Peggy Bechko's Blog, page 42

Writers Websites Wednesday - Off The Bookshelf

A site worth visiting for Readers and Writers - Off The Bookshelf offers for the readers print books, Ebook, audio books and more.  For the Writer there're tools for publishing, a cover art, Ebook converter and author services.  Spend a bit of time and look around. Times they are a changin' - and fast - good to keep up on what's available.

Writing To An Audience or From Your Heart

--Or both.

Sigh, I thinks most writers have been told to write to the market. To train yourself by reading other books, books in your genre and out, books that are loved by reading groups and book clubs, books that win awards!

It's not a bad strategy in many regards. Writers must read. And studying the market is a plus, just as long as you add to that approach, the realization that you need to write to your strengths as well. 

Hopefully when you do it will all coalesce and you will be able to...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Newbie's Guide To Publishing

Thriller writer J.A. Konrath uses his A Newbie's Guide To Publishing to share his opinions on the best practices for seeking tradition publication as well as on self publishing and digital editions. And he certainly isn't shy about it. A fun site for writers and readers.

Writers, Writing And The IRS

New Writer?  What if You're facing an IRS Audit? Or are you just trying to figure out how to keep it all straight so you'll be prepared should that happen?

This week I decided to get down and dirty and and practical and send up a few warning flags BEFORE tax season approaches.

We're writers, we love to play with words - numbers, not so much.

But writing is a business and if we want to be in the game and take full advantage of tax deductions in light of what writing costs US, then we better be...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Publetariat

Publetariat is an online community and news channel designed for small, independent imprints and self-published authors.  The "Write" section focuses on the writer's craft and they cover many other aspects of the writing business like design, selling, publishing, book trends and more. Definitely worth an exploratory visit.

Adding that Novel Punch

You've got a great story drafted and you've put your heart into it, but when you go back to edit, it just doesn't have the zip, the spark, the sparkle you'd hoped for. How do you perk things up – give it more oomph? Here are a few tips; things to think about when you're putting those touches on your manuscript.

For starters, the goal is to get your reader into the story. Let him or her experience the emotions your characters are experiencing first hand. Don't distance them. 
For example, don't...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Editio

[image error] If you're diving into the world of digital publishing - you know, kindle, Smashwords, iBooks and the like, then Editio can probably offer you some help.  
Its focus is on self publishing and it offers resources and instructional articles.  Since I've been published by Doubleday and Harlequin and others AND am handling some of my own self publishing by re-releasing some of my former hard copy books in digital format it's given me some tips and hints I've been able to make use of including a...

Metaphoria - time to play

Metaphors, they're a great way to express ourselves.  Colorful, informative, sometimes amusing, they get a point across as nothing else can.  I highly recommend understanding them and using them in your writing, all your writing and by that I mean your book, your promotion, whatever you write. 
Now that doesn't mean you should go wild and stuff them into every sentence, regardless, but cultivating a grasp of their usage will give life to your writing as well as deeper meaning.
Did you know...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Name Generator

Time for another website I've stumbled across and this one is fun.  I do like the Random Name Generator.  I've posted more than one link to them.  This one has a good variety of names, ideas, places, etc. that can jump-start your own creativity or might be the exact thing you were searching for.  Check it out, amuse yourself.

Writers Websites Wednesday - Writers's Cafe

For a free sign up Writer's Cafe offers quite a bit.  Contest, the ability to post your story for review if you like, writing groups already established or start your own. Info on literary and publishers. It's worth looking around, you might find some gems.