Tip O'Day #229 - Write in Scenes

Guest blogger Colleen Cross on borrowing a screenwriting technique.

Like many writers, I start new books with a general idea, a rough chapter outline, and a vague idea of the ending. At the start it's fresh and exciting, and I'm sure I'll knock out a first draft in no time at all. Then, just as we reach double-digit chapters, disaster strikes. My characters hijack the story. Or, even worse, they go on strike, and steer me off the highway and onto that no-exit road called Writer's Block Hell.

How can they do this to me?

Thankfully, I read some screenwriting books. Syd Field's Four Screenplays and Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! offer great advice for screenwriters, and novelists can benefit too.

One idea made all the difference; I started to write in scenes. Modern stories are based on a three act story structure: the beginning, the middle and the end. I determine the three most important scenes for each act, and then write them. Now I've got nine scenes which form the main plot and provide the theme. I don't worry about what happens before or after these scenes, or exactly what order they appear in. I can fill those in later with smaller connecting scenes. I save each scene in a separate Word file, and then I knit them into my novel's first draft.

My characters haven't mutinied on me since I started using this method. They seem happier, and while I still give them free rein, they don't take over my story, or stop it. Writing in scenes is a little messier, but it frees me to be more creative.

Visit Colleen's website and blog at http://colleencross.com and read more about Exit Strategy, Book 1 in the Katerina Carter suspense series.

Dixon says: I had coffee with writing friend (and Amazon Top 50 reviewer) Roxanne McHenry the other day. She is excited about the first draft of her dark YA novel, which consists of a series of unconnected scenes. When she gets further along, she'll worry about whether the scenes are in the right order, and how to hook them together. An interesting approach - I'm not sure I'd have the courage to try it.

Tip O'Day #228 - Keep 70%...For What?

Guest blogger Sue Owen on self-publishing versus traditional publishing.

It used to be that a publisher did everything from cover to back page including all advertising and setting up personal appearances, etc. Now, they are too busy reading and publishing books and don’t have time for all that, so it is up to authors to promote their own materials. For that you are paying up to 70% commission. So take that 70% and publish it yourself for a 3% commission. Why waste time, energy and funds to do something yourself, that you end up doing yourself anyway. To learn more about Sue, check out her blog at bySueOwen.blogspot.com

I receive and share comments on both sides of the “e-book vs tree-book” debate, and "self-pub vs big pub." Anne Patrick had strong arguments in favor of traditional publishing last week. In today’s post, Sue Owen doesn’t buy that viewpoint.

What’s your opinion?

Tip O'Day #227 - Your To-Do List

Guest blogger Cynthia J. Faryon on some nonwriting things that can help you get published.

Become known in your community by volunteering and include this in your bio. Read back copies of magazines or read books published by publishing companies so you know what they are interested in. Send your manuscript out to sample readers with a questionnaire and include the comments in your submission.

Tip O'Day #226 - Yet More "Why I Write"

Five more responses to “What Makes You Write?” Let’s do this again sometime.

Clair Saint - Word smithing, articulation that is really important to describe the feeling so the other can completely and totally visualize and/or feel what the writer is describing to touch and stimulate.

Marlene Samuels - I select books for a range of very specific reasons: they're in my field; they're by best-selling authors; they're classics that I didn’t quite understand when I was required to read them; or they're a huge intellectual challenge to me.

Matthew Schott - I have to tell their stories or they will be lost forever. Everyone is a main character; it’s just those who get thrown into unusual situations whose stories becomes books.

Jane Vogley - It's my passion. I enjoy creating stories that entertain people, move them, and make them think. And I write because I'm not so good at other artistic mediums, can't draw or paint to save my life...lol

Claudette Walker - A flame that burns hotter than Dante's Inferno. The unending passion to explore this world as it is during my time and leave an unforgettable trail, she lived...

Tip O'Day 225 - Why You Write 2.0

Five more friends respond to the question, "Why Do You Write?"

Heather Long - Because if I don't write I daydream all day and don't get paid for it.

Ellie Mack - I think everyone would benefit from more laughter, and a lighthearted look at life. Otherwise it's just too depressing. Since I don't want to do stand-up comedy, I write. The wit and wisdom combined gives a certain 'slant' that not everyone sees. That's what I feel that I offer to others - a wry view that brings a few laughs, a half full in a world of half empties.

Sue Owen - I have no idea what makes a person write. It’s not an easy life. It’s lonely and scary. You pour your heart into a work that takes you forever to finish. But really it’s never finished; you just reach a point where you just can’t look at it anymore so you publish it. Then people read it and tell you how this or that could have been done differently, all with good intentions. Why would anyone do that to themselves?

Deb Peters - I do not feel like anything or anyone makes me write. I have a very vivid imagination and years of life experiences. If I have inspired one person to be happy with their lives or do something to change it to make them happy, then I have accomplished my goal.

Marsheila Rockwell - No one else is writing the stories I want to read.

My thriller Assassin's Club: Preservation will be out on Kindle at Christmas - look for it!

Tip O'Day #224 - What Makes You Write?

I recently asked my FB friends, “What makes you write?” Here’s five answers, with more to come:

Linda Lavonne Barton - The voices screaming in my head wanting to tell their stories. LOL

Sarah Bewley - I write plays because I literally have voices in my head, and I figure I'll put them to use. (grin)

Michael Boehm - The characters. They're there in my head, doing things and having conversations. They won't leave me alone unless I write it all down.

Shirl Henke - I began writing because I had stories in my head and had to put them to paper. Once I became published, I had deadlines on my mind. Now that I'm e-pubbing my backlist before writing any more new books, I feel the very strong urge to stop and begin with the new stories once again.

John Hohn - It gives my life purpose.

I put these in alphabetical order by last name. Interesting how the same theme runs through the first four.

I'll post more replies from my friends over the next week. If you have a thought you're burning to share, email me at montananovels@yahoo.com or add a comment below.

After Christmas, look for Assassin's Club: Preservation on Kindle, with wider distribution to follow.

Tip O'Day #223 - Thanks for Evolution

Guest blogger Anne Patrick on getting published.

I think with the evolution of e-books, it's becoming easier to get published, but you still need to carefully research the publishers you submit to. Indie authors are having some success. Personally, I prefer the traditional route. I'm currently published with small independent publishers and have been very happy with them. I have good editors, awesome cover artists, and the royalties aren't too shabby. If a person does go the indie route, investing in a good professional editor is a must.

The most important thing...don't give up. Believe in yourself, stick with it, and it'll happen.

To learn more about Anne Patrick, check out http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/

Tip O'Day #222 - Tree Book vs E-book

Guest blogger Gary Williams on the appeal of e-publishing (Part 2 of 3).

I’ve heard some people say that they will never read an e-book. They love the feel and smell of a tangible book. I must agree, there is something comforting, almost romantic, about turning the pages of a bound book, the scent of the paper. But the fact is, we are a society of convenience and immediacy. As people get comfortable with the technology, which is about as user friendly as you can get, more and more will convert.

Talk to anyone who is a regular e-device user and you’ll find that they’re hooked. Both my parents are in their 80s. Each owns a Kindle. My father is on pace to read more novels this year than I’ve read in my entire life, and he hasn’t set foot in a brick-and-mortar book store for years.

Gary Williams co-writes with Vicky Knerly. Their debut thriller, Death in the Beginning, was released electronically on November 21st, two days ago.

Tip O'Day #221 - E-books a perfect fit?

Guest blogger Gary Williams on the appeal of e-publishing (Part 2 of 3).

Why are e-books the perfect fit for both writers and readers?

- The purchase price of e-books is considerably lower than either paperback or hardback books in most cases. Many are sold for $5.00 or lower. First-time authors often sell their books for $.99 or even give them away. Why? To gain an audience. It’s all about marketing. Get a reader base, and money will be made on the volumes and/or future releases.

- Due to the minimal overhead for e-book publishers, e-publishing your manuscript often requires very little investment by the author. In many cases, no investment is needed since the publisher shares in the profits. Once the electronic version is uploaded by publishers, they incur virtually no overhead costs. It’s a win/win for both author and publisher.

- The convenience by which readers can purchase novels via e-reader devices such as Kindle and Nook lends itself to impulse buying. A reader can shop, buy a novel, and be reading it within a matter of minutes. For some devices and applications, readers can download a book anywhere there’s a wireless connection. Combine the convenience with the low price, and it’s not hard to imagine that readers will take chances on unknown authors. So what if they spend $1.99 on a book that turns out not to be to their liking? They’ll just download another one. And what of readers who have just finished a book and want to find others by the same author? Minutes later, they could be enjoying the next story.

Gary Williams co-writes with Vicky Knerly. Their debut thriller, Death in the Beginning, was released electronically yesterday, November 21st.

Tip O'Day #220 - e-pub trends

Guest blogger Gary Williams on the appeal of e-publishing (Part 1 of 3).

The publishing industry took a turn a few years ago with the introduction of e-publishing. From a fledgling start where it faced considerable opposition, e-books are becoming prevalent at a time when the economy is in most need of inexpensive entertainment.

Five years ago Nooks and Kindles were luxuries for the serious, well-to-do readers. Few people made the hefty investment, which carried a price tag in excess of $400. But like the original pocket calculators that came out in the late 1960’s and costs over $400 and now can be bought for $10, the price of electronic readers has begun to plummet. Kindle is now advertising a version for under $100. Cell phone reader apps are also very inexpensive, and in some cases free.

Do people really read e-books? According to the American Association of Publishers, purchases of e-books have soared over the last year. E-books sales in August 2010 compared to August 2011 were up 116%, while adult paperback sales were down almost 6% and adult hardback down 11% for that same month. As a matter of fact, every category of books suffered a decline in this period with the exception of e-books and audiobooks. And while e-books still only represent 17.6% of total book sales in August 2011, that’s a tremendous leap from the 7.8% the same month a year before. At this rate of growth, they will soon overtake the sale of all other book mediums combined.

Gary Williams co-writes with Vicky Knerly. Their debut thriller, Death in the Beginning, was released electronically on November 21st. Wait a minute – that’s today! Best wishes, you two.

Saying for Writers #106 - Gracián

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one.” - Baltasar Gracián

Tip O'Day #219 - "Picture It"

Guest blogger John Klawitter on visual imagery in e-books.

We’re all aware our audience increasingly devours everything from novels to e-zines on small, hand-held screens. And now it seems e-books are moving beyond words and in the direction of visual imagery. With formats like Kindle, Smashwords and CreateSpace we can add images in the text of our work.

Fifteen years ago, when I wrote Headslap, a sports bio about the life and times of Deacon Jones, the publisher grudgingly included a group of pictures in one section in the center of the book. That used to be the way they did it, an awkward section not all that convenient to refer to. Today you can sprinkle photos and drawings throughout your book at little or no extra cost. But that’s just one current step in the trend.

Today’s writers are linking to video imagery within the body of the text. I myself am working on a how-to book meant to inspire writers who want to venture into storytelling videos, and I’m imbedding links to YouTube and Vimeo to give readers the opportunity to experience short video examples of exactly what I’m talking about.

Tip O'Day #218 - Critique This!

Your genial blog host Dixon Rice on critique groups.

My local critique group is terrific. They catch spelling errors and grammar mistakes. They notice continuity problems, POV violations, tense problems, and subject-verb disagreement. Most important, they ask annoying questions.

In my WIP, two deputies in a rural Montana sheriff’s department have a hobby. They kill criminals when they can’t get a conviction in court. So I have them researching cold cases, staking out suspects, interviewing witnesses, and other extracurricular activities. You know, acting like detectives, even though they are just patrol officers.

Two nights ago at our biweekly critique session, Jake asked me, “When do these guys work?” Well, darn. He had spotted a problem that many crime fiction readers would immediately notice. My deputies were not getting calls about domestic assaults or car accidents. They were not giving speeding tickets. They were not transporting felons, reporting their locations and odometer readings to the dispatcher, filling out forms or testifying in court.

I can fix this oversight, but I never would have realized it existed if not for Jake and his annoying question. That, my friends, is why Jake and I started our critique group, and why I keep coming back for regularly-scheduled ego adjustments.

This Christmas, look for Dixon’s first published novel, THE ASSASSIN’S CLUB: PRESERVATION.

Tip O'Day #217 - Judge a Book by its Cover

Guest blogger Sue Owen on book covers.

Time and again, authors overlook the importance of the book cover. First impressions are very important. Does it make sense to spend years writing and revising a book, only to slap any old cover on it and call it good? What a huge waste of time. The creative decisions about your cover are just as important as the creative decisions about what to put between the covers.

A good cover has to be attention-getting as well as reflecting the story and the personality of the user. To have a drawn cover for a children’s book is good because the readers you are trying to attract will be interested in that. But to put that same type of cover on a murder mystery….you won’t sell it no matter how good the story is.

To learn more about Sue, check out her blog at bySueOwen.blogspot.com

Tip O'Day #216 - How to Begin

Guest blogger Gary Ponzo on starting your story.

There was a time when people would ride their horse for days to travel a hundred miles. A trip to China and back could take months. Back then writers could take 3-4 chapters to develop their characters, revealing their idiosyncrasies, their flaws, their motives. Those days are long gone. Our lifestyle has changed so much, waiting for a light to turn green could easily mutate into road rage. While Twitter, Facebook and texting have caused our attention spans to shorten, our children's brains are actually being developed to handle the fast pace.

So readers no longer have the patience for long introductions. Certain literary fiction might have some immunity to the modern, frantic pace, but if you're writing any type of commercial fiction, you'd better upload the tension.

How do you do it? With great care - not tricks or gimmicks like the protagonist waking from a nightmare as he's about to be slaughtered. What will work, however, is anything with tension. And I don't mean it has to be a freight train bearing down on our hero. It could be as simple as a missed phone call the protagonist desperately wanted to hear. Use intrigue to lead us to the next line, then make sure the next line leads us into more questions. Resist the temptation to answer everything too fast. That's what keeps the reader reading.

Lee Child's first Jack Reacher novel, KILLING FLOOR, began with "I was arrested in Eno's Diner." Of course it begs the question, why was he arrested? Why does he seem so casual about it? My favorite opening line came from an old Jules Shear song, "I've never seen the weapon, but I know the prints are mine." Isn't that a great opening? I've tried for years to use that line, but never found the story to go with it. Maybe I never will. But one thing is for sure, I'll probably never open with something that doesn't cause the reader to ask, "Why is she in that predicament?"

Hopefully, neither will you.

BTW, here’s the opening line from Gary’s second novel, A TOUCH OF REVENGE: “The bullet left the sniper’s rifle at 3,000 feet per second.”

Tip O'Day #215 - Feeling Passion?

Guest blogger Laura Schultz is passionate...about writing and reviewing.

I have always been passionate about writing poetry as I was able to address the human condition as well as muddle through my own as a child. Besides poetry, I enjoy writing in a myriad of genres such as self-help and true crime. My passion has always been to facilitate growth and change, and to inspire others to transcend their struggles. I endeavor to use my background as a psychotherapist in my writing for those reasons.

After reading and reviewing books for the past few years for the NY Journal of Books, I developed a great respect for authors. I was able to learn the delicate balance between elevating a good story and pointing out some of its weak points. Reviewing is the best of both worlds and has greatly improved my writing because of learning from others.

I got to know Laura through the FB group Writers Etc. She is a co-administrator there but a more accurate job title might be Guiding Spirit. She is tremendously helpful and supportive, and can offer interesting psychological insights into what makes your characters tick.

Tip O'Day #214 - Feeling Rejected?

Guest blogger J.E. Seymour on dejection over rejection.

I read a complaint from a writer the other day. He was whining about how it took a year to write his novel and then an agent rejected it. One agent. He even got helpful feedback from said agent.

It took me years to write my first published novel. It took me years to get it published. My very first novel was picked up by an agent fourteen years ago, but she dumped me after thirteen rejections from publishers. I finished another book, got another agent, dumped him after six months of inaction. Wrote another book. Got 86 rejections from agents. Got numerous rejections from small presses before finally selling it to Mainly Murder Press. This is not a game for the easily discouraged.

If you want to write, be prepared to stick to it. And don’t give up after one rejection. Just keep writing a better book.

J.E. Seymour’s first novel, Lead Poisoning was released by Mainly Murder Press in 2010 and she has short stories in four different anthologies. J.E. is the markets coordinator for the Short Mystery Fiction Society. To learn more, check out http://jeseymour.com

Quote for Authors #105 - Wilde

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

“Books are never finished, they are merely abandoned." - Oscar Wilde

Tip O'Day #213 - Soul Satisfaction

Guest blogger Alyse Michele Gardner on putting yourself in your work.

When it comes to writing, I think that a lot of what you write should come from your soul. You should put as much of yourself into the piece of work as you possibly can, yet try not to be redundant. You can have similar things, and approach the same thing from different aspects, but don't write the same thing over and over again. However, what I stress the most is the factor of the soul.

To learn more about Alyse, she blogs at http://alysemgardner.blogspot.com/

Dixon says: A former member of my critique group was fond of making a statement, and then repeating the same concept in different words, and often giving it to us one more time. I found that approach annoyingly repetitive, but also insulting to me as a reader. “I don’t trust you to get it the first time, so let me try again.”

If you find yourself being repetitive, choose the most powerful version – the one from the soul – and slash the rest.

Tip O'Day #212 - Write for Films

Guest blogger Carl Paolino II on all you need to know about screenwriting.

To sell a screenplay you need an agent who believes in your work and pushes it.

Tip O'Day #211 - Write for Readers 2.0

Following up yesterday’s post, here is more of what readers look for.

Gerald Sessions: I read mostly fiction. (Not a writer.) Some books I buy because I like the author. Sometime the cover is the clincher; other times, the blurb telling about the story.

Jane Vogley - I go for the obscure, books that don't have mainstream appeal or marketing. As a screenwriter, sometimes I only have time to read when I'm working on an adaptation or doing research for a movie. For example, right now my dining room table is covered in every book known to man about Raoul Wallenberg, because I'm writing a script about him. I'm also working on a spec script based on a book called Swamplandia so I'll have to start reading that soon.

So what makes you pick up a book by an unknown author, and give it a try?

Tip O'Day #210 - Write for Readers

Two Opinions on What Readers Look For.

Madison Woods: I hate to admit it, but first I do look at the cover. Good art attracts me because I am a creative type and look for style/colors/layout I like. After that I'll open the book to a random page and read. If the author's style of writing appeals to me, I'll keep reading at random spots throughout the book. If the content inside doesn't appeal, it doesn't matter what the blurb on the back says. Things that make me put it back right away are things like clumsy dialogue, drifting POV's, obvious syntax errors, and poor grammar (where the grammar isn't part of the voice).

Judith Anne Horner: I mostly read mysteries or romantic suspense written by well-known authors or by authors I’m acquainted with, either in person or online. I generally read a review about a mystery/romance novel in a magazine or online. I’ve also been reading a lot of works by Indie Authors. Some of it is really good; some of it isn’t so good. I don’t think that a lot Indie Authors employ an “outside editor.” Also, the formatting tends to be really messed up on some e-books. I find that I lose interest in novels that have more than three POVs and ones that seem to have an endless cast of characters. I also tend to skip over sections with too much telling and too little showing. And I think it’s a little strange when the first-person POV protagonist addresses the reader.

Saying for Writers #104 - "Being a Writer"

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) Inspire You to Write:

"Being a writer is like having homework every night for the rest of your life." - Lawrence Kasdan

Tip O'Day #209 - "Why Not Me?"

Guest blogger Valerie Douglas on the success of others.

You've worked hard as a writer, honed your book, edited it, tried the traditional route and endured the rejection slips. For moral support you've joined writer's groups and cheered each other on for weeks or months. Then the day comes, the big announcement - a contract offer. Only... it's not you.

Maybe their book is merely good, or maybe it's GREAT, or you think it's garbage. It doesn't matter, because a part of you wishes... it was you. Maybe they handle it well, accepting that it's a mix of hard work and sheer luck, or maybe they don't. That doesn't matter either.

Graciously, you offer congratulations. Yet there's that little niggling touch of envy inside you. You may even ask yourself, "Why not me?"

That's okay. It's normal, to feel that way. As a wise man once said, it's not what happens to you that matters, but what you do with it. Another said, the test of someone's character is in how they handle a friend's success. So allow yourself to wallow for a few minutes, then pick yourself up, glue yourself to your favorite chair, and get back to writing. The success of others proves that it can be done, with a lot of hard work...and a little luck.

Tip O'Day #208 - Make Your Readers Want to Stay

Guest blogger Mike Nettleton presents “Short Attention Span Theatre.”

After 25 plus years of writing and editing for other writers and 6 published novels, I’ve come to one major conclusion: you need to grab your reader’s attention at the beginning of your story. Too many writers spend the first chapter setting the scene and introducing us to the protagonist. Then, usually somewhere late in the second or third chapter, they provide the event that is the true beginning of the story.

The perfect example of somebody who knows how to hit the ground running with a story is Lee Child and his Jack Reacher books. Within the first three paragraphs, Child has you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. This concept is especially important in genre books, but even for a literary novel, you should get your characters moving and reacting to events.

Since I mostly write mystery and detective fiction, the murder is a favorite place to start. Here’s how I began Shotgun Start:

She huddled against the wall, hearing a playback of her father’s voice in her head. “Do not point a weapon at something you do not intend to kill.”

“Loud and clear, Daddy dearest,” she murmured, running her fingers along the chill barrels of the shotgun lying across her lap. “One dead man, coming up.” Nausea tugged at her stomach even as she smiled at her own sick sense of humor.

My guess is most readers will stick around to find out who dies and why. Remember, the best way for our readers to get to know a character is through actions and reactions.

Check out Mike’s website at www.deadlyduomysteries.com or read a sample chapter of Shotgun Start at http://www.amazon.com/Shotgun-Start-Neal-Mystery-ebook/dp/B005QCXY0K

Tip O'Day #207 - How Do YOU Measure Success?

Guest blogger John J. Hohn on success as a writer.

Finishing my novel, DEADLY PORTFOLIO: A KILLING IN HEDGE FUNDS, represented the achievement of a lifetime goal for me. It has been artistically successful and sells consistently although not in high volume. I may have sold 500 copies since it was published nearly a year ago.

I learned a lot from my publishing venture--both about the book selling business and about writing. I don't care for all the online promo stuff that seems to be required. I think that a lot of writers are writing a lot of writers and we are all spinning our wheels in looking for the magic bullet or whatever. An entire industry has grown up around helping writers publish and sell. It has been very good for the publicists, the publishers, the consultants, and how-to authors, but I don't see much of it coming to anything very spectacular for the individual writers. A great deal of luck is needed. It is still a lottery.

I am underway with my next effort but I have set my sights differently. I want to print perhaps 100 copies, distribute them to fans, reviewers, friends and family, and then move on. I turn 73 on my next birthday so the drive to sell 10,000 copies is not as important as getting the next book written. If I were 35, it would be an entirely different matter.

You can check out John’s website at jjhohn.com

Tip O'Day #206 - Keep it Simple, Writers

Guest blogger Judith Anne Horner keeps it simple.

My comments on writing are not terribly original, but here’s a couple:

1) Aspiring authors should write. They should write something every day (e.g., a few paragraphs of a major project or simply a comment on someone else’s blog or Facebook post).

2) If one writing project seems stalled, work on another project for a while.

Judith’s blogs are www.westwordarizona.blogspot.com and www.westwordarizona.com

Tip O'Day #205 - Why Barbara Self-Publishes

Guest blogger Barbara Bixon wonders about listings on Writer’s Market.

I love writing. It's my passion but it's frustrating as hell.

I write comedy. When I send out chapters of my books, the agents scribble notes telling me how much they loved the book, characters, they couldn't put it down, but they reject it saying they don't handle comedy. Yet Writer's Market lists them as wanting humor. It's enough to drive you nuts. I've just gotten so sick and tired of the games that I self-published my books. They came out great and I have 26 book talks lined up for the next few months. I'm finally happy to see my books in print. Don't care whether I make a fortune.

Why bother writing if you can't share your stories?

Tip O'Day #204 - Why Sue Self-Publishes

Guest blogger Sue Julsen on self-publishing.

Getting published is hard, especially in this economy. Traditional publishers don't want to take a chance on someone new or someone who isn't "connected" in good or bad times. They seem to want a sure thing so they can get richer while the author struggles to survive on the small amount they get from a traditional publisher.

Self-publishing is the way to go, unless you want your manuscript to collect dust for years and years in a drawer waiting for a publisher to accept you or to find an agent who might or might not help you. New writers have to be very careful when looking for a place to self-publish. There are lots of legit-sounding scams, so I won't go with any publisher until I check it out on Predators & Editors and Writer's Beware. I also like to find someone who has used a certain publisher and has good (or bad) things to say before I make a final decision.

This is Sues’s second guest post. Learn more about her at Goodreads blog http://www.goodreads.com/suejulsen or the link to her first book http://www.outskirtspress.com/bittermemories/

Tip O'Day #203 - "The Dead File"

Guest blogger Madison Woods on publishing stories that previously appeared in your own blog.

Earlier this year I learned a valuable lesson. I have a 'dead file' where I put the short stories that didn't gel for some reason. A couple years ago I posted one of these stories to my blog in weekly segments to get feedback from readers. Did a little rewriting on it but still wasn't satisfied so I put it back in the dead file and forgot about it.

This past summer I found out about a new magazine that was going to pay professional rates (5-6 cents/word). Browsing through my dead file brought me back to that story I'd given up on. I realized what was wrong with it and made changes that revived it and made it sale worthy. The magazine bought it. Contracts signed.

Then one day, I found the posts on my blog. Oh boy. I knew I had to tell the editor that the story had been 'published' on my blog. A writer friend of mine, K.d. McCrite, had warned about this but I didn't listen. Some editors wouldn't care because it's not likely any of the magazine's readers would have read the story on my blog. This editor did care, and it cost me the sale.

Madison blogs at http://www.MadisonWoods.wordpress.com/

Tip O'Day #202 - "The Undead"

Guest blogger Glenn Gamble says “Print is Not Dead.”

Although it’s not my preferred method of publication, the print medium is not dead. I’ve seen statistics that e-books account for less than 15% of all book sales despite their phenomenal growth. I haven’t done in-depth research on my own, but the fact remains that I’m leaving 85% of sales on the table. “Why?” you might ask.

As many mid-list authors have discovered, e-books are more cost-effective and less expensive than print. I had previously self-published a book in 2009, but then didn’t publish one for the next two years due to the expense of a print run. Discouraged by the results of my first attempt at self-publishing, I stopped publishing period. My sales didn’t justify the costs and I had neither the time nor money to do the needed legwork. Another author suggested publishing on Kindle, but I dismissed the idea because Amazon only paid a 35% royalty.

Two years later, that same author is making a nice living selling her books on Kindle, and I… I’m starting over because I didn’t share her foresight on the Kindle Revolution. However, missing out on this opportunity has reinvigorated me. Since May of this year, I have released three books - four in a few days - and I’m currently working on a prequel to the Jim Money series. I didn’t have such drive two years ago, but I’m hungry now and looking forward to getting my work out to readers. Kindle provides the easiest and most cost-effective way for me to publish my work. This is why I choose to miss out on 85% of print sales.

Glenn’s books are available on Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Glenn-Gamble/e/B002BMGSVK and Barnes and Noble Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Glenn-Gamble?keyword=Glenn+Gamble&store=allproducts and Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/glenngamble and most recently in the iBookstore.

Tip O'Day #201 - Research (and Be Nice)

Guest blogger Daisy Dunn on the reason for her success.

I decided last November to follow my passion and try to have a novel published this year. I researched the industry tirelessly for two months. I studied publishing houses, submission guidelines, what's hot in the market, how to write a query letter and the dreaded synopsis, etc. On January 1st of this year, I started writing. I finished it at the beginning of April and submitted it. A week later I received my first acceptance letter. I continued to write novels, novellas and short stories and I now have six books in total coming out this year from two different publishing houses.

My advice from this amazing experience is to research the market before submitting. Another suggestion is be nice at all times. It's amazing how much help and advice I've been given from people in the industry (editors, publishers, established authors) because I've been nice. My editor, for instance, has taken me under her wing and not only are we now friends, but I consider her my mentor. That’s my experience in the publishing world so far - very positive (and very lucky!!)

.

Check out Daisy’s (adult) blog at www.daisydunn.blogspot.com

Tip O'Day #200 - Just the Right Facts, Ma'am

Guest blogger Leslie Budewitz – local attorney, research pro, published author, and a friend of mine - on getting the facts right.

As writers, we build our fictional worlds one detail at a time. If we get too many of those details wrong–whether in the foundation or the frosting–our readers’ ability to live in that world for a few hours crumbles. Still, you can kill yourself–and your story– trying to get everything right. What should you check and what can you let go?

- Check out facts related to major plot elements. If your villain intends to kill his wife with an overdose of insulin, make sure you know it can be done–and how.

- Focus on the dog, not the fleas. Don’t worry about whether a captain or a lieutenant would take charge of the investigation. But make sure you get the basic procedures right.

- Verify widely known facts outside your experience. If you’ve never been on a jury, talk with your neighbor who has. What surprised or upset her about the process? Was she intrigued–or bored? What were courthouse security measures? Where did she park? Did the bailiff bring donuts?

- Don’t risk a mistake in things easily confirmed. If you’ve never seen a purple Subaru, chances are they weren’t made.

- We often make mistakes in the things we think we know. If it matters to the story, check it out–or leave it out.

- Historicals attract readers who love history. And some readers love to tell writers where they goofed. Does that mean you can’t write about 14th century England because you weren’t born until 1970, or that you need an MA in the period? No. You need reliable references and a passion for the details that set the scene and bring the characters to life.

- Read your manuscript with your reader’s hat on. What might the typical reader question? Ask your critique partners to note anything that creases their brow.

- Accept that you’ll make mistakes. Don’t let that fear paralyze you.

Getting it right matters. But getting it written comes first.

Leslie Budewitz is the author of Books, Crooks and Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure (Quill Driver Books, October 2011). To learn more, visit www.lawandfiction.com

Tip O'Day #199 - Don't Stop Submitting

Guest blogger Catherine Cavendish on the perils of self-publishing

It has probably never been harder to get a publisher or agent but, conversely, it has never been easier to self-publish. There are many avenues to choose from. It can be genuine self-publishing where you literally do everything yourself and become your own publisher, or choosing to go straight to e-book with Kindle or others, or selecting print on demand (POD). You can always choose to pay shedloads of money to a vanity publisher - and end up with a garage load of books to sell.

These days all writers need to be their own marketers, but a real publisher will provide a much bigger shop window than most of us can provide for ourselves. If you go it alone, you will have to generate all the buzz yourself, and that in itself is a full-time job. You won't have much time left to write your second novel.

We have all read the 'amazing success stories' from authors whose self-pubbed books have been picked up by leading publishers and gone on to make them fortunes. Or the author who has done it all by herself and become her own bestseller. These success stories are rarely, if ever, exactly what they seem. When you dig a little deeper, you find that the author is already well known in some other field, has an uncle in a leading publishing house, has a great deal of money to shell out in marketing campaigns, and so on. And, let's face it, of the thousands of writers now bypassing traditional publishing routes, not many sell more than a few copies.

A few years ago, I went down the POD route myself. I sold a few books but I wouldn't do it again. I now know what a difference a professional editor makes and my writing is much tighter than it used to be because I have learned so much from her. I know how frustrating and depressing it is to get those rejection slips but I urge you to think very carefully before embarking on self-publishing. Try joining a writing community such as where you will find serious writers and writing professionals supporting each other, helping each other and becoming successful. Follow their advice and your writing will improve, plus you will add valuable contacts to your writer’s network. A number of us have gained publishing contracts as a result of information and help supplied on Litopia.

Don't give up. Keep on writing. Work at perfecting your craft. Don't stop submitting to agents and publishers. It worked for me. And I keep on learning more every day. Good luck!

Tip ODay #198 - "You Can't Do THAT!"

Guest blogger Anna Alexa on helpful advice.

Throughout your life, people will tell you how to write. They will make a point to show you what you can’t do. Your job as a writer is to do those very things and show the world how your techniques work and why. Few things are concrete if you take the time to dive into them, and even those you can’t pass through, are likely to bend with enough force. The only way to make a career out of writing is to be a constant innovator - move people’s feelings the way a parent late in picking up a child weaves through traffic.

To learn more about Anna, check out: scribblesofastoryteller.com

Dixon says: What should we do with you-can't-do-that-if-you-want-to-get-published advice? (1) Ask for it in writing, and save up for a huge New Years Day bonfire. (2) Save them for your biographer. (I wonder if Grisham saved the rejections he got for his first novel from pretty much every NYC publisher?) (3) Wallpaper your den, or wherever you write. Any more ideas?

Tip O'Day #197 - Believe in Yourself & Get Published

Guest blogger Shah Sight on getting published.

I never lost hope of getting published, and always believed in myself and in my work. I got many rejections from publishers but they never affected me in a negative way. If there was anyone in the whole world of writing to have given up on writing, it should have been me, because I dared to write in a different language, which I had much less knowledge about, concerning the war in Afghanistan, a most difficult subject.

Now, I am published by a very good, small publisher, and I am very happy because they did not alter any of the important things. They just polished the work and it reads fantastically good. You may want to check my book, The Interpreter, and see it for yourself.

Tip O'Day for Authors #196

Guest blogger James Fouche on the writing life.

For the longest time my wife struggled intensely with the fact that she was married to someone who goes into a coffee shop and sits there for seven hours straight, then strolls out with two thousand words for the day. She couldn’t understand how easily things could distract me from completing a scene or why I had to be in a specific mood to tackle a specific scene. She couldn’t picture my ramblings and she couldn’t detach herself enough from life to imagine my fiction.

It’s only when she finally read my first novel, when she finished that last page and looked up at me with tears in her eyes, that my apparent madness became apparent ability. She finally understood what writing was all about, that seven years of slaving on a project could result in an end product, much like a farmer’s goods are finally packaged and sold at markets.

Authors live for depth and purpose. We tend to do a thorough research and our reasoning could be intense. This is our work. We reason, we analyze, we deliberate and we write it all down. How often have authors stumbled upon economic and business solutions or resolved political disputes by merely writing about them?

Tip O'Day for Authors #195

Guest blogger Robert Walker says to write “hands on.”

To open a scene, it is a great idea to focus on a character's hands. You can pull back at any time but open with the camera eye on a character's hands and what this person is involved in. Gets you right into action immediately on sentence one, page one.

Robert has an author’s how-to entitled DEAD ON WRITING as both a POD and Kindle.

Dixon says: This sounds like screenwriting advice, but it’s also effective for novels or short stories. You can start small and expand (earthworm, to Robin, to cat, to coyote, to man looking through a rifle scope) or start grandiose and scale down (satellite shot of earth, to Great Lakes, to isolated peninsula, to treetop view of wolf watching a deer, to deer drinking from a stream, to face of a corpse floating beneath the surface).

Tip O'Day for Authors #194

Guest blogger Clifford Garstang asks “What are the stakes?”

A writer should never lose sight of what's at stake for his characters, and for beginning writers that's a common oversight. When I'm teaching creative writing, I'll often see perfectly interesting settings, with fresh characters, but because there's nothing at stake, the story goes nowhere. It's a "slice of life," the student might say in defense, and there's nothing wrong with that as a building block toward something larger.

To keep most readers' interest, even a character-driven story needs the tension that is created through conflict. And what is conflict but frustrated desire? If the writer knows what is at stake for the protagonist, that will make it possible to place obstacles in his or her way. If that obstacle is the desire of another character, so much the better!

Clifford, the author of In an Uncharted Country, blogs at http://perpetualfolly.blogspot.com

Tip O'Day for Authors #193

Guest blogger Karen Mueller Bryson says to write for your most important audience.

Remember that all criticism is subjective. Most writers want readers to love their work but not everyone will. There is a reason for the saying, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Even J.K. Rowling, who has sold hundreds of millions of books, has critics. Harry Potter was rejected by a number of publishers before it was sold.

The most important thing is to believe in yourself and your work. Take the criticism that rings true and reject the rest. You won’t be able to please everyone but you can please yourself. No one else is going to care more about your work than you do, so you’d better make sure your writing pleases you.

Karen is an optioned screenwriter, produced playwright, and published author. To learn more about her, check out http://www.ahorsewithnoname.com/

Tip O'Day for Authors #192

Guest blogger Rebecca Fyfe has concise advice.

I think it is really important for writers to believe in themselves and in their ability to write. Nothing holds you back more than the fear of not being good enough.

Dixon says: Books have been written containing less wisdom than these two sentences.

Tip O'Day for Authors #191

Guest blogger Matthew Carter on the writer’s long and winding road.

In college, I tried different styles, searching for one I could go with, but none seemed to mesh with who I was. After trial and error and plenty of frustration, I was able to find what fit me best. My professor was right there with me and encouraged me to become the best writer I could be.

Whether it be finding your own style, editing your work, bringing it to publishers, or dealing with poor reviews, perseverance is a key to writing that all authors should be made aware of.

It took five years to pen my first novel and it took time to find a publisher. Writing can be a long arduous process, frustrating at times. The important thing is to keep a level head no matter what frustrations may occur around the writer.

Matthew’s book website is www.liquidsoulsessence.com

Technology Must Die (Revisited)

This was my second ever attempt at a blog post, in early 2008 when writers were still squabbling about whether agent queries should go by email or snail mail.

Technology Must Die!

My very first e-query flew back within 12 hours with a request for a partial manuscript. Omigawd, the future is bright. Grisham labored in obscurity for years, selling his first self-published novel out of the back of a station wagon at swap meets, and here I've struck gold with my first effort. Before shopping for a Mercedes, I thought it might be prudent to research my new best friend. Oops. Google came up dry. Other than the brief entry on First Writer that led me to him in the first place, I found nada on the usual literary agent databases. I emailed Mystery Agent to see if I should send the partial by email attachment or snail mail, and also politely asked whether he had a website or blog. Since then, silence reigns.

Great. My first query, and I get VaporAgent.

The rejections I've received so far have all been professional and polite, usually along the line of "not for me" or "not a match." That's fine because I understand that this business is more about art, not science.

I've noticed that replies to e-queries tend to be very minimal and safely-worded, whereas those returning to my mailbox sometimes have more positive, even helpful comments scrawled on the letter. One snail mail rejection came back yesterday from a prominent NYC literary agent and actually had nearly 100 words of feedback - my synopsis was a "compelling presentation" and he couldn't see any obvious flaws, but didn't feel the necessary "connection" to take me as a client. Wow! That rejection will keep me motivated for months to come. I'm thinking it's suitable for framing.

As I said, I'm still new to querying and with some of the most successful agents only accepting e-queries, maybe that's the best way to go. I admit to getting a minor tactile thrill from folding up an SASE and slipping it into another envelope along with a crisp piece of stationary with my brilliant, well-researched query. But I don't get creepy over it.

I have important reasons for dragging my query letters down to the post office and dropping them through a slot, reasons that have nothing to do with the odds of success or failure or helpful comments. Once a query is mailed, there is Hope for a period of time. That Hope helps me glue my butt to a chair and tap out more queries, rewrite my old nonsense, and create gawd-awful first drafts of future nonsense. The fact that there is no scientific or logical basis for this Hope is inconsequential. It's the best buzz I've gotten since I threw Jim Beam out the back door.

On the other hand, last night I emailed a carefully-crafted, well-researched query to an agent who's supposedly waiting breathlessly for a thriller to represent. The rejection showed up among my incoming emails before my morning coffee break today.

Technology must die!

Tip O'Day for Authors #190

Guest blogger Sara Curran-Ross wonders “do I really need an agent?”

...(received) yet another rejection letter from a literary agency. Ah, yes my favourite topic of torment, literary agents. There doesn’t seem to be any way to please these people in my experience. Replies from literary agents in the past have ranged from apologetic to pompous and arrogant. But yesterday I got a new variation. I had gone back to a couple of agents after getting three publishing contracts hoping this time I might have more luck. Hmmm, scratch that! In a very short, one-sentence, abrupt, bordering-on-rude reply, this agent informed me that she doesn’t take on anyone who hasn’t obtained an advance of a certain amount from their publisher. Talk about a slap in the face.

Rightly or wrongly I felt like a loser. I am fed up with twittering agents who rant and rave about writers who don’t follow their submission rules to perfection. But when I see how many writers are now ditching their agents, it prompts a question, do I really need an agent? I’ve managed so far without one. Perhaps it’s time to realize that in these changing times, writing is not just about generating stories to share but a private business. As they say, if you want something done, do it yourself!

Tip O'Day for Authors #189

Guest blogger Sue Julsen on what she looks for as a reader.

First, I'm backlogged on books that have been given to me, plus there are many author friends I've met online that I want to read. Second, when I want something else to read, I look for anything by a favorite author, such as John Saul. Third, I look at the front and back covers to see if it's something I might like. If a line grabs me, I'll start reading.

One thing that will make me stop reading is tons of mistakes, especially when writers can't keep their own characters straight.

Sue’s book Bitter Memories tells a powerful true story of abduction and abuse. I’m amazed she was able to eventually face her past and write this book. You’ll be seeing more of Sue on this blog before long.

Check out her Goodreads blog at http://www.goodreads.com/suejulsen or the book link http://www.outskirtspress.com/bittermemories/

Tip O'Day for Authors #188

Garland Arnaud on holding a new book in your hands.

To paraphrase Garland: Even with all our technology, nothing compares to opening a new book, fresh off the press. One can almost feel the heart and soul of the author as you take in the smell and feel of binding and ink. Then comes the joy of turning each page, captured by the wonder of what comes next and how well each illustration moves the story into one’s imagination. The senses of the reader become focused on what's in the pages, not life all around. Physical time stops until the book is closed and set down.

Tip O'Day for Authors #187

Guest blogger Anna Haney on what keeps clueless writers buried deep in the slush pile.

Did we meet through my job as a submissions handler? In that case, you may have received an email congratulating you on acceptance, but more likely you got a rejection, always with a reason attached. Some of the reasons are listed here.

(1) You started every sentence of your second paragraph with, “Then suddenly...” (2) You were arrogant enough to think I wanted to read your stuff so badly, that I would format it for you. (3) You felt that a paragraph plucked from one of your longer stories would make great flash fiction. (4) You were under the impression that bizzaro does not need to make any sense. (5) You made it clear that you are an archeology major by including a term paper word for word. (6) Cookie cutter characters – remember, I have 150 more submissions to read. (7) Your characters were talking but not like anyone I have ever met in real life. (8) If you are going to show me a new world, you had better be on your game, because that sort of setting is all about the details. It is not enough to be a cop in the year 3000 and talk on a Dick Tracy wrist watch. (9) This is not your fault, but your limited life experience has surely limited your setting and key characters. We all know what happens on campus; your job as a writer is to make it interesting. (10) The first few paragraphs are important. I'm not saying to come crashing through the gate, but you didn't even try to interest me in your character or main conflict. (11) You introduced an interesting character at the start of your story and I never heard from her/him again. I felt cheated.

Do I sound awful? I am bound by the same rules as the rest of you, and I too suffer rejection. We are all up against competition and the best will rise to the top. So take your time; it’s better to polish your story for a year and know it stands a chance. You do not want sub-par work accepted, only for it to embarrass you years later.

To learn more about Anna, check out bravebluemice.com

Tip O'Day for Authors #186

Guest blogger Sarah Ballance on “bad” critiques or edits

It never feels good to get your "perfect" manuscript torn to shreds by a critique partner or an editor, but once you get past the initial shock, consider the great opportunity you have to improve your work. It's quite difficult for an author to polish without help. We know our own stories. We have them in our heads. The viewpoint provided by an outside reader is invaluable in getting your words across the way you intended.

To learn more about Sarah, check out her website: http://www.sarahballance.com/

Dixon says: This is an excellent point. Nearly every critique session, I have a head-slapping moment of why-didn’t-I-see-that clarity. I don’t have the emotional distance from my work to be able to recognize my mistakes, but the rest of my group lacks that barrier. Sometimes all they need to do is say “what if…” Thank God for their help.

Tip O'Day for Authors #185

Guest blogger Joe Mynhardt on the writing community.

Always keep your eye out for opportunities. Having stories ready and helping other writers in need has opened up more doors for me than anything else. Writing may be a solitary endeavour, but the literary world cannot be taken on alone.

Check out Joe’s blog at http://www.joemynhardt.com/blog.php.

Tip O'Day for Authors #184

Guest blogger Corinne Shaw on seeking criticism.

Love your story, but be willing to accept that it may need work. A brutally honest critique partner is fundamental. You don't want a friend reviewing your work, but rather a person who has no reason to lie to you.

Dixon says: I agree with Corinne except for the word brutally. I believe you can be frank and direct without being brutal, and I suspect Corinne does as well. We mean well when we say, “I want you to be brutally honest” but it’s a short road to “this is the worst garbage I’ve ever read.” I’ve tried brutal honesty. It ended up costing me a good friend.

Let me suggest instead specific honesty. My critique group has vigorous discussions with no sugarcoating, where you’re likely to hear comments like, “That dialogue doesn’t work for me because of ABC, and I’d suggest you try instead XYZ.”

Tip O'Day for Authors #183

Guest blogger Tom Winton on lessons from Hemingway.

There are three guidelines Ernest Hemingway laid out many years ago that still make good sense. The first one pertains to getting the literary juices flowing when they seem to be all dammed up in your subconscious--when you want to start that next masterpiece and don’t know how to begin. Old Hem said something to the effect of, ‘When you can’t get going, simply sit down and write the one truest sentence you can.’ Now, when we want to write a novel or a story, we obviously have a reasonable idea what the subject matter is about. Mull it over a bit and then type or scrawl that one truest sentence. I have done this. And when those first few words are down, and I’ve ended that sentence with a period, question mark, or exclamation mark, it helped me every time.

The old master also firmly believed you should end your writing session at a place where you know what will happen next. The benefit of this advice is quite obvious—if you stop writing when you know what’s coming next, you won’t need a jumpstart for the following session, other than maybe a cup of coffee or tea.

EH’s third rule is invaluable as well. He staunchly believed that when you finish writing for the day you need to get your conscious mind out of the book—totally! He felt it’s necessary to let your subconscious mind replenish your creative well. Sometimes I have a problem with this. When I’m writing a book it’s very difficult for me to get outside its pages after a writing session ends. But if I try real hard, there are times that I can clear my mind of all literary musings. The funny thing is, when I manage to do that, some of the damnedest ideas come out of nowhere.

For the story of Tom's first novel’s twelve year journey to four Amazon best-seller lists, check out the April 2nd, 2011 post on http://tomwintonauthor.com/

Tip O'Day for Authors #182

Guest blogger Joan Lane on an author’s platform.

I'm no expert on writing and getting published, but having gone through the process I have a few thoughts. The first is, it's mandatory for a writer to start building a platform of followers before their book is published. When I was writing The Tangled Web, this was the last thing on my mind. I felt like writing a book and that was my only focus. It wasn't until my book was actually in print that it dawned on me, OMG I have a book to sell. When The Tangled Web was published, I think I had something like 17 Facebook friends and I was completely in the dark about promotion. Since then, I've learned a lot, though I still don't know half of it and I certainly don't do half the things I need to do. According to statistics, more books sell by word of mouth than any other form of promotion.

If you go by the traditional marketing model, about 2% of people who have heard about a book are likely to purchase it. It's daunting when you think of how many people you have to reach in order to have half decent sales. So my advice to anyone embarking on the journey of being an author would be to start developing a sound marketing plan from the get-go, because it can be a year before you start seeing any results.

To learn more about Joan, check out http://jplanewrites.blogspot.com/

Tip O'Day for Authors #181

Guest blogger James Fouche on “Second Novel Hazards.”

Here are the three most prominent hazards for a new author attempting to complete his second novel, while still trying to promote his first one.

First, location: We relocated to a town where very little occurs from a literary point of view. I’m out of touch with the writing community.

Secondly, vocation: Generally first-time authors don’t step into the position of full-time author overnight. Chances are you have to work elsewhere, or manage a number of jobs at the same time, in order to keep food on the table. Sadly, this eats into your writing time, not to mention the loads of research time that precede the actual writing.

Lastly, inspiration: Here lies the snag, the ever-present thorn in the side, the ultimate counter-weight that always tips the way you don’t want it to tip. Inspiration drives the creativity of what we do. As long as there is no drive there will be an empty Word document on the screen.

If writing is not all you do, then the world quickly gets in the way and steals away your time and your inspiration. Luckily I have a very supportive and understanding wife. Let’s face it, living with an author is no day at the beach. At times we can be our own worst enemy.

So how to overcome these terrible pitfalls that face an aspiring writer every day? How can a first-time author complete that next novel and get his or her book into the world? There are only three possible solutions, and here they are: determination, determination, determination.

Tip O'Day for Authors #180

Guest blogger Jeremy Duley on what one reader looks for.

Jeremy lists three factors that influence his decision to read one book rather than another: (1) recommendations from friends, (2) familiarity with the author due to a previous book, and (3) mention of the book or author in a blog he follows.

"Now what catches my eye in the book store or online is the cover and title, of course. I guess that's why you hear so much about how important a good cover is to a book, especially for a new author trying to stand out."

Jeremy blogs at http://jeremyduley.blogspot.com/

Tip O'Day for Authors #179

Guest blogger Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow on anthologies.

When I began my professional writing career four years ago, non-fiction was a natural fit for me. I have been blessed to have experienced a life filled with many stories I wish to share. I made the conscious decision that in starting my career as a published author, anthologies would offer me a diverse and potentially larger audience and distribution than having all my stories in one book.

For now, my plan is working well. The publishers and editors of the anthologies my work is published in all promote their books. I am happy to be part of their families with my work exposed to their many audiences. I have also developed my own loyal following based on my published work, my performances of my stories for various organizations and my Public Broadcasting television background. I have been invited to NYC at 11:00 a.m. on October 20th to perform my newest story “MORE THAN LIFE” for the launch of the book Moms & Grandmas (Kiwi Publishing) at The Museum of Motherhood, 84th Street at 1st Avenue.

The anthology market for publication is very competitive, with very talented writers vying for a place in these books. Some anthologies are non-fiction. Others are a combination of fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. Check out the below publishers’ submission calls. Write and submit!

Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow is an author, public speaker, and award-winning educator and broadcaster. Her non-fiction stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies including Thin Threads (Kiwi Publishing), Chicken Soup for the Soul (Simon & Schuster Distributor), This I Believe: On Love (Wiley Publishing), Forever Travels (Mandinam Press), Press Pause Moments (2011 Clarion Award) (Kiwi Publishing), and My Dad Is My Hero (Adams Media). Visit http://LookAroundMe.blogspot.com

Saying for Writers #104

"Asking a writer how he feels about editors is like asking a lamp-post how he feels about dogs." - E.L. Doctorow

I woke up grumpy to a rainy morning, so decided to send a little humor into the world. Have a sunny day, no matter what the weather is doing.

Tip O'Day for Authors #178

Guest blogger Terry Ravenscroft says 35% of something is better than 70% of nothing.

In January of this year I published my eight paperbacks as Kindle e-books. Amazon UK pays the writer 70% of the price for books priced at over £2.00, 35% under £2.00. I priced my books at £3.49 each. My share was £2.15. Average sales were less that 8 per week.

Ten weeks ago I re-priced one of my books at 99 pence, which netted me 30 pence per copy. The first week I sold 10. The next week 57. The third week 188. The fourth week I re-priced all my books at 99 pence. This week I sold 3,350. Do the math, as they say.

Check out Terry’s Amazon page at http://amzn.to/nKRuEI

Tip O'Day for Authors #177

Guest blogger Linda Lavonne Barton says, “Typos must die!”

Most of my frustration has come because I'm still learning what not to do. My number one lesson was to never release a book until you are 100% sure it’s clean of typos. In my haste to release my first book, NEXT MOVE, YOU’RE DEAD, I made that mistake. I was going through some health issues and decided to go ahead with the release. After I had several people make me aware of numerous typos, I had to do a complete re-edit and currently have it with a proof reader who is giving it a final look. The book received several 5 star reviews in spite of the typos, but I never wanted to be known as a sloppy writer.

My second book, PURE JUSTICE, was recently released and I took the extra time to make sure it was as clean as possible of typos. Lesson learned, never to be repeated. My only other frustration is learning how to market my books. There are so many different ways to go about letting the reading public learn about a new author. I guess I need to just think of it as another adventure and enjoy the thrill every time readers let me know they enjoyed reading one of my books.

Linda was a guest blogger several weeks ago, a reminder that repeat patronage is appreciated.

Tip O'Day for Authors #176

Guest blogger Jennie Spallone has editing advice.

Use a developmental editor before sending your sample chapters to a potential agent. A developmental editor differs from a copy editor in that she/he focuses on finding errors in POV, pacing, tension, and plot while the copy editor focuses on grammar and sentence structure. Look at the back of Writers Digest Magazine for developmental editors. Be sure to interview a few before making a choice.

Tip O'Day for Authors #175

Guest blogger Heather Peters on writing ideas that work for her.

I'm certainly no expert in giving writing advice; I can only share my own beliefs and methods. These are simple suggestions, but ones that I live by.

First and foremost, never become discouraged by rejection. Take it as one person's opinion, and move on.

Next, write what's in your heart and head, always believe in yourself.

Never give your manuscript to a friend or relative to critique; they cannot be objective. Find a reliable critique partner from your writers group.

Finally, always write the story you'd want to read.

Heather blogs at www.BodaciousBabesBookBuds.blogspot.com or check out her website at www.HeatherPetersauthor.yolasite.com

Dixon says: Not everyone is fortunate to live near a thriving writing community that fosters critique groups. For those "in the sticks," search for helpful, positive online critique groups. It may take a few attempts - just like with local groups.

Tip O'Day for Authors #174

Guest blogger Chuck Hustmyre on “from page to script to screen.”

In late July I saw something really unique: the premier of my movie on the big screen in Los Angeles. Granted, it wasn’t at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, and it was only in Los Angeles to the extent that the premier was in Los Angeles County. At the Regency Academy 6 Theater on East Colorado Street in Pasadena to be exact, as part of the Action on Film International Festival. But still... It was pretty cool.

How the movie and I got there was an adventure in itself. I used to be a federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms . But I’ve been a tinkerer writer since junior high when I started my first novel. In 2004, I “sold” my novel, House of the Rising Sun, to a tiny POD publisher in Oregon. No advance, just royalties. According to the publisher, the book sold just 100 copies and was his worst seller. Fortunately for me, an aspiring local movie producer bought one of those hundred copies. He called me and asked if I would write a script based on the book -- for free, of course. I had some experience with writing screenplays, so I said yes. That began a six-year odyssey of ups and downs. The producer brought onboard a two-time Academy Award winner to direct, but even having two Oscars on the mantle didn’t help us overcome the No. 1 obstacle to getting a movie made -- finding the money to make it.

In 2010, with the local production group’s options long expired, I decided to strike out on my own. I sent out dozens of queries to producers, agents, and managers, the vast majority of which were not answered. I even used a query service that blasted my pitch to thousands more industry people. One producer -- that’s all it ever takes -- got back to me, but it wasn’t to buy my script. He had a question about the book business. I put the question to my book agent, who answered it, which in turn led the producer to pass my query on to a friend of his who was looking for a gritty crime thriller, something akin to “House of the Rising Sun.” That producer optioned my script -- again for free -- and shopped it around to other producers who had production money.

The script went through a few hands, but it ended up at Berkshire Axis Media, a Toronto-based production company. Producer Mark Sanders bought the script from me, and even though the budget was only $1.5 million, he managed to land a notable cast: Danny Trejo of Machete fame, Amy Smart (Crash and The Butterfly Effect), Dominic Purcell (Prison Break), and WWE wrestling superstar Dave Bautista. Meanwhile, my book agent shopped the novel around (the rights had reverted to me) and eventually sold it to Dorchester. Then Dorchester seemed to implode and I was taking steps to cancel the sale, but the Dorchester ship seems to have righted itself. I got paid and the book came out last month in trade paperback and various ebook formats. I even talked the movie distributor, LIONSGATE, into letting me use the movie poster and DVD cover art for the cover of the novel.

So back to Grauman’s in Hollywood -- I mean the Regency Academy 6 in Pasadena -- where we were all set for the premier: me, my wife, producer Mark Sanders, some friends, even my mom was there, and then... nothing. The Blu-ray copy the theater had didn’t work. The projectionist called Mark out of the auditorium. They disappeared for a while. About 20 minutes later, Mark showed back up, sweaty and short of breath. He had run to Blockbuster to rent a copy of the movie, but the nearest Blockbuster was closed down. Then he went to Best Buy but he couldn’t find the movie. Finally, he discovered another Blockbuster that was still open, and he found the movie on the shelf. Then I got to see my movie, on the big screen, in Los Angeles (County). And it was pretty cool.

CHUCK HUSTMYRE is the author of the novels House of the Rising Sun and A Killer Like Me and the Penguin true crime books Killer with a Badge and An Act of Kindness (now Unspeakable Violence). For more information visit www.chuckhustmyre.com.

Tip O'Day for Authors #173

Guest blogger Freddie Remza on where to start.

I once was told that after writing a good portion of your story, stop and ask yourself, "Where does the story take off?" Once you decide on that, make it your first chapter. It works! I'm currently writing a novel and I ended up starting the story with my Chapter 3.

Tip O'Day for Authors #172

Guest blogger Suzy Turner on using your book reader to help your writing.

If you have a Kindle or Nook and want to read your manuscript on your device before you upload it to Amazon, etc, convert the file super easily (from Word to Mobi for example) via zamzar.com. It's a great way to spot any little errors that may have been missed in the editing process.

To learn more about Suzy, visit her website at http://suzyturner.com/

Dixon says: Also, Kindles have a read-back feature. Download your manuscript and listen to it in either a male or female voice. Any mistakes will jump out at you. The male voice seems more natural, less robotic.

Tip O'Day for Authors #171

Guest blogger Juliet Clark on setting up a writing schedule.

Establish a routine and stick to it. Writers can be unstructured. Make an appointment with yourself to write, just like you would make an appointment for an important meeting. You wouldn’t miss an important meeting with another person. Treat your appointment with yourself the same way.

Tip O'Day for Authors #170

Guest blogger Steve Spatucci applies a watercolor concept to writing.

I was an Illustration major in college, and one of the classes in my major was Intro to Watercolor. Painting with watercolors has a surprising amount of rules and idiosyncrasies – different colors blend in different ways, and some have unexpected qualities when laid on paper. One technique I learned is the "wet edge". Watercolors tend to dry quickly, and once an area dries completely, its edge becomes defined - even if you try to expand it later. So, if you're painting a large area and you don't want visible separations, you have to retain a wet edge by continuously adding water to the boundaries you're working on, never letting it dry.

Only recently did I make the connection from the wet edge technique to writing. When I'm stuck on a story, I've found that the longer I stay away from the piece, the harder it is to get back into it – and sometimes it even winds up being abandoned.

Most writers have noticed this; the write-anything-even-if-it's-bad concept isn't new. But thinking of the wet edge when I'm having a hard time continuing is a nice little extra reminder that adding even just a sentence or two will prevent my story from being finished before it's complete.

If you’d like to learn more about Steve, his website is http://www.stevespatucci.com

Tip O'Day for Authors #169

Guest blogger Greg Vovos on the daily struggle to put words on paper, to fill the screen.

Show up every day and battle the keyboard. Get the scene down, the poem, the narrative, the entry. The words. Once you have something on the paper, then the real work can begin. Never let fear or writers block get in the way. If you have nothing, then write from intuition -- because you will always have that. Because when the words come, the magic will follow.

Remember, the victory is always—always—the ACT OF WRITING ITSELF.

Tip O'Day for Authors #168

Guest blogger Amy D. Shojai on research.

Take time to research your topic but create a deadline so you don't lose yourself in that process. Authors need to know a LOT more about a particular subject but readers only need the tip of the iceberg for the story/plot to work for them. Probably the single most important thing an author can do to improve the chance for success is to hire an editor. No matter how experienced you are, or how wonderful your beta-readers might be (thanks Mom!), fresh eyes with savvy "writer-icity" will catch errors or highlight weaknesses and strengths in the work.

Amy is a certified animal behavior consultant with 23 books on pet care and behavior. The website at http://www.shojai.com/ has links to Twitter and her blog.

Tip O'Day for Authors #167

Guest blogger Suzanne at Unruly Guides is my guru on all things self-pub and self-promo.

Giving a book away, such as in a contest or a way to obtain emails, is a great way to build a marketing list of readers that are interested in your genre. Plus, when they like it, they spread the word -- a good way to build your brand. Giving it away for a period of time for free is good for establishing yourself but don't miss the opportunity of gathering those golden emails. Make the giveaway on your own site, if you can.

Have I mentioned Suzanne is the best? If not – she’s the best!

By the way, I’m now over 300 posts on my blog, but all the other blogs say she doesn’t look a day over 200!

Tip O'Day for Writers #166

Guest blogger Elisa Manalo-Simon says, “Story is king.”

My most inspired stories come from the heart. I’m a screenwriter, and it helps to craft a tale that can be experienced on several levels - evoking not only a vision, but also the sounds, the mood and the tangible things that bring about an emotional response. I start with an idea written out in one sentence. From that “logline” sentence, I expand into three acts in two pages. Two pages form the skeleton of the outline, beat by beat, scene by scene, into a series of sequences that form the screenplay.

When a story is effective, it has the capacity to entrance, enthrall and most of all, to teach and inspire an audience. They walk out of the theatre with an insight into the world they live in - or a window into another world they had never perceived existed. Writing a story is an art. Reading or watching the story can make us better people.

THAT is writing.

Check out Elisa’s website at www.storyartisan.wordpress.com

Tip O'Day for Authors #165

Jolyn “Jodi” Palliata shares the best piece of advice she got as a beginning writer.

Read.

It seems so simple, really. But it’s true. The best writers are great readers. By simply indulging in other’s words (and worlds), I learned so much about plot development, character arcs, various styles, etc.

Another piece of advice I got: get involved. Again…brilliant. By beta reading and critiquing others, I honed the skills I already had and developed new ones I didn’t even know I was missing. Plus, I was surprised at the tightness and flow emerging naturally in my own writing as a result.

Jodi is an indie author with her first book to be released next year. Check out her website (www.jolynpalliata.com)

Tip O'Day for Authors #164

Guest blogger Linda Lavonne Barton on being part of a writing team:

Being a new indie author has been quite an adventure, full of excitement and some frustration. When I started my first novel, I never expected the wild ride from being an indie author and the thrill of seeing a story idea turn into a great book. When my husband came up with the idea for NEXT MOVE, YOU’RE DEAD, I knew instantly I could turn it into a great book. It's exciting to be able to share this adventure in writing with my husband, as we consider ourselves a writing team. The ideas come from his wonderfully creative mind and I build upon them and put them together into a book. I've been very lucky so far and haven't had too many things frustrate me.

More on Screenwriting

Guest blogger Peter Floro on screenwriting and structure.

In my limited experience, I’ve found that structure is essential. If my work is ever optioned, it’s quite possible the studio might want to rewrite it, or the director has ideas, or the actor has ideas, so the dialogue can change. But if the structure is sound, then no matter what is said, the story remains the same because it is anchored in the structure. Blake Snyder's Save the Cat is one of the best examples of explaining story structure. Snyder talks to you, not down to you. My advice is to spend the time beforehand nailing the structure and getting it tight, and the rest will flow.

Tip O'Day for Authors #163

Guest blogger Bart Polin on getting published.

Since I read around six books simultaneously from fiction to hardcore non-fiction-technical, I'd like to read just about anything. But the writers I do read, who are published by the major leaguers, all agree as to one thing: If people can't see your book on the shelf at B&N--you're not going to get a major publisher. Be glad if you get a legitimate publisher at all.

Vantage House publishers and their like will publish anything for your money, and offer you a lousy return. Be curious to learn who your publisher is. The latest copy of the Writer's Yearbook is one excellent source. Some publishers will accept unsolicited queries so even without an agent, you stand a good chance.

To learn more about Bart, check out: http://bullittinn.wordpress.com/

Saying for Writers #103

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

"Asking a writer how he feels about editors is like asking a lamp-post how he feels about dogs." - E.L. Doctorow

Tip O'Day for Authors #162

Guest blogger Sandra Yuen MacKay on writing for publication.

The more you experience and learn, the better writer you will be. Personally, I watch a lot of movies which tell a story in two hours based on a 120 page script. So it makes sense I should be able to entertain, inspire, or excite a reader in 250 pages of a novel.

An editorial assistant at a large publishing house gave the following advice: "We are looking for books that are eye-catching, wow the reader, and are innovative. In order for your book to stand out of the crowd, you must pull in the reader from the first page, move at a good pace, and be original. It needs to be exceptional with characters that readers care about."

When I walk into a DVD store, I look for a movie with a back cover blurb that makes me go 'wow' or one with a fantastic trailer. Similarly, one's book must be marketable and readers must be able to identify with your characters. A protagonist may drive the plot, rather than just react to other characters and events around them. I hear of other writers who say their characters create their own story, and they are only the vessel to deliver the scenes.

Sandra is the author of My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery from Mental Illness and her website is http://symackay.blogspot.com She is also the editor of Majestic, an online newsletter for Lit.org at http://majestic.lit.org/wordpress

Tip O'Day for Authors #161

Guest blogger Johanna Pontes Frappier says it's a brave new technical world.

As for getting published, do it yourself. Get some reliable people to double and triple check you on your edits (and when I say "you," I mean "me"). Also remember that these days, even the big publishing houses want you to do their share of marketing your book, so you may as well publish yourself and market yourself.

To learn more about Johanna, here's her blog: http://www.johannafrappier.blogspot.com/ and here's her book: http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Circle-ebook/dp/B004ZZPOB6/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i

Tip O'Day for Authors #160

Guest blogger Linda Boulanger says her writing tip is…wait for it…wait for it…to write!

Sounds simple, I know, but what I’m referring to is less about honing your skills and more that if people like your work, as soon as they finish one, they will want another. Yes, you have to promote and give each piece of work its due, but at the same time, get busy on the next one. Be prepared and don't be afraid to put them out there!

Dixon says: I like the Sidonie Gabrielle quotation, “Writing only leads to more writing.”

Tip O'Day for Authors #159

Guest blogger Denise Alessandro Taymore thinks maybe “it’s all in the hype.”

I am an amateur writer, but when I glance at professional writer's books I am not impressed enough to be intimidated. A friend instructs me and tries to drill it in my head that you have to write strictly in a way that the reader can feel the character's point of view. We know the reader has to have an extreme desire to keep turning the pages of course. I chose a suspense thriller as my first because it was the easiest for me to write. I found the editing grueling. Big shots pay loads of money to editors.

I look at it this way...if your book is fairly good...it's all in the hype of advertising. Just like a new box office movie that is coming out. Hollywood pays big bucks to advertise the movie and then it hits the theaters...even if it stinks...they made their 25 million or more and then it goes to DVD. It was the hype in the advertising that got the audience. And if the movie was good, then all the best to them.

Dixon says: By the way, the last few writing tips have been fairly brief. One potential guest blogger told me, "Oh, I see you're just looking for sound bytes." Noooo, Short is fine, but if the idea doesn't seem fully developed, I'll get back to the writer about beefing it up a bit. Long is also fine, but if it seems "flabby," I'll edit it for tightness, hopefully retaining the essence of the idea. A few submitted tips have been quite lengthy because they contained multiple concepts, in which case I've broken them up into several posts, which allows both of my loyal readers to focus on each central idea. Anyway, don't let either brevity or the lack thereof stand in the way of sending me a proposed writing tip.

Screenwriting advice

Guest blogger Roy Gonzales has screenwriting advice.

When I first started out writing screenplays, I learned that you need to hook the reader within the first ten pages.

You need to at least introduce the main character, and tell the reader what the story is about and what to expect. Your target audience is that reader who gets paid to read twenty scripts a weekend. If you want him or her to pick out your script, make sure your first ten pages keeps the reader wanting more.

Sometimes it may take twelve pages, but try for ten.

Tip O'Day for Authors #158

Guest blogger Garret Garrels on writers as crime solvers.

You may notice today’s guest blogger has one T in his name rather than the usual two. He was a stutterer as a youth, like his father. When a name was being chosen, Dad declared, “No son of mine will have two Ts in his name.” Garret is a wonderful motivational writer and speaker. I met him through Toastmasters and it’s my honor to call him Friend.

When I write, I am a detective investigating the disappearance of ‘The Real Me.’ Society made me hide and writing helps me solve the crime. During each revision, I find new clues, and my final draft is merely a police report.

A Great Writers Conference

The Authors of the Flathead is a very active writing group in the scenic Pacific Northwest. Each Fall, they sponsor one fo the most writer-friendly conferences around. This year, it will be October 1-2, 2011, on the Flathead Valley Community College campus, at the north edge of Kalispell, Montana. As always, it is limited to 100 participants, so don't come expecting the hordes you may have trampled under at other conferences.

Glacier International Airport is less than 10 miles away. In Kalispell, we do have fine restaurants and hotels, rental cars, paved roads, and cell phone coverage. No need to bring your six-shooter, since wolves and outlaws rarely cross the city limits.

Rather than me bragging on and on, follow this link and check out the fine speakers that have been assembled.

http://www.authorsoftheflathead.org/conference.asp

Tip O'Day for Authors #157

Returning guest blogger Sandy Nathan on editors.

The most important asset for a writer is a good editor. I'm talking about one who will tell you if you're writing garbage (a bit more kindly, I hope), are wandering all over, need to learn English (though a copyeditor can fix that), or whatever you need to know so that your writing doesn't embarrass you later.

Having found such an editor, the next thing the writer must do is follow his or her advice. Cut those extra words! Strengthen those characters! I know it hurts, but what your reviewers will say will hurt more.

Sandy writes fiction and nonfiction, for adults and kids. Her website is at http://sandynathan.com

Saying for Writers #102

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“An author in his book must be like God in the universe, present everywhere and visible nowhere.” - Gustave Flaubert

Tip O'Day for Authors #156

Guest blogger Bart Baker is economical with his words and wise with his writing advice.

If you want to make a living at writing, treat it like a job. Write like it's your business and it will become exactly that.

Tip O'Day for Authors #155

Guest blogger Ezra Barany says to turn so-so fans into raving fans.

The more hoops and opt-ins your fans have to jump through, the more you know they are committed to your writing and are likely to help you spread the word about your book. Building a quality list of raving fans for your fiction can be done with a combination of a Facebook fan page and an e-mail service provider (an ESP like aweber or constant contact). Using Facebook apps like “Static HTML: iframe tabs” and “Static HTML Iframe Tab : Custom Icons” will help you create the pages you need to convert your fans.

First, offer chapter 1 or a short story if they "Like" your fan page. Then, offer chapters 2 and 3 or another short story if they submit their name and email. Check out what I mean at http://www.facebook.com/TheTorahCodes .

Ezra Barany is an instructor for authors at SavvyAuthors.com. His recent thriller The Torah Codes is available at http://www.amazon.com/Torah-Codes-Ezra-Barany/dp/0983296014/ He asks that you not fax him brussels sprouts. He does not like them.

Tip O'Day for Authors #154

Guest blogger Glenn Kleier on what gatekeepers look for.

In my humble opinion, agents and editors are hyper discriminating these days about the new fiction they'll take a look at. It's all about marketing. What will sell. If you're aiming for whatever is currently hot out there, chances are you're behind the curve. Agents especially are looking for manuscripts that are fresh and well-paced, or at least have a unique twist on an existing concept (a la a clever mashup). And do your homework on the agents you solicit—make sure you match your material to their specific interests. Good luck!

The link to the website for Glenn’s book is http://www.kleier.com

Tip O'Day for Authors #153

Guest blogger Surya Sunder Dey, a thriller author and avid reader, on what helps her choose a book to buy.

I mostly choose books from the short descriptions one finds on the dust jacket. In this regard, I'd say tastes differ. A reader of one genre might find novels of another genre tedious, if she is solely going by the blurb. Now, if you turn this thing around, you can say writing a very good short description might be one of the important elements of selling a title. E-books sold online also come with these descriptions.

A good story always makes the reader ask, "What happens next?" I'd hasten to add that this is a very personal idea and might be wrong from more than one angle. Yet when I read those Ludlumesque novels (there are other authors catering to the fans of this genre, but somehow Robert Ludlum manages to stand as a landmark for this type of story), I can hardly let my back touch the backrest of the chair. My point here is that this element of "what happens next" should be there in that brief description.

Tip O'Day for Authors #152

Guest blogger William Simon on outlining your story.

Always try and have a clear view of where your story is going. Nothing is more frustrating than getting to the halfway point, and having it all come apart. That's happened to everyone, but it's never easy to deal with. A one page outline can help the writer a lot.

To learn more about this author, go to: www.wmsimon.com

Dixon says: I’ve had suggestions of writing a chapter-by-chapter outline before starting on a book, or even a detailed synopsis. I like Mr. Simon's advice since it gives you direction while allowing some wiggle-room for when one of your characters grabs the storyline and goes scurrying off in an unexpected direction.

Tip O'Day for Authors #151

Guest blogger Marlene Cronkhite on creating characters.

I like to create real life characters. I think it's one of the most essential parts of what makes a story come to life. I love all my characters, even the bad guys. It's like creating the good, the bad, and the ugly, each character with his own persona—each with a tangible history, a cause and effect that motivate actions and dialogue.

It's a lot of work, but a large part of this stems from creating a believable history for my characters. I find if I write their bios in first person this helps me get to know them and become a part of their lives. Their history turns them into real life people and they grow on their own throughout the story.

Marlene blogs on writing at http://story-gems.blogspot.com/

Tip O'Day for Authors #150

Guest blogger Alicia M. Dean returns with a few more tidbits.

1. Even if the writing is going poorly, keep at it. Once you can get the words down, you can always fix them. If you never write them, there will never be anything to fix. 2. Set up a writing schedule. Write for an hour or even thirty minutes each day and you will see progress in no time.

Tip O'Day for Authors #149

Guest blogger Jeff Mariotte says “You write with your writing muscles.”

Like any other muscles, you've got to use them, exercise them, keep them in shape. If you let them atrophy, they won't be there when you need them. If you take care of them and work them out regularly, they will. So write. A lot. It doesn't necessarily make writing any easier. But it almost invariably makes your hard work turn out something better.

Learn more about Jeff at his blog: http://jeff_mariotte.typepad.com/my_weblog

Tip O'Day for Authors #148

Guest blogger Andy Remic has 5 pithy writing tips. 1) Omit needless words. 2) Make your characters interesting and believable. 3) Write what you love; write for yourself. 4) Don't ever think of the money. 5) Be persistent!!

Saying for Writers #101

Another Quotation which Might (or Might Not) inspire you to write:

“All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tip O'Day for Authors #147

Guest blogger Bill Gauthier thinks obsession isn’t all bad.

Write the story that grabs you, that becomes your obsession, that just won't get out of your mind no matter how much you try not to think or write about it. When you finally sit down and write it, do so honestly. Don't be afraid of what your friends, lovers, employers, children or neighbors think.

I recently wrote something so dark, someone close to me hated it but I still intend to tweak it and submit it for publication. The story stuck around in my head for almost 3 years and needed writing. As Harlan Ellison has said, "You must never be afraid to go there." I have that taped near my computer and, dammit, I try to live by those words.

Bill’s website is www.billgauthier.com and he currently has two novellas out, Alice on the Shelf (Bad Moon Books) and Shadowed (Delirium Books).

Tip O'Day for Authors #146

Guest blogger Dellani Oakes offers a couple writing tips.

First, write often, even if it's only 100 words a day.

Second, don't sweat so over the details that it keeps you from writing. Take a deep breath and plunge in. Errors can be corrected later; the important thing is to get the idea down before it goes away.

Dellani’s book, INDIAN SUMMER, is available at www.secondwindpublishing.com as well as Amazon and Smashwords. Some of her short stories are available free at www.smashwords.com/profile/view/dellanioakes
She blogs at dellanioakes.wordpress.com/ and writersanctuary.blogspot.com