Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

Tips for Writing a Better Picture Book (Kathleen Doherty)
http://rateyourstory.blogspot.com/2016/08/tips-for-writing-better-picture-book-by.html

How to Write 10,000 Words in a Day, and Why You Should Give It a Shot (at least once) (Laura Benedict)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/09/how-to-write-10000-words-in-a-day-and-why-you-should-give-it-a-shot-at-least-once.html

Is Your Story Structure Working? (Janice Hardy)
https://querytracker.blogspot.com/2016/09/is-your-story-structure-working.html

One Reason You Haven’t Finished Your Book Yet (Jerry Jenkins)
https://feedly.com/i/subscription/feed/http://www.jerryjenkins.com/feed/

Pitch Your Novel Perfectly (Susan Spann)
www.writersinthestormblog.com/2016/09/pitch-your-novel-perfectly/

Writing the Crime Scene: Guns (Repo Kempt)
https://litreactor.com/columns/writing-the-crime-scene-guns

Do You Need An Editor? (Diana Hurwitz)
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2016/09/do-you-need-editor.html

The Top 10 Ways To Annoy Your Twitter Followers (Annie Neugebauer)
https://litreactor.com/columns/when-writers-do-it-wrong-the-top-10-ways-to-annoy-your-twitter-followers

Beware! [When to Research] (Bill Cameron)
http://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2016/09/beware-bill-cameron.html

Why Plot is Essential to Character (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/09/why-plot-is-essential-to-character.html




If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

The #1 Key to Relatable Characters: Backstory (K.M.Weiland)
www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/relatable-characters-backstory/

A Real Book Contract (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/08/31/business-musings-a-real-book-contract-contractsdealbreakers/

The Writing Personalities As Crit Partners (Bonnie Randall)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/08/the-writing-personalities-as-crit.html

The Art of Giving and Accepting Critiques (Kim English)
https://querytracker.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-art-of-giving-and-accepting.html

Should You Pay for a Publicist? (Dorit Sasson)
https://janefriedman.com/should-you-pay-for-a-publicist/

Permission to Begin. Courage to Continue. Forgiveness to Try Again (Dan Blank)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/08/26/permission-to-begin-courage-to-continue-forgiveness-to-try-again/

Revising, Revising, and How to Make it Through (Heather Webb)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/08/25/revising-revising-revising-what/

In Defense of Slow, Thoughtful Writing (Stephanie Raffelock)
www.storyfix.com/defense-slow-thoughtful-writing

Ten Ways To Create Immediate Character Empathy (Brandilyn Collins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/create-character-empathy/

5 Common Plotting Mistakes to Avoid When You’re Writing a Novel (Janice Hardy)
www.thewritelife.com/5-common-plotting-mistakes/



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:


7 Things That Are Ruining Amateur Book Reviews (Peter Derk)
https://litreactor.com/columns/7-things-that-are-ruining-amateur-book-reviews

Gaining Traction on non-Amazon Vendors -  Part 1 (Angela Quarles)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/08/going-wide-gaining-traction-on-non.html

You, Your Agent, and Your Publisher (Mary Keeley)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/dont-know-can-hurt/

Agent Agreements (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/08/17/business-musings-agent-agreements-contractsdealbreakers/

Having Fun With Structural Revision (Gaëtane Burkolter)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/08/17/me-and-my-excite-o-meter-having-fun-with-structural-revision/

8 Ways to Be a Happy Author (Rachelle Gardner)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/8-ways-happy-author/

A Quick Lesson in the Writing Process (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/quick-lesson-writing-process/

The Four Misconceptions of "Show Don't Tell" (Martina Boone)
www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2016/08/the-four-misconceptions-of-show-dont.html

The Unpublished Writer (Wendy Lawton)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/the_unpublished_writer/

5 Story Opening Clichés That Need to Die (Max Booth III)
https://litreactor.com/columns/5-story-opening-cliches-that-need-to-die

How to Find the Right Critique Partner (K.M.Weiland)
www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-find-the-right-critique-partner/

How to Describe a Character (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/08/how-to-describe-a-character.html


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

Understanding Ebook Rights (Susan Spann)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/08/understanding-ebook-rights/

Is This the Single Best Way to Write Powerful Themes? (K. M. Weiland) [Jon’s Pick of the Week]
www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/single-best-way-write-powerful-themes/

Productive Communication (Mary Keeley)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/productive-communication/

Don't Let Your Characters “Nod” Off (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/08/dont-let-your-characters-nod-off.html

Quit or Press On? Be Willing To Take The Journey (Kevin E. Jackson)
www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2016/08/quite-or-press-on-be-willing-to-take.html

Getting revenge on an agent who rejected you (Jane Lebak)
https://querytracker.blogspot.com/2016/08/getting-revenge-on-agent-who-rejected.html

Why You Should Query Agents For 6 + Months Before Promoting Your Self-Published Book (Sharon Bially)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/08/08/why-you-should-query-agents-for-6-plus-months-before-promoting-your-self-published-book/

The Most Important Tip About Setting Descriptions (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/08/the-most-important-tip-about-writing-setting-descriptions.html

Why most agents use form rejections (The Intern)
https://intheinbox.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/why-most-agents-use-form-rejections/



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

5 Traits of Successful Writers (Mary Keeley)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/5-traits-successful-writers/

The Waiting is (One of) the Hardest Part(s) (Liz Michalski)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/07/29/the-waiting-is-one-of-the-hardest-parts/

Don’t Make This Mistake With Your Story Structure (K. M. Weiland) [Jon’s Pick of the Week]
www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/dont-make-mistake-story-structure/

How to Put More Drive in Your Plot (Brent Hartinger)
www.adventuresinyapublishing.com/2016/07/author-brent-hartinger-on-how-to-put.html

Three Words That Are Killing Your Manuscript (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/07/three-words-that-are-killing-your.html

Warning: Before You Self-Publish (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/warning-self-publish/

Keep at it. (Jane Lebak)
https://querytracker.blogspot.com/2016/07/keep-at-it.html

I'm the Bad Guy? (Cara Lopez Lee)
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2016/07/im-bad-guy.html

A Definition of Author Platform (Jane Friedman)
https://janefriedman.com/author-platform-definition/

Today’s query batch: how I replied and why (The Intern)
https://intheinbox.wordpress.com/2016/07/23/todays-query-batch-how-i-replied-and-why/



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

Creating voice in the query (The Intern)
https://intheinbox.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/creating-voice-in-the-query/

Making Clichés Work for You (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/10/you-spin-me-round-making-cliches-work.html

When in doubt, bury someone alive (Joe Moore)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/07/when-in-doubt-bury-someone-alive.html

5 Ways to Develop Your Writer’s Voice (Jennifer Louden)
https://janefriedman.com/5-ways-develop-writers-voice/

10 Questions for Outlining a Scene smack-dab-in-the-middle (Marcia Thornton Jones)
http://blogspot.com/2016/06/marcias-10-questions-for-outlining.html

Saving the Sagging Middle (Clare Langly-Thorne)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/07/saving-the-sagging-middle.html

4 Ways to Verify Your Story Concept Is Strong Enough (K. M. Weiland)
www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/story-concept-2/

First Line Winners and Losers (Janet Kobobel Grant)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/first-line-winners-losers/

So Your Self-Published Novel is Just Sitting There (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/07/so-your-self-published-novel-is-just-sitting-there.html

Is Your Query Letter Ready (The Intern)
https://intheinbox.wordpress.com/2016/05/20/is-my-query-letter-ready-for-submission/
by way of Laurie Wallmark



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.
 

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

Discount Abuse (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/07/13/business-musings-discount-abuse-contractsdealbreakers/

Write Book One, Not Book Two (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/07/write-book-one-not-book-two.html

The Long and the Short of Stories (or advice on short fiction) (James R. Tuck)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/07/the-long-and-short-of-stories-or-advice.html

5 Tips to Finish Your First Draft (Amy E. Reichert)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/07/5-tips-to-finish-your-first-draft/

Four Major Stumbles by Newer Writers (Larry Brooks) [Jon’s Pick of the Week]
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/07/four-major-stumbles-by-newer-writers.html

Writing Fiction for Middle-Grade Readers (Sophie Masson)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/07/11/writing-fiction-for-middle-grade-readers/

Helpful Tools and Sites for Writers (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
www.elizabethspanncraig.com/4563/helpful-tools-sites-writers/

How to Write an Eating Scene (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/07/how-to-write-an-eating-scene.html

Query Letters Part 1: The Pitch (Annie Neugebauer)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/07/09/query-letters-part-1-the-pitch/

In An Interesting Twist, B&N to Sell Self-Published Books In Stores (Thad Mcllroy)
www.bookbusinessmag.com/post/interesting-twist-bn-sell-self-published-books/


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

“Busting” Some Popular Copyright Myths (Susan Spann)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/07/busting-some-popular-copyright-myths/

There’s No Wrong Way (Anna Elliott)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/07/07/theres-no-wrong-way/

Ideas to Improve Your Writer’s Group (Jordan Dane)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/07/ideas-to-improve-your-writers-group.html

Long-Term Thinking: Rights Reversions (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/07/06/business-musings-long-term-thinking-rights-reversions-contractsdealbreakers/

Getting Ahead of Yourself…and Your Reader (Donald Maass)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/07/06/getting-ahead-of-yourselfand-your-reader/

5 Pieces of Writing Advice You Should Ignore (James Scott Bell)
https://janefriedman.com/writing-advice-to-ignore/

#thingspeoplesaytoYAauthors (Bill Cameron)
http://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2016/07/thingspeoplesaytoyaauthors-bill-cameron.html

Overcoming False Starts on Your First Chapter (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/01/re-write-wednesday-false-starts.html

Don’t Overdo it! Examples of Overwriting (Rachel Kent)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/dont-overdo-examples-overwriting/

How to Make Boring Story Parts Exciting (Kristen Lamb)
https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2016/04/22/how-to-make-boring-story-parts-exciting/

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.



Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week

Add a Comment

10 Fun Writing Ideas to Help You Get Creative This Summer (Jessica Lawlor)
www.thewritelife.com/10-fun-writing-ideas-help-get-creative-summer/

The Very First Page (Rachel Kent)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/27240/

When You Don’t Want to Write (Heather Webb)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/06/23/when-you-dont-want-to-write/

Vonnegut’s Rule #5 (Joe Moore)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/06/vonneguts-rule-5.html

If We Wrote Men Like We Write Women (Jim Hines)
http://jimhines.livejournal.com/846150.html

When Less Is More on Social Media (Chris Syme)
https://janefriedman.com/less-is-more-social-media/

Should You Self-Publish or Traditionally Publish? (Jane Friedman)
https://janefriedman.com/should-you-self-publish-traditional/

Social Media Etiquette (Clare Langley-Hawthorne)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/06/social-media-etiquette.html

The Doctor Will See Your Novel Now (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/06/the-doctor-will-see-your-novel-now.html


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Are Your Protagonists Powerful or Pitiful? (Linda Lane)
www.bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2016/06/are-your-protagonists-powerful-or.html

Thugs, Lawyers, and Writers (Contracts/Dealbreakers)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/06/15/business-musings-thugs-lawyers-and-writers-contractsdealbreakers/

Against the Wind (Robert Gregory Browne)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/06/against-the-wind.html

What Are You Really Saying? (The Use of Subtext) (James R. Tuck)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/06/what-are-you-really-saying-use-of.html

What’s Your Genre? A High-Level Overview for Writers (Brooke Warner)
https://janefriedman.com/genre/

5 Steps to Help You Self-Publish an Audiobook Edition of Your Story (Cloe Mayfair)
www.thewritelife.com/self-publish-audiobook/

Why Book PR Can Have The Most Impact BEFORE You Land An Agent (Sharon Bially)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/06/13/why-book-pr-can-have-the-most-impact-before-you-land-an-agent/

How to Finish Your Book in Three Drafts (Stuart Horwitz)
https://janefriedman.com/finish-book-three-drafts/

The Secret Key to Breaking Big (Larry Brooks)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/06/the-secret-key-to-breaking-big.html

Letter to a Discouraged Writer (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/06/letter-to-a-discouraged-writer.html


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

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From Trad-Pub to Self-Pub–Tips and Observations (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
www.elizabethspanncraig.com/4457/from-trad-pub-to-self-pub-observations/


An Author’s Unique Voice (Mary Keeley)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/authors-unique-voice/

An Important Notice on The Non-Compete Clause (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch) [Jon’s Pic of the Week]
www.kriswrites.com/2016/06/08/business-musings-an-important-notice-on-the-non-compete-clause-contractsdealbreakers/

The Truth About The Author Caste System (Natalie Whipple)
http://betweenfactandfiction.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-truth-about-author-caste-system.html

3 Ways to Be More Productive When You Sit Down to Write (Ashley Gainer)
www.thewritelife.com/3-ways-more-productive/

What Happens After The First Draft (Joe Moore)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/06/what-happens-after-the-first-draft.html

What Exactly Makes A Damn Good Story? (Chuck Wendig)
www.terribleminds.com/ramble/2016/06/07/what-exactly-makes-a-damn-good-story/

Querying: What to Leave Out (Rochelle Dean)
http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2016/06/querying-what-to-leave-out.html

Dropping Threads (Mary Kole)
www.kidlit.com/2016/06/06/dropping-threads/

In Defence of Clichés (Jo Ebehardt)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/06/04/in-defence-of-cliches/


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

6 Ways to Make Time to Write (Ali Luke)
www.thewritelife.com/make-time-to-write-guide-for-parents/

I am not your Plot Device (Stephen Spohn) [Jon’s Pick of the Week]
www.terribleminds.com/ramble/2016/06/02/steven-spohn-i-am-not-your-plot-device/

A Writer’s Toolbox (Mary Keeley)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/a-writers-toolbox/

Hitting the Wall - in Writing, Running, and Life (Katie M. Stout)
By way of Jennifer R. Hubbard
http://one-page-reviews.blogspot.com/2016/06/hitting-wall-in-writing-running-and-life.html

Sneaky Money Grabs (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristie Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/06/01/business-musings-sneaky-money-grabs-contractsdealbreakers/

What Makes Fiction Literary: Scenes Versus Postcards (Donald Maass)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/06/01/what-makes-fiction-literary-scenes-versus-postcards/

Finding Takeaway Value in Every Book You Write (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/finding-takeaway-value-every-book-write-author-arc-important-character-arc/

What Happens After You Sign the Contract? (Weina Dai Randel)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/05/what-happens-after-you-sign-the-contract/

The Truth About Prologues (Michael McDonagh)
http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-truth-about-prologues.html


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Invest in Yourself (Dan Blank)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/05/27/invest-in-yourself-2/

Behaving Badly in Publishing (Heather Webb)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/05/26/behaving-badly-in-publishing/

Creating Promotional Material That Works: Swag (Marcy Kennedy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/05/creating-promotional-material-that.html

The Grant of Rights Clause (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/05/25/business-musings-the-grant-of-rights-clause-contractsdealbreakers/

How to Promote Your Book With One Easy Photoshop Technique (Alicia Rades)
www.thewritelife.com/how-to-promote-your-book-photoshop/

Keeping Your Characters Compelling Beyond the First Draft (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/05/keeping-your-characters-compelling.html

Seven Ways To Make Your Writing Interesting (Gwendolyn Huber)
https://authorchronicles.wordpress.com/2016/05/24/seven-ways-to-make-your-writing-interesting/

Is Your Story Stuck? 5 Questions You Need to Ask (Laurence MacNaughton)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/05/is-your-story-stuck-5-questions-you.html

Getting Beyond the First Draft (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/05/getting-beyond-first-draft.html

Story and the Power of Connection (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/05/story-and-the-power-of-connection.html



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

Long-Term Thinking: The Non-Compete Clause (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/05/18/business-musings-long-term-thinking-the-non-compete-clause-contractsdealbreakers/

Six Habits of Prolific Writers (and How to Make Them Yours) (Riki Cleveland)
https://litreactor.com/columns/six-habits-of-prolific-writers-and-how-to-make-them-yours

Pitching at a Conference (Rachelle Gardner)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/pitching-at-a-conference/

Crotch-Punching The Creative Yeti (Chuck Wendig)
www.terribleminds.com/ramble/2016/05/17/crotch-punching-the-creative-yeti-exploding-more-writing-myths/

[Quiz: How to Get an Agent] How Did You Do? (Wendy Lawton)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/how-did-you-do-2/

Building an Author Website on WordPress (Jane Friedman)
https://janefriedman.com/using-wordpress-author-websites/

Focus on YA (Marie Lamba)
https://marielamba.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/agent-monday-focus-on-ya/

Starting an Email Newsletter (Jane Friedman)
https://janefriedman.com/getting-started-email-list/

The Story Coach Who Came In From the Cold (Larry Brooks)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/05/the-story-coach-who-came-in-from-the-cold.html

It’s Time to Ditch Discoverability (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/05/its-time-to-ditch-discoverability.html

Don’t Hate the Query Letter: Master It (Annie Neugebauer)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/05/14/dont-hate-the-query-letter-master-it/



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last week:

Royalty Clauses in Publishing Deals (Susan Spann)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/05/royalty-clauses-in-publishing-deals-how-how-much-authors-get-paid/

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a Writer (Margaret Dilloway)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/05/13/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome-as-a-writer/

How Important Is Talent to You as a Writer? (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/important-talent-writer/

Don’t Accidentally Give Your Characters a Time Out (Lisa Cron)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/05/12/dont-accidentally-give-your-characters-a-time-out/

The Option Clause (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/05/11/business-musings-long-term-thinking-the-option-clause-contractsdealbreakers/

How to Avoid Self-Publishing Regrets (Alicia Rades)
www.thewritelife.com/avoid-self-publishing-regrets/

Building Your Professional Author Website (Jane Friedman)
https://janefriedman.com/wordpress-vs-squarespace/

Lean in to Your Fears (Rachelle Gardner)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/lean-in-to-your-fears/

Writing When It’s Not Like a Movie (Jo Eberhardt)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/05/07/writing-when-its-not-like-a-movie/


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

I'm always looking to add some more New Jersey writing groups.

Scroll down for a list of the New Jersey Writing groups I currently have on file, with links to websites where available.

WOMEN WHO WRITE (open to ladies only)
Various groups (see their groups link for full details)

THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Various Groups in Burlington, Camden and Salem Counties (see website for details)
Contact: Dr. MaryAnn Diorio: [email protected]

THE SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
Various meetings (see Meetup page for more details)


BERGEN COUNTY
Bergen County Poets and Fictionaires
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page

Mahwah Writer's Collective
Where? 100 Ridge Road Mahwah, NJ 07430
When? Tuesdays: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Contact: Mahwah Library (201) 529 2183

Science Fiction Association of Bergen County
Where? Bergen Highlands United Methodist Church,316 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
When? 2nd Saturday of the month (see www.sfabc.org for more info)
Contact: [email protected]

BURLINGTON COUNTY
Juliette Writer's Group
Where? Barnes & Noble, Eastgate Square, 1311 Nixon Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057
When? Every third Thursday, 7:30pm
Contact: Run by Dawn Byrne. Call store for details: (856) 608 1622

CAMDEN COUNTY
Writing Group
Where? Barnes & Noble, Towne Place, 911 Haddonfield Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
When? Every second Tuesday, 7:30pm
Contact: Run by Susan Pitcher. Call store for details: (856) 486 1492

Garden State Writers
Where? South County Regional Branch Library, 35 Cooper Folly Road, Atco, NJ 08004
When? 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7pm-9pm
Contact: See website

ESSEX COUNTY
Montclair Editors and Writers
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page

HUNTERDON COUNTY

MERCER COUNTY
Princeton Writing Group
Where? Various Meet-ups (see the group's webpage for details)
Contact: See website

MIDDLESEX COUNTY
New Jersey Romance Writers
Where? Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
When? 4th Tuesday of each month, 6 - 8:30pm
Contact: See website

The Garden State Speculative FictionWriters (GSSW)
Where? Old Bridge Public Library,1 Old Bridge Plaza, Municipal Center,Old Bridge, NJ 08857
When? First Saturday of each month - see website for details
Contact: See website

Liberty States Fiction Writers
Where? Edison Library, 340 Plainfield Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08817
When? 2nd Saturday of the month 10-10:30am (business) 10:45-11:45am (workshop) Noon-1:15 (roundtable sessions)
Contact: See website

The Princeton Writing Group
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page

The Woodbridge Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page


MONMOUTH COUNTY
Writing Group
Where? ASBURY PARK Public Library, Children's Room500 First Ave - Asbury Park, NJ
When? 3rd WEDNESDAY of Each Month (5.30-7.30pm)
Contact: Neville - [email protected]

Writing Group
Where? Barnes & Noble, Lanes Mill Marketplace, 4831 US Hwy 9, Howell, NJ 07731
When? 3rd Thursday of every month
Contact store for more info: (732) 730-2838

BelmarArts Creative Writing Group
Where? The Boatworks, 608 River Road, Belmar, NJ 07719
When? 4th Thursday, 7pm - 9pm
Contact: See website

Monmouth Creative Writing Group
Where? Monmouth County Library (HQ), 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726
When? 3rd Thursday of the month (7pm)
Contact: ?

Monmouth Writers
Where? Howell Library, Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731
When? 2nd Saturday of each month
Contact: Rick Kelsten See website

Writing Group
Where? NEPTUNE Public Library, Meeting Rm #225 Neptune Blvd - Neptune, NJ
When? 2nd Saturday of each month (1pm - 3pm) (NB: Please check library's calendar before turning up.)
Contact: - (732) 775-8241

The Noble Writers
Where? Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
When? Wednesdays ((10am - 11:30am) (NB: Please check library's calendar before turning up.)
Contact: TBA

Writing Critique group
Where? Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
When? Wednesdays (7pm) (NB: Please check library's calendar before turning up.)
Contact: TBA

OCEAN COUNTY
Manchester (NJ) Writers' Circle
Where? Manchester Library, 21Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759
When? 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month (2pm-4pm)
Contact: See website

Berkeley Adult Writers' group
Where? OCL (Berkeley Branch), 30 Station Road, Bayville, NJ 08721
When? Last Monday of the month - 6:30pm start
Contact: (Library) 732 269 2144

The Jackson Writers' Group
Where? Jackson branch of the Ocean County Library, 2 Jackson Drive Jackson, NJ 08527
When? See website
Contact: See website

SOMERSET COUNTY
New Jersey Writers' Critique Group
Where? Barnes & Noble (Somerset Shopping Center, 319 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ 08807)
When? First Wednesday of the month, 7pm - check B&N website for latest info
Contact: (B&N) 908 526-7425

New Jersey Writers' Society
Where? Franklin Township Library (Historical Room), 485 Dermott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873
When? Third Thursday of the month, 7pm - 9pm
Contact: (Library) 732 873 8700

UNION COUNTY
New Providence Writers
Where? Waterlilies Restaurant, 33 Union Place, Summit, NJ (parking free on Sundays)
When? 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 2pm.
Contact: Join and RSVP for meetings through Meetup group


If you know of any statewide or local writing groups in New Jersey which aren't listed above, please let me have contact details and/or a website link, if possible. Also, if your group is listed, but I've got the information wrong, please let me know.

Add a Comment

Plumb the Emotional Depth of Your Setting (Kathryn Craft)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/05/06/plumb-the-emotional-depth-of-your-setting/

How to Improve Written Dialogue in 6 Steps (Maria Vicente)
www.mariavicente.com/post/143837003672/how-to-improve-written-dialogue-in-6-steps

7 Quick Journaling Exercises That Will Improve Your Fiction Writing (Danielle Lincoln Hanna)
www.thewritelife.com/journaling-exercises-improve-fiction-writing/

Tips on Query Letters (Rachelle Gardner)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/tips-on-query-letters/

The 5 Most Common Mistakes I See in Beginners’ Manuscripts (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/5-common-mistakes-see-beginners-manuscripts/

Vulnerability (Mary Kole)
www.kidlit.com/2016/05/02/vulnerability/

Staying Focused Enough to Write (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/05/getting-your-novel-to-finish-line.html

Concept vs. Premise (Larry Brooks) [Jon’s Pick of the Week]
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/05/concept-vs-premise-the-inherent-opportunity-in-understanding-the-difference.html

The 5 Biggest Fiction Writing Mistakes (& How to Fix Them) (James Scott Bell)
www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-5-biggest-fiction-writing-mistakes-how-to-fix-them

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Writing Suspenseful Fiction: Reveal Answers Slowly (Jane K. Cleland)
https://janefriedman.com/suspense-slow-reveal/

Best Use of Story Flashbacks (Mary Keeley)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/care-treatment-flashbacks/

Getting Your Novel to the Finish Line (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/04/getting-your-novel-to-finish-line-part.html

9 Ways to Rock Your Query Letter (Maria Vicente)
www.mariavicente.com/post/143475957432/9-ways-to-rock-your-query-letter

Give your manuscript a running start (Joe Moore)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/04/give-your-manuscript-a-running-start.html

5 Ways to Smash Through and Finally Start Writing (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/5-ways-smash-finally-start-writing/

What I’d Like To Say To Young Writers, Part Two (Chuck Wendig)
www.terribleminds.com/ramble/2016/04/26/what-id-like-to-say-to-young-writers-part-two/

How to Weave a Message Without Pummeling Your Readers (James Scott Bell)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/04/26/how-to-weave-a-message-without-pummeling-your-readers/

An Ambivert Walks Into A Writing Conference... (Carla Lopez Lee)
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2016/04/an-ambivert-walks-into-writing.html

Life isn’t Fair—A Classic Problem (Kathryn Craft)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/04/life-isnt-fair-a-classic-problem/

The Five Modes of A Writer’s Life (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/04/the-five-modes-of-a-writers-life.html


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last weekabout writing from the last week:

Small Press Storm Warnings (Victoria Strauss)
http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2016/04/small-press-storm-warnings-pegasus_22.html

Five Comparisons NOT to Make for Your Book (Chuck Sambuchino)
www.writersinthestormblog.com/2016/04/five-comparisons-not-to-make-for-your-book/

Creating Promotional Copy That Works (Marcy Kennedy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/04/creating-promotional-copy-that-works.html

Know Your Rights (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/04/20/business-musings-know-your-rights-contractsdealbreakers/

What Makes a Great Villain? (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/makes-great-villain-checklist-writing-good-bad-guy/

It's a High Stakes Game (Michael McDonagh)
http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2016/04/its-high-stakes-game.html

Are You Being Taken Advantage of as a Writer? (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/04/are-you-being-taken-advantage-of-as.html

The Little Dialogue Ditty That Always Makes You Look Bad (Larry Brooks)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/04/the-little-dialogue-ditty-that-always-makes-you-look-bad.html

Why an Agent’s List is Never Full (Janet Kobobel Grant)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/why-an-agents-list-is-never-full/

Writing Lessons From The Masters (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/04/writing-lessons-from-the-masters.html


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last weekabout writing from the last week:

Safety Tips for Writers (Rachel Kent)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/26880/

16 of Our Favorite Kindle-Publishing Resources for First-Time Authors (Marisol Dahl)
www.thewritelife.com/favorite-kindle-publishing-resources/

What “Let It Go” Really Means (Lisa Cron)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/04/14/what-let-it-go-really-means/

Necessary Adjustments with A Forward View (Mary Keeley)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/necessary-adjustments-with-a-forward-view/

How your personality type wreaks havoc with your writing (Kelly Simmons)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/04/how-your-personality-type-wreaks-havoc-with-your-writing-and-10-things-you-can-do-about-it/

Coloring Inside the Lines (Wendy Lawton)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/coloring-inside-the-lines/

Answering Questions about Queries (Rachelle Gardner)
www.rachellegardner.com/answering-questions-queries/

But What’s the Story? (Marie Lamba)
https://marielamba.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/agent-monday-but-whats-the-story/

You Can Fool Some of the People . . . (Tracy Barrett)
http://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2016/04/you-can-fool-some-of-people.html


Submissions & Queries (L. Diane Wolfe)
www.elizabethspanncraig.com/4203/4203/

The Urge to Avoid Risk (Janet Kobobel Grant)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/urge-avoid-risk/

All You Need To Know About Character Transformation (James Scott Bell) [Jon’s Pick of the Week]
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/04/all-you-need-to-know-about-character-transformation.html

Writing an Email Query That Actually Gets Read, All the Way Through. (Jeanne Kisacky)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/04/09/basic-tips-for-writing-an-email-query-that-actually-gets-read-all-the-way-through/



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last weekabout writing from the last week:


2016 Publishing Trends (Jordan Dane)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/04/2016-publishing-trends.html

Contract Basics (Contracts/Dealbreakers) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/04/06/business-musings-contract-basics/

What a Haiku is (Kelly R. Fineman)
http://kellyrfineman.livejournal.com/875143.html

When It’s Time to Stop Querying Your Manuscript (Maria Vicente)
www.mariavicente.com/post/142344213586/when-its-time-to-stop-querying-your-manuscript

Relevant (Donald Maass)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/04/06/relevant/

Simultaneous Submissions (Rachelle Gardner)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/simultaneous-submissions/

This Simple Story Structure Changed My Life (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/simple-story-structure-changed-life/

Basic Errors (Mary Kole)
www.kidlit.com/2016/04/04/basic-errors/

5 Reasons You Need a Writing Mentor — And How to Find One (Leigh Shulman)
www.thewritelife.com/5-reasons-you-need-a-writing-mentor/

Good Writers are Consummate Liars (Gregory Frost)
https://marielamba.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/agent-monday-writers-should-learn-from-liars/

Part 2: 10 Myths That Sabotage Unsuspecting Novelists (Larry Brooks) [Jon’s Pick of the Week]
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/04/part-2-10-myths-that-sabotage-unsuspecting-novelists.html

Finish Your Doggone Story! (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/04/finish-your-doggone-story.html



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

I'm looking forward to this weekend's Write Stuff Conference. It'll be my seventh time there (and second as a presenter).
In addition to Friday night's Page Cuts session, I'm giving three talks on Saturday: The 3 Cs of Conflict; Writing for YA/Tweens, and a dialogue presentation, Say it again, Sam (using dialogue to maximum effect).

I'm also attending NJ SCBWI's summer conference.

2016, April 8th - 9th  
The Write Stuff Conference, Best Western, 300 Gateway Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18017

2016, June 4th - 5th
NJ SCBWI Summer Conference (attending)
Crowne Plaza/Holiday Inn Express, 900 Scudders Mill Rd, Plainsboro Township, New Jersey 08536



How about you?

What have you got lined up in the coming weeks and months?

Add a Comment

The Myth of the Average Reader (Cathy Yardley)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/04/01/the-myth-of-the-average-reader/

The Four Classic Conflict Types (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/07/enemy-mine.html

Business Musings: Introductory Remarks (Dealbreakers/Contracts) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
www.kriswrites.com/2016/03/30/business-musings-introductory-remarks-dealbreakerscontracts/

What Are Your Characters Not Saying? (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2016/03/what-are-your-characters-not-saying.html

Do You Have the Right Critique Partners? (Rachelle Gardner)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/critique-partners/

The Deadly Description Mistake You Must Avoid (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/deadly-description-mistake-must-avoid/

5 Tips to Sustain You in the Query Trenches (Kathryn Craft)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2016/03/5-tips-to-sustain-those-in-the-query-trenches/

The Publisher’s Going to Change the Title Anyway (Janet Kobobel Grant)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/the-publishers-going-to-change-the-title-anyway/

Dealing With Self-Doubt: Tips from 7 Popular Authors (Michael David Wilson)
https://litreactor.com/columns/dealing-with-self-doubt-tips-from-7-popular-authors

An Author’s Giveaways: of Time and Books (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
www.elizabethspanncraig.com/4145/an-authors-giveaways-of-time-and-books/



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last weekabout writing from the last week:

The Pros and Cons of Using a Facebook Profile But Not an Official Page (Jane Friedman)
https://janefriedman.com/facebook-profile-use/

The Matter of Talent (Barbara O’Neal)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/03/23/the-matter-of-talent/

Do You Know Your Reader? (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/know-reader-youd-better-want-book-really-make-impact/

The Elasticity of Language (Patty Blount)
http://yaoutsidethelines.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-elasticity-of-language-by-patty.html

Why Attend a Writer’s Conference? (Michelle Ule)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/why-attend-a-writers-conference/

Starting your Pitch (Marie Lamba)
https://marielamba.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/agent-monday-starting-your-pitch/

Ten Myths That Sabotage Unsuspecting Novelists (Larry Brooks)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/03/ten-myths-that-sabotage-unsuspecting-novelists.html

Five (Dirty Little) Truths about Proofreading (Susan DeFreitas)
https://litreactor.com/columns/5-dirty-little-truths-about-proofreading


If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.


If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment

Here’s my selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing from the last weekabout writing from the last week:

How Do We Maintain Believability in Our Writing? (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/07/nope-not-buying-it-how-do-we-maintain.html

Deepen a Reader’s Emotional Connection to Your Story (Angela Ackerman)
www.writersinthestormblog.com/2016/03/deepening-a-readers-emotional-connection-through-shared-experiences/

The Dreaded Synopsis (Mary Keeley) [Jon’s Pick of the Week]
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/the-dreaded-synopsis/

Action vs. Suspense (Joe Moore)
https://killzoneblog.com/2016/03/action-vs-suspense.html

The Author’s Voice (Rachelle Gardner)
www.booksandsuch.com/blog/authors-voice/

How to Survive the Marathon of the Middle and Finally Finish Your Novel (Jerry Jenkins)
www.jerryjenkins.com/survive-marathon-middle-finally-finish-novel/

Other People’s Heads (Dave King)
www.writerunboxed.com/2016/03/15/other-peoples-heads/

Socializing at Conferences – How to Come Out of the Box (Piper Bayard)
www.writersinthestormblog.com/2016/03/25512/

4 Lessons for Authors on the Current State of Publishing (Jane Friedman)
https://janefriedman.com/4-lessons-publishing/

The 5 Questions I Ask Every Writer When I’m Considering Offering Literary Representation (Maria Vicente)
www.mariavicente.com/post/140327179587/the-5-questions-i-ask-every-writer-when-im



If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015, and last week’s list.

If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time).  Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.

Add a Comment