Category Archives: Writing aspect

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing aspect

Writer vs. Author

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What is the difference between writers and authors? The reason I asked the question is when I typed this into the search engine on Yahoo I got the following.

“We often use the words author and writer interchangeably. But indeed both these words are quite different. A writer is a person who writes a book, article, or any literary piece, while an author is essentially the person who originates the idea, plot, or content of the work being written.”

We do use the word interchangeably at least the people I hang out with. We do it so often I wonder if I asked them point-blank some might struggle in answering the question.

While the definitions of both words above show the difference in the two one depends on the other. You can’t be an author if you don’t write.

I even have author friends who don’t define themselves as writers if they don’t have a book out. I use to think that which is counterproductive. For starters it is not true especially if you go by the definition above. Secondly it brings down one’s confidence. One that we do to ourselves. Thankfully I broke free from that way of thinking early on.

However you call yourself, regardless if you have a book out or not, if you are writing you are moving toward something. To me that is the whole point. Just start writing so at least you can join in the conversation.

Blog on writing, Writing aspect

Updating your social platform: How long has it been?

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I have preached here before on the importance of having an author’s platform which includes online and in real life. But how many do? How many feel it is a good idea but never get around to it? From my experience from the people in my writing circle in this area very few do regardless of the reasons.

But to the few that do how often do you go back and check your sites?I try to do a health check on my various sites every three months. Do I do it? No, not always. But it is a vital tool in your kit to not only have a platform but a healthy one.

You might not have updated your books. You might have a different bio that you are using now. You might not like the style or theme you are using and want a change. You just might want something different since it is a new year.

But that is not the only reason. If you don’t keep your platform healthy and active that can affect your presence. How many times have you gone to a site and see that it is outdated? Or worse that it has no new information to share with you? Perhaps you been to a site and see that links or videos are no longer working. Maybe there was a glitch in the system and your site now is not how you had it.

Yes, life has a way of getting in the way that can slow us down. My family just suffered a huge emotional lost and I have not been around. But as I made my rounds I fixed things here and there, spruce up other things and showed I was active.

It is time-consuming to go over all of our author’s platform but it is well worth it for you, your books and your brand.

A blog about writing, Writers Resources, Writing Advice, Writing aspect

What is your voice as a writer?

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As writers do you know what your voice is?

According to Margaret Maron, creator of Judge Deborah Knott: Voice is the most important ingredient in a successful book. The plot may be clever, but if the voice doesn’t engage us, how can we care?

According to John Morgan Wilson who writes the Benjamin Justice mystery series: There is difference between voice and style though it is difficult to get at. To me voice is closer to attitude and the emotional quality of the prose, reflecting the personality of the author.

According to Chris Roerden: The first step in developing your voice is not to add something but to identify the ineffective writing habit and techniques you’ve picked up over the years and get rid of them.

My Character Development instructor said he knew my voice and I did as well. Funny I thought to myself for my last instructor told me the same thing. This is a trend for people out of my writing groups concur with these teachers. How come everyone knows what my voice is but me? I try hard not to think on this and just write. Apparently I am accomplishing the voice subconsciously.

I have read numerous articles on this topic and when it seems the definition makes sense then a new article comes across my desk and destroys it, enter Jason Pinter , former St. Martin’s Press editor states: Voice is the conversational quality of your writing, the way you “talk” to your reader. It’s as important in writing as it is in conversing aloud with someone or speaking to a group. If your voice isn’t confident, assured, authoritative, natural, and appropriate for your characters and story, the writing will feel stilted, forced, ragged, weak, awkward. Just as speaking aloud is ineffective if one is halting, hesitant, lacking in confidence, and so on .

This one makes sense to me since for now I can’t verbally express my definition of the voice. One good way is to read your story aloud. It may sound silly but it is a good way to hear one’s errors, pace and flow. Perhaps a writer will discover their voice. Will I ever be able to describe this important ingredient to others, I do not know. Hopefully though my voice is being written loud and clear in my writings.