And if publication is the goal, then you must rewrite.

Handing over work to a reader for critique, especially to a book editor, brings about a certain level of anxiety. I say anxiety, because no matter how experienced you are with managing criticism, it can be quite daunting to take in comments, be open to feedback, and filter through and ultimately apply edits to a new draft.

To keep the process as objective as possible, here are seven strategies to help you process notes from your editor.

1. Speed read

Print out a copy of the entire manuscript.

Take off your thinking cap and quickly read through its entirety, including the editor’s notes.

No emotion attached, just read the text as a document with words, and additional editorial markings about those words.

2. Read as a reader

Now, put on your thinking cap and read the manuscript at your normal pace (which, in my case, happens to be slow, deliberate and with special attention to every word).

Allow yourself to think, and feel emotional reactions to the critique, making mental notes of whether or not you agree with the editor’s suggestions.

3. Rest

Step away.

No input. No output.

Of course, the amount of time to take a breather from the manuscript depends on your deadline for manuscript rewrites, but try to allow at least one day of rest from this particular project.

4. Revisit the red marks

While most, if not all, modern-day professional editorial input is done via the computer, the old-school version of editor’s notes would include hard copies of your manuscript with red pencil or pen marks on the page.

And that old-school image can work quite well. Visualizing those red markings can help alert you to “danger zones,” or problem spots in your manuscript.

As I’m working on any project (before, during and after an editor’s input), I always work with hard copies, and mark up my own trouble spots with a red pen.

That said, during the next read, pay even greater attention to these editor’s notes. I usually place checks with my handy red pen and/or use a yellow highlighter next to comments that I think merit changes in the manuscript.

5. Decide what comments live or die

Live or die?

Sounds brutal, right? Arrogant? Maybe.

However, while you’re seeking advice from an editor’s eye, you still must take charge, and decide what you do, and do not want to change in your manuscript.  

Or, if you’re working on a for-hire project, what you’re willing to fight for with the editor, to keep in or out of the manuscript.

If more than a few readers/editors highlight the same so-called “trouble spots” in my manuscript, of course I defer to that collective judgment — or at least take that into serious account during a rewrite in my decisions about what lives or dies in the manuscript.

Read your new checked-with-red pen, and highlighted-in-yellow editor’s notes, and double check which ones still merit changes in the manuscript. Then write down (yes, by hand, no typing) all the notes/comments that you feel should “live” on in the subsequent rewrite, and that definitely merit changes for the manuscript.

Pencil or pen to paper helps me ingest my thoughts and emotional connection to the words.

6. Read the surviving comments

Read your handwritten notes and the editor’s critiques you’ve pardoned as if they are now a part of the manuscript.

In essence, at this stage, I usually visualize the impact that the critiques, if employed, would have as a positive impact on the manuscript’s rewrite.    

7. Rest (again)

Yes, the process again requires more rest from the project.

Now that you’ve completed the above strategies, step away from the manuscript for at least a day (again, this varies depending on deadlines).

Rest is required, because next, the actual rewrite must take place. All the editor’s surviving notes, and those you’ve fought to keep in or out of your manuscript, will have to be incorporated into the new draft.

If you are committed to making your work the best it can be, the above process will lead to another, and another, and another do-over of these strategies as you receive editorial feedback, until the final draft of your manuscript lives proudly on the page.

Writers, tell us! How do you manage editor’s notes?

The post Don’t Panic: How to Approach a Marked-Up Manuscript From Your Book Editor appeared first on The Write Life.

     

NaNoWriMo offers a unique experience when crafting a manuscript.

A no-nonsense, 30-day writing marathon for 50,000 words. Or more, if you’re an insane overachiever like me.

If you’re a NaNoWriMo virgin like myself, you may not be used to the challenge of crafting content for 30 straight days. The daily word count you are used to might be less than half of what is needed to meet your NaNo goal.

The quick pace for extended hours, the constant turnaround of getting chapters done,the push to write beyond what you typically handle on any given day…it’s like deciding on a career in cross country running and starting with ten miles on the first day. (I feel winded just TYPING that.)

So what happens halfway through the month when you haven’t trained for a marathon?

1. Burnout

Mental exhaustion, especially if unprepared for the challenge of crafting a novel-length draft, can set in quickly.

Preparation is a good means of combating this at the start, but given the number of hours being put in on a single narrative or goal, feeling exhausted at the very sight of the computer screen is not out of the realm of possibilities.

If you’ve stared at the screen long enough, knowing what the next scene is meant to convey but without a clue how to proceed means you’ve probably run out of mental juice. And coffee.

Burnout can also bring her ugly step-sister to the party as well…

2. Lack of motivation

Burnout can leave you feeling depressed over a less than productive day. Even a couple of days. This feeling mounts up, building and building with each disappointing day.

Struggling for days without a victory when working on your draft can lead to a complete loss of motivation, a malaise and a perceived discontent when it comes to the work still ahead.

Not hitting your goals is a clear sign something has gone awry. But don’t walk away! There is no quitting here.

There is a way to combat these issues before they start to mount.

Build a reward system into the month

Need a reason to keep writing? Need to feel there is something waiting for you at the end of the 50,000-word journey ahead? (Besides a completed draft, of course.)

Create it for yourself.

When scheduling the month of November, I set up certain rewards at different milestones throughout the month. Drafting can be a slog, especially without a clear roadmap or when just starting out.

Setting up some small prizes to be unlocked at key word counts or chapter markers can act as both motivation to continue and as a breather from the challenge.

How to reward yourself without forgoing the work completely

1. Start small

Give yourself a short break between chapters to allow for some processing time.

This can give you a place to start the next hurdle and cut down on the dreaded “staring at the computer screen” moments, hoping for inspiration to strike. Here are a few ideas:

• Go for a walk. Get some fresh air and some Vitamin D for crying out loud. Not too much…you’ll probably burn easily, even in November, after all your time locked in your writing cave. Decompress from your writing and let your mind work on the problem in the background while you recharge.

• Visit your family. Maybe have a meal with them. They appreciate that kind of thing.

• Take a 10-minute snooze — but keep it to 10 minutes! Let your mind relax before jumping into the next chapter.

2. Choose weekly rewards

It’s simple: Hit your goal every day for a week or meet the goal by the end of the week and win a prize. Make it something worth working toward; something that will motivate you every time you’re thinking about walking away from the computer early.

How about a dinner out with family or friends? Getting out of the house gives you a chance to leave the work behind, without it looming over you from the other room.

My personal choice? A night off from writing. Not a full day, but just a few hours at night to take in a movie or binge on that ever-expanding streaming queue.

3. Spoil yourself: determine “The Big Ones”

Set up two big rewards for the month — one at the midpoint and one at the finish line.

Schedule them ahead of time so there is no way to convince yourself to forget about them. These are important breaks for your mental health and the sanctity of the work you’ve been busting your hump on all month.

What could they be?

For me, I like to go big with a full day off from writing. For you, it might be a morning where you sleep in. Maybe you schedule a long drive or an overnight somewhere.

You could take in a movie – this November offers many excellent choices, from Doctor Strange (my own mid-point reward) to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Or if you want to bring the kids along (even though you know you want to see it anyway) there is always Moana. Your big rewards should pull you out of your world and into another for at least a few hours.

One rule: No talking about your work!

Whatever you choose to make your rewards, make it clear right from the start so everyone knows. (Including yourself.) These are your rewards and you’re definitely entitled to them after the work put in over the course of November.

Enjoy them and the writing you’ve done!

Week three results

With the month half gone and most of my rewards already given, it’s time to hunker down and power through to the finish line. Here’s what I was able to accomplish in week three of my first NaNoWriMo challenge.

November 15

• Word Count – 1,808
• Notes – I had my first “Oh, crap, where the hell am I” moment today. I sat down to work and had no clue where to start. Definitely recovered by the end of the night but it took some pages to get the juices flowing again.

November 16

• Word Count – 3,481
• Notes – A nice rebound from yesterday. Went into a chapter I knew inside and out to get back into things and finished the day with a stronger moment than I had originally envisioned.

November 17

• Word Count – 6,750
• Notes – BABYSITTER DAY. I won’t be hitting that benchmark again, for sure! I had a plan going into the morning and it steamrolled from there. Felt insanely good to get some critical chapters done and to see them finally on the page.

November 18

• Word Count – 2,116
• Notes – An unexpected family dinner and yard work to prepare for Buffalo’s first snowfall threw me for a loop today. Only one chapter done and it was broken up into three different writing sessions. Break out the red pen on this one, I’m thinking.

November 19

• Word Count – 4,914
• Notes – Three big sequences left! I wanted to nail one down today and one tomorrow so I picked what I thought would be the easier of the two. I. WAS. WRONG. It’s done now but I fell below my estimates on every chapter and I think the action in each piece fell flat. Nuts.

November 20

• Word Count – 5,760
• Notes – A much better day. The second of the three major sequences left in The Medusa Coin flowed insanely better than yesterday’s slog. And I get the night off. Woohoo!

November 21

• Word Count – 1,743
• Notes – A rough afternoon with stalled progress turned into a productive evening. Instead of following my plan for the day I found another chapter I was more prepared to draft and went from there. Very glad I did. 7,000 words and 6 chapters left. I am finishing this beast by Thursday!

What are your favorite rewards to keep you motivated? Let me know in the comments below.

The post Almost Done NaNoWriMo? Here’s How To Reward Yourself appeared first on The Write Life.

     

Maybe you just got your first offer to ghostwrite a book and have no idea what to charge. Maybe your characters refuse to do what you want them to do (isn’t that just like them?), and you could use someone to commiserate with. Maybe it’s after midnight and you’re still up trying to wrestle the words into submission, and you dearly need to be talked down off the ledge.

Whatever the reason, Facebook groups can be a fantastic way for writers to connect, trade advice, swap war stories and find new opportunities. Knowing there are other people out there who “get” what it’s like to be a writer can be a huge comfort, and the chance to share experience and tips with people on all stages of the writing journey is invaluable.

So we polled writers to find out which Facebook groups they personally could not live without.

Here are the results, in no particular order:

1. The Write Life Community

We’d be remiss if we didn’t tell you about our own Facebook group! Writers of all experience levels can share their struggles and wins, ask each other questions and otherwise support and encourage the community throughout the writing life.

2. Calls for Submissions

More than 42,500 members must be onto something. This group collects submission calls for poetry, fiction and art and presents them all in one easy-to-follow place. If you’re looking for publication opportunities, it’s worth checking out.

3. Create Your Nomadtopia

If you’re taking your leap into the writing life one step further and considering a location-independent lifestyle (one of the many perks of being a writer), this group is a great resource for learning more about it, finding advice and ideas and getting support from those who are also living their own nomadtopias.

4. Indie Author Group

One of the bigger communities of indie authors and self-publishers (with a focus on fiction), this group is a great place to get advice, air your grievances and find lesser-known authors. The only downside is that membership is so big it can be hard to connect one-on-one with individual members.

5. Indie Writers Unite!

Open to indie writers of all kinds, this group allows self-promotion only in admin-created threads, and has a fair but firm panel of moderators who keep spammers and trolls at bay.

6. Smart Passive Income Kindle Group

Ever wanted to write a Kindle book or wondered how the process works? Join this group to get a behind-the-scenes look at popular blogger Pat Flynn’s own journey to publish a Kindle book from start to finish. In addition to watching Pat’s journey, readers have a chance to ask questions, share their own advice and experiences and get feedback on similar projects they’re working on.

7. We Blog…A Blogging Community

A great place for bloggers to connect, share ideas and find new readers by promoting their own blogs.

8. Blogging Boost

Another group chock full of advice, resources and support for bloggers, this group limits self-promotion to Mondays only, which helps save your feed from over-saturation.

9. Write On! Online

An extension of a live group that started at a Barnes & Noble in California in 2002, this “writer’s support group” aims at helping writers set goals, troubleshoot and network. It tries to foster a sense of community and energy among its wide range of members, who vary in terms of age, experience and writing genre. As one member told us, “They have a supportive environment and a very informative podcast. Another great group to provide that much needed ‘kick in the pants’ without the guilt.”

10. Fiction Writers Group

Created in 2009 and with 10,000+ members around the world, this group also publishes three anthologies a year. Whether you’re a traditional, self-published or indie author, this group is a great resource for information, support or simply “a kick in the butt to get you going,” as one TWL reader commented. Self-promotion is not allowed, but you are able to post an excerpt from your current project for critique by other members.

11. Children’s Authors and Illustrators on Facebook

Whether you pen picture books or YA novels, this group is a place to connect with aspiring writers, published authors and children’s lit fans. Trade tips, share the latest industry news, discover new authors and share your own project (on one dedicated thread that keeps all other self-promotion out of the group’s feed).

12. Writers Write

If you’re looking for less of a participatory experience and more of a compendium of all things writing, this group is a fun news source of recent doings in the writing world. Notable recent posts include reaction to Bob Dylan’s nomination for (and subsequent radio silence towards) the Nobel Prize for Literature and Kanye West penning a poem on McDonald’s french fries for Frank Ocean’s new art mag. Dare we say it’s a great way to kill a little “writer’s block” time?

13. Careful Cents Freelancers Club

When you join the Club, you get access not only to the exclusive Facebook group, but also many other goodies like targeted job offers and opportunities, guest posting gigs and media opportunities, monthly Q&As and Twitter chats. It’s a community and job board all in one!

14. Writers Helping Writers

Whether you’re a newbie looking for advice or an established pro who’d like to pay it forward, this community is a great place to support and learn from other writers, as well as editors, publishers, agents and more.

15. Writers World

As one of the phrases on this group’s logo image indicates, you need “lizard skin” to be an active member in this critique-only group. You’ll find no pep talks or ego-fluffing here, simply polite, but pull-no-punches assessments of any pieces members offer up for critique. (One of the admins has edited for Disney and NBC, if you wonder how useful those critiques are.) If you want to get serious about your work, and you can handle bold honesty, this group can help you hone your skills.

16. NaNoWriMo Participants

Have you ever participated in National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo)?? This group of 26,000+ members can help you through the challenge by offering support, tips and empathy as you type, type, type your way to 50,000 words in 30 days.

17. 10 Minute Novelists

Crunched for time and in need of encouragement? Look no further than this group brought to you by the website of the same name, which was named one of Writer’s Digest’s 101 Best Websites for Writers in 2016. Promotion-free and all about community and motivation, this group offers harried writers inspiring features like Tuesday “Buddy Days” (when you can find critique partners and beta readers) and Wednesday #AuthorHappiness chats (where members celebrate their weekly successes).

18. Women Writers, Women’s Books

Ladies, this one’s for you. Connect with women writers of all genres and experience levels, from indie scribes to traditionally published and self-published authors. As one member (and TWL reader) Suzanne Brazil says of the group, “They have an active Twitter presence, publish helpful essays, support each other’s blogs and author pages and are generally just a great place for technical questions, writing advice, and encouragement! Can’t recommend them highly enough.”

19. The Aspiring Travel Writer

Run by blogger and podcaster Alexa Williams Meisler of Break Into Travel Writing, this group’s goal is to provide “a place to connect with others interested in breaking into travel blogging or taking your travel writing to a higher level.” Self-promotion is limited to “Friday Free for Alls” to allow members to focus more on supporting and learning from each other.

20. The Literati Writers

This group came up several times in our discussions with writers and is also highly recommended, but at a price tag of $197 per quarter, it may not be for everyone. That said, this fee covers much more than just access to the Facebook group; you also get to participate in live author interviews, Google+ Hangouts, weekly accountability check-ins, personal sessions with founder Dave Ursillo and the chance to contribute to the Literati blog and digital book projects. See here for information on how to join.

Have you found a home in any other writers’ groups on Facebook? Share them with us in the comments!

This post originally ran in September 2013. We updated it in November 2016 so it’s more useful and relevant for our readers!

The post 20 Facebook Groups for Writers You Don’t Want to Miss appeared first on The Write Life.

     

But packing light can be a challenge for a busy writer.

How do you lug all your essential writing gear and inspiration along when you’re headed out of town? Whether you’re headed to visit family, check out a new city or enjoy a DIY writing retreat, these tips can help you plan ahead to make your packing as painless as possible.

1. Be realistic about how much work you’ll do

Before you go on your trip, make a plan for what you’ll actually do while you’re traveling.

No need to pack for 100 hours of work if you’re only going to have time to work for five. Be realistic about how much time you’ll actually have to work.

While it’s easy to envision hours of uninterrupted writing bliss on a flight, it’s easy to get distracted by the snores of your neighbor, the toddler kicking your seat or a bit of turbulence lulling you right to sleep instead of delving into your latest writing project.

2. Bring the essentials

How do you condense an office’s worth of gear, equipment and supplies into a carry-on sized bag that’s crammed with all the other essentials of travel?

First, start with the most important things.

• Laptop: Your laptop is generally your most important (and most expensive) piece of writing equipment. Some people prefer to travel with their main machine, but I travel with a small lightweight portable laptop that I use mainly for traveling and working outside.
  
  I was able to purchase it very inexpensively several years ago, so I’m not too worried about something happening to it on the road. Some people may prefer working from a tablet. Whatever you need, be sure to bring it with you (and don’t forget the charger!).

• Reference materials: Depending on the type of work you do, your reference materials can take many different forms. A journalist may have interview notes and recordings, while a scientific writer may have research studies and a fiction writer might have character notes. Plan the projects you’ll do ahead of time and make sure to have the right reference materials with you.

• Notebook and pen: Even on trips where I don’t bring a laptop, I always have a small notebook and a pen. I get the best story ideas on trips, from the culture of a city to interesting characters I meet along the way. You also never know when you’ll get ideas for a novel or character.

3. Back it up

Make sure you have your work backed up.

Bring a flash drive and keep it somewhere separate from your computer and other valuables. If someone were to snag your valuables, you don’t want to be left without the ability to get any work done. It’s much easier to find a computer to borrow (or an internet cafe to use) than to try and track down the files you need unless they’re backed up.

Also, be sure to have everything you may need backed up online as well.

Email important documents to yourself, use Dropbox, or other forms of file storage to make sure you can access files if your computer (or flash drive) crashes or is lost. Be sure to memorize your passwords or use a password-tracking app if you don’t already know them.

4.Go digital

Instead of lugging hard copies of valuable resources along on your trip, take digital copies instead.

At home, you might consult hard copies of the Writer’s Market, favorite books about writing and other research and reference materials.

But with limited space, it often makes the most sense to digitize. Save articles and resources online, subscribe to the online versions of resources, and take notes from other resources and bring those with you.

5. Bring travel-writing essentials

Even though you’re traveling light, be sure to bring anything you’ll need to transform your trip into a story.

If you’re a travel writer, make sure you bring any information you have on local contacts (including Tourism Board connections), restaurants to check out, and sights to see.

Also, be sure to have some way of taking photos. This could be a camera, but many swear by iPhones and other smartphones with built-in cameras. Taking photos along the way can not only help you capture moments, but provide images to sell alongside any stories that come out of your trip. Even if you’re not planning a working vacation, sometimes story ideas have a way of popping up when you least expect them.

Having photos can also help when you’re trying to recollect specific details and set a scene when you’re writing later on.

6. Safeguard your gear

Now that you’ve spent all this time selecting what to bring, be sure to take steps to safeguard it.

Make sure you carry your most important items (like your laptop and backups) on the plane with you. Sure, most checked bags arrive on time just fine, but you don’t want to take the chance that your important writing gear ends up lost or damaged.

The last few flights I’ve been on have been packed, and the last few passengers to board were required to check their carry-on bags. Just in case this happens to you, make sure you have your irreplaceable items stowed safely in a bag that can fit under the seat in front of you.

If you bring expensive gear with you, consider travel insurance or checking your current insurance policies (such as homeowner’s, renter’s, or automobile) to see if they’ll cover your valuables.

Happy traveling this holiday season and beyond!

What else would you add to this packing list, writers? Let us know in the comments.

The post 6 Packing Tips for Writers Who Want to Hit the Road appeared first on The Write Life.

     

It’s that time of year again!

Welcome to The Write Life’s annual Holiday Gift Guide!

The holidays are just around the corner, and the countdown to get your shopping done in the next 30 days has officially kicked off.

Even if you’re not a writer yourself, you probably have at least one or two in your life and on your holiday shopping list. In my experience, writers are both a particular bunch who know what they like, but also humans who might not necessarily think to treat themselves to something really great.

Whether you want a big gift for your writer (like paying for a night in a hotel so they can get some writing done) or something small (Pens! Lots of pens!), there’s something for everyone in The Write Life’s 2016 guide.

1.Quality slippers

There’s nothing better than being comfy and cozy when you’re writing.

Slippers are also a great form of self-care, and definitely less costly than a spa treatment.

2. A brand new bag

Speaking of tote bags, your writer probably carries one – odds are, it’s gotten a bit worn and they may be too busy to notice.

Consider a replacement or at least a temporary stand-in, like this one, emblazoned with a Virginia Woolf quote about loving libraries.

3. Writing software they think they can’t afford

Some writing software could really come in handy for your most tech-interested writers.

Gift them a copy of  Scrivener (for Mac or for Windows), the software in which any document is connected to a virtual index card. Write down your ideas on a card and move it around Scrivener’s corkboard to rearrange the elements of your draft. If you’re worried about a learning curve, this Scrivener course teaches you how to get the most out of the tool.

4. Website hosting

Your favorite writer definitely needs a website of their own.

Gift them their very own domain name! Try Bluehost — it’s affordable, and one of our favorites.

If you want to see whether a specific domain is available, try this domain checker:

You might also share this blog post with them: a step-by-step guide on how to start a blog with them, too!

5. An inspirational office print

Does your writer need a little inspiration for their office?

I’m envious of this lovely print with the Sylvia Plath quote, “Let me live, love and say it well in good sentences.”

6. A spa gift card

Your writer needs to take care of herself or himself, but might not feel great about making the financial investment in a spa day.

This would be an amazing gift and a built-in excuse to take a break.

7. A book of short meditations

Similarly, this book of meditations could help your writer get a little more zen in between deadlines.

8. A new, or backup, notebook

Most writers are pretty particular about their preferred notebook style, so maybe skip this unless you’ve observed what the writer in your life already loves.

For example, I’m a big fan of spiral notebooks like this one, which are small enough to fit in my tote bag, but you can also never go wrong with a classic Moleskine.

9. Cards Against Humanity

Because everyone needs a break now and then, and a good laugh. Cards Against Humanity is best played in a group (and not with anyone’s parents or kids) but even flipping through the deck can be a fun distraction.

10. A few packs of pens

This is another area in which you might need to do a little recon first in order to see what brands and styles your writer loves most. But once you know, you’ve got a gift idea for them for life – all writers can use a few (thousand) extra pens since we’re always losing them.

Looking for something a bit more unique? How about a glow-in-the-dark pen for nighttime writing?

11. Some after-work glassware

Write drunk, edit sober? Er… something like that.

Your writer can drink with the great drinkers – er, writers, with this literary-themed shot glass set. It features the likes of Dorothy Parker, Oscar Wilde, and more.

12. A “Write epic shit” coffee mug

This mug offers up perfect Monday morning motivation when your writer may be feeling uninspired.

13. A flask

Might I recommend a small novelty version, such as this keychain flask with the words, “Trust me, I’m a writer.”

Trust us, you’ll be the life of the party.

14. A literary good luck charm

I’m into pretty simple jewelry, and I’m obsessed with this necklace with the famous Hemingway quote, “Write drunk; edit sober.” (See! It’s a thing.)

This rectangular pendant necklace is complete with a tiny typewriter charm.

15. A writing class fee, or conference ticket

Lord knows I can’t afford any of the several Creative Nonfiction classes I want to take, or a ticket to BinderCon.

Enrich your writer’s professional development by giving them a gift card to an online class of their choice or pay for them to attend a more pricey conference or event.

16. An iPad keyboard

Let your writer work on the go without having to lug their laptop around. This one even comes with a fancy leather case.

17. A laptop bag

If your writer never leaves without a laptop anyway, you can at least help keep it safe and a little easier to transport. I’m very into this green one for a Macbook.

18. Laptop keyboard protector

This inexpensive little sheet of silicon can be the difference between a no-big-deal coffee spill and having to replace an expensive device.

It’s also the kind of gear most writers would never think to invest in themselves.

They come in tons of colors!

19. A leather portfolio

These are probably less common, but if your writer is a little more old school, this kind of high-end-appearance item might be appreciated.

Plus, if they don’t want to store papers in it, some double as iPad or tablet cases!

20. A magazine subscription

Get your writer the trade publication of their dreams, whether it’s Poets & Writers, The Writer Magazine or The Paris Review.

These definitely count as professional development, since good writers must first be good readers.

21. Something for their comfort

Writers are often guilty of sitting for hours without taking a walk or stretch break.

Get the writer in your life a massage roller or an orthopedic pillow for their desk chair.

22. A Starbucks gift card

Sometimes writers  need to sit in a coffeeshop for a change of scenery.

Support their coffee habit with a gift card to a nationally-available shop like Starbucks or their favorite locally-owned haunt.

I’d love any of these gifts this holiday season, but it’s up to you to know what your writer would enjoy the most. Happy holidays, and happy shopping!

This post contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase through our links, you’re supporting The Write Life — and we thank you for that!

The post 22 Perfect Gifts for Writers: The Write Life’s 2016 Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on The Write Life.

     

There are many challenges that crop up when sprinting through a manuscript.

When working at your own pace, there is a certain ease at solving these challenges or problems as they arise. You can take an afternoon and pace your way around the floor to find the perfect answer.

When trying to complete a full manuscript during a single month? Pacing is a luxury few can afford. Unless you walk when you type. (Then I commend you on your abilities.)

Three of the challenges faced during these opening weeks of NaNoWriMo:

1. Stalled progress or, you guessed it: writer’s block

Writer’s block will certainly be at the top of many lists. Famed comic book scribe, Mark Waid spoke about the subject in an interview with Craig Engler and his answer was pitch perfect:

I’m a firm believer that what we call “writer’s block” is almost always your subconscious realizing you’ve screwed up somewhere and is trying to keep you from marching further in the wrong direction.

It still involves motion, which means writing. Maybe a second stab at a chapter that didn’t work or a different entry point to weed out the disconnect from where you thought things should go.

Monica Leonelle offers some great advice on beating writer’s block and how to avoid it as much as possible.

2. The need for perfection.

This may be a first draft but if I’m guessing correctly, you still don’t want yours to suck.

(Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong here.)

You want that perfect sentence, the incredibly poignant metaphor that will transcend time and space well beyond your lifetime. Or maybe you just don’t want to have to edit EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE for the next six months.

Tough.

NaNoWriMo is about writing, not publishing. Getting the ideas on the page is first and foremost. Having them make sense is completely secondary. Remembering that edict is the key to moving forward.

Gigi Griffis was spot on in talking about productivity and perfection when she said: “Forgive yourself for the messy writing process.”

3. Focusing on the big picture instead of the day.

Sometimes we become too calendar focused; too goal oriented. This can be to the detriment of the day ahead. Keeping an eye on the final word count, looking at the week ahead comes at the expense of the single hour available to you to get some work done…and can drive your productivity to a grinding halt.

It is always nice to plan ahead, to see the turn of the road in the distance or, hell, the checkered flag at the far end of November 30. (Never far enough away.)

We need to be aware of things down the line without letting them cloud the moment before us.

How to overcome the inevitable NaNoWriMo challenges

I use a very simple concept to get myself back on track and stay there during the course of a draft:

Small goals.

Not rocket science, right? But it can be incredibly difficult to maintain with deadlines looming and the pressure of a daily word count bearing down on you. Part of this comes with preparation but the majority is sticking to a plan for the day and then coming up with one for tomorrow.

Here are two ways you can set  small goals during NaNoWriMo:

1. Discover what type of goal motivates you most

Word count goals are pretty straightforward and many writers use these to track their progress. With 50,000 words needed to complete the standard NaNoWriMo challenge, the daily goal should be around 1,667 words.

In my case, with The Medusa Coin coming in at probably close to 85,000 words, my word count goal would have to be 2,833 words per day during the month of November. Not as simple as I would hope.

The alternative is chapter goals. My manuscript outline calls for 67 chapters. If that number holds out, I need to complete 2.23 chapters per day in order to finish my draft before the deadline. I like that number much better than the word count goal.

2. Make your small goals work for you

This is the single most important part of overcoming any writing challenge: Know your limitations when creating goals. Don’t try to overreach (something all of us will continue to do until the end of time anyway, but the reminder is nice) even if you feel like you COULD do more. And, whatever you do, keep your eyes on your own paper to avoid that pesky comparison trap.

Focus on the small goal of the day, each day, and you’ll hit that deadline with (at least a little more) ease.

Week two results

Focused on my day-to-day chapter goals, here’s what I was able to accomplish in week two of my first NaNoWriMo challenge:

November 8

• Word Count – 5,258
• Notes – Missed my chapter goal for the day, but couldn’t complain about the word count. Starting to hit some pretty involved chapters in the manuscript now. I have a feeling this will happen more often than not.

November 9

• Word Count – 2,282
• Notes – Stayed up all night watching election results. The upside? Nailed my chapter goal before the sun came up. Bonus? I get to participate in nap time!

November 10

• Word Count – 4,173
• Notes – BABYSITTER DAY! Today felt like a slog. I didn’t have a plan of attack and ended up taking on some random chapters that needed addressing. By the end of the day, things were flowing a little better but I have a feeling I will be revisiting much of today when I hit the editing phase.

November 11

• Word Count – 5,446
• Notes – I’ve been building to this, a crucial three chapter section of the manuscript. It involved one of the main set pieces in the novel, so a lot of description and world building. I only managed the first two chapters and they exceeded my estimated word count by 1,700. Need to plan better next time, I think.

November 12

• Word Count – 1,685
• Notes – That’s it? But it’s the weekend, Lou. Get with the program! I know. I’m my biggest critic. But there is a reason behind the decreased productivity. My editorfinished the line edit on my second book, Tales from Portents. I built a few days into my schedule to review the edits before sending it back to be proofread so this was expected.

November 13

• Word Count – 1,770
• Notes – Another lone chapter day. Two-fold reason this time. I had to finish up the review of the line edit for Tales from Portents and then I totally earned my mid-month REWARD: An afternoon off with the wife for some good food and Doctor Strange!

November 14

• Word Count – 4,358
• Notes – BABYSITTER DAY! I had one goal today. Cross the 50,000 mark on the novel and hit the NaNoWriMo goal. Nailed it. I have 35,000 words and 25 chapters left to go!

Getting into a rhythm with your NaNoWriMo project? Struggling to hit those small goals? Let me know in the comments below.

The post How to Beat 3 Big NaNoWriMo Roadblocks appeared first on The Write Life.

     

We need your help.

You’ve seen our list of the best writer resources for 2014, 2015 and 2016.

We look forward to continuing the tradition with a new edition of 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2017.

Whether your goal for 2017 is to land a book deal, become a full-time freelancer, up your guest posting game or find a writing partner-in-crime, we’ve got you covered with this list of websites for writers. We want to make sure we include valuable resources, and to do that, we need your input.

What’s your favorite writing website? Which blogs do you visit for inspiration, information or writing-related entertainment? Which sites have earned bookmark status on your toolbar? Who do you want to nominate for our list?

Let us know your favorite sites in the comments. We’re looking forward to sharing the list with you in January!

The post Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Writing Websites? appeared first on The Write Life.

     

Profile writing involves disparate parts of the brain in order to produce an emotionally involving piece. An effective profile comes from thorough research, thoughtful interview questions and an ability to organize large amounts of information into a concise story.

Here are eight steps to getting the most out of your profiles.

1. Research your subject

For my first profile assignment, I interviewed a jazz great who enjoyed a five-decade career in music. Being young and unaware of his music, I asked him how long he had been playing. The musician playfully laughed at me and replied that he had been playing most of his life. He then asked me if I knew anything about him. The feeling of embarrassment sunk the rest of my interview.

But from this defeat, I learned the importance of researching my subject.

You will need to understand your subject’s  point of view before the interview begins if you hope to capture an individual’s journey.

Start by checking out their website. If the business or individual maintains a blog, you will want to read the available posts to understand their identity. This will clue you into what is important to your subject.

Explore past articles written about your subject in other publications. What is the general angle of these articles? Note if there is repetitive information. This will help differentiate yourself from previous material written about the same subject.

2. Create questions that linger

When interviewing, the worst thing you can hear from a response is “yes” or “no.”

Try to focus your questions on material that your subject is passionate about. This will allow them to go “off script” and add unique details to their story.

3. Allow your subject to do 90 percent of the talking

It may be tempting to interrupt your subject with your own commentary, ut resist this at all costs.

Interrupting cuts into your subject’s flow, which will result in glossing over important information. Through digressions, subjects will often provide entertaining stories. These stories can further illustrate your subject’s unique personality.

Do not be afraid of pauses. Often, this is when your subject is thinking about your question. Allowing them time will elicit more detailed answers.

4. Record your interviews

We tend to think we remember more than we actually do.

Memory biases can result in sloppy writing that is loose with the facts. Handwritten notes are great, but it can be difficult to record every word a subject says. Mistakes in note-taking can be costly when it comes time to write the profile.

Use a recording app to ensure that you capture your entire interview.

5. Develop your angle

Profiles need an angle, or a specific focus to sustain the reader’s attention.

A unique angle will set your profile apart from the other material written on the same subject. Use an angle that is newsworthy or contains the essence of the business’ philosophy. Profiles that are simply a list of things that happened are rarely interesting.

When reviewing your interview and notes, find a theme that links together the material. For example, if your subject talks about failures that led to their success, the theme of persistence in the face of failure can serve as a good angle.

6. Find pull quotes that move the story

Quotes are not used to fill up space. Use quotes to tell your story, using the subject’s words to develop the profile’s main points.

Each section of a profile should contain at least one quote that ties the material together.

Find pithy, meaningful quotes to provide maximum effect. Reserve the best quote that best encapsulates your angle and use this for your concluding paragraph. This leaves the reader with a clear picture of the main theme that you are trying to get across.

7. Tell the story

Remember that you are telling a story, which must contain a beginning, middle and end.

A scattershot piece with no clear timeline will confuse the reader.

Create an outline or storyboard so you can keep track of the direction of your story. In your outline, include quotes so that you can shape your story around your subject’s words.

8. Check your facts (and check them again)

Getting information wrong is an embarrassing moment from a writer, especially if you hear it from your subject.

You are responsible for presenting facts as truthfully as possible. If you are unsure of certain information, contact your subject and ask. They will appreciate the effort. Don’t throw away your credibility by failing to fact-check your piece.

Profile writing is a great way to flex all of your writer muscles in one assignment. Over time, you will develop a knack for interviewing, which is helpful in any situation. With the right amount of preparation, organization, and detail, you can paint the perfect picture of your subject.

Have you had any good or bad experiences with writing a profile? Share your victories or your embarrassments in the comments.

The post 8 Steps for Writing a Compelling Profile Story appeared first on The Write Life.

     

Some titles manage to scramble up the slippery slope of the Amazon bestseller list and into the glorious beyond. Others are trampled into the ground by the stampede of their competition — and forgotten.

The outlook for a large percentage of self-published titles remains bleak. The average self-published title sells 250 copies or fewer.

(Cue the sad trombones.)

So what sets a meteoric success apart from a colossal flop?

Preparation, preparation, preparation.

If you’ve got your sights set on above average sales, use these steps to prepare your book before you publish.

1. Start with high quality content

While it’s true that many masterpieces sink into oblivion because of poor marketing, it’s rare to find that a piece of rubbish attracts a crowd of fans, no matter how powerful the marketing is.

If you want your book to succeed, you need clean prose and a punchy storyline.

A wealth of literature is available about how to beautify your narration, craft realistic dialogue, develop a plot and more. All serious writers should be able to chime in on a debate about the best writer’s manual.

The landscape of publishing is shifting.

Today’s indie authors have access to many of the same resources that traditional publicists use to bring a rough draft up to scratch. Expats from some of the biggest publishing houses (we’re talking Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster) can be hired to do freelance work at sites like Reedsy and Freelancer. Editors, cover designers, and marketers are all waiting to help indie authors polish their work.

2. Find your niche

You can probably place your book inside of one of the big-name, umbrella genres—romance, mystery, self-help—but don’t stop there.

By narrowing down your audience, you can actually improve your sales.

Comb your book for highly-specific topics and find people who share in interest in that topic.

Does your leading man dabble in capoeira, the Brazilian fighting dance where no one is allowed to lay a hand on his opponent? Does your heroine keep a field guide of wildflowers with her at all times? Find capoeira groups or local hiking meetups.

A small group of people who are deeply enthusiastic about your book’s content can generate more hype than a passive mass.

3. Develop an active persona

Readers aren’t just interested in books. They’re also interested in authors.

If you can engage an audience with your life story, or even just your personality, then you’ve got a ready-made audience base for your book.

Share photos of your hobbies and interests on Instagram. Unleash your witticisms on the world through Twitter. Blog your heart out. And don’t just beg and scrape for attention. Engage with other people who are instagramming, tweeting, and blogging. Bond with them. Exchange content with them. If people like you, they’ll want more of you—and what better way to get more of you than to buy your book?

4. Make bulk sales

Know the fastest way to sell over 250 books? Find someone who will buy 250 copies of your book, then telephone your mother to ask her to buy that last copy.

While the big bookstores aren’t too keen on stocking their shelves with indie authors, local sellers may be more open to the idea, especially if your book’s content is relevant. If you’ve thrown a semi-famous landmark into the mix of your story, contact the landmark’s gift store to see if they would be interested in stocking your book. Make sure you have a superlative pitch before you reach out!

Book clubs and book boxes are another great way to sell books in bulk.Indie-friendly book-boxes, like E-box Club, could help you meet your sale-goal with one well-placed query.

There’s no magic formula for turning your book into a bestseller, but with hard work, you should be able to pass average book sales with flying colors. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and don’t skimp on your efforts.

The fate of your book is in your hands.

Have other ideas for smashing average book sales? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

The post 4 Savvy Ways to Smash Average Book Sales appeared first on The Write Life.

     

National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo, around since 1999, now hosts millions of projects in a month-long sprint to reach a target word count of 50,000.

As many of you know…that’s a lot of words.

Despite NaNoWriMo popping up on my radar each year, this is my first time taking on the challenge.

I’ve never considered NaNoWriMo as an opportunity — and I don’t say that to sound dismissive. For me, writing was always something I did anyway. Write a book in a month? How about write a book EVERY month!

NaNoWriMo: More than just a challenge

Despite having the drive to write each and every day, though, this time, I took the leap when NaNoWriMo came around. For me it was more than just the challenge set by the site; it was a challenge to hit a difficult deadline and put writing first for one month.

Taking on a project of this magnitude always goes a little (okay, a lot) smoother with solid preparation.

How to prepare yourself to reach your NaNoWriMo goals

In order to make the most out of the experience, I wanted to hit the ground running.

To make that happen, here are five things I did to make NaNoWriMo a less stressful and (hopefully) more rewarding experience right from the start:

1. Outline

The “pantsers” in the audience are cringing right now. The plotters are cheering my name.

Each side has merit. But I’m on the side of the plotters, because there is no way to tackle a project this size without some direction.

Whether your plot notes are single sentenes or whole pages, break down chapters and sketch out dialogue to help stage each scene. Having that spine prior to sitting down to write each piece gives you something to fill in rather than having to pull every detail from the ether.

Outlining and organizing, of course, isn’t easy — but it’s safe to say it’ll help you stay sane later.

2. Draw out your character arcs

Alright, you caught me — this is more outlining.

But instead of plot, let’s get character centric. After all, focusing on the development of your characters is incredibly important to the overall narrative being told.

Figuring out the arc of each of the principal and secondary players on both sides of the field is crucial to making this draft a success. Not only does it help you become aware of your characters’ overall motivations throughout the work, but each arc provides an entry point into every scene either as a tension builder, background information or a direct action.

You can find a more advanced breakdown of developing character arcs in Janice Hardy’s NaNoWriMo prep article.

3. Make space in your day-to-day

I am a stay-at -home dad with two beautifully time consuming toddlers…not exactly conducive to my month-long sprint toward draft completion. I have one word for this: BABYSITTERS.

For me, it’s toddlers. For you, it might be your day job. Or your freelance clients. Or other family obligations. No matter the personal responsibilities, NaNoWriMo will be a heck of a lot harder if you don’t plan to make space around them.

I spent October planning for what I’d do with said toddlers during November. For each week, I pulled in family for babysitting duties to free up an extra four to six hours of work time (instead of my standard nap-time sprints and late-night adventures).

Ask for help. Switch up your writing space. Accept that your routine might be disrupted.

There are a million distractions in our lives. We all need exactly one million less for November, so it’s up to us to do what we can to prepare for them.

4. Prepare your research

There are always questions lingering after the outline phase.

The science or the rationale for certain actions needs to be clarified. Simple facts need to be double checked.

Setting up a system to track your questions, then figuring out some, if not all, of the answers leads to less time spent bombing around the Google machine when it comes time for drafting.

5. Choose your entry point

Do a final read-through of everything you have so far: Outline. Character arcs. Research.

Then, figure out where to start.

Getting started tends to be the hardest part — so take the path of least resistance. For me, that’s never chapter one. Look for a chapter that is screaming to get written. It could be the last chapter.

Whatever chapter has been hiding behind your eyelids every night for weeks, that is where you want to start first thing November 1.

Snag a quick victory amid a mountain of challenges for yourself. It’s what will keep you going.

What I’m working on for NaNoWriMo

During this particular NaNoWriMo challenge, I’ll be drafting The Medusa Coin, the sequel to my first novel, Signs of Portents. 50,000 words won’t be enough to cover the tale being told so I’m shooting for 85,000 as my goal for NaNoWriMo.

Go big or go home, right?

You’ll be able to follow along with my progress here (week one is below), as I chronicle my word counts, the mid-month challenges, the bribery I’m using (yeah, I said it) and more.

Week one results

Thanks to preparation based on the steps above, here’s what I was able to accomplish in week one of my first NaNoWriMo challenge.

November 1

• Word Count – 4,154
• Notes – Hit the ground running ACHIEVED. Definitely a smart idea to have a babysitter in place for opening day.

November 2

• Word Count – 2,021
• Notes – Really thought I could squeeze an extra chapter in during nap time. It’s like the kids know I have work to do!

November 3

• Word Count – 2,067
• Notes – Figured out a character’s motivation halfway through the day. Thought I had this all mapped and plotted but definitely like a surprise every now and then, especially if it makes the rest of the draft easier.

November 4

• Word Count – 4,701
• Notes – BABYSITTER DAY. Cranked out an extra chapter and planned out the weekend so I have a starting point first thing Saturday morning. Also achieved my first reward for the month – a NIGHT OFF.

November 5

• Word Count – 6,218
• Notes – It was Double-Up Day at NaNoWriMo where authors are encouraged to double their word count. I wasn’t looking to participate, but I opened the day with a much longer than expected chapter and the day rolled on from there. I doubt I’ll be seeing this number again this month but, man, it felt GREAT.

November 6

• Word Count – 5,306
• Notes – Big day today. Not the word count, but a chapter I decided to draft. One of my cast didn’t make it out alive. There were tears involved. Mostly mine. Always rough to lose a friend, even if only imaginary.

November 7

• Word Count – 2,038
• Notes – The work week returns! I knew I’d lose some momentum but, holy hell, is it difficult to crank out a chapter during nap time. Especially now that the lighter side of things are out of the way and I’m into the more involved, more detailed chapters of the draft. Work days are going to be rough.

Are you climbing this mountain with me? Let me know in the comments below. I’ll see you at the top.

The post 5 Ways This First-Timer Prepared for National Novel Writing Month appeared first on The Write Life.