John Matthew Fox

Tipsday: Informal writerly learnings, April 2-8, 2023

/ Melanie Marttila

Welcome to the last tipsday for the foreseeable. As I mentioned in my most recent next chapter weekly, I’m cutting back on social media to devote more time to writing and revision.

It’s been a while since Torvi made an appearance 🙂

Julianna Baggott: yes, I know how hard it is. Donald Maass explains where connection comes from. Then, Elizabeth Huergo muses on frigates and ChatGPT. Writer Unboxed

Margie Lawson is writing fresh: laughs, giggles, and snorts that carry power. Then, Hannah Jacobson explains what you can do with book awards and reviews. Stefan Emunds says characterization is one of the most vital writing skills. Writers in the Storm

What makes a movie “feminist”? Princess Weekes

Elizabeth Spann Craig is writing longhand.

Becca Puglisi says, if you need organizational help, try Trello. Then, Colleen M. Story shares six ways to make your author blog more successful. Writers Helping Writers

Is cyberpunk actually punk? Tale Foundry

Amy L. Bernstein provides a framework for moving beyond your first draft. Then, Matt Holmes lists the four pillars of book marketing, or how to sell more books in less time. Amy Goldmacher explains how to differentiate between desire and desperation in pursuit of publication. Next, John Matthew Fox helps you find comp titles using ChatGPT. Jane Friedman

My revision process—first draft to ready for publication. Shaelin Writes

Ashley Christiano shares chakras for storytellers, part 2: putting concept into practice. Then, Manuela Williams considers four poetry book cover design trends. Stacy Frazer explains how to recover from creative burnout and enhance your energy. Next, Lori Walker interviews Danielle Mitchell about reading and writing poetry. Brenda Rech shares five things she learned by entering writing contests. DIY MFA

Seven exercises to improve dialogue. Reedsy

Janice Hardy lists three steps to crafting a story arc that sucks (your readers in). Fiction University

Tiffany Yates Martin discovers how Camille Pagán revises—by betting on herself. Fox Print Editorial

Chris Winkle offers six tips for writing your first novel—and series. Then, Oren Ashkenazi analyzes five stories that undermine their own stakes. Mythcreants

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you found something to support your current work(s) in progress. You can always peruse the archives.

Until Thursday, keep staying safe and well, my writerly friends.

Tipsday: Informal writerly learnings, Oct 23-29, 2022

/ Melanie Marttila

Welcome to November! This will be the last tipsday until December 13th (!) That’s right, I’m NaNoing again and foregoing curation until December. Get your fill of informal writerly learnings now!

You could always peruse the archives if you miss tipsday too much 😉

Vaughn Roycroft presents Murphy’s Law—the unboxed writer’s version. Elizabeth Havey: what was that phrase about authenticity? Kelsey Allagood shares what horror teaches us. Then, Sarah Penner is making the most of Canva with these seven design ideas for writers. Victoria Strauss explains when new isn’t better: the value of experience. Writer Unboxed

Clive Barker’s weirdest monster. Tale Foundry

C.S. Lakin stops by K.M. Weiland’s site: how writers can infuse mood in story settings. Helping Writers Become Authors

Over on her own site, Susanne discusses writing about difficult emotional experiences. Live, Write, Thrive

Then, Susanne explains how to quickly establish the setting in scenes. Elizabeth Spann Craig

How school makes you a bad writer. Answer in Progress

Kris Maze offers the ABCs of school author talks: how to engage kids. Eldred Bird: writing horror vs. writing terror. J. Alexander Greenwood is making a podcast love connection. Writers in the Storm

Why the Bechdel test isn’t enough. The Take

Manuela Williams suggests some revision strategies for your poet’s toolbox. Then, Dominique Richardson wonders, should you write a YA series today? John Matthew Fox lists five ways movies sabotage your writing skills. DIY MFA

Don’t force your characters to ask leading questions just so you can deliver exposition. Nathan Bransford

Ann-Marie MacDonald on her new novel Fayne and the stage adaptation of Fall on Your Knees. CBC’s Q

Elizabeth Sims lists 20 reasons everybody should write short stories. Then, Michael Mohr reveals the secret sauce to being a good writer. Jane Friedman

Rayne Hall explains how to write a spooky ghost story. Fiction University

Why ASL was banned in America. Otherwords | PBS Storied

Tiffany Yates Martin discusses peopling your stories (and your world) with individuals. Fox Print Editorial

Colleen M. Story shows you how to tell if you’re self-publishing your book for the right reasons. Writers Helping Writers

What makes a good story idea? Shaelin Writes

Chris Winkle shares lessons from the entitled writing of Yarnsworld. Then, Oren Ashkenazi analyzes five stories that fail at human resources. Mythcreants

Sir Salman Rushdie has lost sight in one eye, agent Andrew Wylie. BBC

Thank you for spending some time with me. I hope you took away something to support your current work(s) in progress.

Until Thursday, keep staying safe and well.