Beth Greenslade's Blog, page 52

How To Come Up With An Original Plot

One of the most difficult challenges for writers is to try to come up with a unique and compelling plot. There are millions and millions of books already out there, covering almost every topic and genre under the sun. Writing a unique story, therefore, can be a massive obstacle.

Of course, writers need to realize what this really means. A unique story can be unique without having to have every single detail so. There will inevitably be some crossover. Whether you choose a young, spirited girl as your protagonist, and elderly wise retired general, a lovestruck teenager, a goofy singleton - and anything in between, already you will find that there is a story that stars a character with the same traits as yours.

But it is through the details, the plots twists, the setting, and the unique characteristics of your protagonists that you make your story your own. In fact, rather than worrying too much about being unique, you should accept the fact that it would be challenging for you to write a story that’s a carbon copy of another unless you were doing so intentionally. Just as you are a unique individual with a personal account to tell, the book you write will be so too. 

However, paying attention to plagiarism and understanding what’s already out there in your genre will help to ensure that your story doesn’t end up shadowing one that is already well known. You can also use the following tricks to help ensure that you keep yours is as original as possible:

Do your research

By doing thorough and extensive research into your genre or chosen topic, you will understand the conventions of that genre, and this will help you to consider the most critical elements that you need to include to make it ‘work.’ There is no point in striving to write something that no one else has if you don’t have a firm grasp on what the readers want, that they want from all stories they read. Once you know what you must include, you can then decide how to add these parts in a unique way. 

Figure out why you need to be different

Originality has its place, but sometimes authors place far too much importance on this - at the expense of their stories. If you are so desperate for your book to be nothing like any other, you could end up making yours seem far fetched at best, farcical at worst. Originality needs to be worth it; contribute to the story in a way that makes sense and is not just for the sake of it. 

Use layers to build your plot

By building your story by adding layer upon layer, you will naturally create an original plot that is entirely your own. Ideas are generally born as standalone things and can be pretty one dimensional. It is through gently eeking them out, and turning these moments of inspiration into robust, compelling stories that you will begin to shape a story that has an exciting and original premise.

Creating original stories and characters is not easy. However, it’s okay to start with a story with a basis that’s not too dissimilar from others you have read in the genre. From here, you can begin to bring new life, new details, new twists, and turns to the plot and characters that will turn your story into a beautiful, intriguing, and truly unique novel.

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

The post How To Come Up With An Original Plot appeared first on Writer's Life.org.

How Writing Can Keep You Sane

When you are cooped up indoors for many hours of the day, you might start to go a little stir crazy, and who could blame you?

Unfortunately, it looks like we might be in it for the long haul, and since we're restricted in what we can do in our day to day life, it's important not to let our mental health start to decline.

Happily, writing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help you stay sane during times of crisis. In fact, many studies have proven that writing can relieve stress, elevate mood, and help to work through difficult and challenging experiences. 

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 18% of the population of the United States have some form of anxiety disorder. Yet, only around 33% of them seek and receive treatment. 

Lots of people don't have friends and family they can talk through their problems with, or they just feel too embarrassed or ashamed to do so. Some don't want to admit that they need help or that they are even struggling at all. 

Writing is a common form of treatment that many therapists use to help patients open up, to get to know themselves better, and to get to the root cause of the issues that plague them. Here are some of the ways in which writing can help you:

Stops you overthinking

By writing things down, you get those troubling thoughts out of your head. Doing so stops you from allowing yourself to repeat the same ideas over and over again, to blow them up out of proportion, or to overthink and come to conclusions that may not match what's happening in reality.

Helps you track thoughts and feelings

By writing things down, you can more easily keep track of your thoughts and feelings to understand better where you are at in your head and determine the kinds of reactions you have in particular scenarios and what might be triggers for you.

Helps identify patterns of behavior

By looking back over your writing, you may start to see patterns of behavior that emerge that you can then be more aware of and recognize earlier the next time they occur.

Lets trapped emotions out

Writing helps you unburden yourself; it keeps you from bottling things up and allows you to express the way you are feeling and what you are thinking using whatever language you choose.

Is safe and non-judgemental

Writing is like a friend who is an excellent listener. It won't judge what you want to say and will accept everything. It's a safe way to examine difficult emotions and problematic thoughts that perhaps you wouldn't want to share with anyone else. 

Writing can be an excellent way of helping to work through more uncertain times in your life, but did you know it also helps you to learn faster? If you want to retain information, write it down by hand, and this can ensure it sticks in your head. There is also evidence that writing can help maintain your physical health, too, with some studies finding that writing regularly lowers blood pressure as well as benefiting physical and psychological health.

Negative emotions can get the better of all of us sometimes, particularly when in challenging situations. So now, more than ever, we should be grateful for writing and the many positive benefits it can bring. 

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

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The Different Ways To Write About LoveThose writing a...

The Different Ways To Write About Love

Those writing a novel will know that it is hard not to touch on the theme of love, regardless of the kind of book you are trying to create. The cast of characters in your story will all have different relationships, histories, and loves of their own. The various kinds of love they have experienced or experience as the story unfolds will be what shapes them and makes them relatable. 

Love, and indeed the absence of love, can make a massive difference in terms of how a character relates to others. In our own lives, this is also true. The relationships we build with others in all aspects of life can change how we view the world; our sense of self can be skewed by our experiences of love. 

So what are the different ways we write about love in our stories? Here are just a few:

Romantic love

Unrequited love

Love in Friendships

Tough love

First love

Unconditional love

Parental love

Brotherly and sisterly love

Forbidden love

As writers, we cannot help but be affected by our views on love, and this can come across in our work. Age and sex also make a difference in how we write about love. Our idea of love may be skewed by our personal experiences but also our memories. Do we idealise love? Are we suspicious of it? Is our view of love really accurate? Young people tend to write about love with more hope than older people, but also with more considerable anxiety. Women tend to explore love, to question it, to want to figure it out, where men tend to be more retrospective and consider the attachments that have been and gone, rather than look to the future for romance. 

Another interesting fact about love is that it often leaves us lost for words. Try as we might, therefore, love is one of the hardest emotions to capture on the page. Whether we (or our characters) are in the deepest throes of love or have been rejected in the most horrendous and soul-crushing way by it, we can struggle to find words that do justice to the intensity of the emotions that are felt when we consider love. 

Everyone likes a good love story, right? Writing about love is the easiest way to engage your reader. Whatever kind of loving (or non-loving) relationship you choose to portray in your story. This is because it is a fundamental part of every human being's experience. Done well, and it will resonate with your readers, connect them to your characters, and make them want to know more. 

Writing about love isn't easy, but it is necessary to make our stories great. How do you write about love? Share your thoughts with us here. 

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

The post appeared first on Writer's Life.org.

The 10 Best Ways To Minimize Distractions When Working From Home

Distractions are a writer's worst enemy. Unfortunately, when you are working from home, distractions can be plentiful. There are huge benefits to working from home, especially for writers. You don't have to stick to a strict 9 to 5 schedule, you can manage your own time, you can set your own hours, you don't have to deal with a stuffy and expensive commute, and you have all the comforts of your lovely home environment at your fingertips.

The advances in technology mean that there are a lot more job positions that can be successfully carried out from home. Writers need very few tools to write, having a power source, your laptop, access to the internet, and a comfy space to sit is everything you need. However, real-time chat tools have also made it very easy to reach out and communicate with others at the click of a button too. 

However, there's one significant downside to working from home, and that's how easy it can be to get distracted. The TV, members of your family barging in and that massive pile of laundry taunting you from across the room are all culprits. When you are at work, you simply don't have these distractions to bother you. 

If you want to write successfully from home, you, therefore, need to minimize distractions as much as possible. Here are ten effective ways to do just that. 

Accept distractions will always be there

Don't try to fight against the distractions in your home or remove them entirely. You'll end up wasting so much time in a battle you can't win. Instead, you need to learn to live with your distractions, acknowledge them, accept them - but figure out how not to let them get the better of you too. 

2. Remove or eliminate obvious distractions from your workspace

Anything that you can get out of your direct eye line, do so. Any dirty dishes or piles of ironing can be moved to another room. Out of sight is out of mind. Alternatively, try to start each day with a clear head by taking the time to get your house clean and organized each evening before you go to bed.

3. Turn off social media

Social media will always be a massive distraction, so unless you specifically need to use it for work, turn all notifications off during the time you are trying to write.

4. Tell your family you working hours

If you inform your family about your working hours and ask them to respect that you cannot be distracted at this time, you've given everyone a heads up and are managing their expectations. 

5. Set goals and deadlines

You are much more likely to remain focused if you set daily tasks for yourself, as well as longer goals to help you keep on track.

6. Take breaks

You can't expect to stay focused for long periods - we only have a specific attention span before we all get distracted. Giving yourself regular breaks will help keep you focused when you do sit down to concentrate once more.

7. Get some exercise

Exercise can be a great way to blow off some steam, get rid of excess energy, and help with your concentration, so pay attention to this and make sure you move around as much as possible.

8. Change location from time to time

Staying in the same location for long periods can mean we get complacent, and our minds start to wander. If you find yourself adopting this attitude try mixing up the site of where you work (even if it's just a different room) from time to time to give yourself a fresh perspective. 

9. Have a business mindset

The more businesslike your mentality, the more likely you'll stay focused and professional just like you would at work. Resist the temptation to lounge about in your pajamas and take yourself seriously for the best results!

10. Reward yourself for your concentration by indulging in whatever is distracting you

Once you have achieved your goals, give in to those distractions - kick back with a Netflix series, check your Instagram, or just get that duster and get to work!

By following the above, you can hope to keep distractions to a minimum and be the most effective and productive writer possible. Good luck!

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

The post The 10 Best Ways To Minimize Distractions When Working From Home appeared first on Writer's Life.org.

How To Boost Your Income As A Writer

In times where everyone is feeling the pinch, freelance writers might be concerned about how to keep their income up and ensure that their future remains stable. The good news is that there is still plenty of writing work and opportunities to make money out there, but now is the time to understand where you are, where you want to be, and really get to grips with your finances. 

So what can you do to boost your income as a writer? Let’s take a look:

Understand your income

To start, it’s essential to be very clear about how you currently make your money. Evaluate your clients and the volume of work they give you and the amount of time it takes to deliver. Your aim here is to work out your hourly rate for each one. Then you will have a much clearer picture of which are the most valuable. It’s also good to consider the types of topics you have to write and whether you enjoy them too.

Set your goals

The next step is to get a bit businesslike and set some goals of how much you would like to earn in the future. It can be tempting you underestimate yourself here, but try to be ambitious. The beauty of freelance writing is that the sky is the limit, and you can control how much money you make (really you can). By the end of this process, you should have set your annual salary and included any paid time off you want to take. Breaking this down, you will understand how much you need to earn per week to achieve your goal, and then you can see how much more work you need to secure to get there. 

Ask for more money 

One thing that freelancers don’t do enough of is raising their rates. Again, taking a businesslike and pragmatic attitude is essential here. If you have been working for the same client for some time, you are entirely within your rights to ask for a pay rise. You would expect this in a regular job, so why not your freelance work? Undervaluing yourself needs to stop. If you are an experienced, reliable, talented writer, make sure that you ask for payment in line with this. You could end up making a lot more money for the same amount of work, simply because you had the confidence and assertiveness to ask for it. 

Find clients that pay more

If your existing clients refuse to pay you more, it might be time to move on. There are plenty of businesses out there that understand the value of great content. Don’t get stuck doing work that pays you peanuts when you know you are worth more. Find clients who will pay you what you expect and what will help you achieve your goals, and then move on from those who don’t.

By following the above, you can hope to boost your income. All it takes is setting out clear, actionable steps and having a little self-belief and you could start making the money you deserve. Good luck!

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

The post How To Boost Your Income As A Writer appeared first on Writer's Life.org.

How To Stick To Your Writing Schedule While The Kids Are At Home

One of the things that many writers might be struggling with at the moment is how they are supposed to stick to their writing schedules and juggle childcare at the same time.

Our writing schedules are precious and vital, and it can feel so frustrating if anything gets in the way and disrupts them. However, we all have things in life, which means that our plans don’t go as expected and so it’s essential to be flexible and adaptable to ensure you can stick to your writing goals.

So if you now have to juggle a busy household and adjust your schedule accordingly, here are some helpful tips to keep you on the right track:

Identify the time you do have

Having the kids at home can eat into a large chunk of your day. However, the best thing to do is, first of all, identify the time that you now have available and seal it off as best you can. Once you know how much time you currently have, you can begin to adjust your schedule accordingly.

Find more time

While before you might have had the whole day set aside to work, nowadays, you might have to be smarter and more creative with the windows of time you do have. If your kids get up an hour after you, use that time to write, if they are happily entertaining themselves in the garden, use that time to write, if you can find a fifteen-minute window that you can have to yourself - use that time to write. It might not be ideal, but even if you have to write in fits and starts, you’ll keep making progress, and you’ll soon adjust to find ways of being more productive too.

Prioritize your projects

With less time in the day to write, prioritizing your workloads has never been, well, more of a priority! We are sometimes naturally inclined to put off the work we’d least like to do or the hardest tasks, but getting these out of the way could be a weight off our shoulders and leave us with the easier tasks to complete at the end of the day when we have less energy and focus.

Don’t feel guilty

Of course, it is essential to give your children the time love and attention they deserve when they are at home. However, you still need to make time for you. By preserving your writing time, you can ensure that you are keeping your goals firmly in mind, doing something you love, and managing to stay sane, even when times get tough!

Be flexible and adjust your goals and expectations

Above all else, we have to accept that our plans don’t always go to plan, our schedules will be disrupted, and life will throw up curve balls when we least expect it. By staying flexible, adaptable, and relaxed, we are giving ourselves the best chance of finding success and satisfaction, no matter what comes out way!

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

The post How To Stick To Your Writing Schedule While The Kids Are At Home appeared first on Writer's Life.org.

How To Be A More Flexible Writer

One thing that writers should all try to understand is how much more comfortable they can make life for themselves if they are flexible. 

There is a lot of writing advice that emphasizes the importance of a writing routine, and there is no denying that creating a method that works for you can help boost writing productivity. However, if you become so obsessed with your writing routine that you are totally inflexible around it, this could end up doing you more harm than good.

For the most part, writing at the same time every day, and forcing yourself to write even if you are feeling a bit lazy, demotivated or uninspired is a good thing. Writers need to treat their writing as something that is a necessity, like going to work or brushing their teeth. Some days will be easier than others. Doing this will mean that writing becomes more of a reflex, a habit, an accepted part of everyday life that just has to be. In short, a writer who takes the time to write each day is much more likely to be a writer who continues to take the time to write each day.

However, there will be days where other things get in the way. There will be times where the kids are sick and need to come home from school, where there are celebrations to be had, friends who need a shoulder to cry on, or even just periods where you sit down to write, and the words don’t seem to come out.

Life happens, and it doesn’t always care about the plans that we’ve made. 

If we aren’t flexible, disruption to our writing routine can spell disaster. Just as if you are really into the gym and you can’t afford the membership anymore, or you are really into running and then get a knee injury and suddenly that thing you are enthusiastic and passionate about fades into a distant memory, and it becomes harder and harder to reignite your passion for it. 

We’ve all experienced times where things don’t go to plan. Or where, no matter how hard we try, we just can’t focus as hard as we want to or create as productively as we desire. It can be disheartening and frustrating, but an inflexible writer is one who is much more likely to give up than one who can give themselves a bit of a break, thinking ‘never mind - it wasn’t meant to be today,’ adopt an easy-going, relaxed attitude and then try another time again.

The more you beat yourself up about things getting int the way of your writing plans, the harder it will be to get back on track. Just as if you give in to temptation and have a massive slice of cake on day five of your diet doesn’t mean that you should then throw in the towel and eat cake every day for the rest of your life! Those who practice flexibility, those who can be adaptable, those who can accept that plans don’t always pan out and that sometimes we make mistakes - those are the people who are more likely to achieve their goals.

In writing, perseverance and resilience are essential. So next time your plans don’t quite work out as they should, don’t freak but. Instead, take a deep breath, let all that frustration go, and then try and try again. 

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

The post How To Be A More Flexible Writer appeared first on Writer's Life.org.

Want To Be A Better Writer? Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

We all know that jealousy can destroy a writer. Yet it is all too easy to get caught up in the cycle of comparing yourself to others, and once you do it is hard to stop.

It doesn’t matter if they are your writing hero or your writing nemesis when you see their new book is shooting to the top of the bestseller lists in the blink of an eye it can be difficult not to feel despondent at our own somewhat less successful efforts. Whether we think they deserve it or not it still stings every time another writer achieves the dreams that we so desperately want to realize for ourselves. 

Comparing ourselves to others can be dangerous, not least because the truth of the matter is that we might never catch up to what our fellow writers are doing, and if we spend our entire time feeling as though we are lagging behind, it will become increasingly difficult to enjoy our own experience of writing - possibly causing us to stop altogether.

So what can you do next time your social media feeds become chaotic with the resounding echo of someone else success? You need to take a deep, long breath and remind yourself that you can only live your own life, you can only do your own thing, you can only create your own stories, and because of all of that, you can only create your own results.

Not a single darn thing you do is going to have an effect on whether or not another author finds their big break. Similarly, their big break doesn’t have any bearing on whether you will find your own.

Failure can creep up on you, and while you might think it has to do with the fact that you are not good enough or that you don’t have the dedication, it also is worth considering whether you are allowing yourself to fail because you don’t think you have any real hope of measuring up. 

There was a study undertaken by the Gothenburg Research Institute that discovered those who spend more time on Facebook were less likely to feel assured and confident. The report from the study stated that “when Facebook users compare their own lives with others’ seemingly more successful careers and happy relationships, they may feel that their own lives are less successful in comparison.”

Of course, it’s not just social media sites, in fact for writers, we are more likely to let the green-eyed monster strike when we read industry news, follow our favorite authors or look on Amazon to see who is currently smashing the bestseller list. 

But doing so is so unhelpful. If you get into this habit you’ll always find yourself reaching for more, never being satisfied with your lot, always finding dissatisfaction and restlessness instead of being able to truly enjoy your own achievement and success. 

If you aren’t happy with where you are as a writer then change it. The only thing you can control is yourself. You choose your own goals, and then focus on them and don’t let anything or anyone else distract you from them. The only thing you need to compare is how far you’ve come from where you started, and how far you have to go to get what you want. Our dreams are our own, theirs are theirs. The bestseller list doesn’t have to be your goal, getting published doesn’t have to be your goal. it’s your choice no one else’s.

If you can find a way to stop comparing yourself to others you’ll feel a freedom and a relief that releases you from the grip that jealousy can have over you, and instead enable you to write with more purpose, pleasure, and creativity than ever before! So set yourself free today - you’ll be a much better writer if you do!

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

The post Want To Be A Better Writer? Stop Comparing Yourself To Others appeared first on Writer's Life.org.

How To Organize Your Writing Day

There is no magic way to get yourself into the habit of daily writing. However, if you want to boost your chances of success as a writer, it's well worth focusing your time and energy on getting into a great writing routine.

Once you start to write every day, you'll see many benefits. You'll improve your writing skills, you'll find it easier to pick up where you left off, you'll feel like a 'real' writer so will have more confidence in your abilities, and you'll be less likely to let that inner critique or writer's block stop you from achieving your goals.

One key component of effective daily writing is to ensure that you remain organized. Here are some helpful tips to ensure that you organize your time and become a more productive writer as a result:

Set your schedule

This may seem obvious, but setting up a writing schedule is easier said than done. You might need to accept that this is a process of trial and error. First, you need to define your goals; then you need to decide upon your deadlines. Then you need to schedule your work to ensure you meet those deadlines. You need to be realistic here. While it's OK to challenge yourself if you try to cram too much in and don't leave any room for flexibility, you'll end up falling behind and always be on the back foot trying to catch up.

Become an 'early to bed, early to rise,' kind of person

OK, so you might have visions of yourself writing until the wee small hours of the morning, perhaps with a glass of your favorite tipple in hand, but this is just a romantic notion and not a very effective way to write. If you can get a good night's sleep and then get up early feeling refreshed and full of energy, you'll find that your concentration and focus are greatly improved. You also will have time to write even if you have a day job to go to after, where if you wait until the end of a busy day to do so, you may find more often than not you aren't up for it.

Set aside time for both writing and reading

If all you do is focus your writing and never allow yourself time to read, you could be doing yourself a disservice. Reading is a critical and significant part of the writing process, so make sure you make room in your schedule to kick back with a good book too. Your writing will improve hugely because of it!

Get inspired by other people's writing.

Reading is one way to find inspiration for your own work. But don't stop there. There are so many incredible places to find great content that could give you ideas and help you to define your own writing style. Follow blogs, read magazines, visit websites on writing and you'll find a wealth of information, stories, tips, and advice to help you become a better writer and give you lots of new ideas too.

By following the above tips, you can hope to become a more organized and productive writer. It's all about being self-aware, having the discipline, and allowing yourself time to get into a great writing routine. Once you've got that down and properly organized your writing day, there will be no stopping you!

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

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How To Overcome Your Publishing Fears

We know how daunting the world of publishing can be. Yet releasing your book into the public domain is also very exciting. You’ve finally achieved something that so many people attempt but fail. You’ve realized a lifelong dream.

However, if you have finished your book, and edited it, and you know deep down that it’s ready to be shared with the world, it doesn’t necessarily mean that sending it off to publishers, or pressing that final ‘publish’ button is necessarily an easy step to take.

For many, fear of publishing is a real and pressing problem. Authors are natural perfectionists, and having put so much time and energy into a project, it can be hard to let go.

Of course, there is always room for improvement, and delivering a flawless manuscript is probably setting yourself up for failure. So how can you get over your publishing fears and move onto the next stage of the writing process? Let’s discuss this.

Share your work early on

By getting early feedback, you’ll feel less daunted by the idea that your work might be criticized or rejected, so use the writing process to make you immune, or at least to grow a bit thicker skin.

Keep a writer’s journal

A writer’s journal can be a useful way to manage your feelings about the writing process. Not only will it be cathartic during your writing time, but will also be a helpful reminder of what’s at stake and everything you’ve been through to get to the point when you can publish.

Manage your expectations

Remember, it takes over six months for a typical publisher or agent to respond to you. Remember that you’ll have to work very hard and implement a robust marketing plan to make sure your book is successful. Try to focus on the practical steps you can take, and this will help you feel more in control.

Use outside techniques control stress and anxiety

If you are particularly prone to stress and anxiety, find out what works to help you feel calm and grounded. Exercise, fresh air, being in nature, and practices such as meditation or yoga can be so beneficial and ensure that you feel relaxed and strong both mentally and physically, which will help you feel more confident in your writing.

Consider the effects of not being brave

Remember, you can’t succeed if you don’t try, so make sure you really think about the consequences of not publishing and use this as ammunition to find your courage!

Accept rejection is imminent

Remembering that everyone gets rejected is essential. If you can normalize rejection, you’ll be less scared of it, and then you’ll realize you have nothing to lose!

Arm yourself with knowledge

The more you know about the publishing process, and the more time you invest in researching the publishers and agents you submit to, the more self-assured you’ll feel. So don’t waste time fretting about it, instead learn as much as you can to get ahead of the game.

Have deadlines and enlist professional help

Set yourself editing deadlines and stick to them like glue. That way, you simply have to let go when the deadline approaches. Enlisting professional editing help also makes good sense, and having an extra set of eyes on your manuscript can help you feel assured it’s good enough to be seen by the rest of the world.

By following the above, you can overpower your publishing fears and take that next exciting and brave step into the crazy world of writing a novel. So don’t let your fears hold you back, don’t stop just short of the finish line, you can do it, and when you do you’ll be so glad you did!

Bethany Cadman - bethanycadman.co.uk

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