Tips for Every Writer

Just getting back into town after visiting a new nephew and his family. He's a keeper! :)  Thought it would be a good time to share a few links.


Ever visit Daily Blog Tips? It's a great site that offers posts like Seven Reasons to Keep Blogging (Even When You feel Like Quitting). Ali Luke reminds us of the perks blogging offers to keep us going during the tough stretches.

Gotten any criticism (constructive or otherwise) lately? Check out Linda Formichelli's 5 Ways to Deal With People Who Hate What You Write. Honesty, kindness, and humor help, Ms. Formichelli says, as she shares the feedback she's gotten during her writing career.

C.S. Lakin explains how to Show, Don't Tell, How Time is Passing at Live Write Thrive. Don't write fiction? No worries, this insightful bit of info sheds light on improving non fiction too. After all, our writing can have personality in any format, right?

7 Things I've Learned So Far is a regular feature at Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents. In this post, author Chuck Greaves shares his insight into the writing and publishing process. My favorite was point #3 - Write Now, Edit Later, where Mr. Greaves tells us that "when it comes to your first draft, okay is good enough".

Have you wanted to write for anthologies? Jennifer Brown Banks at Pen and Prosper discusses the ins and outs in this helpful post. From ideas about what to submit and how to increase your odds for acceptance to what to expect as a contributor, Ms. Banks covers it all.

In Other News

Congrats to author Becky Povich, whose new memoir is out! Here is a sneak peek:

In "From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More," Becky Lewellen Povich takes us from her young Midwestern childhood in the 1950s to present day. Each chapter is a scene from everyday life, and/or unexpected events, written in the way only Povich can, with humor and poignancy woven into them. She relates tales of Christmases, summertime fun, selling homemade potholders and putting on parades, the kids next door, classmates, her fear of the dentist and her parents’ scheme to help, plus long car rides visiting grandparents in small town Iowa.

Check out Becky's book on Amazon, or stop by her website. FYI: Becky will stop by in 2014 for an interview and giveaway. 


What do you think is the most challenging aspect of writing? How do you work through it?

Have a great week! 

Happy writing,
Karen


Photo Credit: Stock Exchange

Thursday's This and That

Jean Fischer offers an encouraging way to start the year with this post, 5 Authors, 5 Easy Steps to Improve Your Writing in 2013. Good stuff. Thanks, Jean!

Showing versus telling in fiction - easier said than done, right? Show, Don't Tell - But How? by C. S. Lakin helps writers navigate these tricky waters with tips on taking scenes from flat to fabulous.

The Lovely Christian Romance Writing Contest has announced this year's novella theme - Christmas on the Frontier. First prize is $300, click here for details.

Consider this statement by Kristen Lamb, "When we modify everything, we modify nothing." If you are struggling over details and/or trimming words, this post on Kristen's blog, How Much Detail Should Writers Use could offer valuable insight.

Which is better, a letter of introduction or a query? Linda Formichelli shares her thoughts on approaching editors in Can the Query/Letter of Introduction Hybrid Help You Break Into More Magazines?

What have you been writing so far in 2013? Have any exciting weekend plans?

Happy weekend,

Karen  :)

Photo Credit: Stock Exchange 


Please note that sharing information and links does not necessarily mean I endorse them or can guarantee validity. I'm simply passing the info along. That said, hope you find something useful! :)

Great Goals!

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, 

but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.

Michelangelo Buonarroti 

Ever have a quote snag your attention? This one grabbed me. With 2012 drawing to a close, I'm thinking about goals - ones I've met and others that fell by the wayside. For 2013, I'm determined to make changes, sow more self discipline, and press forward to make certain projects a priority. In other words, I'm aiming higher.

This Renegade Writer's post, Anti-Schedules for the Freelancer Who Hates Scheduling landed in my inbox yesterday, and wouldn't you know, writer Dianna L. Gunn addressed a few issues that hinder my goals. Talk about timely encouragement. :)

I'm curious, do you set goals? Are they short term? Long term? Both?

What do you do to make your goals a reality?

Do your goals hover above sea level or soar amongst the stars?

I've a few articles to finish, and of course, goals to review, so I'll be taking a break till 10/29. See you then. :)

Have a great weekend!

Karen 

Photo Credit: Stock Exchange: Colorado October 

Thursday's This & That

The weekend is almost here! Thought I'd conclude the week by sharing a few odds and ends. Hope you find them useful. :) 

Interested in landing an interview with a popular personality? The Renegade Writer shares savvy tips in How to Land Interviews with Hard to Get Sources. Advice like "Play Phone Tag" and "Think Like a PR Person" helps writers score big and stay on top of their game.

Jennifer Brown Banks of Pen and Prosper shares another angle for writers to explore in this post, The Pros and Cons of Ghost Writing for Pay. If you don't mind writing in the shadows, it is a viable alternative to pocket extra cash.

The Coffeehouse for Writers' new session begins Monday, September 5. Whether you are interested in learning more about blogging, writing historical fiction, SEO techniques, creating character, or another facet of writing, the Coffeehouse offers something for everyone.

I am part of the Coffeehouse "Crew", and have the privilege of teaching Basic Boot Camp for Writers. Boot Camp refreshes the basics such as punctuation, contractions, and homophones, plus structural elements, passive versus active writing, and a whole lot more. For more info, click here.

Writer's Digest sponsors a number of contests, with themes that include Short Story, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, and Crime. Click on the highlighted theme text, or visit their site for details. Note - these particular contest deadline dates run September through November 2011.

I have a two part guest post this week at my good friend Carol Alexander's blog. The topic is Homeschool Learning Co-ops. I discuss everything from what they are and how to start one to how to determine if they are right for your family. If this is of interest to you, please feel free to stop by Carol's blog or pass it along to any homeschool families you know. Thanks a bunch!

Run across any helpful gems lately? What are your weekend plans?

Happy writing,

Karen