Tag Archives: Writing Tips

Today’s Writing Tip

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Time travel stories can fall under at least two distinct genres: science fiction, if the emphasis is on technology or the future, or historical fiction, if the emphasis is on going back to the past. Make it clear in your book blurb which one fits since the two types tend to have entirely different audiences.

The mechanics of time travel and how it might be accomplished are definitely science fiction’s domain, along with speculations about the future and where the world is headed. On the other hand, if a character stumbles across a portal and is simply transported back in time, the emphasis will be on what he encounters. This could include culture shock as well as problems related to how he or she might be able to return to their own time.

A fan of hard science fiction is likely to be disappointed in the latter case whereas a history buff would love it, provided the historical details are accurate. Identifying the story strictly as “time travel” is not specific enough for a potential reader to know, making the book blurb critically important.

 

Today’s Writing Tip

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The trade paperback size 6 x 9 is popular, but not necessarily the most appropriate, depending of which genre you’re targeting and the length of your story. In some cases, it will appear more professional if you use a different size. If you’re not sure what commercial publishers use, check several titles in your genre at your local bookstore.

There’s a lot of competition out there these days with the indie publishing boom, so every action you take to make your book appear more professional will work in your favor.

Today’s Writing Tip

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A fellow author/friend told me she uses a text-to-voice reading app for proofreading as well as finding typos and awkward wording in her novels. If your book will eventually become an audio book this is an even better idea. Besides finding mistakes, this is a tremendously useful self-editing tip that puts your writing in another sensory dimension that provides new insights into your story’s effectivity.

 

Today’s Writing Tip

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I used to give away books via Goodreads, but the last time I went to that site to do so I discovered they were charging for it. I have to admit I had a fit at paying $119 or more to them, plus for books and postage. In previous giveaways, as far as I could tell I had gotten essentially nothing–no reviews or other evidence the winner did anything other than sell it on eBay.  (Of course that’s a bit of a joke, considering authors have a hard enough time selling books in the first place, unless they’re famous.)

I finally decided to conduct my own giveaways through my newsletter. I asked a trivia question and the first three to respond with the correct answer would win a book (an ebook, if they were outside the USA). It went great and I had some very happy fans. I can’t believe I didn’t do it this way in the first place!

Today’s Writing Tip

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Sometimes finding a title for your book is more difficult than writing it; other times you have a title without the story. It never hurts to write down title ideas for use later. Having a “working title” is common, so don’t worry if you don’t have one until you’re ready to publish.

Usually at some point your muse will help you out with a title, which may come out of the blue when you’re in the grocery store or just starting to fall asleep. Other times you have to work at it. If that’s the case, start with keywords related to your story, its theme, or message. If it’s character-centered, focus on who or what your protagonist represents.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Bear in mind that reviews from people you know are likely to be slightly inflated. Those  posted by people you don’t know from Adam will give you a better idea of how your story is received. To improve your writing, always try to identify what they liked or didn’t like. Sometimes a bad review teaches you far more than a glowing one!

Today’s Writing Tip

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Comparing your story to an established one can help attract readers who will resonate with it. This can be another book or series, a popular movie, or TV show. This is shorter and more direct than describing your story and expecting potential readers to make the connection.

For example, if your book is about vampires, it could still span a huge variety of styles. Does it compare to “Twilight”, the original “Dracula”, or “The Adams Family”? See the difference?

Today’s Writing Tip

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It’s hard not to respond when you get a bad review, especially when the person is either a troll or obviously didn’t “get” what you were trying to convey. Console yourself with this satisfying thought: A writer can kill you off with a few keystrokes. Don’t make us mad…

However, if the review is bad due to something such as typos, editing, grammar, or formatting, pay attention. Not liking the story is totally subjective, which most people recognize, but reviews that address sloppy writing can turn off potential readers faster than the speed of thought. It’s time to go back to the drawing board or hire an editor.

Today’s Writing Tip

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There are numerous awards you can apply for, which help give your book credibility. However, don’t waste your money if your book is riddled with typos or other problems. Judges are looking for clean copy as well as a good story. On the other hand, remember that everything is subjective and the person who looks at your submission may not be enchanted by it. This is frustrating, but the luck of the draw. If you really believe your story is a worthy one, try another venue.

Today’s Writing Tip

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Many authors are introverts who find it difficult to interact with fans face to face, yet this is usually the most effective connection. One way to help you overcome this is to join your local Toastmasters International club.

Being succinct when talking about your book is not always easy for authors who are used to using thousands of words to tell their story. Toastmasters will teach you to make your point directly and quickly as well as how to initiate conversations and sustain them. Check their website for the club nearest where you live.