Wednesday Writing Wisdom

What questions to ask an editor before hiring?

What questions to ask an editor before hiring? How to find a good editor is a matter of the writer asking questions related to experience, process, work ethic, costs, schedule, and sometimes it really can come down to personalities.Knowledge is gained by asking how long the editor has worked as an editor. If… Read More

Will an editor change my story too much?

Will an editor change my story too much? I hear writers say, “I won’t hire an editor because they’ll change my story.” Sometimes the complaint is about changing plot line or changing word use so it no longer sounds like the author’s. As a writer, I understand this concern. As an editor I respond with, "You might have hired… Read More

What’s an editor and why do I need one?

What’s an editor and why do I need one? Remember back to grade school, when an -or/-er is added to the end of a word it means “one who,” therefore an editor is one who edits. The dictionary says: “Editor” is a noun for a person in charge of determining content of… Read More

What are the secrets to becoming a number one best-selling author? Or is it really, “How do I find time to write?”

When teaching writing workshops or presenting at conferences, I’m asked, “What are the secrets to becoming a number one best-selling author?”

Even though my mother taught me not to answer a question with a question, I do it seeking insight into where along the writing, marketing, publishing process the questioner is.Read More

How to “Write your book in a day”

“Let’s write a book in a day!” Got your attention? That’s the point. The statement draws clients in with promises of instant success, while the promiser makes money and up sells more services. This business strategy plays out every day on social media advertisements for webinars and workshops promising to help write… Read More

Do I need to write a book proposal?

Yes! Every nonfiction author should write a book proposal. Many people might say a book proposal is only for submitting a manuscript to an agent or mainstream publisher. For nonfiction authors, a book proposal serves the same purpose as a business plan. It provides a direction for the road to success. I’ll… Read More

Aren’t marketing, advertising, public relations and sales the same thing?

The short answer is, “No.” People who use these terms inconsistently and interchangeably, are (there is no easy way to say this) just plain wrong. Marketing, advertising, public relations, and sales have very different goals, purposes, and income or expenses related to each, for example. It is appropriate, or inappropriate, to do… Read More

Why Write (Part 2)?

“Why Write (Part 1)” was about finding and harnessing passion to write your book. Today’s blog is about defining your book goals. A clear understanding of what to do with the book once it’s written helps define and refine writing timeline, budget, target market, short-term and long-term marketing plan, and more. 
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Why Write (Part 1)?

Many people ask, “Why write my story?” I recognize their yearning, passion, hesitation, and even fear that overshadows a long-time goal. My first response on the surface may seem flippant: “Why not write?” On deeper reflection, the answer really is: “Why not write!!!!!” because with my experience, knowledge, passion for writing, and… Read More