Some writers hate outlining while others think it’s a godsend. Which kind of writer are you? And have you tried the other side? Those who are against outlining usually say they enjoy the discovery process they experience as the story unfolds. They learn more about their story, their characters and their own selves as a result […]
One of the hardest things about writing is nailing dialogue, and many writers mess up dialogue tags. How do you describe with mere words the complexity of a conversation? Unlike film, in which characters’ expressions and inflections can be clearly observed, in writing, the author has to paint these scenes without using a visual image. […]
Why not get people to support you while you write your book, instead of waiting until afterwards? This is called crowdsourcing or crowdfunding, depending on whether you are using the crowd for money or for support. But how does one go about crowdsourcing? There are many ways and the steps are simple. First, determine what […]
One of the most difficult scenes to write is a kissing scene, or really any scene when when things get hot and heavy. Writers worry about being too obscene (will my mother read this?), or even worse, not vulgar enough (no one wants to be labeled a prude). Humans are private creatures when it comes to lust, and […]
Congratulations! You’ve put together a wonderful collection of words, and now comes the scary part: can you get it published? Unfortunately, there’s no simple 5-step plan to publication, but there are great guidelines that I’m going to reveal to you that will help you on your way. Pick Your Sub-Genre and List “Comps” Once you’re confident that […]
Many writers, after having published a book with a big house, prefer to publish with independent publishers. You get more individualized attention with independent publishers, and you don’t get lost in a huge cog of a corporate machine. In fact, there are actually many reasons as to why looking for an independent book publisher might […]
As writers with a whopping-size project in our lap, sometimes we need to get the green before we can make the green. Only how? Let’s face it: writing may be feel absolutely liberating, but it’s not a money-making machine; most writers fulfill their dreams because they can’t think about doing anything else. The reality of […]
by Garrett Calcaterra 1. I Don’t Write Every Day The writing advice you most often hear is something to the effect of, “If you want to be a successful author, you need to write every day.” I don’t. I mean, I work as a freelance writer and editor, so yeah, I write something every day, […]
After years of grueling work, avoiding distractions, and breaking through writer’s block, you finished your novel. Now what? Even though some jump straight to submitting it to publishers, for many writers, the next step is finding a literary agent. Literary agents help writers find publishers, as well as negotiate the deal and sales of the […]
