Highly recommend this practical program by an ex-teacher of Creative Writing, published author, NaNoWriMo winner who believes in publishing effectively and selling your written product.
If you want some ideas on how to be a better writer, lifehack has some clues … check them out.
But not their words which is one of their legacies. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons we write, to leave a little of us in the world after we move on.
This is a fitting tribute to just some of the more well known writers who passed away in 2013. We wrote about Doris Lessing’s passing but didn’t realise we’d lost some of these people.
Make your words count. They are left behind.
http://writersrelief.com/blog/2014/01/2013-memoriam/
Just listened to a woman I met a few years ago and she was talking at a seminar a while back.
Lisa has been building a stellar career and has become a published author more than once. She knows a thing or two about writing and getting published. I had always thought she had come from a background in the field. Turns out she had only attended a one-day publishing workshop. It was at that she realised she her career skills in marketing and strategic planning were more critical to her ability to become a published author than her knowledge of the industry.
Yet, how many writers pay ANY attention to these areas. They focus exclusively on the writing.
As I’ve said before, as mammoth as it is to write a book, getting it published is far trickier!
Yes, what you write is important and you need to move from writing to editing to ensure you produce a quality book. But you need to learn about marketing and planning a launch if you hope to publish.
Oh, and if you think a publisher will snap you up ( it has happened), then the more you know about publishing and planning the more likely you are to maintain some control.
There’s a great warm feeling that rushes through your veins when ‘finish’ your first draft. You type “The End”, print it out, get the satisfaction as you rap all the pages so they are all aligned and you clip it together to …
What comes next?
Lots of work. Lots.
Sadly, if you intend to publish, writing the book is actually the beginning!
You now need to have your work reviewed BEFORE submitting it to a publisher or agent, to see what’s working, what’s not and how to make it better.
Here’s a list of just some of the things you’ll need to cover off before you get it on sale.
What about proofreading? Sure, you’re careful, but then… grammatical errors, punctuation, capitalization, verb tense, spelling, sentence structure… Get things proofread – there are tons of people who will help you for a fee eg http://bubblecow.net/proofreading/ – or, do it yourself – http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2013/02/10-proofreading-tips-for-self-publishers-058/
Got a short story that needs critiquing? Know how? Try this – http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/bobtam/website/guidelines_for_writing_a_critiqu.htm
Know how to write a query letter? Research that. For example – http://www.agentquery.com/writer_hq.aspx
Know how to write a good synopsis? Look it up. For example – http://www.marissameyer.com/blogtype/6-steps-for-writing-a-book-synopsis/
Want to do your own line editing? Find out how. For example – http://www.deepgenre.com/wordpress/craft/line-editing/
Once you’ve actually written the work, the rubber starts to hit the road. How committed are you to getting it properly prepared for sale or for enjoyment by friends and family without distractions of poor style etc.
If you believe in what you’ve written, isn’t the extra work worthwhile?
How many people will read a 1st draft that collects dust in your drawer?
Don’t be THAT person. Finish the thing! Stay the course and produce your work.
Get your creative juices flowing by getting into the HABIT of writing regularly – daily or weekly is good.
There are lots of writing prompt ideas around.
Here’s one for you from Writers Digest:
What In The World Did I Agree To?
You had the best time at your New Year’s Eve party-such a good time, in fact, that you can hardly remember it thanks to a little too much vodka. While nursing a hangover, a friend calls and says, “I’m so pumped we’re doing this New Year’s resolution together. I know it’s unusual, but doing it together will make it easier. I’ll pick you up in an hour.” The problem: You have no idea what your friend is talking about. Write the scene starting with the car ride.
Go for it!
