Why Authors Need an Email Newsletter
As a new author, you may be wondering if you actually need an author newsletter. Why not only use social media and ads? Are email lists truly worth it? In this post, we will cover Why Authors Need an Email Newsletter and how you can utilize your email list to sell more books.
Read MoreFiction Writing: Critique Group Etiquette & Warning Signs of a Good Group Gone Bad
Are you looking to join a critique group and wonder if it will be the right fit for you?
Or have you been in a critique group for a while, but doubt whether the feedback is helpful?
Worse, are you a writer who has suddenly found themselves stuck in a toxic critique group due to changes within the group dynamic?
In Fiction Writing: Critique Group Etiquette & Warning Signs of a Good Group Gone Bad, we discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly to help you get the best feedback on your work.
How to Prep for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
During the month of November, thousands of writers will attempt to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. But what exactly is NaNoWriMo and where can you sign up? Can someone really write a novel in 30 days? How can an aspiring writer prepare for such an endeavor both personally and professionally?
In our post, How to Prep for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), we discuss the basics of the free challenge as well as helpful tips to make your new writing project a success.
Read MoreFiction Writing: How to Plot a Story where the Antagonist is an ‘Invisible Foe’
Plotting a fictional novel may seem easy when the antagonist your main character is fighting against is a formidable person or a savage shark or beast. But what if the opposition in your story is a force of nature like an approaching storm, or if the storm is within the mind of your main character, or perhaps in the shape of a horrific disease?
See how we break down the structure for such stories step by step in Fiction Writing: How to Plot a Story where the Antagonist is an ‘Invisible Foe’.
Read MoreWhat Authors Need to Know About ISBN Numbers Before Self-Publishing
As a new writer, you may have heard the term ISBN used frequently in the publishing world but you may be wondering, what is it? In our blog post What Authors Need to Know About ISBN Numbers Before Self-Publishing, we will cover exactly what every author needs to know about ISBNs, including why they are used, how much they cost, and where to get one for your books.
Read MoreFiction Writing: How to Find a Critique Partner/Group
Do you have someone you trust to critique your work and give you valuable feedback? Someone who can point out inconsistencies with point-of-view, make suggestions for plot points, and offer tips to strengthen character motivation?
In our post, Fiction Writing: How to Find a Critique Partner/Group, we discuss how to connect with others, various ways a critique group can be run, and other considerations to ensure you bring out the best in each other’s writing!
Read MoreHow to Research Information for a Historical Novel
If you are interested in writing historical fiction, you may be wondering—how do you research a historical era? Where do you go to learn about the customs, currency, weapons, mode of transportation, style of dress? What kind of names, food dishes, or jobs were popular back then? Are there websites with this information?
In our post, How to Research Information for a Historical Novel, we give you several valuable resources to find the information you need to write a realistic, historical tale!
Read More7 Steps to Begin Writing a New Fictional Story
Are you interested in writing a fictional story but do not know where to begin? Do you start with characters, setting, research, or a plot? How do you create deadlines or calculate wordcount? How do you break an idea down into chapters and scenes? How do you set up a working manuscript?
Do you wish you could see how a published author prepares to write a new book? Follow along as we discuss the 7 Steps to Begin Writing a New Fictional Story so you can start writing your own story with ease.
Learn to Plot Fiction Writing Series: Story Analysis of the movie “Signs”
The best way to learn story structure is to analyze good stories. Can you readily identify each plot point in every movie you see or book you read? Or do terms like ‘inciting incident,’ ‘midpoint reversal,’ and ‘black moment’ leave you confused?
In our Learn to Plot Fiction Writing Series: Story Analysis of the movie “Signs” we will show you how to recognize each element and provide you with a Free Plot Template so you can draft satisfying, high-quality stories of your own.
Read MoreFiction Writing: How to Get a Literary Agent
If you have finished your first novel, you may be thinking about publication and how to acquire a literary agent. But are you truly ready to pitch to an agent? Do you have a website and a thriving social media platform? Have you researched which agents accept manuscripts in your genre? Do you know how to put together a book proposal?
In our post, Fiction Writing: How to Get a Literary Agent, we discuss each step you should take when seeking representation for your finished novel.
How Writing Prompts Can Improve Your Fictional Story
Some writers may love writing prompts while others think they are a waste of valuable time. Time better spent working on their story.
But what if a few quick specific writing prompt sessions could help you brainstorm plot holes, deepen point-of-view, sketch upcoming scenes, and supercharge character dialogue?
In How Writing Prompts Can Improve Your Fictional Story, we show how these fast sprints can boost motivation, improve writing skills, and enhance your fictional novel.
Read MoreCreative Writing: 5 Ways to Strengthen a Weak Fictional Character
Do you have trouble writing strong fictional characters?
Perhaps you have been told that your protagonist or antagonist or a sub-character is weak, that they need more motivation. Perhaps the character doesn’t have a strong enough story goal, or enough personality or maybe the character isn’t actively driving the story forward.
How can you “fix” a weak character and make him worthy? Follow along as we discuss, Creative Writing: 5 Ways to Strengthen a Weak Fictional Character in the post below.
Read MoreFiction Writing: Create a Storyboard to Map Out Your Scenes
What is the first step to writing a scene?
While some writers just wait to see what comes to mind, it is helpful for most writers to have a plan. Figuring out the scene details and objectives on a “Storyboard” beforehand allows you to write your scenes with ease.
If you are unsure how to craft a vibrant, compelling, purpose-filled scene, follow along as we help you with the framework in our post, Fiction Writing: Create a Storyboard to Map Out Your Scenes, with our Free Template.
Fiction Writing: How Specific Details Can Bring Your Setting to Life
The setting for your fictional story can be so much more than just the general description of a place. The right details can depict mood, personality, theme, character change, and touch the reader’s emotions in profound ways.
In our post, Fiction Writing: How Specific Details Can Bring Your Setting to Life, we discuss several techniques to help you craft meaningful scenes that will deepen your fiction and entice readers to rave about your story world as if it were a real place.
Read MoreHow to Spot Publishing Scams & How To Avoid Them
Learning how to navigate the publishing world is hard enough. Then there are the vanity press businesses that pose as publishers, predatory publishing companies, fake literary agents, and other publishing scams running rampant across the internet. Our post, How to Spot Publishing Scams & How To Avoid Them, shows some of the red flags to look out for and ways to avoid falling into the traps these scammers set to ensnare new authors.
Read More5 Common Mistakes New Writers Make
New writers often hold onto various misconceptions when it comes to writing and publishing. How do you know when your work is ready to publish? Do you really need to hire an editor? What expectations are realistic when publishing a first book? Will publishing houses help a new author with promotion? In our post, 5 Common Mistakes New Writers Make, we discuss these topics and more to help you avoid blunders and launch a flourishing writing career.
Read MoreFiction Writing: Story Analysis of the movie “Passengers”
As an aspiring writer, you may have heard of plot points, pinch points, inciting incident, temporary triumph, black moment, and the climax in traditional story structure, but can you readily identify them in every movie you see or book you read?
In our post Fiction Writing: Story Analysis of the movie “Passengers” we will show you how to recognize each element and provide you with a Free Plot Template so you can draft satisfying, high-quality stories of your own.
Read MoreFiction Writing: How to Write Compelling Dialogue
Have you ever read a book where the characters’ dialogue put you to sleep?
If you write fiction, this is not something that you want anyone to say about your stories!
In our post, Fiction Writing: How to Write Compelling Dialogue, we help you create riveting, lively exchanges between your fictional characters so that your book is filled with edge-of-your-seat tension and unexpected surprises for the reader.
Read MoreFiction Writing: 5 Key Differences Between a Novel and a Novella
Are you confused about the differences between a novel and a novella? Perhaps you know one is longer than the other, but you aren’t sure if writing a novella is worth your time. Do they make any money? Who publishes novellas? Can they be used for promotion? In our post, Fiction Writing: 5 Key Differences Between a Novel and a Novella, we discuss all these things and more so that you can decide which choice is right for you.
Read MorePros & Cons of Traditional vs. Self-Publishing Fiction
If you are an aspiring writer, you may be wondering whether you should self-publish or try to have your book published by a traditional publisher. What are the benefits? The cost? How hard is it to do? Do you need an agent? How much time is involved? What resources do you need or what skills do you need to know? In our post, Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing Fiction, we give you some of the advantages and disadvantages to help you decide which path is right for you.
Read MoreHow to Easily Make a YouTube Banner in Canva for Free
Have you just created a YouTube Channel for your author platform? If you answered yes, you are going to want a beautiful eye-catching banner to give your page a professional look. First impressions matter and having a professional-looking YouTube Channel can only help you grow your author platform. In this blog post, we will show you How to Easily Make a YouTube Banner in Canva for Free. Canva is a fantastic simple-to-use tool that any writer will love because you do not need any graphic design skills to create stunning graphics. It is also 100% free to use.
Read More3 Ways to Avoid Writing ‘Episodic’ Scenes in Fiction
Has anyone ever called your story ‘episodic?’ Were you left wondering what that term even meant? Perhaps you heard the word ‘episodic’ used negatively by an agent or editor at a conference, or by a critique partner, a Beta reader, or…in a rejection letter. In our post, 3 Ways to Avoid Writing ‘Episodic’ Scenes in Fiction, we help you overcome this common writing pitfall so you can strengthen your story and keep readers turning pages.
Read MoreHow to Make a YouTube Banner (Adobe Photoshop Channel Art Tutorial with Free Template)
A YouTube banner is one of the first things people see when clicking on your YouTube Channel. Having professional-looking channel art gives your audience a fast visual view of who you are. If you have tacky/cheap-looking channel art, people will perceive your channel to be tacky/cheap. If your channel art looks professional, they will look at your account more seriously. Whatever theme you want to convey, just like a book cover, you just have a few precious seconds to grab your audience’s attention. In this blog post, we will be going over How to Make a YouTube Banner (Adobe Photoshop Channel Art Tutorial with Free Template).
Read MoreHow to Create Bookmarks for GotPrint in Adobe Photoshop
Do you want to create bookmarks for your new upcoming book release and have no idea how to start? Perhaps you do not have enough money to hire a graphic designer and you would like to learn the skills to create your own bookmarks? In our Video How to Create Bookmarks for GotPrint in Adobe…
Read MoreAuthor Chats: Kate Breslin & Book Launch Promotion
Kate Breslin, an award-winning author of Christian historical fiction, discusses her strategy for book launch promotion and offers several ideas to help aspiring writers build their own group of influencers (or Street Team). Also learn tips for networking, creating promotional materials, and lining up book signing events in this fun, interactive interview conducted by Darlene Panzera.
Read MoreFiction Writing: Office Supplies to Help You Prepare to Write Your Next Novel
Are you new to Fiction Writing? Have you wondered which office supplies might be helpful when preparing to write your first novel?
Or are you a published author preparing to write your next book?
In our post, Fiction Writing: Office Supplies to Help You Prepare to Write Your Next Novel, we give you a handy checklist of supplies for writing, plotting, setting up your office, and for creating a Story Binder that keeps all your templates and brainstorming ideas in one place.
Read MoreHow to Write Act I: Opening Scenes for Your Fictional Story
Many writers come up with an idea for a great story but get stuck on the opening scenes.
* Where do you start?
* What should be included in chapter one?
* How should you introduce the characters and the story world?
* What exactly is an ‘inciting incident?’
* When do I insert backstory?
* What is Plot Point I?
In our post, How to Write Act I: Opening Scenes for Your Fictional Story, we answer each of these questions to help set your writing on the road to success.
Read MoreHow to Upload and Order Bookmarks on GotPrint
If you or a graphic designer have created bookmarks for your new upcoming book release, you may now be wondering How to Upload and Order Bookmarks on GotPrint. In this step-by-step tutorial, we cover how to upload your graphics, make sure that everything is within the margins, and discuss what are the best settings to choose when creating your bookmark.
Read MoreHow To Create a YouTube Channel To Promote Your Writing
Creating a YouTube Channel gives you a spot on the internet to post videos of your book trailers, live author events, and Q&A author chats.
Maybe you feel stuck on the technological side of things and need some help creating a professional YouTube account for your Author Platform. This blog post covers the nitty-gritty step-by-step details on How To Create a YouTube channel To Promote Your Writing.
23 of the Best Free Stock Photo Sites Every Writer Should Be Using
Many authors who have just started a blog or need graphics to market their books on social media often ask where they can find high-quality images to use on their posts. There are so many copyright laws and finding high-quality images to legally use can often be difficult. I hope that in our post, 23 of the Best Free Stock Photo Sites Every Writer Should Be Using, we can make it a little easier for you to find stunning images, graphics, and videos to use for all of your blogging and marketing needs.
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