Dana Sitar's Blog, page 16

How to Keep Writing When Life Saps Your Muse

One of the most common questions I’m asked by budding writers — second only to “how do make money freelancing?” — isHow do I find motivation to write when I’m exhausted after a long day of work/ family/ kids/ housekeeping/ etc.?

If you’re not making a full income freelancing or selling books, it’s quite likely you have to work a full-time or part-time job to support yourself while you try to launch a career as a writer on the side. That’s a lot of work, but, unless you aren’t responsible for a...

Self-Promotion Sucks! (but it doesn’t have to)

Mark another bestseller down in the books!

Hungry Entrepreneurs is totally rocking my world with their generous tribe and general support for entrepreneurs bravely teetering between launch and bankruptcy. And this week, for the second time this summer, I get to say, they’re rocking the Amazon bestseller list with their –ahem, our — latest release!

I met the charismatic Hungries founders, Annie and Jennie, this Spring when Jennie found me through a serendipitous recommendation on Twitter and inv...

Writing Conference Junkie

Submitted to the DIY Writers Carnival

by Jen McConnel (@Jen_McConnel)

Hello, my name is Jen McConnel, and I’m addicted to writing conferences. I don’t think I could quit, even if I wanted to, but this is one addiction I am thankful for.

I attended my first conference in 2006, and since then, I grab any opportunity I can get to spend a day or a weekend surrounded by other writers. In this, as in many aspects of my writing, I have my mom to thank. She worked as a freelancer while I was a child, ev...

5 Steps You Can Take This Week to Build Your Author Platform

Building an author platform sounds like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Developing your brand as a writer really just means creating more opportunities and better ways to connect with your readers.

That’s what it’s all about, right? Whether you write a blog, publish an ebook or are seeking traditional publication for a novel, content creators crave that personal connection with those who consume their work.

Here’s a little-known secret: Your author platform doesn’t have to be built...

Get Your Butt in the Chair and Write! An Interview with C. Hope Clark

Don’t see the video in your browser or reader? Click here to watch at my YouTube channel!

I’m so excited to kick off the WritersBucketList.com interview series with one of my favorite writers and bloggers, C. Hope Clark.

In this series, we’re talking to writers about the struggles and barriers they’ve faced throughout their careers, and how they’ve overcome them to become the amazing writers they are today!

Hope talks about her fourteen-year-long start-and-stop process to complete, find an agent...

Don’t Miss the New Blog for Writers and a New Travel Blog

Time to check in with a few updates…

If you started following this blog when it was DIY Writing, and you haven’t joined us at WritersBucketList.com yet, please do!

Here are a few recent posts you might have missed:

“Maybe You Shouldn’t Be a Freelance Writer” – in which I suggest that novelists who freelance because “at least it’s writing” may not find the bliss they’re looking for.

“The Shy Writer’s Guide to Self-Promotion” – in which contributor and freelance expert Jennifer Dunn shares tips for...

9 Facts About Life I’ve Learned from Writing About Death

This month will mark my last as a Blog Writer for SevenPonds. I joined this team two years ago as a young writer with little insight into the end-of-life industry, only knowing that I agreed with our founder Suzette that it’s time we change the way we look at death and start talking about this taboo of “end-of-life”.

Over these two years, I’ve spoken with dozens of end-of-life industry experts, people who deal with death every day, and people sharing their stories of love and loss.Here are som...

The Write Life Magazine: You’re a Writer, Always Will Be

This month marks the launch ofThe Write Life Magazine, a lifestyle magazine for writers, edited by Laura Pepper Wu of the fabulous writing blog 30 Day Books. I had the honor of contributing to this inaugural issue, on the theme of “What Writing Means to You”.

Watch this killer trailer for the magazine, and read an excerpt from my contribution below!

What Writing Means to Me: My Give and Take with the World

As I write this piece, I am overcome with anticipation, excited to read how the other writ...

Become a DIYW Insider for Exclusive Content While We’re on Hiatus

Today is officially the last day new DIY Writing content will be published at danasitar.com — but this is notfarewell! I have big plans for this community, and I amso excitedthat you’re part of it. Stay abreast of DIYW news via email.

I’m taking a break from posting for the month of May (so get out and enjoy spring sunshine when you need it most!), and I’ll resume posting — with a killer, beefed-up calendar — at the brand new DIY Writing at writersbucketlist.com in June.

It’s gonna be awesome.

A...

22 Things I Loved on the Internet in April + the Big Move for DIY Writing

DIYW News

Have a sneak peek at the new blog design! (Click the image below to see full size.) We’re right on schedule. DIYW will be going on hiatus for the month of May and re-launching in June at writersbucketlist.com. Subscribe via email to continue to receive exclusive resources and tips while we’re away AND be the first to know about some exciting opportunities for DIY Writers at the “new” blog! (Oh, and you get that free book for signing up!)

My April Guest Posts

How the Unlost E Course Hel...