What do you do when the genre you write is commonly referred to as trash? Not just by non-readers, but by the key audience demographic as well? The romance genre, dominated by a female readership whose novels most often involve sex, would have to be referred to as trash in a culture still affronted and… Read more »
Writing from multiple points of view can be a fantastic way to tell a story, but it can also be a difficult one. Managing multiple story arcs, information and reader experience is tricky enough with just one character! But having different perspectives can also make for a richer reading experience. It’s not right for every… Read more »
Growing an online platform is about that long tail growth. Just like writing a novel, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. The way you keep it growing is by consistent, small steps that add up to meaningful growth over time. What are the next steps for your online author platform? No matter where you are… Read more »
As we’ve talked about on DIY MFA in the past, setting goals can be a powerful tool to helping achieve our writing dreams. But what sort of goals should we be setting? There’s the obvious ones–like writing every day, finishing a certain project, or sending out queries. But there are many other ways to improve… Read more »
Why do you write? That’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. Not because I’m questioning my identity as a writer, but because with the dawn of a new year filled with global uncertainty, I’m feeling the need to commit myself to a higher calling. I know I’m not alone in this; the… Read more »
I imagine every editor has, at one point or another, dropped their head into their hands and ululated, “Why didn’t I tell my author this one tiny thing before it became a massive catastrophe?!” So, in an effort to prevent further histrionics, here are some things you, the author, can do to streamline the editing… Read more »
It’s hard to believe the year is almost over! The new year is often a time to take stock, re-evaluate, and look forward to the year ahead. It’s also a time that many of us set resolutions. Here’s a few tips for making the most of this time and setting yourself up for success in… Read more »
Do we decide what to do with our lives? Is something destined to happen, or a result of our choices? These questions have puzzled us for generations. Yet their mystery hasn’t prevented authors from exploring the concept of “fate versus free will” in their stories. If anything, it prompts writers and readers alike to try… Read more »
This time of year we like to look back and highlight some of the awesome articles and contributors who made an impact on the DIY MFA site. As you know, we have an amazing roster of columnists who have contributed some phenomenal posts this past year, as well as several wonderful guest bloggers who have… Read more »
When shit goes down in our lives, how do we keep writing? At best, we lose our ability to focus on our work. Sometimes it makes us question our work—question whether what we have to say will be relevant. Or at worst, become afraid to write what we write. There’s no more tragic fear for… Read more »
