Category Archives: A blog about the topics of writing

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing tips and ideas

How developed are your characters?

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How much of your personality goes into your books? Do any of the characters share any of your qualities? Do you create a character of someone you know? Maybe you create a character with traits you wish you had. To date, I have not done that with any of my books that are fiction.

Developing characters is fun to do, yet it does require an author to step back and mull over how this “person” will appear to the readers.

Some characters your readers will fall in love with others they will hate that will propel the storyline. But having a lack lusting person won’t do you and your book any favors.

One should not rush into this. You create a physical description, but you also have to include mental and emotional aspects. You need a well-rounded person, one that the reader can invest in love or hate and imagine in their head.

I have had children ask me about Jasper and if he is in any way like he is in the book. It is an easy question with Jasper being a member of our family in real life. It is easy to put into the book his personalities and antics I have observed over the years.

I am striving for this with the books I write in other genres. I want my fans to see my characters in their minds. I want them to have a range of emotions concerning the characters as they turn the pages toward the end.

If I don’t spend the time beforehand and mull over how to develop my cast, they won’t go very far.

A blog about the topics of writing, A writing supporting other authors

Recycling your content: Do you do it?

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Do you recycle content on your social platforms? If not, why?

Finding content is not always easy. Some days I stare at the screen trying to will a topic to come to the front of my brain. It is then I will check other sites or books on my shelves. I am hoping for a glimmer of an idea. But some content that you have discussed should be repeated well repeatedly over time.

Just now, I noticed a blogger reposting a post I did for her months ago. I was elated. I knew someone who was doing it as well. Plus, it was a topic I get on my high horse about with other authors. The topic? How authors should have a social presence with their brand.

Awesome. This is a blogger who has been very prolific in helping authors promote themselves. If it works for her, it works for me.

You have new authors arriving on the scene who might need the tidbit you are discussing. It could help authors who have been around the block but perhaps need a reminder refreshers course. It could also remind you of things that might have gotten sale.

So, don’t fret over reusing topics. It could be the very thing that someone needs.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing Advice

Is your website easy to maneuver?

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Is your website too hard to figure out? Are viewers able to find what they need readily and easily?

I try to make my site user-friendly by repeatedly trying to improve it. I look for issues that need to be corrected.

It is frustrating to go to a site and spend more time than necessary to find what you are looking for on that page. For the most part, I will move on. The odds of me returning to that site are slim to none.

One needs to make a site welcoming and easy to navigate. It must not be cluttered. Links have to work. What you are trying to promote to show needs to be upfront and prominent.

As someone who makes her site the hub of all she does as an author, I need it to be easy to maneuver. Everything has to be clear when it comes to what I am trying to get across to others.

It is not easy getting people to subscribe to your site. If one does not make their site inviting, not only will new people move on, you might lose those who are already followers.