Terry Shames's Blog: 7 Criminal Minds, page 68

In the Public Eye

In Lucy Worsley’s biography of Agatha Christie, we learned that Christie always wrote “married woman” in the “occupation” line on her passport. How did you navigate going public with being a writer? 

Brenda at the keyboard.

One only has to hear the intrusive stories of exploitation that some people in the public eye have suffered to know that privacy needs to be protected. Fame can be an incredible burden.Think of Princess Diana, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck (first time around), Harry and Meghan...

Everything is Personal, or Should Be, by Josh Stallings

Q: Now that 2022 is well and truly "in the books" (!) did you learn any business tips you can pass on?

A: Many years ago at Bouchercon I was asked to read at a Noir at  the Bar; I said yes. Writer’s tip #1, always say yes to readings. The bar was stacked with loudly drunk non-crime readers. The first couple of readers couldn’t be heard from five feet away. As my turn came, Tom Pluck, friend and writer extraordinaire, yelled in my ear, “Fuck the mic, be loud.” He had sussed out that the PA was gar...

Simon Says: Don't be Trouble (or Strife), by Catriona

Now that 2022 is well and truly in the books (!), did you learn any business tips you can pass on?

You know how tins of food used to have "serving suggestions" depicted on the labels? (Maybe they still do.) And it was always stuff like "Why not serve this Spam on a plate with some side vegetables?" or "Why not serve this soup in a bowl with a bit of parsley on top?" 

Well, asking me for business tips is like looking at soup tins for recipes, instead of reading a cookbook. Seriously, Cathy, Gabriel...

It's called "work" for a reason... by Cathy Ace

Now that 2022 is well and truly "in the books" (!) did you learn any business tips you can pass on?

Business tips are tricky, because, quite often, they are only really helpful given a quite specific set of circumstances. That being said, here are a few things I learned that you might find helpful:

DO NOT get overwhelmed when you’re reading about how phenomenal other authors are at their writing output.

This might not sound like “business advice” but it is, for authors, because writing is their b...

Lessons Learned in 'The Business' in 2022

 

Now that 2022 is well and truly “in the books” (!) did you learn any business tips you can pass on?

 

This author’s public life has been a work in progress. I created a short listicle from practice areas where I am constantly learning. As I strive to improve my writing, I strive to continuously improve my digital footprint and the perception of my work and myself as an author. Any one of the bullets below are worthy of a full-length post, but I think you’ll get the idea witho...

Two Paths to Getting Your Books Out There

 Q: Now that 2022 is well and truly "in the books" (!) did you learn any business tips you can pass on?

-from Susan

 

Over the past couple of years, I’ve learned more than I’d known about book contracts and the role of agents. If you’re going the traditional publishing route, I think having an agent to present your manuscript is a great benefit. Then, having her or him negotiate for you is great. I say that knowing 1. how hard it is to get an agent in the first place; and 2. that not all agents hav...

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

  

By Abir

 

 

This week’s topic asks us to offer writing tips for absolute beginners.

 

 

I have to start with a confession. I am so ancient now, and it’s been so long since that first fateful start I made to writing, that any advice I might have to give (eg. keeping a supply of parchment or sharpened quills handy) might be out of date, or simply the misremembered memories of a decrepit old fool. I’ll still try my best to give sage advice, but like anything coming out of the UK these days, it’s best t...

Six Bits of Writing Advice from James W. Ziskin

This week’s topic asks us to offer writing tips for absolute beginners.

TOUGH LOVE

1. Take your writing seriously

Treat it as if it’s a job. Be professional. That means sitting down and writing. You can’t say you’re an NBA player if you don’t play in the NBA. By the same token, you can’t say you’re a writer if you don’t write. I’m not talking about finding a  publisher for your work. And I’m not saying you have to be a good writer or that you have to write every day. But you have to write.

2. Keep t...

If it’s in there, get it out.

A lot of folks will have resolved that 2023 is THE year when they write the book they have inside them. Any tips for absolute beginners?

by Dietrich

If you feel the urge to write, don’t let anybody tell you different, especially that little voice in the back of the head.

Don’t put it off, and don’t kick the can down the road. Sit down and get started. Be in it for the long-haul and have fun every inch of the way.

You work at home, so there are plenty of distractions. Don’t play with the cat, switch ...

Tips for the Beginner

 

Terry here, with this weeks topic (one that I really enjoyed) Tips for Absolute Beginners who want to write the novel they’ve always thought they had inside them. 
On the door of my office I used to have a picture of two young women sitting in a hot tub. They had long-flowing locks and bored expressions. One was saying to the other, “I could write a novel, if I just had the time.” 
 So. First tip? Find the time. You don’t have to overwhelm yourself with vowing to hit the computer and type 5,000 ...