BLOG
News, Fiction Updates & General MusingsFacebook Author Page: Why You Should Set One Up
Some authors really don’t like Facebook.
They find it restrictive, compared to the open nature of Twitter, and often skip creating a Facebook author page completely.
Personally, I think that this is a mistake.
Writing Sad Scenes: Why to Avoid Tears
Writing sad scenes can be one of the trickiest things to perfect.
It’s so tempting to just tell the reader that your protagonist ‘was sad’, or bring the tears out in an attempt to show the reader emotions.
Both should be avoided.
Am I Willing? A Question Every Author Should Ask
I’m just going to put this out there right away: making the decision to independently release What We Saw is probably one of the most positive choices I’ve made in my life, and I’ve still yet to launch the book.
Why? Because I love the D.I.Y experience. I love creative control. As I specified in a previous blog post, self-publishing is a liberating and positive experience, without the stigma that was once attached to it in the pre-digital age.
But, it isn’t for everyone. Whether you are choosing the indie route or the more traditional option, it all boils down to one question: am I willing?
How to Become a Bad Tweeter
Many people wonder what the golden formula is to becoming a ‘good tweeter’. Useful content? An online reflection of your personality? Not me. I want to show you the dark arts; the ways in which you can become a bad tweeter. I’m not the go-to man of Twitter etiquette, I know, so if that’s going to be a problem for you, then tough. These are the commandments of bad tweeting:
1. Blow your own trumpet incessantly
You know you’re amazing. The world should know that you’re amazing. Ideally, if you’re eager to become a bad tweeter, post the same link to your own website multiple times hourly. People are silly, and have short memory spans. They didn’t ignore the link the first time; they simply didn’t see it. Clever, subtle self-promotion is for good tweeters, so don’t bother with that. Just spam your link, hour after hour, day after day. I’m sure at least half of your twelve followers, porno spambot included, will love it.
Editing a Novel: The First Steps
Last week, I spoke about the importance of taking a short break in between writing your first draft and revising your manuscript. Therefore, it’s only natural that this week, I talk about the next stage of the process: the early steps of editing a novel. Here a few tips and pointers for debate.
Matthew C. Wright via Compfight
Sort out those typos!
Many authors and bloggers argue that the ‘right’ way to start editing is to ignore the typos initially, and go straight into a structural/content edit. I tried this, but due to the fact that I hadn’t edited my first draft as I wrote it, I found it highly frustrating. So, you have my permission to iron out any niggling typos or grammatical issues as a first step, if you wish. Nothing major though: don’t go rewriting scenes just yet. Make sure you simply take the time to tidy it all up so that you have something that resembles more of a book than the ramblings of a madman. If your book is the ramblings of a madman, then you can gladly skip this step.
The Death of Physical Christmas?
What does the ‘digital age’ mean for physical Christmas?
allerleirau via Compfight
An interesting thought struck me recently, whilst downloading yet another eBook, streaming a film, and adding an album to my Spotify playlist. Simultaneously. What happens to Christmas in an age where nothing seems to be physical anymore?
I know it is a very materialistic perspective to have of the Christian festive season, but let’s not be hypocritical here. We all enjoy receiving presents, and giving presents (but mostly receiving). A real cynic would argue that Christmas has become nothing more than a yearly quenching of children’s consumerist impulses. Whether it be socks that take your fancy, or toy dinosaurs, there’s something in it for everyone. And owning material goods = temporary gratification, right?