I recently saw an interview with the cast of a Quentin Tarantino movie with the actors saying they celebrated regularly throughout the whole filmmaking process, and not just at the end. Apparently Tarantino subscribes to the belief that if you are involved in a creative pursuit, you should enjoy all of the process not just the “red carpet” bit at …
There comes a time in nearly every project when a writer encounters writer’s block. Writer’s block can feel crippling but the most important thing to know is that it is only a temporary state – unless of course you stop writing. The other good news is that it is possible to conquer this dreaded condition. In fact there are loads …
Writing fiction inevitably involves building a whole new world or setting for your characters and story. Vivid world building of course is critical for genres like fantasy and sci-fi, but it’s just as important for stories set in contemporary, familiar or modern settings. You want to create a setting and characters that a reader can clearly picture in their mind …
Okay, you got me. There are actually many variables that determine whether you succeed as a writer – not just one thing. If there was an exact magic formula there wouldn’t be a need for anyone to blog about this stuff…but…there is, in fact, one critical factor that determines just how good you get as a writer. And that one …
Capturing a character’s unique voice is an ongoing challenge but I feel like I’m making real progress with my latest work-in-progress. My main character is a 17-year-old girl and I was once that age so I figure I have a bit of a headstart. To get even further into my character’s head I dusted off diaries I had written as …
Saved away in one of the files on my computer is a numbered list of names. There are names of writing competitions and opportunities, publishers and literary agents. Each of the names has notes next to him. Dates of when something was sent or submitted. Some of the text is marked with strikethrough and details of a response received. Some …
The pros and cons of pen names with best-selling author Bren MacDibble/Cally Black, plus other expert tips. I had never given much thought until recently about whether I needed a pen name for the books I’m writing. You see I have been firmly planted in the one genre for a while, specifically YA fantasy, so I figured it made sense …
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that an (aspiring) author in possession of a book (idea) to sell, must be in want of an author brand or platform.” I’ve taken some liberty with Jane Austen’s words but I’m sure she would have agreed with the sentiment. Jane Austen lived at a time when books by women were usually published anonymously. …
You have probably heard the saying that if you want something done, you should ask someone who’s busy, and I have found this to be true when it comes to my creative writing. The last couple of months have been some of the busiest of my life. I got two new clients for my business, which both involve steep learning …
The idea of marketing yourself as an author can be understandably overwhelming, especially if you are in the early stages of your writing journey. Aspiring authors may wonder what they can do to enhance their chances of making money from their future books. Recently published authors may question what they can do to increase their profile and book sales. The …