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The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Online Writing

Online writing is more complicated than you might think. There are some great reasons to write online, but it is not for everyone, and you have to decide what writing online can do for you and if the advantages outweigh the challenges. Here is a quick description of the pros and cons of online writing.

The Good

  • Writing online provides you with a chance to interact with other writers and make valuable connections. Y
  • You can learn valuable tips from other writers and discover important resources.
  • Writing online allows you to create a writer’s footprint that will be important if an editor or publisher wants to see your work.
  • Writing online can provide some extra income and it gives you a chance to practice and improve your craft.

The bad

  • Writing online can be difficult.
  • You have to be consistent and work hard at building followers and interacting with your audience.
  • The revenue can be depressing, so you have to work on not being discouraged.
  • Don’t read the articles that tell you that it’s easy to make $5,000 a month.  Articles like that can make you wonder what you are doing wrong, but they often are not completely truthful.
  • You have to sift through some trash to find the treasures, but they are there and well worth the search.
  • Don’t follow all the advice because some of it is awful. Pick what will work for your writing.

The ugly

  • Some writers will do anything to pull you into reading an article. It is true that your title should be creative and catchy but be truthful and deliver on what you are promising in your title. Don’t waste the reader’s time.
  • There seems to be an angry writing trend where writers berate readers or other writers. I find this type of writing angry, hostile and condescending. I don’t unfollow many people, but I have let a few of the hostile ones go.
  • You might have a month where your earnings seem pitiful. You might have a lot of those months. Remember why you write and keep on doing it.  
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Essential Tips for Writers

Essential Tips to Help You as a Writer

The glory of being a writer is there are so many ways to find success by following the path that is right for you. There are, however, a few pieces of advice that are important for any writer. Let me share a few with you.

Keep learning.

No matter how long you have been writing, how many books you have written, or writing classes you have taken, there are always new things to learn. Pay attention to the writers who have found success and listen to what has worked for them. Keep trying new things to find out what works for you.

Be consistent.

When you build an audience, they want to hear from you, so keep them engaged with consistent content. Being consistent also means you are working regularly on improving your craft.

Be open to ideas.

My family and friends love to suggest ideas for my writing and some of them are great. Keep your eyes and ears open for even more ideas. Many of my ideas come from conversations, or something I heard or read in the media.

Realize the importance of contacts.

When I first started vending, the veteran venders told me to look beyond how many books I was selling, and realize I was making contacts and building a network. You never know when one of those contacts is going to open a door that will lead to your success. Enjoy interacting with new people. Have conversations that may lead to new adventures.

Make your writing a priority.

Until recently, I have not prioritized my writing. I took care of everything else first and started writing whenever everything else was done. I now make sure I am spending more time with my writing.

Block out the negativity.

As creatives, we tend to be sensitive, so negativity about our work can cut deep. When someone gives you negative feedback that doesn’t provide something that can make you better, forget it and move on. It’s only noise.

Know your worth.

When I first started writing, I did many articles for free because I wanted to build a portfolio. I no longer do that. Your writing is benefiting someone, and you don’t need to do it for free. You are worth payment for your work.

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10 Easy Ways to Write Your Book

There are three distinct parts to writing a book. Those parts are the before (preparation), during (the actual writing), and the after (editing, publishing, and marketing). After writing six books I will tell you that each part was an adventure and a huge learning experience. Instead of focusing on the mistakes you make in the process, enjoy the chance to learn and improve your craft. One of the things I love about writing is there are many different ways to be successful. I’d like to share what has worked for me while telling you to adapt the advice to fit your writing. Here are eleven steps that I hope will help you.

  1. Conquer fear and crush excuses. Writers can be paralyzed because they don’t know where to begin. The questions outweigh the answers as the writers try to figure out how to be successful. Fear will keep you from taking that first step. Don’t allow it to kill your dreams.

Excuses are manifestations of fear. Phrases like “I don’t have time.” “I’m not good enough why should I bother?” “Who is going to read my writing?” are all ways to avoid stepping out of your comfort zone and possibly failing. What you might not realize is failure makes you better. Your glorious journey can’t start until you kick the excuses to the curb. Are you ready?

  • Choose the type of book you will write. Do you want to write a children’s book, a romance, science fiction, self-help, or something else. There are so many choices so choose the one that you feel passionate about.

Once you have chosen your type of book, research the rules about that genre. What is the average word count, themes, and other common elements?

  • Determine the why. Why do you want to write this book. I had a clear why for each book I have written so far, and that why helped me to stay focused. I wrote my self-help book, 101 Tips to Lighten Your Burden because I saw so many people struggling with mental health. I wanted to write a book with quick bits of encouragement and inspiration. What is your why?
  • Make an outline. What are the important elements of what you want to say? Make those chapters. When I wrote a teacher’s guide, I made an outline out of all the challenges I thought teachers faced on a daily basis, and I gave them strategies to overcome those challenges.
  • Write! I was reading a great book on writing called Writing Down the Bones. The author said that at some point everyone needed to put the book down and start writing. Don’t worry about your writing being perfect at first. You can go back and edit. Write down your bones and then mold it like a piece of clay later.
  • Edit. Do this over and over. Use Grammarly. Ask friends to look for mistakes and     

consider hiring a professional editor. Don’t expect your publishing house to clean up a mess.

  • Choose a killer title. Your title is key because it will catch the reader’s attention. Search online for some title ideas.
  • Write a query. Your query should convince your publisher that you are a good choice as a writer. Include your book’s word count, a synopsis, why your book is unique and attractive to readers, and write a short biography to show your writing experience. Check for writer’s guidelines to know exactly what a publisher requires.
  • Search for publishers. You should not accept a contract without researching a publisher first. Not all publishers will be a good fit for you. I use several books to search for publishers. The ones I use are The Writer’s Market, The Writer’s and Artist’s Yearbook, Writer’s Handbook, and The Christian Writer’s Market.
  • Spread the word. Once your book is published you have to market it. You can do this through social media, vendor events, podcasts, book signings, and book readings.
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Ten Ideas to Help Your Writing

As writers, we are always learning, and always trying to improve what we do, and there are times when a piece of advice or encouragement is what we need at that moment. I am putting together advice that has helped me, and I hope other writers will find it helpful as well.

1. Eliminate repetition. Especially if you are writing a novel or a longer piece it is easy to repeat yourself. Read through your work carefully and take out anything you have already said.

2. Set some lofty goals. Goals can be scary sometimes because what if you can’t achieve them? The answer to that is you either keep trying or you adjust your goals, either way, you at least have something to aim to achieve. What do you want to achieve? How much will you make each month? How often will you write an article? Are you going to write a book? There are so many possibilities.

3. Don’t overuse the same words. I will admit I am a hypocrite to give this advice because I catch myself doing this all the time. What are the common words that you overuse? Mine are that, sometimes, really, and just. I have to go over my work several times to make sure one hasn’t slipped in somewhere.

4. Don’t force your creativity. I have never believed in the advice to write every day. I have days where I have ten ideas for articles and other days when I don’t feel like writing and even if I did I cannot think of anything my readers would want to read.

5. Believe you are a writer. I have allowed self-doubt to cripple me before, and I stopped writing completely several times. If It is something you enjoy doing don’t listen to the haters or naysayers.

6. Don’t be too fast to publish. It never hurts to read something over one more time or check the grammar. I have hit publish too soon many times and then remembered something I wanted to add.

7. Use advice that works for you. Being told “Stick to your niche.”, “write what you know.”, and “Show, don’t tell.” These are pieces of advice you do not need to follow. I have been sending out my manuscript for a novel and an editor told me I needed to show not tell. I was ready to scrap the whole thing until I read from another source that not all writers should follow that advice.

8. Read it again. Have you ever proofed something several times until you are sure it’s perfect and then you discover a few more errors? I just released a book that I put through Grammarly, it was proofed by an editor and a publisher, and when the publisher asked me to check one last time I still found a few mistakes.

9. Think twice about whether you can live with what you wrote. Make sure you are okay with the reactions of anyone you have talked about in your writing. Writing is a form of expression, but it also is forever.

10. Jot down ideas for later. Am I the only one who thinks of amazing articles at the most inopportune time? My best ideas come when I am running down a deserted road miles from my house, or when I am sitting waiting for an appointment. Carry a small notebook, or record ideas on the note feature on your phone, or record an idea with your phone. I have a small whiteboard on a podium in my office that I use to write ideas before I forget them.

Good luck everyone. I hope this advice helps you, and I wish you joy and success with your writing.

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Querying a Magazine

When you have an article you want to see published and have decided you would like to see it in a magazine, you need to write a query. Here are a few steps to follow.

· Use some of the many resources available to writers to find the best fit for your article. Here are a few books I use. Writer’s Market 100th Edition, Writer’s and Artist’s Handbook, and The Christian Writer’s Market Guide. You can also go to your local bookstore and peruse the magazines there. When you think you have found a good one, go through a copy, and make sure it is a good fit.

· Find the magazine’s submission guidelines on the magazine’s website and follow them.

· You must write a query to convince the editor to publish your story. Start with an intro that will catch the editor’s attention.

· Keep the query to around a page and be to the point about what you have written.

· Explain why your article will fit into the mission of the magazine. How will it benefit readers?

· Include a short bio with previously published work or reasons why you are an expert on what you are writing.

· Edit it several times before you send it.

· Take the time to find the editor’s name instead of starting with “Dear Editor”.

· When you receive a response even if your article is not accepted thank the editor.

· Many magazines list themes for authors.

Don’t be frustrated by rejections. It only takes one yes to become a published writer.

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10 Reasons to Keep Writing

1) Your words are powerful, and they can make a difference. Have you ever been having a bad day and when you look on social media you find just the words you need to soothe you? What an amazing gift it is to lift someone with your words, and as an author you have that chance. Your words can soothe, convince, incense, and educate. Who wouldn’t want to do that?

2) You only need one yes to be published. I have received so many rejections over the years, and because I am so sensitive most of them still sting. When you receive a rejection tell yourself two things. First, that is only one voice judging your work, and not accepting it does not mean that your writing is trash. Many famous writers received rejections. Secondly, remember that it doesn’t matter how many people say no. What matters is when someone says yes, and it’s a good fit for you. Sometimes, you need to say no to the yes because it is not the best fit.

3) Using writing as a form of expression is healthy. Writing is a great way to release your thoughts and feelings. It’s free therapy for both you and your readers. When I look at Stephen King’s photo on his books I always think that it’s a good thing he is a writer because he looks to me like he could be a potential serial killer if he didn’t have a way to release all his thoughts and plots.

4) You will make amazing connections with your writing.

Writing is both a private and public activity. Your thought process and writing might be in a quiet room at 3 a.m., but when you release your writing It becomes very public. As a writer, you have to market yourself, so I have met a lot of interesting people at vendor events and speaking events. Interacting with other writers is also a learning experience and a great way to make connections.

5) The more you practice your craft the more you can perfect it. Every writer wants to be the best he can be, and to do that he has to practice working with words as well as taking a good look at his writing and reflecting on how to improve it. Reading also helps a writer improve.

6) You will keep your brain strong. Science proves that we must regularly stimulate our brain to keep it strong. Writing makes us reflect on a myriad of topics, and we need to focus on how we form our writing.

7) You can leave a legacy with your writing. A French writer, Ronsard wrote a poem, Il faut Laisser Maisons, which translates to It is Necessary to Leave Houses. What he meant was we need to leave traces of ourselves behind so we will be remembered. Our writing is a way to remember us and what we stood for.

8) You can be an inspiration for another writer. How do you know that you haven’t already encouraged other people to start writing? Someone might decide to follow a passion because you led the way.

9) Writing can be a gift to someone who needs to be celebrated. As a writer, you can write about someone special and tell the world about her. We need to celebrate each other, and writing is a way to do that.

10) If you are like me you have to write because it gives you peace and because you have all sorts of ideas tapping at the edge of your brain demanding to come out. Writing is something you have to do even when you have one of those days when you question whether you should do it.