What’s the best investment you can make in your book? I’ll give you a hint: Not long ago, I handed in my third round of edits to my publisher for my new novel, The Beached Ones. This, after I put the book through my own edits countless times in preparationContinue Reading
If you want to be successful as a writer, you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. That’s not easy in today’s world. Americans have become addicted to comfort. There’s a term for it: “comfort addition.” Like any other, this addiction keeps you seeking the next “hit” rather than makingContinue Reading
Do you struggle when marketing your book? If so, you’re not alone. Book marketing remains one of the biggest challenges—if not the biggest challenge—for writers wanting to expand their careers. It’s easy to see why writers are struggling. More books are published every year, with self-publishing flooding the market. BowkerContinue Reading
We writers rely on our emotions. They propel our stories. They help us empathize with our characters. They pave the way to story themes. Our emotions keep us dreaming big. They provide the rich tapestry from which our creativity emerges. Without emotion, a writer is no more than a wordsmith.Continue Reading
Where were you as a writer 10 years ago? What was important to you then? And how does it compare to what’s important to you now? I got to thinking about this the other day after watching a TED talk by Dan Gilbert called “The Psychology of Your Future Self.”Continue Reading
Writers often feel powerless. We must compete in an increasingly saturated marketplace, and the challenges of marketing our work and building strong platforms can often feel overwhelming as we try to maintain regular writing routines. After coming up against a defeat or two—which is bound to happen—we can start toContinue Reading
Have you ever been thinking of someone, only to have them call you a few hours later? Or have you wondered about making a change in your writing life, only to have the right opportunity show up? Call them meaningful coincidences or signs from the universe, these little incidences canContinue Reading
Do you get easily discouraged as a writer? Most writers have, but some go through it more often than others. The more important question, then, is: Are you easily discouraged? And if so, what can you do about it? How to Tell If You’re Easily Discouraged I have to admitContinue Reading
Could your character traits really determine how well you succeed as a writer? According to recent research, they could. After following thousands of people over a period of decades, economist and researcher James Heckman and colleagues found that perseverance, good study habits, and the ability to collaborate were more importantContinue Reading
Want to make this your best writing year? Do one thing: take more action. Of all the things you can do to increase your odds of reaching your goals, this one will by far have the greatest impact on your future. Simple, yes. Easy? Absolutely not. If it were, moreContinue Reading
If you were to write a story about a writer’s worst nightmare, what would it be like? You’ve probably already imagined it. When you were slaving away on your novel, worried that you’d never find a publisher, you thought of it then: What will happen if this story never seesContinue Reading
We like things to be clear. Unfortunately, they seldom are. In writing and in life, there are always gray areas. How should you market your book? It depends on the type of book, your audience, and the marketing tasks you enjoy. How should you structure your writing day? It dependsContinue Reading