Author. Speaker. Coach.
There are many lessons to be learned with writing. So many trials and tribulations only the school of hard knocks can teach you. Writing is work. It’s also a complete joy, but that doesn’t discount the challenges it brings.
I consistently made a particular mistake for about 19 years. I’ve only truly righted this wrong in the past twelve months. Are you making this same error, too? [Read more…] about Your Free Gift on Mudpie Writing’s 1st Birthday!
I’ve been hearing a lot of grumbling from writers lately. Many are fairly new to the craft, or are finally getting serious about it, but they feel overwhelmed with the barrage of advice explaining how to build an author platform:
Write the book of your dreams…EVERY. SIX. MONTHS!
Start a blog and post on it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!
Post on Facebook, tweet on Twitter, and pin on Pinterest…MULTIPLE. TIMES. A DAY!
It’s too much.
It’s also…. [Read more…] about Is Social Media Sucking the Life from Your Writing?
Is your latest writing project not going well? Do you seem to hit one dead end after another?
That’s what happened with my current work-in-progress. I recently shared how before I publish my debut novel, Pennies from Burger Heaven, I want to first publish an expanded version of my nonfiction eBook, Creative Monsters. I gave it to you in January and wanted to add stories and exercises to it to help writers even more with their struggles on the page.
Except the new version wasn’t going well. At all. Everything felt wrong about it: the title, the format, even the target audience. It was more than jut good, ol’ fashioned Fear.
So, what do you do when… [Read more…] about Want to be in My Book?
Even though I’ve decided to self-publish (!), I still want to help those of you pursuing traditional publication. I’ve had literary representation for two of my novels (one never sold; the other never got the chance), so I’ve learned a lot over the years.
Don’t make the same mistake I did.
Be very careful which agent you select, because…
[Read more…] about How to Find the Right Literary Agent for You
It’s official. I’ve stopped looking for a replacement literary agent (mine left the biz before we got the chance to sell my novel in 2013). This has caused an internal tug-of-war on what to do publishing-wise for about 16 months now. It’s wonderful to have clarity at last and to feel good about it.
I’m still scared to death, but I believe I’m making the right choice for my career. I plan to follow my own advice and take small steps.
What about you? If you want to publish, will you take the traditional route (agent – publisher – etc.)? Or, will you go indie and Do-It-Yourself?
Each path has its own pros and cons. Let’s explore both, so you can make an informed decision.
This is a tough subject to discuss. I’ve avoided it for a while, but the voice in my head wouldn’t stop nagging me to share it, so that I might help others.
Know this. If you have a dream, if you long for “something more” in your life, then… [Read more…] about Expect Haters
