“You have to be on time,” I say. “If you’re the worker who’s always punctual, no one wants to fire you. It shows you care about being professional and not imposing on your co-workers.”
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All articles filed in Writing Advice
In Proper Proportion
HL Carpenter takes over my blog today and provides good advice for writers. So there we were, with a packet of strawberries threatening to go soft and the need for a recipe to make good use of them. None of the sauce recipes we found called for as many berries as we had. And then…
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Finish Writing Your Book
It’s human nature for us to concentrate on the future. What happens when we finish writing our book? How do we get it out into the world?
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Chicken Salad Pita
If you are participating in JuNoWriMo, you will need some quick and easy meals to prepare this month. This Chicken Salad Pita fits the bill for any busy author.
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Emma Lane’s Dual Personality
I confess I am a Gemini. That means I do not apologize for having two personalities, two serious interests and two distinct pen names. As Emma Lane (Historicals) or Janis Lane (Cozy Mysteries) I spin tales at my computer happily imagining characters and plots
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Choosing an Audio Book Narrator
What’s an author to do? When I think of voices, of style of speech, I think of characters. Joan Hickson (from the Miss Marple series) sounds completely different than Brian Glover (from the Campion mysteries). Do I want someone who sounds like Benedict Cumberbatch, Sean Bean, or Gary Oldman. (And since Gary Oldman uses a different accent in every movie, which version would that be?)
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Using Visual Models for Effective WorldBuilding
The first season of The Frankenstein Chronicles hits the mark for a work that is not steampunk and has a lot to offer those who want to learn about effective worldbuilding.
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Interview with Elliott Baker
Today I have something different to present. Fellow author Elliott Baker is in the hot seat discussing his three novels with Ellen from ItsWriteNow.com. Enjoy! The year is 1671. René Gilbert’s destiny glints from the blade of a slashing rapier. The only way he can protect those he loves is to regain the power and…
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Write What You Know with Sara Daniel
Sara Daniel Finds her Niche Write what you know, they say. But what happens when you’re a romance author and congenital heart defects and their repair surgeries are what you know? You end up accidentally creating your own heart surgery romance niche. To be clear, the books I’ve written that involved heart surgery aren’t a…
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World Building: What’s on the Menu?
Food plays a principal role in the world-building of fiction realms and that some of the most famous and successful speculative fiction authors like Douglas Adams, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Suzanne Collins devote a extraordinary amount of narrative time to the central questions of how, why, and where their characters eat.
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4 Tips to Start Your Writing Day
Sometimes getting started is the hardest part of writing. Here are a few tips that may make it easier for you to achieve your writing goals. 1. Start the writing day with a treat. When I sit down to write, I try to have a full cup of coffee, tea, or sparkling water ready to…
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Writing & Perseverance
The following is a post from the summer of 2013 on the perseverance needed when reaching for any goal. I hope that you enjoy! I took a picture of these lilies today. They are planted in a row along the side of my house and I think they are beautiful. They did not really bloom…
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The Importance of Voice in Fiction Writing by Rita Monette
Rita Monette joins my blog today with some writing advice and an exciting new release. Take it away Rita! You may have heard the term voice in writing. However, there are two types of voice in writing fiction. One is the voice of the author: How you write and express yourself, tell their stories. That…
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The Power of Hope by Dianna Gunn
The Power of Stories of Hope The world today is awash in grimdark fantasy and dystopian science fiction, and we’re sure to see an even bigger surge in both genres now that we’ve entered the era of Trump and Brexit. I personally know half a dozen authors who have been inspired to write new dystopian…
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Spotlight on Building Your Author Platform
About the Series: Titles: Building Your Author Platform, How To Write A Business Plan For Writers and The Author’s Guide To Book Blog Tours Tired of hearing that you must start building your author platform straight away but having no idea how to get started? Becoming an author in today’s world has never been easier…
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A Writing Catalyst by Elliott Baker
Elliott Baker visits my blog today with some good writing advice. Take it away Elliott! In 2007 I began to write a story that had been in my head for years. A friend turned me on to NANOWRIMO a magical concept and creativity catalyst that I’ll write about in a later blog. In 2008, I…
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Positive Writing Support
Why is this type of support important? Because novel writing is very much a solitary event: It is just the author and his/her writing implement of choice desperately trying to get the words in his/her head out there for the world to read. This leads to a lot of isolation on the part of writers, so having a month (or two) during the year when you can spend time writing, being cheered on by other writers, and encouraging them in turn is priceless.
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Writing Advice with Carol Browne
In my working life I wear many hats. Those worn by the writer and the proofreader you would assume to be created by the same milliner, but they are mutually exclusive. This is one of many reasons why we all need proofreaders.
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Pseudonyms: What’s in a Name? by Marci Clark
One question I am asked quite frequently is why I use various names instead of just sticking with one. I think my reasoning reflects that of many authors so I thought I’d share.
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The Author’s Dilemma by Sara Daniel
But no matter how equally the author approaches them . . .
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5 Minutes with Grant Goodman
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Grant Goodman, author of Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in…Tiger Trouble!
Read MoreResearch Can be a Fun Part of Writing Fiction
Most books require research to make them accurate, even if you are writing science fiction or fantasy; these story worlds still need to feel believable and logical to the readers. Most works include at least one or two aspects outside of the author’s personal experiences or knowledge. This information—these details—help to get the readers wrapped up in the story.
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5 Minutes With Karissa Laurel
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Karissa Laurel, author of Midnight Burning. Website: www.karissalaurel.com Twitter: @karissalaurel Facebook: www.facebook.com/karissalaurel Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/karissalaurel Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/karissalaurel Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0YLj4g3D About the Author The toughest thing about writing . . . I have a full time job, a boisterous family, and a tiny house. Finding time…
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5 Minutes with Katherine McIntyre
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Katherine McIntyre, author of Stolen Petals. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kmcintyreauthor Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pixierants Tumblr: booksteacoffee.tumblr.com Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kmcintyremt Website: http://www.katherine-mcintyre.com Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6473654.Katherine_McIntyre About the Author I started writing when I was a kid. Like when you’re little and they ask you what you want to be when you grow…
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Shaken not Stirred: Michael Weltz Discusses the Perfect Martini and Playing Chess with Dead Men
The Straight Martini by Michael Weitz Let’s talk about olives. Specifically, green olives. I’ve always been a fan of green olives, the kind with the cheery red pimento stuffed inside; they have a flavor that can’t be compared to anything else, they’re just…olivey. As a kid I remember pictures, posters and TV ads for restaurants,…
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5 Minutes with Tom Olbert
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Tom Olbert, author of Black Goddess. Tom’s Blog Other Dimensions Facebook About the Author I started writing as soon as I could put two words together. Writing was my earliest ambition. I just took to it as naturally as breathing. What I love most about…
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Nietzsche, Dragons, and Fighting for Success by S.G. Rogers
In this guest blog post, S.G. Rogers talks about the craft of writing and what to do with rejection. I hope that you all enjoy it as much as I did!–Chris “What does not destroy me, makes me stronger.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche My sword and sorcery fantasy novel, Tournament of Chance: Dragon Rebel has just…
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5 Minutes with Tom Winton
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Tom Winton, author of Forever Three and six other books. Website: http://tomwintonauthor.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TomWinton?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Winton/206609429356346 About the Author I started writing in my mid-thirties when I was asked to put together a few fishing articles for a newspaper. I still remember getting a phone…
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5 Minutes With Shannon A. Thompson
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Shannon A. Thompson, author of The Timely Death Trilogy. ShannonAThompson.com Twitter Facebook Goodreads About the Author I started writing . . . at a very young age in order to cope with nightmares and night terrors. My mother taught me to create stories from dreams…
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5 Minutes with Kara Jorgensen
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Kara Jorgensen, author of The Earl of Brass (Ingenious Mechanical Devices #1) and The Gentleman Devil (Ingenious Mechanical Devices #2). Website: http://karajorgensen.com Twitter: @authorkaraj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarajorgensen I started writing . . . When I was about nine or ten, I was infatuated with Sherlock Holmes after…
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5 Minutes with Chris Hill
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Chris Hill, author of The Pick-Up Artist and Song of the Sea God. Website: www.chrishillauthor.co.uk Twitter: @ChilledCH About the Author I started writing . . . When I was in my early teens I think – just scraps at first then proper short stories…
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5 Minutes with Rayne Hall
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Rayne Hall who has over fifty books published under several pen names, in several genres, in several languages. Twitter: Rayne Hall Amazon Author Central: Rayne Hall About the Author I started writing when I was about six. I had learnt to read and write…
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5 Minutes with Jeb Kinnison
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Jeb Kinnison, whose novel Red Queen: The Substrate Wars, was published in December 2014. Website: jebkinnison.com Twitter: @jebkinnison About the Author I started writing when I took writing classes at MIT and Harvard, then worked with a writing group in Cambridge. After receiving rejection notices…
Read More5 Minutes with Milo James Fowler
This is a chance to learn a bit more about Milo James Fowler, whose novella, Yakuza Territory, will be published by Musa on November 7, 2014. Website: www.milojamesfowler.com Twitter: @mfowler76 About the Author I started writing when . . . I was 12. After reading too many Hardy Boys books, I figured I could write…
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