Nonfiction writers need to be experts in their subject matter. Often, however, aspiring nonfiction authors tell me they aren’t experts, don’t see themselves as authorities on anything, or feel like imposters when they claim to be thought leaders. In fact, becoming—and feeling like—an expert is easer than you may think. If you know more than someone else on a topic,…
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Every writer hits a “dry season.” You know…when you just seem to have no writing ideas. Today, professional writer Deb Hemley (@dhemley) takes you on a trip to all the places you might find new writing ideas. You’ll be surprised to discover that you don’t have to travel far to find yourself experiencing a monsoon of new ideas. Are you…
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Writing and publishing are a lot like running a marathon. To cross the finish line (or win), you need to spend time beforehand preparing and training. Today Emmanuel Nataf (@EmmanuelNataf), co-founder of Reedsy, provides some essential ways to get ready to run a successful writing marathon. If you wake up one morning and decide to run a marathon, chances are…
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Self-editing your manuscript can feel overwhelming. There are many things you could change or need to change in the revision process. How will you remember them all—or catch all the potential errors? Today, professional editor Helga Schier (@withpenandpaper) provides a strategy for keeping your focus on specific issues during each round of revision. No doubt you know that the last…
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“When do I stop learning about writing and publishing and just write and publish?” That’s a question I get asked frequently. The answer: “As soon as you ask that question, it’s time to begin implementing what you’ve learned.” Actually, here’s my best advice: Learn something, and then implement what you just learned. Don’t learn something new until you have that…
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Every year, writers set goals. Write daily. Finish the manuscript. Start a blog. Build an author platform. Publish a book. Find an agent. I’ve written about goal setting for writers for many years—usually right around the New Year. This year, however, I want to challenge you to do something other than just set goals. Commit to making a difference. You…
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Curious people make good nonfiction writers. Today, professional writer Deb Hemley (@dhemley) gives us a broad overview of how combining curiosity, creativity, and craft will help you write good—even great—nonfiction. Do you ever wonder where the sparks for your stories come from, or why you can’t let go of specific ideas once they’ve entered your mind? What pushes you to…
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