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Writerly Advice That Is Worth Listening To

It’s often difficult for writers to stand back and see the flaws in their story, and not every bit of advice is going to be right on. In fact, a lot of advice from even the smartest, well-meaning, and honest critique partner can steer us wrong. It’s up to each writer to get in touch with that place inside that confirms or convicts regarding the wisdom of the advice given.

In a Multitude of Counselors There Is Wisdom

If you’re not sure some specific advice is right on, and your body just isn’t “telling you” one way or another, you can usually bet that if more than a few test readers or critique partners point out the same issue in your manuscript as being problematic, they are probably onto something.

There may be numerous ways to fix that problem, though, and again—you need to go with the solution that feels right to you. Be open and receptive to ideas, but own your story.

So now I’m going to share some tips from famous writers that I think are great. You are free to disagree. But hopefully some of you will see the wisdom in these words. May they encourage you in your writing journey! Continue Reading…

10 Time Management Tips for Fiction Writers

Today’s guest post is by Juliet Dreamhunter.

Let’s be real: there’s a tiny black hole in the bottom drawer of your writing desk, isn’t there? One that greedily devours minutes and hours while you wrestle with a plot twist or a stubborn character refusing to cooperate.

Fiction writing is no walk in the park—it’s a labyrinth of creativity and practicality, where every corner turned has you running into a wall of time constraints.

The world doesn’t pause for you to breathe life into your stories: the dishes need washing, the bills require paying, and the inbox awaits your attention.

What if you could navigate this labyrinth more effectively?

In this article, I’ll share 10 time management tips I learned over the years as a certified goal success coach. They will help you make the writing process less frustrating so you can write that masterpiece while still enjoying your life! Continue Reading…

Querying Basics: 5 Tips for Landing a Literary Agent

Today’s guest post is by Dario Villirilli.

Writing a great book is not quite all it takes to get published. No matter how remarkable your manuscript may be, you’ll first have to effectively pitch it to literary agents. This entails crafting a great query letter, following industry dos and don’ts, ensuring the timing is right, utilizing the appropriate format, and targeting agents who are searching for projects like your own.

While rejection is an inevitable part of the journey, there are actions you can take to increase the chances of your query letter being read and seriously considered. So, in this post, we’ll share five tips to help you along the way. For a deeper dive into the art of querying, check out Susanne’s own guide.

1. Query when you’re ready

Since the querying process can extend over months (and sometimes years!), many debut authors make the mistake of starting to query their novel two or three quarters into its development. They assume that by the time they receive a response from an agent, their work will be complete and ready. But this approach holds two primary pitfalls.

First and foremost, you cannot predict when an agent will reply. It could take months, but it could also happen within minutes. If they request your manuscript and it’s not ready, you’ll likely miss your chance because they have nothing to evaluate or sell. Continue Reading…

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