Riley Adams's Blog, page 7

 

by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks 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.

Self-Publishing A Second Edition Of A Non-Fiction Book With Gin Stephens: by Joanna Penn31 Writing Prompts For December 2024: by Mia Botha7 Dark Tales Haunted by Music: by Kate van der BorghShort, Winter Poems for Long, Cold Nights: by Kelsey GoodenStories that Twist the Bounds of Genre: @oliviablacke.bsky.social7 Books That Are So Confusing (In the Best Way): by Cameron KimballCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Nishita Parekh’s The Night of the Storm: @[email protected]Create a Schedule for Your Ideal Week: A Guide for Busy Writers: by Javacia Harris BowserDealing with the Don’t-Know: from Fox Print EditorialShould You Even Bother to Write and Publish a Book? by Lisa Tener“It Will Be One of the Most Ghastly Short Stories Ever Written.” When Dylan Thomas Tried to Get Spooky: by Nick Ripatrazone @literaryhub.bsky.social5 Things Painting the Bathroom Reminded Me about Writing a Novel: by Sarah Welch @janefriedman.comFinding the Spirit of Christmas: @mike54martin.bsky.socialThree Hidden & Lost Libraries and One Whose Books Are Still Growing: by Elaine DodgeAmong the Sleuths: Looking for Answers at the Nancy Drew Convention: by Jadie Stillwell and Nicole BlackwoodWriting in a Time of Dystopia: @cathyyardley.bsky.social @writerunboxed.bsky.socialHow do you write in times like these? by Daphne Gray-GrantSteven Pressfield : Don’t WIP It: 3 Ways to Remove Your Obstacle to Becoming an Author: @ninaamir.bsky.socialGenre Expectations: Writing All the “Punk” Genres: by A.C. WilliamsSwitching Genres, Thriller to Fantasy: An Interview with Rachel Howzell Hall: @davidcorbett.bsky.socialTeacher-Student Relationships as an Element in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.socialWinter Sports as an Element in Crime Fiction: @[email protected]Why I Write Silver Romance: by Lynne M. Spreen @womenwriters.bsky.socialTop List of Romance Tropes to Inspire Your Next Love Story: by Dave ChessonTop 10 Reasons Your Spec Screenplay Is Being Sent To Trash: by Lucy V HayFrance’s Publishers, Booksellers, Writers Back the ‘Culture Pass’: by Porter AndersonIn Rome: ‘Più libri più liberi’ Statistics: Reading Rates Are Down Again: by Porter AndersonSample query letter to a literary agent: by Katrina Diaz-ArnoldCan a Petty Villain Be Threatening? by Oren AshkenaziHow to Write Irresistible Character Relationships: by Lynette M. BurrowsCharacter Secret Thesaurus Entry: Coveting Someone Else’s Life: @angelackerman.bsky.socialShy, depressed, grieving, and adrift characters still need to be active: @nathanbransford.comFive Common Reasons the Hero Is Too Powerful: by Oren AshkenaziAre Heroes Obsolete? by Donald Maass @writerunboxed.bsky.socialCreature from the Black Lagoon Beat Sheet Analysis: by Don RoffWhat Writers Can Learn From Now, Voyager: by James Scott Bell“Nobody Wants This” – TV Pilot Beat Sheet Analysis: by Shari SimpsonWhat is Your Story’s Theme? by Karen CioffiThe CRAAP Test for Writing Advice: by Liz GauffreauThe 3 (Structurally) Most Important Characters: by K.M. WeilandWorking with the Internal Plotline: by September C. FawkesHow to Avoid Author Intrusion in First Person: by Becca Puglisi5 Mistakes New Writers Make in the Middle of Their Book (video): by Abbie EmmonsAre Your Readers Frustrated? You Can Fix That: by Chris Winkle7 tips for compelling titles to captivate your audience: by Louise HarnbyPantser vs. Plotter: Authors Debate the Best Approach to Writing: by Victoria SchadeStep-by-Step Guide to the Snowflake Method: from The Art of Narrative10 Non-Lethal Injuries to Add Pain to Your Writing: from Haya the AuthorStarting Your Scenes with a Bang: by C.S. LakinWriting a Novel, Scene by Scene: by Jenny Hansen6 Powerful Techniques to Escape Tedious Descriptions: by Sandy VaileWorld Building—for Yourself and Your Characters (or, The Reality You Can Choose to Create): by Tiffany Yates MartinA Comparison Of 5 Novel Editing Platforms: by Elaine DodgeSix Strategies to Shut Up Your Mean Inner Critic (So You Can Get on and Write): by Katy Segrove

 

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by Mike Martin, @mike54martin.bsky.social

Some people believe that Christmas can only be the celebration of the birth of the baby
Jesus. Others who are more secular think that it is a time to gather with family and good
friends to eat and toast the season. Some also simply like to decorate, or sing carols, or
drink eggnog. With or without the rum. Still others like to shop and wrap and give or
receive presents. Lots of presents.

So, who’s right? I think everyone should celebrate Christmas as they see fit or believe
or imagine. Or not celebrate like Scrooge or the Grinch, but remember how that worked
out for them. Go for Chinese food on Christmas Day or watch football or basketball or
just enjoy a day off. Do whatever you would like.

But underneath all of the celebrations is something bigger than religion or
commercialism or shopping or singing. There is something special that happens during
the Christmas season that somehow manages to bring a smile to almost everyone’s
face and for a few brief moments we are united in that feeling. I call it the Christmas
glow.

Peace on earth? Absolutely. Especially at a time when so many people are suffering.
Goodwill to all men and women. Don’t we need just a little bit, okay maybe a whole lot,
more of that? Kindness to strangers. Smiling at someone you don’t know. Giving a bit
more to your favourite charity. Helping out at a food bank or shelter. Feeling good about
yourself, your circle, your neighbours. Even for that brief period of time it’s worth it. One
hundred percent.

Children get the spirit of Christmas. They always have. And it’s not just about the
presents or the candy or the TV specials. They anticipate Christmas with a fervour that
only a mind that has not been jaded by the modern world can experience. And they
know that it is bigger than them or their family or their community. Even if they don’t
believe in Santa Claus anymore, they still believe in Christmas.

That’s the feeling that I have been trying to capture in all three of my children’s
Christmas books, including the latest: Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir. The
heroine gets a magician to make a special potion to bring back the magic of Christmas.
But Princess Sophie discovers that it was in her, and all people, all along. All she had to
do was believe.

Maybe that’s all we have to do, too. Forget about what we think and just believe in the
spirit of Christmas and spread our own good cheer all over the world.

Mike Martin is usually the author of the Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series.
But he also writes children’s Christmas books. There are three books so far. The
Christmas Beaver, A Friend for Christmas and now Princess Sophie and the
Christmas Elixir.

Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir is available from Amazon all over the world.

 

 

 

 

Author @mike54martin on Finding the Spirit of Christmas:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks 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.

Exuberance and Concern: The 75th US National Book Awards : by Porter Anderson9 Books About Leaning on the Families We Choose in Times of Grief: by Laura Buchwald @electriclit.bsky.social7 Novels Featuring Protagonists Over 70: by Anna Montague @electriclit.bsky.socialClose Reading: A How To Step by Step Guide: from The Art of NarrativeCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Jefferson Bass’ Carved in Bone: @mkinberg.bsky.socialThe Secret to Writer’s Block: How the Law of Attraction Can Help You Break Through It: by Suzanne LieuranceGetting Started: Even with a Not-so-great Idea: by Shutta CrumThe Backlist: by K.M. AllanFrom architecture term to novel theme and title – interview with Rachel Stolzman Gullo: @vineleavespress.bsky.social @rozmorris.bsky.socialA Midlife Writer’s Journey: From Crisis to Clarity: by Carolyn McBrideWhat Writers Should Know: Self improvement: by D.L. FinnWhy the Best Life Lessons Are Writing Lessons, Too: @jessicastrawser.bsky.social @janefriedman.comInterview with Elizabeth Spann Craig on Outlining, Writing Rituals and Advice for New Writers: by Deborah Z. AdamsWriting Horror With Boris Bacic: by Joanna PennLive-in Nursing as an Element of Crime Fiction : @margotkinbergThe Timeless Appeal of Amateur Sleuths: by Phyllis GobbellSearching for Missing Heirs as an Element in Crime Fiction: @mkinberg.bsky.socialSecrets of Suspense: by Hank Phillippi RyanRed Herring Examples and Definition: by Shane MillarInterview: How One Debut Author Built an ARC Team from Scratch: by Rick BurnesBloomsbury: Audiobook Distribution Agreement With Spotify: by Porter AndersonUS Book Market Overall Up 2.4 Percent: by Porter AndersonDon’t Demonize Print on Demand: @janefriedman.comHow to Get the Same Pre-Order Release Date for KDP & IngramSpark: by David WogahnPublishing: Germany’s Börsenverein Calls on Algeria To Release Boualem Sansal: by Porter AndersonEnrique Krauze at the IPA Publishers Congress: ‘The Age of Discord’: by Porter AndersonWriting a Great Opening Line: by Beem WeeksForget the First Line. Focus on First Pages: by Tiffany Yates Martin @janefriedman.comFive Protagonists With Nothing to Do: by Oren AshkenaziWriting: Dialogue: by Linda S. ClareWhat Makes Something Rewatchable? by Oren Ashkenazi37 Days of Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor: by Matt BirdSadly, Your Premise Isn’t a Good Reveal: by Chris WinkleNarrative-Based Learning in Education: Fostering Creativity and Curiosity: from The Art of NarrativeTop 10 Writing Tips To Improve Your Writing Style: by Eimear KilcullenThe Dangers of Writing on Someone Else’s Heartstrings: by Marie Croke @sfwa.bsky.socialWhen Writing in Deep POV Should I Use First or Third Person? by Ane MulliganEditing and Revising Your Narrative: Polishing Your Story to Perfection: from The Art of NarrativeHow to End a Scene: by James Scott BellCreating Scenes: by Karen Cioffi6 Ways Your Setting Can Create Conflict: by Janice HardyHow to Write Poetic Prose: by Ellen BuikemaJulie Sedivy on Amplifying the Pleasure of Language: @literaryhub.bsky.socialA Comparison of 6 Novel Writing Software Programs: by Elaine DodgeHarnessing AI for Writers: Boosting Productivity and Creativity: by Zena Dell Lowe

 

The Top Writing Links From Last Week Are On LitLinks:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks 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.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the States! I’ll see you back here next Sunday.

How to use a marketing buddy in your editing business: by Louise HarnbyWhere Do the Stories Come From? by Anne Janzer @janefriedman.bsky.socialBelonging Somewhere Else, Too: Seven Books on Making a Home in a New Country: by Bruna Dantas Lobato @literaryhub @lithubCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Clare Chase’s Murder on the Marshes: by Margot KinbergExplore These 6 Novels About Road Trips: by Jessica StrawserCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Berrick Ford’s Dead Water: @margotkinbergHow to write if you’re a night owl: by Daphne Gray-GrantHow Should Debut Novelists Measure Success? by K.E. Semmel @the_millionsWriting: Rejection and Starting Late: by Margot ConorSix Things You Can Do To Support The Authors In Your Life: by Andrea J. Stein @womenwritersKeeping your writing to yourself? by Anne JanzerOn Storytelling and the Tarot: A Personal Journey: by Kris Waldherr @womenwritersThe Wonders of a Writing Group: by Jim Dempsey @writerunboxedWords of Wisdom On Burnout: by Dale Ivan SmithCross-Pollinization for Writers: @cleemckenzie @theiwsgWriting Short Fiction to Prevent the Future: @jamesscottbellA Fall or Winter Clean-Up for Writers: @TickledPinkTam @EdieMelson5 Things You Can Do If Writing Becomes Overwhelming: @bang2writeUsing Writing to Escape From Trauma: @KristinaAuthorEvery Book is Different: by Terry Odell9 Characteristics of a Seasoned Writer: @DiAnnMills @EdieMelsonCoping with a Writer’s Fear of the Blank Page: by Henry McLaughlinWhy Everyone Should Keep an Authority List: @joshuadolezal.bsky.social @JaneFriedman.comLiterary Horror Is Hard to Define. That’s the Point: by Alena Bruzas @crimereadsCritics as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergRebellions as an Element in Crime Fiction: @margotkinbergInnovators in Crime Fiction: by Margot KinbergHow to Write Unputdownable Psychological Thrillers: by Christina Delay @angelackerman.bsky.socialHow to Write a Villanelle Poem: A Step-by-Step Guide: @themaltesetigerMarketing, I Didn’t Hate You Enough – One Author’s Journey: by Piper BayardBook Marketing Begins with the Proposal: @KarenHWhiting @ediemelsonSocial media etiquette for authors: by Lisa PoissoCreating a Compelling Author Website: by @selfpubwithdale and Pauline WilesThe Beauty of Small Press: by Jillian Forsberg @writerunboxed.bsky.socialContent Warnings—Are they effective? by Joy YorkCan My Villain Be Realistically Incompetent? by Oren AshkenaziSweating The Small Stuff – Focusing On Details To Make Your Character More Real And Rounded: by Elaine Dodge @writers_writeCharacters: Round and Flat: @KdibiancaCharacter Charting for Beginners: 3 Tips and Tricks to Bring Your Characters to Life: @theleighshulman.bsky.socialWhat Writers Can Learn from Netflix’s Virgin River: @SueColetta1 @storyempireCarrie Beat Sheet Analysis: by Don RoffLessons From the Implausible Writing of Quicksilver: by Chris Winkle5 Valuable Writing Lessons from Dry Socket: by Jenny HansenGet to “I Love You”: @spressfieldHow to craft a reversal in a novel: @nathanbransfordWhat’s at Stake? Here’s How You Find Out: @beccapuglisiUsing Archives to (Re)Write History: by Anneke Schwob @sfwa.bsky.socialThe 2 Elements You Need to Catch Readers in Your Net: by C.S. LakinUsing Google Maps Is a Lot Like Writing from an Outline: @suebradfordedwards.bsky.social5 Plot Hacks That Just Might Save Your Novel: @manzanitafire @janefriedmanCopyeditor’s Corner: Tips and Tricks for Professional Editing: @TheLeighShulman8 Feedback Questions For Fiction Manuscripts: @KMAllan_writerCharacter Descriptions: 50+ Examples and Techniques for Writers: from Story GridHow to Hook Readers with Character Descriptions: @angelackerman.bsky.socialGetting Rid of Crutch Words:

 

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by Elizabeth S. Craig

Crutch words are a funny thing. When I first started seriously writing, in the early 2000s, the overused words I leaned on were different from the ones I have now. Kind of shocking to me is the fact that I still use them at all. I’ve been writing long enough that you’d think I’d recognize what I’m doing as soon as I type one. But it rarely happens, probably because I’m in the zone and pushing words forward.

When I’m editing my books, I notice most of my crutch words seem to occur when I’m grasping for the right word or phrase. It’s like a written um. Which also surprises me. You’d think I’d simply stop typing and sit there until the word came to me.

My usual crutch words are a little, just, that, had, started and some. After my first draft, I eliminate a good number of them.  And my betas and editor slash the others.

I’ve gotten sensitive enough to the words that I notice them in other writers’ books, too. They stand out to me like neon signs and take me out of whatever book I’m reading.

If you’re having a tough time identifying your crutch words, there are a couple of good ways to find them. One is by letting your draft sit for about a week, then come back to it with fresh eyes. You could also try reading your manuscript aloud, which also works well. Or you could send your draft to someone else. Beta readers catch these overused words easily.

For more ideas on common crutch words, read this article by Jessica Page Morrell on the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

Do you have any pet crutch words? Do you notice them as a reader?

Getting Rid of Crutch Words:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

LitLinks 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 / Miscellaneous9 Unexpected Things That Impact Book Sales: @KristinaAuthorConferences and Events / MiscellaneousSamantha Harvey Wins the £50,000 Booker Prize: @Porter_Anderson @pubperspectivesCreativity and Inspiration / Inspiration / Reading as WritersCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Clifford Witting’s Murder in Blue: @margotkinbergCrime Fiction: In The Spotlight: Julie Clark’s The Last Flight: @margotkinberg8 Books About Finding Magic in the Domestic: by Cameron Walker @electricliterature @electriclit6 Great Suspense Novels Featuring Mysterious Mansions: by Tom Ryan @crimereadsCreativity and Inspiration / Productivity / Writing QuicklyWriting a Novella in 2 Weeks: @evadeverellCreativity and Inspiration / SuccessWhen Will You Be a Success? @foxprinted @writerunboxedCreativity and Inspiration / Writing LifeKeeping the Meaning of Your Writing Alive: by Norman ShabelSometimes Writing is Like Trudging in Snow Shoes Over the La Brea Tar Pits: @jamesscottbellDon’t Let Your Writing Get Sidetracked by Distracting Questions: @LarryJLeechII @EdieMelsonMay the best book win – a few thoughts on judging a writing competition: @Roz_Morris4 Survival Skills of Highly Successful Authors: @foxprinted @careerauthorsHow Do You Judge a Story? from David Farland3 Bad Ideas for More Creative Writing: by Jason Keath @janefriedmanGenres / FantasyEight Dos and Don’ts for Making Magic Interesting: by Oren AshkenaziGenres / Mystery40 Mystery Story Ideas and Prompts: by Angie AndriotGenres / RomanceRomance Authors Thrive in the Self-Publishing Era: by Elizabeth Held @JaneFriedmanPromo / BloggingTurn This Setting On To Stop Seeing Too Much Spam On Your WordPress Blog: @HughRoberts05Promo / Book Descriptions and CopywritingIs Your Amazon Author Bio Costing You Book Sales? @bookgalWrite a Genre-Based Book Blurb: by D. Wallace Peach @storyempirePromo / Miscellaneous4 Ways Authors Use Canva in Their Book Marketing: by Jeevani Charika @bookbubPromo / Podcasts7 Lessons Learned From Over 10 Million Downloads Of The Creative Penn Podcast: @thecreativepennPromo / SpeakingWhy Writers Don’t Always Make the Best Speakers: by Kate Greathead @lithub @literaryhubPublishing / MiscellaneousSome of Your Bestselling Favorites Are Products of Fanfiction: by Savannah Cordova @reedsyhq @booktribWriting That Dedication Page: @annehawkinson @floridawriters1Publishing / Options / Traditional Publishing / QueryingInside the Search for a Literary Agent: by Renee RobersonLiterary Agent Interview: CoCo Freeman Interview and Query Critique Giveaway: @NatalieIAguirrePublishing / Process / Services to AvoidBuyer Beware: Vetting Services for Writers: @foxprintedWriting Craft / BeginningsThe Art of the Start: Four Different Ways to Begin Your Novel: by Maggie Smith @rmfwWriting Craft / Characters / DevelopmentWhat’s Your Character’s “WHY”? by Sarah (Sally) HamerCharacter Secret Thesaurus Entry: Having An Undisclosed Bias: @beccapuglisiWriting Craft / Characters / EmotionCharacter Emotions During Action Scenes: by Marilynn ByerlyWriting Craft / DialogueFive Tips for Taking Your Dialogue to the Next Level: by Chris WinkleWriting Craft / Lessons from Books and FilmThe figurative language of Dennis Lehane: @pubcoachThe Thing: Have A Shot of Whisky With Your Existential Terror: by Kali Wallace @literaryreactor @reactormagWriting Craft / MiscellaneousThe Perception of Reality in Fiction: by Kathryn Craft @writerunboxedHow to Create a Strong Catalyst: by Cory MillesMotif Examples and Definition in Literature: by Shane MillarMenace Without Violence: A Writing Lesson from Claire Keegan: by David Corbett @writerunboxed3 Ways Writers Can Instantly Spot Telling: @janice_hardyMurky Middles Begone: Ensure the Middle of Your Book Stands Strong: by Kristin Melville @janefriedmanThree Ways You’re Losing Your Reader’s Trust: @MarissaGraff @writerthesaurusConnective tissue is wildly underrated in storytelling: @nathanbransfordHow to DIY Your MFA: @diymfaHow to Write Irresistible Character Relationships: by Lynette M. BurrowsWriting Craft / POVWriting: How to Write Deep: @lindasclareWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / NamingUltimate Character Name Generator for Every Genre: @themaltesetigerWriting Craft / Pre-Writing / PlottingThe Resolution (Secrets of Story Structure): @KMWeilandWriting Craft / Word CraftingWords That Pack a Punch: by Jan Sikes @storyempire

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Sharing the Books I Wrote in the Past Brings Me as Much Meaning and Purpose as Writing Them Did.  Here’s Why.

By Norman Shabel

A fundamental question people grapple with at all stages of life is: what brings me purpose and meaning?

From a young age, one answer stood out to me: writing fiction.  By the time I was in my twenties I had drafted several novels. Eventually, I penned 7 plays and 8 novels. Putting stories on paper then bringing them out into the world has always brought an unparalleled level of meaning to everyday life.

But knowing what brings meaning is just one side of the equation. Finding ways to engage in meaningful activities amid life’s multiple constraints is another altogether. When I was just starting out, I was extremely busy building a career as a plaintiff’s attorney and prosecutor and raising a family.  I often squeezed writing in while I was hunched over my desk waiting for a jury verdict to come in.  Today, life is calmer and yet, there are always constraints. I no longer have the adrenaline of youth. My family has grown to include grandchildren.Traveling to see them, as well as to spend time with the many other people I care about, keeps me busier than I anticipated. There’s always something.

So, I have found a new way to keep the meaning of writing alive. That is, focusing my energy on sharing the stories I wrote in the past. In many respects, this has proven to be the most meaningful part of my writing journey.

Why?

First, my inspiration for writing was initially sparked by seeing the prejudices and injustices that riddle our legal system while I was practicing law.  These include judges’ and juries’ unconscious biases.  There are also hidden agendas that guide the decision-making process, and alliances between judges and defense lawyers, mayors, police and others in power.  All of this can shape what a jury hears in a case, therefore greatly influencing the outcome – and justice.  In writing legal thrillers, I wanted to show this to the world.  And I did.

For example, my novel Four Women is about four elderly women struggling to retain their homes in Miami despite greedy builders attempting to remove them to make a profit.  The protagonist — their lawyer — also represents a young father who fell into a vat of boiling sulfuric acid at the factory where he worked. He couldn’t sue his employer for negligence because the workers’ compensation laws in Florida favor the employer.  Both situations reflect incidents that, as a lawyer, I saw time and again.

These issues are still prominent in our legal system today, and I am still just as passionate about telling the world all about these behind-the-scenes forces.  Sharing my books allows me to do so.  Knowing that readers will learn from them, becoming more aware as citizens and empowered to take action to fight such injustices wherever they can brings me a tremendous sense of fulfillment.

Perhaps more importantly, I am deeply gratified to share the legacy of the real-life people — women in particular — who inspired many of the characters in my fiction. For example, my mother, Jeannette, who married at 14 and raised four children alone after my father was severely injured in a work accident. Her personal struggles as a welfare recipient inspired her to fight for the rights of others in New York’s welfare system. My Aunt Helen, too, had a formidable spirit, fighting for tenant rights in Coney Island after witnessing landlord neglect.  Aspects of their stories are woven into various novels and plays I have written, including Four Women.  It is immensely gratifying that by sharing my books, I am keeping their legacies alive.

So if you have found something that brings you meaning — whether a hobby, a cause, a learning experience or a creative endeavor — but fear that life’s constraints will hold you back from engaging in it, I invite you to shift your perspective.  The imperatives of reality never go away; they merely evolve.  Instead of abandoning meaningful pursuits or giving up before you start, you can adapt them. For example:

Break them down into a series of smaller steps and take them one step at a time.Focus on the process and the parts of it that you enjoy instead of the end goal.Remind yourself why the activity brings you meaning and continue nurturing the aspects most closely related to this.

In my case, the ability to share my stories has always been a key ingredient of the meaning writing brings me.  Today, I consider it a privilege to be able to focus on this aspect one hundred percent.

Norman Shabel is the author of eight novels, praised by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano as “terrific, fast-paced reads about the dark side of law enforcement and the judiciary.”  Many of his stories are inspired by his 55-year career as a plaintiff’s attorney and prosecutor, where he witnessed injustice and oppression on a daily basis; others draw on his experiences of Jewish family life and his astute observations of its unique, often hilarious, dynamics.  His novels include The Aleph Bet Conspiracy, Four Women and The Badger Game.  Also a prolific playwright, Shabel has written seven plays, three of which have been produced off-broadway in New York City, Philadelphia and Florida to rave reviews. Among them are A Class Act, Marty’s Back in Town, and Are the Lights Still on in Paris?  Born in Brooklyn, NY, Norman is retired from law and splits his time between New Jersey and Florida. He finds much joy spending time with his adult children, and his grandchildren.

Keeping the Meaning of Your Writing Alive by Norman Shabel:
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Sharing the Books I Wrote in the Past Brings Me as Much Meaning and Purpose as Writing Them Did.  Here’s Why.

By Norman Shabel

A fundamental question people grapple with at all stages of life is: what brings me purpose and meaning?

From a young age, one answer stood out to me: writing fiction.  By the time I was in my twenties I had drafted several novels. Eventually, I penned 7 plays and 8 novels. Putting stories on paper then bringing them out into the world has always brought an unparalleled level of meaning to everyday life.

But knowing what brings meaning is just one side of the equation. Finding ways to engage in meaningful activities amid life’s multiple constraints is another altogether. When I was just starting out, I was extremely busy building a career as a plaintiff’s attorney and prosecutor and raising a family.  I often squeezed writing in while I was hunched over my desk waiting for a jury verdict to come in.  Today, life is calmer and yet, there are always constraints. I no longer have the adrenaline of youth. My family has grown to include grandchildren.Traveling to see them, as well as to spend time with the many other people I care about, keeps me busier than I anticipated. There’s always something.

So, I have found a new way to keep the meaning of writing alive. That is, focusing my energy on sharing the stories I wrote in the past. In many respects, this has proven to be the most meaningful part of my writing journey.

Why?

First, my inspiration for writing was initially sparked by seeing the prejudices and injustices that riddle our legal system while I was practicing law.  These include judges’ and juries’ unconscious biases.  There are also hidden agendas that guide the decision-making process, and alliances between judges and defense lawyers, mayors, police and others in power.  All of this can shape what a jury hears in a case, therefore greatly influencing the outcome – and justice.  In writing legal thrillers, I wanted to show this to the world.  And I did.

For example, my novel Four Women is about four elderly women struggling to retain their homes in Miami despite greedy builders attempting to remove them to make a profit.  The protagonist — their lawyer — also represents a young father who fell into a vat of boiling sulfuric acid at the factory where he worked. He couldn’t sue his employer for negligence because the workers’ compensation laws in Florida favor the employer.  Both situations reflect incidents that, as a lawyer, I saw time and again.

These issues are still prominent in our legal system today, and I am still just as passionate about telling the world all about these behind-the-scenes forces.  Sharing my books allows me to do so.  Knowing that readers will learn from them, becoming more aware as citizens and empowered to take action to fight such injustices wherever they can brings me a tremendous sense of fulfillment.

Perhaps more importantly, I am deeply gratified to share the legacy of the real-life people — women in particular — who inspired many of the characters in my fiction. For example, my mother, Jeannette, who married at 14 and raised four children alone after my father was severely injured in a work accident. Her personal struggles as a welfare recipient inspired her to fight for the rights of others in New York’s welfare system. My Aunt Helen, too, had a formidable spirit, fighting for tenant rights in Coney Island after witnessing landlord neglect.  Aspects of their stories are woven into various novels and plays I have written, including Four Women.  It is immensely gratifying that by sharing my books, I am keeping their legacies alive.

So if you have found something that brings you meaning — whether a hobby, a cause, a learning experience or a creative endeavor — but fear that life’s constraints will hold you back from engaging in it, I invite you to shift your perspective.  The imperatives of reality never go away; they merely evolve.  Instead of abandoning meaningful pursuits or giving up before you start, you can adapt them. For example:

Break them down into a series of smaller steps and take them one step at a time.

Focus on the process and the parts of it that you enjoy instead of the end goal.

Remind yourself why the activity brings you meaning and continue nurturing the aspects most closely related to this.

In my case, the ability to share my stories has always been a key ingredient of the meaning writing brings me.  Today, I consider it a privilege to be able to focus on this aspect one hundred percent.

Norman Shabel is the author of eight novels, praised by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano as “terrific, fast-paced reads about the dark side of law enforcement and the judiciary.”  Many of his stories are inspired by his 55-year career as a plaintiff’s attorney and prosecutor, where he witnessed injustice and oppression on a daily basis; others draw on his experiences of Jewish family life and his astute observations of its unique, often hilarious, dynamics.  His novels include The Aleph Bet Conspiracy, Four Women and The Badger Game.  Also a prolific playwright, Shabel has written seven plays, three of which have been produced off-broadway in New York City, Philadelphia and Florida to rave reviews. Among them are A Class Act, Marty’s Back in Town, and Are the Lights Still on in Paris?  Born in Brooklyn, NY, Norman is retired from law and splits his time between New Jersey and Florida. He finds much joy spending time with his adult children, and his grandchildren.

 

 

Finding Meaning Through Writing by Norman Shabel:
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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

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by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

Okay, it’s more like 19 years. My first book, a Myrtle Clover, came out in 2005. But I really count my breakthrough as being in 2009 with the publication of Pretty is as Pretty Dies by Midnight Ink publishing, an imprint of Llewellyn. That’s when I started really putting everything together, both with my writing and with publishing, in general.

Here are a few of my thoughts on publishing:

The rise of digital reading happened a lot faster than I thought it might. And I embraced it quicker than I thought. I remember in 2006ish, I was in a writing group where the other writers were talking about digital books. At the time, they were talking about a Sony ebook reader (I think Sony was first on the scene) and how it would change publishing. At the time, I didn’t think readers would really go for it. I wasn’t sure I would really go for it. I was wrong on both counts.

Hosting as much on your own site as possible keeps stressful changes less-stressful. Twitter changed to X. Facebook shows whatever it wants to show to your followers. Amazon has its own algorithm. Newsletter services come and go and change their rates. But your website is forever. Host your blog there. List your books and their retailers there. You’ll feel less-stressed when changes occur.

Being able to pivot is a great skill in life and writing. I remember in 2020 that the big word was “pivot.” It was thought that restaurants who pivoted by quickly transitioning to takeout or to outdoor seating were the ones that survived the pandemic. The same applies to authors. If we can handle the changes social media, publishing, and AI throw at us, we should be able to make it for the long-haul.

After writing ten books, my income started improving. Part of that may have been audience and the amount of “real estate” I occupied with my books online, but some of it was definitely because it was around that time I was self-publishing in earnest. Yes, I made/make a lot more self-publishing. Proviso: I was traditionally-published first and may have gained an audience that way.

Practice doesn’t make perfect, as far as writing goes. But it sure makes it better. I still need every beta reader and editor I have. But do my books flow better? Are the later ones better than the earlier ones? There’s no doubt.

I’ve noticed changes with my writing as I’ve aged. The writing comes much easier. Sometimes the words don’t come as easily, though. More often, words are on the tip of my tongue, and I have to tease them out. PowerThesaurus has been helpful.

It’s important to keep informed about what’s going on with publishing. This goes along with pivoting. You need to know what you need to pivot in conjunction with.

It’s much easier to continue series than to start new ones. I’ve said this many times, but it’s absolutely true. Long series are profitable. The setting is generally the same. The primary and secondary characters are the same. The biggest challenge is to keep them consistent for readers (which readers like . . . more on that below), while offering something unique with each story so that the series doesn’t become stale.

However, it’s important to start new series. The new series have opened up more income and often new readers who haven’t read my other series (but may, once introduced to my writing).

Readers don’t particularly like change.  Wanting to take your characters/series on a road trip? Want to start a new series? End a series? Often, readers aren’t crazy about any of this. Change needs to be gradual or perhaps under pen names.

Traditional publishing wasn’t awful. But it wasn’t good enough for me to go back to. You don’t have nearly as much control. Rights to various editions are held, but not exploited. Self-publishing is a lot of work. But once you get used to self-publishing, you don’t want to go back.

This is what I’ve got on my list, but what do you think about publishing? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thoughts After 15 Years of Being Published:
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