Its National Grammar Day: Spot the Error(s) Contest
Happy National Grammar Day Why should grammar be important to you and I as writers? Let me count the ways. But really. My dad, Martin J Tener was a english teacher. He emphasized the importance of it while we grew up. He might of easily made a list like this: Good grammar help make your writing clear, so that you’re readers do not misunderstand your meaning. Good grammar makes it easier to read your writing so that the words flow and it’s more enjoyable to read and less hard on your readers so that they don’t have to spend lots… Read more
How to Write a Book for the Wrong Book Market
Earlier this week, on a call to explore writing coaching, Kaya picked my brain about writing a book for a trade audience, whether she’d be seen as an expert if she self published, how to evaluate the success of other books similar to hers, how to best build her platform, whether she should hire a publicist and much more. After about thirty minutes of questions, she mentioned in passing her desire to change careers and coach professionals in her field. Could she use her book to facilitate that career shift? My bad for not asking about her vision for what… Read more
Light a Candle for Your Inner Critic
Knock, knock; it’s your inner critic paying you a visit… Yesterday, I had two phone calls from writers a bit panicked about the quality of their writing. Jo was relieved when I told her that I enjoyed reading her rough draft and that it pulled me in and I wanted more. Apparently, the previous editor she showed it to had told her something a lot less helpful. The thing is, a first draft is not a polished piece. It’s our job as editors and writers to see the potential in a piece of writing, to sense what’s not there and… Read more
40 Reasons to Write a Book
What an exciting week! In between book concept consultations with people who recently joined my Bring Your Book to Life® Program, I’ve helped a few authors get unstuck, edited a couple chapters from clients who are finishing up their book proposals and worked on the training I’m offering today: Bring Your Book to Life® in 2019. Geri and I brainstormed about how I could continue to add value to subscribers while preparing for the training and we remembered an ebook I wrote last year: 40 Reasons to Write a Book. When I re-read it, I found myself re-inspired by the brief stories… Read more
Should I Self-Publish or Traditionally Publish? A Look at the Advantages of Both
Self publish? Traditionally publish? Don’t expect a black and white answer. I often help emerging authors grapple with the answer to this question near the beginning of the book-writing process. Why so early? The choice you make will affect whether you write a book proposal (traditionally publish) or the whole book (self-publish). And the decision is never “cookie cutter.” There are nuances to consider. Memoirist Seamus Kirst contacted me while writing his excellent article that appeared today in VICE about why he chose to self-publish his memoir, Shitfaced: Musings of a Former Drunk, and why he’s happy with that decision…. Read more
