Even if you haven’t finished writing a novel yet, it’s never too early to think about how to title the book. The right title can even inform your writing and help you come up with new ideas for your book as you draft. And, as someone famously said, the title may be the only words …
There comes a time in writing a romance novel (even writing a YA romance!) when it’s time to, well, kiss and tell. Even if you’re writing a romance with no clichés, a first kiss is pretty much a given. Your characters are dying for it, your readers are definitely dying for it, and all the …
Whether you’re traditionally published or an indie author, doing guest posts on blogs aimed at readers and writers is an excellent way to get the word out about a new release. But it’s easy to write one or two posts and then feel like you’re repeating yourself. Want some fresh ideas to hook in readers …
YA fans are some of the most dedicated readers on the planet: they buy tons of books, tear through them voraciously, and worship the couples that earn their adoration. But write flat, stereotypical, or hackneyed, and these readers will not be pleased. The good news is, with a little smart revision (and not too much revision), …
Querying is almost like online dating: as soon as a writer gets any indication of interest from an agent, they gather their writer friends and begin to pick apart every possible inference from the message. Is she going to read more? Does he like my writing? Am I about to get the call? It’s hard …
Inventing languages is a crucial—and fun—part of fantasy novel worldbuilding. Words unique to a country, region, people, or race give the world texture and depth that can’t come from ordinary words alone. But inventing a solid, believable, and rich fantasy language is about more than just throwing together weird-sounding combinations of words; when done properly, …
Got a long commute (or a long workout) and need a productive way to pass the time? Fire up one of our favorite writing-related podcasts and get craft advice and inspiration on the go! Writing Excuses A huge favorite among writers, this podcast is hosted by Dan Wells, Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal and Howard …
Twitter is THE BEST in a lot of ways: it connects writers who are far apart, it clues readers in to new releases in their favorite genre, and it allows authors to look for agents and editors who might be interested in their work. But like lots of social media, it pays (sometimes literally!) to …
Is Your Twitter Presence Helping—Or Hurting?—Your Writing Career?Read More »
These days, writers can participate in a bevy of contests, pitch fests, and mentorships with a single click. They’re popular for a host of reasons—but they also have their drawbacks. If your social media presence is already helping (and not hurting!) your career, a contest could give you the push you need…or it could stop …
Writing a query letter to pitch an agent, editor, or mentor is one of the most nerve wracking steps to becoming a published writer. And a query letter is so short! Ask most writers if they’d rather write a query or a whole entire new novel, and you can bet lots will say the latter. …
8 Query Mistakes You May Not Realize You’re MakingRead More »