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
Podcast: How To (Finally) Finish Your Book With Roz Morris by Joanna Penn
What are the most common reasons why writers don’t finish their books —and how can you overcome them in order to finish yours this year? Roz Morris gives practical writing and mindset tips. 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.
Need A Writing Buddy? Find One Right Here! by K. M. Weiland
Check out the comments section in this post for writers — many of them writing speculative fiction — who are looking for someone to partner up with for motivation and accountability. K. M. Weiland is one of my favorite writing advice people, and the award-winning author of acclaimed writing guides such as Structuring Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. If you want more advice like this, subscribe to her blog, Helping Writers Become Authors, via its RSS feed (direct Feedly signup link). You can also follow her on Twitter @KMWeiland and on Facebook @kmweiland.author. Helping Writers Become Authors is one of our favorite writing advice sites. Follow it via its RSS feed (direct Feedly signup link), on Twitter, and on Facebook.
Other motivational advice this week:
- 4 Important Reasons Why You Need A Writing Community by Jackie Pearce for Self Publishing School
- 4 Mindset Hacks That Consistently Help Bloggers Meet Deadlines by Nina Amir for How to Blog a Book
- 4 Things Writers Need To Do To Find Fulfillment And Avoid Frustration by Cindy K. Sproles for The Write Conversation
- 5 Things You Can Do To Become A Better Writer by Janna Lopez for BookBaby Blog
- 7 Resolutions Every Writer Should Consider by Max Booth III for LitReactor
- Video: 7 Ways To Set (Insanely Successful) Writing Goals by Lewis Jorstad for The Novel Smithy
- Deliberate Writing Practice by Anne Janzer for Anne Janzer
- Five Things Feeding The Lie That There’s No Time To Write by AK Nevermore for DIY MFA
- Generating Ideas For Stories: 10 Fun Ways (Plus Prompts) by Jordan Kantey for Now Novel
- How To Be A Creative Writer With A Day Job | Writer’s Relief by Blog Editor for Writer’s Relief
- How To Help Others Take Your Writing Seriously by Edie Melson for The Write Conversation
- How To Keep Writing As A Stay-At-Home Parent (Without Losing Your Mind) by Geoff White for The Writer’s Cookbook
- How To Live Creatively by Nathan Bransford for Nathan Bransford
- How To Prepare An Annual Writing Plan by Daphne Gray-Grant for Publication Coach
- How To Set Author Goals (You’ll Actually Achieve) – 2023 Update by P. S. Hoffman for P.S. Hoffman
- New Year, New Goals by Debra Eckerling for Writers On The Move
- Taking Care Of Your Mental Health In The Editing Process by Amanda Winstead for Almost An Author
- The Importance Of Great Mentors (For You And Your Books) by Jenny Hansen for Writers In The Storm
- Three Tips To Help You Become A Better Writer by Tammy Karasek for The Write Conversation
- To The Pain: Is Writing A Career Or A Hobby? by Kristen Lamb for Kristen Lamb
The art and craft of writing
Podcast: Back To The Future: Plot Holes, Schmot Holes by Melanie Hill and Valerie Francis
Back to the Future is a great example of the three-act structure and the hero’s journey, so if you need an excuse to rewatch this 1985 classic, here it is! Melanie Hill and Valerie Francis are literary editors and writers. The Story Nerd podcast demystifies story theory so writers spend less time studying and more time writing.
Podcast: Movement by Oren Ashkenazi, Chris Winkle, and Wes Matlock
In this episode, the Mythcreants gang discusses movement — the feeling that the story is making progress toward some kind of endpoint. 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.
Who Wins: Severance, Andor, Or Interview With The Vampire? by Oren Ashkenazi
It’s time to get dark. Darker. Even darker than that. Oren Ashkenazi is a speculative fiction manuscript 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.
Twelve Sources Of Wish Fulfillment For Your Story by Chris Winkle
Even dark stories can add a little escapism. Here are 12 easy ways to add wish fulfillment, such as giving your protagonist a fun pet, a cool job, or a great group of friends. Chris Winkle is the founder and editor-in-chief of 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.
Is There A Number One Writing Element? by Karen Cioffi
The most important element to writing fiction is the WHY. Your story can have everything else, but if the why is missing, the story will fall flat. The reader won’t bother turning the pages. Karen Cioffi is an award-winning children’s author, a successful children’s ghostwriter with 300+ satisfied clients worldwide, and an author online platform instructor with WOW! Women on Writing. For more from Cioffi, check out her website at KarenCioffiWritingForChildren.com or follow her on Twitter @KarenCV or Facebook at @Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi.
Writers On The Move offers writing, publishing and book marketing advice from experienced authors and marketers.
Other writing advice this week:
- 3 Key Places Where Stakes Will Shape Your Story’s Meaning by Kathryn Craft for Writer Unboxed
- 5 Tips For Developing A New Series Character by Tracy Clark for Writer’s Digest
- A Copy-Editing Checklist For Novelists by Dana Isaacson for Career Authors
- Backstory Is Essential To Story—Except When It’s Not by Tiffany Yates Martin for Jane Friedman
- Breaking The Rules On Pov by Allison Brennan for Career Authors
- Character Description: 6 Tips From Stephen King’s Memoir by David Safford for The Write Practice
- Climax Of A Story: Definition, Examples, And Writing Tips by Joe Bunting for The Write Practice
- Conflict And Tension by Anne Hawkinson for Florida Writers Association Blog
- Content Warnings Are Not Weakness by Alan Baxter for Alan Baxter – Warrior Scribe
- Do Your Characters Question Their Own Motives? by Philip Athans for Fantasy Author’s Handbook
- Filter Out Those Filter Words In Your Writing by Kelley J. P. Lindberg for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers
- How To Give Your Novel Layered Conflict By Treating The Story Like A Living Organism by Jen Michalski for Writer’s Digest
- How To Outline A Novel by Scott McCormick for BookBaby Blog
- How To Write A Great Fantasy Novel by Claire M. Andrews for Writer’s Digest
- Is It OK To Ask For Before & After Examples From A Freelance Editor? by Hattie Fletcher for Jane Friedman
- Podcast: Lies, Secrets, And Tension In A Closed-Setting — Interview With Iris Yamashita by Lori Walker for DIY MFA
- ProWritingAid Review: Will This Grammar Checker Fix Your Writing Issues? by Alice Sudlow for The Write Practice
- Seven Sizzling Tips To Write That Absolutely Killer First Chapter by Damyanti Biswas for Insecure Writer’s Support Group
- Seven Tips To Create A Unique Sidekick Character by Neil Chase for DIY MFA
- Story Structure In Humans by Sue Coletta for Killzoneblog.com
- Structuring Your Relationship Plotline, Part 2: Key Beats by September C. Fawkes for September C. Fawkes
- Podcast: Student Spotlight: 5 Lessons Learned From Writing A First Draft by Savannah Gilbo for Fiction Writing Tips
- The Difference Between Setting And World Building by Janice Hardy for Fiction University
- The Intersection Of Voice And Deep POV by C. S. Lakin for Live Write Thrive
- The Most Misunderstood Writing Advice: Write What You Know by John Briggs for A Writer’s Path
- Podcast: The One Where Claire Douglas Explains Why She Writes So Damn Fast by J.D. Barker, J. Thorn and Zach Bohannon for Writers, Ink.
- Top 10 Tips From Neil Gaiman On Being A Writer by Lucy V Hay for Bang2write
- Video: Trope Talk: Powerups by Overly Sarcastic Productions for Overly Sarcastic Productions
- 8 Plot Diagrams That Illustrate The Storytelling Power Of Dramatic Structure by David Villalva for David Villalva
- Video: Want To Write A Powerful Story? Use Action/Reaction Cascades. Here’s How! by Stavros Halvatzis for Get Writing
- What Does AI Mean For Writers? I Asked It. by Tiffany Yates Martin for FoxPrint Editorial
- What’s The Difference Between A Plot Twist And A Retcon? by Oren Ashkenazi for Mythcreants
- Writing A Book Outline: 5 Essential Sections That Build A Solid Story by J. D. Edwin for The Write Practice
- Writing Cromulent Dialogue by David Corbett for Writer Unboxed
- Writing Stories In Second Person by Glen C. Strathy for Bookwriter RSS Blog
- Writing The Profound by David Farland for MyStoryDoctor
The business side of writing
Video: The New Kindle Storyteller Award Winner by Mark Dawson and James Blatch
After winning the 2022 Kindle Storyteller Award, Peter Gibbons joins the show to share his inspiring and insightful approach to writing, publishing, and marketing that has propelled him to a full-time income. Mark Dawson is a USA Today bestselling author who teaches courses about book production and marketing. Check out his website at MarkJDawson.com. James Blatch writes military thrillers. For more, check out his website, JamesBlatch.com. On the Self Publishing Formula show, Mark Dawson and James Blatch talk about building a career as a self-published author.
Other business advice this week:
- How To Find The Best Awards For Your Book by Hannah Jacobson for Writers In The Storm
- Develop A Strong Writing Platform By Exercising Your Online Muscles by Edie Melson for The Write Conversation
- Video: Can I Query Before My Book Is Done? by Jessica Faust and James McGowan for BookEnds Literary Agency
- New Year Tips & Reminders For Freelance Writers by Jennifer Mattern for All Freelance Writing
- Traditional Publishing Or Self-Publishing? The Harsh Reality You Don’t Want To Hear by Sandra Beckwith for Build Book Buzz
- Podcast: New Year, New Indie Publishing Trends With The KWL Team by Rachel Wharton for Kobo Writing Life
- Writing Book Proposals: What To Do With Rejects by Linda S. Clare for Linda S. Clare
- Quiz: Is Your Amazon Book Page Selling Your Book? by Penny Sansevieri for Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
- Latest Updates To Amazon Author Central In 2023 by Penny Sansevieri for Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
- Should You Self-Publish Your Book? 5 Essential Questions To Help You Decide by Blake Atwood for The Write Life
- 7 Book Publishing Terms Writers Should Know: A Literary Agent’s Guide by Mark Gottlieb for The Write Life
- Podcast: What have you done in the past when your work is met with negativity online? by Bryan Cohen and H. Claire Taylor for Sell More Books Show
- Writing Cross-Genre Fiction And Battling The Book Marketing Comp Title by Michael Kaufman for Writer’s Digest
- 6 Steps To Getting Your Query Letter Out Of The Slush Pile by Aileen Weintraub for Writer’s Digest
- Video: Lessons Learned From 8 Years, 7,000+ Books Published, And $43m+ …And The Future Of Publishing by Chandler Bolt for Self Publishing School
- Business Musings: Direct: The Year In Review Part 8 by Kristine Kathryn Rusch for Kristine Kathryn Rusch
- Publishing Predictions For 2023 by Laurie McLean for Anne R. Allen’s Blog… with Ruth Harris
- How To Build Your Author Platform In 2023 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.
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.