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  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  The Pros and Cons of Writing in First Person

  While first person has some possible downsides, it’s beloved by many for the connection it creates between the reader and protagonist.

  • #writing tips

  • July 28, 2020
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  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  Building Believable Characters in 5 Simple Steps

  The more you know who you’re writing about, the better the chance your audience will be captivated by them.

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  • July 21, 2020
• 
  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  The Zero Draft: Starting Your Story Without the Pressure

  If you’re having trouble committing to an outline or have found yourself abandoning first drafts, the zero draft may be the missing step in your writing process.

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  • July 13, 2020
• 
  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  Work Smarter, Not Harder with These 8 Free Apps for Writers

  Whether you need help staying in the chair, editing your work, or keeping track of your ideas, here are eight free apps to assist you on your writing journey.

  • #writing tips

  • July 6, 2020
• 
  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  5 Ways to Use Writing as Self-Care

  Whether you’re going through a difficult time or simply desire more introspection, writing is a tool you can use to examine, reframe, and release your emotions.

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  • June 26, 2020
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  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  How to Write a Query Letter Part 1: Research

  Research is paramount before you tackle the first draft of your query letter.

  • #writing tips
  • #Get Published

  • June 22, 2020
• 
  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  Writing Advice From 5 Famous Poets

  While there can be a mystical element to writing poetry, the art of writing still requires diligence and craft. Read on for the perspectives and writing advice of five successful poets who spent a lifetime analyzing the mysterious process of poetry.

  • #writing tips

  • June 1, 2020
• 
  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  Traditional Publishing in a Nutshell

  There are numerous routes a new author can take to get their work out into the world, but for many, traditional publishing is the ultimate dream.

  • #writing tips
  • #Get Published

  • May 26, 2020
• 
  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  Write What You Know: 6 Famous Writers Influenced by Day Jobs

  What might feel like everyday drudgery to you could be the exact content to explore in your writing, as you alone are the expert on this personal microcosm. And if you lean on your day job for inspiration, you’ll be in good company.

  • #writing tips

  • May 25, 2020
• 
  Julia McAlpine posted a new article:

  

  Building Your Writing Inspiration Toolkit: Part 2

  Sometimes it feels as if the muse has abandoned you, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your project on hold. Instead, draw the inspiration to you by creating a toolkit to lean on during the dry spells.

  • #writing tips

  • May 21, 2020
• 
  Larry Kahaner posted a new article:

  

  Book Reviewers Can be Jerks

  Whether you are a seasoned author or just published your first book, reviews play tricks on your self-confidence as a writer. Like everything else in life, some people like your stuff and some people hate it (thanks, Captain Obvious) and there’s...  moreWhether you are a seasoned author or just published your first book, reviews play tricks on your self-confidence as a writer. Like everything else in life, some people like your stuff and some people hate it (thanks, Captain Obvious) and there’s nothing you can do about it.  

  • #writing tips
  • #Book Reviews

  • March 1, 2017

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  • 
    Jonah Gibson It's probably not politic to say this, but I think we all know it's true. Unfortunately, we all also live and die as authors by the number and quality of our reviews. Reviews used to be subject to the same kinds of barriers to entry as authors. At least...  moreIt's probably not politic to say this, but I think we all know it's true. Unfortunately, we all also live and die as authors by the number and quality of our reviews. Reviews used to be subject to the same kinds of barriers to entry as authors. At least someone had to agree to publish them, and they were scrutinized and edited before they saw the light of day. As the barriers have been largely eradicated for writers, so have they for reviewers. Now, reviews are not necessarily literary in nature and timbre. Instead, they pass judgment on the entertainment value of a story rather than on it's literary merit. They look at books as products that exist purely to satisfy a need in a market. The capacity of a good book to instruct, to uplift, to temper the soul, is largely ignored. This was brought home to me when I read a book blogger's review of Moby Dick that rated it at 2 out of 5 stars because it was short on plot and character development. We live in a new world, and it seems we are going to have to...    less

    • March 2, 2017
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    Larry Kahaner Thanks for your comments, Jonah. This article is adapted from my blog post, https://nonfictionnovelist.wordpress.com/2017/01/25/book-reviewers-can-be-jerks/ I would be grateful if you posted your insights there, too, so others can read them.

    • March 2, 2017
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• 
  Carla Godfrey posted a new article:

  

  Finding the enthusiasm

  Tips for maintaining enthusiasm during writing.

  • #Non-Fiction
  • #writing tips
  • #fiction writing tips

  • February 28, 2017

  • Alexander Perry, Irene Woodbury, and Alec R. Zeelie like this.
• 
  Larry Kahaner posted a new article:

  Hey, Writers: Stop Your Freakin’ Whining

  Adapted from the Non-Fiction Novelist 
   
  Hey, Writers: Stop Your Freakin’ Whining
  By Larry Kahaner
  Most of my working life, I’ve been a non-fiction writer. I’ve penned over 15 books some with my name and some I...

  • #writing tips

  • January 6, 2017

  • Admin likes this.
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    Paul Carlberg Mr. Kahaner, why are you whining? Because we're whining? Whose whining? I'm not whining. Yes, I suppose a fair amount of Fiction Writers do whine but you know what? It's hard to write Fiction! That's why. Is Non-Fiction hard? I suppose. I sure had a lot...  moreMr. Kahaner, why are you whining? Because we're whining? Whose whining? I'm not whining. Yes, I suppose a fair amount of Fiction Writers do whine but you know what? It's hard to write Fiction! That's why. Is Non-Fiction hard? I suppose. I sure had a lot of that to do in College, but at least you don't have to come up with plot twists, inviting characters, or practically anything else. All you need to do is research, if any. Well, you know what? So do we. Maybe not as much, but we do. So stop your whining. It's distracting me from the clever plot twist, the remarkable characters, and the research I need to come up with, to make it work.  less

    • February 28, 2017
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• 
  Patricia Capracotta posted a new article:

  

  Developing Your Book Topic and Getting The Writing Done

  Write about what you know takes on new meaning when you're trying to narrow down all of your book ideas into one that will be worth it, and marketable. Though the ideas may come from all over and flow easily, you'll need to develop the ability to pus...

  • #Self Publishing
  • #writing tips
  • #choosing a topic
  • #book topic

  • November 17, 2015

  • 4 people like this
• 
  Patricia Capracotta posted a new article:

  

  Writing Dialogue ~ Is 'He Said/She Said' Enough?

   
  Although we're not likely to enjoy hearing this, dialogue may be the single most important aspect of any novel. Most editors will go directly to a dialogue portion of your manuscript before reading anything else. This is because the dialogue in...

  • #writing tips
  • #fiction writing tips
  • #writing dialogue
  • #dialogue tags

  • January 5, 2015