Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog, page 48

August 15, 2020

Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Twitterific writing links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 56,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers.

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.

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Twitterific:
Click To Tweet

The post Twitterific Writing Links appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 15, 2020 21:01

August 9, 2020

Former Teacher and YA and MG Author on Handling The Age Group

by Beverly Stowe McClure, @beverlymcclure

Writer and former teacher Beverly Stowe McClure with reminders on dealing with kids during these tough times:

This is a great subject, and I am delighted to share my thoughts with you and would enjoy hearing yours, as well. Remember, these are my thoughts, not facts on dealing with children and teens. Many years ago, I was a teacher. I know lots of things have changed since then, but some things are still the same. The students. Well, they’ve changed in some ways, too, but they still need guidance through those tough school years, even if they believe they know everything.

I did not teach in High School or Middle School, but my students, from second grade to third to fifth, taught me as much as I taught them, perhaps more in some ways. I learned to be patient. How did that happen when the little trouble-maker in the class always questioned me about something? Instead of insisting I was right, I listened to his/her idea or suggestion and gave it some thought. If it wouldn’t work, I explained why, but thanked him/her for the suggestion. Build up a child’s or teen’s self-confidence, and they’ll do better in school.

Fifth grade was my favorite. The children are more independent and also think they know more than anyone else, which they may very well be correct. Patience, again, gives them the self-confidence they need. Be honest. Talk with the students to help them understand what they’re doing is wrong, if it is. When a kid needs a kind word, complement him/her for something they’ve done. Kind words. Sincere words. Honest words. They can tell when you’re not being truthful.

Children and teens need encouragement. So do parents and teachers. Work together. Sometimes, more help is needed for a student that’s having problems. Time to talk to the parents, if they haven’t already. Work together. Our children, no matter their age, are priceless. Take care of them. They’ll be the parents and teachers someday.

Thanks for these tips, Beverly, for working together with kids, especially during these tough days. My own children are grown now, but I remember “patience” being one of the most challenging aspects…and the most-needed! Readers, do you have tips for dealing with kids or developing patience?

Most of the time you'll find Beverly Stowe McClure at the computer, writing stories young voices whisper in her ears, everything from contemporary to historical to sport and ghostly tales. Several of her novels have won awards, such as the Children's Literary Classics, Next Generation Indie Awards, Eric Hoffer Awards, Purple Dragonfly, and others.

When she's not writing she's snapping pictures of wildlife and sunsets. She also has stories published in three Chicken Soup For The Soul Anthologies. A former school teacher, Beverly is a long-time member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She also teaches a women's Sunday school class at her church. And she's working on starting a Newsletter to keep fans updated with her work.

Author and Former Teacher @beverlymcclure on Handling Kids During These Tough Days:
Click To Tweet

Photo on Visualhunt.com

The post Former Teacher and YA and MG Author on Handling The Age Group appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 09, 2020 21:01

August 8, 2020

Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Business / Miscellaneous

How to Find a Children's Book Editor in 6 Simple Steps: @ReedsyHQ
Evaluate Your Work Week Every Friday: @WritersCoach
Don’t Do What I Did: Mistakes in Indie Publishing: @itshelendarling @DIYMFA
Using book titles to establish a brand: @mlouisalocke
The Indie Author's Guide to Managing Plagiarism: @JohnDopp @IndieAuthorALLI
Fool Me Twice: How Victims of Vanity Presses Become Repeat Victims: @JohnDopp @IndieAuthorALLI

Creativity and Inspiration / First Novels

How to Become a Novelist (With Tips from Famous Authors) : @ReedsyHQ
Advice to New Writers: @mike54martin

Creativity and Inspiration / Goal setting

The 5 Rs of Refreshing Your Writing Goals: @DebraEckerling

Creativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers

I.T. Experts as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinberg
Why Shirley Jackson Is Everyone's New Favorite Author: @KristopherJans @ElectricLit
“On the Beach”: On the Resolute Nihilism of a True End Times Classic: @LiamPieper @lithub
Gatekeepers as Elements in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinberg
Black Book Clubs, From Oprah to Noname: @iman_stevenson @nytimes
5 Post-Apocalyptic and Dystopian Stories by African Authors: by Ekpeki Oghenechovwe Donald @tordotcom

Creativity and Inspiration / Miscellaneous

Business Musings: Creativity: @KristineRusch

Creativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in Writing

4 (Not So) Silly Writing Tips to Get Words on Paper: by Sandra Wendel @JaneFriedman
Consistency in Routine: It's True What They Say: @Margo_L_Dill @womenonwriting

Creativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer's Block

How I'm getting out of a writing slump: @DanBlank
Unlock Writer’s Block: @61647Edge @FloridaWriters1

Creativity and Inspiration / Writing Life

Before Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak was an incredible toy maker: @augiewatts @lithub
How to Write (or Not Write) about the Pandemic: by Dana Isaacson @CareerAuthors
Conquering Fear In 10 Minutes: @10minnovelist
5 Ways to be More Comfortable When You Write: @10minnovelist
Ready to Pursue Your Writing Dream? Maybe Not: @JanalynVoigt
Overcoming fears, discovering nature … what writers have learned from lockdown: @GuardianBooks
How Writers Can Benefit from a Sense of Purpose and Routine: @LiveWriteThrive @ToriEldridge
15 Writing Habits for Author Success: @WrittenWordM
How 10 Minute Novelists Invest In Themselves: @10minnovelist
Regarding Privilege, Empathy, and Voice: @VaughnRoycroft @WriterUnboxed
Gore Vidal mastered the art of the burn: @augiewatts @lithub
Why Writers Must Make Mistakes: @MegDowell
Bringing Stories to Life: The World of Science Fiction and Fantasy Model Building: by Alan Brown @tordotcom

Genres / Historical

Writing the history in historical fiction: @annabelledando

Genres / Miscellaneous

The Genre Quiz: @PaulaSMunier @CareerAuthors
How to write a military story that sells: @LouiseHarnby

Genres / Mystery

Should Your Crime Novel Be Set in a Real Place or a Fictional One? @WriteAngie @CrimeReads
Crime Writing: A Day in the Life of a Coroner: @GarryRodgers1 @killzoneauthors
Cats and Cozy Mysteries, The Purr-fect Combination: @leighanndobbs @CrimeReads
Dublin: A City of Books, and a City With a Serious Crime Fiction Tradition: @chinarhyming @CrimeReads
You Know You're a Crime Writer If … @LeeLofland
Helpful Resources For Mystery/Suspense/thriller Writers: @lorettajeidson @A3writers

Promo / Blogging

Tips For Book Blogging On Free WordPress: @cuppaclo

Promo / Miscellaneous

Eight Tips for Promoting Your Book Before Launch: by Phil Stamper-Halpin @PRHDigital

Promo / Newsletters

How to Use Email to Engage with Your Audience: by Alice Musyoka @ProWritingAid

Publishing / Miscellaneous

How Do You Know If Your Book Is “Worth” Editing? @StephMorrill @GoTeenWriters
Nigel Roby Sells the UK's ‘The Bookseller' to Stage Media Company: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives

Publishing / News / International Publishing

Mapping the New Normal: As Big Bad Wolf announces its debut Thailand online sale, global publishing faces a watershed moment: @thenewpubstd

Writing Craft / Beginnings

Critique: 7 Possible Hooks for Your Opening Chapter: @KMWeiland

Writing Craft / Characters / Antagonists

Nine Ways To Write An Emotionally Abusive Villain: @10minnovelist

Writing Craft / Characters / Development

How To Write Characters Who Actually Like Each Other: @standoutbooks
Making Characters Count: by Elaine Viets @killzoneauthors
Wounds: Unforgettable Characters are Fashioned from Broken Pieces: @KristenLambTX
The 8 C's of Character Development: @JennyHansenCA
How to Characterize: @jamesscottbell
3 Ways to Differentiate Your Characters: @sacha_black

Writing Craft / Common Mistakes

Unintentional Story Issues, And How To Fix Them: @KMAllan_writer
Top Five Mistakes New Authors Make and How to Avoid Them: @HowellWave

Writing Craft / Lessons from Books and Film

Editor Roundtable: “Center Stage”: @StoryGrid

Writing Craft / Miscellaneous

5 Elements of a Resonant Closing Line: @KMWeiland
Advanced Storytelling Techniques: @richardgthomas3 @LitReactor
How to Apply the Principles of Fast Learning to Become a Better Writer: @RafalReyzer @TheRyanLanz
Does Your Story Really Need That Extra POV Character? @KMWeiland
The climax should resolve your character’s desires: @NathanBransford

Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / Outlining

How to Outline a Novel (Podcast): @LibHawker @sacha_black

Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / Plotting

The Quest in the Quest: @DonMaass @WriterUnboxed
Visualize Your Novel: Storyboarding: @SurfCityJames
Plotting: Building at Novel-Scale: @emma_darwin

Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / Research

Using Ships in Fiction: @cyallowitz

Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / Story Concept

How to Develop a Book: Part 1: The Concept: @shaelinbishop @ReedsyHQ

Writing Craft / Punctuation and Grammar

When, Where, Why, and How To Use Block Quotes and Ellipses: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthors
Treat Adverbs Fairly: @DLoock

Writing Craft / Scenes

Scene Writing: More than Looking: @Lindasclare

Writing Craft / Settings and Description

How Do I Describe Fat Characters Respectfully? by Fay Onyx @mythcreants

Writing Craft / Transitions

Tips for Transitions: @authorterryo @killzoneauthors
Tips for Better Story Transitions:

Writing Craft / Word Crafting

Harnessing the Power of Pronouns: @johnpwriter

Writing Tools / Apps

What Tools Do You Use to Edit Your Manuscripts? @cinapelayo @LitReactor

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Twitterific:
Click To Tweet

The post Twitterific Writing Links appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 08, 2020 21:01

August 2, 2020

Quick Reminder on Transitions

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Transitions are one of those things that, when they work, are nearly invisible to readers. When they don't work (they're choppy, wordy, or completely absent), they can pull readers right out of a story.

Here are a few problems that I've noticed as a reader…and a few that I've struggled with as a writer, too:

Transitions that ramble on and on. In the right kind of book, this may actually work to a degree, although I think it can be easily overused. It doesn't really work at all in my genre…it would kill the pacing: The summer’s heat finally gave way to fall’s gentler temperatures. Trees shed their leaves and children packed their book bags and headed back to class…

Forward leaps in time with little explanation. It might be that a book suddenly picks up weeks later in the story. What's happened in the interim? Why couldn't the missing weeks be cut out…why were they even necessary? Should the action in the book be more condensed?

Overly-detailed shadowing of a character to get them from one place to another. Clara walked to the door. She opened it and strolled out to her car, thinking about what she’d just heard from her mother. She turned the key in the ignition and slowly backed out of her driveway, checking her mirror. She decided she would go to the grocery store and pick up a gallon of ice cream. At this point I’m really just thinking how boring Clara is and how much I want to escape her company. The readers can assume how Clara got to the store. The writer could just start out with: A few minutes later, Clara headed to the grocery store for some ice cream.

For further reading on transitions:

Dressing and Dining from Theresa at Edittorent

How to Create Smooth Scene Transitions from Jason Black

How to Move Smoothly Through Your Novel from Janice Hardy

Do you notice transitions as a reader? Is it something you've found challenging as a writer?

Tips for Better Story Transitions:
Click To Tweet

Photo on VisualHunt.com

The post Quick Reminder on Transitions appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 02, 2020 21:02

August 1, 2020

Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Business / Miscellaneous

Successful Self-Publishing: How to Self-Publish a Print Book: @thecreativepenn
“Pay Me” is not an offensive term: @dawnafinch
What Do Readers Really Want: How to Write a Book to Market: @ferol @WrittenWordM

Conferences and Events / Miscellaneous

Interview: Lisa Lucas on Planning Her Final National Book Awards: @Porter_Anderson @likaluca @nationalbook @pubperspectives
The UK's Booker Prize Names Its 2020 Longlist, Dominated by Debuts: @Porter_Anderson @TheBookerPrizes Includes: @cpamzhang @kileyreid @MaazaMengiste @Gabriel_Krauze @avnidoshi @efie41209591
Jerusalem International Book Forum Announces 2021 Dates: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives
Turkish Publishers Association Hold Ninth Biennial Assembly: Digital Focus: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives
Singapore Names 2020 Book Award Finalists, Adds Digital Categories: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @katong @SBPA

Creativity and Inspiration / Goal setting

Setting Goals As A Writer: @keri_kruspe @BethBarany

Creativity and Inspiration / Inspiration

25 Summer Writing Prompts: by Arielle Haughee @FloridaWriters1

Creativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers

Noir Fiction: When the Real Is Too Raw: @LairdBarron @CrimeReads
Top Ten Books About Writers: @PaulaSMunier @CareerAuthors
Reading as Writers: Summer Scare Readathon: @jlw_writes
Why You’re Allowed to Grow Out of Books and Authors: @teeveejeff
Into the Deep: Six Novels That Prove Lakes Are the Perfect Setting for a Murder Mystery: @KimberlySBelle @CrimeReads
10 Books Set in Museums: @_preetysidhu @ElectricLit
11 Novels of Vacations Gone Horribly Awry: by Katherine St. John @CrimeReads
Seven Thrillers About Identity and Reinvention: @catherinemckenzieauthor @CrimeReads

Creativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in Writing

Tips for creating a writing routine: @pubcoach

Creativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer's Block

Writer @ChrysFey Gives 11 Tips to Help Beat Writer's Block:

Creativity and Inspiration / Writing Life

In the absence of travel, what is a travel writer to do? @boozecolumnist @GuernicaMag
Writing and the Pandemic: Shock, Survival, and Forgiveness: @KristineRusch
A Few, Good Writing Tips to Keep You on Your Toes: @writingforward
You Don’t Get, What You Don’t Fight For: @DShorb
Positive and Negative Perfectionism: @plotwhisperer
“COVID19 Brought Opportunity That Helped Make Me A Working Writer”: @JunetaKey @TheIWSG
The Importance of Networking: @vickidelany @mike54martin
Creativity, Artificial Intelligence, And Time Off: @mffrenzel @thecreativepenn
Unforced Errors: 5 Ways Writers Stand Between Themselves and Success: @RuthHarrisBooks
How To Face A Tantrum-Throwing To-Do List: @10minnovelist
What to Do When You Don’t Have a Book Coming Out: @AngelaSlatter
How To Rekindle Your Passion For Writing: @JerryBJenkins @Bang2write
7 Surprising Benefits of a Standing Desk: @BryanJCollins
5 Things Learned From Writing Through A Global Pandemic: @KimberlySBelle @WomenWriters
Never Say You Can’t Survive: Everything Is Broken! What Should I Write About? @charliejane @tordotcom
Writing Through Life's Surprises: @Lindasclare
Nurturing the Writing Spirit: @RJThesman @WomenWriters
Simplify Your Writing Life with These 10 Tips: @EdieMelson
5 Ways For Authors to Stay Focused During COVID-19: by Kelsey Worsham @WrittenWordM
5 Mistakes Writers Make in the Summer: @jillkemerer
4 Resilience Strategies to Help You Write: @NinaAmir

Genres / Dystopian

Writing Dystopias: @davidfarland

Genres / Fantasy

How to Write Tactful Fantasy and Science Fiction During COVID-19: @sarahjrexford @A3writers

Genres / Horror

Heavy Metal and Horror: an Unholy Union: @ashford_zachary

Genres / Middle-Grade

Writing Believable Dialogue For Kids: @kathytemean

Genres / Miscellaneous

What Is Genre in Literature? How to Use It? @Peter_Rey_
Praying for Clients? Pro Tips to Earn Well as a Christian Writer: @terrywhalin @TiceWrites

Genres / Mystery

Home Town Returns as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinberg

Genres / Screenwriting

Great Scene: “North by Northwest” : @GoIntoTheStory
How To Write Stronger, More Dramatic TV Shows: @CreativeScreen
Script Analysis: “Knives Out”: @GoIntoTheStory

Promo / Blogging

All About Blog Tours: @KeriBarnum @JFbookman

Promo / Book Reviews

NetGalley Review: Is NetGalley Worth It? @DaveChesson

Promo / Connecting with Readers

How Readers Pick What to Read Next: @claytonnoblit @WrittenWordM

Promo / Miscellaneous

Online Marketing Doesn't Mean Lying, Cheating or Conning Customers: @annerallen
How to Get More Media Exposure for Your Book: @Bookgal

Promo / Newsletters

Tutorial: How To Setup Your Author Email List with ConvertKit: @thecreativepenn

Promo / Speaking

Public Speaking for Writers: @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthors

Promo / Websites

18 Worthy Websites for Writers: by Jeanna Bray @LiveWriteThrive

Publishing / Miscellaneous

Book Clubs and Other Cannibalization Scares: by Richard Charkin @pubperspectives
Internet Archive Responds to Publishers' Copyright Lawsuit: @Porter_Anderson @AmericanPublish @pubperspectives
Mediapro Deal With DeAPlaneta: Two of Javier Castillo's Books Are Headed to TV: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives
How to Sell Books in 2020: Put Them Near the Toilet Paper: @Liz_A_Harris @nytimes

Publishing / News / Data

US Market Statistics: The AAP StatShot Annual Report for 2019: @Porter_Anderson @AmericanPublish @pubperspectives

Publishing / News / International Publishing

Storytel KR grows 2.5 times against fierce competition during pandemic as South Korea audiobook market expands: @thenewpubstd
China Bestsellers June: The Tried, True, and Familiar Hold the Charts: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives
Italian Book Industry: Publishers' Study Sees ‘Signs of Recovery': @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives
France's New Éditions Lulee: A Subscription Model in Kids' Books: @jaroslawadamows @pubperspectives
Italy's Publishers Hail New €10 Million Fund for Small Presses: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives
Canada: White Pine Options Kids Can Press' Book on Women Politicians: @Porter_Anderson @KidsCanPress @pubperspectives

Publishing / Options / Self-Publishing

How to Publish with KDP: @harmony_kent @StoryEmpire
The Pros And Cons Of Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing: @thecreativepenn

Publishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / Querying

How to Write a Stellar Query Letter: @mike54martin
Creating a Cover Letter That Creates Interest: by Ruth Logan Herne @SKRViLL

Publishing / Process / Distribution

Successful Self-Publishing: Exclusivity and Going Direct: @thecreativepenn

Writing Craft / Characters / Antagonists

The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Villains are Smart: @jeffreysomers @BookBub

Writing Craft / Characters / Development

Building Characters in Seven Steps: @SHalvatzis
Character Building: How Much Planning Should I Do? (PART 2): @AngelaAckerman
Making a Good First Impression with Our Characters: @JamiGold

Writing Craft / Diversity

Writing with Color — Stereotyped vs Nuanced Characters and Audience Perception: @WritingwColor

Writing Craft / Miscellaneous

A Handy Checklist to Strengthen the Narrative Drive in Your Scenes: @Janice_Hardy
Deception as a Storytelling Device: Introducing the Unreliable Narrator: @KristenLambTX
Writing Morally Ambiguous Characters: @shaelinbishop
Seven Essential Writing Exercises: @ckalyna @WomenWriters
How Do I Create a Platonic Friendship Between Characters? by Chris Winkle @mythcreants
How to Create Interlocking Questions: by Marilynn Byerly
How to and (Especially) How Not to Write About Family: @harrigan_sharon @JaneFriedman
Writing a Valuable Book Review: @CindyDevoted @EdieMelson
Tips for Stronger Writing: @IWriteToo @RMFWriters
“How Advertising Taught Me The Art of the Twist”: @SK_Barnett @CrimeReads
Writing Traumatic Memories Without Overwhelming Readers: @LisaHallWilson

Writing Craft / POV

We Need To Talk About First Person Plural: @ElectricLit

Writing Craft / Pre-Writing / Plotting

Questions To Ask When Planning Your Three Act Structure: @10minnovelist
Ask Yourself Why: @authorterryo @killzoneauthors

Writing Craft / Punctuation and Grammar

Empathy vs. Sympathy vs. Apathy (Grammar Rules): @robertleebrewer @WritersDigest

Writing Craft / Revisions / Critiques

After the red pen – a pain-free way to tackle beta reader comments: l @Roz_Morris
Ten Questions To Ask Your Beta Readers: @10minnovelist
How Writing Groups Can Help Develop Your Writing: @RJ_Heald @WomenWriters

Writing Craft / Scenes

How to Keep Score in Your Story With Scene Goals: by Joslyn Chase @write_practice

Writing Craft / Transitions

How to Write Effective Scene Transitions in Your Novel: @MichaelLaRonn

Writing Craft / Word Crafting

Why Words Matter, and How to Rewrite Them: @ritukaushal2 @losapala

Writing Tools / Apps

3 Best Productivity Apps to Write Faster: @LMacNaughton

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Twitterific:
Click To Tweet

The post Twitterific Writing Links appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on August 01, 2020 21:01

July 26, 2020

What is Writer’s Block?

by Chrys Fey, @ChrysFey

Thank you, Elizabeth, for letting me share an excerpt from my new book Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer’s Block, Burnout, and Depression!

What is Writer’s Block?

Some writers say they don’t buy into the idea of writer’s block, because you just have to sit down (butt in seat) and hammer out a story, not wait for a muse to inspire you or for the right mood to strike. But writer’s block is not about waiting to be inspired or in the mood to write. It’s about not being able to think of what to write or how to proceed with a story. It’s a condition that has been documented throughout history. F. Scott Fitzgerald had it. Charles M. Schulz had it. Adele had it.

You could be one of those diligent writers who straps themselves to a chair for hours, pounding out words, and then, one day, not able to write a sentence. What you do write, you think sucks and is your worst work to date. You could be someone who used to write a book a month and suddenly not be able to write anything for years. You could be someone who has a list of story ideas, but none of those ideas are turning in to anything good despite your best efforts.

Some people would go as far as to say that writer’s block is a cop out, a reason for writers to moan and groan. Well, they are entitled to their opinion, of course. I won’t convince them otherwise. Just as I hope they will let me have my opinion that writer’s block is real and won’t make light of my struggles, as well as with writer’s burnout. And worse yet, depression. Because, yes, there are people who don’t even believe in depression, and they think it’s as easy to fix as flipping a switch. It’s not. (But that’s a conversation for later.)

What is Normal?

First, I do want to point out a difference between actual writer’s block and normal difficulties during the writing process. Every writer will have days where the words won’t come. Every writer will feel uninspired at one time or another. Maybe even a few times a week. Every writer will be unmotivated to write. Every writer will succumb to the pressure of deadlines. However, these things don’t necessarily mean you’re suffering from writer’s block. When I go through these every-day writing troubles, it’s because I am purposefully procrastinating or I have other things going on like doctor’s appointments or a long to-do list. Even when I have a simple head cold, I can’t write worth a darn. Writer's block, on the other hand, is a condition in which a writer loses the ability to come up with original ideas or even produce new work. No matter what you do, the words aren’t there and they won’t come. Something is blocking you. What that something is will be different for everyone. No two writers are the same.

Causes of Writer's Block:

Creative problems within the work
Lack of inspiration
The project is too big for the writer
Physical illness
Depression
Stress (of any kind)
Pressure to write or create a best-seller
Feeling of failure

My Story:

My first experience with writer’s block happened when I was seventeen. I had been writing since I was twelve, which is not an exaggeration.

I wrote so much that I completed three books in a series. That’s many notebooks and a ton of pens. It was a few months after I dropped out of high school that I stopped writing. Just. Like. That. *snaps fingers* I couldn’t figure it out. I didn’t write for months. I sincerely wanted to, because I loved my characters, and writing was my everything. I didn’t feel like myself when I wasn’t writing. During this time, I didn’t force myself to write, because there was nothing to force. No words. No ideas. I feared school had been my inspiration and that I was screwed forever as a writer because I left high school.

Then, out of the blue, I had an epiphany. I don’t even know how it came about. Maybe my mind was simply open at the right time for the answer to fall in. Suddenly, like a lightbulb going off in my mind, I knew what was wrong. My block had been due to creative problems within the work, specifically with my characters’ ages and how I, myself, had aged a lot from Book 1 to Book 4. The storyline for Book 4 wasn’t in sync with the previous three books. It was too teenage-angsty for fantasy, not right for my series, and all wrong for my characters.

With that realization, the fix came with it. I knew right away I had to rewrite the series from Book 1, not for tweens, definitely not for teens, but for adults. I had to greatly age my characters, scrap half of them, and give them cool jobs and change the plot. It was years’ worth of work, but those years were the best years of my writing career thus far.

There is no sure-fire way to break out of writer's block, but here are 11 tactics that have helped me over the years:

Read the last chapter or two that you wrote. Sometimes going over your work will get you back into the groove and motivate you to continue from where you left off.
Pick a random moment in your story to write. Just because you plot out your story doesn’t mean you need to write it in order. Pick a scene you’re excited to write and write it! And keep on going until you need to stop. See if you can continue from there the next day.
At the end of every writing session, plan out what you need to write next. This will help you to get back into your story faster and provide you with a clear map of where you need to go.
Write a song or poem for a specific scene in your book to help you tap into the emotion you need to write it. In the end, you may be able to use whole verses from the song or poem in your book. That’s a bonus.
If you are good with a pencil, draw a picture to help your creative juices flow. This technique is great to help release an image trapped within your mind. Once you get it down on paper in one form, you can do it again in another.
Listen to music. Find songs that hold the same emotion and feature the same theme as the event(s) in your book. Then plug in your headphones and let the music call to your muse.
Watch a movie with scenes similar to what you need to write.
Read a book (or five) in the same genre as yours.
Discuss your book with a trusted person to bounce ideas off them. You may be surprised how helpful a second party can be.
Motivate yourself. Say, “I don’t have writer's block. Nothing can stop me from writing! I can do it!”
Step away from your book for a while:

– Take a nap

– Go for a walk or run

– Work in the garden

– Take a long bath

– Wash the dishes

Then go back to your book when you’re done and try again.

BONUS TIP: Don't give yourself too much to work on. Writing a novel is a big job, but if you keep looking at it as writing four hundred pages (or so), you will shut down. Whenever you sit down to write, don't focus on writing your novel. Worry about the next paragraph, not the next chapter. Don't even aim to fill the whole white page. Go sentence by sentence.

Chrys Fey is the author of Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication. She is also the author of the Disaster Crimes series. Visit her blog, Write with Fey, for more tips on how to reverse writer’s burnout.

11 Tips to Beat Writer's Block and Have Better Focus (by @ChrysFey ):
Click To Tweet

Photo credit: Ed Yourdon on VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-SA

The post What is Writer’s Block? appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on July 26, 2020 21:01

Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Twitterific:
Click To Tweet

The post Twitterific Writing Links appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on July 26, 2020 04:03

July 11, 2020

Twitterific Writing Links

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

New Stuff:

My writing friend Christina Kaye is offering a 1-hour Zoom webinar for $49 on Friday, July 24: “Three Secrets to Writing Novels that Sell.” For more information and to register, click here.

Also:

I'm pretending this is a normal summer and taking a 2-week summer blog break. :) I'll be back with Twitterific on Sunday, July 26.

The Top Writing Links of the Week are on Twitterific:
Click To Tweet

The post Twitterific Writing Links appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on July 11, 2020 21:01

July 5, 2020

Monitoring Your Progress as a Writer

by Rafal Reyzer, @rafalreyzer

The old saying “what gets measured gets done” applies to writing as much as anything else that requires consistency and perseverance. You're probably aware that many famous writers have writing quotas. A number that is non-negotiable. It’s in the “must-do” category on the to-do list.

For Stephen King, it’s 2000 words, for Sarah Waters, it’s 1000 words, for Anne Rice, it’s 3000. So, do you have your number or not? Somewhere I’ve read that George R. R. Martin doesn’t have a number, and that’s why he’s taking so long to write a book. Then, we have outliers like J. R. R. Tolkien, who took around fifteen years to complete his famous trilogy.

So how do you monitor your progress as a writer? Do you have to count everything? After all, you're a creative human being, not an AI robot. Let’s take a look at different approaches, and maybe you’ll find your favorite among them.

Add up the words daily

I have a Google Sheets spreadsheet, where I log the beautiful words I write each day. Only project-related words go in there – no emails or social media posts. I put a number next to each day of the month, and this automatically contributes to the “monthly goal” cell in the spreadsheet. Each time I add up the numbers, I can feel a small burst of happy chemicals suffusing my brain. It gives me the motivation to keep on going. It also allows me to see patterns over weeks and months and figure out how to do better.

Set your monthly writing goals

At the beginning of each month, count the number of “writing days” you’ll have available for you, and set your goal based on that. Don’t fool yourself that you’ll write 50.000 words if you’re also climbing Kilimanjaro this month. Be realistic and conservative about the monthly goal. You’ll hit it all the more often!

Use a habit tracker to recognize your patterns of writerly behavior

In psychology, there’s something called the consistency principle. It states that as humans, we tend to stay consistent in our patterns of action to feel more in control of our lives. This led to the development of a motivational technique known as “don’t break the chain,” where you put an “X” below each day when you hit your quota.

After being consistent for around ten days, you start to feel uneasy about “breaking the chain,” and you keep the momentum going. This is a cool technique to try out, and you’ve guessed it – there’s an app for that.

Is it only about words? Or maybe there’s something else?

You don’t have to jump on the daily word count bandwagon if you don’t want to. Many writers feel that it stifles their creativity, or keeps them in the prison of their own making. But you need to track something to know if you’re making progress or not, right? How about the number of chapters, poems, articles, or hours you’ve spent at the keyboard? Whatever it is, keep tabs on it, and you’ll see your productivity increase over the next few months.

Never get overly fixated on your numbers

Attaching your self-esteem to your productive output is like riding downhill on a bicycle hands-free towards impending doom. Why? Because there will always be a time when you slip, and if your ego is too much into it, you’re asking for trouble. You have to learn how to let go and how to enjoy life more. Meditation is fantastic for that because it teaches you how to be happy without obtaining any external source of desire.

Maintaining this balance between achievement and peace of mind is not easy, but it’s the best way I’ve found to make progress and stay happy.

Do you use any of these methods to track your progress as a writer? Perhaps you have something else on your mind? Feel free to leave a comment below!

Rafal Reyzer is a full-time blogger, freelance writer, digital marketer, editor, and content manager. He started his blog to provide readers with great tools and strategies they can use to achieve freedom from 9-5 through online creativity. His site is a one-stop-shop for writers, bloggers, publishers, content enthusiasts, and freelance editors who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things.

Writer @RafalReyzer offers tips on monitoring your progress as a author:
Click To Tweet

Photo on Visualhunt

The post Monitoring Your Progress as a Writer appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

View more on Elizabeth Spann Craig's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on July 05, 2020 21:01