Every November, thousands of writers and would-be writers take part in a month long challenge: Write a novel in 30 days. The brainchild of Chris Baty, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is the perfect time to stop saying, “I want to write a book,” and get down to writing it. Although it may seem impossible…
Category Archives: Writing
Article Writing Tips for the Anal Retentive – Tip 1
(Or It Takes One to Know One) Writing Tip Number One There is nothing more frustrating than staring at a blank sheet of paper (or computer screen) when you absolutely must write a blog post or an article for your email newsletter or autoresponder series. This isn’t the same as writer’s block. It’s more like…
Changing Genres?
‘Genre’ is what defines a writer, or does it? Should a writer be confined to write in one genre? Is it risky for an author to change the genre that he or she writes in? I, for one, am one author who has changed my genre–from historical fiction to contemporary YA suspense. I know that…
Semicolon Usage
Proper use of the semicolon is becoming rare; often, no semicolon usage is common. Many people don’t know how to use a semicolon, so they don’t use them at all, but the semicolon can create emphasis or further meaning in a sentence and show connections that a period or a conjunction cannot. When used well,…
Writing the Fantasy Hook
Notes on Page 1 of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones Whenever a novel or series becomes hugely successful, I like to break down an opening page to convey how the writing and story hooked readers. The opening novel in a fantasy series must convey both the promise of the story, the dramatic truth…
Nature Vs Nurture: Natural Writers and the Educated
In the world of writing there as many different styles as there are words. Writers from all walks of life, all different backgrounds and different levels of education battle the blank page to inform and entertain. Natural writers, those without formal education, full of passion, and a love for the written word, are often combating…
What to Expect When You Hire a Book-Writing Coach
You have decided to write your first nonfiction book, but you’re not exactly sure how to go about it. Perhaps you take a class or buy a few books to help you get a handle on the process. Finally, it’s time to begin. If you are like many first-time authors, somewhere early in the project…
Writing and Selling Your Second Book
Many authors are writers by heart. Writing, not book marketing, is their passion, so once the first book is published, an author may find himself disconcerted with promoting the first book and not having time to write the second. However, a second book is an integral part of marketing yourself, so finding the time is…
Writing Fantasy – Rules for Fantasy Worlds
Novice fantasy authors too typically let their imaginations run wild when they create their fantasy worlds and characters. While fantasy and science fiction may overturn the rules of the natural world as far as what is possible, readers will not suspend their disbelief if that disbelief is tested too much. Making the unbelievable believable in…
How Long Should Your eBook Be?
I get this question often as a book coach, so I decided to let your know my 2 cents. There’s no hard and fast rule on what length an ebook should be, but from my 12 years as a book coach online, I know these ideas will help you decide. Decide Which Number is Best…
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