Have you ever read your work out loud? Long before you submit your work to your beta readers, before you assume that you’re done, before you start thinking about renting that billboard to advertise your latest literary genius, you should read your manuscript out loud. Start at page one. Finish at “The End.” And listen. And … Continue reading Seven Reasons Why You Should Read Your Manuscript Out Loud
By Olivia Folmer Ard In this digital age, an author’s internet presence can make or break her. Reputation, success, overall career—these are just a few of the things on the line when we power on our computers and plug into the virtual world. We’re all familiar with the horror stories about authors reacting badly to … Continue reading How To Review A Book As An Author
The first pages of a book are like opening a door. I let myself go at the beginning and write with an easy mind, but by the time I get to the middle I begin to grow timid and to fear my story will be too long…That is why the beginning of my stories is … Continue reading Eleven Requirements For The First Pages of Your Bestseller
Guest blogger Sara Marschand explains her thought processes while she beta reads. A beta reader is often the first or second set of eyes a manuscript gets. Their purpose is to spot holes in a manuscript and communicate to a writer, who maybe a little myopic, that changes need to be made. For the last … Continue reading The Diary of A Beta Reader: A Guest Post by Sara Marschand
by Katharine Grubb, 10 Minute Novelist We’re just a few days in to National Novel Writing Month and it can feel like you’ve decided to read a Russian novel. Last spring, I read War and Peace for reasons that I can’t quite remember. I think I wanted to add to my literary experiences. I think that I … Continue reading Top 10 Ways You Can Conquer Nanowrimo Like War & Peace
It seems fitting to me to incorporate a tribute to libraries in my theme of Beautiful Words. Where else can you get access to free beauty? My local libraries have been very generous in helping me with author signings and events. I’d like to suggest the sooner you start loving your local library (and the … Continue reading Top 10 Tuesdays! Top 10 Ways To Love Your Local Library
Who wants more ideas? Who needs a brilliant thought? Who could stand a new insight? A fresh perspective? A story idea? Who needs more creativity? I know I do! I just wish I could turn on good ideas like I turn on the tap. It’s too bad our muse only shows up at inconvenient times … Continue reading March Forth! Eleven Tips To Help You Be More Creative!
My 10 year old son knows a lot about football. He knows the most obscure penalty calls. He knows who the third string quarterback is for the Raiders, what college he went to and why he’d probably be taken by Miami next year. He knows who won every Super Bowl, who coached the winning teams … Continue reading How Being An Armchair Analyst Can Make You A Better Writer (And Football Fan!)