Sometimes, we all need a little motivation. Whether that's tips on how to get more done or reach your goals, or stories of people who've found success, I've got you covered. "Productivity Isn’t About Time Management. It’s About Attention Management." on the New York Times: "Being prolific is not about time management. There are a limited number of hours in the day, and … [Read more...] about Productivity Tips and Success Stories
writing
Guest Post: 5 Lessons On Productivity From Successful Writers
By Joe Peters Decades ago, when prolific writers like Charles Dickens and Shakespeare were sitting down to pen their best-selling creations, many of the distractions we have today didn’t exist. There was no need to worry about being pulled from a moment of inspiration by a buzz or notification on your phone. Social media wasn’t an issue, and the authors knew that they … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 5 Lessons On Productivity From Successful Writers
The Science of Writing and Reading
![By Onderwijsgek (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/digitalpubbing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/1024px-Boeken_Kringloop_Woerden_03.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
It's been a while since I've written any posts related to science on here. There are some really cool articles that have come out, specifically about books. (Hint: Books are good for your health, and can even improve your memory, according to Bustle.) Reading and Your Brain According to the Daily Mail, scientists have found that reading a novel can affect your brain for days … [Read more...] about The Science of Writing and Reading
Guest Post: The Complete List of Infographic Tools and Platforms (Updated for 2019)
By Andre Oentoro There are millions of content being published every day, in many different forms tooㅡ articles, videos, social media posts, and others. Some people like to read written blog posts, while others prefer something more visual like videos. Each has its own benefits. Words can explain something deeper and more throughout, while visual content attracts people’s … [Read more...] about Guest Post: The Complete List of Infographic Tools and Platforms (Updated for 2019)
Guest Post: Stop Killing Your Characters’ Parents!
By Mariah When was the last time you read a book or watched a movie where 1) at least one of the main character’s parents is dead, 2) dies suddenly, or 3) is slowly dying over the course of the movie. Chances are, that was pretty recently — painfully recently. When they want to give their character hardship or a tragic origin story, too many writers will knock off a parent … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Stop Killing Your Characters’ Parents!
Guest Post: How to Write a Realistic Car Crash Sequence
By Mariah T. Writing a scene involving a car crash can be a little tricky. It's a dramatic event, and as such, if done poorly, it can look like a writer's attempt to lure the reader into having emotions through unresearched, unskilled and lazy methods. But you can write car-crash scenes to great effect if you understand your genre and do the work. The Setup The way that … [Read more...] about Guest Post: How to Write a Realistic Car Crash Sequence
Guest Post: The 4 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make When Entering a Writing Contest
By Emmanuel Nataf We all dream about getting published one day. But the road to seeing our names in print? That depends on how you choose to go about it. Some plunge in and start churning out a novel, while others may find themselves wandering down the e-zine alley. Still others might give up entirely and decide to work their way up in the publishing world a different … [Read more...] about Guest Post: The 4 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make When Entering a Writing Contest
Guest Post: 5 Steps to Finding Profitable Book Topics on Amazon
By Alexandria Evensen As an independent author you must fill two distinct roles—that of the creative, and that of the entrepreneur. If you’re reading this it’s probably safe to assume you’re not just writing for fun. You’re likely trying to shape a brand, create a passive income, or use your writing skills to promote an online business. Your writing topics should align … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 5 Steps to Finding Profitable Book Topics on Amazon
Starting and Growing Your Blog
When it comes to blogging, there's a lot to know. Here are some resources to help you, whether you're starting out or looking to grow your blog. Blog Posts "12 Steps to a Great Blog Post" on Australian Christian Writers "13 Blog Post Blunders You Should Avoid (And What to Do Instead)" on Your Writer Platform "9 Grammatical Errors (and How to Avoid Them)" on Self … [Read more...] about Starting and Growing Your Blog
A Roundup of Publishing News
A lot has been happening in the publishing and writing world. Here is a quick roundup. Publishers and Companies "Microsoft has closed its e-bookstore, and everything you purchased will vanish in July" on PC World: "Microsoft will offer refunds, plus a bonus if you've marked up an ebook." "Epic Launches Original Content Program" on Publisher's Weekly: "Redwood, Calif.-based … [Read more...] about A Roundup of Publishing News
Guest Post: 10 Tips and Tricks to Get Writing Inspiration Anywhere and Anytime
By Lucia Tang Writers aren’t prophets. No matter how hard we wish, we can’t just take dictation from some divine voice in our ears — we’re supposed to find our own inspiration. But when you’re on the run from a deadline, in a fight with a chapter, or just sick of wishing the book in your head would magically appear on your laptop, finding inspiration can feel like a DIY root … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 10 Tips and Tricks to Get Writing Inspiration Anywhere and Anytime
13 Apps for Reading and Creating Your Own Content
Apps are great. They're convenient, and there are many that make it easy to create your own content, and of course read a lot of content. Below are a few I've found interesting: Authors: "You get your own custom Authors App. Your App appears in the major Android tablet app stores - Amazon, NOOK, Google Play - with your own custom icon. Plus, when your readers and fans … [Read more...] about 13 Apps for Reading and Creating Your Own Content
Thinking About Book Covers
Having a good book cover is an important aspect of indie publishing. The cover is the first thing your reader will see, and if the cover speaks to them, they'll be more likely to try out your book. Author M. J. Patrick has a great post that shows a cover, and asks you what you think of the book, based only on the cover (such as who's the audience for this book, and what's … [Read more...] about Thinking About Book Covers
Book Events and Festivals
Going to book events and festivals is a great way to meet people and get inspired. Since I've mostly lived near two coastal cities, most of the events and places (which include some pretty cool bookstores) I've found are either in New York or San Francisco. Still, a good start! Feel free to add more suggestions in the comments. New York NY Literary Events Calendar … [Read more...] about Book Events and Festivals
Tools and Resources for Editing Your Manuscript
We all know that after writing comes editing. It's good to work with professional editors, but there are tips and tricks and tools that you can use before working with an editor that can help you save a bit of time and money. Here are a few. Etherpad: "A highly customizable Open Source online editor providing collaborative editing in really real-time." Grammarly: … [Read more...] about Tools and Resources for Editing Your Manuscript
