• Self-publishing has come a long way in the past decade both in terms of the process, as well as the finished product. To make it as simple as possible, w...

    Self-Publishing From Beginning to End

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    Self-publishing has come a long way in the past decade both in terms of the process, as well as the finished product. If you’re new to self-publishing, however, it may still feel a bit confusing at times. To make it as simple as possible, we break down the publishing process into three parts: pre-production, production, and postproduction. There are countless other steps to self-publishing that begin way before the pre-production process, but most of those steps, such as outlining and writing your book and securing beta readers should take place before you begin preproduction. Let’s look at the publishing process…

  • When it comes to writing, time is often the biggest enemy. This is where the Pomodoro Technique can be very helpful... Sometimes all we need is a little ...

    The Pomodoro Technique for Writers

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    When it comes to writing, time is often the biggest enemy. Sometimes we all need a little competition (even if it’s with ourselves) to kick a task into high gear. We think we’re too busy to write because other tasks and responsibilities fill our time. Or we squander away the time we do have to write by allowing our minds to wander when we should be focused. This is where the Pomodoro Technique can be very helpful. If you fall into either of these time issues, grab yourself a good old-fashioned kitchen timer, put your phone away, and close yourself off…

  • This writing challenge is focused on writing 1,000 words every day for two weeks. If you’re looking for a community of writers all focused on the same ch...

    1,000 Words Per Day Writing Challenge

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    Started by author Jami Attenberg in 2018, this writing challenge is focused on writing 1,000 words every day for two weeks. So, if you’ve been sitting on a writing project for a while or don’t know where to dive into writing, this 1,000 words a day challenge is going to be a great fit for you. You can complete this writing challenge at any point on your own, but if you’re looking for a community of writers all focused on the same challenge, Jami Attenberg’s real-time challenge starts May 31, 2021, and ends June 13. Sign up for Craft Talk,…

  • If you’re feeling uninspired by your character names, this is for you. Here are four ways to choose strong character names: 1.) Base it on the birth year...

    How to Choose Your Character Names

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    When writing fiction, you may not think you need to put too much thought into character names, but using interesting names that lend to your story can be a great way to keep readers engaged. If you can’t think of a good name while you write, use generic names so you don’t lose your pace, but then go back and do a search and replace and change your characters’ names to your final selections during one of your revision rounds. If you’re feeling uninspired by your character names, we can help. Here are 4 ways to choose strong character names:…