On Writing and Publishing
So you want to write a book? Or maybe you already are and have a particular issue you want to learn more about. I kept a writer's blog for almost three years. Below are posts that cover a wide variety of topics to help writers. You can scroll down to see posts divided by topic.
Writing Basics:
No! No! Bad Writer - A Few "rules"
Head-hopping: How to Avoid Making Your Reader Dizzy
Key Ingredient to a Solid Plot
Top Five Mistakes Writers Make at Conferences
Voice:
Author Voice vs. Character Voice
Planning Your Novel:
Screenwriting Techniques For Novels
The (Not So) Dreaded Synopsis - 5 Tips To Set You Free
Naming Your Characters - Some Things To Consider
5 Tips For Not Screwing Up Your Character's Name
How To Develop a Subplot by Claire Ashgrove
Creating a Story Bible by Suzanne Johnson
Before Fingers Touch Keyboard: My 6 Pre-Writing Steps (and a version of Storify with links to the books and techniques I use.)
Hooking the Reader:
Is the First Line THAT Important?
The Opening Scene: A Litmus Test
Story Beginnings: Agent and Publisher Opinions
Creating Memorable Moments In Your Story
Career Insurance: 5 Ways To Sell Your Next Book Before It's Written
7 Things That Make the Chronic Finisher Put Down a Book
Drafting Your Novel:
How to Dish Out Backstory in Digestible Bites
Enough with the Eyebrows: Showing Emotion
Slow Writer Reformed: It Can Be Done!
The Faster I Write, the Better the Book?
How Low Can You Go? The Important All Is Lost Moment
Author Voice vs. Character Voice - Finding Both
Writer Warning: Don't Get Lost in the Minutiae
He Said, She Said: Dialogue Tips
Author Intrusion: 12 Pitfalls To Avoid
Oh no! Melodrama! -- Avoiding the Reader Eye Roll
Writing Teen Angst--Guest Post by Author Julie Cross
Creating Memorable Moments In Your Story
The Power of Weather in Your Story
Types Of Endings: Happily Ever After Or Not So Much...
Ending Mistakes: How To Prevent Reader Rage
Is Reading the Genre You're Currently Writing Dangerous?
Should You Write That Potentially Controversial Scene?
5 Muse Abusers: How To Protect Your Creative Flow
Characterization:
Creating Sympathetic Characters
Putting Your Character on the Therapy Couch
Psyc 101 for Character Development: Defense Mechanisms
Building Character Arc: Why a Motto Is Vital
She's a B*tch, She's a Lover: Writing a Kickass Heroine
Creating Strong Female Characters by Sierra Godfrey
Creating an Authentic Teen Guy's Voice
Writing Technique:
Thirteen Writer Woes and the Books to Cure Them
What Kind of First Chapter Writer are You?
My Ten Steps to Novel Completion
DO Get Fresh With Me: Amping Up Your Writing
On Writing Out of Order by Elana Johnson
Plotting and Pantsing
Four Levels of Plotter/Pantsers
Three Ways To Avoid Pantser Pitfalls
Plotter vs. Pantser: Pros and Cons
A Solution for Pantsers with Plotter Envy
The Uncomfortable Pantser: When Your Method Doesn't Fit Your Personality
Character Driven vs. Plot-Driven
Character Driven or Plot Driven?
How to Find Balance Between Character-Driven and Plot-Driven
Deep Characters for Plot-First Writers by Suzanne Johnson
Plot Building for the Character Driven Writer
Handling Writer's Block:
5 Muse Abusers: How To Protect Your Creative Flow
There Is No Such Thing As Writers' Block by Joseph Selby
The Drug of Choice for Writer's Block: Speed
The Longhand Cure for Writer's Block
Writing Romance and Love Scenes:
Love Scenes 101: Don't Be Corny or Porn-y
Bom Chicka Wah Wah: Types of Love Scenes
How To Amp Up Sexual Tension In Your Story
Building a Slow Burning Romance with Janice Hardy
Battling the Romance Novel Stigma
How Writing Erotic Romance Differs From Writing Other Genres
Oh, You Write THOSE Books - The Basics of the Romance Genre
Editing and Revising:
5 Steps From Finished Draft To Polished Manuscript
5 Dialogue Mistakes You Can Fix Right Now
5 Narrative Mistakes You Can Fix Now
Wordiness: The Post in Which I Discuss Reduction of the Aforementioned
You've Got Rhythm, But Does Your Story?
The Ten Stages of Revision Emotions
Fixing Sagging Middles: Multipurpose Scenes
Sagging Middles Part Deux: Pick up the Pace
Overediting: Sucking the Life Out of Your Story
How Convenient! - Avoiding Contrived Coincidence
Finding Your Novel's Theme and Your Universal Theme
Figuring Out Where Your Pacing Went Wrong
Losing Perspective on Your Writing: Does This Sing or Suck?
On Getting Feedback:
Why Your Mama Doesn't Count as a Beta Reader
Ingredients of a Great Crit Partner
Structuring a Critique Group Online
Death by Critique - 6 Tips on How To Avoid It
Selling and Publishing Your Novel:
Querying:
Should You Query That First Novel?
The Single Best Piece of Query Writing Advice I've Ever Heard
What Will Make an Agent "Gong" Your Query
What Will Make An Agent Gong Your Pages (Part 2)
Query Writing: How Brief is Brief?
Top Five Mistakes Writers Make at Conferences
The (Not So) Dreaded Synopsis - 5 Tips To Set You Free
Writing Contests: Should You Give Them a Shot?
The Evolution of Rejection & What You Can Learn From It
How I Got My Agent and How Blogging Played a Role
Why I Chose Traditional Publishing--And How to Decide Which Path Is Right For You
Book Prices: Why a Good Story Should Be Worth More Than a Cheeseburger
The 5 Emotional Stages of a Book Launch
Can A First Novel Find a Publisher? 10 Do's and Don'ts to Increase Your Chances by Anne R. Allen
Pseudonyms - Should You Take On a Pen Name and How To Pick the Right One
On Being a Writer:
Saying "I'm a Writer" - The 6 Stages of Responses from Others
Losing Perspective on Your Writing: Does This Sing or Suck?
Giving Yourself Permission to Suck
The Ten Commandments of the Successful Author
Don't Be a Poser: Write What You Love
Five Tips On Being Naked In Front of an Audience (AKA Being Published)
Writer Under Construction - 10 Things I'd Do Differently
5 Surprising Things I've Learned Since I've Sold
The Beauty of Books: Why the Literary vs. Genre Debate Isn't Necessary
Book Prices: Why a Good Story Should Be Worth More Than a Cheeseburger
3 Things You Can Do Now to Prepare for Published Authorhood
The Book Review Debate -Should you post negative reviews of other authors' books?
Why I Walk Away From Bad Reviews
Authors Interacting with Readers Online - More Controversial Than I Thought
Navigating the Authorial Landmine of Reader Forums
From Debut to Multi-Published: What I've Learned In My 1st Year as a Published Author
Building a Platform, Promo, and Social Media:
Branding:
Creating An Author Brand: Why It's Not Really About the Book
The Author Bio: Six Important Components
Why Only Focusing On Your "Target" Audience May Hurt You
White Knuckling Your Author Platform: How to Reign in Social Media Pressure
Author Websites:
13 Steps to Creating an Author Website Readers Will Love
Author Websites: Layering Yours With Sticky Extras
The Professional Online Presence
All About Web Space for Authors
Bloggers Beware: You CAN Get Sued For Using Pics on Your Blog - My Story
Under the Hood: How I Built My Author Website
Blogging:
What Do READERS Want From an Author Blog?
How to Win Followers and Influence People
Building a Following: The Four Types of Bloggers
The Life Cycle of a Blogger - Ten Stages
Get the Best Bang for Your Blog
3 Core Components of a Blockbuster Blog
Enough With the Quid Pro Quo Blogging Etiquette - Free Yourself
5 Signs You're Having a Blog Identity Crisis & 8 Ways To Fix It
Are You Hiding Behind a Wall on Your Blog?
Investment vs. Payoff: Is Blogging Worth the Time?
Guest Blogging:
Guest Blogging Etiquette: Let's Make a Deal
Social Media:
Twelve Ways To Scare Away Twitter Followers
Authors on Twitter: The Danger of Being Too Clique-y
Facebook vs. Twitter: Where The Readers Are
Want Private Inspiration Boards? Alternatives to Pinterest
Follow At Your Own Risk: Why My Social Media Shouldn't Have To Be G-Rated
Social Media Overload: How Do Authors Reach READERS?
Interacting Online:
Killing the Mystique: Can You Know Too Much About Your Favorite Authors?
Authors Interacting with Readers Online - More Controversial Than I Thought
Promotion:
6 Ways to Promote That Won't Make People Want To Punch You in the Face
Five Promotion Tips for the Shy Writer by Lindsey Bell
The Post In Which I Rant About Blogging, Platforms, and the Pressure on Writers
3 Reasons Why Coercing Readers Into Newsletter Subscriptions Is a Bad Idea
The Most Popular Posts
1. Bloggers Beware: You CAN Get Sued For Using Pics on Your Blog - My Story
2. What Will Make an Agent "Gong" Your Query and What Will Make An Agent Gong Your Pages
3. The Ten Commandments of the Successful Author
4. The Ten Stages of Revision Emotions
5. Twelve Writer Woes and the Books to Cure Them
6. Top Five Mistakes Writers Make at Conferences
7. The Life Cycle of a Blogger - Ten Stages
8. The Author Bio: Six Important Components
9. Want to Get High (Concept)?
10. The Post In Which I Rant About Blogging, Platforms, and the Pressure on Writers
11. Twelve Ways To Scare Away Twitter Followers