Is it just me or did the month of January fly by? Seems like I was just putting away Christmas decorations and gearing up for the new year.
January’s always a busy time for Angela and me because it’s when we do our annual planning—figuring out what our goals should be and how we should allocate our time. Staying organized is more important than ever because we’re closing in on 16 years of blogging (crazy!), and things are a little busier and more complex at Writers Helping Writers than they were in 2008. So carefully planning our time is key to us staying sane.
But we still find ourselves looking back sometimes at the things we did when we were first starting out—fun launch events and opportunities that had to be set aside as our responsibilities grew and our time got squeezed.
One thing we miss is being able to answer your questions about writing and the business side of things. Angela and I have been studying writing craft and managing the business end for some time now, so if we have knowledge that can help you, we want to share it. To this end…
We’re bringing back our Q&A!
For now, we’ll include the Q & A in our Master Storytelling newsletter (see the latest edition here), and this means we need your questions!
So, is there something you’re struggling with and need help understanding? Or do you have a question about us personally? If so, let us know. To get your brain churning, here are some topics and questions:
Writing Craft and Various Aspects of Storytelling
How do I figure out my character’s wounding event?
What’s the difference between a change arc and a failed arc?
What tips do you have for showing instead of telling?
How do I identify my story’s theme?
How much description should I include when I’m describing my setting?
What nonfiction writing craft books would you recommend?
What story structure model do you like to use, and why?
The Business of Writing
I have a full-time job; how do I make time for writing?
Should I create a business plan, and how do I do it?
I’m attending a conference this summer. Any tips on maximizing that experience?
What are some ways I can use my writing skills to make money on the side?
How can I use A.I. to save time and maximize my efficiency as a writer?
What’s a mistake you and Angela made on the business side of things, and what would you do differently?
Publishing
Should I self-publish or go with a traditional publisher? What are the differences?
Do I need an agent?
How do I know my book is ready for submission?
How do I find a critique group?
How do I know what feedback to incorporate into my story and what to ignore?
How do I tell a legitimate publisher from a vanity press?
Do I have to hire an editor?
When should I copyright my work?
Can you recommend a formatter/cover designer/proofreader/etc.?
Why did you and Angela decide to self-publish your books?
Book Marketing
How do I gain visibility for my books?
Should I go wide or narrow?
How do I find my ideal reading audience?
What should I write about in my reader-focused newsletter?
What marketing strategies have worked the best for you and Angela?
Our Books, Resources, and Services
What’s the difference between your books and One Stop for Writers?
Which of your books should I buy for a friend who’s a beginning writer?
How do I use the Reverse Backstory Tool in Appendix A of The Negative Trait Thesaurus?
I just found your Goal, Motivation, Conflict, & Stakes tracking resource. How do I figure out why they want to achieve their goal?
Will you be turning the Fear Thesaurus into a book?
What was your favorite book to write?
Getting to Know Becca and Angela…
(because all work and no play turns you into this guy).
How do you collaborate on books – what does that look like?
What are your biggest struggles as authors?
Do you have a pet, and can you share a picture of them?
When was the last time you were embarrassed?
How did the two of you meet?
What have you learned about yourselves from writing your series?
Pineapple on pizza: yes or no?
This is just a sampling of the kinds of questions you could ask. Basically, we’re happy to answer anything writing- and career-related that you need help with and share a bit about our personal side, too. (If you have a question about your specific story, we won’t be able to answer those as we’d require a lot of specific knowledge about your project.)
If you’d like to submit a question, please use this form. You can enter up to 3 questions at a time; if you have more than that, just click the link and start a new submission. The more questions the better!
We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Okay, what can one do to promote older titles, especially a series that ended less than two years ago. (The first three did great, but I kinda waited too long to write the fourth one.)