Tag Archives: mythcreants

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

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This week, Melodie Campbell offers advice on how to save that sagging middle in your novel while Penny Sansevieri shows you how to optimize your Amazon Author Central page.

Jennie Nash provides a short checklist of common mistakes that might land your manuscript in the rejection pile and Jami Gold explores how our characters can drive the narrative—despite our best laid plans.

Esther Jones extols the benefits of reading SF and fantasy,  Julie Glover defends the practice of editing as you go, and Donald Maass helps us to understand how to develop a meaningful narrative.

All that and a little more. Enjoy!

My Novel is as Mess: How to Survive the Chaos Point in Your Novel by Melodie Campbell via Anne R. Allen

Science Fiction Builds Mental Resiliency in Young Readers by Esther Jones

5 Quick Fixes for Making the Most of Author Central (and Why it Should be a Top Priority) by Penny Sansevieri

Do Your Characters Take on a Life of Their Own? by Jami Gold

In Defense of Editing as You Go by Julie Glover

The Secret to More Efficient Revision: Pattern Recognition by Jennie Nash

The Meaning of Meaning by Donald Maass

The Art of Condensing an Entire Book into a Brief Sales Pitch by Florence Osmund

Six Common Problems with Short Stories by Oren Ashkenazi

The Rich Can’t Hide from a Plague. Just Ask Edgar Allan Poe by Maya Phillips

Articles, Blog, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, Robert Lee Brewer presents several examples of successful query letters categorized by genre. Anne R. Allen offers methods for rescuing a stagnant manuscript as well as an analysis of Amazon’s increasingly stringent review system.

Over at Mythcreants, Oren Ashkenazi discusses ways to avoid recycling the same types of conflict within your story while on Writer Unboxed,  Donald Maass discusses the dread and anxiety that propel our protagonists forward. No one likes to receive one-star reviews, but Sandra Beckwith explains how writers can learn from them.

All that and little more. Enjoy!

How to Write Successful Queries for Any Genre of Writing by Robert Lee Brewer

How to Rescue an Endangered Book and Restore Your Author Mojo by Anne R. Allen

Amazon’s Review Rules Have Become Even Stricter in 2020 by Anne R. Allen

Space Kadet: The Twisted Tale of a Sad, Sad Internet Troll by Victoria Strauss

Six Tips for Avoiding Repetitive Conflict by Oren Ashkenazi

5 Important Tips for Achieving Indie Author Success by Dave Chesson

3 Reasons to Embrace One-Star Reader Reviews by Sandra Beckwith

Writing Craft: How Point-of-View Affects Dialogue by Jami Gold

‘Emergency’ Online Library Draws Ire of Some Authors by Alexander Alter

Will Online-Only Events Bring Book Sales? No One Knows Yet by Kate Dwyer

The Upside of Anxiety by Donald Maass

 

Articles, Blog, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, Kristen Lamb delves into the traits of a perfect villain and reminds us of the importance of story mastery above all else. Anne R. Allen offers advice on writing that challenging first chapter while Marie Eberle would like to see less of certain hackneyed character types in SF and Fantasy.

It’s a foregone conclusion that conflict is the heart of storytelling, but what about conflict management? L. Deborah Sword discusses.

Over at Writer Unboxed, Jim Dempsey encourages us to delve into our characters’ values to find their ultimate motivation, and speaking of characters, Donald Maass suggests examining psychological archetypes as a means for crafting character arcs.

If you’re struggling to build a readership, there may be a good reason for that. In fact, as Shannon Ashley reveals, there might be at least twelve reasons.

All that and a little more. Enjoy!

On Writing: Why Mastery Should Matter To the Serious Author by Kristen Lamb

The Villain: Crafting Scoundrels, Sinners, and Substance of Legends by Kristen Lamb

Finding and Using Competing Book Titles in Your Book Marketing by Penny Sansevieri

Writing that First Chapter: 10 Dos and Don’ts for Starting a Novel by Anne R. Allen

Avoid these Crutch Words by Dana Isaacson

Story Conflict: It’s Not as Simple as We Think by L. Deborah Sword via Jami Gold

Nine Ways for Your Hero to Earn the Clues They Need by Chris Winkle

The Two Types of Archetype by Donald Maass

What Really Drives Your Characters? by Jim Dempsey

12 Reasons Nobody Wants to Read Your Writing by Shannon Ashley

3 Types of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Characters We’ve Seen Enough Of by Marie Eberle

What is a Vignette & How Do I Write One? by Amanda Patterson

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

This week, Tim Grahl reveals the ingredients to a successful book launch while Joanna Penn offers quick advice on how to combat imposter syndrome.

Over at the Kill Zone, James Scott Bell provides guidance on character description while Jordan Dane talks layering scenes and plot. We have a twofer from that wise Mythcreant, Chris Winkle, who first expounds several methods for ensuring your protagonists pull their weight, and then points out how to spot misandry in your story.

Writer pal Kathryn Craft reveals why you might be afraid of your WIP while Tiffany Yates Martin whips our editor’s brain into shape.

All that and a little more. Enjoy!

The Book Launch Framework: How I Keep Launching Bestselling Books by Tim Grahl

How Writers Can Deal with Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome by Joanna Penn

How to Describe Your Main Character by James Scott Bell

How to Enhance Your Writing by Layering Your Scenes & Plot by Jordan Dane

18 Ways for Protagonists to Contribute and Five Signs Your Story is Sexist—Against Men by Chris Winkle

CockyGate Update: One Writer’s Adjective; Another Writer’s Short-Lived Trademark by Matt Knight

How to Train Your Editor Brain by Tiffany Yates Martin

12 Signs You’re Afraid of Your WIP by Kathryn Craft

6 Ways to Immerse Your Readers in the Setting of a Story by Joslyn Chase

 

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This week, Ruth Harris lays solid groundwork when it comes to cliffhangers and David Safford reinforces the concept of the hero’s journey.

Mary Anna Evans helps us find our author voice while Nancy Bilyeau provides tips on crafting believable historical fiction. Struggling to avoid those ugly info dumps? Let Kris Kennedy show you how to adroitly divulge all those details you’re dying to share with the reader.

Although writers must develop a thick skin when it comes to receiving criticism, we’re often called upon to give it as well. PJ Parrish and Jim Dempsey discuss constructive methods for offering valuable and relevant critiques.

All that and a little more. Enjoy!

How to Write a Page-Turner: Master the Seven Rules of the Cliffhanger by Ruth Harris

The Hero’s Journey: How to Write the Crossing the Threshold Scene by David Safford

How to Find Your Author Voice by Mary Anna Evans

4 Tips for Writing Historical Fiction by Nancy Bilyeau

How Can We Make Scenes Feel Stronger with Sequels? by Jami Gold

Backstory: Avoid Info Dumping by Making it Essential Part One / Part Two / Part Three by Kris Kennedy via Jami Gold

The Fine Art of Giving Out Criticism by PJ Parrish

How to Give Useful Criticism by Jim Dempey

Seven Tips for a Satisfying Mystery by Oren Ashkenazi

Advice to Writers Who Are In It by Annie Neugebauer

 

 

 

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

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This week, Anne R. Allen laments the rise of “dark pattern marketing” by authors who attempt to bully potential readers by invading their privacy.

Dana Isaacson advises us on the effective use of flashbacks while Kristen Lamb reminds us of what it takes to be successful.

Going by the numbers, Jordan Dane expounds seven categories of conflict and Chris Winkle offers six types of climactic turning points. Oren Ashkenazi warns us to be aware of the messages we’re communicating through our writing and Angela Ackerman delves into the repercussions of fear.

All that and plenty more. Enjoy!

Is a “Personal Relationship” with Authors What Readers Want? by Anne R. Allen

How to Write Amazing Flashbacks by Dana Isaacson

Key Types of Conflict: Which One Best Fits Your Story? by Jordan Dane

In It to WIN It: How Committed Are You to Being a Successful Author? Kristen Lamb

Six Types of Turning Points for Climaxes and Filling In Your Story’s Middle by Chris Winkle

Depicting Characters Held Back by Fear by Angela Ackerman

Authorial Endorsement 101 by Oren Ashkenazi

Give Your Reader an Experience by Kathryn Craft

Negotiating Social Privilege as a Writer by Rheea Mukherjee

The Wonders of Your Character’s World View by Jim Dempsey