Tag: writing
-
Publishing as relationship
Publishing is a relationship. It doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. It’s not helpful to compare your relationship to your friends’ relationships or a rom-com ideal. Likewise, don’t let individual publishing plans plot your path. You don’t need to land a traditional publisher to reach your audience in the “right way.” You don’t need…
-
Clear the path: reasons for writing
It’s easier to write your book when you identify your target reader and frame the book as a gift for them. That’s generous and all, but let’s be honest: you’re also doing it for yourself. One of my clients is writing about a trip he took over a decade ago, which he can’t get out…
-
Feedback loops: Showing up as a writer informs your writing
Your writing informs your outline and vice versa. You can have a perfect plan for your writing, which makes sense on paper. This chapter follows that one, and this example will land perfectly here. You have a logical flow and, you hope, an emotional one too. But, as happens on the best road trip, the…
-
Lay it down: tips for working with writers
LAY IT DOWN Making art and writing can be a way of laying down a burden. Get it out, and you no longer need to hold it. Equip the reader or viewer to experience your art. An author’s note, introduction, or artist’s statement can help your work speak. The work starts living for itself. If…
-
Want to be a writer? Get comfortable with failure.
If you’re going to write, you don’t need to show that writing to anyone else. Your benchmark for success could be journalling every morning, or doing a character study once a month. It doesn’t need to be for anyone but yourself. You can win every time you sit down with your notebook or laptop. But…
-
Imposter syndrome never goes away
“It’s getting scary and real!” I’ve been working with an author since last summer. I helped them shape their book proposal, and edited their manuscript. The result? They landed a book deal with their top publisher. Success! But despite that success, the imposter syndrome never really goes away. Now that the author is lining up…
-
How should you approach your editor, and what can you expect to pay?
If I approached any service provider—dentist, mechanic, plumber—I’d give a sense of the service I’d like performed, and I’d ask about their rate and availability. Yet so many authors reach out with a variation of: “I’m writing a book, and email isn’t great for me so please call me asap.” 🙅♀️ When you reach out…
-
How can you find your editor?
You have some say over which editor buys your book, especially if you’re a repeat author and you’ve built a relationship with the publishing house. But in traditional publishing the choice is often out of your hands. If you have an agent, they will offer some guidance on which editor will do a good job…
-
What type of editor do you need?
Hello, writers! As you’re embarking on your great resolution to FINALLY write that book (well done, you!), here are some pointers to keep in mind as you approach editors. (Post 1/3) What type of editor do you need? At this time of year, my inbox is flooded with people looking to hire an editor. I…
-
A tale of three arborists
A few weeks back, I needed a couple of skinny trees taken down, and a couple of trees limbed (dead branches removed). A small job, all things considered. The first arborist came out a week after I called and sent a quote a day later: $2900. Ouch. I asked around, as I have a few…