Interviewing has played a large role in my career as a journalist and marketer, and now, as an author. Sure, I still get all flustered when I’m reaching for a big interview, but for the most part, the fifteen tips and techniques below work for me. Click the title above to continue reading.
Tag: authors
On Plotting: intentional versus unintentional creative thinking time (#IWSG Blog Hop)
A creative writing teacher gave my class some advice I’ll never forget: when it comes to story ideas, it’s best to ride around on the bus with it. In other words, take time to process and decide if it’s the best story and/or story direction. In my mind, there are two types of riding-around-on-the-bus-with-it: intentional and unintentional. Click the title above to continue reading.
Is your next story research light or intensive? #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
The considerations involved in writing either a research light or research intensive story include: whether your research can be accomplished mainly through primary or secondary sources; how accessible the sources are; and how much time will be spent researching. Click the title above to continue reading.
DIY Budget Writing Retreat (#IWSG Blog Hop)
A change of venue gets my creative juices flowing, helps me focus without all the usual distractions, and gives me incentive to write toward concrete goals. Basically, it’s great for everything except my wallet. Here are my budget writing retreat options. Click the title above to continue reading.
How to think laterally about editor feedback #AuthorToolboxBlogHop
In my opinion, the editor is always right . . . about the existence of a problem. What they’re less often right about IMHO is identifying exactly what the problem is, nor are they always right about what the best solution is, nor is it always a problem that should be fixed. Click the title above to continue reading.
The 4 Ps of marketing for authors (#IWSG Blog Hop)
The ‘4 Ps of Marketing’ form a pie chart also referred to as the ‘Marketing Mix,’ which I break down in terms of how it relates to selling books. Click the title above to continue reading.
8 criteria for evaluating writing competitions (#IWSG Blog Hop)
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.
Pro Litsy tips from fellow bookworms updated 9Mar2020
Litsy is a wonderful, new-ish social media platform all about books: reviews, reading challenges and games, giveaways, etc. I recommend it to readers, but I especially recommend it to authors, because it’s high interaction and relatively easy to gain a following. To get a feel for how high and how easy, click the title above to continue reading.
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.
Twitter pitch parties: pro tips, etiquette, and character-counting template (#IWSG Blog Hop)
I share Twitter pitch party tips, some general etiquette, as well as a free Excel/Google Docs template in which I’ve already added character-counting formulas. Click the title above to continue reading.
Raimey Gallant 