How to Make Tough Decisions in Your Writing
Why, oh why, do writing decisions feel like a neural hostage negotiation? Whether it’s choosing a genre, making a difficult call about a character’s fate, or — congratulations, look at you! — wondering if it’s the right move to accept … Continued
How to Make an Author’s Media Kit Using Canva
Do you have an author’s media kit? If not, let’s make one! It can be a great tool to have on hand so you can leap at opportunities as they arise, rather than hesitating. It’s also a useful weapon … Continued
How to Choose the Right Idea to Write
I’m writing you this love letter in response to one of the most common frustrations that readers share with me. It goes something like this: “I know I’m meant to write, but when I sit down and try to start, … Continued
![Why a Pen Name Makes Your Novel Feel Real [Guest Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.colesmithwrites.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pen-name-novel-real.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1&resize=365%2C365)
Why a Pen Name Makes Your Novel Feel Real [Guest Post]
Lewis Jorstad, excellent blogger and writer at The Novel Smithy, and I are turning things upside-down this week by swapping blogs 🙂 We kept running into one another on Pinterest, and I knew you would love to hear what he … Continued
Storytelling in Times of Trouble
I think it’s safe to say that the last month and a half has been an intense time. You can use several words to describe it, actually. Uncertain. Distressing. Emotional. Pick your adjective! And if you’re a storyteller, I’ll bet … Continued
Author Interview with Sarah Blizzard
A few days ago, I got an email from a reader and thought, “Wow–she needs to talk with my friend, Sarah!” I started to connect them, then realized we all could benefit from hearing Sarah’s behind-the-scenes account of her author’s … Continued
How to Plan a Book Signing
Nervous when it comes to figuring out how to plan a book signing? Answer this: Is it harder to write a book or host a book event? Way harder to write the book, right? So don’t freak out … Continued
How to Start Writing a Book
Sometimes I blog for published authors. Sometimes, for those who’re sitting on a finished manuscript and scared witless about the next steps. And sometimes I blog for you–the one who just wants to know how to start writing a book. … Continued
3 Books That Will Inspire You to Write
Frequently, I hear from writers who feel miserable. “I know I want to write, but I don’t know what.” Or, “I want to be an author but I’m not sure how to start!” Honestly, is there any writer who hasn’t … Continued
Is Book Publishing Dead? (Are You Too Late?)
Have you seen the statistics? How many adults in the US report not reading a single book last year? :::Go ahead, guess. I’ll wait right here.::: It’s 27%. Over a quarter of Americans say they didn’t read even one book, … Continued