Riley Adams's Blog, page 17

By Hugh Cook

I’ve decided to use the format of a self-interview for this blog. So, here we go.

Hugh, you’re a fiction writer, but you also do freelance editing. How did you get into editing?

A number of years ago a writer friend mentioned to me that besides writing novels she also does freelance editing of fiction manuscripts. That started me thinking.

I’d earned an MFA in fiction writing from the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, had taught Creative Writing to college students for 30-some years, led frequent fiction writing workshops, and had published two novels and two books of short stories with a literary publishing house. Credentials not very different from those of my writing friend, so I jumped in.

I’ve been doing freelance editing for about 20 years now, and I enjoy it. It keeps me in touch with fiction writing craft. I find that as I’m advising editing clients on creating fully-developed characters, navigating the intricacies of point of view, or writing prose that shines, I’m also reinforcing the importance of these craft principles for my own writing.

That raises the interesting question of how your writing and editing intersect. How do you manage to coordinate right-brain and left-brain work, analysis and creativity?

As you know, there’s some debate about left-brain, right-brain theory, but there’s definitely a difference between writing fiction and doing literary analysis. It’s been a challenge moving from one to the other, and there have been times when I’ve had to set editing aside when I was deeply involved writing short stories or a novel.

I’m retired from teaching now, but I faced the same challenge during the school year. I found teaching all-consuming enough that I wasn’t able to write during the academic year. That meant summers was my writing time, and the switch from analytic work to creative writing was like turning a huge ocean liner around. It usually took a week or two for me to find my fiction writing voice again.

How do you find your editing clients ―or, perhaps, how do they find you?

I have a standing ad in Poets and Writers magazine in New York, and receive queries literally from Alaska to Florida and from Massachusetts to California, writers asking me to edit their novel, their short stories, and, now and then, their memoir.

You mentioned the importance of fiction craft in your writing. Soul Seasons Publishing has just come out with a second edition of your novel Heron River. How would you describe the fiction you write?

I was asked that question a while ago by Sheila, a teller at our bank. I thought of how I might best describe my fiction, then remembered that our local library has a set of stacks that are marked CHILDREN’S FICTION, and opposite that are stacks labelled ADULT FICTION. I thought that was perhaps a useful distinction, so I told her, “I write adult fiction.”

She held a hand to her mouth, began to blush, and said, “Oh, I don’t know if I should be reading that.” I laughed, and said, “No, Sheila, I don’t write erotica or porn.” I told her that what I wrote was literary fiction. She seemed relieved, and she’s read all four of my books.

So as to your question, yes, I work hard at the craft of fiction. There are basically two schools, two approaches to writing, right? The first approach is a finicky one, in which you correct and edit your prose as you write. The other approach says, squelch the grammarian in you, pay no attention to your high school English teacher looking over your right shoulder. Don’t worry about punctuation, about sentence structure, just let the prose flow. You can always edit later.

I’ve never been able to write that way. I’m unable to move from one sentence to the next unless I’m satisfied with the previous sentence. For me a slow process, like trying to put toothpaste back into the tube. It’s not unusual for me to spend a whole morning getting a paragraph just right. What’s most important, though, is that you use whichever approach works best for you.

Are you a plotter, Hugh, or a pantser?

John Irving would be a good example of a plotter. Irving works out the plots of his novels backwards, says he can’t write the novel’s first sentence until he knows what the final sentence is. This is how he words it: “I don’t begin a novel until I know the ending. And I don’t mean that I only have to know what happens. I mean that I have to hear the actual sentences.”

The term pantsers describes writers who place pants in chair, who start a story or novel knowing perhaps no more than the beginning, and develop the story as it goes along. That tends to be how I write.

I’ve started a number of stories and both my novels not knowing much beyond the beginning. It’s my belief that reality is so multiple, so complex, that even an incredible instrument like the human imagination cannot anticipate ahead of time all the possibilities inherent in any given situation. Allow yourself to be surprised!

To me, writing the story is like taking a dog for a walk. Your intent may be to take your dog to the park to do its daily doggy business, but then you discover Sparky pulls the leash the other direction and wants to head to its favorite fire hydrant. I always give my characters freedom of the leash.

Is that what happened with your novel Heron River?

For sure. Telling how the characters and the plot developed would be an interesting subject for another blog on this site, but I’ll just say the novel starts with a young boy falling into an old abandoned well, and I ended up in situations I never saw coming. That’s one of the things that’s most fascinating about writing fiction: you never know where the story may go!

 

Hugh Cook holds an MFA. in fiction writing from the Writers= Workshop at the University of Iowa. He has published two books of short stories and two novels. Readers can obtain his novel Heron River at thriftbooks.com.

Hugh’s email: [email protected], and website: www.hugh-cook.ca.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writer and Editor @HughCook_ca on Combining Fiction Writing and Freelance Editing:
Click To Tweet

Image by 51581 from Pixabay

The post Combining Fiction Writing and Freelance Editing appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  S Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousKDP Select or Wide? by Morgana Best @indieauthoralliShould I Create a Limited Liability Company? @Michael LaRonn and @sacha_blackProducing an Audiobook: A Quick-Start Guide for Indie Authors: by Sarah Beth Goer @indieauthoralliConferences and Events / MiscellaneousSharjah Conference: ‘The Power of the Written Word’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUK: London Book Fair Names Its 2024 ‘Authors of the Day’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCanada’s Governor General’s Literary Awards: 70 Finalists: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesNandini Das Wins the £25,000 British Academy Prize: @Porter_Anderson @rentravailer @PubPerspectivesSharjah Book Fair Opens Its 42nd Edition: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUkraine’s Chytomo Announces Its Inaugural Winners: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesConferences and Events / NaNoWriMoHow to Set Realistic NaNoWriMo Goals: by Dabbler Robert Smith @nanowrimoA Crash Checklist for NaNoWriMo—or Any First Draft: @foxprintedCould you draft a novel in a month? Here’s how to nail NaNoWriMo: @roz_morrisHow to Get (& Stay) Ready for NaNoWriMo: @jessicastrawser @careerauthorsCreativity and Inspiration / Goal settingNever Stop Chasing Your Dreams – Persist and Write Till Christmas: by Kelly SgroiNaNoWriMo: Top Tips for Smashing Out 50K: @angelaackerman @onestop4writersWriting A Bestseller With NaNo: by Susanne Bennett @writers_writeThe “Alt” NaNoWriMo Challenge: @radekpazderaCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationHow Meditation Can Inspire Your Next Story: @KMWeilandCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersMysteries to Cozy Up With: @booklisti_comFive SFF Works Featuring Draconian Laws and Legal Systems: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomBeowulf Is The Greatest Classic Book, And I Will Not Be Taking Any Questions At This Time: by Peter Derk @litreactorCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Eileen Thornton’s Murder on Tyneside: @margotkinbergMaybe Reading Goals Are Actually Good: @mollytempleton @tordotcom7 Scandalous Betrayals in Literature: by Ore Agbaje-Williams @electriclit13 More Haunting Poems to Get You in the Mood For Halloween: by Holly Kybett Smith @tordotcom5 Books Featuring an Unlikely Alliance With Ghosts: @cswritesbooks @tordotcom10 Classic Children’s Horror Anthology Books Worth Revisiting for Halloween: by Paul Lê @bdisgustingFive Gripping Ghost Stories From the Last Decade: @jamesdnicoll @tordotcomElizabeth Spann Craig’s 3 favorite reads in 2023: @Shepherd_books8 Dinner Parties in Literature Gone Wrong: by Lee Kelly @electriclit884 Authors & Super Readers Pick the 100 Best Books of 2023: @Shepherd_books7 Books About Falling into Debt: by Raul Palma @electriclitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingHow to stop getting distracted while working: @pubcoach1 Myth and 3 Tips about Writing Productivity: by Brian Andrews @careerauthorsPrioritizing Pen and Paper: Tips for Balancing Writing with a Busy Schedule: Leigh Shulman @TheLeighShulmanCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockGetting Unstuck: Do What Scares You: by Jen DupreeCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyHow to Write a Book in a Day: by Nick ThackerCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeThe perils of being too productive: @pubcoachInspirational Indie Author Interview: Mary Ladd. Publisher Gives Voice to Those Suffering from Long COVID: @howard_lovy @indieauthoralliTips for Child Athletes and Writers: by Matthew Norman @writerunboxedThe Myth of Work Life Balance: @rachelsdempsey @rmfwA Look at What’s Scary . . . For Writers: 11 Things You Should Never Say to a Writer: @annielikeswordsThirty Fun Facts About the English Language: @TheGrammarDiva5 Similarities Between Running and Writing: by Sara Kopeczky11 Tips to Consider Before Declaring Your Manuscript Done: @worddreamsHow to hold on to your Writing Optimism: @alisonwells @womenwritersOn The Many Hauntings of Langston Hughes: @nickripatrazone @lithubTransforming Fear into Fiction: @juliecardalt @writerunboxedAdapting To Change: @jkwak @thecreativepennRemember to Breathe: @SueColetta1 @killzoneauthorsWhat to Do When You Dislike Your Writing: by E. M. Sherwood Foster Genres / Middle-GradeMiddle-Grade Fantasy Challenges: @AuthorChrista @diymfaGenres / MysteryRules to Follow When Writing a Mystery: @mackenziemreed @NatalieIAguirreA Humorous Look at What a Crime Fiction Strike Might Entail: @MargotKinbergGenres / Picture BooksWant to be a Children’s Author? Find Out What’s Stopping You: @karencv Genres / RomanceWhat does a happily ever after look like? Romance covers through the years: by Alice Liang @puddingvizPromo / MiscellaneousThere is No Marketing Magic Bullet: Reaching More Readers Podcast: ttps://buff.ly/40avuXS @selfpubwithdale and Holly Greenland @indieauthoralli How I Sell 20 Books Per Day with BookBub Ads: by C. L. Murray @bookbubYour Book’s Most Powerful Marketing Tool: @theladygreer @writerunboxedPromo / Social Media TipsA Tongue-in-Cheek Look at 17 Reasons Writers are Scared of Social Media: @EdieMelsonPublishing / MiscellaneousIn Appreciation of Copyright Pages: @rcharkin Publishing / News / International PublishingLondon: Top Publishing Organizations on AI Protection: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesDuring Frankfurt from Publishing Scotland: Audiobooks: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @PublishScotlandResearch Publishing: Frontiers Announces a Flat-Fee Partnership: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesReport: Georgia’s Cultural Life Under Increasing Pressure: @Porter_Anderson China Bestsellers September: Author-Buddies Yu and Mo: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingHow to Self-Publish a Book on Amazon with Your Future Success in Mind: @bookgalPublishing / Options / Traditional PublishingWhy Publishers Prefer Proposals: by Terry WhalinPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / PitchesThe Other Pitch Packages Authors Should Prepare: by Amy L. Bernstein @janefriedmanPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingRemember kids’ agency (page critique): @nathanbransfordYour query should read like you had fun writing it: @nathanbransfordPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / RejectionsGetting Unstuck: Rebounding From Rejection – T: by Jen Dupree @mastersreviewPublishing / Process / Book DesignHow to Design a Great Book Cover: by Michele DeFilippo @indieauthoralliWriting Craft / BeginningsLiterary needs to feel literary (query critique): @nathanbransfordWriting Craft / Characters / ArcCrafting Unforgettable Character Arcs: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentIdentity and Character Development: @foxprintedHow Did You Ever Come Up with a Character Like That? @SharonKConnellWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionLet characters’ emotions spill in unpredictable ways: @nathanbransfordWriting Passionate Characters: @lindasclareThe Power of Fear in Writing: @RDCwritesWriting Dark Using the Five Basic Types of Fear: @EldredBirdWriting Craft / EndingsWhen Is The End? @BeemWeeks @storyempireWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmCandyman: A Startlingly Relevant Halloween Horror Worth A Watch: @bang2write“Leisure, Labor, Reticence, Violence”: What Horror Films Can Teach Us About Poetry: @bloomandblood @lithubWriting Craft / MiscellaneousWarning: Author’s Risks May Lead to Fresh Adventures: @KMazeauthorAction Is The Hero: by Anthony Ehlers @writers_writeWriting About Pain: Best Practices for Great Fiction: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersBad Behavior Makes for a Compelling Read: @msheatherwebb @writersunboxedBrainstorming: @JoanHallWrites @storyempirePlan to write a book when you retire: tips for late blooming writers: @annerallenHow to Write a “Realistic” Paranormal: by Meredith R. Lyons @careerauthorsWriting About Sex without Compromising Your Values or Offending Your Audience: @PeggySueWells @ediemelsonWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingTips for Plotting: by Rainey Hall @rmfwWriting Craft / RevisionHow to love (heavy) edits: @jbernoffBats, blood, skeletons and fear of editing: @pubcoachWriting Craft / TropesTropes As a Jumping-Off Point: @richardgthomas3 @litreactorUncategorizedWhat Are Thriller Authors Truly Afraid Of? @DaniTrussoni @crimereads

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
Click To Tweet

The post LitLinks appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

It’s that scary time of the year again! But what do writers find scary? It turns out there are plenty of things in a writer’s life to give you stress, scares, or anxiety. Here are just a few of them.

Promo. Whether it’s advertising or newsletters, promo is one of the most dreaded activities for writers. Ads can be complex, time-consuming, and costly. Newsletters are time sucks, too, and it can be tough to come up with solid content.

Public speaking. This is a big one for a lot of writers (and writers aren’t the only ones who struggle with it.) I have a post with public speaking tips coming up soon. :)

Major revision. Need to change the book’s POV? Change the protagonist? Change a timeline or two? These are the nightmare scenarios that keep writers up at night.

Writer’s block. If you want to write and you can’t, it’s pretty scary.

Burnout. Not at all fun. With burnout, you can actually write (unlike writer’s block), but the output is rarely great. A little self-care will usually do the trick.

Social media. This often goes hand-in-hand with promo, but because it’s more about relationships, it happens all year instead of just around release time.

Deadlines. These are not just for traditionally published writers. If you’ve got a date set with a freelance editor or your book designer, there are things you’ll need to complete before you get started with your team.

Do you have anything to add to the scary list? And happy Halloween!

What's Scary for Writers:
Click To Tweet

Image by Larisa Koshkina from Pixabay

The post What’s Scary for Writers appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!   Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousLessons Learned from 12 Years as an Author Entrepreneur: @thecreativepennSpotify’s Deal with Publishers, End of Screenwriters’ Strike Show How Quickly Our Landscape is Changing: @agnieszkasshoes @indieauthoralliSuccessful Rapid-Release Strategies for Indie Authors: @indieauthoralliConferences and Events / MiscellaneousFrankfurt: 105,000 Trade Visitors from 130 Countries: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt: Public Turnout Drives Totals to 215,000 Visitors: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt’s 2025 Guest of Honor Philippines: Senator Legarda: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairBologna at Frankfurt: Tour, Audio Forum, and Bestseller Awards: @Porter_Anderson @book_fair @PubPerspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Goal settingPrioritizing Plans Over Writing Goals: @GraceBialecki @diymfaCreativity and Inspiration / InspirationWATCH: Ursula K. Le Guin on Writing Fantasy as a Young Girl: by Arwen Curry @lithubCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers10 Thrilling Books with Twists You Won’t See Coming: @maggiegiles_ @crimereadsEight Authors Who’ve Written Themselves Into Stories: by Randee Dawn @tordotcom7 Dark and Thrilling Novels about Women Who Kill: by Laura Picklesimer @electriclitCreativity and Inspiration / MotivationHow Does Character Motivation Work? @bang2writeCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingWriting Within Reach: @TheLeighShulmanCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writer’s BlockTranscending Writer’s Block: Spiritual Approach: by Ashley Christiano @diymfaCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyUnconscious Creativity: How I Wrote a Novel in Five Weeks: @WriterJimDenneyCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeTips for handling the stress of book releases: How Writers Can Use ChatGPT Ethically in Fiction: @thekateangelo @goteenwritersGoogly-Eyes and the Writing Life: by Don Paul Benjamin @rmfwWhite Space in a Writer’s Life: @MichalskiLiz @writerunboxedHave you tried power naps and/or restorative to help with your creativity? by Dale Ivan Smith @killzoneauthorsShould Writers Attend a Book Group that’s Discussing their Own Book? @alicefwrites @womenwriters5 Reasons Why You Need a Writing Community: @thenovelryWhy You Need a Scrap Pile: @A_B_LeeWrite Like an Anesthesiologist: @PoetintheOR @cleavermagazineNovel Writing Isn’t for Wimps: Encouragement to Keep Writing: @AneMulligan @ediemelsonAsking Myself Why, Post-Pub Edition: @VaughnRoycroft @writerunboxedGenres / FantasyHow to Write Fantasy Novels: Definition, Tips, and How to Publish: @storyhobbitGenres / HorrorMy Top 5 Horror Tropes and Why They Work So Well: by Rose Atkinson-Carter @horrortree @reedsyhqGenres / HumorHow to Write Comedy: Physical Comedy/Slapstick: by Ellen BuikemaGenres / MysteryParental Involvement in Children’s Lives as an Element in Crime Fiction: @MargotKinbergCrime Fiction: When Characters Defy the Law for What’s “Right”: @MargotKinbergSchool-based crime fiction: @margotkinbergThe Art of Writing Mysteries Featuring Real-Life Figures: by Lyn Squire @crimereadsGenres / Non-Fiction5 Ways to Stop Fighting for Your Limitations as a Nonfiction Writer: @ninaamirGenres / Short StoriesGhassan Zeineddine on What Short Stories Do That Novels Can’t: @lithubPromo / Blogging4 Easy Ways to Protect Your Blog: @HughRoberts05Promo / MiscellaneousTop Book Giveaway Platforms and Tips to Leverage Them for Book Promotion Success: @damyantig @theiwsgMedia Training for Authors: 6 Ways to Become a Go-To Expert: by Paula Rizzo @JaneFriedmanPromo / NewslettersBoost Your Author Platform with Newsletter Ninja: by Lisa E. Betz @a3writersPromo / Social Media TipsThis novelist had 10,000 book pre-orders because of social media: @danblank @wegrowmediaHave Your Cake (And Eat It, Too) With Social Media: @AmbreDLefflerPublishing / MiscellaneousAcademic Publishing: Springer Nature Acquires Slimmer AI’s Science Division: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesWriting And Publishing A High Quality Photo Book With Jeremy Bassetti: @thecreativepennPublishing / News / DataAAP StatShot August: Overall Industry Up 8.5 Percent: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingChinese, Filipino Publishers Seek International Audiences At Frankfurt: @JaroslawAdamows @PubPerspectives @book_fairPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingSuccessful Slow-Release Strategies for Indie Authors: @indieauthoralliWriting Craft / BeginningsHow Can You Tell If You’re Starting Your Story in the Right Place? @manzanitafire @JaneFriedman Writing Craft / Characters / DevelopmentNine Ways to Distinguish Characters From Each Other: by Chris WinkleCharacter Type & Trope Thesaurus: Whiskey Priest: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersSeven Questions to Test Your Characters: by Debbie Burke @killzoneauthorsWriting Craft / Common MistakesWriting Passive Characters: The Kiss of Death in Story: @ZenaDellLowe @ediemelsonWriting Craft / DraftsWhy You Should Never Call a Draft Final: @authorSATWriting Craft / Miscellaneous“This Might Not Work”: @spressfield7 Tips to Writing Survival Stories: @cyallowitzWhen to Hire Help: @aprildavilaHow Subplots and Plot Filaments Lend Texture and Depth to Any Novel: by Michael Craft @crimereadsHow to Organize Your Book into Chapters: @AuthorMarileneHow to Write a Play: Definition, Tips, and How to Publish: @davechessonWriting A Book: End Of Draft Break Tasks: @KMAllan_writer5 Ways to Tell a Story: Story Structure from Around the World: @thenovelsmithyWriting Fiction That’s “Ripped From the Headlines” : @jamesscottbell @killzoneauthorsHow Can My Character Realize They Are the Baddies? by Oren AshkenaziHow to Be a Clever Writer: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / PacingStory Pacers: @annehawkinson @floridawriters1Tips on keeping your scenes engaging: from The Writing HoleWriting Craft / Punctuation and GrammarDo You Really Need to Sweat The Commas? by John Gilstrap @killzoneauthorsHomonyms: Commonly Misused ‘D’ Words: @harmony_kent
@storyempireWriting Craft / RevisionShould You Revise As You Go? @jessicastrawserWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesWhy a Manuscript Critique Is a Critical Step for Writers: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / ScenesScene Writing Tune-up: @lindasclareWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionMetaphysical Elements in Fiction Writing – Scents: @JanSikes3 @storyempireWriting Craft / TransitionsHow to Write a Compelling Transition Sentence: @RuthHarrisBooks

 

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
Click To Tweet

The post LitLinks appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I’ve never had a release day that wasn’t a very busy day. The main reason is that I’m responding to readers. I’ll get comments on social media and responses to emailed newsletters. I’ll also respond to readers who ask when a book in a different series is coming out.

To minimize my own stress, I have a handy checklist that I’ve shared here before. It helps me both keep track of things I need to do, plus get stuff done before launch day in order to keep the day a lot calmer.

Here’s what I don’t do. I don’t watch my ranking or sales on Amazon, at least for a few days. I don’t look for reviews in the first few days. I don’t mention my book again on Facebook or Instagram, aside from the initial post on release day (I don’t use Twitter for promo, so I don’t announce releases there). These approaches keep me from being hyper-focused on the release and keep me from being annoying by over-promoting it.

The day of the release I try to treat like any other writing day. I work on my outline for the next book in that series. I work on Amazon ads for the first book in the series. And I do other writing-related tasks.

I don’t keep social media running in the background. Instead, I check it at planned intervals to respond.

One of the things that I’ve been slow to do is to personally celebrate the launch: the time it took for me to write and edit it and the work it took my design and editorial team to get it ready for publication.

Also important in the days leading up to the launch and the week after: take time for self-care. Eat right, exercise, hydrate. Taking care of yourself can really help take the edge off.

What are your release days like? Do you have any tips to add here?

Tips for Handling Releases:
Click To Tweet

 

 

Image by annca from Pixabay

The post Handling Releases appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox! Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousInspirational Indie Author Interview: Carolyn Armstrong. Earth-Friendly Middle-Grade Fiction Author Finds Audience Through Parents, Teachers, and Pinterest: @howard_lovyHow to Get Your Self-Published Books into Bookstores: @indieauthoralliA surprising book launch case study: @danblank @wegrowmediaChallenges on the Path to Discovery – A Discovery of Writers: @diymfaData Analyzers: Using Facts to Sell Your Fiction: @AngelaYSmithConferences and Events / MiscellaneousSharjah International Book Fair To Host 108 Markets: @Porter_Anderson Frankfurt Fellowships: Beyza Becerikli of Turkey’s Can Publishing: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt Fellowships: Katerina Petrich of Argentina’s Libros de la Araucaria: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurter Buchmesse’s News Conference: A 75th Edition: @Porter_Anderson
Richard Charkin in Frankfurt: ‘Day One Minus One’: @rcharkin @PubPerspectives @book_fairBehind the Slovenian Guest of Honor Success: Katja Stergar: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairBuchmesse Veterans Recall ‘Frankfurt Moments’ @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairRichard Charkin in Frankfurt: Day Two: @rcharkin @PubPerspectivesAt Frankfurt, Ukraine’s Chytomo Award Announces Its First Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt: 2024 Guest of Honor Italy Presents Its Plans: @JaroslawAdamows @pubperspectives @book_fairItaly’s Mauro Mazza on Frankfurt’s 2024 Guest of Honor ‘Enrichments’ – Publishing Perspectives: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairSalman Rushdie News Conference at the Frankfurt Book Fair: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as Writers7 Indonesian Novels in Translation That Push Boundaries: by Dias Novita Wuri @electriclitCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingThe five-minute workday: @pubcoach3 Ways to Squeeze in More Writing: by Jill KemererCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeWriting While Supporting Your Mental Health: by E. M. Sherwood FosterAre You Discouraged with Your Writing Dream? Don’t Despair,.4 Tips to Keep You on Track: @CindyDevoted @ediemelsonYour Writing Superpower in a World of AI: by Jim Denney @annerallenWhy Human Writing Is Worth Defending In the Age of ChatGPT: by Naomi S. BaronWriting, Publishing, and Marketing Passion Projects: Publishing for Profit with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn: @thecreativepenn @indieauthoralliSix Ways an Author Can Turn Away Fans Online: @AlexJCavanaugh @theiwsgThe Ease of Writing: by Jim Dempsey @writerunboxed7 Things Happy Writers Never Do: @colleen_m_storyMoving Forward, One Step at a Time: by Juliet Marillier @writerunboxedImagine that one reader: @danblank @wegrowmediaDo You Bleed on the Page? @jamesscottbellThree Elements in a Writer’s Life: @maeclair1 @storyempireA Big Picture Solution to “The Writing Bottleneck”: @JennyHansenCAGenres / HistoricalHow much Regional Accent and Dialect is Too Much in Historical Fiction? by Janet MorrisonGenres / MysteryWriting the Cozy Mystery: More About Victims: Twists, Hooks, and Reveals: @MandSMagazineCrime Fiction: Hiding Bodies: @madsmagazineGenres / PoetryPoet and Translator Dong Li on the “Common Tongue of Poetry”: by Peter Mishler @lithubGenres / ScreenwritingNo, Your Spec Screenplay Is NOT A ‘Drama/Thriller’. Here’s Why: @bang2writeGenres / Short StoriesHow Do I Create Novelty in Short Stories? by Oren AshkenaziPromo / Book ReviewsHow Reviews Help Authors: @SMCarriere7 Best Book Marketing Strategies to Secure Reviews on Amazon: @bookgalPromo / MiscellaneousGetting Your Books Specialty and Holiday Table Placement: @bookgalUse Your Online Events More Effectively Through These Promotion Ideas: @KarenHWhiting @ediemelsonPublishing / MiscellaneousAt Publishing Perspectives Forum: Our Executive Talks: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives‘The State of AI in Publishing Perspectives Today’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesLiterary agents: concerns about the business model’s viability, diversity, and burnout in a demanding job: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairKalem Agency and Italian Literary Agency: @oliviasnaije @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / International PublishingNairobi International Book Fair: Publishers’ Viewpoints: @OliviaSnaije @pubperspectivesFrankfurt: ‘We Are Sad’ at Arab Exhibitors’ Withdrawal: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt’s Slovenian Pavilion: Urska and Jure Sadar at Work: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt: Ljubljana Reading Manifesto Rallies Book Industry: @JaroslawAdamows @PubPerspectivesFrankfurt: Do Small Book Markets Need Government Funding? @OliviaSnaije @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt: German Comic Book Scene Expands: @JaroslawAdamows @PubPerspectives @book_fairPublishing / Options / Self-PublishingBook Award Update for Indie Authors: October 2023: @indieauthoralliPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingLiterary Agent Interview: Jane Chun Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @janechunlit @NatalieIAguirreBook proposal tip: show, don’t sell: @jbernoffWriting Craft / BeginningsHook Your Genre Readers on Page One: @ninaksimon @careerauthorsWriting Craft / Characters / AntagonistsRooting for the Bad Guy: The Definition of an Antihero: @LR_LamWhat Are Antagonistic Proxies? And How Can They Help Your Story? @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Characters / ArcPodcast: Mistakes In Character Arcs: from MythcreantsWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentCharacter Type and Trope Thesaurus: Loner: @beccapuglisi @onestop4writersHow Right Do Your Characters Have to Be? @authorterryo @killzoneauthorsWriting a New Story: Using the Enneagram to Create Characters: @JillWilliamson @goteenwritersWriting Craft / Characters / Supporting CharactersMinor Characters to the Rescue: @jamesscottbellWriting Craft / Common MistakesShowing versus Telling: by Sereda CouslandWriting Craft / DialogueWriting: Dialogue Refresher: @lindasclareTightening our Prose: Dialog Tags: @Dwallacepeach @storyempireWriting Craft / MiscellaneousTragedy and Real Events in Fiction: @JoanHallWrites @storyempireHow To Steal Like A Writer (And Get Away With It): by Susanne Bennett @writers_writeTraining scenes work in movies. They (usually) suck in novels: @nathanbransfordHow to Write a Myth in 3 Easy Steps (From a Real Mythology Expert): @storyhobbit Writing Techniques: Use and Abuse of “Lampshading”: @jamigold @onestop4writersAnatomy of a Tabletop Adventure: by Austin Conrad @sfwaArticle Writing Basics to Help You Get Started: @LindaGilden @ediemelsonThe Bigger the Stakes, The Bigger the Fall: @SueBEdwards6 Novel Basics You May be Overlooking: @kcraftwriterHow to be a Good Storyteller: 5 Tips to Take You from Idea to Story: @MLConklinWriting an intense chase scene: from How to Fight WriteHow to Write a Fable: Definition, Tips, and How to Publish: @davechessonShould Close Narration Adhere to Realistic Character Thoughts? by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / PacingWhat it Means to Progress the Plot & How to Do it: @septcfawkesWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / ResearchResearching Your Novel—for Depth, Emotion, and Authority: @richardgthomas3 @litreactorWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionThe Character Description Info Dump: @PhilAthansWriting Craft / Word CraftingDo strong verbs power your writing? @pubcoachWriting Tools / AppsProWritingAid Review: Honest AI Grammar Check Insight: @BavelingTech

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
Click To Tweet

The post LitLinks appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

I’ve written here before about cozy mystery victims and how tricky the process can be. It’s tough to make the victim a genuinely good person when you need to have five people with good motives to kill them. But you also don’t want to make the victim someone totally irredeemable because the reader may not end up invested in whether the murderer is caught or not.

I’ve been mulling over an article by PJ Parrish that I read some time back. She talked about the need to have more than just “cardboard corpses.” She also quotes Ross Macdonald, who said:

The detective isn’t your main character, and neither is your villain. The main character is the corpse. The detective’s job is to seek justice for the corpse. It’s the corpse’s story, first and foremost.

I love this perspective. I’ve always known the victim was important because I basically plan the story around them. Who is this person and why do people want to kill him or her? Of course, when you’re considering motives, you’re often thinking about the negative characteristics of the victim or the problems they had in relation to other people.

To make the victim come alive after they’ve already died, it’s helpful to have your sleuth make conversation with a variety of different characters, from suspects to the deceased’s family members and friends. The suspects may want to find something good to say about the victim to deflect attention from the antipathy they had toward them. The family and friends will round things out with a more complete picture of the victim: what they were interested in, who they loved, what they wanted out of life.

Getting that fuller picture helps readers care about the outcome in the case and helps the victim be more than just Mr. Boddy from the Clue board game. It also provides a little more depth for the cozy.

This process can also work for providing more rounded antagonists, too.

If you’re a mystery reader or writer, have you thought much about the victim? How do you make victims (or your antagonists) more complete characters?

Cozy Mysteries: More About Victims:
Click To Tweet

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

The post Writing the Cozy Mystery: More About Victims appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / MiscellaneousProducing Visual, High Quality Books, Thinking Differently, and Kickstarter Lessons With Holger Nils Pohl: @thecreativepennDoes it Matter When You Release a New Book? https://buff.ly/2RlgnFW @SueColetta17 Creative Ways to Boost Book Sales Locally: @bookgalWriting for Mass Appeal: A Systematic Approach to Crafting Novels for the Market: by Laurence O’BryanHow to Write a Bestseller Book: 6 Steps to a Book Readers Love: @storyhobbit4 Reasons Your Writing Business Will Fail: @colleen_m_storyAn Author’s Guide to Hand-Selling: by DonnaRae Menard @careerauthorsWhat Have We Learned from the Hollywood Writers’ Strike? @agnieszkasshoes @indieauthoralliThe Life and Times of a Copyright: @deanwesleysmithConferences and Events / MiscellaneousIn the UK, the £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize’s Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesAbu Dhabi’s Congress of Arabic Publishing Aims to Expand in 2024: @HannahSJohnson @PubPerspectivesFrankfurt’s Fellowship Programs: Wendolyn Trogneux of Éditions Albin Michel: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairFrankfurt’s Fellowships: Roman Skliarov of Ukraine: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairCassava Republic: A $30,000 Nonfiction Prize for Black Women: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesTimely Resonance at Frankfurt: Slovenia’s ‘Laibach: Alamut’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / QuotesA roundup of advice on learning to write and teaching writing, from Ann Patchett to Ursula K. Le Guin: @PaulaSMunier @careerauthorsCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Adam Croft’s What Lies Beneath: 7 Trippy Horror Novels That Will Mess You Up: @timmmeyer11 @litreactorExploring the Fine Art of Short Epic Fantasy: @tordotcomMysteries and Thrillers Set in the Wellness Industry: @jamieleesogn @crimereadsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingWriter Blinders: @LauraDrakeBooksWriting Through Thick and Thin: @ConstanceEmmettCreativity and Inspiration / Success5 “Success” Tips for Fiction Writers: @livewritethriveCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeA Tongue-in-cheek Post for Writers: 10 Reasons Not to Write Books for a Living: @ediemelsonTerrible advice writers should ignore from Internet friends: @annerallenOn Patience, Organic Evolution, Stakes, and Openings: by Liza Nash Taylor @writerunboxedFinding the Courage to Put Your Writing “Out There”: @TrishCrisafulliHow to manage supporting tasks: @pubcoach9 ways to reclaim your writing groove: @nownovelAre you trying to do too much? @pubcoachTurns Out, Maybe Not Writing Was A Smart Decision This Year: @BeingTheWriterJimmy Buffett Teaches Artists How to Live: @foxprinted
Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Paula L. Estrela. Architect Constructs Humorous Children’s Tales With a Serious Message: @howard_lovyGenres / HorrorHow to Plot Twist Horror and Thriller Novels: by Amy Christine Parker @diymfaGenres / HumorHow to Keep Your Dark Comedy From Flopping: by Chris WinkleGenres / MysteryCultural Blending as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergThree Tips on Writing A Thriller Story: @diannmillsHow to Plot a Mystery/Thriller: @xvictoriawrites @NatalieIAguirreThe Psychology of Fear: @MandSMagazineThe Deaths of Young People as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergPoison in Murder Mysteries: @MandSMagazineHow to Write a Detective Story: Definition, Tips, and How to Publish: @davechessonGenres / Non-FictionWriting Nonfiction for Children: by Maria Parrott-Ryan @WriteNowCoachGenres / Picture Books7 Tips for Crafting Activist Picture Books: @MiraReisbergGenres / PoetryEight Top Techniques for Selling Poetry: @indieauthoralliGenres / ScreenwritingScreenwriting: The Vital Role of Your First 10 Pages: @thejkstudio Genres / Short StoriesWriting Short Stories: Lessons from Singer-songwriters: @EldredBirdPromo / BloggingIs it no longer trendy to leave blog comments because readers only want information, not the community? @HughRoberts05Promo / MiscellaneousThe Best Free Marketing Tool: The World in Your Head: by Lisa NormanPromo / PlatformsHow to Build Your Author Platform: by David LoyPublishing / News / International PublishingRights Roundup: Pre-Frankfurt, Fosse and Mohammadi Awarded: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesMexico’s Book Chamber Files Lawsuit in Textbook Dispute: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesTalking AI at Frankfurt: A Look at Some of the Programming Ahead: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @book_fairUK: Society of Authors Questions Spotify’s Publisher Deals: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesThe Revamped USA Today Bestseller List Isn’t What It Used to Be: @HotSheetPub @JaneFriedmanTurkey’s Nermin Mollaoğlu Opens an Independent Press in England: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / Process / ContractsDo you have publishing contract problems? @pubcoachPublishing / Process / LegalitiesHow Do I Protect Myself When Writing About Real People? : @MichaelLaRonn and @sacha_blackPublishing / Process / Services to AvoidCautions: Babelcube, Barnes & Noble Book Order Scams, Audiobook Order Scam (Featuring a Fake Non-Profit): @victoriastraussWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWriting through the generations: @gmplano @storyempireWriting Craft / DialogueWriting: Dialogue Refresher: @lindasclareWriting Craft / MiscellaneousThe Two Most Useless Lines of Dialogue in All Literature: @jamesscottbellWhat is Dramatic Irony? by Lily LindonWriting Your Stories: When Yay Becomes Yuck: by Josh LangstonThree Questions to Get to the Heart of Your Story: @Janice_HardyOn Breaking Book Formatting and Adverb Rules: @FrugalBookPromoWhat About Profanity When Writing Dialogue? @PeggySueWells @ediemelsonUsing the Beauty of Triangles in the Stories We Write: @SarahSallyHamer @ediemelsonTips on Writing Heartbreak and Break-ups: @AuthorMarilene Why Context Is Important When Writing: @MorganHzlwoodHow To Make A Difference With Your Writing: @KarenBanesConveying “Whispering” without Repetition: from Writing Questions AnsweredSearching for Authenticity as a Writer: @DavidCorbett_CA @writerunboxedWriting Craft / RevisionHow to Be a “Bad-As” Editor: @SnowflakeGuyWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesThe Power of Feedback: How a Support Group Can Improve Your Writing: @TheLeighShulmanThe Beauty of Beta Readers: @c_vandenhende @diymfaWriting Craft / ScenesStrategies for Smooth Scene Openings: @LisaPoisso
@onestop4writers

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
Click To Tweet

The post LitLinks appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

 

By Patricia Crisafulli

Writing is one thing—submitting for publication is quite another. We leave the secure world of our creativity for the unknown of an agent’s or editor’s domain. If that weren’t scary enough, a Google search of “percentage of manuscripts that get published” yields a completely disheartening answer. It’s enough to make even the most stalwart writer retreat to the comfort of the sofa with a plate of hot scones.

And that’s precisely why we need to find our courage whether we’re querying an agent, submitting to an editor, or even sharing with a writing group for critique. (Not to mention subjecting ourselves to those pesky reader reviews after publication.)

Courage is not overcoming our fears—it’s welcoming them as part of the process. Fear is important feedback, letting us know that we’ve gone outside our comfort zone. So, if putting our writing “out there” triggers anxiety, we need to congratulate ourselves on taking that big step!

Here are some thoughts for channeling our fear into courage:

Name that fear. In a word, rejection. Someone tells us, “I don’t like what you’ve written” (though probably not in those exact words), and it feels like “I don’t like you.” The anticipation of that pain can be enough to keep us from making the leap to submit our writing. But this is not a personal rejection—it’s commentary (often subjective) on what we’ve written. By naming our fear, we can bring it down to size.Fear—but don’t steer. We know what fear feels like: sweaty palms, shaky knees, palpating heart, and all. That’s exactly what I felt the first time I went zip-lining. Clinging to the straps, I tried to steer but that only slowed me down. On the last jump, the guide told me to “let go”—otherwise I might not be able to go the distance. I had to resist the temptation to steer as I zipped across the expanse, letting the momentum and the wind turn me this way and that. Not only did I use that exact experience for my protagonist in my latest novel, The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm, but it also became a personal metaphor when putting my writing out into the world. I cannot steer—there’s no controlling what others will do or say. This is about letting go—of that book proposal, novel draft, article pitch—and seeing what happens.Would you rather not know? It was a crowded Manhattan restaurant on a Friday night. And I, then in my late twenties, sashayed across the floor to the restroom in my favorite white dress with the tiny black dots—the one that skimmed my hips and flowed down almost to my ankles. On the way out of the restroom, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me back inside. “Your skirt is tucked into your underwear!” she said in my ear. That “feedback” saved me from walking across the restaurant with my you-know-what exposed. A moment of discomfort saved me from making a spectacle of myself. And so, it is when I get comments back from an editor with advice on “improving your next draft”—the one I had thought was polished to perfection. We do want to know what needs to be addressed because that’s the feedback that will help us reach the next level (and maybe avoid some embarrassment as well).Everybody goes through this—what you learn makes it unique. Okay, so this one is almost cliché, but that’s because it’s true! The list of famous writers who got rejected is very long: J.K. Rowling, James Joyce, Louisa May Alcott, Ernest Hemingway, Agatha Christie, and so many more … Too often, though, this is interpreted as, “Those editors sure were dumb to miss on out Harry Potter” (okay, so maybe that one). But the bigger takeaway is how these luminaries took their rejections in stride, made their rewrites, worked on their craft, and soldiered on. In my own writing career, I received some disheartening rejections at first, then was sustained for a while by “positive rejections” that talked about my promise and potential. That’s when I decided to double down on my craft by getting a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in creative writing—and my thesis became my first published novel!Courage keeps our eye on the prize. Step away from writing for a moment—and think about … sports. No, I’m not suggesting that we trade our keyboards for, say, a pair of cleats. But within sports we find numerous uplifting and real-world examples of finding the courage to keep going against steep odds. Consider the almost mythic The Miracle on Ice”—the 1980 victory of a young and amateur U.S. hockey team over an older and more experienced USSR team at the Olympics at Lake Placid. Or, the Boston Red Sox who were down three games in a best-of-seven series and came back to beat their bitter rivals the New York Yankees to advance to the 2004 World Series. As I sit at my keyboard, I’m far from a hockey rink or a baseball diamond (not to mention that I don’t play either sport). But I can draw inspiration from these stories to find my own courage and keep an eye on the prize.

Putting our writing out there may never be easy. We’ll face fear and insecurity at every turn. But with courage, we’ll keep venturing out of our comfort zone and into the realm of possibilities.

 

 

 

Patricia Crisafulli is an award-winning writer and a New York Times bestselling author. Her first novel, The Secrets of Ohnita Harbor, was published by Woodhall Press in 2022, and her second, The Secrets of Still Waters Chasm, was published in September 2023.

 

 

 

Finding the Courage to Put Your Writing “Out There”
Click To Tweet

 

 

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

The post Finding the Courage to Put Your Writing “Out There” appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Lit Links are fed into the Writer’s Knowledge Base search engine (developed by writer and software engineer Mike Fleming) which has over 70,000 free articles on writing related topics. It’s the search engine for writers. While you’re there, check out the Writer’s Digest award-winning Hiveword novel organizer.

Have you visited the WKB lately?  Check out the new redesign where you can browse by category, and sign up for free writing articles, on topics you choose, delivered to your email inbox!  Sign up for the Hiveword newsletter here. Follow the WKB on Facebook here.

Business / Miscellaneous5 Ways Fiction Authors Can Make Money Writing Nonfiction: @StuartConover @HorrorTreeThe Three R’s of a Successful Professional Writing Career: @RuthHarrisBooksA Template for Asking for an Editor: by Jeanette the Writer @diymfaShadow Library Lawsuit Shows Struggle Subscription Services Face Tackling Scammers: @agnieszkasshoes @indieauthoralliConferences and Events / MiscellaneousFrankfurt Announces Czech Republic Its 2026 Guest of Honor: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCanada’s $75,000 Cundill History Prize Names Its Shortlist: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesThe New PublisHer Stand Makes Its Frankfurt Debut: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesUS National Book Awards: The 2023 Finalists: @Porter_Anderson @nationalbookNorway’s Jon Fosse Wins the Nobel Prize in Literature: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectives @NobelPrizeWinners Named in the South Africa Book Awards: Voted for by Booksellers: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesFrankfurt: Gaia Vince Keynotes at Opening Press Conference: @Porter_Anderson @WanderingGaia @pubperspectives @book_fairCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Lynda McDaniel’s A Life For a Life: @MargotKinberg8 Campus Novels Set in Grad School: by Kyla D. Walker @electriclit7 Great Crime Novels Set in Harlem: @LouRHare @crimereadsHow to Read to Elevate Your Writing Practice: by Robin Henry @JaneFriedman7 Supernatural Thrillers Perfect for Those Dark and Stormy Nights: @booktribThe Absolute Worst Schools in Fiction: @jenabrownwrites @litreactorCreativity and Inspiration / MotivationMotivation for Writers: How to Stay Focused on Your Writing Goals: from Writing AnalyticsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Fitting in WritingMaintaining Focus: Overcoming Writer’s Block and Distractions: @TheLeighShulmanCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeCartoonist Tom Gauld on the writer’s advance: @tomgauld @GuardianBooksThe Myth That Writing is Hard: @DeanWesleySmithAre Writers Left-Brained or Right-Brained and Does it really matter? @AneMulligan @EdieMelsonWriting Myths: The First-Book Success Story: Leisure Learning: Old School: by Melissa Haas @diymfaWhen Your Favorite Novel Takes a Long, Long Time to Write: by Stephanie Cowell @writerunboxedFind a Writing Buddy: @KMWeilandInspirational Indie Author Interview: CJ Archer. History, Mystery, Fantasy Author Boldly Mixes Genres: @howard_lovy features @CJ_Archer19 Writing Truths to Smooth Your Path, Renew Your Joy and Instill Peace for the Journey: @ediemelsonHow to Be a Writer: Five Simple Rules: @lindalrichards @careerauthors
21 Edgar Allan Poe Gifts for Fans of the Notorious Writer: by Jaylynn KorrellIs Writing Your Dream or Fantasy? by Crystal Grant @goteenwritersHow to Waste Time: 5 Ways To Do It Well: by Emil Rem @write_practiceHow to Know Your Book is Done: @bookendslitMake an appointment with yourself: @austinkleonFive Simple Rules for Better Writing by Josh Stallings: Genres / FantasyAre These Classic Monsters Problematic? by Oren AshkenaziHow to Write and Create Creatures: from Coffee Bean WritingGenres / MemoirQuestioning our notions of home – memoirist and writing coach Jennifer Lang: @Roz_MorrisGenres / MiscellaneousHow to Write a Graphic Novel and Publish It in 6 Easy Steps: @davechessonGenres / MysteryCrime Fiction Research: Sheriffs: Who Are They and What Are Their Duties? @LeeLoflandCombining Crime Fiction and Fantasy: @MargotKinbergA Lovely Place to Die: Favorite Settings for a Charming Murder: by Mark Waddell @CrimeReadsGenres / Non-FictionHow to Write a Self-Help Book: The Complete Process: @davechessonHow to Write an Autobiography and Publish it in 7 Easy Steps: @davechessonGenres / PoetryWriting Poetry In The Dark With Stephanie Wytovich: @thecreativepennGenres / RomanceIs Your Romance Novel Circling the Drain? – @TammyLoughBooks @diymfaGenres / Short StoriesHow I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Novella: @MrWarrenWagner @litreactorWriting Short Stories to Jumpstart Your Novel Writing: @LiteraryEllyMay @writerunboxedPromo / BloggingMaximizing Your Author Website’s Potential with Blogging: by J. Alexander GreenwoodPromo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingHow Your Amazon Author Bio Can Help You Sell Books: @bookgalPromo / Connecting with ReadersHow to find your readers: @DanBlank @WeGrowMediaPublishing / MiscellaneousChildren’s Books Edition: PRH’s ‘Banned Wagon’ Rolls Sunday: @Porter_Anderson Book Parts and Better Engagement – Anatomy of an Afterword: @KMazeauthorTaylor & Francis: A Platform for Pitching Submissions to Its Journals: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesAt Frankfurt: Demand for More Books and Cultural Media Coverage: @Porter_Anderson @book_fair @PubPerspectivesUK and Australia: Spotify Opens ‘Audiobooks in Premium’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesIn England: The Society of Authors’ CEO Nicola Solomon is Retiring: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesCanada’s Wattpad Updates Its Paid Program: ‘Originals’: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesSustainability: SBTi Verifies Springer Nature’s Net Zero Targets: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesPublishing / News / AmazonKDP Limits Titles: We Learn How Tricky It Can Be to Legislate Technology: @agnieszcasshoesPublishing / News / International PublishingChildren’s Books Edition: Pre-Frankfurt Rights Roundup: @Porter_Anderson @PubPerspectivesUK: National Centre For Writing Names Literary Translator-Mentees: @Porter_Anderson @PubperspectivesPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / PitchesHow to Successfully Pitch Op-Eds and Timely Cultural Pieces: by Estelle Erasmus @JaneFriedmanPublishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingQuerying after a less than stellar debut: by Janet ReidQuerying is the Worst: @MorganHzlwoodWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentFlawed Characters: @gmplano @storyempireWriting Characters Readers Connect With: by Donna Jo StoneHot Tip for Character Relationships: The Relationship IS a Character: @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Characters / ProtagonistsDoes the hero have at least one big “I understand you” moment with a love interest or primary emotional partner? @cockeyedcaravanWriting Craft / HumorHow Authors Can Use Humor in Their Stories: @DouglewarsWriting Craft / Miscellaneous10 Common Writing Techniques and How to Use Them: @richardgthomas3 @litreactor5 Tips To Show Time Passing In Deep Point Of View: @LisaHallWilsonExposition in a Story: @FrancineElena @TheNovelryThe Good The Bad and the Unsympathetic Character: @Elliot_Laura @womenwritersA Risk Worth Taking : @JamesScottBellWriting About Pain: Describing Minor Injuries: @angelaackerman @onestop4writersFive Fake Turning Points Storytellers Keep Using: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Revisions / CritiquesOn Finding a Critique Group: @shuttaWriting Craft / Settings and DescriptionSetting – The Versatile Tool for the Fiction Writer: @livewritethriveWriting Craft / World-BuildingWorldbuilding 101 for Writers: Writing Technology and Magic Systems: @ACW_Author @EdieMelsonDepicting Real World Religions Alongside Constructed Religions: @WritingwColor

 

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On Lit Links:
Click To Tweet

The post LitLinks appeared first on Elizabeth Spann Craig.