The Way to Find Where Your Story Starts Stop Backing Off and Dive In! Let me paint you a familiar scene: You’re writing the first chapter of your novel, and the temptation to lay out all the things is overwhelming. You know, the backstory, the history, maybe a tour of the protagonist’s charming little town? […]
The Way to Find Where Your Story Starts Read More »
Tips for Fast, Clean Drafting We all want to write faster, right? We dream of those marathon writing days where words flow effortlessly, the story falls into place, and by the end, we’ve got a manuscript that’s nearly ready for submission. But here’s the thing: speed alone isn’t the secret sauce. Let’s break it down:
Speed Matters, But So Does Precision Read More »
It’s probably not a surprise to you if I tell you that I have cancer. I didn’t keep my diagnosis a secret as I needed to explain to my readers why the next book in their favourite series would not be coming out quite as quickly as usual. In fact, there was a near-two-year gap
How to Write on Your Phone (and Why You Should) Read More »
the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), who have begun to provide annual surveys and reports on indie earnings and other demographics.
Just recently, they released their 2024 Big Data Drop. It’s an overview and summary of various industry reports, showing trends, changes, and other datapoints.
The Big Indie Author Data Drop 2024 Has Dropped Read More »
Jane Freidman, at her blog just a few days ago, wrote a post, “Like It or Not, Publishers Are Licensing Books for AI Training—And Using AI Themselves.”
The post is a refreshingly blunt take on how AI is settling into the publishing industry. I will leave it to Jane to explain how, even for indie authors, there is new money to made from the AI phenomenon, if you’re smart and wrangle your contracts.
Why Now Is the Best Time to Be an Indie Fiction Writer Read More »
I very much resent SAAS (Software as a Service) products, these days, even though I’m chained to using two of them.
Microsoft 365 and Adobe Acrobat, since you ask. I just can’t get away from them. Similar products (Open Office, Google Office, and many PDF makers) just don’t offer the same features that I consider essential and use on a regular basis.
But I keep a watchful eye on potential contenders, all the same.
Here’s an offer worth snatching up. Read More »
We have to be more creative, more fun to read and deliver more emotional tales and more amazing stories than AI. AI can’t be truly creative and unique. By virtue of how it is built, it is 100%, unavoidably derivative.
A Shift in How Indie Authors Earn? Read More »
Let’s talk about something super important: self-awareness. Being aware of what’s happening in your mind is a powerful tool that can help you grow as a writer. It’s about noticing your thoughts, feelings, and reactions without judgment. This kind of self-awareness can guide you to make better decisions, improve your craft, and stay motivated. For
Two Modes of Self-Awareness: Your Key to Unlocking Creativity Read More »
Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “I’ll never sell,” or “I’m not talented enough”? If so, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, doubting our abilities and waiting for some magical moment when we finally get chosen. But guess what? That thinking is backward! If we believe that it’s not our turn, that we’re not
Change Your Story, Change Your Writing Life Read More »
The Pros and Cons of Blogging for Fiction Authors: Weighing Time Costs Against Marketing Benefits In the digital age, authors are no longer confined to traditional routes of getting their work noticed. Blogging has emerged as a powerful tool for fiction writers to build their audience, engage with readers, and establish a personal brand. However,
Should Fiction Authors Bother with Blogging? Read More »
