Have you ever seen someone roll her eyes so much they pop out? Me neither, but that would be a great premise for a horror story, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately I’m much more likely to receive a story labeled horror in my slush pile that is fan fiction based on the 20 year old quickly-canceled TV show spin-off of the role playing game Vampire: The Masquerade.
I’m both an author and an editor, but I’m very aware of the very different demands of those two roles. As an author, I’m a firm believer that the closer to your material you are, the better. As an editor, you need a fresh pair of eyes to see the book as the reader will see it, without all the vivid abundance of character and setting which live in the author’s head and may never have made it into the book.
A lot of authors that wonder how to edit their book think there must be some system all the great authors use for editing, when the reality is each author is different. For example, I have my own unique set of frequent writing flaws, so I have my own way to edit my book. You’ll need to come up with a system of self-editing that’s tailored to your own writing needs.
Instead of telling you how to edit your novel, I’m going to give you tips on how to create your own system of editing.
Many people think getting their novel done is all about having a cat do all the work for them, but actually cats have more writing handicaps than people realize. In this video you’ll learn...
artist entrepreneur / Author Career
by Beth Barany · Published September 9, 2011 · Last modified September 7, 2011
To define what an artist entrepreneur is I think we first need to define what an artist is and what an entrepreneur is. But why even go there? I’ll tell you why. To sort...
The character we love to hate. I write fantasy and paranormal, so yeah, the villain, is kind of important. I did some fancy footwork to not have a huge villain in the first book...
Welcome to Twitter Tuesdays where I feature tips on how to use Twitter for authors by authors. This week we have tips on building your platform with Twitter from author, poet and fellow book...
by Beth Barany · Published August 18, 2011 · Last modified August 17, 2011
I wrote about how I developed my character, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, in my previous post here. Today I thought I’d reflect on one of the biggest challenges I see in the manuscripts I...
Talent? Mojo? The secret awesome kick ass plot? Money? Connections? Okay. All those things help. But what we really need to succeed in this business of being an author and making money at it,...
by Beth Barany · Published April 14, 2011 · Last modified April 10, 2011
Welcome to our bi-weekly posts from guest columnist, Bobbye Terry. This week she offers fun tips for thinking outside the box. We’re curious to hear your tips too! Share your thoughts with us! Thanks!...
We writers know our story circles around three things: plot, setting, and character. I’d like to talk about character. I know you have heard a dozen different ways to create characters, but how about one more time, only with a different take on them.
Just a quick shout out to all the cool online communities I’m part of that support my life as an indie author: Shewrites.com: If you do join — yes, it’s free — connect with...
I don’t know about you guys, but I have been so distracted by all the conversations I’ve been having: on Facebook, on Twitter, on my online community for writers, We Write Books, through email,...
Guest Columnists / Writing Craft / Writing Tips
by Beth Barany · Published March 24, 2011 · Last modified March 23, 2011
Welcome to our bi-weekly posts from guest columnist, Bobbye Terry. This week she asks some great questions for world building your series. We’re curious to hear your tips too! Share your thoughts with us! Thanks!
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Beth Barany helps authors get their books completed and out into the world, into the hands of their readers.
Creativity Coach for Writers, NLP Master Practitioner, and Master Teacher, Beth Barany has been there and knows how hard it can be to take your idea and turn it into a real book, that people will actually be interested, and even yearning, to read.
She walks the talk, as her clients like to say. She is the author of the 2012 award-winning young adult fantasy novel Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, as well as the author of the bestselling nonfiction books for authors and aspiring authors.
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