Plotter vs. Pantser: John Scalzi and the Gremlin on My Shoulder

DISCLAIMER : I COULD BE WRONG

When I started writing, I read all the tips and tricks and how-to blogs and books. I was doing it wrong. Plotters were good; pantsers were bad. I was, and am, a pantser. I tried to plot using every form and method available: the column system, visualized thinking, the snowflake, starting with the ending—nothing gelled. After spending three hours one day struggling to plot a simple chapter, I gave it up, turned to my keyboard, and let the words flow. I haven’t looked back, but ever so often the little gremlin on my shoulder will whisper, “Pantsers are losers.”

A year after I’d thrown in the towel, I read a blog post by my favorite contemporary science fiction author. OMG! He’s a pantser! I jumped from my desk and ran to tell my husband. “You’ll never guess,” I said, excitedly, “John Scalzi’s a pantser.” At which he replied, “Have…

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Why you should post more cat memes (Sales Model of an Indie Author part 3)

FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES

First and foremost, because I really enjoy them floating past my social-media feed.

Everything further down from here is pure conjecture.

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If you’ve been around on social media, especially if you are a beginning author still building up your fan base, you’re probably wondering how to get noticed. The following are ideas about what might help you.

WAAAAIIIIT. I didn’t get to the point yet, don’t just rush off to post a cat meme.

First, let’s dispense with the obvious. Unless you’re Stephen King, don’t – ever – drop a “buy my book” kind of link. Social media is for social interactions, not for advertising. Just place yourself in the eyes of the person scrolling past your post. Would you stop what you’re doing, click that links, and rush to buy the book? Didn’t think so.

Second is a corollary. Don’t be an asshole. In other words, be nice. Provide value…

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August 15 in Greece: Dormition of the Virgin

Nicholas C. Rossis

Not many people may realize this, but today’s celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin is the third greatest celebration in Greece (and the Greek Orthodox tradition), after Easter and Christmas. Although nominally a religious holiday, it is celebrated in the same manner as Easter, with family gatherings, public festivals, and loads of lamb eating. Many go to the beach for a quick swim first, as August is usually the hottest month. Since no one works, it’s perfect for relaxing, and most people will be on vacation this week.

It seems unlikely that people will celebrate so much the death of one of Christianity’s most revered figures. According to Eastern Orthodox and Catholic tradition, however, even though the Virgin Mary died a natural death (called the Dormition of the Theotokos, the falling asleep), like any human being, her soul was received by Christ upon death and her body was resurrected…

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After the Collapse:Boxed Set Release Party

Available together for the first time. This box set includes the first three books in S. A. Gibson’s After the Collapse series. This ebook bundle includes Feeling a Way, A Dangerous Way, and In the Horde’s Way.

Feeling a Way: The battle for the future begins. In this post-apocalyptic world, where new dangers and mysterious happenings lurk around every corner, children are being kidnapped, and swordsman William Way must rescue them. Archer for hire, Kalapati, has begun her own quest. As William and Kalapati race to complete their missions, they soon wonder how their efforts will change the future.

A Dangerous Way: Eleanora is hard at work on her foster parent’s farm training herself in the fighting arts and hoping to avoid the same fate as her parents. William is a swordsman for the library, but when the Librarian steps down, chaos throws all into turmoil. Can Eleanora and William restore the peace to this primitive Southwest landscape after the Collapse?

In the Horde’s Way: Henrietta, a soldier with a secret, begins working at the Southwest Library. Meeting Alaya, the Librarian’s daughter, launches them both on an epic and dangerous journey that leads them into the councils of invaders and the tribal chieftains who rule the desert land of the Southwest.

These interconnected tales of a future world without modern technology, will test each character’s loyalty and commitment and ultimately shape their fate.

You are invited to a Release Party for this new book! Tuesday, August 29th from 4 pm to 6 pm Eastern Time. Join us for fun, gifts and prizes. I hope to see you there. S. A. Gibson.

After the Collapse: Boxed Set Facebook Party

Until August 28th, the boxed set will be available for preorder for 99 cents on Amazon.

Creating Your Writing Ritual – How To Get Your Creative Juices Flowing

Chaos breeds Chaos

Life is full of rituals. It can be a simple morning routine — a shower, a cup of coffee and a half hour of exercise — to get you going after you wake up, or a very specific act that has to happen before you can accomplishing something, like double-checking all the doors are locked before going to bed at night. Whatever it is, you can’t help it; it’s ingrained in your subconscious to help you feel happier, healthier or more secure. I’m sure, as writers, we all have certain rituals we must adhere to in order to find that creative groove and churn out that next great American novel. It doesn’t matter what that ritual might be; everyone has a different personality, so no one ritual will ever be the same. However, if you’re finding it hard to find the time to write, or when you do, you just…

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Writing Your Fighting (the complete story)

I’ve been having some conversations with writers about writing fight scenes, and I thought it might be a good idea to put some information out there. A lot of writers write fight scenes that are, to be honest, just plain ridiculous, if not impossible, and it really bugs me. There is a huge difference between massed-formation military tactics and single combat – but it is single combat that most fantasy writers tend to employ, so we’ll stick to that.In fact, I can’t tell you how to write a fight scene. Every fight will be different, and it’s your book.What I can do is make you aware of some of the variables and pitfalls you need to be conscious of when you write those scenes.First off: this pertains mainly to medieval fantasy sword fighting. I have…

Source: Writing Your Fighting (the complete story)

Introducing Write!

Nicholas C. Rossis

This is a guest post by the makers of Write!; a new app developed specifically for writers who wish to avoid Word’s or Scrivener’s clutter and distractions. I have tried it out and it works as advertised. If you’re on the lookout for a new writing app, check it out!

Write! – No-Distraction Writing App for Your Productivity

There are over 100 different kinds of text editors available on Windows and macOS. There are some alternatives to Microsoft Office for Linux OS, while Linux users do not have such a wide variety of choices when it comes to finding a light minimalist text editor.

Being a professional or an amateur writer, a student, a person who just needs to make some notes, there is always a need to write down some important stuff. For this purpose, there’s a new app you can install on any of your machines and…

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Tools of the Trade

(Almost) Average

Writing used to be so simple. Grab a pen or pencil, some paper, and off you went. These days, more often than not, writers use a slew of tools for their work that don’t require paper.

When I first tried my hand at NaNoWriMo, I used our iPad with the onscreen keyboard. I got to about 12,000 words with that set-up before I finally petered out. It wasn’t my work station that did me in, but my lack of planning for success.

I often go back to my NaNoWriMo experiences as the times when I can refer to myself as a writer because that’s when I started taking this entire process with some seriousness.

After that failure, Google released the Chromebook computers. They were cheap and came with a ton of storage in the Drive, so I bought one. It was a poor man’s MacBook Air. I loved the size…

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Adjectives To Describe Flavors And Aromas

Nicholas C. Rossis

Stuck for the right word to describe a flavor or aroma? Author Margo Bond Collins recently shared on Facebook this wonderful infographic that promises to help! I’m not quite sure where I’ll use alliaceous or enzymatic but there are enough adjectives here to satisfy even the harshest (alkaline, caustic) of critics.

Source: Margo Bond Collins

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REVIEW- WRITING COACH-BRIDGE TO STORY

IsoltBlog

For some time I had been wanting to have a coaching session with E J Runyon at Bridge to Story. One of my writing buddies had been coached by EJ while writing her debut novel, and told me how much the coaching had helped develop her work. I checked out the Bridge to Story website, and tried out a few of the writing exercises, which I found helpful.

Me being me, I kept dithering about it. I either didn’t have funds, or I’d get worried about having my work dissected and judged. Plus the added anxiety of having to Skype. I hate having my photo taken, or speaking on the phone. Having face to face video chat with another human being is a whole other level of awkward.

Then I was lucky enough to win a free coaching session. I took the opportunity to give it a go, hoping…

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