Anyta Sunday's Blog - Posts Tagged "writing"

As some of you might know, I've been in the writing game seriously for about seven and a half years now. Pretty much exactly my son's age - his birth really gave me the needed kick in the butt to give writing a proper go. And I really couldn't imagine it any other way by now.

And boy did I learn a lot of stuff along the way... how to get better at writing, how to navigate the publishing landscape, finding an agent, then discovering this whole other world of self-publishing, the whole process of beta-reading / editing / cover design, and finding the right people for all these steps. And that's before getting to the perils of self-employment in Germany, taxes, and trying to keep a mental balance. Of course this learning process is ongoing. ;)

For a while I've been thinking about sharing the things I've learned (and am learning), but I've also been struggling with finding a good format for this outpour of ideas. So for now I have decided to just start and give you a rather unfiltered (but hopefully still interesting and helpful) weekly bulletin right here on my blog. I will mainly write about writing (craft book reviews or thoughts on specific concepts) and self-publishing, but these bulletins will also be open to any other topic that crosses my path in that particular week.

You can read session #1 on my website right now by clicking this link.
In this session, you will learn:

--> how I got started writing seriously & what I learned
--> which writing craft books I recommend for new writers (and which series in particular)
--> what fiction books I read & liked last week

Hope you enjoy it!
Anyta

Sunday Musings - Session #1

In session 2 on my weekly bulletin, I dive into why having a writing system is so important for crafting your novel.

Besides knowing the right resources, there are some essential things that writers need to do:

--> read a lot – there is no better way to learn and be inspired
--> write every day
--> seek as much feedback as possible and grow a thick skin for feedback of the negative kind

Of these, the most important is: write. As simple as that – if you don’t put words on the page (or into your word processor of choice), there’ll be no book. It is your most important habit as a writer, and I hope I can give you some insights on how I try to cultivate this habit (and where I failed).

In this session, I discuss:
--> how to build a writing system that works
--> how to turn writing into a daily habit
--> what I do to carve out time for writing

Happy Writing!
Anyta

Sunday Musings Session #2

In Sunday Musings #7, I'm talking about creating engaging scenes.

I introduce the VIGORR concept that keeps track of all important parts of a scene, and also give you a two-part work sheet: part one as an overview of what to keep in mind when planning your scene, and part two with space for your own notes.

Get writing and cause a scene!
Anyta

Sunday Musings #7

It's not just words that count... Keeping track of word count helps you stay focused, but finished scenes are the real target. In this session, I discuss my hybrid approach including outlining & writing!

Sunday Musings #8

Hey guys!

So here it is, the last Sunday Musings of 2016. I'm taking a short Christmas break with my writing tips... but before that, check out Sunday Musings #9 - cover up to show off your book!



In this session, I talk about why you should use a professional cover designer, why you need a great book cover and how it helps you find readers! Enjoy, and see you back at session #10 in January!

Sunday Musings #9

Hey guys,

Just a quick reminder that the Sunday Musings are back from the winter break! We return with #10 - with all you need to know on self-editing.



The checklist will tell you what you should look out for before you send your manuscript off to beta-readers:
Are pivotal parts missing? Do I need additional scenes?
Where am I telling where I should be showing?
Where am I skimming / bored?

These are just some of the checks on a self-edit, for the others check out the blog post!

Sunday Musings #10

Hey guys,

Playing a bit of catch up here - there's been two Musings since my last post:

Sunday Musings # 11 - Nothing better than a beta reader:
--> Where to find a beta reader
--> What to look for in a beta reader
--> How to best work with the feedback you get
Bonus: how to be a great beta reader for your fellow writers!

Sunday Musings #12 - writing system update:
I talk about applying the ideas of “The One Thing”, by Gary Keller, to writing:
--> how to define goals that help you achieve great things
--> how to create & prioritize actionable tasks (breaking down the big goals in manageable junks)
--> how to block time to get your One Thing done
Unlock the power of The One Thing - think small to live large!

Hope you'll find them both helpful :)
Anyta

Hey guys,

check out Sunday Musings session #13: A blurb to elevate your book pitch.

I'm talking about how to make this important marketing tool as good as it can be:
--> How to write a great blurb
--> How to do your research
--> What you can use it for
A captivating blurb and a great cover: a winning combination!

Have a great Sunday!
Anyta

Sunday Musings #13

On Sunday Musings #14, it's the start of a series on #bookmarketing - author platform, book launch & more!



This is a really cool topic that I'm still learning so much about. I hope you'll come along with me and enjoy the ride!
Anyta

Sunday Musings #14

Sunday Musings is back with session #15 - part one of my book marketing series!



This week, we're looking at author platform for a fiction writer: what it means, what to look out for & how to build one.
Specifically, we'll work on a tagline that describes what you and your work stand for. Consistent messaging for the win!

Sunday Musings #15