Happy holidays, everyone! Here’s a little Christmas gift for everyone — a list of the best writing advice of the week. Okay, I made this list every week. Is there anything special about today’s list? No, no there is not. But it’s a good list.
I subscribe to more than 150 writing advice sites and gather the best posts for you every single Sunday. You can see all the previous writing advice of the week posts here and subscribe to the RSS feed for this writing advice series here (direct Feedly signup link).
Productivity, mood management, and battling the demons inside
Video: 5 Reminders If You Want To Write This Holiday Season by Lucy V Hay
Want to write this holiday season? If you want to write this holiday season, you’re not alone. Lots of writers dream of time off to write their screenplays or novels — and the festive period can offer writers time to get writing done. However, not everyone will be able – or even want – to… Read More »5 Reminders If You Want To Write This Holiday Season. This first appeared on Bang2write. Lucy Hay is a script editor, author and blogger who helps writers at her site, Bang2write.com. Follow Bang2write.com on Twitter at @Bang2write and on Facebook at @Bang2writers.
Gratitude & Giving Back by Brian Andrews
Whether you’re an aspiring author, a mid-lister, or a bestseller, this is a good time to reflect on ways we can give back and pay it forward in the coming year in the writing community to help lift up our fellow authors. Brian Andrews is a best-selling thriller author. Check out his website, BrianAndrewsAauthor.com or follow him on Twitter at @lexicalforge. Career Authors is one of Writer’s Digest top 101 websites for writers and helps authors write better, get published, and sell more books. For more advice like this subscribe to their RSS feed (direct Feedly signup link), on Twitter at @CareerAuthors and on Facebook at @CareerAuthors.
How To Get Back Into Writing After A Break by Daphne Gray-Grant
Writing is always going to be harder after a holiday. But taking a break isn’t a mistake! Here’s how to get back into writing after a break. Daphne Gray-Grant is a writing coach, author of Your Happy First Draft, and host of The Write Question show on YouTube. Publication Coach offers books, courses, videos, and one-on-one coaching for authors. If you want more advice like this, subscribe to their RSS feed (direct Feedly signup link) or follow them on Twitter at @pubcoach or subscribe to their YouTube channel.
How To Turn Writing Dreams Into Writing Goals by Lisa E. Betz
To create next year’s writing strategy, begin by answering this simple question—Why do you write? An engineer-turned-mystery-writer, Lisa E. Betz infuses her novels with authentic characters who thrive on solving tricky problems. Her debut novel, Death and a Crocodile, won several awards. For more from her, check out LisaEBetz.com, follow her on Twitter at @LisaEBetz or on Facebook at @LisaEBetzWriter. Almost an Author offers writing and publishing advice. For more like this, follow them on Twitter at @A3writers, on Facebook at @A3writers and subscribe to their RSS feed here (direct Feedly signup link).
The Top Ten Truths For Writers About Feedback by Zena Dell Lowe
One of the hardest things to learn as a human being is how to take constructive criticism with grace. The temptation to defend or debate is always just below the surface. This post is a guide to help writers rethink the process of hearing and receiving feedback, so that they can use that feedback for success rather than defeat. Zena Dell Lowe has worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over 20 years as a writer, producer, director, actress, and story consultant. The Write Conversation frequently makes the top lists of writing advice blogs. Follow them via their RSS feed (direct Feedly link here).
Other motivational advice this week:
- 6 Inspiring Writing Tips From Professional Authors by Ruth Harris for Anne R. Allen’s Blog… with Ruth Harris
- 7 Inspiring Questions For A Personal Year-End review by Nicole Bianchi for Nicole Bianchi
- Video: Learn To Believe The Little Lies, So You Can Believe In The Big Ones by Morgan Hazelwood for Morgan Hazelwood
- On Taking A Pause And Reconnecting With Our Creativity by Diana Giovinazzo for Writer Unboxed
- One Author’s Journey Of Persistence by Karen Whiting for The Write Conversation
- Rest Breaks And Nonproductive Periods–How They Benefit A Book by Mary Carroll Moore for How to Plan, Write, and Develop a Book
- Top 10 Tips To Unleash Your Talent As A Writer by Kristen Bray for Bang2write
- Why (And How) I Write Issue-Driven Fiction: Instructions For Navigating Our Lives by Lynne Reeves for Writer’s Digest
- Why Andrew Sean Greer Writes Every Day by Daphne Gray-Grant for Publication Coach
- Why Do You Write? by Dan Blank for WeGrowMedia
The art and craft of writing
How Do I Depict A Disabled Character Respectfully? by Fay Onyx
If you’re writing about disabled characters, this article has some good advice — and links to lots and lots of useful resources. Fay Onyx is the producer and host of Writing Alchemy, a podcast that centers on intersectional characters. Onyx also collects and creates accessibility resources. Mythcreants is my all-time favorite writing advice site. Get their RSS feed here (direct Feedly signup link) or follow them on Twitter @Mythcreants and on Facebook at @mythcreants.
Grammarly Vs. Hemingway: A Professional Writer’s Review by Sue Weems
Can book writing software replace an editor? Nope. But it can help you improve your grammar and readability. Sue Weems is a writer, teacher, and traveler. For more writing tips, follow her on Twitter at @suelarkinsweems. The Write Practice is an advice site from a group of writers. They also have a writing critique community and a newsletter. Follow The Write Practice on Twitter, on Facebook, or subscribe to their RSS feed (direct Feedly signup link).
Podcast: 5 Takeaways From Coaching Writers In 2022 by Savannah Gilbo
This is a round-up of the biggest issues writers have been struggling with this year. The importance of interiority — showing the inner life of your characters — was particularly high on the list. That section is definitely worth checking out and thinking about. Savannah Gilbo is a developmental editor and book coach. At Savanna Gilbo, she offers writing and pubishing advice.
Podcast: AI by Matt Bird And James Kennedy
How the AI debate has exploded… but this podcast was actually recorded a couple of weeks earlier, so it’s already slightly dated! Matt Bird is the author of The Secrets of Story: Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers. Sci-fi author James Kennedy teaches writing and filmmaking and you can follow him on Twitter at @iamjameskennedy. The Secrets of Story blog offers in-depth, detailed advice about writing and structuring novels and screenplays.
Podcast: Futuristic Societies by Oren Ashkenazi, Chris Winkle, And Wes Matlock
Exploring these futuristic cultures and locations is one of scifi’s main attractions, so it’s important to think about how society would evolve with the passing of time. Oren Ashkenazi is the speculative fiction manuscript editor, Chris Winkle is the founder and editor-in-chief, and Wes Matlock is a content editor at Mythcreants. Mythcreants is my all-time favorite writing advice site. Get their RSS feed here (direct Feedly signup link) or follow them on Twitter @Mythcreants and on Facebook at @mythcreants.
Podcast: The WXR 2022 Q&A by Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and Dan Wells
Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal and Howard Tayler took questions before a live audience aboard ship at WXR 2022. Topics include: How do you make your world feel big without infodumping? How do you balance a sense of progress with an unreliable narrator? And a lot more. You all know who Brandon Sanderson is. Mary Robinette Kowal is the Nebula and Hugo Award-winning author of the Lady Astronaut series and other books, and the former president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Howard V. Tayler is the creator of the webcomic Schlock Mercenary. Sci-fi author Dan Wells is best known for the Partials Series and the John Cleaver series, and has been nominated for the Hugo and Campbell awards. Writing Excuses is a podcast about the art and business of writing. Support them on Patreon.
Other writing advice this week:
- Video: Do This To Fix Your Story’s Ending by Stavros Halvatzis for Get Writing
- Five Plot Questions For Revising Your Manuscript by Oren Ashkenazi for Mythcreants
- How Much Do I Need To Develop My Script Before I Start Writing? by Jenna Avery for Writer’s Digest
- How To Build A Better Outline For Your Novel by Ben Wolverton for MyStoryDoctor
- How To Strategize Your Writing Milestones by C. S. Lakin for Live Write Thrive
- How To Use Sensory Language In Your Writing by Hannah Lee Kidder for Blogging – The Write Life
- Jeffery Deaver: On The Benefits Of Outlining by Robert Lee Brewer for Writer’s Digest
- Lessons From The Writing Of Elantris by Chris Winkle for Mythcreants
- Maybe We Should All Be More Like Robert Silverberg by Philip Athans for Fantasy Author’s Handbook
- Refining Your Writing Skill Through Teaching With Tim Waggoner by J. Thorn for Writers, Ink.
- Showing Vs. Telling by Ryan Lanz for A Writer’s Path
- Star Wars: Hero’s Journey Example And Case Study by David Safford for The Write Practice
- Tips For Creating Engaging Content Your Audience Will Find by Sabrina Ricci for Digital Pubbing
- Tips For Writing Magical Realism by Ellen Buikema for Writers In The Storm
- Why Conflict Drives Story by Jerry Jenkins for MyStoryDoctor
- Why Every Writer Needs The Gift Of Artificial Intelligence For Christmas This Year by Lori Hatcher for The Write Conversation
- Writing Mistakes Writers Make: Not Reflecting On Past Writing by Michael Woodson for Writer’s Digest
The business side of writing
Podcast: Changes In Publishing With Jane Friedman by Joanna Penn
Fantastic overview of the publishing industry today and what options authors now have. Joanna Penn has been sharing writing and publishing advice since 2008 at The Creative Penn and is the author of Successful Self-Publishing and many other writing and publishing advice books. She also has one of my favorite writing advice podcasts, and you can subscribe to it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. The Creative Penn offers articles, videos, books, tools, and courses for independent authors.
Welcome To The Future – Part 3 by Lisa Norman
The way readers interact with books is changing, but overall the future is bright for writers. The key is to be prepared. Lisa Norman writes as Deleyna Marr and is the owner of Deleyna’s Dynamic Designs, a web development company focused on helping writers, and Heart Ally Books, an indie publishing firm. She teaches for Lawson Writer’s Academy. Writers in the Storm is another great site for writing advice, with a group of regular contributors and guest writers who post frequently. It is very well worth following on RSS (direct Feedly signup link here).
Subscriptions For Authors With Emilia Rose by Sacha Black
How to use Patreon as an author, producing content quickly and consistently, growing your subscription platform, engaging and fostering your community, and tips for creating cliffhangers. If the podcast doesn’t load for you from their page, you can also get it on YouTube. Sacha Black is a fantasy author and writing coach, with several writing advice books including 13 Steps to Evil: How to Craft Superbad Villains (Better Writers Series) May 9, 2017. Follow her on her website, Sacha Black, on Facebook at @Sacha Black or on Twitter at @sacha_black. Sacha Black is a site that offers writing advice, courses, and podcasts. Follow the site via their RSS feed (direct Feedly link here).
Business Musings: Amazon: Year In Review Part 5 by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Read this article if you’re a writer who’s made a big bet on being exclusive to Amazon — you might need to start making backup plans if Amazon substantially changes its policies or services. New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch writes bestselling science fiction and fantasy, award-winning mysteries, acclaimed mainstream fiction, controversial nonfiction, and the occasional romance. At KrisWrites.com, Rusch offers her thoughts about the publishing industry and other topics.
Other business advice this week:
- Author Branding: How I Built An Author Brand That Sold 6+ Million Books by Marianne Richmond for The Write Practice
- 6 Self-Publishing Principles For A Fulfilling Authorial Career by Stephanie Bwabwa for DIY MFA
- Video: KDP Amazon Account Termination Resolution For Authors by Julie Broad for Book Launchers
- Podcast: How To Boost Your Backlist Sales by Rachel Wharton And Joni Di Placido for Kobo Writing Life
- Self-Publishing –; What You Need To Know by Joe Goldberg for Career Authors
- Podcast: Build An Audience With BookBub by Penny Sansevieri for Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
- Podcast: How To Use Instagram For Books by Penny Sansevieri for Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
- Why Are So Many Books Out Of Stock At Amazon Now? by Angela Hoy for WritersWeekly.com
- Podcast: New Author Pages, Apple Ai Audio, And Musical Books by Bryan Cohen And H. Claire Taylor for Sell More Books Show
- How To Write An Author’s Bio That Stands Out And Attracts Readers by Elizabeth Javor for Self Publishing Advisor
- Video: How To Make Money As A Writer by Writing With Jenna Moreci for Writing with Jenna Moreci
- Still Searching For An Agent? Here Are More Options by Irene Zabytko for FundsforWriters
- Red Flags For Online Sites Offering Writer Services by C Hope Clark for FundsforWriters
- Video: Are Newsletters, Podcasts, And Social Media Too Crowded? by Dan Blank for WeGrowMedia
Am I missing any writing advice sites? Email me at [email protected] or leave a note in the comments below.
Edited by Melody Friedenthal
MetaStellar editor and publisher Maria Korolov is a science fiction novelist, writing stories set in a future virtual world. And, during the day, she is an award-winning freelance technology journalist who covers artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and enterprise virtual reality. See her Amazon author page here and follow her on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn, and check out her latest videos on the Maria Korolov YouTube channel. Email her at [email protected]. She is also the editor and publisher of Hypergrid Business, one of the top global sites covering virtual reality.