Category: Authors Helping Writers

5 Tips on How to Avoid Author Burnout by Dave Chesson

11/1/2021

How to Avoid Author Burnout – 5 Tips:
a guest post by Dave Chesson

Most of us have probably been there. Perhaps it started as a few weeks of massive productivity, followed by even more weeks of exhaustion.

Perhaps it simply came as a form of depression, where we wouldn’t even feel like getting up in the morning, or we would sit at a computer and the words just would not come.

Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash.

Whether we have experienced this or not, chances are we will encounter burnout at some point in our author career. In fact, I’d say that’s more than a guarantee.

So, what can we do? Well, there are a few things that we can do to improve our recovery from burnout. But far more effective are the techniques we can use to avoid getting burned out in the first place.

In this article, I will examine five of these.

Tip #1: Work Smarter, Not Harder

If you’re burnt out, work is the last thing you want to talk about.

Photo by Xavi Cabrera on Unsplash.

That said, a lot of us still need to continue working even if we are burnt out.

So, one strategy to get over this problem is to work smarter, not harder.

Imagine if you could get the same amount of work done in half the time. Would that make you feel better? Would you have more time to spend on self-care?

That’s what I’m talking about here, not working more, but getting the same amount of work done in less time so you have more time for yourself.

For authors, there are some proven ways to write faster, which can include:

Dictation
Choosing the right music

Photo by Mark Cruz on Unsplash.

Keeping a consistent writing schedule

Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash.

Outlining
Rewarding yourself
Waiting to edit until you are finished

Image by Anne Karakash from Pixabay.

All of these will help you in the long run, but just one or two quick changes can make a huge difference.

Try picking one technique and mastering it to see how much time you can save, and you will be amazed at what you are capable of.

Tip #2: Schedule Time Off

This is probably the first thing that most people think about when we discuss avoiding burnout.

But in reality, it works.

There are several types of time off that you should consider. In addition to your typical vacation once or twice a year, I recommend you have at least one day off on your weekend, one extended weekend per quarter (3-4 days), and at least two half-hour breaks throughout your day.

This will not always be possible, but the more you can make time for yourself, the more likely you are to avoid burnout in the first place.

Photo by Visual Stories Micheile on Unsplash.

I especially recommend taking breaks throughout the day, because the more tired you are every day, the more likely you are to have a tiresome week.

Which brings me to my next point…

Tip #3: Try the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro technique is a method I have been using for a long time. Put simply, it's a technique where you spend 25 minutes of your time in an intensely focused state, followed by a five minute break. This technique helps with focus, but also helps you stay mentally grounded.

What's most important is that you plan your brakes effectively. This is not a time to check social media, or watch five more minutes of your favorite TV show. During that five minute break, you want to get a drink, go to the bathroom, take a few deep breaths, and move around a little bit.

Image by Conger Design from PIxabay.

Doing all this will refresh your mind and give you the energy you need to continue going for the next 25 minutes, and so on, and so forth. I found it to be extremely effective at helping me get a lot of work done without the burnout.

Tip #4: Go Ergonomic

You may not know this, but part of the reason why you’re having trouble with burnout might be physical.

For that reason, you might want to consider investing in some ergonomic hardware.

Photo by Ergonofis on Unsplash.

I personally invested in an ergonomic chair, and found that it helps so much with my level of comfort while I’m working. An ergonomic mouse or keyboard is another great option. Even better, you can try dictation so that you don’t wear out your wrists and hands.

Tip #5: Know When to Say No

Lastly, I think it’s important to remember that sometimes we take on more work than we should. It’s easy to say yes to everything that people ask of us, but we need to understand our limitations.

If we don’t do this, we are likely to end up with far too much on our work plate than we can realistically handle.

So make sure that you know your workload, and that you only say yes to a new request if it is urgent and coming from someone important in your life (such as a boss or a spouse), or if you know for certain that you can get it done in the time allotted.

Remember that you are a writer, and your job is to write. All other tasks are secondary.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of other ways to avoid burnout, these are just a few. But I also don’t want to overwhelm you with too much information. So I recommend you pick one or two of these that speak to you, and really try to give them a solid trial run.

If you do, I can promise that you will experience increased success, a rested mind, and you will hold burnout off for a little while longer.

Photo by Bruce Mars on Unsplash.

Guest Blogger Bio

Photo by Bruce Mars on Unsplash.

Dave Chesson is the creator of Kindlepreneur.com, a website devoted to teaching advanced book Marketing, which even Amazon KDP acknowledged as one of the best by telling users to “Gain insight from Kindlepreneur on how you can optimize marketing for your books.” Having worked with such authors as Orson Scott Card, Ted Dekker and more, his tactics help both Fiction and Nonfiction authors of all levels get their books discovered by the right readers.

Links
http://kindlepreneur.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KindlePreneur/
https://twitter.com/davechesson

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age book spotlight here.

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Explore the A to Z's of Writing by Marie Lavender

10/11/2021

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Explore the A to Z's of Writing: an admin article by Marie Lavender

This week, I thought I'd take a moment to go back to basics. I would like to explore some terms we use in the writing industry. For newbies, you'll hear these from fellow writers or editors at your publisher at some point. Or, you might see them on how-to articles. And if you've taken a writing workshop at all, you've probably heard most of them. Even if you're a seasoned writer, it can't hurt to reacquaint yourself with these words or phrases, as well as to keep the following advice in mind. So, without further ado, let's explore the alphabet of writing...

Photo by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash.

1. A for Antagonist - The villain in a story, or at least a concept/obstacle which stands in the way of the main character (protagonist) reaching his/her goals or happiness.

Writer Tip: Always include an antagonist, or at least a barrier preventing the protagonist from getting what he wants, in any work of fiction. This automatically creates conflict, which heightens tension and moves the plot along.

2. B for Book - a published volume which includes a single manuscript, or a collection or anthology of several works. Such work housed within the book can be fictional in nature, fact-based, or even include poetry. There are full-length books in the industry, as well as shorter ones. A published 'book' may be in digital (ebook) or physical format (such as a trade paperback or hardcover). A 'chapbook' is often a shorter book written by one author, with numerous poems or short stories included.

Writer Tip: Whether you decide to get published traditionally or on your own, do your homework on your intended genre and make sure your manuscript is properly edited and formatted in advance.

3. C for Creativity - A type of self-expression for a writer or artist which may result in the form of writing, painting, sketching, or designing a work of art. Creativity is the act of turning new ideas into reality. Some businesses might ask an employee to implement creative problem-solving just to come up with a unique solution to an issue.

Writer Tip: Stretch your creative muscles by trying different mediums. Start writing in a separate fiction genre, go for an essay, or construct a poem instead. Another option would be to paint or draw a scene or element from your story. Some fantasy writers like to expand on the idea of world-building by making a map of that fictional world, a fun detail to include inside the book when it gets published. Create a shadowbox for a room in your house (use a specific theme), or even paint the wall in a new color.

Photo by RhondaK Native Florida Folk Artist on Unsplash.

Any of these creative endeavors can open your mind to new writing ideas.

4. D for Development and Dialogue

Development - You'll usually see this in reference to 'character development' or 'characterization'. A character is a person represented in a fictional tale. The story can be told from this individual's perspective.

Writer Tip: Know your characters well, especially the main ones. Even if you don't include every detail in the story, it can't hurt to know how a character would react to a certain situation. Be sure to add 'consistent inconsistencies' (for example, a thrill-seeker who is somehow afraid of heights). More than than anything, though, you must learn to listen to your main character.

Dialogue - The speech patterns and discussions between characters. This is separate from the internal thoughts (monologue) of a main character. Dialogue in a book should be as natural as possible.

Writer Tip: To exhibit realistic dialogue in a story, take some time to recognize the flow of conversations in real life. How do people talk? What gestures or sounds do they make during specific parts of the discussion? How do they emote or express themselves?

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5. E for Empathy - A sense of fellow feeling for another person, or putting yourself in their place. This is a key component for any writer who intends to create a believable character. It's also necessary to add enough emotion which translates on the page so that readers will start to care about what happens to your character. The way you do, right? ;) If you have begun to wonder where you're going wrong, then try to connect better with your character. Learn more and imagine how they'd respond to situations.

I know I've done my job when I'm feeling the emotions that the character is going through. If he or she is sad, tears are probably streaming down my face, too. No, I'm not really crazy. This is just the writer's journey as the story progresses. It's no different than getting choked up while watching a dramatic film. When we write, the story plays out in our heads like a movie. So, why wouldn't we respond to that in kind?

Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash.

Writer Tip: Know the plot and main character well enough to express those facets within the story. Remember, empathy is deeper than sympathy. Readers will come back for more if you evoke the same emotions in them. Make the story and characters relatable.

6. F for Fiction - Often told in story or novel form, fiction is a creative work, concerning people, places, or events. It is not based in fact, though certain objects, historical figures, and actions which are mentioned can appear real. The key elements of fiction include character, theme, plot, point of view, setting, conflict, and tone. Fiction can be divided into different areas or 'genres'.

Writer Tip: Unfortunately, some parts of reality must off-set an imaginary world. The more of a relatable quality you can add to any story, the more likely a reader will connect with the characters and the events happening therein.

7. G for Genre - This describes the category that a specific book falls under. Some examples are romance, mystery, science fiction, and horror. You've likely been on Amazon and noticed all the sub-genres listed there as well. So, that leaves a lot of room for writers to put their stories.

Writer Tip: Try your hand at writing different genres. Use the following prompt:

Rain came down in sheets, a hard battle against each window, while lightning struck nearby. The raging storm outside, though, hardly compared to the one within.

Continue the story on your own from where the last sentence started. At the same time, think about the separate tones you can add to the tale to make it more romantic, mysterious, supernatural or spacey, and even creepier. Write four different versions, one for each genre - romance, mystery, science fiction (feel free to substitute asteroids for rain, as I know it doesn't rain in space), or horror. They don't need to be long stories or even finished, just enough to establish tone. Then, decide which one you like best.

8. H for Hook - A 'hook' is a sentence in the first paragraph of a scene or chapter which compels the audience to keep reading. If this is done well, the pop, so to speak, usually falls in the first sentence. Similarly, a 'closing' positioned at the end of a scene or chapter, should make the reader want to find out more. That means they're in it for the long haul, prepared to continue diving into the reading experience.

Writer Tip: Do your best to avoid losing the audience in the first chapter, but especially in the first paragraph. Draw someone in with a leading sentence that makes them wonder what happens next. If you effectively use the same technique for opening and closing each scene and chapter, you'll have nailed a big part of the author job description. The most challenging portion of landing a good hook, however is doing it for the whole project, in the first sentence of a story or book.

9. I for In the Middle of Things - This is a direct translation for the Latin phrase 'en medias res', a term we use in the industry for stating the best place to start a story - in the midst of some action. Sometimes, as writers, we don't realize the beginning until we've written other leading sections. For example, if your project entails a woman getting fired and how she handles it, breaking out on her own and finding a new career, you wouldn't want to start the story at breakfast time, right? No, you'd begin when she's hauling her butt - perhaps complete with a speeding ticket - to get into the office without being late, just to find out she's been let go. Or, you might start it right at those fatal words.

"Sorry, Julia. We've decided you're no longer a good fit for this company."
Um...what?

Photo by Pradeep Ranjan on Unsplash.

Exactly. Do you see how those punches to the gut can hook a reader into wondering how the character will react? Oh, no, she's been fired. What now?

Writer Tip: Take some time to decide where your story starts. Better to do that now than to be forced to cut out a whole section - one you thought was the beginning of the tale - later on.

10. J for Justice - My own term for the moment when a story's 'climax' and 'resolution' have produced a fitting end. For me, it usually comes when I'm reading a mystery, thriller, or romance novel. Book lovers both dread and relish this moment. They get peace, at long last, for everything in the story finally has reached a positive outcome. However, the story is over and the reader must move on, which is a regrettable conclusion.

Writer Tip: Make sure your own story has a sense of 'justice' by wrapping up all the loose ends in a satisfying way.

11. K for Knowledge (Research) - Your grasp of information which you've gleaned through an educational experience. With writing, the term we use is 'research'. It's a sometimes dreadful yet rewarding challenge. Some newer writers feel that research is a waste of time. Believe me, it isn't. There will undoubtedly be facts you need to learn just to fill in a character's personality or background. For example, we can't all know what it's like to be a firefighter, or how to describe a cottage in Somerset, England. That's what research is for. I promise you this is not a time-waster. Let's face it, your audience is intelligent. They 'know stuff', for lack of a better phrase. For example, historical fiction writers rely heavily on their understanding of past events, and how they can use them as a main backdrop for a story. The characters might be fictional, but the way the people interact with what really happened then offers the audience a sense of how some individuals must've responded to it at the time. Research is key here. Greater authenticity in a book attracts more readers. It's supply and demand, that's all.

Writer Tip: Break your large research tasks down into smaller ones. Look up one fact per day, or spend an hour per week filling in all the details you procrastinated about. Then, stop and continue next week. It might not look like it at first, but these little jaunts of research add up over time. Plus, once you have everything organized, you can just do a quick search for what you wanted to know. So, pull on your big kid pants and get to researching.

12. L for Literary Fiction - This sub-genre still includes all the rules of fiction, while invoking a deeper character study. The focus then moves toward conveying a message about the human condition, and sometimes an overall political or environmental statement. In literary fiction, the character must evolve in some way, perhaps even have an epiphany by the end of the story. A small population of readers tend to get snobby about this genre, calling it 'true literature'. Though some elements of each story may reflect other fiction categories, the intense depth of character portrayed in these books make them 'literary fiction'. Some examples of literary fiction are The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, amid countless others. Many of this genre's popular titles have been adapted into film.

Writer Tip: If you're more of a character-driven story writer, literary fiction may well appeal to you. You might find you're more comfortable writing here. Try it out...what can it hurt?

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13. M for Motivation - This is what drives a character to keep going. It's about the thing they want the most in life, and the actions taken to reach their goals. Motivation is a key element to recognize when learning about your main character. It will help that person attempt to circumvent the antagonist, or big obstacle, which is standing in their way. And sometimes, at least internally, the problem could be their own misconceptions about the world or themselves. Motivation can also be subconscious - a deeper dream - something that person has always wanted, even though they might not have thought it was possible. Perhaps they came from a foster care situation and always wanted a real family.

Writer Tip: Identify what motivates your character. What does he or she fully desire? What is the most important thing to them? What are they willing to do to get it? Also, what exactly is the problem in the story? What prevents them from reaching their aspirations? Eventually, it will all be buttoned up by the end of the story. But for now, what is driving your character forward?

14. N for Non-fiction - A written work which is distinguished by the very fact that it is, well, not fictional in any way. Usually, you'll find biographies or even autobiographies, covering real people in the world, whether he or she lives currently, or was instead a historical figure. Either way, that person has existed at some point, and they're the sole topic. Memoirs fall under this category. Creative non-fiction, or 'narrative non-fiction' as the more popular term, is when a writer constructs a story about a real person yet adjusts small details - names, personal traits or appearance, perhaps even smudges some dates - to protect those identities. The events that happen are real, and so are the emotions which stem from them. Yet, creative license allows the writer to embellish on certain facets of the tale, while still diving deep into characterization and finding out how someone ticks. The artist at the helm of a non-fiction work becomes the conduit for a real-life story to be told.

Other types of non-fiction include reference materials on various subjects - informational resources for those who might require them. Such resources can also include travel guides, books on philosophy, self-help or instructional guides of any kind (books on dieting, cookbooks, business success titles, and how-to manuals, among others). Journalism and humorous non-fiction are a part of this overall category as well, at least as long as the commentary relates to current events. Just for fun, I'll list several names of authors featured here on Writing in the Modern Age over the years who published works of non-fiction (some write in multiple genres). Some of those writers are Wayne Neely, Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, S.A. Soule, Cindy Fazzi, Dougie Brimson, Lance and James Morcan, Stefan Vucak, Mark Iles, Jim Anders, Rhonda Cratty, J.L. Smith, Lisa A. Snidernman, and so many more.

Writer Tip: Try your hand at non-fiction. Write an essay or an article for a blog. Keep track of your sources and make sure they're legit. Or, if you're truly passionate about a topic, maybe you'd like to write a non-fiction manuscript and submit it to a publisher.

15. O for Outline - A writer's outline is a little like a book synopsis, which is often submitted in a query to a publisher or literary agent. This is a detailed account of what happens in a story. Sometimes, brainstorming is used to create an outline. The outline helps to fill in some of the blank spaces for writers who are struggling to finish a book. At least, having an idea of the events that occur next gives them a sense of what to focus on during the project. Let's say that you, as the writer, have a general notion of what the book is about. But, how do you get there? Writing is rarely a linear journey. However, making an outline can benefit you, sometimes exponentially. Perhaps you know what the character wants in life, and have a basic idea of what he should do to get there. Yet, it isn't your life. This is the character's. His background, environment, and any assumptions he's made about the process will come into play. You must take all of these details into account. Look at the path like a roller coaster ride. There will be ups, downs, then twists and turns to reach the end. So, now knowing all that, what can we glean from it to make an outline?

Writer Tip: Start at the beginning, and think of possible scenarios which could happen. What might get in the way of your character's goal or goals? Obviously, you shouldn't overload the path with tragedy or anything. But, throwing in a few obstacles can't hurt. It heightens tension, and may eventually make your character more determined to get there. Try a brainstorming session to get some ideas flowing.

Photo by Biljana Jovanovic on Pixabay.

Once the true course seems evident to you, write a detailed outline.

Actually, for a book project, the outline might even be longer than a polished synopsis which you'd send to a publisher. Just remember that your outline will provide a clearer route for the character's end game, and this will also make it easier to write the story. Some writers are pantsters and not knowing what happens next actually works for them - they see it as inspiring. Personally, I find it more reassuring to have an outline. That way, I can organize my approach. Cutting through the chaos makes me more productive. The choice, however, is yours.

16. P for Premise, POV, and Plot

Premise - The premise of a story is your personal pitch. It's basically the main idea for the book, often told in a few sentences. This is so foundational, as you can't move forward without it. Even pantsters need this general sense of the story to write.

Writer Tip: Let's say you have a thread of an idea, but you're not sure about it. Try this. Write five different yet basic story ideas, a sentence or two long for each one. Remember, you won't know all the details just yet. Pick the idea that calls to you most, the option that causes you to feel excited to dive in. Congratulations! You're ready to get to work.

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Point-of-View (POV) - Think of this term as a camera spanning the room. The angle portrays the character's perspective. I see third person POV (he/she) a lot in romance novels, though now and then, an author will surprise me. Romantic comedies are usually told in first person (I). Urban fantasy writers pick that approach quite often as well, perhaps to immerse the reader in a deeper perspective, which is sometimes more conducive to action-heavy tales. The point-of-view you select for a story is a personal choice, though.

Use one type of POV per story. For example, third person narrative versus first person POV. You can use both, but I wouldn't advise it. It gets too confusing, mainly for the writer. I tried it once with a mystery which I wrote (the victim in one scene, and then from the killer's perspective). It's better to choose one per book. If you're not sure which to go with, try writing a scene from both perspectives and pick the one that feels more comfortable. If you become familiar with it, the reader will sense that as well and feel connected with the story.

Writer Tip: Please avoid head-hopping. Stick with one POV per scene. If it's necessary to switch to another character's perspective, do a scene break and then change over.

Photo by Borna Bevanda on Unsplash.

Do not jump from one character to another, and then to the next one, over and over again in the same space. You will make your reader dizzy, certainly confused, and they'll be tempted to throw the book across the room. Believe me, I've proofread nightmare stories from fellow writers. And they weren't intended for the horror genre. So, just to be safe, use the perspective of one character per scene instead of hopping around. Other characters may interact with that person, but we won't know what they're thinking.

Plot - This is the sequence of events which comprises a story. Plot includes the beginning, middle, and end. Whereas the premise is the book concept, the plot is the storyline which comes alive on the page - it's everything that happens to the characters. Plot can be told, written, sung, or come out through film. There is no good novel without a great plot, and 'action' is what drives it forward.

Writer Tip: Take the idea you just came up with and start thinking about a main character, as well as some events that could happen. Remember motivation and how certain obstacles can stand in the way of a character's goals. See what kind of plot you can create.

17. Q for Query - An inquiry from a writer, usually in the form of a letter, which is sent to a prospective literary agent or publisher. This person is addressing the agent/publisher about possibly submitting their manuscript. Included in a query is often a brief synopsis and an overview of the writer's professional experience. Guidelines for each company vary; some want to read a few paragraphs or pages from the first chapter in advance. If the agent or editor-in-chief at the publisher is interested in learning more, they may ask for a larger sample of the book to read, or even request the full manuscript. At some point, they will get back to the writer with their response. Most will say six weeks is a good waiting period, but it can last much longer.

Writer Tip: Always check the guidelines for each agency or publisher you're querying. They all have different rules. And don't be discouraged if you don't hear back from them right away. People get busy. Just turn to other tasks to get your mind off the anxiety of waiting, or you can keep querying with other agencies. Remember, rejections are par for the course. A form letter is typical. If you receive any detailed feedback, consider the suggestions. The decision to change anything is up to you, though. Don't let someone else's words deter you from your goals. Keep trying and keep writing.

Photo by Arif Riyanto on Unsplash.

18. R for Reader - A reader is someone who peruses and absorbs books, and he or she is often a bibliophile (book lover or collector). This is your eventual audience. A good critique partner will look at your story from the perspective of a writer, editor, and reader.

Writer Tip: Choose your trusted circle of crit partners and beta readers wisely. The best feedback should challenge your assumptions about the story and help improve your writing. This will get you well on the path so that a real reader can see your book once it gets published.

19. S for Setting and Sensory Details

Setting - This is the character's environment. It's where the story is set, whether that is a city we know, or one we've never heard about. Finer details - by using description - help to paint a clearer picture. It can be the main character's house, their workplace, or some other area where they visit.

Writer Tip: Try to describe a place you know or a location where you'd like to travel. Use your memory to fill in the details. Or, do some research online. Implement the tools we have at hand, such as the street view on Google Maps or through studying pictures you find online (or at a historical society), to make the setting come alive.

Sensory Detail - A more specific way of describing a person, place, or a thing. What color? What type of fabric? What brand name? It's not just a tree; tell us what kind. Writing experts will advise you to use the six senses. Try the main five first (sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing). We don't need to go as far as to say that the final sense is supernatural or anything. Let's just state that the sixth sense is intuition. As humans, we all get certain vibes about a person or a place. That's what we try to tap into as authors when writing a story. Short of coming off as an omniscient narrator, you can work in somehow that the character 'senses' something is wrong, or even life-changing. You can be less vague than that, but you get what I mean.

Photo by Emma Valerio on Unsplash.

Writer Tip: The more direct of a description you can include about the character's environment or the objects they interact with, the easier it is for the reader to visualize what you're talking about. What is the color? What is the object made out of? How does it feel to the touch? Is there a certain smell in the room the person just entered? By digesting these finer details, a reader will be able to better picture themselves in that fictional world with the character, therefore feeling more connected to the story.

20. T for Tension - An element in writing which is used to introduce a sort of low-level anxiety in a reader, along with the wish to find out what happens next. However, tension can be increased, depending on suspenseful or dramatic moments in the story. Tension is there to evoke emotion in the audience. You've probably noticed it with movies. In romance writing, a tense moment denoting an unspoken chemistry is often utilized. Even if the characters don't act on it, there are internal and external cues that make it obvious. Tension is used in mystery stories as well, sometimes to create a sense of dread. As aforementioned, we continue to experience tension when a character who has a goal gets thwarted by obstacles here or there. It is a simple way to add tension over time. Obviously, you can add more tension, if there is danger or by creating an immediacy to each scenario.

Here's a real-life situation we can all identify with: You need to buy groceries, but your weekly check got delayed. Do you ask a relative for a loan to tide you over, or try something else? Then...oh, great. The washer broke, so you are forced to go to the laundromat to get your laundry done.

Photo by Jeremy Sallee on Unsplash.

Well, that just made a bad day even worse. So, what actions can you take to resolve these issues?

That was rhetorical, but I think you understand the immediacy of the problem.

Writer Tip: Create ways to heighten tension for your character, or add a sense of dread for the audience. Perhaps the character is spying on someone because he needs to know the truth, but is afraid he will get caught. Write about the physical sensations he might experience. Also, what is he thinking?

Photo by Nourdine Diouane on Unsplash.

All of this will add tension for readers and they'll feel more invested in your character. Infuse a sense of urgency, so that the reader is squirming to learn what happens next.

21. U for Unreliable Narrator (or Reliable Narrator, diversely) - Reliability, or the lack thereof, is a way of measuring and declaring the quality of a story or its characters. Common sense can't hurt, either, at least with regards to a writer using it to make connections about how an individual will react to a specific situation.

Writer Tip: Write about a character who is believable, more like a real person, with flaws, strengths, and internal conflicts, rather than a typical archetype you might often see in a certain genre or in a movie.

Photo by Ria Sopala on Pixabay.

Just make sure you cover yourself legally if you decide to base a character on someone you actually know or anyone in the public eye. Change the name and a few other details (their appearance and background). You still want to keep your friends, after all. Besides, you certainly wouldn't want to get sued over a defamatory statement.

For myself, I never base my characters on anyone in particular. I just offer the necessary information and let the reader's imagination fill in the rest. They probably all see the characters in different ways, at least until they get a look at the book cover, right? ;)

22. V for Voice - This is a fancy term for discussing a writer's individual approach to storytelling. It's basically their style. Every writer has a voice, and it eventually shows up in a manuscript. Most editors are smart enough to avoid messing with voice. There's also 'passive voice' versus 'active voice' when it comes to grammar. It's a separate thing entirely, and that has more to do with word choice and rephrasing.

Writer Tip: If you're worried that you haven't quite found your unique writing voice yet, don't be. You'll come into it naturally over time, especially with increased writing practice.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.

23. W for Writer - Someone who naturally gravitates to the art of writing novels, stories, poems, essays, or is even a blogger at heart. Other people prefer journaling. No matter the medium, a writer is a unique blend of crazy, creative, ambitious, and numerous other qualities that it takes to pursue his or her goals.

Writer Tip: Never lose the joy of writing. Always remember where you started and why it feels so perfect to let the muse take over, how much freedom you feel when you're in the writing zone.

24. X for X-ray - An extra pair of eyes couldn't hurt, at least to help out with proofreading your manuscript. ;)

Writer Tip: If you're looking for a proofreader or editor, don't ask a family member to read your book. Unless your cousin is a whiz kid at grammar, that's different. But this is a very tender stage for a writer, and you can either expect people to tell you what you want to hear, or the worst criticism you've ever encountered. You don't want that from your nearest and dearest. It's best to select an impartial party, someone who doesn't know you completely, and can separate their feelings from the bigger picture.

Photo by Anne Karakash on Pixabay.

You need REAL feedback - constructive criticism, someone who is willing to tell you what works and what doesn't. Hire an editor. Find a proofreader. Look for critique partners you can trust. Use beta readers. All of these people serve a different purpose, and can help to shape your manuscript into something you'd be proud to show the public.

25. Y for YOU - There is only one 'you', and you're the one directing your story.

Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash.

Writer Tip: Without you, the tale goes nowhere. Your vision will keep the plot going, and the characters will eventually find a home with your readers. You know your story best. The creative train doesn't shift without you, as the writer, who puts in all the work to keep this engine moving.

26. Z for Zest - A little pizazz or unique flair.

Writer Tip: Throw in some zest. Use your own blend of spices. Write on a topic or create a story that moves you. Go for what you feel passionate about.

There are so many more terms and phrases which we use in the industry. This was just a sampling, my take on what is significant at the moment, as well as some related writing tips. I hope it all helped! ;)

Photo by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay.

Blogger Bio

Multi-genre author of Victorian maritime romance/family saga, Heiresses in Love, and 18 other books. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and two cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years, with more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 21 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, dramatic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. An avid blogger on the side, she writes adult fiction, as well as occasional stories for children, and has recently started some young adult fiction. She also contributed to several anthologies. Though Marie has standalone titles on the market, her current published series are The Eternal Hearts Series, The Magick Series, The Code of Endhivar Series, The Misfits Series, The Blood at First Sight Series, and The Heiresses in Love Series. but she has many others planned. Her Victorian maritime romance sequels are returning, and the second editions of the trilogy will be released soon under her new publisher, Foundations Books. Discover more about her and her work at the following links.
List of Links:
https://linktr.ee/marielavender1

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age book spotlight here.

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Why Do We Write Fiction? by Andy Ruffett

5/17/2013

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I don’t know if anyone is actually reading this, but I really hope they are. I feel I have some great stuff to share and I hope I’m not being read as too arrogant. But let’s move on.

Why do we write fiction? I think there are many reasons, but one pertains to the fact that when we write fiction we get to create the world of our choice. This is one reason. As a writer, I always throw in a part of me in everything I write and I will do the same here. Though, I may be more throwing myself out into the slaughterhouse. But hey, writers are weird; we express our emotions. Enough jabber, here I go:

In Creative Writing right now, the class has been assigned to read short stories of our peers in our group. So far, I haven’t found anything that I consider to be “bad writing,” though, I do believe that all writing is good anyway. The point is, I’ve read a few where people throw love into the story. Love is a prominent issue and is probably addressed in every story. Though, I could be wrong. Remember the Einstein quote:

“No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong.”

Anyway, what’s my point here? My point is, we all think of love whether we have it or not. In this sense, I’m talking about passionate relationships between a boy and a girl, or a boy and a boy, or a girl and a girl. I’m not going to get into transgenders. I’m not talking about love for your parents or friends. Though, love is important in all aspects. I’m not focusing on what you may call 'family love' or 'friend love'. I guess you could call this love 'sexual attraction' - attraction to the opposite or same sex. If we have this love, well, as a writer, we may write about our loved ones. If not, we may write about our wish to be with 'the one'. Petrarchan poems are all about the longing for the one you can’t have, but I’m not really addressing that. I’m more thinking about “dreaming” about that one who you haven’t met yet. Think of the Michael Bublé song, Haven’t Met You Yet. Is that Petrarchan? I don’t believe so.

In creating these stories, you get to decide what occurs. If you feel very negative, you may write a very negative end. If the story’s hopeful, well, it would be filled with hope. The feelings you express can affect the writing or the exact opposite. I find that when I read these love stories, so far the ones I’ve read, they end happy. But, sometimes it seems so easy. Within a story, it is. But it’s harder in real life. I think time and time again about 'the one', and I always wonder if I’ll ever find them. I don’t think about physical characteristics. I think more of just having fun and enjoying their company. All right, you want me to really throw myself out there? I envision a slim body, but not unhealthy. Nothing cruel, I assure you. Ask me more questions and you’ll be dead. Well, not really.

I guess the real title for this article/curious essay is 'Why Do We Write Love Stories?'.

I believe it has to do with your feelings. I think, in order to write a great love story, we must be playing the feelings we actually have; if we want to bring in that affection from the reader, that is. I relate to more teenage novels/young adult fiction because the characters are closer to my age. Not that those younger or older characters don’t seem real, they do, but I can’t relate to them as well. It’s what makes a good book: reaching your audience. Everyone can read it, but if you really want to capture the reader you’ve got to find a connection within the writing. With love, it could be heart-wrenching or very sweet. But if it’s bland, no one will feel connected. And I think readers can usually tell if the emotions in the story are fake, unless you’re very good at conveying the opposite. For that, I congratulate you. You can join T.S. Eliot. He believed that poetry should be written through characters not feelings. He creates characters and they have no relation to him whatsoever. Maybe not directly, but maybe there’s more meaning. I don’ t know and can’t exactly ask him.

What am I getting at here? With fiction, you are constructing a fake reality, but in order to get readers involved, it has to contain realism. I’m not writing that fantasy should be scrapped, I’m saying that the characters need to be three dimensional.

But, what’s the main reason we write fiction?

To tell a story and share our ideas. And above all, to be creative.

So true. Many thanks for visiting us today, Andy!

Guest Blogger Bio

Andy Ruffett is a writer who lives in Toronto (Ontario, Canada). He is getting a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of British Columbia. His focus is Creative Writing. In high school, he was lead editor at the school newspaper. He is a proficient editor and writer, and you can connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or his blog.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=192002172

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andy-Ruffett/159163347452440
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndRuff8

Blog: http://ruffpost.tumblr.com/

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

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When Does Reality Affect Your Writing? by Marie Lavender

5/3/2013

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Our lives take a toll on us. We amble through each day, dealing with each stressor the best way we can. But, we are not infallible. Nor are we indestructible.

Some of us have to pay the bills somehow while we wait for our ship to come in. So your job can put more stress on you. There are a million distractions, and not always the good kind. Yeah, it’s nice when the day looks pretty and you feel encouraged to go explore. That’s a pleasant distraction. The not so pleasant kind can deter from your writing. We all know what that can entail. Pressure in all directions.

I saw a quote recently that I think is very apropos. Ray Bradbury said, “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” So, what kind of reality does he mean? Well, I think all of us can imagine. What in your reality keeps you from working on your novel, poem or play? I have a tendency to be too realistic, a flaw my fiancé reminds me of often. But, I’m a creative soul too. And my tendency to be so realistic does distract me from writing. Because I tend to focus too much, to worry too much about the future. What if? What will happen…blah, blah, blah. I’m sure some of you are familiar with that train of thought.

I have a manuscript, a sequel to my newly released book, that is just waiting to be finished. My first historical romance took me years to write. Years! Why? Because life got in the way. Because I had this or that to do. I’m realistic enough to know that I can’t just sit and write 24/7, whether I want to or not. I have to sleep. I have to eat. I have to, well…live, for lack of a better word. And those experiences do shape us as writers. They add to our core. They help us write. But, they can kill the creative fire too.

You know the fire. The burn. The urge to make your hands pick up a pen or fly across a keyboard. You feel it every day, even underneath all those distractions. You feel it when, finally, at some point, a scene comes into your mind. The muse has blessed you again. And yet, as writers, we can be hurt too. Yes, we’re all human. But, I don’t imagine many people know how hard it is not to write, not to feel that utter freedom of creativity. How exhilarated you can be when something just clicks inside of you, some part of the plot, some facet of the character. You start writing and don’t stop for twenty minutes or even longer. Ah, the ecstasy of it. No one knows better than a writer how that can feel.

So, let’s examine Mr. Bradbury’s words a little. Stay drunk on writing? As if it’s a drug or alcohol? Do we actually want to be intoxicated? Well, maybe not in reality. But, on writing? Yes! Oh, if only we could endlessly feel that freedom. Every one of us wants to. Don’t deny it. And it is like a drug, addictive in its own way.

And what else did Ray say? Reality will destroy you. Okay, being realistic isn’t so bad, right? It helps us accomplish our tasks for the day. Hell, it even takes a little realism to outline your story because you’re looking at it from a different perspective. So, maybe what we can surmise from it is this: too much reality destroys our joy of writing. Sure, I can see that. With all the deadlines and the phone calls and the bills (of course), and any other distraction in our lives, how can we truly enjoy writing? I guess finding a good balance is a good way to live.

Find your joy. I urge you to write. We know we can’t immerse ourselves too much in that world or things won’t get done, right? How many times have you written or focused on a project for hours only to come up for air when someone in your family says, “Are you still working?” I have to laugh at that. Because you just did it. You were able to close out the distractions of the world around you long enough to experience how wonderful writing is. And you didn’t even realize it. Isn’t that the best part? How does the saying go? How time flies when you’re having fun. And despite all those deadlines and edits or rewrites, despite the way you have to promote yourself to sell a book, you were able to feel the joy of writing. Because writing can be fun. It can be fulfilling.

So, my one piece of advice I can leave you with, friends, besides finding a happy medium, of course, is to be joyful. Find the inner child in yourself. The writer knows what I’m talking about. Even those who aren't writers know what I'm talking about. Maybe your passion is scrapbooking or pottery. There is that part of yourself that cannot help but feel happy when you’re in the moment. Nourish that part of yourself. Sure, there will be things that drag your attention away from it, but as long as you can return to that joy time and time again, you’ll never stray too far. And we can thank Ray Bradbury for his wise words. “Stay drunk on writing” and never let reality destroy your joy.

Author Bio

Marie Lavender has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. She has published sixteen books. Marie’s real love is writing romances, but she has also written mysteries, literary fiction and dabbled a little in paranormal stories. Her most recent release, Upon Your Return, a historical romance, was published with Foundations Books.

Website: http://www.marielavender.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMarieLavender
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marielavender1

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

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Interview with Author Laura Graham

4/29/2013

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My guest today is Laura Graham. Hello, Laura! Welcome to Writing in the Modern Age! It’s such a pleasure to have you here.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can we get it?

My book, Down a Tuscan Alley, which was published last year, can be bought on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in paperback and e-books where it is collecting 5 star reviews. My other books are cat’s adventure stories for children, Tale of Two Tuscan Cats and Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief. In paperback and e-books, they can also be found on Amazon.

Is there anything that prompted your latest book? Something that inspired you?

I was prompted to write Down a Tuscan Alley because it happened – I found myself at a loose end in life with no clear idea of what to do or where to go. But I owned a minute apartment down a back alley in Tuscany bought and paid for. So I was prepared to take the risk and change my life.

Great! So, when did you know you wanted to write? Or has it always been a pastime of yours?

I knew I wanted to write when I was about 17. But I won a scholarship into drama school and from then on worked as an actress in the theatre in London, understudying Helen Mirren and playing major roles in other productions both in theatre and television. But I always wrote, secretly, stuff hidden in a box, never dreamt it would any good. Then one day I dared to show it to a trusted friend. Because of her reaction I wrote with a passion every day, hoping that sometime in the future I might be published.

Do you have any favorite authors?

Iris Murdoch, Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates, Ian McEwan, Tolstoy, George Orwell, James Joyce, PD James, to name but a few.

Do you write in a specific place? Time of day?

I like writing in a bar down the road from my house every morning. It’s called the Divine Comedy (says everything really) There are people about, a counter crowded with cakes, But it is less distracting than being at home.

Are there any words you'd like to impart to fellow writers. Any advice?

The only advice I feel capable of offering is to never give up. Write for yourself. Pour your heart and passionate ideas out onto the page. Give the very best of yourself. For that’s what any creative work is about – giving!

Here is the blurb for Down a Tuscan Alley.

A long relationship ends. At 48, house taken by the bank, Lorri has little money. What can she do? And where can she go? Gathering her meager savings and her two beloved cats, she escapes England for a new life in a remote Italian village, never imagining the intrigue, passion and romance she will find . . .

Here's an excerpt from Down a Tuscan Alley.

I’d lain on the bed, half covered with a sheet, and he had stepped across the room still wet from the shower and stretched himself on top of me. I’d gasped at the hardness of his body.

After, I’d sat at the window, looking out at the stars. The insistent thrumming of the crickets, the distant humming of the generator in the vineyards, the vibration sounds had closed us off, created our own separate reality. “Don’t think too much,” he’d said, turning over in bed.

I closed the shutters. When it rose, the sun would toast his body. It was not so much thinking as adjusting, I’d liked to have said, but couldn’t find the words in Italian. It would have to wait until I’d studied the dictionary.

This is a small review for Down a Tuscan Alley.

Neil Osborn, Arts Theatre review:

Lorri, a quintessentially English woman in her late forties decides to change her life and go to Tuscany. There’s only one problem: she has no money. But she does have two cats and a back alley apartment with a view of the street steps and the greengrocer’s moldy fruit – and I nearly forgot – an ex on the prowl, a shady character following her and a Quasimodo type lurking in the alleyway. Wonderful stuff! It gets even better when a passionate love affair blossoms with a younger man and friends arrive from England causing havoc. To sum up, Down a Tuscan Alley is a well written and entertaining read.

Author Bio

Laura Graham was an actress for many years performing in Shakespearean productions at the National Theatre in London. She has also played leading roles in Chekhov and Strindberg in major theatres in England. One of the major influences in her life was coming to Italy to live, with virtually no money, only two beloved cats for company, and coping with the mishaps, the passion and the intrigue. Which is what her first book, Down a Tuscan Alley, is about. Her second book, this time for children, Tale of Two Tuscan Cats, is about the adventures of her own two cats, one found in the forest, the other on the street. There is now a sequel, Tuscan Cats Get Into Mischief, which is also for sale on Amazon.co.uk.

Website: http://www.lauragraham.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauragraham7
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Graham/e/B007A0CQ6O/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365136990&sr=1-2-ent

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

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Interview with Author Gail Picado

4/22/2013

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My guest today is Gail Picado. Hello, Gail! Welcome to Writing in the Modern Age! It’s such a pleasure to have you here.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can we get it?

My latest book, A Cow Named John, is a true labor of love. It’s a collection of great memories of what we used to do on my aunt and uncle’s farm; a time without toys. All we had were farm animals, the land, and our imagination. It came out in August, 2012, and can be purchased through Amazon, Solstice Publishing, or Barnes & Noble if you have a Nook.

Is there anything that prompted your latest book? Something that inspired you?

As I see how kids today are so disconnected from family, it saddens me. They’ll spend hours texting their friends, but not a word to their siblings. Family is very important! So, I wrote A Cow Named John to show the world the humorous and nostalgic side of growing up on a farm.

Great! So, when did you know you wanted to write? Or has it always been a pastime of yours?

I wrote a play in the 6th grade and had a lot of fun directing it. But my dad didn’t approve of the arts and pushed me into business courses in high school. Then after he died, his adopted mom listed him as a “stranger that assumed their name” in her will. I was so hurt by this that I wrote my first novel, No One’s Son. It’s a real tearjerker. Now, I write for the fun of it.

Do you have any favorite authors?

Stephen King, Dean Koontz, plus the classics like Dickens and Steinbeck. There are so many good writers out there! I’ll choose a book just from its title, and I’m seldom disappointed.

Do you write in a specific place? Time of day?

I have a “hobby” room that’s mine exclusively where I draw, write, sew, and do puzzles. You can find me there anytime of the day.

Are there any words you’d like to impart to fellow writers? Any advice?

Don’t try to get rich by writing. Only the few get there - - very few. Write only if it’s what you love and you have something to say.

**Here is the blurb for A Cow Named John.**

Why did you name your cow John? After all, John is a boy's name.

Twelve-year-old Mike Elsasser lives on a farm in 1950s Nebraska. John is his favorite cow – she lets him go cow skiing with her in the mud. He constantly gets asked about her name, but he doesn't feel like explaining. "Just because," he tells them.

Then one day, John gets lost…

…And even worse, Mike finds himself saddled with his younger cousin, Gaylyn, a girl who smiles all the time and doesn’t know anything.

While John gets up to odd adventures, the two children have adventures of their own. They fight mosquitoes, make their own ice cream, find a secret passage and risk electrocution in irrigation trenches. They get involved in the trickery of fishing and the hunting of snipe. They learn horse tricks, escape an angry sheep, keep their trickster uncle at bay, and even survive a tornado!

A Cow Named John is a nostalgic and humorous story about children on a farm, their antics, and how work can feel like play – and how the search for John can be just as fun as actually finding her.

**Yes. You asked for it. We do have an excerpt from A Cow Named John. Enjoy!**

Two weeks before the fourth of July in 1959, the Elsasser family slept as black, billowy clouds hung in the night, blocking the moon and stars. The lightning cracked; chirping crickets lay silent. Buzzing grasshoppers, the babbling spring, and fish and pollywogs nipping at mosquitoes, all were silent too. Nothing made any noise to alarm the family of John’s intent.

John’s nose rubbed against the rough rope fibers that held her captive and kept her from exploring. Higher and higher went the rope, until at last, it went over the top of the post and fell to the ground below. John was free! Free to roam. Free to run. Free to be.

A coyote yelped and yipped such news, but the family didn’t stir. Hungry was this coyote. Hungry to the bone.

***

Twelve-year-old Mike Elsasser crouched in the barnyard the next morning and put his right index finger in his mouth. Getting it nice and wet, he stuck it in the air to check which way the wind blew. He didn’t want Old Red to smell his scent as he snuck up on her.

“Sow, boss,” whispered Mike, as he crept quietly behind the cow. Last night’s summer storm made the ground perfect for this: all wet and slippery. He inched closer. When he was within reach of the cow’s tail, Mike grabbed it and hollered, “Whoop, whoop!”

The startled cow jumped in fright and ran for her life, dragging Mike along! He hung onto her tail, fighting to stay on his feet over the wet, slippery mud. Cow skiing wasn’t easy, and he prided himself on being pretty good at it.

“Whoop, whoop!” Mike repeated, throwing one arm in the air. He skied for almost thirty feet before falling over. He looked up from the mud and watched Old Red run to the safety of the barn. He laughed.

“Crazy cow!” he yelled. He got up and brushed himself off. Hope Dad doesn’t find out this time, he thought. He’d sure be angry if he knew that I tried to ski behind another cow.

Mike walked into the barn and patted the backside of Bessie as she stood eating hay. “Sow boss,” he said, while taking a wet cloth from his hip pocket. He wiped the cow’s teat clean and then sat on the three-legged stool to milk her.

Three kittens came over and he squirted them with milk, much to their delight. After he finished milking Bessie, he moved on to Molly and milked her too. Done, he picked up the milking pails, groaning from the weight.

Mike had blond hair and blue eyes like his dad, with lean muscles from carrying milk from the barn to the white, wood-framed bunkhouse, a porch-length away from the farmhouse. They used the basement under the bunkhouse only in case of tornadoes. Hired hands, the men who used to help work the farm, and their beds were long gone, but it still held an old wood-burning stove and a milk separator. The separator looked like a large stainless steel funnel on legs. It had a crank handle like on the front of an old-timey car.

Mike set two buckets under the large funnel and poured the milk in the top. Taking hold of the crank handle with both hands, he began turning it in a continuous circle. The large metal funnel spun around and around until the cream separated from the milk. The milk filtered down one side of the funnel, and the cream filtered down the other side.

Once this was done, Mike took the cream and milk to his mom. One day, thought Mike, I’m going to move off this farm, away from this town, and then I won’t have to do all this milking. I’m going to buy my milk from the store, just like city folks.

Mike lived in Brady, Nebraska, a small town shaped like a horseshoe off Highway 30, just east of North Platte. Brady couldn’t be found on any map, and a house number wasn’t needed in the address on letters. With a population of 240 people, the mailman delivered the mail by just the name on the envelope.

Unlike the city, the town had no paved roads, only dirt, and it had wooden walkways in front of each establishment. The restaurant behind the gas station had most of the local branding irons tacked up around the walls as its décor. The town also had a bank, a drug store, a post office, a feed store, and a community center, where every Saturday night people would come to square dance. An outdoor movie theater used the white wall of the drug store as a movie screen. Logs split in half and placed on the ground served as benches, and other logs outlined where walls would have been. The best part? It was free to watch.

“Take your boots off,” Mike’s mother, Evelyn, reminded him as he put the milk and cream into the refrigerator. “And go wash up for dinner.”

Evelyn was a slim, pretty woman. Her blue eyes contrasted with her black hair, which she tied up in a bun to keep out of her face.

Mike did as he was told, and then walked to his room without saying a word. He tossed his straw cowboy hat on his bed and went to the farmhouse’s one bathroom to wash up. The bathtub stood on four legs in the corner, and they didn’t have a shower.

He heard the screen door bang shut and knew it was his dad.

“Where’s Mike?” asked his father, Arno.

“In the bathroom,” said Evelyn. “Why? What did he do now?”

“I think he’s been cow skiing again. I got to the barn just after Mike left and Old Red’s acting all nervous and upset. Dang kid! I’ve told him a hundred times not to do that!”

Arno was a fair-minded man, but also hot tempered, and he had a short fuse. His good looks – almost six feet tall, blond wavy hair, blue eyes, and long dimples on the sides of his face that showed off straight white teeth when he smiled – hid his quick temper.

Mike listened to his parents’ conversation through the open bathroom door. Oh man, he thought, should I lie or should I come out with it?

Mike dried his hands and walked into the kitchen: time to face the music.

Universal Reader Link: https://books2read.com/u/m2lMBG

Author Bio

Gail Picado was born in 1949. In high school, she loved to draw and write, but her father discouraged her, saying that there were too many starving artists, so instead, she took typing and bookkeeping, always working in an office.

As a child, her parents would take her and her siblings to her aunt and uncle’s farm in Brady, Nebraska, every summer to spend time with their cousins. She spent many hours learning chores that seemed more like play, and each chore created a good memory. There were no toys, but the animals were all the toys any child would need. This is how A Cow Named John was created.

Gail’s first novel, No One’s Son, published in 1991, is based on her father’s life. She and her husband reside in California and have three daughters.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gail.picado

Authors Den: http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=168207

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GailPicado

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Gail%20Picado

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Writing in the Modern Age

Writing & Guest Author Blog

5 Tips on How to Avoid Author Burnout by Dave Chesson

How to Avoid Author Burnout – 5 Tips: a guest post by Dave Chesson

Tip #1: Work Smarter, Not Harder

Tip #2: Schedule Time Off

Tip #3: Try the Pomodoro Technique

Tip #4: Go Ergonomic

Tip #5: Know When to Say No

Final Thoughts

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age book spotlight here.

Explore the A to Z's of Writing by Marie Lavender

Explore the A to Z's of Writing: an admin article by Marie Lavender

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age book spotlight here.

Why Do We Write Fiction? by Andy Ruffett

I don’t know if anyone is actually reading this, but I really hope they are. I feel I have some great stuff to share and I hope I’m not being read as too arrogant. But let’s move on.

“No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right; a single experiment can prove me wrong.”

I guess the real title for this article/curious essay is 'Why Do We Write Love Stories?'.

What am I getting at here? With fiction, you are constructing a fake reality, but in order to get readers involved, it has to contain realism. I’m not writing that fantasy should be scrapped, I’m saying that the characters need to be three dimensional.

But, what’s the main reason we write fiction?

To tell a story and share our ideas. And above all, to be creative.

So true. Many thanks for visiting us today, Andy!

Guest Blogger Bio

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=192002172

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andy-Ruffett/159163347452440 Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndRuff8

Blog: http://ruffpost.tumblr.com/

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

When Does Reality Affect Your Writing? by Marie Lavender

Our lives take a toll on us. We amble through each day, dealing with each stressor the best way we can. But, we are not infallible. Nor are we indestructible.

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

Interview with Author Laura Graham

Here is the blurb for Down a Tuscan Alley.

Here's an excerpt from Down a Tuscan Alley.

I’d lain on the bed, half covered with a sheet, and he had stepped across the room still wet from the shower and stretched himself on top of me. I’d gasped at the hardness of his body.

After, I’d sat at the window, looking out at the stars. The insistent thrumming of the crickets, the distant humming of the generator in the vineyards, the vibration sounds had closed us off, created our own separate reality. “Don’t think too much,” he’d said, turning over in bed.

I closed the shutters. When it rose, the sun would toast his body. It was not so much thinking as adjusting, I’d liked to have said, but couldn’t find the words in Italian. It would have to wait until I’d studied the dictionary.

This is a small review for Down a Tuscan Alley.

Neil Osborn, Arts Theatre review:

Author Bio

Website: http://www.lauragraham.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauragraham7 Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Graham/e/B007A0CQ6O/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365136990&sr=1-2-ent

Check out our latest Writing in the Modern Age blog article here.

Interview with Author Gail Picado

My guest today is Gail Picado. Hello, Gail! Welcome to Writing in the Modern Age! It’s such a pleasure to have you here. Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can we get it?

Is there anything that prompted your latest book? Something that inspired you?

As I see how kids today are so disconnected from family, it saddens me. They’ll spend hours texting their friends, but not a word to their siblings. Family is very important! So, I wrote A Cow Named John to show the world the humorous and nostalgic side of growing up on a farm.

Great! So, when did you know you wanted to write? Or has it always been a pastime of yours?

Do you have any favorite authors?

Stephen King, Dean Koontz, plus the classics like Dickens and Steinbeck. There are so many good writers out there! I’ll choose a book just from its title, and I’m seldom disappointed.

Do you write in a specific place? Time of day?

I have a “hobby” room that’s mine exclusively where I draw, write, sew, and do puzzles. You can find me there anytime of the day.

Are there any words you’d like to impart to fellow writers? Any advice?

Don’t try to get rich by writing. Only the few get there - - very few. Write only if it’s what you love and you have something to say.

Here is the blurb for A Cow Named John. Why did you name your cow John? After all, John is a boy's name.

Twelve-year-old Mike Elsasser lives on a farm in 1950s Nebraska. John is his favorite cow – she lets him go cow skiing with her in the mud. He constantly gets asked about her name, but he doesn't feel like explaining. "Just because," he tells them.

Then one day, John gets lost…

…And even worse, Mike finds himself saddled with his younger cousin, Gaylyn, a girl who smiles all the time and doesn’t know anything.

A Cow Named John is a nostalgic and humorous story about children on a farm, their antics, and how work can feel like play – and how the search for John can be just as fun as actually finding her.

John’s nose rubbed against the rough rope fibers that held her captive and kept her from exploring. Higher and higher went the rope, until at last, it went over the top of the post and fell to the ground below. John was free! Free to roam. Free to run. Free to be.

A coyote yelped and yipped such news, but the family didn’t stir. Hungry was this coyote. Hungry to the bone.

***

Twelve-year-old Mike Elsasser crouched in the barnyard the next morning and put his right index finger in his mouth. Getting it nice and wet, he stuck it in the air to check which way the wind blew. He didn’t want Old Red to smell his scent as he snuck up on her.

“Sow, boss,” whispered Mike, as he crept quietly behind the cow. Last night’s summer storm made the ground perfect for this: all wet and slippery. He inched closer. When he was within reach of the cow’s tail, Mike grabbed it and hollered, “Whoop, whoop!”

The startled cow jumped in fright and ran for her life, dragging Mike along! He hung onto her tail, fighting to stay on his feet over the wet, slippery mud. Cow skiing wasn’t easy, and he prided himself on being pretty good at it.

“Whoop, whoop!” Mike repeated, throwing one arm in the air. He skied for almost thirty feet before falling over. He looked up from the mud and watched Old Red run to the safety of the barn. He laughed.

Three kittens came over and he squirted them with milk, much to their delight. After he finished milking Bessie, he moved on to Molly and milked her too. Done, he picked up the milking pails, groaning from the weight.

Once this was done, Mike took the cream and milk to his mom. One day, thought Mike, I’m going to move off this farm, away from this town, and then I won’t have to do all this milking. I’m going to buy my milk from the store, just like city folks.

“Take your boots off,” Mike’s mother, Evelyn, reminded him as he put the milk and cream into the refrigerator. “And go wash up for dinner.”

Evelyn was a slim, pretty woman. Her blue eyes contrasted with her black hair, which she tied up in a bun to keep out of her face.

Mike did as he was told, and then walked to his room without saying a word. He tossed his straw cowboy hat on his bed and went to the farmhouse’s one bathroom to wash up. The bathtub stood on four legs in the corner, and they didn’t have a shower.

He heard the screen door bang shut and knew it was his dad.

“Where’s Mike?” asked his father, Arno.

“In the bathroom,” said Evelyn. “Why? What did he do now?”

“I think he’s been cow skiing again. I got to the barn just after Mike left and Old Red’s acting all nervous and upset. Dang kid! I’ve told him a hundred times not to do that!”

Arno was a fair-minded man, but also hot tempered, and he had a short fuse. His good looks – almost six feet tall, blond wavy hair, blue eyes, and long dimples on the sides of his face that showed off straight white teeth when he smiled – hid his quick temper.

Mike listened to his parents’ conversation through the open bathroom door. Oh man, he thought, should I lie or should I come out with it?

Mike dried his hands and walked into the kitchen: time to face the music.

Universal Reader Link: https://books2read.com/u/m2lMBG

Author Bio

Gail Picado was born in 1949. In high school, she loved to draw and write, but her father discouraged her, saying that there were too many starving artists, so instead, she took typing and bookkeeping, always working in an office.

Gail’s first novel, No One’s Son, published in 1991, is based on her father’s life. She and her husband reside in California and have three daughters.

How to Avoid Author Burnout – 5 Tips:
a guest post by Dave Chesson

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Website: http://www.lauragraham.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauragraham7
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Graham/e/B007A0CQ6O/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365136990&sr=1-2-ent

My guest today is Gail Picado. Hello, Gail! Welcome to Writing in the Modern Age! It’s such a pleasure to have you here.

Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book? When did it come out? Where can we get it?

**Here is the blurb for A Cow Named John.**

Why did you name your cow John? After all, John is a boy's name.