Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog, page 182

Love Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry (to Your Characters)

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!  Today I'm over at the Southern Writer's Magazine blog with a post on torturing our characters…for their own good. 

Hope you'll be able to pop by.   Have a great Valentine's Day!

Keeping in Touch with Readers

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

[image error]Hope you'll join me today over at A Good Blog is Hard to Find.

I'm on the rotation for this blog of Southern-US writers and my topic today is keeping in touch with our readers (or future readers)—why it's important and basic ways to open up the lines of communication.

Twitterific

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Below are the writing-related links I tweeted last week.

The free Writer's Knowledge Base search engine, designed by software engineer and writer Mike Fleming, makes all these links (now over 12,000) searchable. The WKB recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Sign up for the free monthly WKB newsletter for the web's best links and interviews:http://bit.ly/gx7hg1

Midpoint, & Second, Third Plot Points: http://bit.ly/xc2rUE @rebeccaberto

New Facebook data: Be topical, ask questions, and tell jokes to win audience: http://bit.ly/wbWvJz @niemanlab

The problem with using dialogue to dump backstory: http://bit.ly/zq7T5e @theresastevens

A post with some guidance on copywriting rates: http://bit.ly/xSiUA0 @MichelleRafter

The importance of opening up a vein when we write: http://bit.ly/y1bIpJ @sarahahoyt

5 Attitudes Toward Publishing You Should Avoid: http://bit.ly/A8dBhd @JaneFriedman

The best writing advice you'll never get: http://bit.ly/yoB6GL @ejcop for @junglereds

Ebooks--are we still in the Stone Age? http://bit.ly/zc9QUR @jfbookman

When you want to stray from your current manuscript: http://bit.ly/zltXjj @Mommy_Authors

Art History Through Sci Fi-Colored Glasses: http://bit.ly/A51asf @IreneGallo

The importance of building readership and maintaining the relationship: http://bit.ly/y8PLqL @KristineRusch

Freelance Writing 101: Overcoming Where-do-I-begin-itis: http://bit.ly/AfyVr7 @krissybrady

Before and After: Reveal Character: http://bit.ly/xaOPxH

Why a Book Editor Becomes a Literary Agent: http://bit.ly/zInl2K @oliviasnaije

A checklist for novelists: http://bit.ly/z2VnHc

What Do You Love About Your Characters? http://bit.ly/Ao61Ow @mooderino

A checklist for self-publishing: http://bit.ly/xFYfba @goblinwriter

One Author's First Month in KDP Select: http://bit.ly/xFWiVk @victoriastrauss

When promoting, remember not to trivialize your story: http://bit.ly/zgWYfe @behlerpublish

Some agencies wanting a 15% commission on self-pubbed books? http://bit.ly/z9QmY9 @theresastevens

Outlining your novel: a method: http://bit.ly/xVtvQH

A scene checklist: http://bit.ly/wCdSwS @janice_hardy

The DNA of a Book's Beginning: http://bit.ly/Au2HnR @BretBallou

Desensitizing your inner censor: http://bit.ly/zSq1Kl @eMergentPublish

Top 5 Tips Writers Can Learn From Reality TV: http://bit.ly/Ak44Sm

4 ways your protagonist can learn the truth: http://bit.ly/wbw0Sq @jammer0501

Learning the Writing Craft--of Magicians, Wizards, and Apprenticeships: http://bit.ly/AdVxqW @gary_author for @jhansenwrites

Gaining Something From Fairy Tales and Mythology: http://bit.ly/AokIp3 @greyhausagency

25 Reasons Why Google Hates Your Blog: http://bit.ly/zELRrn @problogger

Self-Editing: Back to Basics, Part 2: http://bit.ly/xYEtz9 @authorandeditor for @DavidGaughran

Character Development: Fear: http://bit.ly/za3aHm @ava_jae

Seth Godin's thoughts on beating writer's block: http://bit.ly/wZiRJL

An agent with a reminder about keeping it professional on social media: http://bit.ly/yGeYEx @literaticat

Making time to write: http://bit.ly/AgkAUj

3 Steps to Freedom–Grab Hold of Your Brilliant Future: http://bit.ly/zsAlTs @KristenLambTX

Tips to Make Selling Your Fiction a Reality: http://bit.ly/zG8BN9 @robeagar

100 Words for Facial Expressions: http://bit.ly/wkDGqX @writing_tips

Novel Plotting Worksheets: http://bit.ly/zQVPuf @AnnieNeugebauer

How To Sell 130,000 Books Without A Publisher: http://bit.ly/xxwE8F @thecreativepenn

Wanting to have your book published? A beginner's guide: http://bit.ly/yIAlzW @janefriedman

Heightening the Tension and Emotion in Your Scenes: http://bit.ly/zGPrxF @janice_hardy

How 1 writer tripled her daily word count with Google+: http://bit.ly/AmgLVv @phoebenorth

How to Get Out of Your Own Way: The Secret to Becoming a Successful Writer: http://bit.ly/yRYTE3 @annerallen

7 Tools for Tracking Ebook Sales: http://bit.ly/xmmY03 @PYOEbooks

The empty world – is your novel eerily deserted? http://bit.ly/zTdp7e @dirtywhitecandy

Watermarking ebooks instead of using DRM: http://bit.ly/AEZDUx @matteoberlucchi

Create An Inner Dialogue Within your Hero, and Your Villain: http://bit.ly/xgaQbf @storyfix

10 Types of Wordplay: http://bit.ly/yfraBt @writing_tips

Why 1 writer hates grammar Nazis...but is one: http://bit.ly/xGX2Od @KMWeiland

Tips for instant networking: http://bit.ly/z5tnyD @MrBuzzFactor

YA writers--know today's schools: http://bit.ly/zInByQ @StevenPiziks

Tips for dealing with Sock-Puppet Cyber Bullies: http://bit.ly/z4Igjs

Gender Issues In Publishing. Using Initials As A Female Thriller Writer: http://bit.ly/xEuJey @thecreativepenn

When Your Critique Partner's Career is on the Move and Yours is Standing Still: http://bit.ly/AkUkdw @AdriennGiordano

All about pen names: http://bit.ly/A0rIhi @deanwesleysmith

All the links I shared on Twitter last week: htp://bit.ly/xbDL7L

Your Book Tour: Seize the Opportunity to be Memorable: http://bit.ly/y079W0 @RCchrps

About book tagging: http://bit.ly/wlv4Yk @judy_croome for @JFBookman

How to start building your platform: http://bit.ly/xEChjX @chrisbrogan

Writing a 1-2 punch at the end of your story (using a middle grade book as an example): http://bit.ly/xBWJbb @laurapauling

Handling changes in the publishing ind: http://bit.ly/xjg86m @ericavetsch

4 Ways to Find the Right Freelance Editor: http://bit.ly/AjjrTx @cslakin for @janefriedman

Crafting Your 90-Second Pitch: http://bit.ly/wnHLPK @marcykennedy

Think Backward to Write Meaningful Metaphors: http://bit.ly/wJCagX @serbaughman

A look at agents' quick impressions on queries: http://bit.ly/xUNBvt @sierragodfrey

'Social' media: What isn't in a name: http://bit.ly/wxpBAQ @PorterAnderson

Use strong nouns: http://bit.ly/yNY3lB @janice_hardy

Imagining Multiple Platforms: http://bit.ly/xWMnkO @Kid_Lit

Reverse Outlining: http://bit.ly/xvPWUQ @KMWeiland for @angelaackerman

Time for publishers to get (even more) social (a look at Google+): http://bit.ly/ywJr9t @thefuturebook

Using projection/anticipation to improve your manuscript: http://bit.ly/yVdPvg @juliettewade

Writing is More than the Writing: http://bit.ly/z2faOC @KristenLambTX

10 habits for a positive workshop experience: http://bit.ly/wTvXeD @CAMorganti

Links to help create a book trailer: http://bit.ly/ynyUwN

Truth is stranger than fiction--http://bit.ly/xvDrUV

Working with images for more emotion: http://bit.ly/AgJoT9

The Two Most Important Things About Writing a Book: http://bit.ly/Af42av @bookemdona

Exercising for writers: http://bit.ly/yhosps

Infringement, Fair Use and Derivative Works: http://bit.ly/AyMNtV @diymfa

How To Develop a Subplot: http://bit.ly/Ak7tuW @ClaireAshgrove for @roniloren

Tips for author photos: http://bit.ly/Ato5lb

Scene execution http://wp.me/p1WPf3-ag @rebeccaberto

Scriptwriting: The Power of the First and Last Image: http://bit.ly/zvLJZH @jacobkrueger

7 things 1 writer has learned from Stephen King: http://bit.ly/wivL7y @victoriamixon

What Can We Learn from JA Konrath's $140,000 E-Publishing Sales Month? http://bit.ly/ABGe1l @goblinwriter

The art of being an introvert creative (forced to cope with social media): http://bit.ly/ACPmyd @justinemusk

Why Every Entrepreneur Should Self-Publish a Book: http://tcrn.ch/AeTOIU @jaltucher for @techcrunch

Pros & cons of social media for writers: http://bit.ly/xuZus4 & http://bit.ly/yzJI0f @JulieBMack

Go to a Workshop? No Thanks: http://bit.ly/xtAzId @geardrops

No Website: The Biggest Mistake Most Writers Make: http://bit.ly/yWAMrL @seanplatt

Author anxiety: http://bit.ly/y6aCWO @Ravenrequiem13

What to Do When Your Writing's Worst Enemy Is You: http://bit.ly/yCDrcw @krissybrady

Effective openings for your book: http://bit.ly/zumf1Q

Superhero stories: Creative Ways to Use Supersenses: http://bit.ly/ygyuoB

A Quiz About Misplaced Modifiers: http://bit.ly/waxFaK @writing_tips

Setting: It's in the Details: http://bit.ly/wgyO8r @yaHighway

Author blogging 101--platforms: http://bit.ly/xjgGzZ @JFbookman

10 Tips to Avoid Clichés in Writing: http://bit.ly/wHBYzu

Narrative Tense—Right Now or Way Back Then: http://bit.ly/A5Uqlw @noveleditor

3 Numbers That Matter to Your Platform: http://bit.ly/xrd0uU @JaneFriedman

Drawing on Literary Traditions: "The Hunger Games" and "The Maze Runner" as Case Studies: http://bit.ly/z8dt2h

Pitching Is A Job Interview: http://bit.ly/xOAQ4k @greyhausagency

Will Only Those Who Shout the Loudest Be Heard? http://bit.ly/yrzmYH @JodyHedlund

DRM, "social DRM," and the madness of publishers: http://bit.ly/zctopB @doctorow

Never Enough Conflict: http://bit.ly/wNHz7t @mistymassey

Advantages of a small press: http://bit.ly/ykaGIc @aliciarasley for @HP4Writers

5 techniques for writing poetry: http://bit.ly/z93hoJ @writersdigest

Changes in the crime fiction genre: http://bit.ly/yR0aKZ @mkinberg

More changes in the crime fiction genre over the years: http://bit.ly/z62UYW @mkinberg

Writing and a busy life? 4 tips for making it work: http://bit.ly/zBJ66P @WomenWriters

Keys to a Reasonable Blog Schedule: http://bit.ly/xLsU3Z @EdieMelson

Ways to View Your Manuscript with Fresh Eyes http://bit.ly/yGkSu4 @CherylRWrites

Facebook danger, smutty & genre e-reading, library ebook lending update, ind. news & views from @Porter_Anderson: http://bit.ly/AqoK4O

Writing on the Ether's @Porter_Anderson features @AndrewRichard @RebeccaBricker @philipdsjones @ScottDAnthony http://bit.ly/AqoK4O

The Pacing Triad: http://bit.ly/zvkQT2

Facing (and Writing) the 2nd Novel: http://bit.ly/As5kaa @BTMargins

Prepare 5 articles when you submit 1: http://bit.ly/wU5oXn @GLeeBurgett

10 Tips for Submitting Short Stories: http://bit.ly/yTzLdi @writersdigest

Tips for a Successful Public Presentation: http://bit.ly/yjFH6d @WriteAngleBlog

Visible Plot Goal Gets a Twist: http://bit.ly/A5prhW @LiveWriteThrive

Chinese Element Personality Types for Writing: http://bit.ly/y1iCf5 @FaeRowen

An explanation of speculative fiction: http://bit.ly/y3faKc @theskypirate

Don't pick typefaces and sizes strictly "by the numbers": http://bit.ly/z0b1PZ @jfbookman

Differentiating Your Blog and Your Writing: http://bit.ly/y87DA9 @julien for @NinaAmir

50 Musical Terms Used in Nonmusical Senses: http://bit.ly/x419hC @writing_tips

The Fictional Family: No character is an island: http://bit.ly/yuspaQ

Preparing for a writers conference--the pitch: http://bit.ly/xALoJt @Bob_Mayer

Tortured Language – Discerning Ebook Rights in Ancient Publishing Contracts: http://bit.ly/yZEvQc @PassiveVoiceBlg

Forensic Evidence of Motive, Means, and Opportunity: http://bit.ly/w9mWDf @AuthorTomAdair

Research vs. Observation: http://bit.ly/wSGXGf @DonMaass

7 Book Marketing Tips for Writers: http://bit.ly/zFO0bZ

Don't hit your reader with repeated strong emotion in your book: http://bit.ly/xRkWWC @Kid_Lit

Top 10 Self-Editing Tips: http://bit.ly/zOjKzT @janice_hardy

The Secret to Writing a Standout Picture Book: http://bit.ly/zkQiRo @writersdigest

Author's Guild Argues That Amazon's Dominance Comes From Antitrust Laws: http://bit.ly/AcE3Yk @ebooknewser

Don't Even Think About Using First-Person Unless...: http://bit.ly/Aqz5Cx @KMWeiland

Who, Whom, and How to Misuse a Pronoun: http://bit.ly/y5Rc5m @write_practice

An agent critiques a query: http://bit.ly/wUxKXM @bookendsjessica

Authors need intent, reminds an agent: http://bit.ly/zACAhj @greyhausagency

How Choreography Helps a Scene: http://bit.ly/ylBkuH @RavenRequiem13

Why Some Book Buyers Are Increasingly Resistant To E-Readers: http://bit.ly/yVaA6Y @laurahazardowen

3 Ways Authors Can Use Pinterest Guilt Free: http://bit.ly/zF2UE2 @AuthorMedia

Worldbuilding--cities: http://bit.ly/zh1Se1 @JulietteWade

3 ways 1 writer judges contest entries: http://bit.ly/xP2utq @LadyGlamis

The fallacy of creative success: http://bit.ly/woAT5S @tannerc

Dig Up and Rebuild Writing Platforms: http://bit.ly/wTJKdT

Using Social Media Effectively: http://bit.ly/xhNibP @AnnetteLyon for @pegeditors

What's Good Controversy? http://bit.ly/xMSeY2 @Beth_Barany

Licensing vs. Work for Hire: http://bit.ly/wmYnao @DiYMFA

Thinking Like a Reader

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Sometimes I like to drive to uptown Charlotte to have lunch with my sister, who works up there. We usually go to the same few restaurants, so I was excited to see an article in the entertainment section of the newspaper that was all about lunch options in the city.

I was less excited when I saw that there was no mention of what the parking was like at these restaurants. Even when I pulled up the restaurants' websites, I frequently couldn't find mention of what the parking was like.

This is an area where parking can either be expensive or nonexistent. Some restaurants have their own lots. Some pay their diners' parking fee. But you want to know what you're getting into before you go over there. The restaurants and the newspaper weren't thinking like diners.

It's just as important for us to think like our readers. What questions could they have when they read our book?

Who are these people again? If you've got characters who have been offstage for a while, consider giving them an unobtrusive tag.

Who are these people again, part 2. If you've got characters with similar names (that either start with the same letter or sound alike—Sally and Molly for instance), consider changing them up for the sake of clarity.

What's happening here? Can readers follow your plot? Are there so many twists and turns that a reader might have to keep going back in your book to reread sections? If so, consider writing in some short explanation or reminders as to what's going on.

Why is this character suddenly acting like this? If you've got a character who previously seemed shy/easygoing/friendly/reserved and they suddenly start acting completely different to help the plot along, there needs to be a good explanation for the change (introduction of some backstory or a scene that shows the change).

This wouldn't happen in real life. We usually count on readers to suspend their disbelief sometimes. But repeatedly asking them to suspend it, or asking them to suspend it on something really big isn't going to work.

Why is this character being so stupid? It's frustrating when a character we like and respect does something dumb just to further the plot. Either think up sound reasons why the character would behave this way (they've been tricked, they think they're safe doing what they're doing, they believe they're meeting their friend in the creepy alleyway), or else figure out another way to get the plot where you want it to go.

Everything was so complicated—and it wrapped up a little too neatly. Either brainstorm alternate endings for your book…coming up with a list of as many as you can imagine (from the clever to the absurd) or consider leaving room for a sequel to the book.

What ended up happening to that subplot storyline? Did it fall through the cracks? Double-check for loose ends. Did you introduce anything that needs to be wrapped up?

I know what's going to happen next. This might be a good time to consider a plot twist…something unexpected to make the plot more complex or to add depth to a character.

This book is too intense/too goofy/too…. If the book seems too intense, can you write in some lighter moments? If the book is too campy, can you write in something that's more serious or thoughtful or sweet?

Nothing is happening in this book. I'm getting bored. Do you have too much exposition? Too many scenes without conflict of some kind? (Conflict can even be represented by two characters who rub each other the wrong way…it doesn't have to be something huge.) Too much description of setting? Did you lose your way in the middle of the book? Were you trying to bump up your word count and added too much flab (consider taking it out and writing in a solid subplot that can tie into the main plot.)

As a reader, what bugs you most? As a writer, do you try to read your manuscript as one of your readers would?

Writing and a Busy Life? 4Tips for Making it Work.

I've written a guest post that's up today at the Books by Women blog . I've posted a few tips for meeting our writing goals while juggling everyday life (it's not always easy!)

Hope you'll come by and visit.

Tips for Author Photos

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

If you're a writer, you'll probably find a decent headshot of yourself useful.

I'm asked for my picture for everything from guest blog posts to conference programs to books. And I use my picture daily for Twitter, blogging, and Facebook.

A headshot becomes part of our brand. Marketing ourselves instead of our individual books makes good sense for writers who publish more than once.

Like many of you, I'm not wild about having my picture taken. If I'm posing, I usually have a pained expression on my face. In fact, the last professional picture I had made, the photographer finally told me in disgust that she'd had an easier time taking pictures of the crying two-year old twins down the hall. :)

But in the past few years, I've picked up some tips for having these pictures made—both in a photography studio and out of it.

Tips for headshots--

If you go to a photography studio, make sure you use a photographer who will release the copyright for the pictures to you. Otherwise, you can't use them online or for an author photo. And then, really, what's the point?

At a studio, you'll want to ask for a "business photo.". If you ask for a headshot, they may think you need photos for a modeling portfolio.

You don't have to go to a studio for author photos. If you have a friend or family member who can take a good picture of you (or if you have photo editing software to touch up the picture), you could skip going to a pro.

Photographers usually recommend wearing solid colors and staying away from stark white if you're fair.

Black and white or color picture? I send a color photo to my publisher and figure that they can make the picture black and white if they want to.

Get both high resolution and low-resolution photos on a CD. Lower res works better online (for your blog, Facebook, and Twitter) and high res is needed for print.

If your headshot is for a book (as opposed to social media/promo), make sure you know the publisher's guidelines. Some won't want you resting your head on your hands, or looking off to the side.

If you're going to a studio, bring a change of clothes for a couple of different looks from the same sitting. You might also want to bring a comb or brush.

Studio business photos are not cost-prohibitive. I've had mine done a couple of times and they're run about $125, total.

If you go to a studio and sport the deer-in-the-headlights look, go to plan B. :) I had my daughter take the picture in my sidebar. I was a lot more relaxed, believe me. I just sent a copy to Penguin for the first quilting mystery that releases in June. My daughter was thrilled to sign the photographer release for the quilting mystery. Of course, when I was putting the release in an envelope, I realized she'd put little circles over her is instead of dots. This happens when you're ten. :) Might be a dead giveaway that I didn't use a pro!

Any other tips for photos? How do you manage to relax when having your picture taken (I could use the tips!)

Twitterific

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Below are the writing-related links I tweeted last week.

The free Writer's Knowledge Base search engine, designed by software engineer and writer Mike Fleming, makes all these links (now over 12,000) searchable. The WKB recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Sign up for the free monthly WKB newsletter for the web's best links and interviews:http://bit.ly/gx7hg1 .

Hope everyone has a great week!

Pros and Cons of First and Third Person Point of View: http://bit.ly/zyJ95T

Set the Scene: Scan: http://bit.ly/zJVsn9

Don't Let Multiple-Character Scenes Run Away With You: http://bit.ly/xJCiVs @KMWeiland

Don't tell us she's special. Show us: http://bit.ly/xHDbzx @dirtywhitecandy

Advantages of Writing a Fast First Draft: http://bit.ly/Afr9ax @LyndaRYoung

Tips for looking good for your webcam: http://bit.ly/zJfxvB @rachellegardner

The Perks of Being an Introverted Writer: http://bit.ly/AALyNP @JLeaLopez

Screenwriting vs. Novel Writing: http://bit.ly/ACr5O4

Do You Need Multiple Agents If You Write in Different Genres? http://writerunboxed.com/2012/01/23/untitled/ @ChuckSambuchino

The ABCs of social media: http://bit.ly/AkJnAX @Dana_Kaye for @junglereds

Writing: What Are We Good At? What Can We Improve? http://bit.ly/AcQMzn

What the eDickens? http://bit.ly/wHS33i @thefuturebook

How to get testimonials for your self-pubbed book: http://bit.ly/yLixf7 @JFBookman

How to bring emotion to your plot: http://bit.ly/yQHkXe @LauraPauling

When Do You Need to Secure Permissions? http://bit.ly/wbK6n9 @JaneFriedman

9 free ways to market your book: http://bit.ly/z6hl9e @BryanThomasS

5: Ingredients of Poor Writing: http://bit.ly/xOO9Cl @nicolamorgan

10 Bestselling Books with More Than 80 One-Star Reviews: http://bit.ly/zagJJS @galleycat

The one page synopsis: http://bit.ly/A9Tkb9

5 Tips for Writing an Effective Plot Twist: http://bit.ly/w1JKMp @cometdocs for @writeitsideways

Creativity Tweets of the Week – 01/27/12: http://bit.ly/Azg1Zh @PatrickRwrites

How 1 writer decides who to follow on Twitter: http://ow.ly/8KcCP @AlexisGrant

Best-sellers lists: How they work: http://bit.ly/Asdrbh

Web options for writers: http://bit.ly/yz5Kv7 @sierragodfrey for @roniloren

Tips for Writing Descriptive Passages: http://bit.ly/yifBhU @jamesagard

Writing Secrets of Prolific Authors: http://bit.ly/yDrVF6 @davidmasters

26 Tips for Writing Great Blog Posts: http://bit.ly/xF2INH @smexaminer

The State of Books in America: http://bit.ly/xwfzgP

The Promise of the Novel: http://bit.ly/wLfYas @Kid_Lit

Thoughts on writing an ongoing series: http://bit.ly/ys3O5e

Responses to rejections: http://bit.ly/Ae21Zp @bookendsjessica

Tips for promoting a pen name: http://bit.ly/yuCkOK

Creating an overall atmosphere of suspicion in a crime fiction novel: http://bit.ly/yEkXRP @mkinberg

Crime fiction in which the innocent confess to the crime: http://bit.ly/wR83FW @mkinberg

Tips for writing a historical novel: http://bit.ly/yALFXC @KristenLambTX

Formulaic Writing: When Craft Books Hinder: http://bit.ly/yWz35j @KatieGanshert

Omniscient POV: Think Like a Writer: http://bit.ly/xTSHf7

Author Branding — You Are Forced To Choose Who You Are: http://bit.ly/zsuWiF @storyfix

5 things about beginnings: http://bit.ly/A6OTtz @donnacooner

30 tips to improve your blog : http://bit.ly/xCFLlC

3 important questions about digital that nobody is asking: http://bit.ly/wp661w

Me, Myself and I – Picking the Right Word: http://bit.ly/z1m3dl @HowToWriteShop

Discovering the Front Story of Your Non-Point of View Characters: http://bit.ly/A0WwAV @janice_hardy

A grandma's advice on writing: http://bit.ly/wOfc8e @VictoriaMixon

How to Raise your Freelance Rates: http://bit.ly/zn843T @JulieBMack

Making our blogs interesting to both writers and readers: http://bit.ly/zTdgBw @MariaZannini

10 Ways to Tell if Your Story Should be a Memoir or a Novel: http://bit.ly/AlfruC

What Makes Ideas Unique? http://bit.ly/wmibAs @DIYmia

General rules of thumb for using exposition: http://bit.ly/w6GsSs @theresa_stevens

2 Qualities Your Protagonist Must Possess: http://bit.ly/wbJnjd

Resources for writers: http://bit.ly/wm8cBX @theskypirate

Tips for writing headlines and hooks: http://bit.ly/zbWj3V @speechwriterguy

How getting acquainted with your protagonist helps with plotting: http://bit.ly/yax9T5

12 People You Should Be Following on Twitter: http://bit.ly/AFm3wJ @AJackWriting

15 Big Little Words: http://bit.ly/xvmfLB @writing_tips

What do you love about your story? http://bit.ly/xK5pZb @mooderino

When Indie Publishing is a Viable Option: http://bit.ly/xYFTB5 @jorobertson29

Submitting your book to review sites: http://bit.ly/xvj8mB @PublicityPixie

Recycling blog topics? 10 ways to keep them fresh: http://bit.ly/AbrYBG @cherylrwrites

Why E-books Are Turning the Library and Publishing Worlds Upside Down: http://bit.ly/AstiYU @scholarlykitchn

On Quirky Character Names: http://bit.ly/yycNND @carleenbrice

If Neither Social Nor Traditional Media Sell Books, What Does? http://bit.ly/yrmkSk @talliroland

Writing fantasy genre stereotypes--alphas, betas, & losers: http://bit.ly/x59JDv @FaithBoughan

Placing Too Much Importance on Passion: http://bit.ly/wOY01y @janefriedman

4 fiction techniques to enliven your blog posts: http://bit.ly/zxw8l3 @problogger

How To Find Original Ideas When You Have None: http://bit.ly/yZDN11 @jodyhedlund

Using Triberr to save time with social media: http://bit.ly/yl85gA @jhansenwrites

The perks of writing groups: http://bit.ly/xTuG4N @queenbeetf

Write Yourself a Bad Review: http://bit.ly/zW268a @KMWeiland for @PatrickRwrites

What polite writers don't talk about: http://bit.ly/z4qWWh @sarahahoyt

1st Person POV: Think Like a Writer: http://bit.ly/xj2uFW

Training creativity: http://bit.ly/zgO36z @AllanDouglasDgn

An Overlooked Secret to Getting Published in a Magazine: http://bit.ly/AhTX9x @jeffgoins

74% Of Book Buyers Have Never Bought An eBook: http://bit.ly/AAgNZS @ebooknewser

The book world discovers the 99-cent special: http://bit.ly/xqJyz0 @passivevoiceblg

44 Hashtags for Writers: http://bit.ly/wLydIy @AuthorMedia

On narrative summary instead of dialogue: http://bit.ly/wM4js3 @theresastevens

Formatting guidelines for your manuscript: http://bit.ly/w2N2X8 @BrianKlems

Alternative desk ideas: http://bit.ly/x2GhW1 @yahighway

Writing Exercises to Recharge Your Creativity: http://bit.ly/xTh8GH @4kidlit

Goodreads won't continue using book info from Amazon: http://bit.ly/xZQk2B @PassivevoiceBlg

77% Of Romance eBooks Being Purchased On Laptop: http://bit.ly/wireNT @ebooknewser

Through the Trapdoor -- JK Rowling's Blueprint for the Harry Potter Series: http://bit.ly/x6mThq @HP4Writers

Preparing for a conference--choosing workshops & staying organized: http://bit.ly/ze4bm8

5 basic plot goals: http://bit.ly/wmGuuX @LiveWriteThrive

Why reader perception is important: http://bit.ly/xMnC0B @noveleditor

10 Hand to Hand Combat Myths That Writers Need To Stop Using: http://bit.ly/xgclqZ @ajackwriting

When You Are A Beginning Writer, The Keyword is Focus: http://bit.ly/yMOTtj

Should I go with an indie ebook pub? An agent answers: http://bit.ly/A1pGQW @rachellegardner

The many stages of editing: http://bit.ly/w4eUML @WriterDeanna

3rd Person POV: Think Like a Writer: http://bit.ly/z8N1WW

Are You Asking - & Answering -the Right Story Questions? http://bit.ly/xyOGkC @janice_hardy

Confusing things about writers: http://bit.ly/wUez7X @deanwesleysmith

Music as inspiration--an undercover soundtrack: http://bit.ly/y6GWCO @mkinberg for @byrozmorris

Cults as story inspiration-- http://bit.ly/xpqw37 @GeneLempp

Tips for Writing a Traditional Murder Mystery: http://bit.ly/AjJrQZ @NicoleBasaraba

Catching Your World on Paper: http://bit.ly/zKl6hD @QueryTracker

Art in writing: http://bit.ly/wH5o3R @Ravenrequiem13

Authors' Checklist of Dos and Don'ts: http://bit.ly/xvtOyw

Perfectionism and Procrastination Busting Tips: http://bit.ly/zNkvIB

The Problem With (Writing About) Immortality: http://bit.ly/zKaqdj @Kid_Lit

What makes a great book beginning: http://bit.ly/w0baiv @TaliaVance

Writing a better flashback: http://bit.ly/zllCEz @AmyJRoseDavis

How to End or Relaunch Your Blog Without Upsetting Your Readers: http://bit.ly/ypYdRd @pushingsocial

The magic & the mundane of in Paris: http://bit.ly/wn3gAQ @originalimpulse

The problem with free: http://bit.ly/xaPIJH @KristenLambTX

4 Techniques for Creating Believable Villains: http://bit.ly/zAvDiz @writersdigest @jamesscottbell

Protecting Your Ideas: http://bit.ly/xqBTOa @DiyMfa

On killing characters: http://bit.ly/A8jYwv @SarahAHoyt

Worldbuilding checklist for alternate social and cultural norms: http://bit.ly/xZMcRf @juliettewade

The Dangers of Switching Genres http://bit.ly/weOtGA @JanetBoyer

Tips for skipping over long periods of time in your story: http://bit.ly/xBfUgr @theresastevens

3 decisions to make about POV: http://bit.ly/w8vN2h @CAMorganti

Why Amanda Hocking Switched: http://bit.ly/yNSE8B @thefuturebook

Self-Editing: Back to Basics: http://bit.ly/z9DGM6 @authorandeditor for @DavidGaughran

Focusing On Detail Is Good, But Remember The Big Picture: http://bit.ly/ysne6u @greyhausagency

How to Choose Between a Big Word and a Small Word: http://bit.ly/wirttp @KMWeiland

No excuses writing: http://bit.ly/xB7bab @jeffgoins

7 Erroneous Reasons Writers Avoid Using Editors: http://bit.ly/w7gb0O @mesummerbooks

Writing on the Ether's @Porter_Anderson features @KristenLambTX @jamesscottbell @amyedel @gluejar @DavidKazzie @jwikert http://bit.ly/zOB88d

Redefining self-pub success, epub bubble, B&N v. Amazon, tips for trad. publishers, ind. news & views: http://bit.ly/zOB88d @porter_anderson

What Chekhov Knew about Sitcoms: http://bit.ly/znhwUg

The Importance Of Distance: http://bit.ly/A0u65A @BryanThomasS

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Planning and Researching your novel: http://bit.ly/xSvcaw

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/yL2o8u @JulieCantrell

Should Christian fiction be labeled? http://bit.ly/xfsIc3 @rachellegardner

10 helpful writing articles: http://bit.ly/xJ7Qyu

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"Frenemies" in crime fiction: http://bit.ly/ACr5uL @mkinberg

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Is All the Hard Work Ever Going to Pay Off? http://bit.ly/zK0IQd @jodyhedlund

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Embracing the (Whole) Writing Process: http://bit.ly/A6Dm8X @writeitsideways

We now have more books published in a week than in all of 1950: http://bit.ly/AstIW4 @ebooknewser

Different Perspectives for Different Audiences: http://bit.ly/xdb7Wt

The Glee Guide to Attracting a Raving Horde of Social Media Fans: http://bit.ly/wa5bDw @bethjhayden

A Bookish Look at the Best Picture Nominees: http://bit.ly/Aalmqw @NewDorkReview

Should you hire a writing coach? http://bit.ly/wyIGNr @cherylrwrites

Is Your Writing Career Missing the Element of Sacrifice? http://bit.ly/yL2m77 @Sagoyizm

How to Use Layers to Enhance Your Plot: http://bit.ly/xCyA0Z @cslakin for @write_practice

An agent advises that clients not oversubmit their work to their agent for crits: http://bit.ly/woCab1 @bookendsjessica

The "Mystery" of Success by C. S. Lakin

by C.S. Lakin, @cslakin

As mystery writers, we excel in piecing puzzles together and gathering pertinent clues to bring a reader to that "aha" moment of realization. But in the midst of our delight in creating mysteries, we often struggle with the most difficult mystery of all—the one that spells success in our lives. I'm not talking about actual success as per the "world's" standard; I'm referring to that inner joyful feeling that translates as a feeling of significance in out writing journey—regardless if we don't even sell one novel.

There's a moment for many writers when a tectonic shift occurs in their writing process, one that may not even be all that noticeable on the surface, but sends out powerful waves across the landscape of their writing life. I've seen this happen with dozens of my editing clients as they near either the completion of writing their book or upon finalizing a rewrite and seeing "the end" near in sight for that particular project. This shift manifests in various ways, but the early signs start with questions about "what to do, now that I'm done."

An Incursion of Unwanted Emotion

Most writers write in the hopes that they will sell their book, connect with a readership, and make money from the sales. Their priorities may not be in that order, but it's usually the goal when writing a novel that it get "out in the world" of readers. And that's expected and reasonable. So, here's what tends to happen—especially with an author completing her first book. The engulfing joy of writing and expressing creativity and voicing ideas now becomes infiltrated with a subtle, growing anxiety. Soon to join that is a cocktail mix of emotions: trepidation, fear, self-doubt, worry, despair, frustration. Whether these come flooding into the writer's mind and heart full force or just niggle at the back of her mind—they come.

Now that the intensity of the writing journey is over for the moment and the writer has breathing room, and can step back and look at her accomplishments, often any feelings of significance, achievement, or success are squelched before they can nurture the artist in the way they should. We should be able to step back when done creating a work of art—be it a novel, a song, or a painting—and spend some time in that special place of accomplishment. But this rarely occurs for the writer.

Feel the Earth Move under Your Feet

How much of this is self-imposed and how much is society-imposed is not something I can answer. However, I do believe we as artists need to be aware of this shift and understand that we can actively change how we respond. Why should we? Because if we think back to why we create in the first place, we will usually agree that we do so because of the fulfilling and satisfying experience expressing creativity gives us. There is no deeper joy to an artist than to create, to immerse herself in the creative experience, and then to step back and look at what has been created. That stepping back moment is a precious one, and unfortunately it often gets trampled on by the anxiety of "what comes next."

I believe if we pay attention to this shift and "feel the earth moving" underneath us, drawing us away from the joy of writing and into the morass of anxiety over whether or not our book will be published, we can steady ourselves and roll with the earth (I live near San Francisco, so the earthquake motif is a natural one for me to default to—pun intended).

Beating Themselves Up over Perceived Failure

Think about this: Some people aspire to reach the top of Mt. Everest. They may spend years of their life training, saving money, and obsessing over this goal to stand at the top of the world. I've watched (a bit obsessed myself) from the comfort of my couch these intrepid folks risking their lives to reach this pinnacle. Much of their success will depend upon their skill and training. But there's no accounting for a freak storm that might come along and take them down. Just read Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air if you want to see how bad luck can cancel out all the odds in your favor of succeeding. I am intrigued by these climbers who, upon having to quit for one serious reason or another just short of reaching their coveted goal, fall into deep depression, and their evident sense of total failure and worthlessness is plain for all to see. How can these people put so much of their heart and joy into the need to get to the top? Can't they be satisfied with having made it to 27,000 feet instead of 29,000? They have still climbed higher than almost all the humans who have ever lived on earth—isn't that good enough? But it's not. They torture themselves over their failure, which to them is absolute and unforgivable.

Many writers do the equivalent in regard to their writing. If they don't sell millions, make some best-seller list, become a household name like Stephen King, they are miserable. In fact, it's worse than that. For some, if they can't get a book contract, or earn more than their advance, they feel the same way. What used to be a joyous experience (writing) has now become a burden and a source of great pain. I see it all around me—even in writers I would define as quite successful by the world's standards. But, to them, that success is just not good enough, and they feel that "failure" means they are a failure. In effect, they have lost their way through the bucolic land of creativity and are wandering in despair in the gloomy marshes of self-doubt and the need for success.

Step Back and Admire the View

I would be lying if I said I haven't wandered off the path into said marsh more than once. I think all artists do from time to time. However, if this process of surfacing from the joy of being creative into the marsh of despair and anxiety over a lack of "success" is repeated many times over, year after year, it can destroy our spirit. There are numbers of climbers who never quite made it to the top of Everest. Years later they still feel like failures in life. You'd think with the kind of panoramic perspective they're used to having at the top of a mountain they could don a healthy perspective about their life and their significance. For that's what it's really all about—learning how to find significance in the journey of creativity without it being dependent on the tangible societal measures of success.

My advice, then, as a writer who's been on this journey to publication and success for twenty-five years, is to step back and get a perspective on how obsessed you might be with "success" and instead find significance in what you create. Remind yourself that the joy of the process is valid and vindicating in its own right. The more you can shift your perspective, the less the ground will shift under you. From this lofty height you will see how the mysterious clues of your writing life piece together and create a worthy and satisfying picture.

C. S. Lakin is the author of twelve novels, including the seven-book fantasy series "The Gates of Heaven." She also writes contemporary psychological mysteries, including her Zondervan contest winner Someone to Blame. She works as a professional copyeditor and writing coach and loves to teach the craft of writing. Her websites are dedicated to critiquing fiction and building community to help survive and thrive in your writing life: www.LiveWriteThrive.com and www.CritiqueMyManuscript.com . Come join in! You can read more about her and her books at www.cslakin.com .

Follow @cslakin and @livewritethrive. Facebook: C. S. Lakin, Author, Editor .

Tips for Writing a Traditional Murder Mystery

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Hope you'll pop over and join me today at Nicole Basaraba's Uni-Verse-City blog.  Nicole is running a blog series that focuses on the nuts and bolts of writing particular genres.  I'll be giving some tips on writing traditional mysteries (and continuing my campaign to encourage every writer to consider writing a mystery!)

If mystery writing really isn't your thing (sigh), then you might want to check out the upcoming posts in Nicole's blog series—which include a look at horror, historical fiction, women's fiction, romance, crime fiction, memoir, and others.  Check this post for dates and genres.

What to Do When Your Character Goes to Court—by Blythe Leszkay

by Blythe Leszkay

You've thought about writing a courtroom scene or a legal thriller. But maybe you don't know how courts really work or how to use legal jargon. You're not sure what evidence can or can't be used in court, or how it should all play out. So, you let a great story idea drop away out of ignorance and fear.

First, and most importantly, don't be scared! Non-lawyers are often afraid of tackling a legal storyline. But courtrooms are a natural setting for great drama. If your story idea takes your characters into court or jail or a lawyer's office, follow it. Don't let the complexity and mystery of the law scare you off from a potentially great courtroom scene or legal storyline.

Just as you might need to learn about police procedures or forensics to write about those topics, so too should you learn something about criminal law when your characters take that step.

Here are four simple ways to gain the background knowledge and confidence necessary to write a great legal storyline, or even a complete legal thriller.

1. Watch TV and Movies – Watching great legal drama on TV and in movies is a good place to start. I think Law & Order (the original) is on somewhere, sometime, every single day. A couple movies I would recommend for starters would be A Few Good Men and My Cousin Vinny. They are generally more accurate than a lot of others.

TV and movies like these can help you get a basic feel for legal procedures and terms. This can be a great way to see how criminal law is fictionalized in an authentic way.

However, I must give you an important word of caution: Pretty much every legal drama gets things wrong. Even the best TV shows, movies and books let accuracy take a backseat to drama. That's why these are a good place to start, but they shouldn't be your only source of legal knowledge.

2. Read the Paper – A somewhat more accurate place to get information about criminal law is in the news. Follow interesting real-life trials. Read true crime books. Watch true crime stories on TV. The Investigation Discovery channel (or ID) is a great source for those kinds of shows.

Again, however, be warned. These sources may leave a lot out of information for the sake of a good read or compelling TV. I know a prosecutor whose case was profiled on one of those shows. Before the show aired, critical DNA results came back, and the prosecutor updated the producer. Despite this, the show left the impression that the results were still unknown.

I guess the lesson is, don't believe everything you read in the papers or see on TV.

3. Go to Court – If you want to get a taste of how legal proceedings really happen, go to court and see for yourself. Criminal trials are public. Simply go to your local courthouse and watch a real criminal trial. You can ask security or the court clerk if they know of any interesting criminal trials in session.

This is certainly an accurate source of information, but it may be the most time-consuming and inefficient way to learn. Real trials tend to move slowly, and they are filled with objections, motions, and procedural matters that would never be included in a fictional story.

Nevertheless, I think everyone who thinks of writing a legal storyline should check out part of a real trial, at least once. I'll never forget the letdown I felt the first time I watched a real trial. No yelling lawyers, no "gotcha" moments, no confessions from the witness stand, and no pounding gavels. Even though we know that's reality, it can be eye-opening to see it in person.

4. Talk to a Criminal Lawyer – A real-life criminal attorney is going to be your best source of information by far. They can give you a general understanding of the area of law you're interested in. They can give you background information and tell you as much, or as little, detail as you want. They can focus on the law and procedures that would apply to your story or character.

Do you want to know the procedures of how certain evidence would be presented? Or would it even be allowed? Do you want to know the difference between murder and manslaughter? Do you want to know whether the crime your character committed would qualify him or her for the death penalty? If it did, would a prosecutor realistically seek the death penalty in such a case?

An attorney can help you understand, and correctly use, legal terms. They can help you brainstorm ideas or read your draft for accuracy. They can answer your specific questions.

The difficulty here is if you don't know a criminal lawyer personally, it can be hard to find someone willing to take the time to talk to you about your project (without charging you a fortune). It can also be hard to find someone who can explain things in a way that's easy for non-lawyers to understand.

That's why I decided to offer legal consulting services to writers and filmmakers. After we have worked together, writers have the confidence and knowledge that their work is authentic and credible. That confidence can go a long way when it comes time to sell a project.

The bottom line is, if you're thinking of tackling a legal storyline, go for it. Like any other topic, it may take some research and effort, but it will be worth it. Even if you're not quite ready to take that plunge, I've created a few resources that I hope will be helpful for anyone interested in one day taking their characters into the courtroom – check them out below.

Blythe Leszkay is an experienced and successful criminal attorney, criminal law professor, and consultant to writers and filmmakers. She handles legal technical matters, so clients are free to focus on their creative genius.

Get a free Writer's Guide: Top 7 Mistakes Made by Writers of Crime, Mystery and Legal Drama at www.criminallawconsulting.com/free-writers-guide.html .

Enter for a chance to win a signed, hardcover edition of "Chasing Justice: My Story of Freeing Myself After Two Decades on Death Row for a Crime I Didn't Commit," by Kerry Max Cook at www.criminallawconsulting.com/giveaway.html . The deadline to enter is February 15, 2012. If you have a published book you would like considered for a future giveaway, contact Blythe at criminallawconsulting@gmail.com .

Blythe is developing a resource page for information on criminal law concepts, which you can peruse at www.criminallawconsulting.com/resources.html . She regularly posts about all things criminal on her blog at www.criminallawconsulting.com/blog.html .