Writing Roundup, April 23
Can I Get a Ruling: Do You Think the Query Process Works?
Agent Nathan Bransford opened up a very interesting discussion with this quick poll.
Freelance Writers: Your Performance Review
Don’t cringe. Yes, performance reviews can be time-consuming and unpleasant in the 9-5 world. But, they also provide guidance and feedback that can help you perform better. How can you assess your own performance as a writer? This piece focuses on the needs of freelance writers, but I think all of us could probably benefit from some self-assessment.
Publish or Perish
Will the iPad topple the Kindle? I read my ebooks on my iPod Touch because I like having all of the different format options available through the different ereader apps. If iPad offers that same functionality at an easier-to-read size, then, yeah, it probably will kill the stand-alone readers. Will the iPad save the book industry? Well, personally, I don’t believe the book industry is dying. It’s changing, and it is afraid of the changes.
Interview with Karen McQuestion
J.A. Konrath talks to an author who started selling books on Kindle from scratch after not succeeding through traditional publishing channels. She sells more books on Kindle than Konrath does, by the way.
Agent Advice: Kelly Mortimer of the Mortimer Literacy Agency
I love these Q&A pieces that give you insight into why a particular agent makes particular choices. Is Kelly potentially the right agent for you?
Structure Girl! A Superhero for Writers
How much do you follow structure when you are drafting? Carolyn McCray suggests that following a standard structure can help you be more efficient and enjoy the process of writing more.
How the Future of Story Telling and Writing Is Like Bedtime
Interesting look at ht changing world of fiction. How will you adapt to a world where there are fewer passive narratives and more interactive storytelling?
Research Versus the Demands of the Publishing Market
Research is essential for producing believable fiction, especially is you are writing about a time or place you’ve never been to. But, how much time can you spend on research when you are under contract?
Forget Alpha/Beta. Write Interesting Men.
A nice reminder not to worry so much about the conventions and the names of the archetypes. Write believable, rich, complex characters.
Genre, Genre … What’s a Writer to Do?
Can (or should) you span genres in your writing? Or should you specialize? This is something freelance writers have to deal with a lot. Specializing in freelancing could mean higher paychecks, but generalizing can mean more options for finding work. How does genre specialization affect fiction writers?
8 Ways to Build a Better Freelance Writing Career
A good reminder that the content you provide is the most important thing in your career. Provide good content in a reasonable time frame, and clients and editors will want to work with you again. And, you will have great clips to help you get new clients and editors on board.
Freelance Writing for the Web: A Change Is Gonna Come, Are You Ready?
Carson Brackney forecasts the future needs for clients who hire web writers. His advice is to study your current clients, think about what they need and why they hired you, and focus on providing a good product.
5 Ways to Improve Yourself and Your Business
Quick and easy tips to help you be a better writer.
Author Abiola Adams on How Writers Can Build a Platform
This author took a very strong role in building her platform and ensuring that her book was marketed to the right people in the right way so it wouldn’t get pigeonholed into niches where it didn’t really fit.
Two Questions to Answer for Your Bestseller
Al Lautenslager gives tips to help you market your book using a reader-centric perspective.
How to Be a Multimedia Author and Stand Out from the Crowd
Great ideas for making your marketing more interactive. I know I never thought about doing multimedia marketing tools when I was first promoting my book. Perhaps I will have to record a reading and post it on You Tube or something.
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Categories: Uncategorized, writing