Whether your goal is to release more books, complete NaNoWriMo or get that first draft down before the idea evaporates, almost every writer would love to write faster. To make writing a viable career, you need to produce quality books regularly. And while a well-written book can take time, there are some habits that can help you speed up the process, without losing any of the quality.
Having high standards can be a positive trait, pushing you on to continually improve your work. Perfectionism, on the other hand, involves setting unrealistically high (or completely unattainable) goals leaving you feeling depressed, frustrated and anxious. If perfectionism is preventing you from making progress, try the following tips.
It happens to almost every writer at some point and many successful authors have suffered the frustrating inertia of writer’s block. Yet it's very existence continues to be highly contested, with many authors arguing that writer's block is simply an excuse for not writing. Others say it's another name for paralyzing self-doubt and anxiety. Regardless of how you define it, how do you start writing again when you have come to a standstill? We look at some of the best strategies around to get you moving again.
Struggling to make progress with your writing? Lacking motivation or find yourself procrastinating rather than doing the work? Sticking with writing goals can be challenging. Especially given that writers are often working in isolation with self-imposed goals and schedules. In this post, we look at 7 simple strategies to hit those writing goals.
In need of some mid-year writing motivation? We’ve made a bunch of free downloadable backgrounds to keep you writing. Just one glance at your phone and you’ll know that you need to put it down and pick up that pen!
Self-publishing or traditional publishing? It’s one of the biggest decision you will make as an author and while both options have their advantages and disadvantages, it’s important to make the best decision for your author career. In this post we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of each.
Stuck for what to include in your author email newsletter? An author newsletter can be one of the most powerful tools in your book marketing toolkit but it isn't always easy to create enticing content. In this post we'll be looking at some content ideas that your readers are going to love receiving.
Email marketing remains one of the most effective forms of book marketing. It offers a direct connection to your audience without relying on ever-changing social media platforms or third parties. It can drive author website traffic, increase awareness of your work and boost book sales. It’s versatile, low-cost and able to be automated.
One of the biggest myths of writing is that you have to start young in order to be successful. Yet not all authors beginning penning masterpieces in their teens. In fact, some of the most successful authors have benefited from being ‘late bloomers’. Here are six famous authors that begun late but ultimately left their mark on the literary world.
Let’s face it: Most authors know that they should be growing their audience on social media but they are unsure about how to go about it. There are a number of marketing tactics you can use to generate interest in your work. Many of them free. All of them easily accessible. Here is what you can do to grow your social media today.
Ever felt like a fraud telling people you are a writer? You aren’t alone. Feelings of inadequacy and the fear that you will never measure up are common. Even the most successful authors, including Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Safran Foer and Maya Angelou, have talked about feeling like imposters, despite working hard to achieve success. The name for this phenomenon: imposter syndrome.
For many authors creating book marketing content can seem like a time-consuming task, eating into precious writing time. Yet creating consistent content is a fantastic, free way to attract more readers to your website and increase awareness of your books. Think of it as your very own PR program.
So how do you create a steady flow of reader-attracting content? As with writing it pays to be organized. For this you need a content calendar.
We recently looked at whether having a blog is mandatory for authors hoping to sell their work. For many authors having a blog is a great way to get in the writing habit, reach more readers, receive instant feedback, network and increase SEO. Decided that blogging is for you or keen to give it a go? Here are 6 tips to ensure that your blog is working for you.
You started out strong, full-of-inspiration, ready to do-this-thing. Yet now you find yourself marooned in the middle of Camp Nanowrimo, having serious doubts about your novel. Do not, I repeat, do not give up now. You have done an amazing job to get this far. Today I’m turning to our author interviews for the best advice on how to beat back those self-doubt demons and power the rest of the way through, even when you think your writing stinks.
Marketing a written product is a challenge. Books require a high level of investment which is, in itself, a tougher sell in today's “Insta-story” world. Increasing your sales, brand awareness, and exposure requires creativity and organization. I've found several modes of marketing to be worthwhile if the author is willing to be proactive and exit his or her comfort zone. These methods have helped me since the release of my first novel in 2006 and continued to bring positive results for the three books that followed. Here are some helpful, low to no-cost techniques to aid any stage of your publishing journey.
Chances are that at some point in your writing career you will be asked to speak and while a bit of anxiety prior to a speech is normal it shouldn’t hold you back from connecting with your readers. We look at what you can do to calm your nerves and spread the word about your book.
The most important part of being a writer is writing. Yet so many would-be authors tell themselves ‘I will get around to writing the book eventually’. The good news is that rewiring your brain and changing your habits is possible. The first step of putting fingers to keyboard is recognizing what is holding you back.
Is blogging a waste of time or a mandatory step in building your author platform? Take a look around the web and you’ll find plenty of conflicting information. Some authors swear by blogging while others say it detracts from their main goal, to write books. In this post we take a look at all the pros and cons so you can make up your own mind.
We are all drowning in distractions. From the daily should-dos to social media, the latest Netflix episodes, and general busy-ness. Life is a constant fight for our attention. The problem? Writing needs focus. Writing needs a depth of concentration that doesn’t lend itself to multi-tasking. The good news? Only you decide where your attention and focus goes. Here are some rules to guide you.
Are you ready to write your book? Have you noticed that when it’s time to type that winning opening paragraph there is something stopping you? You will do it, you want to do it, but you just don’t feel ready. Let's have a look at what is really holding you back.
