Tell me if you’ve been here before. It’s May, with finals lurking around every corner, and you’re stuck in your room barreling through the paper on which your entire future depends. Or at least that’s how it feels right now. You’ve worked on it all day, and all night, and also all of the previous […]
June 13, 2014 by 43 Comments Marketing Your NovelAre 5-Star Book Reviews Bad for Sales?
5-star book reviews have become a bane. They are everywhere you look. And it’s understandable—in this age of indie- and self-publishing and platform-building, what better way of garnering attention (and hopefully sales) than the come-hither testament of a glowing 5-star review? Everyone and his uncle seem to have written the next Great American Novel. Perhaps […]
October 20, 2013 by 39 Comments Writing Life5 Signs You’re Hiding Behind Your Writing
Writing, as an act of personal creation, tells us things about ourselves—but if we’re hiding behind our writing, it may also reveal what we’re afraid to face. That can be scary! Even scarier, writing will tell others things about yourself. Every word you write becomes your testimony of yourself to the world. Putting your heart […]
October 11, 2013 by 26 Comments Editing Your Novel17 Questions for Critique Partners for Even Better Feedback
If you’re blessed, as I am, to have some of the best critique partners (or, as we fondly refer to each other, “critters”), you undoubtedly realize the benefit of having a watchful pair of eyes to run over your manuscripts, a merciless tongue to point out the weak points, and a gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) […]
November 18, 2012 by 22 Comments Editing Your NovelWhy Non-Writers Are Important Beta Readers
What qualifies someone as a beta reader? The term itself tells us this person is someone who reads an early draft of a story. But beta readers are so much more than just that. Something that was reinforced to me over and over again during my years-long journey with my portal fantasy novel Dreamlander was […]
May 20, 2012 by 105 Comments Writing LifeHow Self-Conscious Writers Can Move Forward
Most of us are self-conscious writers. Most of us sit by ourselves at our keyboards, but we’re not alone in our solitude. Who knows how many other people are in the room with us? Our parents, our spouses, our coworkers, our critique partners, the ghosts of classic authors, the doppelgängers of current bestsellers? And every […]
May 4, 2012 by 23 Comments Editing Your NovelHow to Get Feedback on Your Writing (and Sort the Good from the Bad)
One of the fastest ways to progress as a writer is to get feedback. But how can you get feedback on your writing? However many books you read, however many conferences you attend, direct advice about your work-in-progress will let you see exactly what’s working well and, more importantly, what isn’t. But if you’re fairly new to writing, […]
December 9, 2011 by 21 Comments Editing Your NovelOne Dish of Critique—But Hold the Criticism!
Critique. Just the word alone makes authors cringe. Why? Because it reminds us of another word that has a negative connotation: criticism. Yet, as authors we understand the need to have another pair of eyes look closely at our manuscript and give us constructive advice and direction so we can make our book the absolute […]
August 5, 2011 by 14 Comments Writing InspirationMaintain Your Enthusiasm Until the Book Is Completed
This post is by Gene Perret. Having a book idea on a topic you’re passionate about is a glorious feeling. You begin work on such a project filled with passion and zeal. You’re eager to pass your thoughts on to your readers. However, writing a book is a daunting, time-consuming task. It’s important to maintain […]
March 27, 2011 by 41 Comments Editing Your NovelWhy Writers Should Trust Their Story Instinct
Have you ever found yourself wishing for a writing mentor—someone with the savvy, experience, generosity, and overall story instinct to reach down and guide you in your own writing journey? Well, today’s your lucky day! I’m about to introduce you to the wisest writing mentor you’re ever likely to meet. Yourself. Yep, you read right. […]
