Word Magic
Want to write short fiction? Short stories and novellas can be great fun to write, as well as profitable. A word regarding short fiction and copyright. I’ve spoken to several writers who’ve sold short fiction on the freelance marketplaces, then regretted it. When you sell your stories to someone who pays for it on one of the marketplaces, you’re selling … Read more
Recently, a writing student asked me for tips on how to write a series. “How do I create a character who’ll be popular with readers?” She asked. That’s an excellent question. You want to create a character readers will enjoy, but you need to enjoy him too. Otherwise you could end up like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who got tired … Read more
An old friend and I chatted about writing fiction. Although she’s always wanted to write a novel, she worried: “What if I get bored and don’t finish it?” I suggested the “no excuses” method. The big benefit of this method is that you don’t have time to think and second-guess yourself. Several of my students have had great success with … Read more
Recently a student baulked when I suggested he write more blog content for his own blog. “I can’t afford it,” he protested. “My blog’s just a hobby. I need to make money.” A month later, he got in touch. “I don’t believe it! A client offered to sponsor a post on my blog. How much should I charge?” Many bloggers … 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