Archive for May 2024
Why You Should Be Proud of Old, Bad Drafts
Have old, bad drafts that make you wince when you look at them? In this video, I explain why those can serve as a point of pride. Watch/Subscribe:https://youtu.be/IeRzcb_T_b4 The other side of this idea, of course, is going back to a draft you originally thought sucked, only to discover that it’s more salvageable than you…
Read MoreWhy Writers Need to Learn Basic Visual Design
Maybe you’ve noticed them. These *little* social media platforms called Instagram and Pinterest. Both depend on visual design to get people to click and dive deeper into posts. Even platforms that aren’t based around visual design still calculate it in their algorithms, checking to see whether posts include images and videos. To be fair, the…
Read MoreHow to Succeed on Social Media as a Writer
If you’re a writer who wants to use social media to pump up your readership, this video offers general guidance on how to get the most out of your accounts and content. Watch/Subscribe:https://youtu.be/XXr3yx5v5gU For the record, I don’t pretend to be some social media master. I’m still trying to figure out how much I want…
Read MoreWhy You Shouldn’t Judge Writers Who Make Mistakes
A couple of weeks ago, I had an editor I’m connected with online leave a comment on one of my posts. I’d made a spelling mistake in my very first line, and it had distracted her. (Not surprising, given the nature of her work.) I corrected the error and thanked her. Not everybody is so…
Read MoreHow to Prioritize Multiple Writing Drafts
If you’ve got multiple drafts going at once, which one deserves your top focus? This video reveals how I prioritize from among different options. Watch/Subscribe:https://youtu.be/1eeRsOckbgo Over the years, I’ve tried to be logical about how I schedule my writing out. I’m to the point where I can squeeze something into just about every window of…
Read MoreThe Sky-High Value of Guest Blog Posts
As a writer, you probably assume a lot of responsibility for your own success. YOU publish articles or books, run your website, and send out your newsletter. All of those things count. But did you know that one of the best ways to expand your blog and writing opportunities (and help other experts!) is to…
Read MoreTo the People Practicing Exploitation of Ghostwriters
I have a message for the people on YouTube bragging about how they hire ghostwriters to make cheap books for a few hundred bucks and then turn them for five figures or more. Hint: It’s EXPLOITATION. What’s grinding my gears For the record, I have no problem with someone hiring a ghostwriter and then making…
Read MoreWhy You Shouldn’t Aim to Be Like Another Writer
It’s good to have wordsmiths you admire and look up to. But it’s time to end the practice of saying you want to be the next So-and-So or like another writer. This video explains why. Watch/Subscribe:https://youtu.be/ywHxR2XIMLQ Part of the reason I say you shouldn’t aim to be like another writer is because of the way…
Read More6 Common Query Letter Mistakes to Avoid
Self-publishing is becoming a behemoth in its own right next to traditional publishing, but it’s not right for every writer. If you go the traditional route, the journey to get your book into readers’ hands starts with a great query letter. To make your letter shine, avoid these common query letter mistakes. Leaving too much…
Read MoreNew Writer? Need Goals? Grab These Top 5
New to writing as a career? This video outlines some of the best goals you can have. They’ll help set a foundation for the rest of your work. Watch/Subscribe:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T1D03CEkyE All of the goals included in this video are included because they serve to clarify the purpose behind your writing. They also help you develop your…
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