An Author's Blog

How to Write a Novel in 100 Days or Less

How many times have you finished reading a novel and said, “I could have written that book.” You know what? You’re right. All of us, I believe, carry at least one novel around in our heads or our hearts. Novelist Toni Morrison put it this way: “If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” Writing a book is no easy task. Nevertheless, every day another book is published.

Let us begin
Sinclair Lewis was invited to talk to some students about the writer’s craft. He stood at the head of the class and asked, “How many of you here are really serious about being writers?” A sea of hands shot up. Lewis then asked, “Well, why aren't you all home writing?” And with that he walked out of the room.
So now it is time for you to be writing. Read the article here

The Writing Life

I'm up late again tonight, under another writing deadline. I knew this year would be a year of major adjustment. See, I'm a people person, high-energy, and a bit ADD. The transition for me is learning how to be a writer. Making the time, being consistent, and finding the creativity.

After quite some time of wondering if I'd ever get a book contract, about a year ago four came flying through the door. No kidding. It's quite the lesson on never giving up. I'm really loving writing because I'm writing about my passion, not what someone else wants me to be passionate about. That gives me the energy to make time to do the above. If you're on the writing journey, a little advice: write, write, write! No matter how bad your writing seems, or how little creativity flows. Writing is an art form, like great wine it gets better with time. The character begins to emerge, the flavors become smoother and more succulent, and the fruit leaps when it hits your palate! There are many "wanna-be" writers, but only true artists take the time to learn the craft, be consistent, and go to their writing caves in order for something great to emerge. All the best to you on the journey. Now go write!

Getting Your Words Read Part 4

A Page on Amazon 

Amazon has several features that are useful as you build your name as an author. Amazon.com/connect allows published authors (including self-published) to set up a bio page and a blog. People who have purchased your books or writings in the past will be alerted by Amazon when you have a new title that releases. Amazon.com/shorts allows people to download a short story you have written for only 49 cents. This is another unique way to allow people to follow your work and let curious readers engage with your writing inexpensively. Another bonus is that you make money, 20 cents per download, not bad since you’ll typically make less than a dollar on a published manuscript.

Becoming a Writer

One of the hardest transitions for 'aspiring authors' is the transition to actually become a writer. In other words, it's one thing to talk about it, another to do it! Over the years, there are several things that have been key for me to succeed:

1. Live life as a writer - carry a journal and immediately write down ideas as they come to you. I can't count the number of great ideas I've had that flew out the window because I would remember them later. Also, writers live differently than non-writers. Write continuously! I finally came to the place where I had to designate certain days during the week as writing days and made those a priority.

2. Be persistent at getting published - don't take no for an answer. Whether a book, article, poem, or short story, do whatever it takes to get it in print. A great resource is Writer's Market 2008. You'll find thousands of places to submit your writing. You will be in print if your desire is strong enough!

3. Get a writing coach - sometimes, we think our writing is better than it really is. We need an objective professional who will shape our writing into something great. Writers conferences and writing courses such as, The Christian Writer's Guild can be incredibly helpful.

Common Writing Pitfalls

When asked, a group of editors from top publishing houses, responded that the following are the most often seen mechanical errors in works submitted by authors. By removing these errors from our works, we greatly enhance our potential for publication—and strengthen our writing skills.
       
Author Intrusion, Filtering, Passive Voice.
Use the active voice in writing. Avoid weak verbs: "to be" and its variants: was, are, is. This puts the reader on-scene, makes what’s happening, happen now. Author intrusion reminds the reader she’s reading, hence you lose immediacy, empathy between reader/character.
       
Show, don’t tell applies.
Watchwords: thought, wondered, considered, realized, and the like.
Example: Filtered: She realized she’d breached the point of no return.
She had to kill him.
       
Unfiltered, no intrusion: The point of no return. She had to kill him.
Click here to read the rest of the aritlce from Fiction Factor. 
       

Keep the Commission - Do you really need an agent?

Joe, an out-of-work writer, has just arrived home from a frustrating day interviewing for writing gigs in New York. As he emerges from his beat-up old Ford Pinto, he sees his roommate running toward him down the driveway, frantically waving his arms in the air and breathlessly yelling at him. "Joe, your agent just called to say that your girlfriend has broken up with you and to warn you that if you don't pay back the loan on those gambling bets, thugs are gonna burn down your house!" Click here to read the rest of the article.