I’ve recently published my first novel. I had published 4 other books, each written with the same intensity as my novel. But, now because more people read novels than the kinds of business books I’d previously written, I’m getting some questions that I wish people wouldn’t ask me. I’ve read a number of blog posts […]
Tips for Aspiring Writers
In this video Joan talks about what it takes to be a writer #amwriting Click To Tweet She encourages aspiring writers to go for it if writing is something they enjoy. If they have to force themselves to write, then they may want to find another career. Writers must love the writing part because the […]
The Writer’s Mantra: Show Don’t Tell
In the past writers had the luxury of telling their faithful readers whatever they wanted. The mantra of “show” don’t “tell” didn’t exist for Jane Austen or Faulkner. Many pages of backstory might fill a book along with much internal dialogue. Today’s readers have no patience for that kind of writing. Although writers learn from […]
My First 90 Days–Just Do It!
I had been writing on and off for years. I had several manuscripts tucked away inside my computer, never seeing the light of day. I trudged along in my job as a consultant/coach suggesting that people live their dreams. All the while, my dream stayed hiding under my own doubts. On a get-away trip to […]
5 Tips for Writing Dialogue
If you writer fiction (or screen plays) you must learn how to write dialogue. Actually, I began writing dialogue with my nonfiction works. How? Three of my nonfiction business books dealt with communication. In those books I had many examples of people talking to one another, either in an interview situation or in dialogue (often […]
Tips for Meeting New Year’s Writing Goals
As the new year nears, my guess is you’re thinking about goals. You’re setting resolutions for the next 365 days. We all somehow believe that those days are endless, and we will lose those extra pounds, exercise as much as we need, give gratitude for what we have, remember to visit our shut-in friends and […]
Tips for Conducting a Facebook Book Launch Party
Today is a great day to reflect. Last week I put together my first Facebook Launch Party to announce the release of The Clock Strikes Midnight. We had 110 people there and we gave away many prizes. What’s a Facebook Launch Party? This is the question many of my friends and colleagues asked. I was […]
6 Tips for Writers on How Not to Multitask
I know you’ve been advised to turn off the internet. But do you do it? Are you still getting your email notifications and Facebook notifications and your Twitter stream as you work? Please tell me you are not. My answer to the oft asked question can writers multitask is no. Maybe you can, and I’m […]
November is National Novel Writing Month–Tips to Meet the Challenge
As we enter the month of November (good grief, already 10 days gone), I know most of you are thinking about what to serve for Thanksgiving dinner or what to buy for Aunt Mary on Black Monday. Right? Me, I’m thinking about writing novels. I just learned that this month is National Novel Writing Month […]
Video Tip: When do I use a plot outline to write my books?
In this video I admit to being a Pantser in writing fiction and an Outliner in nonfiction. What about you? Do you write differently depending on your genre? Join me on 11/25 for our Facebook Launch and with prizes and giveaways every 15 minutes.
