Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog, page 9
October 5, 2024
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
LitLinks 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.
Sorry about the lack of LitLinks last week–we were caught up in Hurricane Helene in Western NC. I’ve evacuated to my mom’s house until utilities are back up (at least some of them). Thankful to have made it through the storm safely and with no property damage. :)
Oren AshkenaziHow to Write Dark Fantasy: A Guide for New Authors: @davechessonGenres / HorrorWriting Horror And Selling Direct With David Viergutz: @thecreativepennThe Surprising Benefits of Scary Stories–with Helpful Tips for Writing Them: by Beth Castrodale @colleen_m_storyGenres / MysteryGas Stations as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergEscaping the Past as an Element of Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergAdjusting to Life After Prison as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergTelevision and Internet personalities as Elements of Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergBritish Columbia as a Setting in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergWhat is a Screwball Thriller? by Sandra A. Block @crimereadsGenres / Picture BooksCan AI Help You Write a Children’s Book? @FictionNotesPromo / Blogging7 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Deciding Whether To Follow A Blog: @HughRoberts05Promo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingHow to write “About the Author”: @jbernoffPromo / CrowdfundingCrowdfunding For Authors 101: by Jason BrickPromo / Miscellaneous5 reasons book endorsements and testimonials are essential for every author: @sandrabeckwithPromo / Social Media TipsUsing Social Media to Market Your Book: by Maggie Smith @rmfwSocial Media is Not Just for Marketing- A plethora of networking opportunities: by Joy York @storyempirePromo / SpeakingHow to Choose the Best Public Speaking Coach: by Gigi RosenbergPromo / WebsitesMaking Your Author Website Friendlier: @burke_writerPublishing / MiscellaneousUS Banned Books Week: PRH’s ‘Banned Wagon’ Rides Again: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCensorship: PEN America Sees US Book Bannings Triple: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingPoland: ‘Best Year in a Decade’ in Reading Rates: by Jaroslaw Adamowski @pubperspectivesIFRRO Calls on Ottawa To Make Copyright Reform: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Hybrid PublishingWriting as a hybrid author: by Alessandra TorrePublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingWhat Makes Acquiring Editors Stop Reading a Manuscript? by Dana Isaacson @careerauthorsPublishing / Process / Distribution10 Things to Know About IngramSpark’s Self-Publishing Costs and Options: @WogahnWriting Craft / BeginningsWriting Tips: Nailing The Start Of Your Story: @KMAllan_writerFirst words: famous first lines: by Roberta Cheadle @storyempireWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentEnrich the Story You’re Writing with a Character’s Psychological Issues: @DiAnnMillsHow to Build Your Characters in Six Easy Steps: by Nat LeblancThe Lover Archetype: Definition, Examples, and Tips: by Linda O’DonnellHow I Develop My Characters: by Susie Black @womenwritersCharacter Driven = Driven Character: by Donald Maass @writerunboxedWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionFilling Your Characters with Emotion: by N.L. Holmes @floridawriters1Writing Craft / Common MistakesWhat is Head Hopping? And Why is it Bad? (with Examples): @septcfawkesWriting Craft / DialogueWhy Dialogue Is Important in Writing: @diymfaWriting Craft / DiversityForgetting your character is disabled isn’t a “good representation” flex: Writing Disability Quick Tips: by Cyrus the CyborgWriting Craft / EndingsHow to Avoid a False Ending: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryThe art of seamless backstory: avoiding the dreaded info dump in your writing: @HelenaFairfax4 Tips To Master Backstory In Deep Point Of View: by Lisa Hall-WilsonWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmDeep Space Nine and the Most Fantastical Concept in All of Fiction: @Repino1 @reactromag @literaryreactorWriting Craft / MiscellaneousGame Writing with Text Adventure Games: by Misha Grifka Wander @sfwaThe Importance of Interiority in Novels and Memoirs: by Mary Kole @janefriedmanRichly layered storytelling: @VaughnRoycroft @writerunboxedFive Clever Solutions That Aren’t Really Clever: by Oren AshkenaziWhat Makes a Reader and Character Connect? @TheRyanLanzOn Prologues and Epilogues: by Abigail Owen @womenwritersIntroduction to Game Writing and Playtesting: by John Dale Beety @sfwaWriting: Watch Your Sentences: @lindasclareWhat Were You Thinking? Compelling Ways To Show Thoughts: @LauraDrakeBooksWriting Craft / POVCommon POV Violations and How to Catch Them: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingWriting: Your Story’s Shape: @lindasclareHow to Plot a Novel: A Step-by-Step Guide for Writers: @davechessonThe Missing Link in Three-Act Structure: @LisaPoissoWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarHow to use semicolons without trying too hard to be cool: @NathanielTowerA Writer Looks at This Crazy Language Called English: @AneMulligan @ediemelsonWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesCritiques and Writing: @karencvWriting Craft / Scenes / ConflictConflict and Stakes Compendium: by John August (Podcast)Writing Craft / Settings and DescriptionSetting as Character: Bringing Your Place to Life: by Ann Garvin @careerauthorsSuspenseful Settings in Novels: by Renee Roberson @finishedpagesWriting Craft / TropesUsing Tropes: The Good, the Bad, and the Amazing OR How To Upcycle Tropes and Keep Them Fresh: @beccapuglisi @theiwsgA Trope with a Twist: @CarriePadgettWriting Craft / Word CraftingThe Power of Power Words To Connect Writers with Readers: @SarahSallyHamer @ediemelson200+ Negative Adjectives to Use in Fiction: by Linda O’Donnell
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September 29, 2024
Quick Update on Translations
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
From time to time, other writers email me asking for my updated opinion on various translation platforms. I get it–it might seem like there are no great options out there.
As I’m writing this, I have 37 translated books and a few in the works. Although translation is not a big income generator for me, it’s rewarding to reach new readers in other languages. The translators I work with are quick, friendly, and professional. The translation publishing process, however, is nearly always a pain in the neck.
Babelcube. This is still the platform I’m primarily using. I don’t enjoy using it, but some of the peculiarities in formatting, etc. have gotten ironed out, meaning less hands-on time for me. The main issue is that books will sometimes never make it into print (the digital editions aren’t a problem) because their system will throw them out. When you try to find out why they’re being thrown out, you’ll likely get an inscrutable answer.
Tektime. I did enjoy working with Tektime originally. Now, however, the publication process seems unnecessarily complex and cumbersome. Support is much better than Babelcube, however. Unfortunately, they’ve decided to move to a subscription model for authors, unless you’re only releasing two books through them.
Other options: Let’s say you’ve already found a translator through a marketplace like Babelcube or Tektime. If your translator is willing to try something else, you can do a royalty split through a distributor like Draft2Digital or BundleRabbit, now called PubShare. You’ll want to make sure that the split favors the translator as it does with Babelcube and Tektime since they’re the ones who have risked their time and crafted the project.
That’s it for an update. :) Wish I had better news on the translation front. Most translators still want to work on Babelcube, but if you find someone willing to try something different, Draft2Digital is an excellent option.
Have you put any books up for translation? What platforms have you used? How has it worked for you?
Update on Translation Platforms:
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Image by Lucas Wendt from Pixabay
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September 22, 2024
Crowdfunding For Authors 101
by Jason Brick
If you’ve been a writer or aspiring writer, you’ve at least heard of crowdfunding, usually in the context of a major platform like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Backerkit, or GoFundMe. It’s not a new model, but it’s the most recently added model to the widening array of success options for authors. Today, Elizabeth has invited me on to discuss it. We’ll take a look at:
How Crowdfunding WorksThe 5 Key Misconceptions About Crowdfunding6 Top Tips for Crowdfunding CampaignsYour First Step, If You Dare to Take ItI’ve personally used crowdfunding to get five different books published and in the world, and presently using the Patreon platform for my Flash in a Flash Fiction Newsletter (which is accepting submissions, hint, hint.)
By the end, you won’t be the world’s leading crowdfunding expert. You will know enough about crowdfunding to ask the right questions about how to make the model work for you.
Sound good? Great. Let’s get to it.
How Crowdfunding WorksOn any crowdfunding platform, you pitch your book to existing fans and the general public, asking them to pre-order copies because they believe your book will be good, and you will deliver on your promise to write, publish, and distribute it.
It’s essentially presales, made more viable by the scope of the Internet and the infrastructure provided by major crowdfunding platforms. It has made a lot of books happen, and a few authors surprisingly rich. A couple years back, Brandon Sanderson raised $40 Million with one campaign. You can’t expect success like that, but you can make enough to meet more reasonable goals.
5 Key Crowdfunding MisconceptionsLike all endeavors, there’s a lot of misinformation circulating about crowdfunding. I want to address the five most common and/or harmful.
1. Build It and They Will ComeJust putting up your campaign will not bring enough interested eyes for you to succeed. This was almost true at the beginning, but now the market is fairly saturated. You will have to bring eyes to your page, fueled by your existing platform, partnerships, and some promotion and advertising. It can bring you more as our campaign builds momentum, but it must start with you.
2. You Have to Make All Your Money From ItA crowdfunding campaign that breaks even, or even loses you a little money, can be successful for some goals. At the end, you will have a fully built book and some copies in stock. You will have gathered more followers and fans. Depending on your goals, that’s all it has to do.
3. It’s a SprintA typical crowdfunding campaign is live for two to four weeks, but you must do your advance work and follow up with fulfillment. This process is a marathon, requiring work every day for months. Don’t let that scare you — if you can write a book you ran crowdfund — but go in knowing what’s required.
4. Independents Can’t SucceedOver the past decade, professional publishers have entered the crowdfunding space. They’ve brought with them professional promotion and design teams, and a business-sized advertising budget. It’s harder to succeed as an independent now, but not impossible. You just have to come in with a well-built plan, and execute it as close to perfectly as you can manage.
5. Your Book Has to Be Finished FirstYou can successfully crowdfund a book with just a cover image, an outline, and an idea you’re excited about. If the campaign doesn’t succeed, you can move on to your next idea. If it does, you’ll just have to make sure you build time to write into your promised delivery schedule.
6 Top Tips for Crowdfunding SuccessWith those idea in mind, here are six things to think about and plan for as you begin to devise your own crowdfunding campaign.
1. Start EarlyI mean early. Start planning and getting your ducks in a row a year before launch day. The more resources and planning you have on deck at “go time”, the better your efforts will succeed. That said, don’t use extra planning to procrastinate. Set your start date far in advance, and get moving right away.
2. Budget Before You StartKnow how much the campaign and fulfillment will cost. It’s the only way to gauge your earning goal and not go into the red by the end. You will need to budget for:
Per-unit printing costs for your booksPer-unit shipping costs for your booksFees for editing, layout, and artYour marketing budget (see below)How much profit you want to earn from the campaignAn extra 10 percent for processing feesFinish by adding an extra 5-10% for overruns, and you know how much you want to earn from your campaign.
3. Have a One-to-Six Month PlanI know I said to start a year early, but the real action happens at least one month before launch day. If you can start gathering interest and followers six months out, that’s even better. Build a preview page early, and just keep bringing eyes to it from whatever sources you can manage.
4. Include a Marketing BudgetWord of mouth, and some algorithm support from your platform, will get some copies sold, but most backers for successful campaigns are strangers. Expect to spend money on marketing. There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but I’ve had success with spending 10% of what I want to earn. Where to spend it is a whole other blog post. If you want it, and can talk Elizabeth into it, I’ll come back and write it.
5. Build a Power SquadYour power squad consists of six to twenty “ride or die” fans who will help you spread the word about your campaign. Gather them early, give them clear instructions and options, and reward them handsomely for their efforts.
Fair warning: almost none of your friends and family will come through for you on this. You’ll be leaning on your fan base and fellow burgeoning writers here. It’s just part of the reality of being an author — just like how none of our friends will bother to leave a review.
6. Get Some GraphicsYou will need at minimum a good cover and a short video telling people about your project. They don’t have to be works of art, but they have to be present and at least presentable. The data says a video and cover increase your chances of success by 80%, and the income from most campaigns by at least 25%.
Your First Step (If You Dare to Take It)If you think crowdfunding might be for you, your first step is to sit with exactly what you hope to accomplish with it. Do you want to cover the printing, editing, and art costs for your next work? Grow your platform? Make a profit from the get go? Simply “kick the tires” and see how it works?
Sit for a while and really nail down what you hope to accomplish with your first crowdfunding journey.That information will inform every further step.
Jason Brick is a freelance writer and journalist, and the skipper of the Flash in a Flash literary newsletter. They’re always looking for submissions in any genre under 1,000 words. You can get all the details here.
Image by Kevin Schneider from Pixabay
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September 21, 2024
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
LitLinks 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 a Writer Can Stay Above the Freelance Slush Pile: @LindaGilden @ediemelsonWhy Successful Writers Need To Do More Than Write: by Belinda WilliamsCooking Up Success: The TikTok Personality Behind a Bestselling Self-Published Book: @JaneFriedmanThis Isn’t The End: What To Do When Your Publisher Dies: by James Queally @crimereadsConferences and Events / MiscellaneousThe German Book Prize Issues Its 2024 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationA Touch of the Madness: Creativity In Writing And Filmmaking With Larry Kasanoff: @thecreativepennCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Lisa Alber’s Kilmoon: @margotkinbergFive Scary Stories Set at Camp: by Lorna Wallace @reactormag @literaryreactorTom Gauld on how to manage your unread books pile – cartoon: @tomgauld @guardianbooksGenre Drift: Mysteries with Speculative Touches: by Morgan Richter @crimereadsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingWhat Can You Write in 15 Minutes? @KelsieEngenGetting Yourself to Write: by Shelley WidhalmCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockOvercoming Trauma-Induced Writer’s Block Through Mindfulness: by Maggie Langrick @janefriedmanCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWriting and Balancing Social Media: by Eve MessengerA Literary Road Trip Across America: @literaryhub @lithubLearn Your Personal Signs of Burn-Out: @finishedpagesReflections on writing with Kaat Vrancken: @pubcoachThere’s No Happily Ever After and the Good Guys Never Win: @foxprintedBalancing Marketing and Writing New Books: by M.K. WilliamsShould You Go Ahead and Write Mediocre Books? @jamesscottbellJodi Picoult on the Importance of Recognition: @lithub @literaryhubWriting in Turbulent Times: by Juliet Marillier @pubperspectivesFive Ways to Stay Relevant as an Author: @KHutch0767 @ediemelsonGenres / FantasyThe Fantasy Dwarf Stereotypes: @cyallowitzHigh Fantasy vs Low Fantasy: Differences and Examples: by Shane MillarGenres / MemoirMemoir Is Not About You: @lindasclareGenres / MysteryThe Trope of the “Crazy” Female Protagonist: by Caroline Wolff @crimereadsCrime Fiction Must Not Ignore Computer Crime: by Stephen Harrison @crimereadsMisfit Sleuths in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergThe Irresistible Pull of an Anonymous Note—Why the Most Frightening Possibility Is All of Them: by Elizabeth Staple @crimereadsThe Admirable Uncertainty of the Antidetective Novel: by Eugenie Montague @crimereadsPromo / BloggingTips to Use Titles to Draw People to Your Blog: @ediemelsonPromo / Social Media TipsThe New ABCs of X (formally Twitter): @ediemelsonPromo / WebsitesRevealing the Hidden Costs of Author Website Hosting: by Lisa NormanPublishing / MiscellaneousHow “Grandma Hobbies” May Affect Publishing Trends: by Monique Snyman @booktribPublishing / News / International PublishingItaly’s Publishers Demand a Culture Voucher Relaunch: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Process / Pen NamesAre Pen Names a Good Idea? by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentPlot Weaving Mastery: Create a Character that Resonates with Any Audience: @TheLeighShulmanCharacters Don’t Need Flaws: by Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsWriting A “Career” Hero: @diannmills @careerauthorsTragic Hero: Definition and Writing Examples: by Shane MillarWriting Craft / ConflictCharacter vs Technology Conflict: Examples and Writing Tips:by Shane MillarWriting Craft / DialogueThree rules for writing dialogue that contains exposition: @Roz_MorrisWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow Characters’ Hobbies and Interests Affect the Narrative: by Ellen BuikemaThe 18 Types of Sentence Connectors + Examples: @writers_writeTwenty-One Cognitive Tools For Making Smarter Decisions: @GarryRodgers1Writing 101: What The Heck Is a Turning Point? @JennyHansenCASix Powerful Secrets to Polishing Your Manuscript: by Zoje Stage @careerauthorsCliffhangers: Fantastic Hooks or Just Annoying? from MythcreantsHow to Write Sizzling Sex Scenes Despite the Fear of Sizzling: by Rebecca Anne NguyenChoose Your Own Adventure: On the Limits of Personal Agency in Migrant Fiction: by Ruben Reyes Jr. @literaryhub @lithubThe Secret to Writing Strong Themes: @KMWeilandCharacter vs Self Conflict in Writing: by Shane MillarCreating Suspense in any Genre: @MBarker_190 @WriterThesaurusWriting Craft / Plot HolesHow Serious are Plot Holes? by Ann Gordon @rmfwWriting Craft / POVChoosing Story Perspective: Direct Versus Indirect POV: @foxprinted @janefriedmanWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / NamingTrouble Naming your Character, Town, or Tavern? Try a Name Generator: @Dwallacepeach @storyempireWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchTertiary Sources: Not Just Tangential Anymore: by Liz Gauffreau @storyempireWriting Craft / Revision10 Self-Editing Tips for Fiction Writers: @livewritethriveHow to Tackle an Edit Letter: @authorSATWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesThe Timing of Feedback Matters: Writing Craft / ScenesTo Fix a Scene, Sniff Out the Tick: @SueColetta1Writing Craft / Settings and Description9+ Voices Talk Description in Writing: @Carrielt37Writing Craft / TensionIs it all about tension? @PhilAthansWriting Craft / Word CraftingWords that pack a punch: @JanSikes3 @storyempireUse Your Verbs: by Joel Orr
The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On LitLinks:
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September 15, 2024
The Timing of Feedback Matters
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Feedback can be an important component of the writing process. Sometimes writers can get so wrapped-up in their stories that they can lose focus on the big picture. The big picture, of course, is whether the story works or not.
When I was starting out, I felt like I needed to gather insight on my writing while I was drafting. I’m not even sure I thought much about why that was important to me. I think I believed that it was the right thing to do. That book-in-progress critique groups would help me out along the way. Maybe I thought it would help give me weekly deadlines, too, to stay on track with writing the manuscript.
The only problem with this is that I felt a little like I was writing by committee. And the committee often had different ideas about what direction my book needed to go in.
This isn’t to say that the in-person critique group wasn’t helpful. I think they did help me with fitting in writing. They were older, more experienced writers, too, and I appreciated their thoughts. It just didn’t work well for me.
Now I work totally solo on first and second drafts. After I finish a draft and edit it, I pass it along to several beta readers. I want them to tell me everything they think is wrong with the story because it helps me improve it. By that point in the process, it’s much easier for me to tweak the book than when I’m in the middle of writing it.
After the betas get it, it then goes to my editor. I also ask her to tell me how to make the story better.
Finally, it goes to my ARC (advanced reader copy) readers. The story won’t go through major revisions at that point, but I ask for help with any typos or continuity errors.
I will add that there was once that I asked for feedback when I was stuck with a story. I’d hit a plot hole and couldn’t figure a way out of it. Discussing the story was a great way to find a way out of the mess.
For more on the subject, check out this post from writer and former literary agent Nathan Bransford. He details the two times writers should seek feedback.
As a reminder, remember that not every approach works for every writer! I’ve heard from many writers how helpful they’ve found critiques while they’ve been drafting. As always, never mess with success. If it works for you, definitely keep it up.
When do you look for feedback for your writing? Has the timing changed?
The timing of feedback matters:
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Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay
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September 14, 2024
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
LitLinks 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 / MiscellaneousHuman vs AI: How editors and proofreaders can remain relevant: @LouiseHarnbyAre you a seventh-level editor? @jbernoffConferences and Events / MiscellaneousCanada’s US$75,000 Cundill History Prize Names a 2024 Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUS 2024 Distinguished Contribution Medalist: Barbara Kingsolver: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUS National Book Award Longlists: Young People’s Literature: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesConferences and Events / NaNoWriMoThe Challenge Is to Write 50,000 Words in a Month. Should ChatGPT Be Able to Help? @4evrmalone @nytimesCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsAdvice For New Writers: by Leenna NaidooCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersFrom Devotion to Deception: 5 Essential Reads About Cults: by Kate Robards @crimereads7 Novels About Toxic Student-Teacher Relationships: @electriclit @electricliterature8 Novels About Rural People With Supernatural Powers: by Alli Dyer @electricliterature @electriclitFive SFF Stories Featuring Uneasy Homecomings: @jamesdnicoll @literaryreactor @reactormagCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingTime Management & Setting Goals: @dlfinnauthor @storyempire3 Tips for Writing Every Day: by E.S. FosterCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeTake Your Time Writing: @PhilAthansHow to Develop Supportive Writing Habits Super Fast: @ninaamirWhy No Writing Advice Seems To Work: @byoldervineWriting to Heal: How a Long-Term Writing Process Helped Me Forgive: by Ginelle Testa @colleen_m_storyEntering the Empty Nester Phase: by Renee Roberson40 Books Later: 10 Essential Writing Insights: by L.A. MitchellToo Wrapped Up in Writing? @annehawkinson @floridawriters1What Risk Do You Need to Take with Your Writing Today? @BethVogt @ediemelsonHow to Overcome FOMO as an Independent Author: by Kate M. ColbyWhy Eye and Vision Care Are Crucial For Your Writing Practice: @NathanielTowerCan You Judge an Author’s Views From Their Fiction? byOren AshkenaziNot Being a Writer: An Experiment: by Liza Nash Taylor @writerunboxed5 Questions That Keep Me Sane as a Writer: by James Wade @careerauthors(Temporarily) Computer-Free Writing: by N. R. M. Roshak @sfwaGenres / FantasyFantasy Vs. Science Fiction: What’s The Difference? @bang2writeThe Fantasy Elf Stereotypes: @cyallowitzGenres / HorrorAll These Houses Are Haunted: How (and Why) Horror is the Perfect Hybrid Genre: by Matthew Lyons @crimereadsGenres / MysteryWrongful Imprisonment as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinberg13 Essential Elements of a Suspense Thriller: @diannmills @livewritethriveBeach Reads for a Changing World: 5 Page-Turning Eco-Mysteries: by Midge Raymond @crimereadsPromo / Book ReviewsThe Power of One? @ThereseFowler @writerunboxedPublishing / MiscellaneousArtificial Intelligence (AI) In Publishing With Thad McIlroy: @thecreativepennPublishing / News / International PublishingFrankfurt Rights Meeting: Sonia Draga on the Polish Book Market: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Edition: FEP’s Enrico Turrin Looks at English Exports: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesRights Roundup: The Road to Frankfurt 2024: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPA Speaker Melissa Fleming: A ‘Summit of the Future’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesAcademic Publishing: France’s Publishers on Open Access: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCELA, a European Project, Again Promotes Translators, Writers: @JaroslawAdamows @pubperspectivesPublishing / Process / TranslationLost (and Found) in Translation? @burke_writerWriting Craft / BeginningsHow to Start a Story: Designing a First Scene That Resonates: by Chris WinkleWhy “Fashionably Late” Is a Great Way to Begin Writing: by Kelley J. P. LindbergWriting Craft / Chapter EndingsHow to end a chapter: @RobertaEaton17 @storyempireWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWhen It Comes to Characters We Love, Vulnerability, Not Likeability, Is Key: @manzanitafire @janefriedmanWriting Craft / Characters / Protagonists7 Tips to Writing Dual Protagonists: @cyallowitzDual Protagonists: Friends Until The Story Says No: @cyallowitzIs Your Protagonist Too Lucky? @janice_hardyWriting Craft / Common MistakesWriting A Book? Avoid These Two Pitfalls: by Allison MaruskaWriting Craft / DialogueAuthentic to Who? The Trap of “Real” Dialogue: by Elias McClellanWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow Writers Can Tap into the Emotional Heartbeat and Connect with Readers: @SarahSallyHamer @ediemelson4 Questions to Strengthen Lean Manuscripts: by Lisa Fellinger @JaneFriedmanExposition: Definition, Meaning, and Examples: by Shane MillerSituation versus Story: by David Corbett @writerunboxedPurple Prose: Definition, Examples, and Tips: by Shane MillerWriting Questions Answered: @septcfawkesCheck Your Chapter Length: @WriteNowCoachWriting Craft / POVDeveloping Deep Point of View: @diannmillsauthor @diannmillsWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningThe Art of the Outline: @jamesscottbellWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingSubplot Do’s And Don’ts: @KMAllan_writer5 Unexpected Plot Devices to Consider for Your Next Story: by Savannah Cordova @reedsyhq @theiwsgPlotting Words of Wisdom: by Dale Ivan Smith @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchResearching a Crime Novel: @MandSMagazineWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / Story BeatsChinatown Beat Sheet Analysis: by Don Roff @savethecatWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarHow to Handle Numbers When Writing: @BookDoctor4uWriting Craft / TropesTrope Meaning, Definition, and Examples: by Shane Miller
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September 8, 2024
Developing Deep Point of View
by DiAnn Mills, @diannmills
Writers hear so much about deep point of view, yet we question where it fits and how to use it?
Much of the curiosity is centered on today’s readers. Fifty, a hundred or more years ago, a reader picked up a novel and said, “I want to find out what Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn are doing.” Today’s reader says, “I want to be Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, or sweet Becky.” As writers, we must pay attention to how we present our stories.
To determine the perfect POV, a writer asks the following with the knowledge only one character must surface:
What character has the most to lose?What character has the most to gain?Are the risks/dangers/high stakes worth the character’s effort?The character filters every word of the scene through his/her sensory perception and emotions. This allows the writer to pave the way for the reader to live the scene vicariously through the eyes of the character.
Deep POV allows the reader to step easily into the viewpoint character’s shoes, experiencing every action and reaction through the character’s senses. The reader wants to be that character. He/she has stepped into the story player’s closet (head), dressed in those traits, and emerged as the POV character.
The action is happening now and it’s intimate. The writer has left the premise. The key word is SHOW what the character experiences. Telling is taboo.
A writer cannot write effective deep POV unless they know the character inside and out. Everything emerges from who the character is, what the character has experienced in the past, and who they are before chapter one, line one. It’s impossible to begin the story without a thorough knowledge of who is at the driver’s wheel.
To master this technique, search for areas in the manuscript where the character sees, hears, tastes, smells, or touches—and rewrite the passage so the character experiences the action. Keywords often signal where the writer has strayed from Deep POV: realized, wondered, scanned, know, recognized, and the sensory tell words: see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. Telling prepositional phrases can also toss the reader out of the character’s head.
Deep point of view helps the writer to show rather than tell, but the technique is more about creating a close relationship between the character and the reader. The internal dialogue, emotions, and body language must come from the character’s heart and mind, providing the reader with more intimacy.
Emotions play a huge factor in mastering deep POV, accomplishing two important factors:
The reader is more committed to the story because he or she has become the character.The writer takes the mindset “I am the character,” instead of “I’m writing about the character.”“In deep point of view the character owns the page and the author becomes nonexistent.” Rhay Christou
Examples
Not Deep POV: I felt the force of the bullet pierce my leg, and I wondered if all the blood was really mine.
Deep POV: A jolt of fiery hot pain seared my leg.
Not Deep POV: She realized he’d been lying to her all along, and the thought brought anger to the surface.
Deep POV: He’d cheated on her repeatedly. She slammed her fist onto the table.
How Many Viewpoints?
Writers often ask how many viewpoints are needed to accomplish the theme and purpose of the novel. Every time a writer forces a reader to change a POV, a shift occurs, and a reader must adjust. Choose the minimum number of adjustments necessary to master the story effectively. I encourage you to give your character more than one role.
How does the setting affect POV? When the choice of POV centers on which character has the most to lose, the setting may be a deciding point, especially if the setting is antagonistic to the protagonist.
Deep POV takes the reader on an intimate adventure in which they play the starring role with the POV character. Not every scene needs to be in deep POV. Choose the type of level that works for your scene. Think emotion and reader experience.
While Varying Degrees of POV is not exactly deep POV, I believe looking at these options will successfully draw the reader into your story.
Varying POV degrees sets the psychic distance between the reader and the character. According to the goal of the scene and the character’s traits and role in the story, a writer can choose first or third person to write distant, close, or intense POV. Powerful scenes emerge from deepening POV to an intense level, but I’ve also read terrifying scenes from a distant viewpoint. Intense emotional distance calls for deep POV. How far does the writer want to draw the reader into the scene? The distance the writer chooses for the character to internalize what previously occurred varies per:
The action prompting the character’s reaction.The traits assigned to the character guiding how the character views life in a range of introversion to extraversion.The character’s fears and past wounds.The character’s goal or problem to solve.The character’s knowledge of the incident.The ability of the character to process information honestly.Some scenes require a close emotional distance, such as a character’s revelation or facing a hard truth. Other scenes may have more impact with greater distances, such as a character who doesn’t have all the information. An unstable character, especially one who is insensitive, evil, or selfish can set the stage for a gripping scene.
Example:
Distant: While having coffee at Starbucks with my neighbor, I glanced out the window. “Look at all the traffic heading into town.”
Close: In between sips of coffee at Starbucks with my neighbor, I glanced out the window. “There’s one red truck after another heading into town.”
Intense: I pointed to the traffic, coughed, and spit hot coffee onto my sweatshirt. “Dad’s driving his truck into town. The doctor hasn’t released him yet.”
Effective Deep POV allows the reader to squeeze into every word. The writer chooses the character and the depth of the experience according to character and plot.
Is Deep POV a technique for your story?
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or her website: diannmills.com
Developing Deep Point of View by @diannmills
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September 7, 2024
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
LitLinks 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 do readers discover books? What every author needs to know: @sandrabeckwithA Look at Literary Executors: @worddreams @storyempireFree Small Business Book Publishing 102 – Webinar: @DancingLemurPreWriting: Should Writers Chase Trends? @lindasclareConferences and Events / MiscellaneousPublisher Paul Coates Wins the US 2024 Literarian Award: @Porter_Anderson @PubperspectivesUK: The £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize’s 2024 Longlist: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIceland: Salman Rushdie Wins Halldór Laxness Literary Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / First NovelsHow Do You Write a Book? @LynnHBlackburn @ediemelsonCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationHow to Use Tarot to Build Your Brand as a Creative: by Chelsey Pippin Mizzi @janefriedmanCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Jake Lamar’s Viper’s Dream: @margotkinberg5 Thrillers with Life-or-Death Challenges: by Catherine Steadman @crimereadsWhen It’s Time To Change Your Reading Habits: by Molly Templeton @reactormag @literaryreactorSix Mysteries About Female Friendships Gone Wrong: byMaggie Auffarth @crimereadsWhere to start with reading James Baldwin: by Tom Jenks @guardianbooks7 Funny Books That Will Make You Laugh and Then Cry: by Kat Tang @electricliterature @electriclit8 Classic Retellings for Crime Fiction Fans: by Erica Wright @crimereadsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow to juggle tasks related to book writing: @pubcoachCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeDo Deadlines Help Your Writing? by Debbie Burke @killzoneauthorsHow to Beat Your Writing Fears and Grow in Courage as an Author: @AliVentures @EdieMelson6 Ways to Limit Distractions: by Ellen BuikemaWriters on Not Writing: Gibson Fay-LeBlanc and Taryn Bowe: @MastersReviewIs AI Going to Change the Way We Speak? @getfreewriteInformation about the IWSG group for writers: @theiwsgWhen a Writer is Exhausted by Social Media Try These 7 Things: @EdieMelsonSelf-Censoring–Writers, Be Aware: @StephenGeez @storyempireReflections on writing with Nate Birt: @pubcoachAccountability Can Be a Writer’s Best Tool: by Dr. Diana StoutGenres / FantasyDark Magic: Giving Your Fantasy World Chilling Spells: by Chris WinkleGenres / HorrorTips On Writing Horror & Feedback: @bang2writeGenres / MiscellaneousThe rise of eco-fiction: a literary response to environmental crisis: by Arja Salafranca @nownovelGenres / MysteryAllegories in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergGenres / Science FictionDefining Our Terms: What Do We Mean by “Hard SF”? @jamesdnicoll @reactormag @literaryreactorPromo / Book ReviewsHow to Take Criticism and Turn It into Growth in 5 Steps: by Daniella LevyPromo / Websites8 Tips to Turn Your Blog into an Email List Builder: @ediemelsonPublishing / MiscellaneousRichard Charkin in France: What’s in a Name? @rcharkin @pubperspectivesNYU Advanced Publishing Institute Previews Its 2025 Program: @HannahSJohnson @pubperspectivesInternet Archive Takes Another Blow in Court on Copyright: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingEmirati Women’s Day: PublisHer and Visa Present ‘She’s Next’: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesFrankfurt Rights Meeting Opens: Newly Added Speakers: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIn Brazil: IPA Signs Agreement for Ibero-American Reading and Books: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Process / Book DesignHow to Know When a Book Cover Is Killing Your Sales: by Vasylysa @bookbubWriting Craft / BeginningsLittle Things Add Up to Something Big: First Page Critique: @jamesscottbellWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsHow to Turn Your Muppet-Like Villain Into Something Believable: @ForsbergJillian @writerunboxedLetting Readers Get to Know Your Villain: by Oren AshkenaziWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentTransforming Your Characters: @beemweeks @storyempire9 Tips for Writing Deep and Interesting Characters: by Ana ObradovićDeepening Character with Gesture: @shutta @floridawriters1The Creator Archetype: Definition and Examples: by Robinette WatersonThe Sage Archetype: Definition and Writing Tips: by Shane MillerUsing Your Setting to Characterize: @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionReader Empathy Begins with Compelling Character Emotion: @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsUsing Two Protagonists: Is It Viable? by Charles YallowitzWriting Craft / ConflictConflict is just a type of obstacle: @nathanbransfordWriting Craft / DialogueWriting Effective Dialogue: by June TropWriting Craft / DiversityWriting Better Neurodivergent Characters in Fiction: by Scott Lyerly @crimereadsWriting Craft / Flashback and Back StoryHow to Incorporate Backstory: @A_B_LeeWriting Craft / HooksHow to Hook Your Reader: @WriteNowCoachWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmDeadpool Beat Sheet Analysis: by Cory Milles @savethecatWriting Craft / Literary Devices10 Types of Figurative Language: by Shane MillerWriting Craft / MiscellaneousHow to Write a Story Retelling: by Hannah Kate Kelley @janefriedmanThe Goal is to Have Motivated Characters: by S.E. White7 Tips to Make Your Antihero Stand Out: @beccapuglisiAvoiding writing and editing disasters: by Josh BernoffTips for Making Stories Stand Out: from MythcreantsExposition in a Story: How to Use and Examples: by Polly Watt @TheStoryEditorWhat Is A Foil Character? Definitions and Examples: by Robinette Waterson @TheStoryEditor4 Ways to Avoid a Saggy Middle in Your Novel: by Sandy VaileDesigning for Reader Experience: by Cathy YardleyWriting Craft / POVPoint of View for Writers: First Person Epistolary: @PeggySueWells @ediemelsonWriting Craft / RevisionWriting: Try Retro Revision: @lindasclareTrusting the Writing Process When You Must Kill Your Darlings: @authorsatWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionMake your Fictional Setting Memorable: @LinWilson
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August 31, 2024
LitLinks
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
LitLinks 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.
I’ll be off tomorrow for Labor Day. See you back on Sunday. :)
Business / Miscellaneous9 Tips to Help You Prepare to Work with a Ghostwriter: @livewritethriveWhich Kind(s) of Editing Does Your Novel Need? by Kate M. ColbyConferences and Events / MiscellaneousCLMP’s 10th Annual ‘Firecracker Awards’ Allocated in Five Categories for 2024: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesYuval Noah Harari and Kohei Saito to Speak at Frankfurt: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectives @book_fairCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationHow to Be Consistently Creative: from FreewriteCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Thrilling Novels Set on Greek Islands: by C. Michelle Lindley @electricliteratureCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: J. Ivanel Johnson’s Just a Stale Mate: @margotkinbergLove “The Bear”? Try These Delicious Culinary Books: by Megan Beauregard @booktribReading as an Author: @karencvWhat do you call a writer who doesn’t read books? @LisaPoissoCreativity and Inspiration / SuccessRedefining Success for Writers: Creativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeFinding and Joining the Perfect Writing Community for You: @TheLeighShulmanHow Much Does Your Environment Influence Your Writing? @SueColetta1How to Know When to Give Up on a Manuscript: @ellensteil @womenwritersUnravelling the Mystery of Agatha Christie’s Country Retreat: by Dean Jobb @crimereadsWHY Do We Do This Writing Thing? @JennyHansenCACan we really separate art and the artist? @nathanbransford18 Benefits of a Writing Retreat: @lisatenerMurder in Paperback: by Dale Ivan Smith @killzoneauthorsChaos Is My Co-Pilot: In Praise of Tumultuous, Unruly Storytelling: by Jen Fawkes @lithub @literaryhubGenres / FantasyHow to Create a Believable Magic System in Your Fantasy Story: by Hannah Kate Kelley @janefriedmanGenres / HistoricalPivoting Genres And Writing Historical Fiction With Anna Sayburn Lane: @thecreativepennGenres / Humor7 Tips to Putting Physical Comedy in Your Story: by Charles YallowitzGenres / MiscellaneousWhat Exactly Makes a Romantasy — And What Are Your Favorite Examples? by R. Nassor @literaryreactor @reactormagGenres / MysteryInnocents Tainted by a Murder Investigation as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergPromo / MetadataAmazon Book Keyword Rules Explained (2024 Update): @davechessonPromo / MiscellaneousKeeping the Perspective: Marketing Versus Writing: by Cynthia HilstonPromo / Social Media TipsSocial Media Sells: by Jennifer WindrowPromo / SpeakingMaximizing Your Earnings: Speaking as an Income Stream for Authors: @indieauthoralliPublishing / MiscellaneousWriting: Do Endorsements Help? @lindasclareSimon & Schuster Australia Acquires Affirm Press: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBarnes & Noble’s Len Riggio, Dead at Age 83: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesClaiming Censorship, US Publishers and Authors Sue Florida: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesHow Publishing Works – A Primer: @DIYMFAPublishing / News / International PublishingIndia’s PRH: CEO Gaurav Shrinagesh Forms a Strategic Growth Committee: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada’s Access Copyright Foundation: 2024 Professional Development Grants: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCanada’s CBC Opens a New Literary Radio Program: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesGermany’s Bavaria Awards €80,000 to Independent Publishers: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIn Scotland: PRH UK Installs a Book-Vending Machine: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesBertelsmann: Strong Showings in the First Half of 2024: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesIPA’s Congress Countdown: The 1,000 Actions Campaign for the SDGs: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWhat’s Your Character Hiding? @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionWriting Emotion: @roz_morris @thecreativepennWriting Craft / ConflictCan Misunderstandings Be the Reason for Conflict? by Oren AshkenaziWriting Conflict: Eating Crackers in Bed — Why Relationships Fail: by Laurie Schnebly CampbellWriting Craft / DialogueFive Vehicles for Adding Subtext to Dialogue: @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / HooksThe Hook (Secrets of Story Structure): @kmweilandDoes your book have enough hooks? @writenowcoachWriting Craft / Literary DevicesTypes Of Foreshadowing: @KMAllan_writerWriting Craft / MiscellaneousAuthorsplaining: What it is, How to Stop Doing it: @LauraDrakeBooksAce Atkins On Writing A Crime Novel Steeped in the Blues: @crimereadsThe Benefits of Writing the Static Scene: by Ian J. MillerQuick Writing Tip: Make a Note to Your Future Self in Your WIP: by Bucket SilerActive vs. Passive Writing: Energize Your Prose: by Suzanne LieuranceThe Promise and Peril of Using Curiosity in Fiction Writing: by Chris WinkleShow No Mercy to Clutter Phrases + Deepen Point of View: @SueColetta1 @storyempireHow to Write a Six-Word Story: In Six Steps: @themaltesetiger4 Strategies to Avoid Wordiness: from Literary VeinQuick Story Pacing Tip: Pause at the Threshold: by Bucket SilerWhen Your (Story) World Falls Apart: by John J Kelley @writerunboxedThe Unintentional Unreliable Narrator: by Sara Driscoll @crimereadsDo You Really Know How To “Show, Don’t Tell”? @SueColetta13 Simple Things Compelling Characters Need In Your Story: @bang2writeAll about creating mysteries in a novel: @nathanbransfordWriting Craft / POVMastering Multiple Points of View In Writing: @celinekeatingWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / OutliningOutlining: There’s More Than 1 Way to Do it: @cleemckenzie @theiwsgHow To Outline By the Seat of Your Pants: @Stepha_OBrienWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchMore Home Defense Techniques for Any Characters: @piperbayardProven Tips to Heighten Your Novel Research: @DiAnnMills @ediemelsonWriting Craft / Punctuation and Grammar14 Tips for Writing Plurals and Possessives: @TheGrammarDivaWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesSeeking Feedback for Your Writing Project: by Joy York @storyempireWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionCommon Mistakes Writers Make with Character Descriptions (and How to Avoid Them): by Nathaniel TowerWriting Tools / AppsHow to Organize Scrivener’s Binder for Novel Writing: @authorSATWriting Tools / MiscellaneousWhat To Do If You Lose Track Changes and Other Tips: by Kelly Sgroi
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August 25, 2024
Redefining Success
by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Over Christmas last year, I had a bit of a zoo in my house. My husband and I added a young cat to our household, bringing our total to three: two cats and a dog. My daughter came over to spend the holiday with us, which was wonderful. She brought her two cats with her. One of her cats was not pleased with our newest addition, so the two had to be separated.
Because I get up the earliest (4 or 5), I was the one who fed the animals their breakfast. Ordinarily, I have a routine with the animals before I settle right down to my writing. I let the dog out, feed everyone, refill water bowls, empty litter, put away anything that’s not in its place, and sit down to work. That’s what I considered a successful start to my day.
During Christmas, however, I had to completely refine success. If everyone ate his or her own food and there were no cat fights in the process, I felt as if I’d done well.
I think it’s a good idea to go easy on ourselves when at all possible. So often, we’re much kinder to others than we are to ourselves.
One example of being kinder to ourselves is to not set ourselves up for failure. That’s why I had to scale back my all-important routine over the holidays. I also gave myself a break with my word count then because I realized it was going to be tougher to churn out words when there were animals running over my lap and keyboard all the time.
It’s late-August. How are your goals for the year going? It’s good to take an honest look at what you planned to accomplish in 2024. Were you asking too much of yourself? Do you need to scale things back and make them more reasonable? When I had small children in the house, I always made sure my goal was 15 minutes a day. It felt good to meet my goal and gain confidence while establishing a routine.
This doesn’t only apply to writing, of course. Can you redefine success in other ways so you can feel good about your accomplishments? Instead of unreasonable goals for exercise or diet, for example, can you make some minor changes like doing stretches or core exercises when you watch TV? Or adding an additional fruit to your day?
I’m not saying we should give ourselves carte blanche to ignore all our goals. But it can be good to revisit them, modify them, and redefine success in a way that gives us the sensation that we’re progressing.
How do you set smarter goals for yourself? Have you ever had to redefine success?
Redefining Success as a Writer:
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