This post is a blogged draft excerpt from The Author Training Manual (Writer’s Digest Books, March 2014). Read the previous blogged excerpt, here. Publishing houses look at the size and elements that make up your author platform to determine if they want to offer you a book contract. They use this information, including how many fans and followers you have,…
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Writing Prompt 112 Identify negatives, shortcomings, and address them in writing. We can all stand to improve upon something in our writing, but how do we do it in a way that is professional and worthwhile? One good way is by addressing our shortcomings in writing by blogging about them. Some people write about pet peeves that they have about…
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Writing Prompt 111 Describe your enthusiasm and preferences in topics. People don’t often factor in their own enthusiasm when asked to write. Nonfiction writers, like other types of writers, look at writing as a job or task or function. I look at writing as a passion – – as something I sincerely love to do. Passion and enthusiasm comes easily…
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Blogging for Authors—Lesson #7 Writers don’t like to write for free. I know this well. I received my degree in magazine journalism and continue to work as a journalist. One of the first lessons I learned in journalism school was, “Don’t ever write a word unless you know you will get paid.” Yet, I’m a blogger. Bloggers blog for free…
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Writing Prompt 110 List and describe your weaknesses, learning needs. Have you ever noticed in job interviews how the interviewer asks about weaknesses? That is probably not the best time to admit your bad hygiene, snoring, sloppiness in the kitchen, or other similar weaknesses. We all have embarrassing weaknesses from time to time, but there’s no need to broadcast them…
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