Each month I take a moment to pause and share a few things I’ve found to be helpful and fun along the adventure of living and writing well.
I hope you find them to be enlightening and encouraging!
Article Roundup: Traditional Publishing
I recently wrote about various publishing options that we have as writers, and how different options may be better for different writers/different projects etc, and then last month I shared some resources regarding self-publishing.
Which leads us to today! Here we’re looking at information and resources regarding traditional publishing.
How to Get Your Book Published – Anne R. Allen’s Blog… With Ruth Harris
- I really love this overview of publishing and the down to earth approach. Plus there are some GREAT resources in here to check out along with the good advice.
Start Here: How to Get Your Book Published – Jane Friedman
- This is a straightforward and super informative run down of the traditional publishing route.
How to Get A Book Published- The 7 Step Plan – Mythic Scribes
- Here’s a basic outline of the steps needed to approached publishing. I especially like the notes at the end acknowledging that everyone’s approach will be different and that we should start working on our next projects while we wait.
How to write a query letter – Nathan Bransford
- I’d recommend reading anything off of Nathan’s site, there is a ton of information here! Check out the links given for examples and templates on creating a query letter.
Book Review: Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One & Never Lets Them Go by Les Edgerton
Note: Links for this book are affiliate links which means if you purchase something I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more info see my site policy.
The hook of a story seems like not a big deal. It’s just a few pages after all, right?
Actually… not so much.
In Hooked, Edgerton explains and demonstrates how a story’s beginning is not only the most crucial part of our story (after all, if people aren’t hooked to even READ our story then the rest is pretty irrelevant) but also how a strong story start will lead to a strong story as a whole.
This book was engaging (as it should be, considering its topic) and incredibly useful regarding catching our reader’s attention with the first sentence of our stories and beyond.
I’d recommend this book to both beginner and advanced writers, and I know I definitely plan to look up Ederton’s other books as well. We all have a million things to do in our days but this one was worth the read.
Recipe of the Month: Iced Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies taste like holidays and winter evenings by the fire and they look all fancy with their white icing and golden color. (Yeah, I’m a fan in case you didn’t notice.) Pro tip: Use quick oats instead of crushed old fashioned oats and you’ll skip a step in the cooking as well. You’re welcome! 🙂
Self-Care Homework: Self Affirmation
Sometimes with the whole New Year’s Resolutions craze we get a little hung up on ALL the things we want to change and improve in our lives. And hey, I love goals and think self improvement is great.
But sometimes we can overlook the good that’s already there.
So take a few minutes and think about what you like in your life these days!
What are you grateful for? Do you love what you’ve been doing with your hair recently or how you’re making time with your family? Have you made some delicious meals or done super productive stuff at work?
Give yourself the praise you deserve and be proud of all you’ve accomplished this year. Keep it up! <3
Writing Prompt
Write a limerick about your day!
Quick review, “A limerick is a humorous poem consisting of five lines. The first, second, and fifth lines must have seven to ten syllables while rhyming and having the same verbal rhythm. The third and fourth lines only have to have five to seven syllables, and have to rhyme with each other and have the same rhythm.”
Bonus points if it’s humorous! 😉
Cuteness Quota: Cat In Glasses
Quote:
“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”
-Richard Bach
Happy writing and joyous living to you all! Feel free to send me a note with any questions or to say hi anytime! 🙂
Excellent post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Kudos!
Thanks for the feedback! Do you have any specific questions you’d like me to elaborate on?