Category Archives: Writing

blogging, Editing, epublishing, ISBN, marketing, senses, story structure

This month’s interesting links

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February contest deadlines: https://mastersreview.com/february-deadlines-14-contests-and-lit-mags-with-deadlines-this-month/

Plus lots more deadlines in this free download. If you’re writing short pieces, you really should get this: https://mastersreview.com/free-download-literary-calendar-jan-june/

All about ISBNs http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/01/book-isbn-answers-to-frequently-asked-questions/

How to write a picture book. This is wonderful – just read it, even if you don’t want to write one: http://www.buzzfeed.com/macbarnett/how-to-write-a-picture-book-i066#.ecqKzERxn

Prose poetry? Poetic prose? Find out more https://madmimi.com/s/18f647?o=tm

You’ve written the book. Why is no one reading it? http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=1d3577f0f5a155c4813f5ff47&id=530b5d9c2c&e=a3918d2369 or for some serious thought-provoking suggestions http://www.macgregorliterary.com/blog/what-does-a-writer-need-to-know-about-marketing/

Want to avoid some blogging mistakes? http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/06/4-major-mistakes-to-avoid-when-writing.html

become a successful blogger http://thewritelife.com/how-to-be-a-successful-blogger/

or are you still wondering why you’d want to blog? http://buildbookbuzz.com/how-to-blog-your-way-to-discoverability/

Interested in copy editing? Be sure to read down the page for useful advice – it’s not just an ad for the course. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?ca=edd09410-d4ff-4ad1-ab2a-29ad8b015a43&c=6551b3e0-156d-11e5-acb5-d4ae52724810&ch=655a3f60-156d-11e5-acb5-d4ae52724810

Is your manuscript too long… too wordy…? https://lewiseditorial.wordpress.com/2016/02/04/10-tips-for-trimming-a-lengthy-manuscript/

Are there any song lyrics in your manuscript? http://indigoseapressblog.com/2016/01/20/using-copyrighted-song-lyrics-by-christine-husom/

Using all your senses: http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/01/use-all-five-senses-to-enrich-your-writing/

character, grammar, plot, point of view, Writing

The Mechanics of Writing

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I think this is the last one – more old links as we clean up the site:

Advice for Writers (sometimes free):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YJXXCQS

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/08/completing-novel-look-various-writing-methods/

Point of View:

http://learnhowtowriteanovel.com/blog/2015/08/17/wordsmithing-makeover-how-to-write-static-description/

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2015/07/multiple-points-of-view-good-or-bad.html

Punctuation and Grammar:

http://www.voicecatcher.org/archives/5556

http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/15-punctuation-marks.jpg?7bd39e

https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/community/resources/blog/2014/09/09/affect-vs-effect

Sentences

https://www.coursera.org/course/basicwriting

Writers’ Toolbox

http://ryanlanz.com/writers-toolbox/

exercise, inspiration, Writing

Looking for Inspiration?

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Define your workplace:

http://www.warrenadler.com/the-anatomy-of-a-novelists-workspace-infographic/

MFAs and more:

http://www.thestranger.com/books/features/2015/02/27/21792750/things-i-can-say-about-mfa-writing-programs-now-that-i-no-longer-teach-in-one

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/07/what-really-thinking-creative-writing-ma-tutor

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/03/8-tough-lessons-fram-an-ex-mfa-teacher/

How to write and make it work:

http://storyfix.com/going-succeed-writer

http://twjmag.com/the-pro-active-author/are-you-pursuing-the-different-or-the-same

How to make yourself write:

http://www.pdxwriters.com/home.html

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/04/you-know-youre-writer-when.html

http://indigoediting.com/December2014

http://www.pinterest.com/pubslush/nanowrimo/

http://www.voicecatcher.org/archives/4300

http://writerswrite.co.za/five-10-minute-fixes-for-your-short-story

http://writerswrite.co.za/finish-that-first-draft-five-fantastic-tips-to-keep-you-moving-forward

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2014/10/everything-you-need-for-nanowrimo.html

Looking for Inspiration?

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/03/famous-writers-insults-infographic/

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/postaday/ebook-365-writing-prompts/

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/december.htm

http://randomwritingrants.com/2014/10/27/nanowrimo-tips-from-dylan-newton/

http://storyfix.com/theres-power-public-domain-guest-post-art-holcomb

Need a challenge to inspire you?

(Christian) http://www.faithwriters.com/writing-challenge-intro.php

blogging, networking

Working on your website or blog?

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How to make your website:

http://www.websitecreationworkshop.com/2015/041515-webinar

How to blog:

https://lorelle.wordpress.com/classes-and-workshops/wordpress-school/

Where to blog:

wordpress.com http://www.websitecreationworkshop.com/blog/wordpress-tips/wordpress-com-vs-org/

What to blog:

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/postaday/ebook-grow-traffic/

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/postaday/ebook-photography-101/

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/08/19/post-slugs/

http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/2013/06/4-basic-website-questions-every-landing.html#.VEiQSxZ0aF9

http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=14aa1ed268746f2f95111e155&id=4ac51ee94b&e=debe365ea4

http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/2013/12/blog-post-template-8-standard_9.html#.VEiTvBZ0aF9

dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/platforms-are-overrated/

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/engaging-followers/

Bring readers to your blog:

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/grow-your-blog-audience

character, inspiration, plot, point of view, senses, story structure, Writing

Story Mechanics

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Perspective:

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2015/02/4-tips-for-handling-multiple.html

Character:

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2014/10/planting-minor-characters-with-purpose.html

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/09/bring-your-characters-to-life-with.html

Detail:

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/descriptive-writing/

http://www.copyblogger.com/damn-good-sentences/

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2013/11/use-seven-senses-to-spark-your-writing.html

Plot and story arc:

http://storyfix.com/the-irrefutable-algebra-of-story

http://storyfix.com/easy-approach-story-building-bedtime-story-model

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-save-cat-beat-sheet.html

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-heros-journey.html

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/how-to-plot-with-three-act-structure.html

http://storyfix.com/value-pantsing

Polish:

http://storyfix.com/fiction-writers-definition-criteria-concept

book blurb, marketing, networking, query letters, self-publishing, submission guidelines, Writing

Some marketing links

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Again, more old links as we clean up the site:

Need more book reviews?

http://randomwritingrants.com/2015/06/08/how-and-where-to-obtain-book-reviews-by-james-rose/

Deadlines and marketing:

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/07/a-book-publishing-timeline-for-holiday-sales/

Yes you can:

http://www.voicecatcher.org/archives/3666

http://www.writermag.com/2014/10/17/non-traditional-book-launch/

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/04/book-marketing-ideas/

Query Letters and Book Blurbs:

http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/literary-agent-sound-off-query-letter-basics

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/03/11-essentials-of-good-query-letter.html

http://siamckye.blogspot.com/2015/01/beating-blurb-blues-part-one.html

Book videos:

http://blog.zazzle.com/2015/02/09/10-tips-video-posts/

When to market

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/04/5-ways-to-get-publicity-for-your-book-launch/

Book promotion, Social Media & Marketing:

http://www.bookbaby.com/free-guide/frugal-book-promoter

https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/community/resources/blog/2015/04/07/marketing-tip-follow-the-8020-rule-in-social-media

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/26-tips-improving-social-media-marketing/

http://bookarma.net/blog/author_platform/

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2014/11/marketing-your-book-on-goodreads/

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2014/11/marketing-your-book-on-goodreads/

https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/help

http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2014/07/28/book-marketing-on-social-media/

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2014/07/seven-deadly-sins-of-book-promotion/

http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/2013/04/your-author-online-platform-and-numbers.html#.U8a6srFA58E

http://www.authormedia.com/89-book-marketing-ideas-that-will-change-your-life/

genre, Research, resources, Writing

Genres, genres and more

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Here are some old links about writing genres:

Written any articles recently?

http://www.karencioffiwritingandmarketing.com/2014/09/content-marketing-just-how-fast-can-you.html

How long is a book?

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/02/long-book-standard-word-counts-genre/

Writing short pieces:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/keep-it-short/

http://alittlebirdtweets.com/flash-fiction-4/

Contests?

timberlinereview.com/submissions

http://www.inkitt.com/

For poets:

• Creating Poetry: How to Self-Prompt Poems
• Re-Creating Poetry: How to Revise Poems
• Asian Poetic Forms
• Contemporary Poetic Forms
• French Poetic Forms
• More Contemporary Poetic Forms
• Build an Audience for Your Poetry

http://www.voicecatcher.org/archives/3469

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/list-of-50-poetic-forms-for-poets

For novelists:

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2014/11/novel-writing-inspiration-for-the-middle-of-nanowrimo/

http://indigoediting.com/November2014.html

http://www.wattpad.com/4667955-bad-ways-to-start-a-novel

http://storyfix.com/epidemic-systemic-sabotage-via-brainwashing-aspiring-novelists

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-steps-to-creating-a-flexible-outline-for-any-story

https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/community/resources/blog/2014/09/24/how-to-write-without-a-plan

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/writing-tips/

For children’s book authors:

http://www.ripplegrovepress.com/contact/

http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/212/harold-underdown/

https://kdp.amazon.com/kids

Research for non-fiction writers:

http://www.kindlepost.com/2014/10/guest-post-by-charles-finch-author-of-the-charles-lenox-mysteries-.html

What other writers do

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/02/opposite-writing-habits-famous-authors/ 

Book design, Editing, genre, Guest Speakers, inspiration, Minutes, publishing, self-publishing, Writing

Minutes 201601

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Twenty four people attended on January 17th to hear local author Marcia Coffey Turnquist tell us about writing, publishing, marketing, and everything in-between. Marcia’s first novel, the God of Sno Cone Blue is available at Barnes and Noble (store and online) or http://www.amazon.com/God-Sno-Cone-Blue/dp/0991637437/ on Amazon. Continue reading Minutes 201601 →

inspiration

A Writerly Quote

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“Writing is…. being able to take something whole and fiercely alive that exists inside you in some unknowable combination of thought, feeling, physicality, and spirit, and to then store it like a genie in tense, tiny black symbols on a calm white page. If the wrong reader comes across the words, they will remain just words. But for the right readers, your vision blooms off the page and is absorbed into their minds like smoke, where it will re-form, whole and alive, fully adapted to its new environment.”
~ Mary Gaitskill

Mary Gaitskill is an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, Esquire, The Best American Short Stories, and The O. Henry Prize Stories.

Born: November 11, 1954 (age 61), Lexington, KY
Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts, US & Canada, New York Times 10 Best Books of the Year