Allyson E. Machate's Blog, page 9

Why Now? How to Identify Problems with Causation in Your Novel

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From the day you started writing your novel, you’ve been excited to reach the scene. The moment of confrontation between your main characters. The explosion of rage and anger (or possibly love and lust, depending on your story!) building between them from the very first page. But even though your writing is sharp, and the dialogue clear and convincing, the scene doesn’t have the emotional impact you intend. You want this scene to happen. You need it to happen. But the narrative...

3 Things You Need to Know About the Domino Effect in Fiction

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Whether you compose your manuscript off the cuff or take your time with a careful outline, the process of plotting a novel ultimately comes down to one simple question, repeated again and again: What happens next? Considering how to use the domino effect in fiction will help you answer that question in a compelling way.

But what specifically is it that makes the next plot beat work? How do a series of moments combine to create effective action in a story? As a professional book...

The Best Way to Promote a Book

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Every author wants to know the best way to promote a book. And when you’re an indie or self-published author, identifying the best practices is even more critical. So, I’m going to offer my #1 top tip to getting your book marketing efforts off on the right foot. What you find may surprise you.

Three “Givens” Before You Bother Promoting Your Book

Let’s begin by stating some assumptions or “givens” for the advice I’m about to give you.

First, that your book is in the best shape it...

Put the Freedom in Freelance, A Webinar — May 30, 2018

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Frustrated that you aren't enjoying as much freedom as you dreamed of when you first went freelance? Isn't increased freedom in freelance work the whole point?

I'm happy to announce that I'll be teaching my webinar, "Create More Freedom in your Freelance Biz," just in time for summer! So if you've been dreading your upcoming summer vacation or worse, avoiding taking one because you think you can't, don't miss this program hosted by the Editorial Freelancers Association.

In this...

How to Get the Best Results from 99Designs for Great Book Covers

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DIY covers, often poorly done or simply ineffective, are one of the biggest hurdles for indie authors hoping to get more reviews and sales. This month, we're thrilled to feature this ultimate guide to making great book covers with 99designs, written by TWA client William Ray and based on his experiences using the service. We're so excited to bring this to you--we love 99designs so much that TWA became an affiliate a couple years ago (all product and service links in this article...

How to Turn the Tables on Your Broken Outline

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They say the best way to get from where you are to where you want to go is to map it out. For authors, this means outlining a book before you start writing it. But what happens when you do start writing and realize you’re not following the outline? Or that you are, but the content isn’t coming together the way you thought it would?

Outlines are funny things. On the one hand, it's important to think through your ideas and how to best structure that conversation before you start w...

How to Write Clear Action for Better Scenes

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We're thrilled to announce the publication of "How to Write Your Characters' Actions with Clarity," our own Harrison Demchick's latest article for Helping Writers Become Authors.

The article addresses how to write clear action for better scenes. In particular, it looks at some of the challenges you create for your readers when you don't know how to write clear action for your characters. Here's a brief excerpt:

"When I talk about action, I don’t just mean fast car chases or mas...

How to Turn the Tables on Your Broken Outline

They say the best way to get from where you are to where you want to go is to map it out. For authors, this means outlining a book before you start writing it. But what happens when you do start writing and realize you’re not following the outline, or that you are but the content isn’t coming together the way you thought it would?

Outlines are funny things. On the one hand, it's important to think through what you want to say in your book and how to best structure that conversation—all before...

How to Outline Your Way to a Better, Stronger Book

This month we're pleased to welcome editor and author Geoff Hart as a guest blogger to The Writer's Ally blog, sharing some wisdom on how to outline your fiction or nonfiction book before you begin writing (or after) to create a better reading experience for your audience, and a better writing experience for you!

Pay attention to the best stories, and you’ll notice how (unlike life) they flow smoothly from start to finish, with the only interruptions provided (intentionally) to challenge the...

Ally Lays Out the Book Biz on “Elaine’s Kitchen Table”

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Have ever thought about writing a book but don't know where to start? Have you written a book but find you need help getting it into the hands of readers? Then pull up a chair and join us at Elaine's Kitchen Table, a podcast devoted to the "Business of Real Life."

I was very excited when Elaine Tan Comeau invited me to join her in her podcast, where she likes to talk informally with people who are making things happen and dive deeper into the details of their journey. Since I'm...