I subscribe to more than 175 writing advice sites and gather the best posts for you every single Sunday. You can see all the previous writing advice of the week posts here and subscribe to the RSS feed for this writing advice series here (direct Feedly signup link).
Productivity, mood management, and battling the demons inside
Self-Doubt by Steven Pressfield
Self-doubt is simply resistance — and that the stronger it is, the more certain we can be that we are on the right track. In other words, resistance knows more than we do. Resistance knows how potentially good our work-in-progress is. Steven Pressfield is the author of The Legend of Bagger Vance and other novels as well as The War of Art and other non-fiction books about creative success. Check out his Amazon author page here. StevenPressfield.com offers weekly articles as well as a free mini-course about the business of writing.
The Wall Of WTF by Tiffany Yates Martin
Getting past the Wall of WTF starts with understanding that it’s just a stage—a normal one in the process of creation. That feeling of “WTF am I even doing?” This article is about how to get past that. Tiffany Yates Martin has spent nearly thirty years as an editor in the publishing industry, working with major publishers and New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors as well as indie and newer writers, and is the founder of FoxPrint Editorial and author of the bestseller Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing. FoxPrint Editorial offers online courses, workshops and presentations, and advice to authors.
Podcast: Writing From Your Shadow Side With Michaelbrent Collings by Joanna Penn
Bestselling fantasy and sci-fi author Michaelbrent Collings talks about how to use what you’re scared of to write better stories that resonate with readers, and how to acknowledge your shadow side and bring aspects of it into the light in a healthy way that serves you and your customers. Joanna Penn has been sharing writing and publishing advice since 2008 at The Creative Penn and is the author of Successful Self-Publishing and many other writing and publishing advice books. She also has one of my favorite writing advice podcasts, and you can subscribe to it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. The Creative Penn offers articles, videos, books, tools, and courses for independent authors.
Other motivational advice this week:
- Advice For New Writers by Leenna Naidoo for A Writer’s Path
- Balancing Marketing And Writing New Books by M.K. Williams for A Writer’s Path
- Break Out Of Your Writing Rut by Rochelle Melander for Write Now Coach!
- Finding Your Perfect Writing Rituals by Kim Bullock for Writer Unboxed
- Gazebo Gal: Picking A Place To Write by Christy Cashman for Writer’s Digest
- How To Get Unstuck From Your Writing Obstacles by Daphne Gray-Grant for Publication Coach
- On Toxic Productivity by Elizabeth Spann Craig for Elizabeth Spann Craig
- Podcast: Optimizing Your Creative Energy — Starting, Focusing, Finishing by Orna Ross and Joanna Penn for Self Publishing Advice
- Performance Anxiety — Yeah, Even Writers Get It by PJ Parrish for Killzoneblog.com
- What I’ve Learned About Writing From Long-Distance Running by Rachel Toalson for Writer Unboxed
- Video: Writers’ Time Management Advice by Daphne Gray-Grant for Publication Coach
The art and craft of writing
Five Ways To Restore Tension by Chris Winkle
Strategically placed hooks will keep audiences interested through the end. Strategies include announcing that dangerous tasks are ahead, accelerating deadlines, taking away assets, powering up the enemies, and creating new obstacles. Chris Winkle is the founder and editor-in-chief of Mythcreants. Mythcreants is my all-time favorite writing advice site. Get their RSS feed here (direct Feedly signup link) or follow them on Twitter @Mythcreants and on Facebook at @mythcreants.
Edge Of Their Seats by Laurie Schnebly Campbell
Whether you’re writing a coming-of-age story, a serial killer thriller, a quilting cozy, a paranormal epic, a historical romance, or a children’s bedtime story, you want there to be enough tension to keep readers eagerly turning pages. You can create tension by raising questions and leaving them unanswered until later in the story. Romance writer Laurie Schnebly Campbell is a former counseling therapist and runs writing workshops and, during the day, writes and produces videos for an advertising agency. Check out her website, BookLaurie.com, or follow her on Facebook at @laurieschneblycampbell or Twitter at @booklaurie. Writers in the Storm is another great site for writing advice, with a group of regular contributors and guest writers who post frequently. It is very well worth following on RSS (direct Feedly signup link here).
Video: An Epic Subtext Technique In Stories by Stavros Halvatzis
The subtext technique is the cover-up, which can be deployed via a change of subject, or an outright lie, or misdirection, or asking a question to deflect suspicion, or using intimidation or threats to make people stop asking questions. Stavros Halvatzis is a writer and writing teacher. Get Writing is Stavros Halvatzis’s YouTube channel. For more advice like this, check out StavrosHalvatzis.com or follow him via his RSS feed (direct Feedly link here).
Podcast: Lessons From Content Editing by Oren Ashkenazi and Chris Winkle
Which problems are most likely to sink a story? This week, the Mythcreants team — who are about to celebrate their ten-year anniversay — talk about fundamental issues, along with why they happen and what authors can do about them. Oren Ashkenazi is the speculative fiction manuscript editor and Chris Winkle is the founder and editor-in-chief at Mythcreants. Mythcreants is my all-time favorite writing advice site. Get their RSS feed here (direct Feedly signup link) or follow them on Twitter @Mythcreants and on Facebook at @mythcreants.
Video: Drafting Unforgettable Characters In Claude by Jason Hamilton
How to use the new free Claude AI chatbot to help with character creation. Jason Hamilton is a fantasy author. Check out Hamilton’s site, MythHQ. You can also follow him on Twitter at @StoryHobbit and on Facebook at Jason Hamilton. The Nerdy Novelist is a YouTube channel focusing on using AI to write and market books.
Other writing advice this week:
- 10 Tips To Help You Write A Character Who’s Your Exact Opposite by DiAnn Mills for The Write Conversation
- 4 AI Writing Tools For Freelance Writers by Jennifer Mattern for All Freelance Writing
- 8 Comma Rules For Writers by Ruthanne Reid and Sue Weems for The Write Practice
- 8 Different Types Of Scenes by K. M. Weiland for Helping Writers Become Authors
- 8 Hero’s Journey Archetypes Universally Used For A Protagonist by David Safford for The Write Practice
- 8 Tips For Plotting A Great Heist Novel (Or How To Be A Thief) by Sara Desai for Writer’s Digest
- Add A Little Spice To Your Storytelling: Unique Structures And Framing Devices by Heather Webb for Writer Unboxed
- Video: AI Writers Are Not Authors (They’re Something Greater) by Jason Hamilton for The Nerdy Novelist
- Character Development: Create Characters That Readers Love by Joe Bunting for The Write Practice
- Common Writing Obstacles: Building Believable Characters by Henry McLaughlin for The Write Conversation
- Podcast: We’re In The Wrong Timeline, With Connie Willis And R.F. Kuang by for Our Opinions Are Correct
- Five Secrets To Writing Suspense by Polly Stewart for Career Authors
- How Do You Design A Superhero Costume? by Bunny and Chris Winkle for Mythcreants
- How To Create A Scene Outline by C. S. Lakin for Live Write Thrive
- Video: How To Misdirect Your Readers: A Conversation With Lydia Kiesling by Amy Jones and Michael Woodson for Writer’s Digest
- How To Reveal Your Character’s Vulnerability (Even Though It’s Human Nature To Hide It) by Alex J. Cavanaugh for Insecure Writer’s Support Group
- How To Use Meal Scenes To Develop Characters, Relationships, And Your World by Lacey Pfalz for National Novel Writing Month
- How To Write A Fantastic Opening Sentence In Your Novel by Lucy V Hay for Bang2write
- Video: How To Write Platonic Relationships That Feel Real & Lived-In by Abbie Emmons for Abbie Emmons
- Video: How To Write Terrifying Ghost Stories by Brandon McNulty for Writer Brandon McNulty
- Inciting Incident: Definition, Examples And How To Make It Good by Dave Chesson for Kindlepreneur
- Video: Is It Worth Outlining Completely In Sudowrite? by Jason Hamilton for The Nerdy Novelist
- Lessons From Barbenheimer — Embrace The Larger Story by John J Kelley for Writer Unboxed
- Lockwood & Co Reveals What Makes Side Characters Work by Oren Ashkenazi for Mythcreants
- One Writing Prompt That Works Every Time by Joe Bunting for The Write Practice
- Podcast: Our Best Advice: Empathy + Stakes by Valerie Francis and Melanie Hill for Story Nerd
- Plot Twist Story Prompts: Technical Error by Robert Lee Brewer for Writer’s Digest
- Put Up Your Dukes: Crafting Dynamic Fight Scenes by Janice Hardy for Fiction University
- Save The Cat Story Structure by Glen C. Strathy for How to Write a Book Now
- Show Don’t Tell In A Nutshell by Stavros Halvatzis for Stavros Halvatzis
- Video: The Most Important ChatGPT Skill To Master by Jason Hamilton for The Nerdy Novelist
- Three Examples To Guide Your Narrative Voice by Anne Janzer for Anne Janzer
- Tones In Writing: The Ultimate Guide For Fiction And Nonfiction by Dave Chesson for Kindlepreneur
- Transform Your Writing And Connect To Readers When You Understand The Lies Your Characters Believe by Ane Mulligan for The Write Conversation
- Video: Tricks To Get ChatGPT To Write Insane Characters by Jason Hamilton for The Nerdy Novelist
- Video: Trope Talk: Unreliable Narrators by Red for Overly Sarcastic Productions
- Understanding The Seven Basic Plots by Glen C. Strathy for How to Write a Book Now
- Use Your Verbs by Joel Orr for A Writer’s Path
- Using Magic As Metaphor In Fantasy Novels by Adrienne Tooley for Writer’s Digest
- What Is Rising Action In A Story: How To Make It Pull Readers To The End by Dave Chesson for Kindlepreneur
- Writing Dialogue As Two Authors by Helen Barrell for Women Writers, Women’s Books
- Writing: Threads Of Meaning by Linda S. Clare for Linda S. Clare
The business side of writing
Successes And Strengths In Self-Publishing With Jasinda And Jack Wilder by Rachel Wharton and Joni Di Placido
Bestselling fantasy authors Jasinda And Jack Wilder talk about using a newsletter to reach readers, using a pen name in multiple genres, and how the indie publishing industry has changed. Rachel Wharton is the author engagement coordinator at Kobo Writing Life. Joni Di Placido is the author engagement specialist at Kobo Writing Life. Kobo Writing Life is the writing advice site from the people behind the Kobo reader. For more like this, subscribe to their RSS feed (directly Feedly link here).
Video: How To Optimize Your Author Business by S.D. Huston
SEO for Authors author Estelle Van de Velde talks about optimizing image files names, long-tail keywords, optimizing social media accounts, pros and cons of LinkTree, getting a Wikipedia page and other aspects of search engine optimization. Fantasy author S. D. Huston is also a military war vet and a former college literature professor and writing coach. Check out her website at SDHuston.com. The S.D. Huston YouTube channel features interview and advice related to writing and publishing.
Video: The Key To Selling Books On Social Media by Shelby Leigh
The key to selling books on social media is the hook, according to this author, who’s sold over 40,000 books on TikTok and Reels. I’m guessing she’s got this down to a science. What’s even more impressive is that she writes poetry books. Shelby Leigh is a bestselling author and digital marketer who’s worked with over 2,000 authors to help them promote their books through courses and one-on-one coaching. Find out more on her website, ShelbyLeigh.co. Marketing by Shelby is a YouTube channel focused in book marketing tips.
Other business advice this week:
- Subgenres And Comp Books. Find Ones That Sell Books Better by Kris Maze for Writers In The Storm
- Have A Successful Book Signing By Checking These 14 Things Off Your To Do List by Edie Melson for The Write Conversation
- 3 Ways New Authors Can Get Their First 100 Amazon Reviews by Lucy V Hay for Bang2write
- Does TikTok Still Sell Books? by AskALLi Team for Self Publishing Advice
- What Agents And Book Promoters Don’t Want You To Know About Immediately Successful Books by Laurence O’Bryan for #PublishingReinvented
- Newsletter Deep Dive: Creating, Growing, And Earning Money by Sabrina Ricci for Digital Pubbing
- Writing And Balancing Social Media by Eve Messenger for A Writer’s Path
- Want To Get More Reviews On Amazon? Here’s How! by Cathy Fyock for Florida Writers Association Blog
- Video: Scams In Self Publishing Books On Amazon KDP by Dale L. Roberts for Self-Publishing with Dale
- 8 Things Book Promotion Companies Wish Authors Understood by Penny Sansevieri for Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
- Writer’s Digest Best Indie Publishing Websites 2023 by Amy Jones,Moriah Richard,Michael Woodson for Writer’s Digest
- Video: We Need To Talk About This: Text Posts On TikTok, Twitter Is Now X by Shelby Leigh for Marketing by Shelby
- Authors, Who Are Your Key Reader Influencers? (And Why Should You Care?) by Sandra Beckwith for Build Book Buzz
- Podcast: Bookstats, Toxic Productivity, And Reader Magnets by Bryan Cohen and H. Claire Taylor for Sell More Books Show
- The 8 Best Self Publishing Companies by Dave Chesson for Kindlepreneur
- How To Become A Ghostwriter (By Someone Who’s Actually Done It!) by Bobby Bernal for Kindlepreneur
- Business Musings: Applying Niche Marketing by Kristine Kathryn Rusch for Kristine Kathryn Rusch
- Video: How To Do A Simultaneous Release: Self-Publish All Formats And Publish Them On The Same Day by M.K. Williams for M.K. Williams
- Why Successful Writers Need To Do More Than Write by Belinda Williams for A Writer’s Path
- How To Write And Publish A Book (For Free!): The 10 Step Guide by Jeff Elkins for The Write Practice
- Podcast: What We Really Think About Social Media Advertising by Penny Sansevieri for Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
- Why Agents Stop Reading by Morgan Hazelwood for Morgan Hazelwood
- Video: How To Avoid Author Scams With Victoria Strauss by Jim Azevedo for Draft2Digital
- Video: Dominating The Dark Romance Charts With TikTok by Mark Dawson and James Blatch for Self Publishing Formula
- What I Wish I’d Known Before Becoming A Ghostwriter by Juliane Bergmann for FundsforWriters
Am I missing any writing advice sites? Email me at maria@metastellar.com or leave a note in the comments below.
MetaStellar editor and publisher Maria Korolov is a science fiction novelist, writing stories set in a future virtual world. And, during the day, she is an award-winning freelance technology journalist who covers artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and enterprise virtual reality. See her Amazon author page here and follow her on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn, and check out her latest videos on the Maria Korolov YouTube channel. Email her at maria@metastellar.com. She is also the editor and publisher of Hypergrid Business, one of the top global sites covering virtual reality.