Janice Hardy's Blog, page 57

Things That Happen When You Stop Chasing Social Media

By Alythia Brown, @alythiabrown.85 

Part of The Writer’s Life Series 

JH: Social media is both a blessing and a curse, and no writer should feel pressured to engage if they don't want to. Alythia Brown kicks off the New Year with thoughts and tips on what happens when you don't let social media rule your life. 

Alythia Brown is an award-winning journalist and author represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency. She’s also the copy editor who created The Grammar Chicken. Find her Medium articles on writing, life and parenting under @alythiabrown.85.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | 
Take it away Alythia...Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

A Guide to Creativity and Time

By Rochelle Melander, @WriteNowCoach

Part of The Writer’s Life Series

JH: The "creative well" is an apt metaphor for writers, and when we don't take care of ourselves, the well dries up and our writing suffers. Today, Rochelle Melander shares tips on keeping your creative well full.

Rochelle Melander is a certified professional coach, experienced book strategist, and the author of eleven books, including,  Level Up: Quests to Master Mindset, Overcome Procrastination and Increase Productivity . She provides solutions for people who feel stuck, overwhelmed or confused by the writing and publishing process. She is the founder of Dream Keepers, a writing workshop that supports children and teens in finding their voice and sharing their stories.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Take it away Rochelle…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

What Did We Accomplish This Year? The 2019 End of Year Wrap Up

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

As 2019 comes to a close, it’s time to look back on what we accomplished, and set new goals for 2020.
2019 was a better year for me, with life settling down some and no emotional trauma to deal with. It was also the busiest year I've ever had, and I traveled a lot. Our home grew by one (a family member moved in with us), the kittens have grown into sweet cats, and we saw family and friends more often than we have in the past. It was a good year, if a hectic one.

I’m a goal-focused person, and the end of the year is always a great time to reflect on what I managed to do over the year, as well as decide what I’d like to do for the coming year. I’m also an optimist, so I tend to have way too many goals (and a few failures from the previous year), but that’s okay. I’d rather push myself a little than not get as much done. The trick though, is finding that balance between pushing and setting too-high expectations. I’m still working on that. Hmm…maybe a goal for this year?
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Writers: Embrace the Bleak in Your Stories

By Bonnie Randall

Part of the How They Do It Series 

JH: Holiday stories offer happy endings, but they also tap into some dark areas writers can benefit from all year long. Bonnie Randall takes her monthly place at the podium today with tips on making the most of the dark moments in your writing.
Tis the season of peace, love, and good will. Christmas is here again and, like many people, I am binging on seasonal books and movies. I am also—like many writers—crafting stories and collecting ideas that fall under this theme we call the ‘happiest time of the year’.

I am also reflecting on how interesting it is that the best Christmas stories take us to the darkest places. It’s A Wonderful Life starts off with a suicide attempt. A Christmas Carol features a horrifying haunting. Looking past the silly, even the antagonist of The Grinch is a ruthless sadist whose sole intention is to rob people not of their possessions, but of their happiness—and he’s not above engaging in animal cruelty to do so. (Ahem. Consider his poor, little dog). The beatific, altruistic mom in The Christmas Shoes dies while her loving husband and son hover helplessly at her bedside.

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Real Life Diagnostics: Does the Opening Page of This Magical Realism Tale Work?

Critique By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Real Life Diagnostics is a weekly column that studies a snippet of a work in progress for specific issues. Readers are encouraged to send in work with questions, and we diagnose it on the site. It’s part critique, part example, and designed to help the submitter as well as anyone else having a similar problem.

If you're interested in submitting to Real Life Diagnostics, please check out these guidelines. 

Submissions currently in the queue: Zero

Please Note: As of today, RLD slots are open and taking submissions for next year, starting on January 4.

This week’s question:

Does this opening work?

Market/Genre: Magical Realism (Gothic Fairy Tale)

On to the diagnosis…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Taking a Break for the Holidays

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

2019 has been the busiest, craziest, most hectic year I've had in a very long time. It's also been a great year, but things have been slipping since October, and this site is one of them (ironically, because I've been working on the online workshops to add to the site).

I've decided to throw in the towel and accept that I'm not going to get any new posts done, or even revise any old ones the remainder of the year.

There are still some guest posts scheduled, so the site won't go totally dark, and I have one more Real Life Diagnostic in the queue. I imagine you guys are just as swamped as I am, so it's not a bad time for a break.

I'll be back for my regular "end of the year wrap up" at New Year's, and then jump into 2020 with some new and exciting things, as well as getting back to a normal posting schedule.

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season, happy writing, and I'll see you again in a few weeks.
--JaniceWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Plotting With Michael Hague's Six Stage Plot Structure

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Like a lot of people this time of year, I'm utterly buried with far too many tasks, so I'm dipping into the archives today for a oldie but goodie. I'll be back to my normal posting routine before long, I promise. It's just been an exceptionally crazy few months.

There are a multitude of different plot structures writers use to create their stories, and this series looks at the handful of most popular ones.

So far we've discussed the Three-Act Structure, the Hero’s Journey, and the Save the Cat Beat Sheet. That leaves one more popular structure--Michael Hague's Six Stage Plot Structure. (Side note, if you ever get an opportunity to sit in on one of Hague's workshops, I highly recommend them.)

This structure is a great choice for those who want a minimal amount of outlining. It's elegant in its simplicity and provides a lot of room to grow your plot organically. And yes, it too uses a three-act structure. It's also a variation on the Hero's Journey, so you'll quickly notice the similarities there.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Authors: What to Do When You Want to Quit

By Charity Bradford, @charitybradford

Part of The Indie Author Series

JH: Being an indie author can be a wonderful experience, but like every job, sometimes you just want to throw in the towel. Charity Bradford returns to the lecture hall today with tips on understanding what's getting your down.

Charity Bradford has been a voracious reader ever since her 5th grade teacher introduced her to the world of books with Where the Red Fern Grows. She soon became kindred spirits with Anne Shirley and got lost in the worlds of Card, McCaffrey, Bradbury, and Nagata. By college, she was sewing her own Starfleet uniform and developing her alter-ego as a comic book sidekick. She lives in Northwest Arkansas with her hubby and four kids. Some of her guilty pleasures include binge watching Doctor Who and Ancient Aliens. Charity also writes clean contemporary romance under the name River Ford.

Website | Website (River Ford) Newsletter Sign-up | Charity on Facebook | River on Facebook |Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Take it away Charity…

Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Compelling Character Arcs in 4 Easy Steps

By Laurence MacNaughton, @LMacNaughton

Part of the How They Do It Series

JH: Character change can be a vital part of a novel, even if it's a gung-ho plot-driven story. Laurence MacNaughton shares how to craft a compelling character arc in four easy steps. 

I'll let you in on a secret: readers want your character to change.

They know, deep down, that your character is unhappy with the status quo at the beginning of your book. Something is terribly wrong in your character's life, and things can't keep going on this way. Something's got to give. Readers fervently hope that your character will rise to the challenge and become a better, happier person.

In other words, what your readers want is a character arc. But how do you create one? Believe it or not, there is an easy way. Here's how to create an arc in any story.
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com

Don't Forget to Open Your Advent Window at Writers Helping Writers (Did I Mention the Prizes?)

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

Just a reminder that the amazing Advent Calendar for Writers is still chugging away. 14 days of prizes, folks, and you can enter the drawings for all of them if you want.

What the Heck Is an Advent Calendar for Writers?
You know those Advent Calendars that have a delicious chocolate behind each window, counting down to Christmas? Well, it’s like that, only more helpful and less fattening.

Every day from December 1st to December 14th Angela and Becca over at Writers Helping Writers will provide a link to a giveaway just for writers. You click the link, opening the daily “window” and boom, there will be something fabulous you could win. Things such as…
Continue ReadingWritten by Janice Hardy. Fiction-University.com