Resources, inspiration, and advice to help make your manuscript or publishing project the best it can be.
As December kicks off, we encourage you to revisit your writing goals and plan how you will meet them. Take your limitations seriously and build your writing time into your schedule in a way that is sustainable. Then, guard that time fiercely. Be ready to say no to invitations and obligations that hinder your writing. What gets scheduled is what gets done, and this is truer than ever during the holidays!
Read MoreLearning to edit your own writing is a crucial component of the creative process.
Read MoreThere are few sensations more frustrating than the onset of writer’s block. It’s like the common cold: it seems to strike at the most inconvenient times, it’s utterly discouraging, and it can drag on for what feels like ages. But do not fear! Like the cold, writer’s block is common. It can even be an opportunity to hone your writing skills!
Read MoreRegardless of your style, all writers need to establish a writing environment that is conducive to inspiration and productivity. The common denominators are: a) getting comfortable, b) getting organized, c) getting started and d) staying focused.
Read MoreMost authors who are not already active on social media feel overwhelmed and have no idea where to start. Instagram has a billion users, and Facebook has almost 3 billion! It’s hard not to feel like a very small fish in a very, very large pond. However, as an independent author, these outlets are your gateway to the rest of the world (and future readers), and you can control the mood and the context in which they get to know you.
Read MoreOne of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is, “What is my WHY?” In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy for this question to get lost in the shuffle, and for what’s important to get lost amidst the pressure and noise of what feels urgent (or easy).
There’s nothing like a bout of serious illness to bring this question to the surface, for causing a person to slow down and take time to focus on what’s really important in life. This happened to me recently, so I am speaking from experience. Recovering from an illness is great time to recover not only your health, but your WHY.
Read MoreTraditional, and self-publishing both have their pros and cons. Really, the choice between traditional and self-publishing is now up to the author, and depends on goals of the project!
Read MoreStay in touch with your readers with a consistent email newsletter!
Read MoreWhen writing dialogue, there are some specific punctuation rules that govern how we write about people talking.
Read MoreThe acknowledgments page of a book gives the author a chance to thank all the people who made it possible. While it is not required, most authors choose to include one (it’s a nice thing to do!).
Read MoreYour manuscript is done. Months, if not years, of writing has come to an end. It is an incredibly exciting feeling (and you should celebrate!), but with finishing writing comes the looming question: what happens next. Inspira provides a manuscript evaluation where we let you know where your manuscript is as far as quality of writing and “publishability"—along with an assessment of what it needs to bring it up to high-quality publishing standards.
Read MoreThe tone of your writing, the attitude or feeling the language evokes regarding the subject matter, can greatly shape the readers perception of the work as a whole.
Read MoreDr. King is a legend in history because he dared to dream not simply of a slow march towards justice, but of justice and equality today. We may not be able to equate or compare any of our dreams to the famous speech by Dr. King; however, we can be inspired by his bravery. In the face of hundreds of years of history and opposition, he spoke up and spoke out—and he acted.
Read MoreHere we are at the end of 2020, and I have to say that I’m glad to see it disappear in the rearview mirror. That being said, despite its many trials and tribulations, for Inspira, 2020 held some notable high points worth celebrating!
Read MoreAll of us have a “tribe,” a group of people who look to us for direction, insight, wisdom, authority, or “how to” on a particular topic. Whatever the size and scope of your sphere, these are people for whom you are uniquely positioned with something to offer. This is why your book, no matter what the topic, will have something unique to offer your particular tribe.
Read MoreIt’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short). This annual month-long writing challenge is one of the most popular and productive writing events in the world. It is a fantastic opportunity for writers of all skill and experience levels to put their determination to the test, and see if they can write a small novel, or 50,000 words, in 30 days.
Read MoreWhen writing fiction, as authors, we want to make our characters as convincing as possible. We need to be able to portray the appearance, voice, and personality in such a way that our readers absolutely feel like they are real. Here are our top tips for writing compelling and believable characters in your fiction writing.
Read MoreIf you are looking for a productive outlet there is always something you can be working on! Here is a list of things to work on when you need a break from writing, but still want to work on your manuscript.
Read MoreMapping out a manuscript simply means going through the book and writing the titles of every chapter, section, heading, and subheading, and noting how many words are in each section. Putting away the actual words of the story and looking at the novel in this condensed structure allows you to step back and gain a new perspective.
Read MoreThe Benefits of Writing Groups: Writing can be a lonely endeavor. One way to help counter this feeling of loneliness is to join a writing group.
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