Another week, another batch of informal writerly learnings.
Ann Marie Nieves answers your book PR and marketing questions (part 4). Then, Jim Dempsey wants you to enhance your fantasies with a dose of reality. Kathryn Craft hopes you aim for the “extra” in ordinary. Then, Kathleen McCleary says, sometimes you’re the windshield; sometimes you’re the bug. Gwen Hernandez helps you create a series bible in Scrivener. Later in the week, Dee Willson connects the dots between research, sex, and related remedies. Writer Unboxed
Tim Hickson is killing characters. Hello, Future Me
Lori Freeland is talking location, location, location! Bring your book to life, part 2. Then, Jenny Hansen says, it’s okay to fall down. Eldred Bird contemplates coming out of hibernation. Writers in the Storm
The messy meaning of zombie stories. Like Stories of Old
Janice Hardy says, if you want a tighter point of view, ditch the filter words in your novel. Then, E.J. Wenstrom is creating creatures for speculative worlds. Ann Harth offers a nine-step plotting path to a stronger novel. Fiction University
K.M. Weiland shares three things to know about the ending of a story. Helping Writers Become Authors
Lindsay Ellis shares nine things she wished she knew before publishing her first novel.
Jane Friedman wonders, should MFA programs teach the business of writing? Then, E.J. Wenstrom explains what to know while you write dual point of view. Jane returns to show you how to harness community to build book sales and platform. Jane Friedman
Stefan Emunds examines eight elements that get readers invested in your story. Live, Write, Thrive
Shaelin Bishop explains why she’s a discovery writer. Shaelin Writes
Manuela Williams offers something for your poet’s toolbox: generate ideas and inspiration. Then, Kris Hill promotes worldbuilding using tabletop games. Tori Bovalino: genre-bending and The Devil Makes Three. Later in the week, Sarah R. Clayville shares five bad habits to quit like a champ. DIY MFA
Fire cat or fire cart? The history of Japan’s Kasha. Monstrum | PBS Storied
Marissa Graff says, don’t let excess baggage bring down your character’s plane. Then Angela Ackerman poses problems and solutions for describing a character’s emotions. Writers Helping Writers
Nathan Bransford explains how to come up with good comp titles for your book. Then, Christine Pride walks you through how an editor at a publisher acquires a book. Nathan Bransford
The “asexual” Asian man. The Take
Kellie Doherty introduces us to some of the mythological creatures of Alaska. Fantasy Faction
Chris Winkle: Project Hail Mary shows when flashbacks work, and when they don’t. Mythcreants
Joanna Penn offers a primer on the metaverse for authors and publishing: web 3.0, AR, VR, and the spatial web. The Creative Penn
Souvankham Thammavongsa shares her feelings about winning the Scotiabank Giller Prize. CBC’s The Next Chapter
What to call that weird thing your pet does. Merriam Webster
Megan McCluskey reveals how extortion scams and review bombing trolls turned Goodreads into many authors’ worst nightmare. Time
Thank you for taking the time to visit, and I hope you found something to support your current work in progress.
Until Thursday, be well and stay safe, my writerly friends!
