Mastodon
Close

risk

What’s Your Author Self-Esteem?

Man staring at the ground with text: How to Improve Your Author Self-Esteem

I think it’s safe to say that we often doubt ourselves as authors. If we’re not careful, that self-doubt can affect our business decisions. Sometimes we even reject ourselves to prevent rejection from others.

Pin It

August 20, 2015

Read More

Subjectivity and Reader Shaming

A woman with her head in her hands with text: Have You Ever Been "Reader Shamed"?

If we write genre fiction, we might bemoan the lack of respect, but the same lack of respect occurs at the reader level too. Readers of science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, young adult, and romance have also been looked down on. Many outsiders have attempted to make readers ashamed of their reading choices by judging by subjective measures.

Pin It

August 11, 2015

Read More

Self-Publishing? Which Path Is Best for You?

Stick figure at a chalkboard with text: Fiction University Day! Know Your Goals

Even though I don’t want my blog to turn into “all self-publishing tips all the time,” I also want to share my indie publishing insights and advice. My friend Janice Hardy came up with the perfect solution: joining the Indie Author Series at Fiction University, where I’m writing a series digging into some of our options for indie publishing.

Pin It

August 6, 2015

Read More

When Does It Make Sense to Make Big Revisions?

Pile of cookies with text: "Measuring" Revisions with Baking Soda

Revisions are never easy. Unlike just plain edits, which might have us questioning a word, revisions might have us questioning everything. Sometimes the feedback we receive might cause us to wonder if the suggestions are a good idea for our story. How can we tell? Which battles should we pick when debating our publisher’s editor?

Pin It

July 30, 2015

Read More

Shining a Light on Diversity Issues

Cartoon of people looking up at light with text: Shining a Light on Diversity Issues

In gearing up for the release of Pure Sacrifice, one frustrating experience was beyond my control. I’ve mentioned before that we should avoid assumptions about our characters, so I waited until I heard a voice that resonated and knew my paranormal character for this book wouldn’t be white skinned. Great! Except…

Pin It

July 28, 2015

Read More

Are You Dreaming or Doing?

Woman daydreaming with text: Are We Dreaming or Doing?

Every time we start a new journey, we’re likely full of dreams based on the potential of that new phase. There’s nothing wrong with those dreams, but they are just the first step. A harsh truth is that most people won’t reach their dreams because there’s such a gap between wanting something and making it happen.

Pin It

July 21, 2015

Read More

Blogiversary Winners & Writing Flexibility

Sketches of sea shells with text: Writing Flexibility

Some writers can find themselves paralyzed by the thought of needing to get their first draft “right.” That’s crazy-making, however. A draft—a first draft especially—is a tool to help us discover the story we want to tell, the characters we want to meet, and the themes we want to explore. That’s it.

Pin It

July 14, 2015

Read More

7 Tips for Adding Humor — Guest: Rhoda Baxter

Writing in beach sand of "Gas 237000 Miles" with text: How to Add Humor to Our Stories

Most genres benefit from including touches of humor here or there—even the dark and angsty stories. But I’m not naturally a funny person, so I jumped at the chance to host an expert on comedy writing. Rhoda Baxter is here to share her tips that will help us add humor to any genre.

Pin It

July 7, 2015

Read More

Branding 101: What’s Your Brand’s Voice?

A sale tag with the word "NEW!" and the text: What's Our Marketing Style?

On social media, people regularly break the “rule” to avoid discussing religion or politics. Does it no longer apply? The answer depends on who we are and what our goals are. Our brand could be either quiet or loud, and the style of our interactions might affect or inform many aspects of our marketing efforts.

Pin It

May 28, 2015

Read More