My next Scrivener template is now available for download: a murder mystery novel template. This one is based on my own template that I’ve been using for my upcoming mystery series. It allows you to plan, outline, and draft your next murder mystery all in one project file. Plus, there’s a place to write up some of your promotional copy, like your book launch press
In our previous “weekend reading” segment, we looked at revising your manuscript. Now let’s talk about what comes next — gathering feedback. One way you can get feedback on your manuscript before submitting it to publishers or sending to the editor you’ve hired is to send it to beta readers. These three posts will help you figure out how you can get the most out of
I love first drafts. I love creating something new. Revising them into a second draft? Not so much. Or at least that’s the case with longer manuscripts. That first round of revisions is the most challenging (and the most frustrating) for me. But it has to be done. So it ends up taking longer than I’d like. Do you ever struggle with the self-revision process,
For this weekend’s short share, I wanted to feature an infographic that applies to authors and copywriters alike: What Really Makes a Good Story? from Tom Albrighton at ABCCopywriting.com. Check out the original discussion or leave a comment to tell me what you think. Are there other vital elements to a good story? Do you disagree with anything in the infographic?
Some authors love the revision process. Some, not so much. I fall in the latter group. But if there’s one thing I dislike more than working on revisions, it’s the idea of automating the process with software. Revisions aren’t only about spelling and grammar. They’re also about improving the flow of a story and making better word choices, even if your original is technically correct.
Ah, writer’s block — the writer’s nemesis. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I don’t really believe in writer’s block. It’s not a “thing.” It’s an excuse. It’s an excuse I’ve used, but that doesn’t make it any more of a thing. I’m never short on ideas. So when I claim to feel “blocked” it means something a bit different. Maybe I’m not feeling motivated.
This week’s quick tip comes from a question I received from Cathy Miller (my most recent guest co-host for the freelance writing podcast). Cathy’s thinking about making the move to Scrivener for freelance writing projects. But she’d heard from another writer that Scrivener projects don’t convert to Word well, especially when tables are involved. And most clients expect projects delivered in Word format, so that’s
One of the most important issues for professional writers is also one of the least understood — copyright law. Your ability to make a living from your writing revolves largely around your copyrights and your ability to license those rights to third parties. For this week’s “weekend reading” resources, let’s brush up on some of the basics. Enjoy! Know Your Copyrights — A Legal Guide
Do you consider yourself an ethical article writer or blogger? Whether you write for print publications or the web, professional ethics are an important part of building trust with readers and clients, which is part of what keeps them coming back for more. My ethical standards won’t necessarily look like yours, and vice-versa. For example, I have ethical issues with writing about certain topics that
Given that we’ve just started a new year, it seems fitting to talk about writing motivation. After all, most of us have probably set at least one new writing goal or resolution, right? But how are we going to stick with those goals (and should we)? I want to share three great articles with you on the topic of writer motivation — maybe to inspire you and maybe to