Tag: Author Life

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How to Build a Long-Term Working Relationship With an Editor

If you’re an indie author, then you know it’s your responsibility to build a team to help you get your books out into the world. Because we have creative control and control over our production processes, we have the luxury of choosing our editors. Chances are, you’re probably interested in the idea of building a relationship with your editor that goes beyond a basic … Read More How to Build a Long-Term Working Relationship With an Editor

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Having a Hard Time Organizing Your Writing Time?

Dreaming is an important part of your writing (both creatively and in business), and we support your biggest, loftiest dreams with everything we have. But can you sort through your dreams for reality? Are you in control of your writing business? Do you know how take a dream and make it real? Or do you get lost in the imagining, planning, and wishing that comes … Read More Having a Hard Time Organizing Your Writing Time?

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Quick Tips to Strengthen the Language of Your Fiction

Three things to note before we jump in: ONE: there is no ONE SIZE FITS ALL, or no hard and fast ALWAYS rules in strengthening the language of your fiction. TWO: if your characterization is INCREDIBLE, strong language will most likely come very naturally. THREE: you have more leeway if you’re writing in first person and within dialogue for voice reasons. Let’s jump in. … Read More Quick Tips to Strengthen the Language of Your Fiction

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7 Reasons You May Need a Publishing Consultation Call

Are you feeling stuck in one or more aspects of your author career? Has the business side of the writing life got you down? A Publishing Consultation Call can help you get focused, and get moving again.  Here are 7 reasons why some one on one time might be exactly what you need to get back on track. 1. You’re sometimes paralyzed about which … Read More 7 Reasons You May Need a Publishing Consultation Call

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DIY Workbook: 5 Point Story Mapping

The 5 Point Story Mapping Method isn’t a plotting device. It’s not a new series of beats or a reworking of classic plot tools. The Waypoint Method aims to get deep under the skin of your story so that you understand more than just what happens to your characters. It’s about setting yourself up to succeed, understanding your own motivations as well as your … Read More DIY Workbook: 5 Point Story Mapping

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The Freefall: Letting Go Of Perfectionism During Drafting

Sending an imperfect (or even *gasp* incomplete) first draft to your editor feels a little bit like getting pushed out of an airplane before you’ve psyched yourself up for the jump.  I know this because I recently turned an incomplete first draft in to MY editor, Allie (in case you haven’t already seen or heard me mention this, Allie and Jo are my editors … Read More The Freefall: Letting Go Of Perfectionism During Drafting

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How Layering Your Edits Can Make the Revision Process Smoother

When it comes to editing your book, there’s more than one approach to the revision process. Some writers work through their manuscript from beginning to end, in chronological order. Others might work backward, one chapter at a time. Another efficient way to conduct revisions is by layering your edits. Let’s consider what layering your edits might look like. How to Determine Your Editing Layers  … Read More How Layering Your Edits Can Make the Revision Process Smoother

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8 Ways Self-Sabotage Disguises Itself to Block Your Creativity

Once you embark on building your author life, you’ll find that self-sabotage is an insidious beast. It disguises itself as a number of different, seemingly innocuous feelings and scenarios that ultimately block your creativity. So what do you do about it? Obviously, we all want to nip self-sabotage in the bud. Anything that gets between you and your books needs to hit the road–right? … Read More 8 Ways Self-Sabotage Disguises Itself to Block Your Creativity

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5 Author Life Accomplishments Worth Celebrating

Author life has its ups and downs, like so many things in life. Let’s face it: writing a book can be a long road, especially if you’re just starting out or don’t write fiction full-time. It’s easy to lose focus on our writing goals, so we need milestones and celebrations to keep our focus and our energy on track. Sure, there are major milestones … Read More 5 Author Life Accomplishments Worth Celebrating

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The Benefits of Talking Through Your Book While in the Drafting Stage

During the drafting stage of writing your book, it’s highly beneficial to talk through your ideas with someone familiar with your genre. This can be a bookworm friend, editor, or even a coach. As writers, we often find ourselves working in a vacuum, stuck in our own heads. Once we’ve firmly planted ourselves inside our own brains (keep your hands, arms, and legs inside, … Read More The Benefits of Talking Through Your Book While in the Drafting Stage