Every single writer has moments where they don’t feel like much of a writer at all. It isn’t always easy to sit down in front of your manuscript and let loose into a creative frenzy. Sometimes, you need to step away for a little while in order to come back with a fresh perspective. Try…
Reading and Writing for Pleasure: June 2017 | Douglas Burcham
Douglas writes a follow up to his post in February 2017 in his Writing and Reading for Pleasure series with a reflective post on recent activity. Reading One Thursday I did not go shopping for short stories. My intention is to spend some time on looking at the latest fashions on book cover design…
The Brutal Truth Why You are a Bad Writer – Olivia Ryan | Guest Post
The majority of people don’t even perceive writing on a very conscious level. That’s because it seems so normal, so natural. They know how to do to it because they’ve been thought how to do it, and now they just…have it. Writing is created by language, and language is learned during our youngest years of…
How Long Should My Book Be? We Analyzed 272 #1 Bestsellers to Find Out – Tucker Max | Guest Post
A lot has been written in recent years about the average readers’ shrinking attention span. We all know that the non-stop news cycle and round-the-clock social media have sped up our consumption habits. But do these same habits translate to books? We decided to find out. We gathered a list of every New York Times…
How to Create a Daily Writing Ritual and Stop Procrastinating – Diana Clark | Guest Post
Oh, that sweet procrastination. For many writers, myself included, it is a constant problem that can seriously undermine productivity. When I have a hard time getting started because of procrastination, I try to explain it by a lack of inspiration. You know what I mean, right? Instead of writing, I would engage in various activities,…
Why your writing is repeatedly rejected and how to handle it – Brenda Berg | Guest Post
Dealing with rejections can be one of the most frustrating aspects of being a writer. Chances are you’ve spent ages polishing a piece to get it ready for submission, and as far as you’re concerned there’s nothing more than can be done to your article – it’s perfect. Then in comes the rejection from editor;…
On Rushing, Delusions, and Snake Oil: 5 Easy Pieces of Indie Author Advice – Dominic Carrillo | Guest Post
Don’t Rush Is it because we’re dying to see our words bound by a cover with our name on it? Or are we just too eager to share our stories? Whatever it is, most indie authors are on the fast track to getting their book published and up on Amazon.com. Don’t make this mistake. Rushing is…
How do You Actually Use Writing Advice? – Sophia Clark | Guest Post
Young writers ask thousands of questions: what to write, how to write, where to find ideas, how to check writing, where to find inspiration, and how to stay motivated. They know nothing and they try to fill the gaps by all possible means. They truly believe that the best way to understand writing is to…
6 Self-Imposed Limitations That Prevent You from Publishing (And How to Beat Them) – Elizabeth Lee | Guest Post
Ask any writer for advice and they’ll tell you that making your work public is critical to growing your career in writing. But many creatives never get to publish their work. Instead, they’re trapped in their heads and restricted by limitations they tend to impose on themselves. Since writing is a very personal activity, sharing…
5 Key Elements of a Great Character – Mary Frenson | Guest Post
Often the difference between a good story and a great story is a well-written character. You can have the best possible plot replete with twists and turns that not even Sherlock Holmes could see coming, but you will waste your efforts unless you have a character as strong as Sherlock Holmes. A strong character is…