Writing competitions are a great way to test skill and receive feedback from authors, agents, editors, and publishing gurus. Here are eight criteria to take into account before deciding which competitions are the best use of your time, money, and creativity. Click the title above to continue reading.
Category: On Writing
How to freshen up cliched expressions #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
I often read blogs where writers are told to avoid overused expressions like the plague. In my humble opinion, there are ways to update cliches so that they resonate, more often than not to humorous effect. Click the title above to continue reading.
Fixing implausibility issues in your fiction #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
My first editor, back before I switched genres, gave me some advice about believability issues in my manuscript that I’ll never forget. Click the title above to continue reading.
5 ways to find inspiration for the next great villain #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
The following five methods for brainstorming villains are most applicable if your manuscript or screenplay contains at least an element of the thriller, suspense, or horror genres. Click the title above to continue reading.
5 ways to temper the preachy in your plot #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
We all have issues we care about, and anyone who tells you novels shouldn’t have agendas hasn’t read any lately. But how do we as authors plot issues into our manuscripts without coming off as preachy and one-sided? Click the title above to continue reading.
My list of blog hops for authors (#IWSG Blog Hop)
The benefits of blog hops are many. Sometimes called link-up parties, hops are a great way to meet other writers/bloggers and build your author community; gain traffic and engagement on your site; and I’ve even seen them used as a tool in virtual book-launch tours. Click the title above to continue reading.
How to polish your manuscript and query an editor (#IWSG Blog Hop)
The Internet is flush with editors. So I should be able to email my favorite genre matches, and they’ll jump at the chance to work with me, right? Not necessarily. Logic dictates that editors can only take on so many projects at a time. Editor Andi Cumbo explains how to put your best foot forward. Click the title above to continue reading.
Developing your reading list: a strategy for authors (#AuthorToolboxBlogHop)
With so many book options and only so many reading hours in the day, how do we as authors narrow to the most practical reading list? The logical side of my brain needed a way to sort the options, and the result is my list of eight categories of books (and articles) we should be thinking about when determining our reading list. Click the title above to continue reading.
Writing at the intersection of originality and what sells (#IWSG Blog Hop)
For those of us at the beginning of our, traditional-publishing journey, should we be striving for novel novels or aiming instead for something at the intersection of originality and what’s already selling? Click the title above to continue reading.
#AuthorToolboxBlogHop: monthly hop for authors who want to learn more about being authors (updated 13Jan2021)
Welcome to the third year of the #AuthorToolboxBlogHop, which is a monthly blog hop on the theme of resources/learning for authors: posts related to the craft of writing, editing, querying, marketing, publishing, blogging tips for authors, reviews of author-related products, anything that an author would find helpful. Click the title above to continue reading.
Raimey Gallant 