Writing Roundup, June 18
5 Lies Unpublished Writers Tell Themselves (And the Truths That Can Get You Published)
A great list of the little things we sometimes tell ourselves to shift focus away from the truth: Sometimes, we are unpublished because our work isn’t to the level it needs to be. It is so much more pleasant to think someone is out to get you than to think that you need to spend more time honing your craft before your work is ready to send out. Remember, though, each rejection is a lesson that you can use to make your writing better. It is not a personal attack or a tool of a deep-seated vendetta.
A Reformed Publishing Industry. What Does It Look Like?
An interesting look at a different way of doing publishing.
Writing Query Letters
A short piece about query letters from one of my Pitching Practice classmates.
10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know
Kind of a “what I wish I’d know when I was just starting” post. Great things to remember as we write.
When Knowing How Doesn’t Matter
Do you ever wonder if sometimes it is better to just fly blind into a task rather than figuring out how to do it right? This post gives you some tips on how to harness the power of not knowing.
Ask a Lawyer: Should I Copyright My Title?
Great legal tips for authors.
Get More Done: Easy Tools for Greater Efficiency
Time management tools you may not have thought of. (See more on the importance of time management under freelancing.)
A Good Query Letter
Janet Reid shares a great letter and describes what makes it great. An excellent learning tool!
A 6 Month Weigh-In of Your Annual Writing Goals
Do you cringe at the thought of revisiting your goals? Well, you’re not going to achieve them by ignoring them, so take Suzannah’s advice and look back to see how much progress you’ve made and where you need to devote more attention.
What Is Your Vision?
A nice look at what is important to you as a writer. What is your vision?
Write, All Right?
A good reminder that we sometimes use other obligations (researching, mentoring fellow writers, revisions, etc.) to procrastinate.
Shut Up and Write: A Master’s Thesis
Another anti-procrastination post.
Read. It. Aloud.
How do you make sure your words (which look fabulous on the page, thank you very much) actually work? Try reading them aloud, especially if you are working on your dialogue. Perhaps I will use this tip with my little one after he is born. He won’t understand the words yet, I’ll be stimulating his mind by reading to him, and I’ll get some possible revisions for my WIP.
Page Critique Monday
How can you use this critique by agent Nathan Bransford to make your WIP better?
Writing Fiction in First Person
No matter how hard we try, sometimes a story simply needs to be told from the first person perspective. Here are some specific tips to help you do it right, especially if you are used to writing in third-person POV exclusively. It may help to apply these lessons during the revision phase so that you don’t get bogged down in rules while capturing your first draft.
How Do You Style a Character’s Thoughts in Writing
I’ve heard so many different methods for styling thoughts. Like the peson who submitted the question, I am not sure about italics, because it can look messy. Now, I’ll do whatever my publisher asks me to do, when it comes to following their house style–don’t get me wrong. How do you handle thoughts?
Freelance Writers, Be Careful Out There
We all spend quite a bit of time reading other writers’ blogs to learn more about our craft, our business, and everything else under the sun. But, it is important to remember that the thing that sets blogs apart from other forms of publishing is the lack of a filter. I can say whatever I want, and the only one making sure I’m not full of crap is me. There is no editor, advisory board, or great writing collective making sure the advice I give is worth anything. I hope that if I am full of it, you will let me know. Anyway, this post makes a good point about how to critically assess the content of any information you find on the Internet, whether it relates to writing or to anything else.
5 Things You Need to Know about Ghostwriting
Have you thought about adding ghostwriting to the list of services you offer? This is a good description of what ghostwriting is.
Why Time Management Is So Important for Freelance Writers
Um. So you will meet your deadlines and get paid? Yes, there is more to it than that.
On Tour with Best-Selling Suspense Writer M.J. Rose
A nice profile of Rose, including a bit about her struggle to get her books placed in bookstores (and in the right section).
It’s All about the Networking
Why you simply have to get out there and make a name for yourself and tips to help you do it.
One Reader at a Time
L.J. Sellers has a great perspective on building her platform and marketing her books. If you look at it as finding an audience, it can seem overwhelming. But, if you work to get one reader at a time, the tasks seem possible.
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Categories: Uncategorized, writing
