Hooking that reader with an intriguing opening is critical, especially if that reader is unfamiliar with your work. Many books have well-established ways of opening. Authors, like chess masters, can choose familiar opening gambits that help readers feel comfortable while establishing the story, stirring interest, and starting the action. You might want to think about launching your story with one of these familiar types of openings.
I’m constantly gathering short phrases, jotting down ideas, even drawing sketches – and I’m no artist. It’s all fodder for stories and blog posts; most of it won’t be used, but in there somewhere there’s always a nugget I can work on.
Here are five steps to help get your mojo back, or to quit without the guilt.
Please join me in welcoming memoir writer, Denis Ledoux, as he explains the pleasure associated with ghostwriting as an artist to create a living history that has style and deep, family meaning. Enjoy! ***...
Author Career / Author Entrepreneur / Blogging / book marketing / Book Promotion / business of writing / social media for authors / Tweets / Writing Tips
by Beth Barany · Published April 8, 2014 · Last modified April 9, 2014
Whatever you do with your “About” page, make sure you have one. If someone visits your blog, they’ll want to know who’s behind the writing.
Author Career / Book Promotion / business of writing / Future of Publishing / Products
by Beth Barany · Published April 4, 2014 · Last modified April 1, 2014
To take the greatest advantage of the technology of the 21st Century a tool some authors are turning to is Kickstarter. Kickstarter is a virtual place where authors, musicians, app developers, inventors and others go to recruit people to support their creative project.
When I first started writing professionally many years ago, I had no idea where to start, or more importantly, what my responsibilities as a writer were.
artist entrepreneur / Writing Tips
by Beth Barany · Published March 28, 2014 · Last modified March 27, 2014
There are several types of writing that might keep you from getting ‘A’ rated by your readers.
Good writing is always honest, whether it’s telling the truth about life, about the world, or about deeply held personal emotions.
When writers talk about plot and character, they often reference movies or TV shows. That’s because film provides a visual — an extra dimension that helps viewers understand the story.
Surprising data: I recently attended a workshop where the speaker said that ninety percent of self-publishers sell less than 100 books. Astonishing, if that’s true. Don’t tell that to Amanda Hocking or Dan Poynter!
What we call ourselves and our profession is often the psychological difference between accomplishing our goals and dreaming about them.
When it comes to claiming intellectual property rights, novelists and other authors need to file a copyright. This is a little easier than patents or trademarks, which require more extensive legal filings.
I find that if I’m too relaxed in my chair, slouching or sinking down, I automatically enter a relaxed state of mind, a kind of fuzziness that might momentarily aid the flexibility of my thoughts, but soon becomes a detriment to focus.
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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.
Ready to finish your book but not sure how?
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