I will just say it right now: I love index cards. For many years I have used index cards when planning and outlining my books and other projects. I love that they are easy to move around and rearrange. They can be pinned to a cork board or laid out on a table, and they can be put in one very portable stack and taken wherever you want to work with them. The folks at … [Read more...]
Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet
“Save the Cat!” by Blake Snyder was originally written as a tool for screenwriters. Snyder presents a structure for successful storytelling that has been adapted for use by novelists as well as the original audience. Now his work has been reimagined as a video course. The idea behind STC is simple: There are elements that are necessary to create an effective story. Snyder … [Read more...]
Stop Procrastinating, Start Writing
Would-be authors claim they want to write a book, but in fact they want to have already written a book. Writing is hard! Author Joseph Heller once said, “Every writer I know has trouble writing.” And he’s not the only one who has alluded to the difficulty of writing. Stephen King’s quote, “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work,” … [Read more...]
FAQs About Children’s Book Illustrations
Many authors of children’s picture books have questions about how to get their books illustrated. Here are some common questions about illustrations for children’s books. I have written a children’s picture book, but I am not an artist. How do I find someone to illustrate the book before I submit it to publishers? Most publishers do not want to receive … [Read more...]
5 Posts Every Author Should Write on their Website
Did you know that your author website can help you generate additional income? Many authors underestimate the power of a good website. Your dedicated website can help you communicate with your current readers, help you gain new followers, and even serve as a platform for new releases. However, you can also monetize it directly through your blog. But starting to generate … [Read more...]