Word magic.
Writing fiction for self-publishing authors, as well as aspiring authors
Frustrated? When you’re writing fiction, frustration is a given: you’ll often become annoyed. Please expect that. Every project is different, regardless of what you’re writing. Last week, an author told me she was ready to give up. She’d started a series, and although the first book sold well, the second wasn’t moving at all. Moreover, the third novel was a … Read more
Confused about plotting? A reader said that she’s giving up on her current novel because “her characters won’t behave.” She doesn’t like them, nor does she believe in them. Here’s a secret. Misbehaving characters can be a GOOD thing. Usually, it happens when you’re trying to make a character do something he can’t naturally do. It’s wonderful: it means that … Read more
I love plotting fiction now, but I used to hate it. What changed? My love for short fiction. When I chatted about this with a student this morning, I realized that writing short stories has a hidden benefit: it teaches you how plots work. Troubles plotting fiction? Write short material Here’s a basic plot formula used by Pixar for their … Read more
When a novelist’s struggling, I suggest writing a couple of short stories. They clear your mind. You’ll often return to a current project with a fresh perspective. You can publish stories quickly. A story may give you the boost of confidence you need. They can ignite your self-publishing program too, especially if you’re writing in different genres—it can be hard … Read more
If you write fiction, or want to try fiction, short stories are valuable. They’re fast to write, and you can use them in many ways to get readers and make sales. For example, you might use a story to revive readers’ interest in one of your novels. Just as importantly, you might write short fiction to revive your interest. When … Read more