Four Things I Wish I 'd Known BEFORE I Started Indie Publishing

by Traci Tyne Hilton @TraciTyneHilton

1. The Mysterious World of Editing

Many indie careers are launched in November, when The Office of Letters and Light (Nanowrimo) gives away the free Createspace proof copy to all of the winners. Createspace wisely gives you time (6 months, when I did it) to use the coupon code.

During those six months all first time indie authors need, desperately need, to hire an editor. (I may be projecting here.)

Beat Writing Deadlines the Smart Way

by Cyle Young @CyleYoung

Beat writing deadlines the smart way!

Do you wish you could beat writing deadlines, the smart way?

Well, now you can!

If you have ever struggled to beat deadlines, or struggled to hold yourself accountable to deadlines that you set yourself, be relieved. Modern research has provided some powerful insight to human psyche.

Get Your Blog Found with SEO and Keyword Basics

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I know the title of this blog may strike fear in the hearts of some of you. 

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and Keywords sound like such technical things. But they are NOT difficult concepts to pick up. 

Today, I’m going to give you a crash course in the basics to help you get your blog found.

One Little Step Forward

by Beth Vogt @BethVogt

"To be courageous means to be afraid but to go a little step forward anyway."
Beverly Sills (1929-2007), American operatic soprano

I believe that being courageous happens at the same time you are fear-filled.

You don’t wait for the fear to vanish, gather courage in your fists, and advance. No, true bravery manifests when someone whispers, “I’m scared” and then doesn’t back down from whatever enemy stands before them.

I also know that winning the day doesn’t always mean total victory. Sometimes it’s holding the ground you’ve already won. Or risking one … step … forward … and saying, “Tomorrow I will try again.”

I hang around a lot of courageous people. Some of my closest friends and I like to sing “Brave” by Sara Bareilles — it’s a vocal reminder to be brave, be ourselves, to step up, step out … to go for it, to go forward.

In Your Words: How’s your week been? What opportunity (or opportunities) did you have to be brave?

TWEETABLE

"Courageous happens at the same time you are fear-filled" @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” 

A nonfiction writer and editor who said she’d never write fiction, Beth is now a novelist with Howard Books. She enjoys writing inspirational contemporary romance because she believes there’s more to happily-ever-after than the fairy tales tell us. Connect with Beth on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or check out her blog on quotes, In Others’ Words.

7 Punctuation Pitfalls for Writers to Avoid

by Vonda Skelton @VondaSkelton

First of all, here's my disclaimer: I am NOT an expert in English. I don't have a degree in English and wouldn't dream of trying to tell you how to create perfectly-punctuated pieces. 

That said, I do a fair amount of critiquing and do feel fairly confident in offering some general hints to finding the most frequent errors I see. And yes, I've seen variations of each of these examples in manuscripts I’ve critiqued. 

These 7 punctuation pitfalls could mean the difference between an acceptance and a rejection in your writing life.

The Writer’s Most Important Tool

by Warren Adler @WarrenAdler

I have written numerous essays on the three repetitive questions asked to and reported by every author I know. For review they are:

• When do you write, meaning time of day or night?
• How do you write, meaning pen, pencil, typewriter or computer?
• Where do you get your ideas?

The second question in particular about the tool a writer uses to make tangible the inspiration of one’s muse has very consequential importance. A writer is essentially a craftsman who uses the raw material of words to create a product. To do this of course requires a tool.

Don't Be a Turkey Writer!

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Tis the season of the turkey. If you enjoy eating the Thanksgiving bird, then you love the season. If you’re the turkey, well not so much. You’ve probably spent the past year hatching ways to disguise yourself. For the turkey, I commend his ingenuity. For the turkey-writer, well not so much again. Covering up poor writing habits doesn’t make a good story.

So how can you avoid falling into the category of a turkey-writer and not falling prey to an editor’s ax?