Story Opening to Avoid

Read why you should avoid these nine story openings. 

http://nelsonagency.com/2017/08/all-9-story-openings-to-avoid-in-one-handy-post/

Online Etiquette

As an author, it's tempting to engaging with online trolls. Don't. 

http://annerallen.com/2017/08/online-author-etiquette/

Word History

Use this Merriam-Webster website to find out what words were first introduced during any given year.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-by-first-known-date/

Unnecessary Words

We all have crutch words that can be eliminated, and here's a list of many of them. 

https://dianaurban.com/words-you-should-cut-from-your-writing-immediately

Book Review Blogs

This interactive website will help you find the perfect places to approach for a book review. 

https://blog.reedsy.com/book-review-blogs/

Hooking Nonfiction Readers

Here are some ways to entice a young reader to open a nonfiction book and keep turning the pages. 

http://writeforkids.org/blog/2014/10/four-foolproof-ways-to-hook-nonfiction-readers/

Acronyms

Using acronyms can make your writing more interesting, as long as they don't confuse your reader. 

http://writersinthestormblog.com/2017/08/using-acronyms-in-your-writing/

Retelling Myths and Fairytales

What's the difference between and myth and a fairytale, and does it make a difference to your retelling? 

http://authorkristenlamb.com/2017/07/once-upon-a-plot-retelling-myths-and-fairytales/

Bookstore Events

The success of a bookstore event is more than just the number of books sold that day. 

http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2017/do-bookstore-events-even-matter-how-to-benefit-from-in-person-author-visits/

#Pitchwars and #Pitchmad

These Twitter contests are one way to get your work in front of agents. 

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-exclusives/oct-17/guide-pitchwars-pitmad

Grand Openings

You only have one chance to hook your readers, so make it good. 

http://writersinthestormblog.com/2017/07/how-to-make-a-grand-opening/

Your Writing Voice

You may have the greatest story, but it always comes back to your writing voice.  

https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/writing-voice/#

Unanticipated Sequels

If your lucky enough to be asked to write a sequel, even if you hadn't planned for one, here are some suggestions. 

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/tips-writing-sequel-didnt-originally-plan-write-sequel

Distant Settings

If you're setting your novel in a faraway land, you want to make sure you get all the details correct. 

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/tips-writing-distant-lands-fiction

Building an Author Website

Even if you're not tech savvy, you CAN and should build a simple author website. 

http://thewritepractice.com/building-an-author-website/

Scene or Summary?

In most cases (but not all), it's better to write a scene than to summarize the action. 

http://inventingrealityeditingservice.typepad.com/inventing_reality_editing/2016/10/opt-for-scene-over-summary-when-writing-stories.html

Improve Your Query Letters

Follow these simple hints to make your query letter stronger. 

https://www.janefriedman.com/improve-your-query-letter/

Supporting Authors

There are many ways to support your fellow authors in addition to buying their books.

http://drawntopicturebooks.blogspot.com/2017/06/child-literature-support-by-jason.html?m=1

Critique Group Hints

One way to make your critique group stronger is to name it. (Shout out to my own group, the Squirrel Girls.)

https://scbwikitetales.wordpress.com/2017/06/14/the-power-of-pen-ultimate-4-critique-group-tips/amp/

Photos for Nonfiction

In many cases, your nonfiction book will use photos instead of illustrations, and it's up to you to find them. 

http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2017/03/behind-books-finding-photos-for.html

Twitter Handle

Here are some reasons you should use your name (or a variation, such as adding books) as your handle on twitter. 

https://nailyournovel.wordpress.com/2017/06/29/two-reasons-to-use-your-official-author-name-on-twitter/

Picture Book Style

Picture books are more than short books--they have a style all their own. 

https://kidlit.com/2017/07/03/picture-book-writing-style/

Outlining

These three steps are all you need to create an outline for your novel.  

http://writershelpingwriters.net/2017/06/your-3-step-plan-for-outlining-a-novel/

Journals

Keep your writing muscles exercised by keeping a journal. 

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/5-new-ways-for-writers-to-keep-a-journal

Local Publicity

When it comes to marketing your book, local media and organizations are your best friends.

https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2017/05/new-to-book-publicity-go-local-first/

First Drafts

Certainly no one expects a first draft to be perfect, but it would be nice to make it as good as possible.
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/perfect-first-draft/

After the Conference

What to do (and not to do) when you get home from a writers' conference.

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/not-attending-writers-conference

Filter Words

You want to engage all of your readers' senses, but you don't need to filter this through your character's senses.

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2017/05/wow-building-world-that-comes-alive-in.html#.Wa2tR8iGNlY

Helping Other Authors

We're all in this crazy profession together, so let's help spread the word about each other's books.

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2017/05/wow-building-world-that-comes-alive-in.html#.Wa2tR8iGNlY

World Building

No matter what genre of writing, your characters need to inhabit a world that you create.

http://www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2017/05/wow-building-world-that-comes-alive-in.html#.Wa2tR8iGNlY

Query Letter Breakdown

Your query should contain the four paragraphs of information described here.

https://subitclub.com/2017/04/13/how-to-write-a-query-letter-a-basic-breakdown/