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Patricia Sands

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Stephen King

Writing~have you found yours?

March 4, 2015 by Patricia Sands 10 Comments

753047993I’m visiting over at The Artist Unleashed website of Australian novelist and poet (among other talents), Jessica Bell, who lives in Athens, Greece … how’s that for a story? I wrote a bit about how I first found my writing voice. Have you found yours?

I don’t often post writing/publishing information here since there are many websites that accomplish that task so well. I still have a lot to learn and, well, let’s face it … the learning never stops!

I keep meaning to list links of resources that I feel are tremendously helpful, but so far that is still on my “to do” list. Naming my top ten, when asked to do so, these are my standard recommendations:

1. Joanna Penn’s website The Creative Penn ~ where you will find resources to help you write, publish and market your book. Constantly updating, Joanna reports on the latest trends and brings in experts who advise on all aspects of publishing. Extensive archives!

2. Stephen King’s book “On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft”onwriting ~ part master-blueprint, part memoir, part meditation on the writer’s life, filtered through the lens of his near-fatal car crash and his epiphany on  understanding and appreciating living.

This is what Roger Ebert had to say about it: “A lot of people were outraged that he was honored at the National Book Awards, as if a popular writer could not be taken seriously. But after finding that his book On Writing had more useful and observant things to say about the craft than any book since Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style, I have gotten over my own snobbery.”

3. Fostering Success ~ You’ve written a book. Now what? ~ Self-guided online courses.

4. Alliance of Independent Authors ~ A professional association for authors who self-publish ~ a place to connect, network, ask questions, share information and celebrate.

5. Barb Drozdowich ~ Social media and WordPress consultant ~ see the complete series of resource books she has written for authors across all genres.

069e47cc1ed73ef7d7914605c6853b6a6. The Naked Truth About Self-Publishing ~ Published by The Indie Voice, 10 NYT best-selling authors.

7. The Triskele Trail: A Pathway to Independent Publishing ~ Published by a writer’s collective of five.

8. Jane Freidman  ~ Helping authors and publishers flourish in the digital world.

9. David Gaughran ~ Author and blogger ~  Let’s Get Digital.

10. Kristin Lamb ~ Social Media Jedi and Author, founder of WANA International

And then there is the seemingly ubiquitous Porter Anderson, media journalist and consultant ~ His website demonstrates how he has his finger on the pulse of the digital dynamic in book publishing like no one else. Always worth a listen!

These are all people and websites whose information and insights I find  exceedingly helpful. I’m not saying there aren’t more … because there are.

Recently BookBub published this excellent list of their favourite publishing resources. It’s worth bookmarking this link for future reference when you have time to absorb the information.

Along with the available online resources, I can’t stress enough the importance of joining writers’ groups, networking, talking, listening and sharing. Get to know editors, bloggers, reviewers, designers. Engage with readers. Social media is a necessity. Learn to make it a satisfying and enriching experience. Yes you can.

Who and what helped you find your writing voice? Do you  have other favourites to add to this list? Please do! The more we learn, the better.

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Thanks for joining me today. If you like today’s post, please use the share buttons below. It all helps!

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Filed Under: Blog, News, Uncategorized, Writing Tagged With: Kristin Lamb, On Writing:A Memoir of the Craft, Patricia Sands, social media, Stephen King, The Bridge Club, writing

Feeling slightly homicidal …

September 4, 2012 by Patricia Sands 33 Comments

I’m attempting to resist distractions like golf, grandchildren, and fabulous friends who are too interesting and/or too much fun to ignore. The reason? REVISIONS! As Stephen King would say, “kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart, kill your darlings.” His “On Writing:A Memoir Of The Craft” is one of my bibles.

Oh the pain, the agony! It gets messy at times! Trust me folks, it’s not easy deleting and reworking characters and scenes I thought were brilliantly, wonderfully, and abso-frickin’-lutely vital to the story. But that was just me …

I want to have my next novel published by the end of October *palpitations starting … body heat increasing … urge to eat chocolate almost overpowering* so I absolutely have to stay focused. I know all of this murderous behaviour wil only make the story better.

I have a talented, experienced, editor whose opinion I trust and respect. We worked together on the content edit of The Bridge Club  and his guidance is stellar … often difficult to force myself to follow … but stellar! And, yes, I did say “he”… half my age, devoted father of a toddler, who somehow gets what I like to write. I feel very fortunate that he is also available to meet or discuss a point as I know that’s an option not always easy to find.

Okay … I could go on … but my point is this. I MUST stick to my plan today. My Tuesday golf game was rained out and my dinner tonight with my bestie rescheduled. My husband is out of the country for ten days with our youngest son. I have no excuse but to have at least a week of super-productive writing and that means shutting down the social media to a minimum … or I’m in trouble, as it’s the biggest time-suck going!

I’m going to send you instead to Jenny Hansen’s blog which has one of THE most amazing collections of links about writing I’ve seen in a very long time. If writing is a topic that doesn’t call to you at the moment, there are other fab options. So do it … please … click right here and start visiting or bookmarking.

One of the awesome posts Jenny includes is August McLachlan’s “Plotting, Pantser, or Plantser:Finding What Makes You Tick”. I’ve always admitted I’m heavy on the pantser side of things but August, brilliant as usual, offers a compromise. Where do you fit?

Oh, and be sure to check out the always-entertaining Tameri Etherton’s post on self-hosting your own blog which also includes terrific links.

If you are a travel junkie like I am and have been following my posts about Drew and Christine Gilbert‘s documentary The Wireless Generation, take a few minutes to read this recent interview with Christine. All the links are also there for other information you might want to see about this creative, adventurous couple and the choices many people are making about taking their work with them as they travel the globe. As a senior *gulp*, I totally embrace the possibility. Would you?

Natalie Hartford, besides keeping her readers in stitches about topics most of us wouldn’t dare touch, is one of the most vocal advocates for the campaign against drinking and driving. Her family’s personal experience will touch your heart and hopefully encourage you to spread the word.

See what I mean? I could be on here all day just pointing you to other great spots to stop. As always, the blog roll down the side of my page here offers a wealth of fine reading. Alright … I’m outa here … see you Friday!

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog, News Tagged With: August McLachlan, editors, Jenny Hansen, Natalie Hartford, On Writing:A Memoir of the Craft, Patricia Sands, revisions, Stephen King, Tameri Etherton, The Bridge Club, The Wireless Generation

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