If it’s Tuesday, it must be post day! I’ve got a few more writing-oriented links to share with you.
The Spreadsheet of Shame. This Excel setup allows you to track your daily word counts and see when you’re getting ahead…or falling behind. I haven’t used it myself (although I did download it), but I know people who swear by it. (Instructions on its use at the link, including how to download the spreadsheet.)
From the creators of South Park…no, I’m not kidding…their Writing Rule #1. (It’s video; the swearing is bleeped.) Never thought you’d get a good storytelling tip from those people, did ya?
Busting down the romantic myth of writing fiction and mitigating author burnout by Kameron Hurley.
10 tips and tricks for creating more memorable characters by Charlie Jane Anders.
25 ways to write a real page-turner by Chuck Wendig. (He swears. You’ve been warned.)
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Speaking of Kameron Hurley, she is a fantasy/speculative fiction writer who just won two Hugo Awards (one of SF’s highest honors) for her blog posts (about fandom and related to SF writing). She also knows how to work promotion. Her new book is coming out next week, and this is what her blog tour schedule (all arranged by her, except for the one B&N promo from her publisher) looks like: http://www.kameronhurley.com/?p=14087 Note that none of these blogs look to be prolonged “buy my book” screeds; she’s relying on the exposure to her non-fiction writing as a gateway to her fiction. The sheer number is daunting, but they are strategically placed and, with luck, will boost her sales.
Overkill? Perhaps. But she is probably reaching a lot of people she might not normally, and this can only help her sales (especially since she’s not just talking about her book). Something to consider if you’re thinking about a blog tour.