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Quick Tips

This category contains 71 posts

I’m Guestblogging at Wordplay

By Alice ⋅ April 27, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

Writers, are you a fan of checklists? I am. You can tell because every chapter of Tips for Authors ends with a handy-dandy checklist. Anywho, I’m guesting blogging over at Wordplay today and I think you’ll like my post. As always, quick and easy reading. Share this on del.icio.us Share this on Facebook Email this [...]

Authors, Measure Your Engagement on Facebook

By Alice ⋅ January 24, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

Tuesday’s Tip is about engaging your readers. Engagement is the buzz word this week at the Digital Book World Conference & Expo in New York City. If you’re like many authors you’re probably wondering how to measure your engagement with your readers. One really quick way is to look at your Facebook Page. I don’t [...]

Three Quick Ways to Unclutter in 2012

By Alice ⋅ January 20, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

As usual, at least for me, I’m looking for ways to reduce clutter in my life. I don’t know about you, but clutter isn’t just physical. It can be mental…or digital. So here are my three quick and sure ways to start reducing clutter in your digital life. These are starting off points and would [...]

Quick Tip: Characters should want something

By Alice ⋅ November 23, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

On the bulletin board in my office, I have a list of 8 tips for writers. I glance at them often, trying to decide if I’ve followed them well. Here’s on tip that helps me remember to give my characters goals and create conflict: “Every character should want something, even if it is only a [...]

The Easiest Way to Get Rid of Tabs in your Manuscript

By Alice ⋅ October 24, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Submitting a manuscript can be a little intimidating. And if you take the time to read the guidelines you’re probably the type of writer who wants to get your submission just right. Problem is, each publisher wants something different. Some publishers don’t want you to use tabs to indent paragraphs. So what do you do [...]

Don’t Break the Chain

By Alice ⋅ October 17, 2011 ⋅ 2 comments

Have you ever heard the saying “inch by inch anything’s a cinch?” I’ll admit that I have a problem with making slow, steady progress. I’m more of a “burst” person myself. Meaning I’ll write five blog posts in a day and then not write anything for weeks. Or I’ll write five thousand words on my [...]

Quick Tip: Create a list of character traits

By Alice ⋅ June 9, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Often when I’m creating a character that hasn’t come to me fully formed I try to figure out just who they are and what traits they have before I begin writing. Sometimes I’ll imagine them in certain situations and see how they react. Are they patient? Forceful? Aggressive? Submissive? Shy? One thing that’s helped me [...]

3 Reasons to Schedule Your Tweets

By Alice ⋅ May 31, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

I mentioned in this post about the service called tweet-u-later that will let you schedule a tweet to appear at a later date. Think of it like post dating a check. Hootsuite and other Twitter apps also allow you to schedule a tweet. But when is it a good idea to schedule your tweets? 1. [...]

4 Twitter Tips for Writers

By Alice ⋅ May 24, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

1. Add personality to your twitter profile by including a photo of yourself or your book cover. Say buh-bye to the standard twitter theme and pick on of the other options available. Fill out your 160 character bio and make it good. Let us get to know you. While you’re at it, include a link [...]

6 Important Blogging Tips

By Alice ⋅ April 11, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment

Keep it short. Five to seven paragraphs is plenty. People are busy so cut to the chase. Trim, tighten, cut the fat. Offer the best advice in the least space. Let them get in, read your words, digest them and move on. Don’t make them skim or they’re likely to leave without reading – or [...]

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