Autumn Bardot's Blog, page 5

Why to Update Your Book Cover | Book Cover Problems | Genre Book Covers

How do you know when it’s time to update your book covers? Maybe the book is newly published. Or from your backlist. Designing book covers takes time and money, but authors need to ask themselves the hard questions.

Does the book cover reflect or align with the current book covers for that specific genre? In this video, I share advice, thoughts, and experiences about updating and refreshing book covers to reflect current genre trends.

#bookcovers #genrecovers #backlistcovers

 

Manuscript Feedback | Beta readers | Developmental Edits | Advice for New Writers

Why is so hard for new writers to get feedback on their manuscripts? Manuscript feedback. It’s a new writer problem. You really want some feedback but many author and writer friends hesitate to give it. It’s not you. It’s what a new writer is unwittingly asking of them. This video is about

-the reasons why it can be a challenge for a new writer to get feedback on their novel

-how to get the feedback you want.

In the future and when time allows, I hope to offer manuscript feedback. In the meantime, this channel has lots of information about writing and authoring. I’m also working on a masters class for a fiction company.

#betareaders #developmentaledits

Author Imposter Syndrome | How to Overcome It | Benefits of Imposter Syndrome

 Do you have imposter syndrome? It’s a big issue on social media. Feeling you’re not good enough or that you’re not expert enough affects many writers and authors. Imposter syndrome holds writers back and keeps them from pursing their dreams, writing a new genre, or taking a chance.

This episode takes a look at the five different kinds of imposters, ways to tell if you’re feeling like an imposter, and tips to reduce it. But more importantly, I share six reasons why having imposter syndrome can be a good thing!

Don’t let imposter syndrome thwart your writing dreams and aspirations. Do you feel like an imposter? What kind of imposter are you? Leave a comment and let me know.

 

#impostersyndrome #authoryoutube #writingyoutube #authoryoutuber

3 First Draft Tips | Create Convincing Characters | Writer’s Log in Real Time

Writing while holding a full-time job. Writing while taking care of household tasks. Writing while mom-ing. There isn’t much time left over to write, which, let’s face it, makes it difficult to maintain any kind of writing momentum. But it can be done! Lots of writers do it.

In fact, there are plenty of best-selling, traditionally published authors who still hold down a day job. Is it difficult? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely! In writer’s log 4, I share some first draft issues, struggles to prevent future plot problems, and writing tips.

 

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Are Your FaceBook Posts Too Long?

Authors and writers need to be on FaceBook. It’s a fact. And everything we post is part of our brand and platform. Everything. Which means authors and writers need to learn marketing skills and make strategic, or at least, mindful decisions about what they post and marketing best practices.

How long is too long for a Facebook post? What’s the best or optimal number of characters for better engagement? You may be surprised. I was! I did some digging in this episode and share my research about the best number of characters for FaceBook posts.

#BuildYouAuthorBrand #facebookauthorpage #authoryoutube #writeryoutube #writingyoutube

 

First Draft Process | Find Writing Time | Writing Log 3

 Make the most out of writing time. Have a full-time job? Writing while working full-time is challenging. Sometimes it feels impossible. There just doesn’t seem to be enough free time to write. And that job can be anything that takes up the bulk of your day like moms who write and caretakers.

There is often almost no time to write. But it can be done! ( I’m on my 12th book.) In this episode of Writers Log #3, I share how I wring every bit of writing time from my lunch ‘hour,’ which is really about 30 minutes, and how to make sure that Writing Time is used for actual writing and not staring into the creative abyss to figure out what to write. I call it Writing Go Time.

Hi, I’m Autumn Bardot, a traditional and indie published author, mom, grand-mom, and full-time teacher who has A LOT to do after work. Between household tasks, walking the dog, and mom things ( like talking to my grown children when they call) my creative energy is zapped by evening. Of course, everyone’s creative time and Writing Go Time is different, but maybe some of these writing tricks and tips will you get the very most of your writing time.

I also share a tip ( maybe you already know it) for writing about setting. Do you have a tip to get more out of your tiny bit of writing time? Let me know and leave a comment.

#writewhileworkingfulltime #writeanovel #writingyoutube

Your Inner Critic | Writing Struggles

Hello writers! Do you have an inner writing critic? Do you listen to that inner critic? How much should we listen to our inner voice? Well, that depends on what kind of inner critic you have. Some have a soul-crushing ogre that makes you wonder if you should keep writing. Some have a Pollyanna, who believes that everything you write is amazing and perfect.

The problem with listening to those inner critics is that they keep you from growing as a writer and improving your novel. The trick is to find the Just Right inner critic. They’re the best kind.

This episode looks at 3 basic inner critics and whether or not they can be helpful or harmful to your writing life.

#keepwriting #writeanovel

Writing Step by Step | Writing Process | Start Writing a Novel

I just started writing my 13th book. This time I’m sharing all my writing struggles and problems. Why? To help new writers, beginner writers, and novice writers see the writing process in real life. I’ve been writing for ten years, and am a full-time literature and writing teacher. I also have a big family. Which means I have to fit in my passion for writing into an already very busy day.

Writing is my Zen, my happy place, so I am constantly striving to find ways to find writing time. Join me on my writing journey. As with every book, the story begins with an idea for plots and characters. I’m a plotter who also pants. The plot emerges as I write the story. Will it be different this time? Who knows?

#writeabook #writingtips #writingyoutub

 

Writer Fails | Author Failure | Write Despite Failure

Writers fail. A lot! There is so much to get wrong, especially as a new writer. In this episode I share all my failures as writer and, more importantly, why I kept and continue to keep writing.

#writeabook #writerproblems #authorproblems

 

Writer’s Log | Inside the Writer’s Mind | Personal Step-By-Step Writing Process in Real Time

There are lots of wonderful blogs, books, and videos that provide a step by step process to write a novel. This isn’t one of them.

Instead, this is my personal writing log. In real time. My method works for me ( so far ) and I’m systematic and organized: however, the method, the process, can get messy and frustrating. I never know what snafus– plot or real life–the day will throw at me. I work a full-time job and don’t have the luxury of writing all day long. Writing while working–it’s a challenge that many of us face. I’ve written 11 books, 10 of them fiction, which means my writing process evolved over time and is now pretty consistent. I know what to do at each step, but there’s SO MUCH MORE that goes into each part of the writing process.

Join me as I chronicle writing my next book. I’ll keep it real, honest, and personal. 

 

#writingprocess #howtowriteanovel #writersmind