Tag: how to write
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Want to Be a Better Writer? Read This.
I’ve talked to hundreds of best-selling authors about their early years, before they were published. By and large, they wrote about half a dozen unpublished manuscripts before they sold their “first” novel. Aside from cranking out thousands of pages of prose, how do you learn the writing skills you need to improve over time?
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How to Use Rejection to Grow Stronger
This is a true story. Not long ago, an aspiring writer reached out to me for advice on how to deal with the worst kind of rejection. Delia (not her real name) had decided once and for all to finally write that book she’d been dreaming about for years. And she did it – she…
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6 Easy Steps to Writing Unforgettable Characters
Every writer knows that creating interesting characters is one of the toughest parts of the job. I don’t feel like an expert on characters by any means, but RT Book Reviews said this about my latest book: “MacNaughton has a real gift for developing quirky and crazy characters.” Nice to hear, but I’ll tell you:…
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New Author Interview on Blog Talk Radio
The Daily Author turned out to be one of my favorite live interviews ever. Richard and I got into some pretty in-depth discussions about: • What it takes to overcome creative anxiety • Connecting with your creative support network • The importance of knowing good advice from bad • Independent vs. traditional publishing – there…
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Storytelling Made Easy (Even If You’re Not a Writer)
If you think about it, storytelling is a skill we all use every day. We tell stories at the water cooler, in meeting rooms, in social media, and around the dinner table. Knowing how to tell a great story helps you communicate, do better in business, and be more fun at parties. Think you’re no…
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Electric Spec Interview on Writing Short Fiction
It was a real honor to have the chance to sit down and talk with Electric Spec about what makes short stories so relevant today. As writers, short stories give us the opportunity to connect with readers in ways that novels don’t. Besides, talking about how to write short stories is just plain fun. Also,…
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How I Make a Living as a Writer (And You Can Too)
I’m proud to say I’ve built a full-time career around writing, as both a novelist and a copywriter. That means splitting my time between the two. Usually I spend the morning writing novels, then spend the afternoon writing marketing and advertising copy for business clients. (“Copy” is just fancy ad agency shorthand for “words that sell…
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How to Plan and Write A Novel
I’m often asked what my writing process looks like. How do I write a book? It’s pretty simple, actually. (Not easy. But simple.) First, I start with the basics: Who are the good guys? What are they trying to do? And, especially, why? Who are the bad guys? Where does this take place? Then I…
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How to Never Get Writer’s Block. Ever.
Let me tell you the secret to getting rid of writer’s block forever. I’ll admit, I’ve certainly had days where I feel like I don’t know what to write, or I worry that everything I write is terrible. Some people call that writer’s block. I call it “Monday.” :-) But seriously, what most people call…
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6 Secrets of Successful Critique Groups
Critique groups: best thing ever for writers? Or soul-crushing pits of despair? Here are my 6 secrets for spotting a top-notch critique group — or assembling your own. Connect with other writers and get the feedback you need to finish your book, publish it, and write the next one. Everything you need to know from…
LAURENCE MACNAUGHTON 