Tuesday, October 31, 2017

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/

Monday, October 30, 2017

Online Etiquette

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

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

Sunday, October 29, 2017

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/

Saturday, October 28, 2017

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

Friday, October 27, 2017

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/

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Hooking Nonfiction Readers

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

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

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/

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

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/

Monday, October 23, 2017

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/

Sunday, October 22, 2017

#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

Saturday, October 21, 2017

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/

Friday, October 20, 2017

Your Writing Voice

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

Thursday, October 19, 2017

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

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

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

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

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/

Monday, October 16, 2017

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


Sunday, October 15, 2017

Improve Your Query Letters

Follow these simple hints to make your query letter stronger. 

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

Saturday, October 14, 2017

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

Friday, October 13, 2017

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/

Thursday, October 12, 2017

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

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

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/

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

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/

Monday, October 9, 2017

Outlining

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

Sunday, October 8, 2017

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

Saturday, October 7, 2017

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/

Friday, October 6, 2017

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/

Thursday, October 5, 2017

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

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

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

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

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

Monday, October 2, 2017

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

Sunday, October 1, 2017

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/