WTF Do All These Acronyms Stand For?
If you've spent any time on social media with publishing professionals, you've likely seen a slew of acronyms
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- Aug 25, 2021
- 7 min
What Genre is My Book???
Pick one genre, maybe give yourself a modifier for that genre and then relegate the rest of your story to the blurb and synopsis.
- Aug 11, 2021
- 4 min
That's It - I Quit.
And at the time we said it, we meant it. I did, anyway. I truly, completely meant I would never write creatively again. Not one word.
- Aug 4, 2021
- 3 min
Don't Use Numbers
I recently read a book in which the narrator described another character as "hulking" and "imposing" and "scarily intimidating". The...
- Jul 28, 2021
- 2 min
25 Things Every Revising Writer Does
16. Wonder if maybe this whole novel should be in first person.
- Jul 22, 2021
- 6 min
How to Pick Better Comp Titles
Comping to both of them is a little like saying, "I've made this brand new cola. t is going to sell like Coke and Pepsi combined."
- Jul 15, 2021
- 6 min
How to Write 20K in a Day
here are a few reasons you might want to fast-draft, and here are some tips to help you write a whole lot of words in very few days:
- Jul 8, 2021
- 2 min
The Ultimate Plotting Tool
Dan Wells 7-point plot system, combined with Save the Cat, added the Scene-Sequel strategy, and wrapped in the 3-Act structure.
- Jul 1, 2021
- 3 min
Nudging
Pay attention to submission guidelines, keep your emails brief and professional, and only nudge when necessary.
- Jun 23, 2021
- 5 min
Querying is So Much More Than a Letter
NONE of this is more important than a good book. This is all just a few ways to keep your querying process organized.
- May 25, 2020
- 2 min
The Difference Between Plotting and Pantsing (for me)
“I want to be surprised by the story!” I told myself (and anyone who would even pretend to listen).
- May 18, 2020
- 4 min
Not Going for the Easy Drama
Jim and Jan are in the parking lot.
They’re both lonely.
They’re both sad.
They’re both frustrated and fed up with their circumstances.
- Dec 18, 2015
- 3 min
On Star Wars and Killing Your Darlings
So kill your darlings. Kill them dead and don’t look back. Don’t be George Lucas.
- Apr 16, 2015
- 2 min
Writing contests, baking cookies, and taking advice
Remember that those offering advice might like different cookies than you do.
- Mar 6, 2015
- 3 min
Controversial Advice on Twitter Pitching
This advice is different than most advice you’ll see on this subject. For that, I do not apologize.
- Mar 3, 2015
- 2 min
A "Regular" Writer Responds to That MFA Dude
I read it thinking it would be a positive experience. Here are my reactions, as they came to me the first time I read it.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 3 min
I HAVE AN AGENT.
Pitchwars was involved and she originally contacted me via a PitMad event this past summer.
- Aug 22, 2014
- 6 min
Ten Tips for Twitter Pitching
I can help you with your twitter pitch.
- Jun 10, 2014
- 2 min
Bad Query Contest
I have been writing since I was two-years-old and have taken, like, five community college classes on writing, if you count English 101
- Apr 2, 2014
- 3 min
On Disappointing Endings and Who Owns the Creation
Until that book is published, until the tv show airs, until the movie premiers, that story belongs to the creator.