Tag: writing tips

Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

The One Sentence that Will Help You Become A Professional Author

If you are like many writer’s, publishing a book is probably on your 2015 to-do list. You’re probably feeling inspired, excited, maybe a little scared or overwhelmed, and you’re hoping your dream won’t become another failed resolution that gets pushed to the back burner after the thrill of the new year wears off.

Well, I’m here to help. Each week in January I will offer you tips and tricks to help you accomplish your goal of publishing a book this year, and I encourage you to continue reading my posts every week throughout the year for inspiration, advice, and news that will help you become a successful author. (Be sure to check out the previous week’s post about setting writing goals and writing tips.)

This week, I’d like to share one simple sentence that can help your dreams of publishing come true: I am a writer.

Unfortunately, many people don’t consider themselves “writers.” The reasons are countless:

  • They’re embarrassed.
  • They’ve never published any of their work.
  • They haven’t wrote anything recently.
  • They don’t write materials that most people ever read.
  • They’re afraid of how people will react.
  • And other silly and unjustified reasons.

Chances are, if you are here reading this blog post, you are a writer! It’s time you squashed your fears and excuses and start telling yourself and the world “I am a writer.” Hold yourself accountable for your dreams. Act like the writer you want to be, and you will become that person.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

How to Be a Better Writer in 2015

If you are like many writer’s, publishing a book is probably on your 2015 to-do list. You’re probably feeling inspired, excited, maybe a little scared or overwhelmed, and you’re hoping your dream won’t become another failed resolution that gets pushed to the back burner after the thrill of the new year wears off.

Well, I’m here to help. Each week in January I will offer you tips and tricks to help you accomplish your goal of publishing a book this year, and I encourage you to continue reading my posts every week throughout the year for inspiration, advice, and news that will help you become a successful author. (Be sure to check out last week’s post about setting writing goals.)

This week, I’d like to share some tips that will not only help you achieve your goal of publishing but will also improve your craft. Here are six tips that will make you a better writer this year.

1. Follow your heart.

Don’t worry about what is popular right now or stress over what readers will think of your work. The best writing comes from the heart, and you will be more fulfilled if you write what you are passionate about.

2. Step outside your box.

To learn and grow, you must try new things. Experiment with a new genre. Develop a character that is vastly different from your normal characters. Visit a new place. Try a new food. Listen to a different band. Be willing to take risks in both your life and your writing.

3. Treat it like a job.

Stop waiting for inspiration and start writing every day without excuses. You may not love what you write everyday, but at least you will get words down on paper. You can always rewrite later, and most people find the words start flowing once they just sit down and start writing. You’ll never be a published writer if you never actually write.

4. Read. Read. Read.

Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, for adults or children, the best thing you can do for your career is read! Read everything. Books, magazines, newspapers. Read various genres. Read top sellers as well as indie authors. Read about the subject you write about. Read about things you’ve never heard of. Read books for children. Read the classics. Read as much as you can.

5. Rewrite as many times as you need.

Most first drafts need a rewrite. Many second and even third drafts could use a rewrite. Don’t feel so pressured to complete your manuscript that you settle for less than your best, but be careful not to get so caught up in perfection that you never finish.

6. Unplug.

When you are writing, editing, researching, or brainstorming, unplug. Log out of your social media sites. Turn off the TV and cell phone. You’ll be surprised how much more productive you’ll be by following this simple tip.

I’d love to know, what is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 01/09/15

WRITE TO and FOR YOURSELF

Last week I offered you a list of progressive steps that I hope will help you begin this New Year with a flurry of writing that leads you to fame and fortune.  However, today, let’s pause a moment and consider who your Readers’ are and why they will buy your books.

Why do “readers” READ?  Lots of studies have been done by universities and science groups.  Here are three of the top statistical discoveries:

  • Entertainment value. The human mind simply needs to escape into another world in order to survive the world we’re in. The subject matter can be as diverse as swashbuckling historic fiction or the dietary needs of the largest land-living arthropod in the world—the Giant Coconut Crab. If the story elements are “fun,” people will buy the book, read and enjoy it.
  • Sparking the imagination. As readers are entertained, their imagination takes flight because they’re discovering something new. This cyclic circle of reading-imagining-discovering does something amazing in the human brain as synapses fire and we become smarter! Yes, really smarter…which in turn…
  • Reading makes readers more attractive. What? Yep, more attractive. While turning the pages of all those fun and imaginative books, a person absorbs a wider vocabulary. Then, when using that more diverse word-bank, other people are drawn to them, seeking the exchange of “fun” and ideas.

Most writers instinctively know these things and appreciate reading almost more than anything else.  However, the food-for-thought that I’d like to leave you with today is: Write for yourself, first, and the readers will follow.

No matter how much research is done and passed forward to teach writers how to write, the real magic can’t happen until the writer connects to the reader.  And, sad-to-say, it is impossible to connect to every reader.  Thus the topic/heading of this blog: Write TO yourself and FOR yourself.  Review the three statistics listed above and fold them into your topic and/or plot selections.  What sparks your imagination?  What genres entertain you?  When you’re talking with a group of people, what topic holds-the-floor during the conversation?  As you answer these questions for yourself, you will begin developing your writing projects along these lines—your stress levels will decrease and the pages will flow.

And, in the midst of all this creativity, don’t forget to research WHERE you will publish!  The self-publishing business is a big one and not all companies are the right fit for you or your genre.

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.
Kelly Speaks, Self-Publishing Week in Review

Self-Publishing Week in Review: 12/30/14

As a self-publishing author, you may find it helpful to stay up-to-date on the trends and news related to the self-publishing industry. This will help you make informed decisions before, during and after the self-publishing process, which will lead to a greater self-publishing experience. To help you stay current on self-publishing topics, simply visit our blog every Tuesday to find out the hottest news.

The Self-Published Stars of 2014

This list showcases all the fiction and non-fiction self-published books that received starred reviews in 2014. I always recommend writers check out successful books to learn more about the industry and to improve and inspire their own writing. Consider adding these books to your 2015 must read list.

6 Tips for Writing Fiction Based on True Events

This Writer’s Digest article shares six tips for writing fiction based on true events. One of the best tips is “Get Permission.” Every fiction writer should read this article.

How to fund self-publishing your book? How much do you need to self-publish your book?

This article talks about crowdfunding as a way to finance your self-publishing project and also offers tips on calculating a reasonable goal. This is an interesting read for writers looking for a way to fund their self-publishing project.

If you have other big news to share, please comment below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 7/25/14

IT’S IN THE STARS-II

Can you imagine it?  Can you see it?  Do you perceive the conundrums associated with futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel and the eventual contact with other sentient beings?  If you are a Science Fiction reader/writer, these concepts (and many others) race through your mind all the time.  That’s exciting!  Very exciting!  And we know it is exciting because of NPR’s 2011 list of Top 100 Sci-Fi-Fantasy books, the first eleven books of them being written and published between 1917 and 1964—way before authors had the option to self-publish.  Hurray for today’s technological advances!  The field is wide open!

It is important, however, to honor the legacy that previous Sci-Fi authors left for us, which demonstrates that good writing never “dies.”  JRR Tolkien’s books are currently being made into amazing films, motivating millions to re-read the original books.  Edgar Rice Burroughs’ books have tweaked the imaginations of such visionaries as Ray Bradbury who admired the element of Burroughs’ stimulating “relationship” tales and incorporated many of those concepts in his Star Trek TV series and later films.  James Cameron (Avatar) and George Lucas (Star Wars) were also influenced by Mr. Burroughs’ books.  Yes, indeed, excellent writing combined with out-of-this-world imagination lives “into the future.”  That alone encourages today’s Sci-Fi authors.

Now, let me add more information to “boost” you off the couch and into your writing room!  Do you remember the film 2001: A Space Odyssey?  Way back in 1968, author Arthur C. Clarke developed this science fiction novel concurrently with Stanley Kubrick’s film version.  The novel was actually published after the release of the film.  Some might call this a conspiracy between Clarke and Kubrick.  If so, it was a brilliant conspiracy, indeed.  Both novel and film were/are big successes—and Arthur C. Clarke became the “official” author of the novel because the lion’s share of it was based on numerous short stories he’d written between 1948 and 1968.  By end-of-the-year 1992, the novel had sold 3 million copies!

Today a new novel associated with that novel/film has come on the scene (July, 2014)—The Making of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’  It is a four-volume set that explores (in great depth) every aspect of the film and its making from the use of groundbreaking technical effects, extraordinary set designs, plus the fascinating collaboration between Kubrick and Clarke.  Now that is what I call longevity in the writer’s world!  When the magic of imaginative/futuristic science and technology blend with well-developed writing techniques and inspiration, amazing things DO happen.

SO, if your thoughts are filled with a plethora of possibilities for life and living in the next decades and/or millennia please, write them out for all of us to enjoy.  The publishing industry has moved forward “into the future” too, and offers multiple self-publishing options for your every need.  Go boldly my friends!  GO BOLDLY!

Royalene ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.