Here are the latest newsletters for my followers to peruse:
Tactics for Writing
the Villains You Love to Hate
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In keeping with the theme of our July/August
issue of Writer’s Digest,
we continue exploring the topic of writing villains. Carla Hoch dives deep
into the unsettling tactic of gaslighting in an excerpt from her new WD book Fight Write. For the 4th of
July holiday we revisit an interview with Brad Meltzer in which he discusses
his newest book about the conspiracy to kill George Washington. And Dr. Aysha
Akhtar offers advice for keeping your sanity if you need to interview a
serial killer for your writing. (Hey, it happens!) Plus, on the lighter side,
John Peragine shares 10 tips for networking at writer’s conferences, like our
annual conference happening next month. (P.S. Have you registered
yet?) —Amy Jones
Follow @AmyMJones_5
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THE TRUE WEAPON IS THE MIND
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Gaslighting is a
form of mental manipulation. It is an attempt to gain power over another
person by causing them to question reality. When a person isn’t sure what is
real, they have no concept of the amount of control another person has over
them. Gaslighting is a classic tactic used by abusers, cult leaders,
narcissists, and dictators, and my cat if I may be so honest.
One of the most essential tools of gaslighting is the use of “illusory
truth.” The villain says something so many times that others come to believe
it is so. The illusion becomes reality. When reality can be manipulated, so
can the concepts of right and wrong. With those notions upended, any action
or manner of behavior is acceptable. There are no crimes because the concept
of law is debatable. The only thing that is certain is whatever the
gaslighter deems to be true. Read the full article...
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Did you know there
was once a secret plot to murder George Washington? Bestselling thriller
writer Brad Meltzer lets us in on the secrets around his new nonfiction book The First Conspiracy—plus
thriller writing tips and more. Read More...
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In order to do the
research for a section of her book Our
Symphony With Animals (Pegasus Books, May 2019), Dr. Aysha
Akhtar, MD, MPH, had to talk to a serial killer. Here, she reveals the
planning that went into her interviews and how she stayed sane through the
process. Read More...
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Nervous about
connecting with other writers and publishing professionals at your next
writer's conference? John Peragine has 10 tips on how to network effectively
and get the most out of your experience. Read More...
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When adapting a
novel for film, Script
Magazine editor Jeanne Bowerman says your number-one job is to
tell an amazing story—enhancing it for the format.
Read More...
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Firecracker. Sad.
Antacid. 72. Courtroom. Use those five words, or pick five random words of
your own and write a scene or story that includes all of the words.
Start Writing...
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When you take this
workshop, you’ll learn to manage your time effectively, create a writing
platform, practice strategies for writing, and read The Productive Writer. Once
you know how to fit writing into your daily life, it won’t feel like a chore.
Instead, it will be enjoyable and invigorating. Fit
writing into your life...
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Hurry, the sale ends
this Sunday!
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3-Days Only - Use Code: SUMM20
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Summer is finally
here! Now is the time for you to stock up on all your writing resources. For
three days only, you can save 20% storewide with coupon code SUMM20
during checkout.
Code does not apply to kits, collections, bundles, subscriptions, and live
webinars.
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While this book walks you through the key areas that need
tension building, from character to plot, it also delves deeper,
analyzing exceptional examples from contemporary fiction’s most gripping
page-turners.
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Retail Price: $18.99
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Regular Price: $16.99
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With Code SUMM20:
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Whether writing about mutant monsters, rogue viruses,
giant spaceships, or even murders and espionage, Putting the Science in
Fiction will have something to help every writer craft better fiction.
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Retail Price: $18.99
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Regular Price: $14.99
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With Code SUMM20:
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Whether you're looking for general prompts, holiday
prompts, fiction prompts, nonfiction prompts or anything in between, this
book provides you with a new writing opportunity every single day.
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$7.99
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Use Code: SUMM20
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In this presentation, Jess Regel lays bare the process, so
that you can feel comfortable baring your soul on the page.
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$79.99
$63.99
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Use Code: SUMM20
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If the only thing that’s holding you back from getting
words on the page is no plan, this webinar has all the answers.
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$79.99
$63.99
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Use Code: SUMM20
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This recorded webinar will change the way writers think
about the polite passes they get from agents.
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$79.99
$63.99
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Use Code: SUMM20
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In this ondemand webinar, author William Kenower will look
at several techniques you can you use to keep yourself in the creative
flow and out of the trouble and misery fear always causes.
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$69.99
$55.99
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Use Code: SUMM20
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If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your
readers feel. That’s where this book comes in.
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Retail Price: $16.99
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Regular Price: $8.99
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With Code SUMM20:
$7.19
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*Must use code SUMM20 for discount to apply.
Coupon not valid on live webinars, subscriptions, collections, kits, and
third party products. 2019 Market Books are excluded. Other exclusions may
apply. Sale ends 6/23/19.
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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“Go with what is.
Use what happens.”
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Tom Piazza’s Why New Orleans Matters is one of my
favorite books, and I have a quote from it tattooed on my left leg—a mantra
of sorts for when life takes an unexpected turn: “Go with what is. Use what
happens.” It’s pretty good writing advice, too, I think. In our feature this
week, Sarah Sover has some good advice as she shares how embracing her weird
side led to the publication of her first book. We’ve also gathered some
greatest hits from past contributors that will inspire you, while our latest
prompt asks, "If
you look back far enough, you can see ..." —Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
Follow @glecharles
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YOUR PERSONAL BEETLEJUICE
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“You’re weird,”
proclaimed a boy from a few desks away. The class erupted in laughter, and I
focused all my non-existent powers on willing myself invisible.
Weird. It’s a word that’s followed me around. In my younger days it was my
own, personal Beetlejuice, a thing that would become real if muttered three
times. Here’s the thing, though: I am weird. I just wasn’t ready to embrace
it yet. I didn’t want to be weird. I wanted to be the next Charlotte Brontë,
Robert Frost, or Daniel Quinn.
I interviewed for the Bell Honors Program my senior year, an
interdisciplinary, team-taught approach to education in a small group
atmosphere. Despite having blown the Governors’ Honor interview the year
before by impersonating a largemouth bass when asked to name a single author
I admired, I was surprisingly at ease during the interview, speaking freely
and candidly. On the way home, I just knew they saw me for what I was. Weird.
When I got home, there was a message waiting with an offer into the program.
I was exactly what they were looking for, it said. And Dr. Joiner was right.
The program was perfectly suited to the way my mind makes connections. For
once, I didn’t feel so weird.
Read the full article...
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Many writers who
swear they dislike outlines are thinking of them in the wrong ways. K.M.
Weiland’s seven-step process can help you let loose and have fun in your first
draft. Read More...
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Reading with a
critical eye can ruin the fun of reading, but it’s also what makes our
writing stronger. Deanna Cabinian identifies five things that you might want
to reconsider before including them in your work Read More...
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Staring down the
first blank page of your novel-to-be can be daunting—but any hesitation stops
here. Our A to Z guide of expert tips, inspirational advice and helpful hints
will walk you from Page 1 through The End. Read More...
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How do you know if
you should quit your current writing project or keep at it? Learn why
quitting the “wrong things” may be the only way to achieve your wildest
writing goals. Read More...
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Andrew Bloomenthal
looks back at the 30-year-old iconic film, Dead
Poets Society, interviewing screenwriter Tom Schulman, director
Peter Weir, and co-star Ethan Hawke. Read More...
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The growth of the
children's book sector has been unprecedented this past decade—so how can you
make your manuscript stand out in these crowded categories and genres? In
this WDU
Online Boot Camp starting next week on
Tuesday, June 25, three agents from
P.S. Literary Agency will show you how to make your submission stand out.
Register for next Tuesday's Boot Camp...
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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Are you stuck in the
habit of NOT writing?
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If you’re not writing as much as you’d like
to, you may be cultivating some bad habits without even realizing it. Lynn
Dickinson shares some useful tips to help you create strong writing habits
that will last for years. One really good writing-related habit is reading
this newsletter every week and then sharing the articles you enjoy with your
fellow writers!!
—Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
Follow @glecharles
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Ever wish you were writing
more than you do? The good news is, you can! But if you’re trying to make
yourself write, you might be approaching it all wrong. Maybe you need to
light a candle instead. To help you be more productive, let’s explore writing
habits—so yours can be robust, productive and prolific.
We Are All Creatures of Habit: Nearly everything you do is a habit.
Scientists have found that anywhere from 40% to 95% of what we do is
habit—every day! That means that if you’re not writing as much as you’d like,
you probably have a habit of not writing.
What does a habit of not writing look like? Read the full article...
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Advertisement
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Unlock the potential
of your manuscript! Helga Schier, PhD,
published author and professional editor offers effective, personalized,
constructive and comprehensive editorial services.
Contact:helga@withpenandpaper.com,
www.withpenandpaper.com,
310.828.8421
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Some writers have
all the luck, but most writers take more than a few tries to unlock the
secrets of how to find a literary agent. Martine Fournier Watson shares the
story of her journey through 108 rejections over the course of 18 months.
Read More...
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Writing a fantasy
series gets a little easier by tracking the details of the world you’ve
created. EJ Wenstrom offers a few easy ways to manage the controlled chaos.
Read More...
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Patricia Colleen
Murphy is the founder of Superstition Review at Arizona State University and
author of two books of poetry, including her recently published collection,
Bully Love. Murphy talked with WD about how to improve writing and what she
looks for in reading poetry for publication. Read More...
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Applying these
screenwriting techniques to your fiction can offer benefits like sharper
dialogue, improved pacing and stronger characters. Read More...
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Take a trip to the
thrift store, or think about your latest trip. Pick one item you find
interesting and imagine who its past owner(s) was... Start
writing...
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The growth of the
children's book sector has been unprecedented this past decade—so how can you
make your manuscript stand out in these crowded categories and genres? In
this Writer's
Digest Boot Camp starting June 25, the agents of P.S. Literary Agency
will show you how to make your submission stand out.
Reserve Your Seat...
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F+W, 10151
Carver Road, Suite 300, Blue Ash, OH, 45242 USA
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