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Wed, Jul 2, 2025

9:08pm EDT

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Writing Blog Number 2

by S 🤦

Rated: 18+ · Book · Personal · #2311764

This is a continuation of my blogging here at WdC

This will be a blog for my writing, maybe with (too much) personal thrown in. I am hoping it will be a little more interactive, with me answering questions, helping out and whatnot. If it falls this year (2024), then I may stop the whole blogging thing, but that's all a "wait and see" scenario.

An index of topics can be found here: "Writing Blog No.2 Index"

Feel free to comment and interact.

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Schnujo's Doing Homework

about 12 hours ago
In response to "20250702 Answering Questions"

I think what your writing goals are makes a difference in what you should write. If you love writing about shape shifting alien roaches who have left their galaxy and gone off to conquer Pluto, know that you will likely find it VERY hard to get that published through a traditional publisher. If you are okay with that, so be it. Enjoy writing. Self-publish. Post short stories on your blog. Write for your own enjoyment. Whatever.

But if your hopes and dreams are to be traditionally published, you should probably consider what publishers are looking for. Shape shifters are still popular among many readers, but perhaps not alien roach shape shifters. Can you write about shape shifting wolves or dragons? It may not be your deepest passion, but if you can write about them and not hate your life, you should probably choose to do that.

Otherwise, you'll need to work very, very hard to find those very, very few fans who are interested in your shape shifting alien roaches and you'll likely have a very, very hard time getting traditionally published because there's virtually no market for that book and traditional publishers know this and aren't likely to be willing to invest in it.

That's my 2 cents from someone who has no interest in becoming traditionally published. I prefer to keep the rights to my stuff -- even if it isn't worth having. lol

The other organization I've joined recently also doesn't push social media, though they encourage it if you are interested. They recommend an author website, of course, but otherwise, just email lists to market to. They said with an active email list and a decent back catalog (not sure if that's the term I think they use, but I'm blanking on it) of books to offer, you can make $1500-$2k without spending any money on marketing. Impressive! Of course, they have folks making $15k-$20K/month with advertising (people post their "wins" from last month at the beginning of each month so we get to see who the high performers are), but they're also spending a good bit on advertising, so there's that. They're still coming out ahead, though.

Beholden

about 15 hours ago
In response to "20250702 Answering Questions"

Item 5 is excellent. If you can't write for yourself, you'll be like the rest of us - slaving away in a job you hate.

Beholden

Jun 30, 2025 at 6:06am
In response to "20250630 Letting ”The Idea Tap” Flow"

It does indeed answer the question - thank you. Lots to ponder on, including things that I've done in the past and allowed to fall away. Must really get into the habit of writing down ideas when they come and not trusting my memory.

AmyJo-Downhill slide begins!

Jun 30, 2025 at 1:20am
In response to "20250630 Letting ”The Idea Tap” Flow"

Well said! Thanks for some new to me ideas. I like the sitting down to write anything. Thank you for sharing.

Beholden

Jun 25, 2025 at 6:39am
In response to "20250625 Blog Entries"

I remain impressed with your sheer production. For instance, your recent series of stories using Beatle song titles was outrageously productive, a seemingly endless stream of creativity and invention. And here am I, tortured by my inability to think up one measly story per week.

So my question concerns this only: how does one open the faucet of ideas so that they become a steady source of new and interesting stories?

1 Like

WakeUpAndLive

Jun 25, 2025 at 2:06am
In response to "20250625 Blog Entries"

Oh, WordMaster, you'll always be a teach no matter what. Don't be a stranger.

1 Like

Spud

Jun 20, 2025 at 12:27pm
In response to "20250620 Writing Westerns"

Good advice, I thought the whole "Garry Cooper with breasts and a pretty face" bit was hilarious. Though even in the South West, the US had gender roles in the mid to late 19th century that made the idea of a female caucasian protagonist unrealistic. I guess it's what readers expect though.

Also it boggles my brain that trains aren't allowed as transportation. They were—and still are in my childhood hometown—a big part of the West. Yes they were steam instead of diesel but they were very much a part of the West. The Jessie James Gang, notorious outlaws, robbed trains exclusively. Not to mention that trains were used to transport loads of things back and forth from the region.

Also, historically, most of the "Cowboys" either called themselves vaqueros and were in Mexico, were black or indigenous. Also at least a few individuals migrated from the Antebellum South to start over after the Civil War. There were also a good number of German immigrants.

Anyways, I've been rambling. I just am flabbergasted by what readers expect of their Westerns.

S 🤦

Jun 18, 2025 at 4:01am
In response to "20250618 I vs Me"

Dave Ryan - not just the UK. I hear commentators for our football say it all the time. And in US TV shows and movies!

The myself thing is something I use when writing to indicate a pompous ass... But it annoys me as well. I am with you all the way here.

1 Like

Dave Ryan

Jun 18, 2025 at 3:57am
In response to "20250618 I vs Me"

My pet peeve is one that is becoming ubiquitous in the UK:

"Me and my wife went on holiday to Greece."
"Me and Joe went to the football."

It sets my teeth on edge, and it's bloody everywhere. It seems to be on its way to becoming accepted usage.

There's another one that grates. When I was still working, there was an annual conference by a software vendor I used to attend.The main presenter there used to drive me nuts, as she seemed to have it in her head that it sounded sophisticated to use "myself" at every turn.

"Myself and my colleagues will be available after the presentation to answer any questions."
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask James or myself."

I'd be sitting there with white-knuckles, desperately trying to resist the urge to scream.

Jeff

Jun 16, 2025 at 1:21am
In response to "20250616 Graphic Novels"

I've always loved graphic novels as an artistic medium (and the medium of comics by and large). Like filmmaking, it's a chance to marry words with visuals in a unique and compelling way.

July 2, 2025 at 12:17am

#1092646

20250702 Answering Questions

Answering Questions

Schnujo's Doing Homework asked me a heap of questions. I am going to answer the easy ones or previously answered ones here, and use the rest in upcoming columns.

1) Good 1st lines/ Good 1st pages
This is so subjective as to be insane. What one editor/ publisher/ reader likes, another will hate. For example, I have been told to never start with dialogue; I’ve sold more than a dozen that start just that way.
But one thing that you should never do is start with an info-dump of world-building or personal description.
However, I’ve covered it here: "20240612 Starting A Story"

2. Good endings
Covered here: "20240618 Endings"

3. Writing unlikeable protagonists we still want to read about
Not 100% sure if I did this properly, but protagonists are covered: "20241208 Protagonist and Antagonist"

I have to say, I have not come across this much in literature, except where the villain is the protagonist. Artemis Fowl (in the books) is the only great example where this is done deliberately.

4. The difference between alpha and beta readers and why we probably want both (at least for self-publishing -- maybe traditional doesn't)
I cover readers here: "20240522 Readers"

However, the tl;dr is: alpha readers are not necessary, in my opinion, for any writer. But beta readers are vital for all writers.

5. Writing what readers want to read, not just what you want to write
How long is a piece of string? This is sort of like bandwagon jumping, and today’s flavour of the month will be tomorrow’s cringe.
I always say write what you want to write. You are the first reader, after all. Don’t write to a market is my advice.

6. Book marketing on the cheap
No idea. I publish traditionally – my publishers market for me. But I will say this: nowadays, social media is only selling to friends and people who know you, and whereas in the late 2000s through to the pandemic, socials really helped, now it is not making perceivable differences.
I have no idea, in other words.

7. Know your audience
Covered here: "20241014 Know Your Audience"

So, thanks, Schnujo's Doing Homework, and the other 2 things you asked for will be upcoming topics of their own!

If anyone else has things they want me to look at, drop a line in the comments or Newsfeed or in an email!

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