Blog - Archive for October 2009

Creative Writing Style: Do You Have One?

Posted: Monday, 26th October 2009

We talk about certain novelists as having “style”, or say that we like "the style" of this author, but not that. But what does it actually mean to have writing style and is this something we can acquire, or foster in ourselves as writers? Or is it something that just happens?

IS STYLE DICTATED BY CONTENT?

Style has been defined as “the sound words make on paper.” In an attempt to simplify a complex subject, I’d say that this might be categorised as:

• Logical
• Formal
• Slang
• Lyrical

A logical style might be used to convey scientific or medical matters and a formal style by the legal profession.

Articles on related themes: Inspirational; Writing & Publishing A Book

3 comments | Read more »

Authors: Tellers Of Tales, Weavers Of Dreams? Tap Into Your Childhood To Reveal And Nourish Hidden Emotional Creativity

Posted: Friday, 23rd October 2009

Why do writers exist? What is it about the human race that makes us want to be authors and readers? Tellers of tales, serialisers of stories, weavers of dreams: what compels us? Scriptwriters, dramatists, actors, theatre-goers, radio broadcasters and listeners? Why? What inner compulsion urges us on – those of us who share our inner selves – to make ourselves vulnerable? And what feeds that well of emotional creativity? What makes for great writing?

WHAT NURTURES & NOURISHES YOUR INNER SELF?

This is a serious question.

Articles on related themes: Books, Reading & Words; Self Help; Inspirational; Writing & Publishing A Book

Read more »

Abusive Relationships And Those Trapped In Them

Posted: Wednesday, 21st October 2009

Emotional abuse - when a paternal example of sexual rejection, silence and sarcasm are damaging to a child's development, is it time for those trapped in abusive relationships to get out?

Blogging: Does Adding Your Credentials Add Or Subtract Followers?

Posted: Sunday, 18th October 2009

Do you ever feel that the more you know, the more you know you don’t know? I, for instance, didn’t know until I wrote that sentence that The More You Know was the title of public service announcements in the USA! Googling the phrase – as you do – brought up the following YouTube spoof.

But the ignorance, or rather uncertainty, that I’m referring to has nothing to do with spoofs, public services or announcements. What I’m confessing to is a genuine insecurity, and I’m hoping you will help me to overcome it.

Articles on related themes: Content; Blogging

8 comments | Read more »

How To Blog To Sell When Writing And Publishing A Book

Posted: Thursday, 15th October 2009

You’re an author and you have a book to sell. Selling in bookshops is one thing; selling online another. You have a question: which is superior, social media or search engines when it comes to promoting your work?

In my last blog post I concluded that, as a reader or researcher, I prefer the latter. It follows, therefore, that from the other side of the coin, as a book author, this is the method I would choose to use to promote my material.

Articles on related themes: Books, Reading & Words; Content; Writing & Publishing A Book; Blogging

2 comments | Read more »

Writing And Publishing: Online Marketing

Posted: Monday, 12th October 2009

I wrote, last week, about the futility of relying solely on book publishing houses to promote your new novel, and the need to think in terms of self-promotion. Publishing a novel is not an end in itself (you want people to read it!) and, sooner or later, the process of creative writing has to be transmuted into that of creative marketing.

METHODS OF ONLINE MARKETING

Methods of online marketing lie primarily within the realms of website, blog and social media. Each of these three techniques has its own distinct features but, to my mind there is little parity between them when it comes to marketing.

Articles on related themes: Writing & Publishing A Book; Blogging

Read more »

Successful Step-parenting: If Ozzy Osbourne Can Do It, So Can You!

Posted: Thursday, 8th October 2009

I was asked by BBC Radio Birmingham to be their 'expert' on this morning's discussion on step-parenting. I’ve forgotten how many times I’ve been interviewed in connection with my book, Stepfamilies, but I suppose, given that something like one in eight British children are now growing up in a blended family, it’s a hot topic.

STEP-CHILDREN: SOMETIMES THEY GET ON, SOMETIMES THEY DON’T

Ozzy Osborne kicked off the discussion in the studio, by admitting that his children from his first marriage and those from his second (to Sharon) "sometimes get on, and sometimes don't".

Articles on related themes: Relationships; Family & Parenting; Speaking Engagements; Stepfamilies

Read more »

Writing And Publishing: Promoting Your Novel

Posted: Wednesday, 7th October 2009

If you are serious about writing and publishing your book, then sooner or later you’re going to have to think about promoting it. I’m not talking here about manuscript submission guidelines, how to write a publishing proposal for your book. Nor am I referring to writing a synopsis for a novel in order to submit it to publishing houses. I’m thinking more of what you can offer a publisher in terms of helping with sales of your book.

BOOK PUBLISHING HOUSES & AUTHOR COLLABORATION

Publishing a novel is an expensive business.

Articles on related themes: Writing & Publishing A Book

2 comments | Read more »