The Secret Life of a Pantser

by Henry McLaughlin @RiverBendSagas

I was talking with another writer one day and, from her first question, I knew I was in trouble. “How long does it take you to outline your novels?” she asked.

“I don’t,” I said.

She sputtered like a Volkswagen with a bad spark plug. Finally she said, “How do you even write? Do you just sit down and start typing? Don’t you have to do a massive amount of rewriting?”

The Dilemma of Too Many Characters in Your Novel

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

The novel is finished. The writer inhales a breath of satisfaction. Now is the time to begin the editing process. But midway through, a dose of reality hits hard. The story has so many characters that it’s difficult to keep track of their names and the roles they play. 

While the problem may look bewildering, there is a solution, and the story will be stronger by implementing the following suggestions. 

When Writers Work to Find the Right Words

by Eva Marie Everson @EvaMarieEverson

Good writers read the works of great writers. And, we typically have the ones we prefer over all others. If we can find a book written by our favorites, written for the sheer purpose of explaining their writing or reading life, we have then struck gold. 

Let me let you in on a little “secret:” I have a “thing” for bookstores. I can walk past a large chain with price clubs and the flavors of expensive coffee meandering through the stacks (although I rarely do), but I cannot—no, I will not—allow myself to miss the opportunity of stepping into an independent bookstore, usually narrow in structure with hardwood floors and rich with a select group of titles, and old, overstuffed chairs placed cattycorner to create reading nooks. The only coffee you’ll be offered there comes from a coffeemaker and is served entirely too strong in castoff mugs purchased for a dollar at thrift stores.

3 Powerful Words to Help You Find Time to Write

by Bethany Jett @BetJett

Time is a precious commodity. In fact, if you can find a way to save someone time, you’re likely to turn the person into a raving fan. 

For writers who have other responsibilities—is everyone raising their hand?­—finding the time to write seems problematic. However, the advice that great writers and bestselling authors give when talking about writing is usually the same: simply sit down and write, even if it means getting up early or staying up late.

You Only Live Once...Yes & No

by Rhonda Rhea @RhondaRhea

YOLO? Well, Yes and No

Not that I’m big on throwing my time away, because I had plans for accomplishing something great today. But you have to understand, that video said I wouldn’t BELIEVE what happened next. “BELIEVE”—it was in all caps just like that. So it’s not like I had a choice anyway, but I could see that this video had a baby in it. And a puppy. Only a monster could just scroll down like it wasn’t a baby and a puppy.

Writing Lessons From Joseph

by Emme Gannon @GannonEmme

What if, at this moment in time, God is calling you to be a quiet reflection of Himself. No best seller. No requests to speak or teach at conferences. No interest by the agent of your dreams. You receive encouragement. Then rejection. Your mind stirs from the present to a time when you knew God had called you to greater things. You knew it was He who had planted this dream deep in your heart. That was long ago, you reason. Maybe you heard wrong. For if this was God’s dream for you, wouldn’t success soon follow?

How Authors Can Build an Indie Empire—Building Your Newsletter Matters

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

*disclaimer. This series is about following rules. I know that Indies don’t have to follow rules. That’s the whole point of being indie. But indies who pay attention to what rich and famous authors do, have a much better shot at fame and riches.*

In part two of this series, How You Advertise Matters I explained the importance of advertising. It is vitally important. What I didn’t explain was why those sites I recommend work so well.