When it comes to writing, like most other things, you can’t build a writing habit by starting at the outcome. This is the time of the year when exuberance mixes with social pressure, and people lay a crazy expectation on themselves that is both unrealistic and unsustainable. I’m going to write two thousand words a day for all of 2020! Wait. What? No birthdays, … Read More Just Show Up: Build Better Writing Habits in 2020
I’ve read a ton of pre-published manuscripts, and it’s been amazing and interesting, but here’s what is lacking in so many instances – creativity. Seems crazy, right? Like, someone wrote and entire novel, what more could you possibly want? Creativity. Creativity in the way a character sees the world. In the way the world sees the character. Bonus if those two things work against each … Read More Pep Talk: Unleash your Creative
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First off, I’d just like to say that our ability to create stories from NOTHING already shows that our brains are pretty cool places. I’m gonna show you a few things to help your brain get in the mood for writing. This will help with both word count, AND helping to make your writing time feel like your special relax/happy time. Did you know … Read More Author Toolbox: Set the mood, Use the Senses
The older I get the less I believe in correct and incorrect decisions. I’m not saying I don’t look back at my “regular life” and my “writing life” and go – WHAT THE VERY HELL WAS I THINKING??? But I will say that most often, I remember WHY I made a given decision at a given time. (like the tattoo on my leg that … Read More Pep Talk: Breathe, Find Perspective
Write more books… It’s a thing often found in advice columns by writing blogs and coaches. If you want to sell more books. Write more books… This is 100% accurate, but what is often left out is this: What the ever loving hell does that mean? It’s a vague and obvious statement that most authors are perplexed by, because of course you plan to … Read More Thanks Tips: Write More Books
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I’ve read a few posts on this already, but I’m going to throw my few cents into the conversation. Okay. No cents. Just words. We have this idea that if we write a book that crosses genres rather dramatically, we will widen our audience to epic proportions. So, if we write a book set on a space ship in the far reaches of another … Read More The Venn Diagram of Genre-Mixing (It’s not Pretty)
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I’ve deleted a lot of words. I’ve left ENTIRE novels to rot on my hard drive. I’ve re-written some of those “left to rot” novels without opening the original document. I’ve cut chapters. Words. Characters. Places. Favorite lines. Favorite scenes. Lovely characters. I’ve re-done entire endings. Sometimes more than once. Sometimes more than 5 times… I’ve re-organized and spend all day deleting and adding … Read More Pep Talk: No Wasted Words
Writing is not a goal, it’s a habit. The act of sitting in your chair and writing new words on a page is not an item that belongs on your To Do list. Writing is something that needs to be built into your day—like brushing your teeth. The moment that you put writing on your To Do list it loses its appeal. It’s now … Read More Writing does not belong on a To Do List
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I’m a huge believer in having as many self-editing tools as possible, and this is one of my favorites. Each scene in our manuscript needs to count. Each scene needs to move the story forward, give the reader new information, and help your reader to experience the story. Every time I give you writing advice, or process advice, I urge you to test it … Read More Author Toolbox: Learn and Propel
When you know something—like truly understand it—you just do it. With little effort or thought, it just happens. This is why some people suck at teaching others how to do what they specialize in. Because in order to teach you have to start at the beginning. Not the beginning for you. The beginning for someone who doesn’t know squat about what you are awesome … Read More Publishing Basics: Simpler than you think
Post Previously Published on http://www.beenwriting.com I’ve been in a few conversations lately that remind me how much writers treat their works like their children. I have a good friend who I’m sure will hit the publishing world in a big way at some point. There’s a fantasy he’s been working on for a long time. It’s the first writing project he threw himself into. … Read More Author Pep Talk: Let Go
Waypoint Author Academy is your first step on the journey to becoming a confident writer and savvy business person. Because whether you’re blazing your own trail in self publishing, or are pursuing the well trodden traditional route, at the end of the day you are still in a business. Here at Waypoint our goal is blend writing, publishing, and healthy mindset to help you … Read More Welcome to Waypoint Author Academy
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