Word Magic
Do you dislike plotting fiction? Many authors do. No matter how many novels you’ve written, plotting can be an anxiety-inducing experience. Here’s the thing. To plot efficiently, whether you’re an outliner or a pantser, you need a process. Without a process, you’ll struggle. Chances are that you’ll: Get fed up, and will give up on the novel; Procrastinate: the novel … Read more
When an author tells me that he’s stuck on a novel, or is completely bored by it, I suggest he consider writing serial fiction. Serial fiction can be quick-fix to get you back into a writing groove. You receive feedback fast: write the first 5,000 word episode, publish it, then assess the response you get. But what’s serial fiction? A … Read more
You’re writing fiction. Perhaps you’ve heard the saying: show, don’t tell? “Show, don’t tell,” is shorthand for write in scenes and it’s a vital skill. Writing fiction: why is “writing in scenes” so important? Essentially, writing in scenes helps you to write exciting, unputdownable books. In today’s publishing climate they’re the kinds of books you MUST write if you want … Read more
If you want to improve your writing, develop copywriting skills. By “copywriting skills” I mean skills in writing to sell. As writers, we’re selling all the time, no matter what we write: a tweet, an email message—or a novel. Start by paying attention to what gets your attention, every day. If you want to develop copywriting skills, pay attention We … Read more
This year, the most-read posts were about self-publishing fiction and writing (how to write.) Unsurprisingly, I’ll publish more of the same in 2021. A couple of my writing students asked: “can you still make money self-publishing fiction?” Is self-publishing fiction still viable in 2021? People love entertainment, so yes, self-publishing fiction is still viable going forward. That said, if you’re … Read more