If you’ve read DIY MFA or have been following this website for a while, you know how important community is for writers. You need to find readers for your stories, but it’s also incredibly valuable to find other writers who write the same kinds of books as you. If you’re a kid lit writer (or… Read more »
At the end of April I found myself in a place I never would have thought possible. I had not been forced or coerced in any way, I was there of my own free will. This past weekend I was at a retreat for public speaking. Back in January, Gabriela sent out an email telling… Read more »
Everyone should officially attend at least one writers’ conference. The amount of validation you get from claiming your spot as a “real” writer, whether you feel like you are or not, is totally worth the price of the ticket. If you’re attending your first writers’ conference, Gabriela has some great, very practical tips for getting… Read more »
Writing hashtags and Twittter chats are hot right now. There are plenty of pages explaining them and what to look for, but who are these chats for? What can be gained from them? Here are five kinds of writers and the benefits they can gain from participating in a Twitter chat. 1) The Social Butterfly… Read more »
I am a writing conference junkie. But they are costly, time consuming, and I am often left wondering was it worth? Recently, I forced myself to go on a conference diet. But when my critique partner told me she was going to Malice Domestic, she waved in front of me the writer’s equivalent of a… Read more »
At this point, I don’t have to tell you that Amazon is a behemoth in the publishing industry. Even more so if you’re self-published. One intriguing feature that Amazon has developed in the last couple years is the Amazon Follow button. Part of Amazon’s genius has been that it finds ways that help it grow… Read more »
In 2015, I had a transformative year. I finally began to take steps in pursuing my love of writing. In keeping with the momentum, I decided I would attend the Writer’s Digest Conference and brave Pitch Slam. Pressing that register button and making all the plans felt like a dream, so much so that I… Read more »
In my last article, I talked about my experiment with de-cluttering, and the benefits of minimalism, specifically, for writers. While I’m still not quite done, I have already been able to see a lot of positive results. Thinking about trying out minimalism? Here are three tips for getting started: 1) Write Down Your Motivations The process of… Read more »
I am a big fan of books about writing. Sometimes these books can be fascinating, while other times they verge on dull. Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of Making a Living falls under the former category. Edited by Manjula Martin, this book is a collection of essays and Q&As with writers about the finances… Read more »
A couple weeks ago I attended an absolutely amazing writing retreat – in Iceland. Yes, you read that correctly. The Iceland Writers Retreat held its fourth annual event from April 5th through 9th, and I was utterly thrilled to be part in it. And not only did the trip fulfill a three-year-old dream of visiting… Read more »
