Living To Write

Some weeks in the publishing blogosphere the focus seems to be all on one particular topic.

This week everywhere I turned it was on writing craft.

The Atlantic put out a story about a computer analysing 2000 stories and coming up with the six main arcs of storytelling. The most popular one involving a glass slipper. This is an interesting read.

Then Neil Gaiman’s advice to authors popped up all over my Twitter feed. Neil has cult status out in publishing land but hasn’t made it onto the bestseller list for the worlds richest authors (who are making a tidy sum off kids books and movies.)

Now Novel had a great post on writing advice from Nobel prize winners. You can’t beat that for excellent craft advice. (And then a whole lot of great craft articles went into my Craft Section.)

Joanna Penn had a fabulous interview with Ellen Bard on writer self care. This is a must read as every author I know can relate to this. As the weather has turned super cold here, looking after your self and your mental health is timely.

Teleread has an interesting article on Amazon Author accounts and how to make sure that Amazon doesn’t close you down over something trivial.

Joel Friedlander has an interesting article by Judith Briales on Book Piracy. Judith has a list of things you can do if your book ends up on a nasty site.

The biggest children’s writers and illustrators conference is over for another year and a good time was had by all. Those of us who live vicariously through the SCBWI LA16 Conference blog have got some excellent reading ahead with quick outtakes from every session.

In The Craft Section,

Agent Kristen Nelson continues her series on 9 story openings to avoid

Janice Hardy- On putting your five senses in. - Bookmark

Jami Gold- When is a shocking scene necessary or gratuitous- Bookmark

Roz Morris- You know what your book means but does your reader?- Bookmark

Two standout posts from KM Weiland on structure- What the mouse can teach you and Don’t make 

this structural mistake- Bookmark both.

How to evoke wonder in your writing- Writer Unboxed – Bookmark

Abbi Geni On using description in your settings- Bookmark

From the Writers helping Writers website- a comprehensive list of writer tools- Bookmark

In The Marketing Section

7 marketing trends that no longer work and what you can do instead- Penny Sansevieri Bookmark

How to market the 99c ebook sale – Molly Greene

The best ways to use Amazon Giveaways

How to get more traffic on your author website

The latest Facebook changes and what they mean for authors

To Finish,

Jane Friedman has a guest post from Jessica Strawser on 5 ways to keep writing when life intervenes. This is one of those thought provoking articles where you reflect on your writing life and think about your writing goals. Are they pushing you over the edge or keeping you from falling.

Maureen

@craicer

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Pic from Flickr /Creative Commons/Killa Bea

Playing Nicely In The Trenches

Today my Twitter feed exploded with agents who were appalled at a blog post written by a disgruntled author. Agents don’t talk about the abusive letters they get from rejected authors. But to write an abusive blog post naming the agent and pouring scorn on her was not a good idea for this writer’s career. 

You should play nicely online. The internet is long on remembering and unforgiving. Agents do search you online and on Social Media. If you get a rejection, wail in your own home over a wine. DON’T wail all over the internet!

Joanna Penn has worked hard at her self publishing business. She has fans all over the world for her podcasts and her books and her willingness to answer questions and experiment. Today she posted a tech survey of the tools she uses. A very interesting post.

 James Scott Bell asked the big question. Why do you want to be a writer?

This is a great blog post to sit with and maybe ask yourself. Then take note of the answer.

Publishing Perspectives takes a look at the publishing franchise of Bourne. How did they select writers to carry on the Ludlum legacy? It has to do with love...

Kris Rusch has another brilliant post on contract snags in her deal breakers series. This week it is on definitions. If you thought you knew what the terms meant, think again. This is a comprehensive post looking at Net royalties, time limits and other dastardly goodies.

Staying on Contracts, Susan Spann (lawyer and writer) has a must read post on short contracts. That’s when the publisher does you a ‘favour’ and sends a 3 page contract instead of a 30 page contract because you don’t really need much more than that. Just don’t worry your little writer head about those rights clauses....

In the Craft Section,

Turn on your creative spark with a different point of view

8 must read writing craft books (I have most of these and agree)

10 tips for writing in different styles - Now Novel

How to condense your writing without losing anything- Ava Jae -Bookmark

Creating layered characters- Jami Gold – Bookmark

How to write your villain scenes- Bookmark

In the Marketing Section,

29 ways to sell more books

A hobbits guide to launching your book- Writer Unboxed

What do your analytics reveal about your readers- Frances Caballo - Bookmark

The definition of an author platform- Jane Friedman- Bookmark

Industry insights from RWA 16- Jami Gold

How to make the most of Goodreads- Rachel Thompson

Explode your following by doing these 7 things- Jen Blanchard- Bookmark

Website of The Week

Bookriot always has interesting posts and a ton of information all over their site. Recently they collected together a list of great writer podcasts. 

If you like to listen to podcasts while exercising or doing chores check these out. (You can hear the latest Writer’s Island podcast if you click on the tropical island pic in the side bar.)

To Finish,

If you are a writer you get used to rejection. Writing is subjective so not everybody will love what you bled onto the page. J K Rowling mega writing superstar that she is (with another Potter book out this week) decided to show some of her recent rejection letters. It does give hope to the rest of us bleeding in the trenches.

Maureen

@craicer

 Get a selection of the months best links and other ephemera when you subscribe to my monthly newsletter.

Pic from Flickr/ Creative Commons/ Oran Viriyincy