As an indie author, you’ve invested hundreds of hours into your current WIP, mapping out your plot, interviewing characters, and keyboard-dancing with your muse to make it all sound good on paper. 😊 Maybe you’ve also hired a book editor, or you’re planning to, as well as a team of other pros: formatter, cover designer, PR firm, personal assistant… Indies … Read More
Are you building characters…or “stifling” them?
Are you building characters…or “stifling” them? There is no one key to developing great characters. So much of a character’s growth happens organically, especially when fostered by a well-read, shrewd author who’s put herself in the character’s shoes—again and again and again—as she crafts their story. What makes a character great? Well, what makes a person great? And start there. … Read More
I published a romance novel. Here’s what I learned in 4 weeks.
Welcome! If you’re here, you’re probably a writer romance writer. 😊 This year, I published my first romance novel (second novel ever), partly for your sake. Though I’ve edited tons of books since 2013, I hadn’t published my own work in five years. (I mostly blame my toddler sons for the hiatus. They’re seriously cute. #NoRegrets) I wanted to feel … Read More
Time Management Tips for Serious Authors
Time Management Tips for Serious Authors “We all have the same 24 hours.” Sort of. Many writers are also primary caregivers to young children or older parents. Others face mental or physical limitations. Authors with anxiety or OCD may take longer to begin a priority task. Some of us simply need more sleep than others in order to function as … Read More
Marketing Your Romance Novel: Write a blurb that sells your book
Five Ways to Write a Blurb that Sells Your Book Before we dive in, consider these reasons why readers buy books: They’ve read other books by the same author and trust he/she will deliver another awesome story The cover caught their attention The blurb—or story description—compelled them to read more They read the first few pages (the “Look inside”) and … Read More
Marketing Your Romance Novel: Sex sells, but…
Welcome, romance writers! My, how things can change in a year. As a community we have learned so much. Above all, we’ve learned to adapt. We watched #MeToo and #CockyGate blow up the internet. We rallied together and fought to defend our voices—and we won. Some of us survived scathing book reviews; the best of us learned not to react … Read More