Topic: Writing

Upping Your Writing Skills through the Words of Humor

Upping Your Writing Skills through the Words of Humor

A few years ago, I spent a weekend in Steve Kaplan’s comedy workshop along with several other authors. Kaplan is an author and comedy expert and guru to some of the top stars and TV shows in the industry. Yup, we watched video clips of classic comedy sketches (hello Abbott and Costello) … but it was the beauty of the clips from movies that were rolled … then pulled apart line by line. And here …

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Don’t Let Your Words Disappear or Die …

Don’t Let Your Words Disappear or Die …

Don’t Let Your Words Disappear or Die …

Trees have been on my mind as fall enters the scene. I saw changes in them mid-summer this year. The wind where I live has been more active and stronger than I can remember in the 30-plus years I’ve lived in Colorado. I’m surprised with the howling we sometimes hear from the inside of my home as I see the trees sway—often breaking branches.
A few articles crossed my …

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When Authors Snooze … Oh-Oh … They Can Lose!

When Authors Snooze … Oh-Oh … They Can Lose!

The year is marching on … as in way too fast. Are you still thinking about writing a book? How about revising the one you have? Could you be thinking about doing an update? Or just getting across the finishing line?
If you want to transition from wannabe author to the real thing … it is totally possible before the year ends … and definitely for gulp, the year 2024.
 

Are you a snoozer? Are you …

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Does Your Author Community Click? Here’s 6 Questions to Ask

Does Your Author Community Click? Here’s 6 Questions to Ask

Does Your Author Community Click? Here’s 6 Questions to Ask

Authors want to walk in the shoes of successful authors.
There isn’t a time when a budding author doesn’t aspire to hang with author stars—the ones that have hit the winner’s circle—be it landing on a best-seller list, nabbing a premium sale to an exclusive buyer, having a standing room only book signing, getting a fabulous book review or anything that spells and smells like it’s …

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Blog Ideas to the Rescue for Authors!

Blog Ideas to the Rescue for Authors!

Blog Ideas to the Rescue for Authors!
Are you having one of those days? Maybe a week? Has your brain has taken a time out or a mini vacation?
Can’t think of a thing … not a single thing … to blog about. Ideas just don’t gel. The words are stuck. Your creativity spark is dim. Your fingers can’t move. Are you thinking:
Help! My Blog Has Fallen and It Can’t Get Up!
Is that your problem dear author? …

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Writer and Author Beware: Avoid the Princess Author Syndrome

Writer and Author Beware: Avoid the Princess Author Syndrome

In front of me were a newbie author and his first fiction manuscript. He was hesitant to speak as I welcomed him and then started asking a few questions.
Before he arrived in my office, I had quietly sat down and read the first three chapters to get a feel for his story and style of writing.

I knew it needed editing, but so do all books to some degree. The opening chapter had legs and moved …

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Banishing Writer’s Block By Jeff Davidson

Banishing Writer’s Block By Jeff Davidson

Writer’s block is an obstacle for many authors. If writer’s block is a problem for you, the following suggestions may help you to get started:

Make an Outline of Your Ideas
Producing a one-page outline, or writing as little as ten keywords on a page, can guide me through the preparation and completion of an article. Devote a block of time to simply preparing article outlines or chronological sequences that can later serve as a useful tool …

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Book Editors & Publishing Are Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

Book Editors & Publishing Are Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

Book Editors & Book Publishing Are Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
Why so many authors think that their friend who teaches literature at the local college, or their sister who
loves everything they write and do is the perfect editor for their work is beyond me.

Your editor can make or break your work—she can shape and shore it up … or, put in some commas and check your spelling. There are now more self and independent …

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Has Your Blog Fallen Down and Needs to Get Up?

Has Your Blog Fallen Down and Needs to Get Up?

Summer “officially” passes this week. For authors, their eyes begin to look at upcoming Holiday sales. The thought of writing anything new moves to the back burner. Should it? Nope.
Keep your blogs ALIVE during this busy time … with new ideas, repurposing of old content … and not opening the door to an invitation of doing nothing–of letting stickiness creep in.
Have you ever had one of those days? Can’t think of a thing … not …

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The Author Goldmine: Repurpose Content … Are You?

The Author Goldmine: Repurpose Content … Are You?

A week doesn’t go by without these two questions coming in: What do I blog on? What should my next book be about? That, dear Author, is easy peasy to respond to. There is no reason to create/invent new-new material for every social media platform or product you put your fingers on.  If you think you need to, you are going to experience burnout pronto. Take a break and noodle over what you have already done. …

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