Category Archives: point of view

Mystery Workshop with Cindy Brown July 19th 2020



Mystery Workshop with Cindy Brown

Writing Character-Based Mysteries
Cindy Brown
cindybrownwriter.com
info@cindybrownwriter.com

Books: Macdeath, The Sound of Murder, Oliver Twisted, Ivy Get Your Gun, The Phantom of Oz, Killalot, Murder Most Theatrical (Anthology – August 2020)

Continue reading Mystery Workshop with Cindy Brown July 19th 2020

Interesting Links for March/April

You’ve guessed it. Walt is the source for many (but not all) of these links. Follow. Read. Learn. Enjoy! (Oh, and join Facebook, where you’ll find much more on our private Writers Mill page,, with thanks to Catherin!)

Get writing!

Be both inspired and inspiring. There are some really cool ideas in this: http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/03/simple-ways-to-repurpose-content/

A nicely imaginative post suggests how to deal with those obstacles keeping you from writing: http://willamettewriters.org/2016/02/4-obstacles-keeping-finishing-manuscript/

If the book feels too big to tackle and you’re not sure where to start: http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/03/three-things-before-you-write-a-book/

Follow the rules to become an author? http://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/2015/08/24/become-an-author-5-basic-rules/

Describe your book!

From back-cover copy to elevator pitch, how would you describe your book? http://buildbookbuzz.com/amazon-book-description/

Print your book!

Fonts are scary stuff. You may not be hugely wiser after reading this, but you’ll be better informed: https://designschool.canva.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-font-pairing/

Meanwhile, here’s an interesting e-conversation about fonts: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1697027/1697027-6120823027480485892

Practice better writing!

What shape is your story? This video’s well worth watching (only 4 minutes) http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/03/simple-shapes-of-stories/

Want to outline your book? http://self-publishingschool.com/11-ways-outline-book/

A checklist to help your story: https://mystorydoctor.com/12588-2/

Use Point of view to create good writing https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2016/03/16/want-a-page-turner-you-need-deep-pov/

Create that summary: http://us5.campaign-archive1.com/?u=bd398af5e14b804a37b7f273a&id=ba869c80d6

Tell the world about your writing!

A letter to librarians – if you’re trying to get speaking engagements, or get books into libraries, this one might help: http://indigoseapressblog.com/2016/03/20/library-book-tour-letter-by-christine-husom/

How to pitch, which also helps with how to query: http://willamettewriters.org/wwcon/pitching-with-confidence/

Lots of book marketing comments from real authors: http://selfpublishingadvice.org/book-marketing-shots-in-the-dark/

Use the Internet!

Is there a way to effectively use blogs, facebook, twitter etc?  http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/20-plus-social-media-hacks-and-tips-from-the-pros/

A cool way to look at platforms, with lots of practical advice: http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2016/03/jason-gracia/

Some great stuff about what to put on your author website: http://writetodone.com/creating-author-websites/

And on the “about me” page of the site (or blog): http://buildbookbuzz.com/an-about-me-page-that-sizzles/

Go to conferences!

August 12-14 Willamette Writers conference: http://willamettewriters.org/wwcon/

November 5 Wordstock: http://www.literary-arts.org/2016/03/wordstock-2016-news-and-updates/

Send that query letter!

Master’s review – deadline March 31st – reading fee $20 http://mastersreview.com/short-story-award-for-new-writers/

Women only (sorry, men), WoW is inviting queries for short sweet non-fiction posts before April 10 http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1101417136261&ca=35072501-8a54-4708-885e-2a3376bed932

 

The Mechanics of Writing

I think this is the last one – more old links as we clean up the site:

Advice for Writers (sometimes free):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YJXXCQS

http://blog.bookbaby.com/2015/08/completing-novel-look-various-writing-methods/

Point of View:

http://learnhowtowriteanovel.com/blog/2015/08/17/wordsmithing-makeover-how-to-write-static-description/

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2015/07/multiple-points-of-view-good-or-bad.html

Punctuation and Grammar:

http://www.voicecatcher.org/archives/5556

http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/15-punctuation-marks.jpg?7bd39e

https://forums.createspace.com/en/community/community/resources/blog/2014/09/09/affect-vs-effect

Sentences

https://www.coursera.org/course/basicwriting

Writers’ Toolbox

http://ryanlanz.com/writers-toolbox/

Story Mechanics

Perspective:

http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2015/02/4-tips-for-handling-multiple.html

Character:

http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2014/10/planting-minor-characters-with-purpose.html

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/09/bring-your-characters-to-life-with.html

Detail:

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/descriptive-writing/

http://www.copyblogger.com/damn-good-sentences/

http://www.writersonthemove.com/2013/11/use-seven-senses-to-spark-your-writing.html

Plot and story arc:

http://storyfix.com/the-irrefutable-algebra-of-story

http://storyfix.com/easy-approach-story-building-bedtime-story-model

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-save-cat-beat-sheet.html

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/plotting-with-heros-journey.html

http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/10/how-to-plot-with-three-act-structure.html

http://storyfix.com/value-pantsing

Polish:

http://storyfix.com/fiction-writers-definition-criteria-concept