. But I want to propose a solution to your daily writer’s block, so that you can still apply your creative […]

The 8 Worst Clichés in Fiction

As a writer, there is always a pressure to write something that can sell. I have a weird relationship with this notion, but for the sake of this post, let’s just say that it’s true. However, as a freelance editor, I encounter authors every day (whether I do work for them or not) who cave […]

How to Know it’s Time to Publish

After studying all the possibilities within your reach, you probably still feel like you have no idea what to do with your manuscript. You are not sure how to choose the publishing method that really fits you and your work. That’s completely normal and you are not alone. It’s a tough decision with no right […]