Category: writing advice

closeup of dandelion seed on stem with green background

Shaping Your Book: 3 Tips to Create Order from Disarray

“I’m sending you all of it,” one author told me, “because I have no idea what to do with it anymore. I don’t even know ...
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Yours Truly is a 2018 CIPA EVVY Double Award Winner in Editing

My lesson from this year? As an editor, I should consider book awards just as I recommend my authors do.
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In Writing as in Revision, Go For the Low-Hanging Fruit

I see writers all the time who ignore the low-hanging fruit. This includes a host of unfortunate writing habits, including refusing to do smaller or ...
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English bulldog asleep on a pile of papers on the couch...bad transitions

Build Story Muscle: Create Good Transitions

Build Story Muscle: Create Good Transitions At most Toastmasters meetings, one person is assigned to be the “Ah Counter.” Their job is to listen for ...
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closeup of a drop of water hitting water...few words make a big splash

Few Words, Big Impact

Revision: Like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming car, authors stare wide-eyed in fear at the prospect of having to…gulp…write MORE WORDS! Fortunately, ...
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view of a crowd from the rear raising hands and clapping

Want Readers? Make Them Part of the Story Experience

Many writers fall into the trap of summarizing information (or feelings!) or giving high-level takeaways in place of giving their readers an experience. Let’s not ...
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black cat hiding under blue and white floor mat

Why Aren’t You Getting Your Book Done? Let’s Get Real About Excuses

In the realm of stereotype, the writer who talks a good game about writing a book but never actually does ranks right up there with ...
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closeup of old school typewriter keys

The Art of Book Revision: Group and Prioritize Your Changes

The fateful day has arrived when you get your manuscript back from your editor. Although you’ve discussed what the changes might look like, you still ...
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Want to Write Good Nonfiction? Use These Fiction Tools

No one questions the idea that fiction writers may need to use tools of nonfiction—research, interviewing, reporting—for their craft. But I know many nonfiction writers ...
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a shiny red apple and pen sit on top of an open book

Writing is Good For You (Literally)

Writing is often described as a solitary activity, and one that requires a lot of work. Yet, writing has beneficial effects that go well beyond ...
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the shadow of reading glasses on an open book makes a heart shape

Why do you write?

I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember. My reasons for writing—that I love to tell stories, that I love language, and ...
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the word RESEARCH spelled in Scrabble letters on a diagonal

Documenting Your Research: Best Practices for the Indie Author

How do I keep track of where I found my information? What information or which sources are okay to use? Do I need to worry ...
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Where Does Editing Fit? How Service Providers Work Together

For the self-publishing author, one of the most difficult challenges is the dizzying array of interlocking services a book production requires. How do they work ...
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12 Tips for Writers Who Have No Time

Write Your Book in 2018: 12 Tips for Writers Who Have No Time

Think you don't have enough time to write? Twelve strategies to turn “no” time into "go" time—and to finish your book. If famous writers can ...
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a pair of glasses sit on a sheet of paper, another few crumpled sheets nearby

Write to the Jagged Edge: a Tip for Breaking Writer’s Block

Whether you believe writer's block is real, or a convenient excuse for being lazy or lacking commitment, this one strategy can make you more productive ...
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Give the Gift of a First Draft

Give Yourself the Gift of a First Draft

As the wonderful Terry Pratchett said, "The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." That sounds great! So why do we let it ...
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