Word magic.
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
Recently, a local authors’ group asked me to chat with them about self-publishing. It was a fun evening with a mix of traditionally published folk and self-publishers. After a brief presentation, the authors asked questions—with many questions about marketing, as well as failures, books that just won’t sell. Everyone has duds, but there’s always something you can do. We’ll look … Read more
Want to write a book? You have various processes you could use. The simplest: start writing. More complicated: create a detailed outline. Unfortunately, every book is different, so your favorite process may not work on the book you’re writing. When you’re struggling, going back to basics helps—looking at the bones of your project. Try creating a list of titles; your … Read more
If you’re writing fiction, it’s no wonder you’re stressed. You’ve created an entire world, and you’re keeping it in your head. Sadly, your 30th novel takes as much organization as the first. However, experience helps. With experience, you accept the stress and realize it’s normal. With any luck at all, you’ll find ways to get organized and manage the chaos. … Read more
Want to write anyway, no matter what? I’m not saying it’s easy to build a writing habit. It isn’t. For the first ten to 15 years of my writing life, I was the queen of procrastination. Not that I ever missed a deadline, for magazines anyway. Books are another story… What changed? It wasn’t a big thing. It was a … Read more