Tag: writing tools

The Right Time to Write

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There is never a right time to write but always time to write whether the time is right or not. Sometimes you just have to start writing or typing to let the story flow. Planning helps but when your mind drifts to the perfect line or scene don’t wait to get it out.

I use to keep notes on my phone but now I carry a small notepad in my purse so I can capture my thoughts. I don’t know what it is about holding a pen and jointing down details or some character’s voice but it feels better than thumbing it into a piece of technology.

But that’s my chosen tool of creative channeling. What’s yours? Whatever it is, just remember to use it whenever you can. It’s still great to have a routine dedicated time to writing but do you think Micheal Jackson only made music each Sunday at noon? Or Maya wrote poetry after working an eight-hour shift? Not likely.

Get your words out, whenever and however you need to. Your legacy depends on it.

Oh, and one of the moments I chose to just get words out is now being published in an anthology by Z Publishing. So these are words that I can testify to. I’ve lived and are still living each syllable. I’ll let you know when America’s Emerging Writers – Atlanta edition is out so you can go grab a copy and see what got picked up. Hint: It’s a fictional young adult fantasy piece (Yay, I write that too).

Until next time…

With passion,

DNC

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Reviews aren’t just for writer’s egos…we promise!

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One of the hardest things to do as a writer, is to get honest feedback. A lot of times, we are dying to hear what a complete stranger would think about our plot, tone or structure of our story. Do people really get our words or are we just sounding or writing in a bunch of jumbled words like Boomhauer of King of the Hill.

Enter Reviews.

A fellow author, and muse from a far, CP Patrick drop some knowledge on how we really are looking to get honest feedback through reviews to help understand our writing styles, promote our book and hopefully attract new readers. We promise that reviews are not to stroke our egos–ok it may help our egos some if it’s amazing feedback we never thought we would ever hear from a stranger…but that’s not a bad thing right?

Check out an excerpt from her post, A Word on Reviews, which shines some much needed light on why your thoughts are vital for us newbies. And after you’ve read the “why”, help a sister out with a review on one of my books currently on #SpringReading sale on Amazon.

Authors often ask readers to leave reviews, especially new authors. But it’s not for the reasons some people might think. It has less to do with ego and more to do with receiving honest feedback, marketing opportunities and attracting new readers….

Honest Feedback
Publishing a book is an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. There’s the joy of “I did it!” Which is quickly followed by “Oh my God! People are going to read my book!” And we all know how cruel the Internet can be. Certainly, every author receives negative reviews. Go look at some of your favorite books or current best-sellers. There are rave reviews and soul-crushing reviews. Because that’s reality – not everyone is going to like everything…

Marketing Opportunities
What many readers may not know is that reviews are often tied to marketing opportunities for authors. And not just favorable reviews – the number of reviews help too. This is particularly true for ebook subscription marketing opportunities as well as Amazon book pairings. One of the reasons The Truth About Awiti has done well is because of the number of reviews that the book has received…

Attracting New Readers
Another benefit of leaving a review for an author is that reviews help attract new readers. Don’t you enjoy reading book reviews before making a purchase? If you really enjoyed reading a book, one of the most helpful things you can do is leave a review on Goodreads and the site where you purchased the book, such as Amazon, B&N, or even your favorite indie bookstore. Your review just might be the one that influences readers to purchase the book…

Second shameless, but honest plug: I would love for you to review my two books! Untraditional: A Collection of Passion-Fy Short Stories and Like. Love. Lust. A Collection of Passion-Fy Prose and Poetry are both on sale on Kindle for only $0.99–this week only!

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