There are seven mistakes I see time and again with query letters to literary agents, missteps that will prevent your great work from reaching its audience. Let's chat through them so we make sure your query letter isn't one of the uh-ohs.
Read moreWhere to submit your work: 21 places that want your fiction
Here, because your work deserves to be read, are 21 opportunities to submit in what remains of April and May. That's 21 chances you could be published, win a prize, be recognized for being the kick-ass talent you and I know you are.
Read moreThis again? 7 myths about writers to ignore
Everyone everywhere feels misunderstood in some way. Does it help to hear that, to know that one thing we have in common is feeling like others don't grasp what we feel most profoundly? Here are the seven myths about writers I find myself correcting on the regular.
What myths have you heard? Let's set them straight.
Read moreThe simplest way to keep track of writing submissions
Having an organized way to keep track of your submissions to literary magazines, agents and writing contests means no oopsies in front of people you admire and greater sanity for yourself.
Read moreIs your work ready to be submitted?
Not even Shakespeare moved forward with his first draft. Before submitting your work anywhere, slash that story to bits. Delete lazy words. Remove the boring scenes and puffy over-explanations that we all write when caught up in that ever-alluring inspiration.
Read morePinpoint your excuse for not writing
What's keeping you away from doing the hard work of staring down the blank page? It only helps to better understand how our minds work, where we find energy and inspiration. Let's start with a list.
Read moreImprove your writing by revisiting past projects
Yesterday, I did something I never could have anticipated. When I hit a point in my current writing project where I felt stuck and stilted, I dug out a piece I put to bed a few weeks ago. I reread it.
It bolstered me. I felt awe in the creative process and appreciation in my ability to write what I meant to write. And then I wrote, wrote, wrote fueled by the proof that yes, I can do this. I've done it before. I'll do it again, and now.
Read moreAre you looking in the wrong place for validation?
When you sit down to write, it could all go south. OR. Or. It could be amazing. You get to choose where fear lands, and let's just agree right now that your writing is more important. Push fear off a cliff, friend.
Read moreTop grammar mistakes (aka all those rules you forgot)
You don't have to be a Grammar Master to be an incredible storyteller. You can weave a yarn, but maybe you have trouble conjugating verbs. No worries! Here are a few oft-forgotten grammar rules to improve your writing.
Read moreFeed your writing with inspirational breaks
Besides reading the work of authors you admire, there are, of course, ways you already know to grow your writing. And then there's perhaps my favorite way, the one that feels like a loophole and appeals to procrastinators: Do anything else.
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