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Wednesday, April 5, 2017

#writerslife Links and Survey Results - What are you looking for?

No fools on April 1 this year. It came and went without any teasing or jests. I was a little disappointed. But that's okay, I'm on spring break and enjoying my extra time off! Yippee!

I don't have any complaints this month for IWSG, so I thought I'd share some Useful Links & Advice for Writers in whatever stage of writing you might be in...

Stage One - Writing
**Believe it or not, this is the easiest stage! Here are some helpful links to get you through...
  • Beta readers/CPs - I have some regulars, but I usually ask someone new with each book to get a fresh perspective
  • Writer's Digest - awesome site for writing advice and writer chat rooms to ask writerly questions. It also takes you through all the next phases, with new agent articles and book event info
  • Absolute Write - a total site for writers to communicate, bounce ideas off each other, and play writerly games - I had to give it up because I was having too much fun playing the games and not writing!
  • The A to Z Blog Challenge - I made so many contacts through this challenge, going on right now! It's changed format to keep up with the times, but if you can get involved, it'll open your horizons!
  • And of course, there's the IWSG! Beyond the monthly blog postings, the website offers many great articles full of writerly advice.
Stage Two - Finding an agent/publisher
  • Query Shark - Janet Reid is the queen of queries and she tears them to shreds to help you get to the core of your query. Read and Learn!
  • MS Wishlist - a continuous feed of agents and what they are seeking, right now!
  • #PITMAD and more - twitter pitch contests held throughout the year with agents reading your blurbs! Hosted by Brenda Drake 
  • Writing Contests - google and enter! smaller publications on your resume is a great start 
  • Writing Conferences - google and GO! You can usually set up appointments to pitch to an agent which  is worth the experience even if you don't get a bite.
Stage Three - Marketing your book
  • L. Diane Wolfe - this woman has tons of experience and great advice for marketing your book and more - check her out!
  • Jane Friedman - I've been following Ms. Friedman since I started writing. She's got links, advice, news, and all the latest trends in the industry. Highly recommend checking her out.
  • Book Events - google and GO! Get out there and sell. You have to start somewhere! (I've got lots of advice on book events)

Now for my #writerslife survey results





What's a good/constructive/funny comment you've received from a CP/Beta Reader or Editor?
It was tough to remember some, but here are a few that stuck out!

"n,lxdjfjgkzmgxdfbbbbbxkbzx... Oh! Sorry. Baby butt." - love this one!
It's a rough draft. Don't worry. You'll make it better. 
You're just sick! Meant in a nice way, I'm sure!
You just made me cry! two people said this =)

And here's one of mine - Hahahaha I always enjoy his brand of insanity in these books!

Lastly, I posted my quarterly newsletter this week with details about upcoming publications, my event schedule - where I've been, where I'm going (besides crazy) - and what I'm working on!

 


16 comments:

  1. What an interesting survey. I'm disappointed I missed it—but at least I caught the results. :)

    Enjoy your spring break! Hope you're getting some nice spring weather to go with it.

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  2. I'm glad that one comment amused you! That was from Cassie Mae. She was critiquing with her baby in her lap.
    Enjoy your spring break.

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  3. Yeh for spring break! Keep enjoying your time off! :)

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  4. Why thank you, Tara!

    Enjoy your week of spring break.

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  5. Thanks for sharing all those resources!

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  6. I never dreamed the writing was the easy part. Man, I miss those days when all I worried about was the story.

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  7. Hi Tara - great list of ideas ...thanks for listing them out for us - makes life easy for us to see what we need ... and what we've not thought of! Cheers Hilary

    http://taratylertalks.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/writerslife-links-and-survey-results.html

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  8. HI, Tara,

    These are some great suggestions and LINKS... Thanks!

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  9. Thanks for the links. Always enjoy your surveys. Happy Spring Break and IWSG.
    http://www.junetakey.com/posts/the-beginning-of-the-end-shadow-stalker-episode-19/

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  10. One of my crit partners once told me they laughed out loud at a sentence that I hadn't meant to be funny. Hmmm...

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  11. That's a great idea to get a new perspective with each book. I can see many advantages to that.

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  12. You picked winning sites for each stage.

    I've given writers comments that I've cried while reading a certain part of their manuscript. I like to share what emotions their writing brings out in me. Including shock and, yes, repulsion...but in a good way. lol

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  13. Great list of advice. Following them is tough. LOL Isn't it great not to have an insecurity right now?

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  14. What a helpful post! Great links! I look forward to checking out the ones on marketing- always something to work on. :)
    ~Jess

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  15. I missed taking part of the survey but my answers would have fallen in the majority in most cases. That's comforting in an odd sort of way.

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  16. Always enjoy seeing the results of your writing surveys! Also, just signed up for your newsletter. (Can't believe I hadn't yet!)

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Thanks for stopping by!