Peggy Bechko's Blog, page 43

The Multi Faceted Writer

Zorba Publishers EditionWriters have a lot more on their plates than most people think they do.  There seems to be this mythology of a writer sitting behind a desk, pounding the keyboard, selling his/her work with ease, then sitting back and collecting a check.

Anyone who's been in writing and publishing for any time knows there's no truth to that image.

Nope, writers have to write the book, sell the book (this can take quite some time with or without an agent - and oh, yes, woo an agent if...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Media Bistro

If you haven't found Media Bistro yet, I'm surprised, but for those who haven't, check it out.  It offers industry news, jobs, blogs, articles and more for the freelance writer.

Settng the Scene; Writing The Mood

I was sitting down to write this post when I started thinking about what a beautiful day it is here today, sun shining, not a cloud in the sky, a touch of autumn in the air, how good I felt, how much I was smiling.

These are all things a writer needs to think about and identify.  These are things that enrich stories and bring them to life.

There are  many things that affect character and setting so I thought I'd pull one out and get you to think about how to use an element in your story.

For...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Ebook Revolution

Into Ebooks?  Reading them, writing to publish in digital format?  
Em Craven has an excellent blog The E-Book Revolution to help the independent writer along.   
It's this week's check it out site.

Writers working with Editors - or Not

Writers and Editors many times have a love/hate relationship. It can be terribly trying or wonderfully fulfilling.  And it can be both.  However it works, its a relationship few writers avoid.  So, writers – don't shoot the editors - you'll thank them later; I think.

This relationship can be a very tricky one. Writers create their masterpieces – Editors rip them up.

Right?

Wrong.

It's true there are some very bad editors out there, but equally true is there are many very good ones.  It...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Creativity Portal

Feel like your creativity is waning?  Need a little boost?  Creativity Portal is great fun. It offers special sections for writers and more general opportunities to improve your brain and creativity generally.  Explore this site when you have a bit of time to uncover a lot of its goodies.

Authors and Book Promotion

You've written a book, you've found an agent, gotten your book published  (or published yourself).  Now you kick back and wait for sales, right? 

Wrong.

Now the real work begins - promoting your book while you begin your next one.  And yes, you need to do both.

Here's quote I remember, and can't remember where I heard it, but believe it's truth:
"Writing a book is thin-lipped determination.
Getting a book published is vocal persistence.
Promoting a book is screaming madness."

Yep, there it...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Babbles From Scott Eagan

Photo by Allen
Babbles From Scott Eagan is a great blog run by Agent Scott Eagan, founder of Greyhaus Literary.  Check it out.  Lots of columns, frequently posted on query tips, defining your genre, pros and cons of social media and much more.  A great site to visit when you have some time and want to read about writer's subjects. 

Writing's Great Beginnings

Got ideas?  Thinking of writing?  Want to get that story down on paper, grab your reader's attention and not let go?
If you're at that stage then you're thinking about beginnings.  Or in the case of some writers you may be thinking about the middle or the end - but for most writers at this point you're wrestling with the beginning. 
So you need a strong beginning, something to pique the reader's or editor's interest and they'll want to turn page after page until the book is done.  All that...

Writers Websites Wednesday - Daily Writing Tips

This week I want to mention Daily Writing Tips. Ignore the ads  or don't, your choice.  But beyond those few blandishments there's grammar help, competitions, business writing, writing basics, articles to help and much more.  A good site to explore when you have a bit of time to spend.