Tag Archives: tips
Between You and SME: Resources for Fiction Writers
by Angela Arndt As a corporate trainer for an insurance company, I wrote the curriculum and trained new hires to ensure they used correct procedures. But my degree was in education, not computer programming. How could I teach them when … Continue reading
When Characters Start Talking
by Ann H. Gabhart Several years ago I had a part time job that allowed me to work from home, one I hoped would give me more time to write. It was a bear of a job. As the substitute … Continue reading
How Not to Write a Series
By Linda W. Yezak I usually invite another author to join us when Billy and I work the Blueberry Festival in Nacogdoches, Texas. Having someone to display their covers helps draw readers to our table, but it also gives us … Continue reading
Creating a Crazy-Good Critique Group
By J.A. Marx We fondly call each other critters, and I consider this group of serious writers essential to my writing career. I’m sure online critique groups work well, but I prefer face-to-face. For one, as the facilitator, I like … Continue reading
Five Reasons to Write Flash Fiction
By Leslie DeVooght Six months ago, I had no idea Flash Fiction existed, and much less considered that it could help my writing career. All that changed at the Florida Christian Writers Conference, when I attended Lindsey Brackett’s class on … Continue reading
Self-Editing
by Lynn Hobbs The technique I use on self-editing a novel is different when I self-edit a short story. Seems like it should be the same, right? For many it is. Whatever works best for you is what I recommend. … Continue reading
Twisting “Write What You Know”
by Gail Gaymer Martin When writers search for plot ideas, seasoned authors often respond write what you know, but I’ve found that this phrase means more than I’d thought. If we stick with what we know, our books could become … Continue reading
Finding the Motivation to Write
by Susan A.J. Lyttek I love writing. You’d think after that statement that I would jump out of bed and head down to my notebooks and laptop with unbridled enthusiasm each morning. Not so. In fact, I will often putter … Continue reading
When Social Media isn’t Social Anymore
By Norma Gail Any writer who handles the majority of their own social media is frustrated. Facebook was fun when it was just family and friends. Now that it’s a necessary part of my platform as a writer, I’ve developed … Continue reading
Story First, Novel Second
By Dennis Ricci “Literary talent is commonplace. Storytelling talent is rare.” Robert McKee, the Hollywood story guru who’s trained many of the great filmmakers and screenwriters of our generation, made that statement within the first hour of his Story Seminar, … Continue reading
Pros & Cons – plus a few tips – for Writing a Novel Series
by Deborah Raney The fifth and final book in my Chicory Inn Novels series released recently, and I’m now working on the first book in a new series. Having written mostly stand-alone novels for most of my writing career, this … Continue reading
Choose Your Publisher with Care
©2017 Deb Haggerty, MBA When an author begins to look at publishers to see where their book might fit, there are several things they should take into consideration. The same steps generally apply to agents as well. Does the publisher … Continue reading
Plotting and Structure of Novels
by Brenda Taylor Plotting novels is a chore for me, because I am a panster by nature. Instead of sitting for a great length of time thinking, plotting, and structuring a story, I want to write and let the storyline … Continue reading
Three Tips for Listening to Your Own Voice
By Melissa Tagg I am a big believer in listening to smart people. And as a writer, I’m a big believer in learning from smart authors and industry professionals. BUT . . . with every book I write, there always … Continue reading
Why Does She Love Him (and Vice Versa)
By Johnnie Alexander Why did Juliet fall tragically in love with Romeo? Why did Christy Huddleston choose Dr. MacNeil over David? Why did Anne Shirley finally turn to Gilbert? Why did the Prince fall in love with Cinderella? That last … Continue reading
