Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog, page 18
October 14, 2023
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.
Have you visited the WKB lately? Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox! Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.
Business / MiscellaneousProducing Visual, High Quality Books, Thinking Differently, and Kickstarter Lessons With Holger Nils Pohl: @thecreativepennDoes it Matter When You Release a New Book? https://buff.ly/2RlgnFW @SueColetta17 Creative Ways to Boost Book Sales Locally: @bookgalWriting for Mass Appeal: A Systematic Approach to Crafting Novels for the Market: by Laurence O’BryanHow to Write a Bestseller Book: 6 Steps to a Book Readers Love: @storyhobbit4 Reasons Your Writing Business Will Fail: @colleen_m_storyAn Author’s Guide to Hand-Selling: by DonnaRae Menard @careerauthorsWhat Have We Learned from the Hollywood Writers’ Strike? @agnieszkasshoes @indieauthoralliThe Life and Times of a Copyright: @deanwesleysmithConferences and Events / MiscellaneousIn the UK, the £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize’s Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesAbu Dhabi’s Congress of Arabic Publishing Aims to Expand in 2024: @HannahSJohnson @PubPerspectivesFrankfurt’s Fellowship Programs: Wendolyn Trogneux of Éditions Albin Michel: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt’s Fellowships: Roman Skliarov of Ukraine: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairCassava Republic: A $30,000 Nonfiction Prize for Black Women: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesTimely Resonance at Frankfurt: Slovenia’s ‘Laibach: Alamut’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / QuotesA roundup of advice on learning to write and teaching writing, from Ann Patchett to Ursula K. Le Guin: @PaulaSMunier @careerauthorsCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Adam Croft’s What Lies Beneath: 7 Trippy Horror Novels That Will Mess You Up: @timmmeyer11 @litreactorExploring the Fine Art of Short Epic Fantasy: @tordotcomMysteries and Thrillers Set in the Wellness Industry: @jamieleesogn @crimereadsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingWriter Blinders: @LauraDrakeBooksWriting Through Thick and Thin: @ConstanceEmmettCreativity and Inspiration / Success5 “Success” Tips for Fiction Writers: @livewritethriveCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeA Tongue-in-cheek Post for Writers: 10 Reasons Not to Write Books for a Living: @ediemelsonTerrible advice writers should ignore from Internet friends: @annerallenOn Patience, Organic Evolution, Stakes, and Openings: by Liza Nash Taylor @writerunboxedFinding the Courage to Put Your Writing “Out There”: @TrishCrisafulliHow to manage supporting tasks: @pubcoach9 ways to reclaim your writing groove: @nownovelAre you trying to do too much? @pubcoachTurns Out, Maybe Not Writing Was A Smart Decision This Year: @BeingTheWriterJimmy Buffett Teaches Artists How to Live: @foxprintedInspirational Indie Author Interview: Paula L. Estrela. Architect Constructs Humorous Children’s Tales With a Serious Message: @howard_lovyGenres / HorrorHow to Plot Twist Horror and Thriller Novels: by Amy Christine Parker @diymfaGenres / HumorHow to Keep Your Dark Comedy From Flopping: by Chris WinkleGenres / MysteryCultural Blending as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergThree Tips on Writing A Thriller Story: @diannmillsHow to Plot a Mystery/Thriller: @xvictoriawrites @NatalieIAguirreThe Psychology of Fear: @MandSMagazineThe Deaths of Young People as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergPoison in Murder Mysteries: @MandSMagazineHow to Write a Detective Story: Definition, Tips, and How to Publish: @davechessonGenres / Non-FictionWriting Nonfiction for Children: by Maria Parrott-Ryan @WriteNowCoachGenres / Picture Books7 Tips for Crafting Activist Picture Books: @MiraReisbergGenres / PoetryEight Top Techniques for Selling Poetry: @indieauthoralliGenres / ScreenwritingScreenwriting: The Vital Role of Your First 10 Pages: @thejkstudio Genres / Short StoriesWriting Short Stories: Lessons from Singer-songwriters: @EldredBirdPromo / BloggingIs it no longer trendy to leave blog comments because readers only want information, not the community? @HughRoberts05Promo / MiscellaneousThe Best Free Marketing Tool: The World in Your Head: by Lisa NormanPromo / PlatformsHow to Build Your Author Platform: by David LoyPublishing / News / International PublishingRights Roundup: Pre-Frankfurt, Fosse and Mohammadi Awarded: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesMexico’s Book Chamber Files Lawsuit in Textbook Dispute: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesTalking AI at Frankfurt: A Look at Some of the Programming Ahead: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairUK: Society of Authors Questions Spotify’s Publisher Deals: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesThe Revamped USA Today Bestseller List Isn’t What It Used to Be: @HotSheetPub @JaneFriedmanTurkey’s Nermin Mollaoğlu Opens an Independent Press in England: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Process / ContractsDo you have publishing contract problems? @pubcoachPublishing / Process / LegalitiesHow Do I Protect Myself When Writing About Real People? : @MichaelLaRonn and @sacha_blackPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidCautions: Babelcube, Barnes & Noble Book Order Scams, Audiobook Order Scam (Featuring a Fake Non-Profit): @victoriastraussWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWriting through the generations: @gmplano @storyempireWriting Craft / DialogueWriting: Dialogue Refresher: @lindasclareWriting Craft / MiscellaneousThe Two Most Useless Lines of Dialogue in All Literature: @jamesscottbellWhat is Dramatic Irony? by Lily LindonWriting Your Stories: When Yay Becomes Yuck: by Josh LangstonThree Questions to Get to the Heart of Your Story: @Janice_HardyOn Breaking Book Formatting and Adverb Rules: @FrugalBookPromoWhat About Profanity When Writing Dialogue? @PeggySueWells @ediemelsonUsing the Beauty of Triangles in the Stories We Write: @SarahSallyHamer @ediemelsonTips on Writing Heartbreak and Break-ups: @AuthorMarilene Why Context Is Important When Writing: @MorganHzlwoodHow To Make A Difference With Your Writing: @KarenBanesConveying “Whispering” without Repetition: from Writing Questions AnsweredSearching for Authenticity as a Writer: @DavidCorbett_CA @writerunboxedWriting Craft / RevisionHow to Be a “Bad-As” Editor: @SnowflakeGuyWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesThe Power of Feedback: How a Support Group Can Improve Your Writing: @TheLeighShulmanThe Beauty of Beta Readers: @c_vandenhende @diymfaWriting Craft / ScenesStrategies for Smooth Scene Openings: @LisaPoisso
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October 8, 2023
Finding the Courage to Put Your Writing “Out There”
Writing is one thing—submitting for publication is quite another. We leave the secure world of our creativity for the unknown of an agent’s or editor’s domain. If that weren’t scary enough, a Google search of “percentage of manuscripts that get published” yields a completely disheartening answer. It’s enough to make even the most stalwart writer retreat to the comfort of the sofa with a plate of hot scones.
And that’s precisely why we need to find our courage whether we’re querying an agent, submitting to an editor, or even sharing with a writing group for critique. (Not to mention subjecting ourselves to those pesky reader reviews after publication.)
Courage is not overcoming our fears—it’s welcoming them as part of the process. Fear is important feedback, letting us know that we’ve gone outside our comfort zone. So, if putting our writing “out there” triggers anxiety, we need to congratulate ourselves on taking that big step!
Here are some thoughts for channeling our fear into courage:
Name that fear. In a word, rejection. Someone tells us, “I don’t like what you’ve written” (though probably not in those exact words), and it feels like “I don’t like you.” The anticipation of that pain can be enough to keep us from making the leap to submit our writing. But this is not a personal rejection—it’s commentary (often subjective) on what we’ve written. By naming our fear, we can bring it down to size.Fear—but don’t steer. We know what fear feels like: sweaty palms, shaky knees, palpating heart, and all. That’s exactly what I felt the first time I went zip-lining. Clinging to the straps, I tried to steer but that only slowed me down. On the last jump, the guide told me to “let go”—otherwise I might not be able to go the distance. I had to resist the temptation to steer as I zipped across the expanse, letting the momentum and the wind turn me this way and that. Not only did I use that exact experience for my protagonist in my latest novel, The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm, but it also became a personal metaphor when putting my writing out into the world. I cannot steer—there’s no controlling what others will do or say. This is about letting go—of that book proposal, novel draft, article pitch—and seeing what happens.Would you rather not know? It was a crowded Manhattan restaurant on a Friday night. And I, then in my late twenties, sashayed across the floor to the restroom in my favorite white dress with the tiny black dots—the one that skimmed my hips and flowed down almost to my ankles. On the way out of the restroom, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back inside. “Your skirt is tucked into your underwear!” she said in my ear. That “feedback” saved me from walking across the restaurant with my you-know-what exposed. A moment of discomfort saved me from making a spectacle of myself. And so, it is when I get comments back from an editor with advice on “improving your next draft”—the one I had thought was polished to perfection. We do want to know what needs to be addressed because that’s the feedback that will help us reach the next level (and maybe avoid some embarrassment as well).Everybody goes through this—what you learn makes it unique. Okay, so this one is almost cliché, but that’s because it’s true! The list of famous writers who got rejected is very long: J.K. Rowling, James Joyce, Louisa May Alcott, Ernest Hemingway, Agatha Christie, and so many more … Too often, though, this is interpreted as, “Those editors sure were dumb to miss on out Harry Potter” (okay, so maybe that one). But the bigger takeaway is how these luminaries took their rejections in stride, made their rewrites, worked on their craft, and soldiered on. In my own writing career, I received some disheartening rejections at first, then was sustained for a while by “positive rejections” that talked about my promise and potential. That’s when I decided to double down on my craft by getting a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in creative writing—and my thesis became my first published novel!Courage keeps our eye on the prize. Step away from writing for a moment—and think about … sports. No, I’m not suggesting that we trade our keyboards for, say, a pair of cleats. But within sports we find numerous uplifting and real-world examples of finding the courage to keep going against steep odds. Consider the almost mythic The Miracle on Ice”—the 1980 victory of a young and amateur U.S. hockey team over an older and more experienced USSR team at the Olympics at Lake Placid. Or, the Boston Red Sox who were down three games in a best-of-seven series and came back to beat their bitter rivals the New York Yankees to advance to the 2004 World Series. As I sit at my keyboard, I’m far from a hockey rink or a baseball diamond (not to mention that I don’t play either sport). But I can draw inspiration from these stories to find my own courage and keep an eye on the prize.Putting our writing out there may never be easy. We’ll face fear and insecurity at every turn. But with courage, we’ll keep venturing out of our comfort zone and into the realm of possibilities.
Patricia Crisafulli is an award-winning writer and a New York Times bestselling author. Her first novel, The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor, was published by Woodhall Press in 2022, and her second, The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm, was published in September 2023.
Finding the Courage to Put Your Writing “Out There”
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October 7, 2023
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.
Have you visited the WKB lately? Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox! Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.
21 Edgar Allan Poe Gifts for Fans of the Notorious Writer: by Jaylynn KorrellIs Writing Your Dream or Fantasy? by Crystal Grant @goteenwritersHow to Waste Time: 5 Ways To Do It Well: by Emil Rem @write_practiceHow to Know Your Book is Done: @bookendslitMake an appointment with yourself: @austinkleonFive Simple Rules for Better Writing by Josh Stallings: Genres / FantasyAre These Classic Monsters Problematic? by Oren AshkenaziHow to Write and Create Creatures: from Coffee Bean WritingGenres / MemoirQuestioning our notions of home – memoirist and writing coach Jennifer Lang: @Roz_MorrisGenres / MiscellaneousHow to Write a Graphic Novel and Publish It in 6 Easy Steps: @davechessonGenres / MysteryCrime Fiction Research: Sheriffs: Who Are They and What Are Their Duties? @LeeLoflandCombining Crime Fiction and Fantasy: @MargotKinbergA Lovely Place to Die: Favorite Settings for a Charming Murder: by Mark Waddell @CrimeReadsGenres / Non-FictionHow to Write a Self-Help Book: The Complete Process: @davechessonHow to Write an Autobiography and Publish it in 7 Easy Steps: @davechessonGenres / PoetryWriting Poetry In The Dark With Stephanie Wytovich: @thecreativepennGenres / RomanceIs Your Romance Novel Circling the Drain? – @TammyLoughBooks @diymfaGenres / Short StoriesHow I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Novella: @MrWarrenWagner @litreactorWriting Short Stories to Jumpstart Your Novel Writing: @LiteraryEllyMay @writerunboxedPromo / BloggingMaximizing Your Author Website’s Potential with Blogging: by J. Alexander GreenwoodPromo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingHow Your Amazon Author Bio Can Help You Sell Books: @bookgalPromo / Connecting with ReadersHow to find your readers: @DanBlank @WeGrowMediaPublishing / MiscellaneousChildren’s Books Edition: PRH’s ‘Banned Wagon’ Rolls Sunday: @Porter_Anderson Book Parts and Better Engagement – Anatomy of an Afterword: @KMazeauthorTaylor & Francis: A Platform for Pitching Submissions to Its Journals: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesAt Frankfurt: Demand for More Books and Cultural Media Coverage: @Porter_Anderson @book_fair @PubPerspectivesUK and Australia: Spotify Opens ‘Audiobooks in Premium’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesIn England: The Society of Authors’ CEO Nicola Solomon is Retiring: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCanada’s Wattpad Updates Its Paid Program: ‘Originals’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesSustainability: SBTi Verifies Springer Nature’s Net Zero Targets: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / AmazonKDP Limits Titles: We Learn How Tricky It Can Be to Legislate Technology: @agnieszcasshoesPublishing / News / International PublishingChildren’s Books Edition: Pre-Frankfurt Rights Roundup: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUK: National Centre For Writing Names Literary Translator-Mentees: @Porter_Anderson @PubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / PitchesHow to Successfully Pitch Op-Eds and Timely Cultural Pieces: by Estelle Erasmus @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingQuerying after a less than stellar debut: by Janet ReidQuerying is the Worst: @MorganHzlwoodWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentFlawed Characters: @gmplano @storyempireWriting Characters Readers Connect With: by Donna Jo StoneHot Tip for Character Relationships: The Relationship IS a Character: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsDoes the hero have at least one big “I understand you” moment with a love interest or primary emotional partner? @cockeyedcaravanWriting Craft / HumorHow Authors Can Use Humor in Their Stories: @DouglewarsWriting Craft / Miscellaneous10 Common Writing Techniques and How to Use Them: @richardgthomas3 @litreactor5 Tips To Show Time Passing In Deep Point Of View: @LisaHallWilsonExposition in a Story: @FrancineElena @TheNovelryThe Good The Bad and the Unsympathetic Character: @Elliot_Laura @womenwritersA Risk Worth Taking : @JamesScottBellWriting About Pain: Describing Minor Injuries: @angelaackerman @onestop4writersFive Fake Turning Points Storytellers Keep Using: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesOn Finding a Critique Group: @shuttaWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionSetting – The Versatile Tool for the Fiction Writer: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / World-BuildingWorldbuilding 101 for Writers: Writing Technology and Magic Systems: @ACW_Author @EdieMelsonDepicting Real World Religions Alongside Constructed Religions: @WritingwColor
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October 1, 2023
Writing Myths: The First-Book Success Story
By Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I’m not saying the first-book success story doesn’t happen. There are definitely the To Kill a Mockingbirds out there to prove me wrong.
But I do think this particular myth is harmful for writers. It can make you place too many high expectations on a single book. And there are plenty of reasons not to do that.
One big reason is that you can get far too invested in the single book. There are plenty of ways to be overinvested. One is to put too much money into book design or promotion. Another is to follow reviews and sales too closely instead of starting to write the next book.
Writing the next book is critical, even if book one is a success. Maybe especially if it’s a success. You move forward, get better at your craft, explore different ideas. And you don’t focus everything on worrying about the first book.
Another problem can crop up if you’re too invested in your first book. Self-doubt. It’s easy, and maybe a helpful thing, to get very excited about your work, especially if you’re new to writing. If you publish something and it’s not an immediate critical or commercial success, it could feel like a major set-back. You could end up doubting your story or your talent.
If you go into publishing a first book with realistic expectations, it’s easier to avoid insecurity. Easier to move on to the next project. And you might find that your first book becomes a financial success years after it’s published, when you’ve found more of a readership.
What were your expectations before publishing your first book? What advice would you add to mine for new writers?
Writing Myths: The First Book Success Story:
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September 30, 2023
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.
Have you visited the WKB lately? Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox! Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.
@cambridgeuniSalman Rushdie Appears at Frankfurt’s Saturday Gala: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFT Schroders Business Book Awards’ 2023 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesFrankfurt’s 75th Edition: Two Agents’ ‘LitAg Moments’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationWriters, Inspiration Will Fail You: @mindofkyleamCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Gerald Elias’ The Devil’s Trill: @MargotKinbergThe One Book Every Writer Needs: @chadrallenCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingMake the Most of Having 15 Minutes to Write: @theiwsgHow to Write a Book When You Don’t Have Time to Write a Book: by Bradeigh Godfrey @careerauthorsCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeThis author traveled 9,000 miles to 21 bookstores in 3 weeks: @danblank @wegrowmediaWho Do You Write For? @KarenCV3 Quick Writing Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: @authorSATOwning Your ‘Work Story’: @Porter_Anderson @writerunboxedHow to Rediscover the Joy of Writing: @KMWeilandMaturing as a Writer: @FinishedPagesWhat To Do When You Hate Your Novel: by Gillian Bronte Adams @goteenwritersFiction Is a Hallucination, Packaged for Public Consumption: @geplunkett @electriclitWe are all united by our need to find meaning – Carolyn R Russell: @Roz_Morris10 Gifts to Give Your Favorite Writer: @SueBEdwardsHow Do You Protect Your Writing? @foxprintedFeatured Writer on Wellness: P.J. Peterson: @colleen_m_storyGenres / FantasyHow Do I Plan For Eclectic Magic? by Oren AshkenaziGenres / MemoirMining Your Memories: 3 Forms of Memory Every Memoirist Must Know: @LisaEllisonsPen @JaneFriedmanGenres / MiscellaneousGrowing Pains: Why Coming of Age Stories Are for Everyone: @Emilie_Noelle @writerunboxedGenres / MysteryThe Plight of Workers as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergMemory as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergVeterans in Mysteries: @MandSMagazinePromo / MiscellaneousHow to clean up your links: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthors10 Updated Word of Mouth Tactics To Power The Holy Grail of Traditional Book Marketing: by Laurence O’BryanBusiness Musings: Niche Marketing: by Kristine RuschPromo / NewslettersHow to Write Sharable Newsletters: by Lisa NormanPromo / PlatformsHow to Build an Author Platform That Attracts Readers: @bookgalPublishing / MiscellaneousWhen Publishing Drives You Batty: by AK NevermorePublishing / News / International PublishingGermany’s Ebook Report: Fewer Buyers, More ‘Intensity’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesWriters Stand in International Solidarity on Strikes and AI: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesIPA Alert: Dominican Republic Is Nationalizing Textbooks: @Porter_Anderson Children’s Books Edition: L’École des Loisirs’ New ‘House of Stories’: @OliviaSnaije @PubPerspectivesItaly’s Publishers Elect Innocenzo Cipolletta President: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingWhat is a Literary Agent? @hellegillyWhat Happens When an Agent Submits Your Book? @bookendslitPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingLiterary Agent Interview: Jen Newens Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @NatalieIAguirreHow Can I Convince Editors That My Information Can Be Believed? @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidLatest Writing Scams Authors Should Look Out For: @annerallenWriting Craft / BeginningsYour first pages – 4 more book openings critiqued at @Litopia by literary agent @agentpete author @anniesummerlee and @Roz_Morris: Writing Craft / Characters / DevelopmentGive Your Characters Memories: @jamesscottbellCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Pessimist: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersExplore the Fictional Character That You Present to Readers: @AnneJanzer @JaneFriedmanDon’t Let Your Characters Give Up — and Don’t Let Yourself, Either: by Natalie Hart @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionBe Afraid! Creating Fear in Your Characters: @diannmills
@careerauthorsWriting Craft / Common MistakesDo your heads hop? Some tips on choosing point of view and keeping it consistent: @HelenaFairfaxWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmFive Stories That Would Be Better Without Cops: by Oren Ashkenazi4 Tips For Memorable Characters From Jack Sparrow: @LisaHallWilsonWriting Craft / MiscellaneousKey details are the difference between generic and unique (query critique): @nathanbransfordUsing Peace, Quiet, and Introspection to Intensify Your Writing: @richardgthomas3Essential storytelling details I now include on autopilot – and learned by being edited: @Roz_MorrisWriter’s Toolbox: @Virgilante @storyempireWriting About Pain: Three Stages of Awareness: @angelaackerman @onestop4writersAim to make your book perfect – why it’s worth it and how it’s possible: @Roz_MorrisWriting About Pain: Different Types to Explore: @beccapuglisiSplicing Time: Handling Multiple Storylines: by N.L. Holmes @floridawriters1Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingHow to hide plot twists from both your readers and your characters in a way that is not frustrating or annoying: by Bone and ButterflyWriting Tools / MiscellaneousTech Tip for Writers : My Program Froze: @worddreams
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September 25, 2023
Make the Most of 15 Minutes to Write
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
The holidays are coming up quickly and you might be feeling a little pressed for time. I guest post at the wonderful IWSG site today, talking about how to squeeze your writing time into 15 minutes. Hope you’ll hop over.
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September 23, 2023
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.
Have you visited the WKB lately? Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox! Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.
Business / MiscellaneousPublishing Books For Children And Profitable School Visits: @TonyaDEllis @thecreativepennConferences and Events / MiscellaneousRights Roundup: Warming Up for Frankfurt: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairSharjah Book Authority Announces its 2023 Publishers Conference: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesSlovenia at Frankfurt: Laibach’s Sharp-Edged ‘Alamut’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesThe Challenge of Conference Chit-Chat: @magpie0218 @RMFWThe German Book Prize Announces Its 2023 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesFrankfurt’s News Conference: ‘The Democracy Fair’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS National Book Awards 2023 Longlist: Poetry: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesIn England: The Booker Prize Names Its 2023 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @TheBookerPrizesPanama and Spain: Wales’ Hay Festival Adds Two New ‘Forums’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPresenting to Writing Groups: @EldredBirdCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Books With A Dark Playfulness: by Arianna Reiche @electriclitCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Kerry Wilkinson’s The One Who Fell: @MargotKinberg5 Reasons Why I Leave a Book Half-Read: by Michael Cristiano10 Books Portraying a Search for Truth: by Babak Lakghomi @electriclitBehind the Scenes: Five Memorable Mysteries for Performing Arts Lovers: @lslaughter2 @crimereads10 Novels About Mad Scientists: by Akemi C. Brodsky @electriclitCozy to Cold-Blooded: Puzzle Mysteries: @avonlea79Creativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingDesigning Your Writing Life: Creating a Routine That Works for You: @TheLeighShulmanCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockHow to avoid writer’s block: @pubcoachCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeFocus on What You Can Control: by Sara BirenWriting Myths: Real Writers Write Every Day: Types of negative thinking that hold back your writing: @PubCoachVision Your Epic Wins: @WriteNowCoachReading—and Writing—Like an Asian American: by David Shih @lithubSeries VS Standalone: Cage Match: @chuckwendigHow to Escape Imposter Syndrome in Your Writing Life: by Lynette M BurrowsHow to Turn Your Writing Setbacks Into Setups for Success: @ninaamir7 Tips to Maintaining Your Sense of Self: @cyallowitzWriters Who Make You Furiously Jealous Are Your Best Mentors: @annkroekerWriting Tough Stuff: Five Tips to Make it Easier: @AineGreaneyGenres / Fantasy9 Great Fantasy Novel Opening Examples: @BrynDonovanGenres / Middle-GradeWhy You should Tackle Tough Topics in Middle Grade Writing: by Lori Z. ScottGenres / MysteryOn Cozy Mysteries: @KdibiancaEndorsements as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergFamily Dynamics in Thrillers: @MandSMagazineCrime Fiction: The Importance of Knowing the Victim’s History: @margotkinbergGenres / RomanceHow to Write a Strong Love Interest: @AuthorMarilenePromo / Connecting with ReadersFinding Readers for Your Indie Books: ALLi Ultimate Guide: @indieauthoralliPromo / Miscellaneous5 Things Influencers Look for in a Book: @TheRealBookSpy @careerauthorsWhat to Know about Radio and Podcasts: @AnnMarieNieves @writerunboxedPublishing / MiscellaneousFrankfurt-Bound Richard Charkin: ‘Think Deeply About the Rights’: @RCharkin @PubPerspectivesDevelopments in Audiobooks: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesNihar Malaviya Made Permanent PRH CEO by Bertelsmann: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesHow to Write a Book in ChatGPT: My Complete Process: @storyhobbitHachette Names Lauren Monaco as EVP, Director of Sales: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS Schoolyear Book Bans Jump 33 Percent Over Last Year: @Porter_Anderson @PENamerica @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingChina Bestsellers in August: Relationships and André Gide: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingHow to Query When You’re Writing in Multiple Genres: @bookendslitHow to Land an Agent for a Graphic Novel: @woodmanmaynard @janefriedmanPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / RejectionsHow to Deal With Rejection: Celebrate! @ltinthecity @JaneFriedmanHow to Recognize a Good Writing Rejection and Use It to Make Your Publishing Dreams Come True: @EdieMelsonPublishing / Process / Book DesignHow to Design a Cover for the Emotional Center of a Novel: @MathMonahanPublishing / Process / Self-PublishingAnswers to Your Indie Publishing Questions: @LisaTenerWriting Craft / BeginningsFirst Page Critique – Or, the Devil You Don’t: @burke_writer @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsLessons from the Evil Spawn: by Dave King @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Mad Scientist: @beccapuglisiCrafting Characters Who Make Your Readers Care: @thiswritersays @womenwritersWriting a New Story: Creating Characters with the Story Equation: @JillWilliamsonWriting Craft / DialogueThe Expanded Ultimate Story Checklist: Is the dialogue more concise than real talk? @cockeyedcaravanDoes the dialogue have more personality than real talk? @cockeyedcaravanWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryHow to Write a Flashback: @JerryBJenkinsWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow to Determine the Age of Your Target Reader: @livewritethriveHow Do I Establish a Friendship Across Time Jumps? by Chris WinkleFemale Author Writing a Male Character: by Harry Bingham @annerallenThe Basic Formula of Fiction: @JamesScottBellHow to use poetry in fiction: @nownovelMaking Clichés Work for You: @Janice_HardyTightening our Prose: Filter Words: @DwallacepeachHow Serialized Fiction Can Improve Your Writing: @JunetaKey @theIWSGWhat Are Plot Devices? (Why You Should Be Cautious): @KMWeiland4 Thoughts about Cultural Appropriation (and how to avoid it): @MarthaEngber @womenwritersThe more a character puts in a bucket, the more there is to spill: @nathanbransfordHow to Create Interlocking Questions: by Marilynn ByerlyWriting Clean Sentences: @lindasclareMetaphysical elements in fiction writing – sound vibrations: @JanSikes3 @storyempireBook Family Tree: A New Way to Think About Your Book: by Ilana DeBare @JaneFriedmanQuelling Those Writerly Quirks: by Barbara Linn Probst @writerunboxedWhat “Show, Don’t Tell” Actually Means: by Chris WinkleThe Power of Images Great and Small: by Rich KaplanWriting Craft / TensionWriting with Tension: @dlfinnauthorWriting Craft / VoiceHow Do You Find Your Narrator’s Voice? @MBarker_190 @onestop4writers
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September 17, 2023
Writing Myths: Real Writers Write Every Day
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
This is a myth I’ll quickly debunk. It annoys me when writers say there’s only one way to do things correctly.
And I am a writer who writes daily.
However, there are many very effective ways to get your writing goals met. What are goals? They can be measured in time spent at a task, project-specific progress (half a chapter completed, a section of an outline finished), or in words. There is no right way to set a goal. If one type of goal doesn’t work for you, you can try setting another type of goal.
Whatever works best for you is the best option . . . always. If a daily goal is impossible or causing a lot of stress, a weekly or bi-weekly goal works just as well. As I’ve mentioned here before, it’s often more important to have consistency than it is to have a large, impressive goal. Better to have a checkmark on your calendar that you’ve completed your weekly goal than to have a bunch of missed days for a daily goal.
Plus, you don’t have to be picky about what constitutes writing. If you’re working on necessary research, it’s writing. If you’re outlining or revising, it’s writing. It’s all part of the process.
How often do you write? What do your goals look like?
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September 16, 2023
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.
Have you visited the WKB lately? Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox! Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.
Business / MiscellaneousHow to get good at growing your audience: @danblankHow to Work with an Audiobook Producer: @indieauthoralliBusiness Musings: The Problem With Skimping: by Kristine Kathryn RuschSelf-Publishing News: What does Amazon’s AI Policy for KDP mean for indie authors? by Dan Holloway @indieauthoralliConferences and Events / MiscellaneousPublisHer Holds a First Rio Event During the Bienal do Livro: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesBuchmesse’s 75th Year: ‘Frankfurt Academic’ Programming: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairBritish Academy Names Its Shortlist; Reports on Sales Impact: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesNigeria’s Aké Arts & Book Festival Wins First Aficionado Award: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS National Book Awards 2023 Longlist: Young People’s Literature: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUS National Book Awards 2023 Longlist: Translation: @Porter_Anderson @NationalBook @PubPerspectivesAt Frankfurt Book Fair: Politics and Policy in the Pavilion: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @Book_FairCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Bruce Hammack’s Exercise is Murder: @MargotKinberg7 Must-Read Nigerian Horror Novels: @AdorahNworah @electriclitThe benefits of reading like a writer: @nownovelFive Stories About the Unintended Consequences of Time Travel: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomFive Books Featuring Strange Gods: by Tobias Carroll @tordotcomFive Surprisingly Devoted SFF Couples: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcom9 Poetry Collections For Beginners: @LittleInfinite7 Novels About Girlbosses and the Dark Side of Social Media: by Noelle CrooksOn Learning to Read Generously: @mollytempleton @tordotcomSink Your Teeth Into These 5 Books About Vampires: by Linden A. Lewis @tordotcomCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeDogging the Watchdog: In Which a Scammer Tries to Troll Me: @victoriastraussHow to get everything done (including your book): @jbernoffOn The Ethics of Taking Writing Inspiration from True Crime: by Victoria Selman @crimereadsWhy Writers Make Great Spies: by Susanne Bennett @writers_writeOf Sweet Spots and Near Misses: @IrishRoad @womenwritersAfter the Deadline: @theladygreerWriting Myths: Slow/Fast Writing is the Best: Forgive The Writers, For We Are So Tired: @ChuckWendigSomeone Needs to Hear Your Story: @aprildavilaJulia Cameron on Learning to Write Sober: by Julia Cameron @lithubThe Grift of Fiction: @DavidCorbett_CAGenres / HistoricalHow to Research for Historical Fiction: @DKParsonsWriter @SelfPubFormGenres / MiscellaneousOn Breaking Genre Rules: by Marilynn ByerlyGenres / MysteryNot Speaking the Local Language as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / Short Stories20 Tips For Writing a Captivating Short Story: by Mindy HalleckThe Gamemaster’s Guide to Short Story Plot: by Ursula Whitcher @sfwaPromo / BloggingA 12-Step Process for Getting Desired Blogging Results: @ninaamirIncrease the Readability of Every Blog Post You Write with These Tips: @ediemelsonPromo / Book Reviews17 Places to Find Book Reviewers: @joewalters13 @IndieBookViewPromo / MiscellaneousGuide To A+ Amazon Content That Sells: @KatBaldwinPromo / NewslettersBeing Hacked Made Me Realize the Importance of Newsletters: by Diana StoutPublishing / MiscellaneousOxford University Press Opens Topical Interdisciplinary Research Tool: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesEye on the Publishing Business: @jamesscottbellHow to Get a Book Published: 10 Steps: @TheNovelryHow Scientific and Technological Breakthroughs Created a New Kind of Fiction: by Joshua GlennPublishing / News / AmazonIMHO: What Remedies Do Authors Have When Fraudulent Work Appears on Amazon? @JaneFriedmanPublishing / News / DataCircana BookScan: US Print Book Market ‘Slowing a Bit’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingThe Philippines: Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa Acquitted: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives wkb64How the Booksellers of Paris Are Preparing for Next Summer’s Olympics: by Jacqueline Feldman @parisreviewIn Mexico: Government Textbooks Spur Nationwide Criticism:@Porter_Anderson | Allegations of political indoctrination, distorted history, and flagrant errors are greeting the academic year’s new government-made schoolbooks.European Publishers Welcome Parliament’s Book Sector Report: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingWhat to expect from your publisher’s marketing and publicity teams: @JBernoffPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingLiterary Agent Interview: Heather Cashman Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @HeatherCashman @NatalieIAguirreWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCharacter Type & Trope Thesaurus: Snob: @BeccaPuglisiCharacters Also Need A Soul: 5 Tips to Write Interesting Characters: by Cátia Isabel SilvaHow to Build Your Characters in Six Easy Steps: by Nat LeblancWriting Craft / DialogueMake the Dialect You Write Shine with These 4 Tips: @CindyDevoted @EdieMelsonWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmThe 5 Worst Book To Film Adaptations: @writers_writeWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow Do I Build Attachment to Objects? by
Oren AshkenaziWriters, have you fired “Chekhov’s Gun”? @annerallen @killzoneauthorsDoes each character, including the hero, have a limited perspective? @cockeyedcaravanWhat is the Denouement of a Story? Definition and When to Use: @DaveChessonWriting: Prologues, Pro or Con? @lindasclareWhat Makes a Reader and Character Connect: @TheRyanLanzFive Mistakes That Reverse Social Justice Messages: by Chris WinkleDo the characters avoid saying things they wouldn’t say and doing things they wouldn’t do? @cockeyedcaravanHow to Write the Climax of a Story: And What NOT to Do: @DaveChessonDo the characters interrupt each other often? @cockeyedcaravanThe Don’ts And Definitely Don’ts of Writing Stupid-Funny Books by Peter Derk: @litreactorWriting Craft / Pacing5 Tips for Pacing in Your Story: by Sariah JimenezWriting Craft / POVMultiple Points of View without Head Hopping: @annerallenWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningThe Bitter Butter…Pantser, Plotter Divide: by Diana Giovinazzo @writerunboxedStory Structure and the Essential Outline: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingDo the characters consciously and unconsciously prioritize their own wants rather than the wants of others? @cockeyedcaravanWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesOn Critiquing Nicely: @HopeClarkWriting Craft / TensionThe Two Most Important Tricks for How to Build Suspense: @kmweilandWriting Tools / MiscellaneousHow AI Tools Are Useful For Writers With Disabilities And Health Issues With S.J. Pajonas: @thecreativepenn
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September 10, 2023
Writing Myths: Slow/Fast Writing is the Best
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
It’s always a little frustrating to me when writers say a particular approach to writing is the only way to go. Just because something is right for you doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.
I’m a fast writer. But that’s not going to work for everyone. Sometimes writers are deeply into word-crafting. Sometimes writers have complex plots and universes to world-build. Some writers have less time to devote to writing or are writing while wrangling young children or helping their parents. And some writers might just be very slow to put words on the page, which could be related to insecurity or not having a plan for their story.
There are also slow writers who feel that you can’t create a thoughtful or entertaining story without laboring over every word. It’s possible that this approach might be truer for literary fiction than for commercial fiction. But there have been entertaining and interesting quickly-written stories at least since the days of pulp fiction from the 1920s-1950s. You can write fast and create books that are fun to read.
As with many things in life, there can be a touch of truth in both approaches. I write quickly and edit slower. Maybe a slow writer who wants to speed up a little could find ways to rev up the process (detailed outlines, skipping description and chapter breaks until the second draft) without feeling pressure.
But the point is that you don’t have to follow anyone else’s method. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You’re free to go with whatever works for you or change it if or when that method no longer helps you create.
Are you a faster or slower writer? Do you ever feel you should speed up or slow down?
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