Writing Archives - Page 15 of 50 - Addicted to Writing

How to Write An Amazing Romance Novel: New Book Release

Posted on February 13, 2019 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Romance has always been one of my favorite genres in writing. My screenplays include romantic main or subplots, and last year, I released my romance novel Making A Difference (M.A.D.) on Amazon !

After asking romance writing friends (and friends who want to write romance novels) what they would want to find in such a resource book, as well as what I wish I had as a resource before I wrote my own novel, I created an e-book that I hope you will find practical, informative, and entertaining.

The book takes you from the basics of marketing (because it is never too early to start!) to how to find and refine your idea, from testing the idea to making various vital decisions about your story to finishing (and polishing) your novel. It also offers introductory insight into the world of editing and publishing.

I analyzed my own novel in detail to help you start your journey inspired and clear-headed, but I also included several examples from other successful writers on how they found their ideas.

Additionally, I included resources that you might need in all areas covered in the book. You can buy How to Write an Amazing Romance Novel on Amazon.

Happy writing, fellow romantics!

Below is the table of contents to see what awaits you:

How to Write An Amazing Romance Novel TOC

Intro: Why I Write Romance

On Marketing and Platform

Finding the Idea: 6 Ways to Find and Develop Your Romance Idea

How to Check if Your Idea is Viable (through characters, flaws, and conflict)

Writer Fear to Address: What if I can’t write a novel-length story?

Decisions, decisions…: Audience, POVs, diverse characters, sex and beyond

– Writing for the market or writing for yourself?

– Naming your book: the title

– The main audience divide: Adult or YA?

– Sub-genres: Sub-genres available to you

– POVs

– Characters

– Sex and swearing

– Writing diverse characters

– Word count

– Writing a series

– Writing supernatural characters

– Writing about what you don’t know

– What about that pen name?

– Clichés and cheese level

– Themes and messages

– Three main types of endings

Outlining

Tools You Might Need

Actually Writing: Sitting Down to Write

– Beginning: When to start your story

– Opening lines

– How do you know if your writing is any good?

– Active vs. passive

– Adverbs

– A word on the verb “say”

– Writing dialogue

– Show vs. tell

– What if you hate what you write?

– Should you mention how hot your characters are?

Saving Your Work

Writer’s Block and Motivation

Taking a Look at the Finished Product: How do you know if your writing is any good?

Editing: An Introduction

3 Possible Paths to Publication: Indie, Traditional or Hybrid

Favorite Romances and Romance Writers

Conclusion

About the Author

Useful Resources

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How to Edit Your Writing on a Budget (to Save Time and Money)

Posted on February 6, 2019 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Writing is a huge part of the job description for most creative people, especially writers and bloggers. We create anything from short social media updates to blog posts, from long-form articles to ebooks and novels.

Whatever you are writing, it needs editing. It is easy to overlook mistakes when typing, and it’s much more productive to get that first draft down without the burden of looking for errors.

And while editing shorter pieces is less complicated, what’s a writer got to do when she has to edit pages upon pages?

It makes sense to hire a professional when you are creating longer content such as a book, but you can’t always afford one. And it doesn’t always save time to be edited by someone else.

You have to go through sample edits to see if the editor is right for your project. Then you will need time for them to complete the project, and the faster you need it done, the higher the editor is likely to charge. Afterward, you will need to go over the suggested edits, make the changes, and will probably send it over to the editor for one last look – and this is assuming all goes well. Finally, you’ll need to do the last round of corrections, or accept or reject the changes offered.

So when you are short of time and cash, you will need to edit yourself. The good news is, as long as you have a strong grasp of the language and the format you are writing in, it’s no insurmountable task.

Here are 7 practical methods to guide you through the process:

Turn on your spell check after your draft is finished.

While your word processor’s built-in spellchecker won’t catch all the mistakes, it will make for a good start.

Use a professional grammar tool.

I use Grammarly Premium (aff. link), and I love it. While I’m totally bored of seeing their advertisements everywhere, they deserve revenue. It costs about $20/month, and it is worth it if you write a lot. You can read my detailed review here.

Now, Grammarly is not human, and it’s not perfect. It doesn’t understand certain nuances or that you broke specific rules for better flow. Still, it catches mistakes your spellchecker doesn’t, and it also analyzes things like repetition, wordiness, and plagiarism. The pro version doesn’t just make suggestions but also tells you why those changes are required.

You will still need to go over every suggestion carefully and probably agree with about half, but it is one investment that pays for itself over and over.

If you are working on a project that has many pages, I recommend dividing it into parts and not trying to correct everything at once.

Transform your file into a PDF document

When the format of the file you are looking at changes, it is almost like getting a fresh set of eyes. You can notice mistakes you haven’t caught before.

Print out your document, and pick a pen.

Staring at your computer screen will work only for so long. Your eyes and brain will tire at some point. So print everything out. If you don’t own a printer, have it printed out at a nearby copy shop.

Take the printed pages, and mark your mistakes with a pen.

Ask for a friend to read

If you are a writer, chances are you have other writer friends who also have excellent language skills. Editing someone else’s work is actually easier because you are more objective, and you don’t have the words memorized in your head. Sometimes it is inevitable to read a word or a sentence not as is but how you meant to write it.

However, because editing takes a lot of effort, you should be able to offer your friend something in return. Maybe you can take them out to a fancy dinner somewhere. Or perhaps you can edit something of theirs that is about the same length.

And be gracious and thank your friend.

Hire someone who is looking to build a portfolio and is willing to work at a reduced rate.

Everyone wants to charge a fair amount for their work that commensurates with their skills. However, an editor can be highly skilled and professional, yet lack the portfolio samples to command higher rates. This method can give you the chance to work with a professional without breaking the bank. You should still ask for a sample edit before agreeing on anything, and you’ll probably be requested to provide a testimonial for them after the work is done. A small price to pay to get professional services at a discounted rate.

You can inquire about it in related Facebook groups.

Use a service, app or function that reads things out loud for you.

It always helps to hear what you write. It gives you a different perspective, and it can even make the writing tighter and more engaging. I use the free version of Natural Readers.com, a website that reads documents out loud. My Mac also has a similar function.

8. Use a reference book.

I own and refer to Be Your Own Editor (aff.link) by Sigrid MacDonald when I need to go over the steps.

Frankly, I use seven of the eight methods listed (except hiring a professional editor) to get the best result.

I published a novel, and a friend who is exceptionally skilled at catching mistakes did it for free. To thank her, I read stuff of hers whenever she needs me to, and I thanked her in my acknowledgments section of my novel. But to avoid giving her an error-laden nightmare, I edited the book myself meticulously using the other five methods.

The bigger your project, the more methods you will need to use to ensure a professional work with as few mistakes as possible. A rogue comma here and a redundant space there won’t turn off readers or make them think any less of you.

You’ve most likely caught some mistakes even in bestselling novels published by big publishing houses and edited by some of the best editors in the business. Your goal is to make it as close to perfect as humanly possible.

And worst-case scenario, if there are corrections to be made and you’ve self-published, you can revise and rerelease your work.

So don’t worry if you can’t hire an A-list editor right now. Pay attention, use a printer and the Internet, and forgo 20 bucks a month. You’ve got this.

What Is Ghostwriting, and Is Ghostwriting Right for You?

Posted on December 23, 2018 Written by Pinar Tarhan

I’m sure you know what ghostwriting means, but let’s kick off with a definition just the same:

What’s Ghostwriting?

Ghostwriting is writing for someone else, with their name, and in their voice.

If we unpack that definition, you can be writing anything: articles, blog posts, novels, non-fiction books, etc.

You won’t get a byline; it is going to be published with your client’s name. And because it has to look like they wrote it, you have to sound like them.

Is it ethical?

Yes. Not everyone who has a great idea or story to tell can write or has the time to write. So it is only natural that they want to hire writers to create this content for them.

How can I get clients if there are no bylines, hence no portfolio?

Chances are, your clients who hire you to ghostwrite for them don’t want the fact that they didn’t write their own content known. So you may not be able to display exactly what you created on your portfolio. That said, you get to negotiate the terms of ghostwriting agreement with your clients.

What I do is to quote a higher rate than I’d if I were writing it under my own name and ask if I can use their name as a referral. Whether you get to show this client’s name on your website, or just mention them when you are emailing another client is up to you and your client.

How’s the writing process different?

To me, it means more research. Most writers have been writing for a long time. Maybe they just started getting paid for it or making a name for themselves, but many of them have started creating a long time.

This means that a writer already has a voice. When you are writing for a publication under your name, you still have to do some research so that your style matches theirs. But you don’t disappear completely into the background.

However, when you are ghostwriting, you have to sound exactly like another human being. This might involve talking to them on the phone, or capturing their choice words while reading other things they have written.

And because it takes more time to learn to write like someone else, it is only natural you’ll quote higher fees for your work.

How can you get your first ghostwriting work?

I emailed successful bloggers I knew and had been following for a while. I should note that they also knew who I was. Through social media and their blogs, we had already built a rapport.

And with one blogger, I had already written for her several times under my name. So they knew I was reliable, and they knew I could write.

Is ghostwriting right for me?

Only you can answer that. It certainly has its pros and cons. For me, the biggest drawback is the lack of bylines.

And while I ghostwrote articles and blog posts, I haven’t yet penned a longer piece of content. It will be a lot more time and energy-consuming to sound like someone else for longer.

But the fact that you can demand higher rates is certainly a plus.

At the end of the day, this is a question only you can answer.

Can you recommend any resources on ghostwriting?

I can definitely get you started:

How to Be a Successful Ghostwriter by Kelly James-Enger (article on Writer’s Digest)

How I Ghostwrite Other Authors’ Books by Joe Bunting(article on The Write Practice)

Make Money as a Ghostwriter by Sally Miller and Cruz Santana (e-book)

*This post contains affiliate links to products I already own and love.

Newsletter Writing 101: The Dos and Don’ts

Posted on November 8, 2018 Written by Pinar Tarhan

Brace yourselves, a long post is coming.

Fear not, though, this is all useful stuff. Ready? Superb!

Raise your hand if your inbox is crammed to the brim with newsletters you haven’t had time to open yet. You have every intention of checking them out. After all, you are fans of the writers, bloggers, and entrepreneurs who put them out.

You know most of them offer invaluable advice. Some are genuinely funny to boot. The problem? There isn’t enough time. So you hit delete if you are feeling pressed for time, or you’ve lost your will to work (or do anything) after you have seen your inbox always has hundreds of unread messages, and this is not even your work email. Your friends don’t email you. This is all newsletters. Aargh!!!

Right. What was that thing on the top of your to-do list?

“Write newsletter. Send it to email subscribers.”

Oops! How do you stand out, get read, and keep the subscribers when you yourself can’t keep up with the newsletters you wanted to receive?

Don’t despair. It is less art and science, but more empathy and trial/error. Oh, and our dear friend common sense.

I’m assuming you already have decided on an autoresponder, but if you haven’t, I recommend ConvertKit. (Yes, this is an affiliate link.)

I use ConvertKit for this blog. It is fairly easy to use and costs $29/month for 0-1000 subscribers.

Now to the essential dos and don’ts:

Don’t write an epic!

While you might occasionally need to write a very long newsletter issue, you shouldn’t do it every single time. It is not just about attention spans; people have work to do.

Do think twice before promoting a product.

Before sending a glowing recommendation on this amazing bundle/course/book/webinar/whatever, ask yourself this question: How hot is this product?

I’m not asking you if you trust the product. I believe you do. Otherwise, you’d not be encouraging your audience to check it out.

But I can’t tell you how many times I’m recommended the same product. The first person to send the newsletter is the luckiest. I get curious, check out what is all about, and if it is of interest, I subscribe/purchase/etc. The second person gets a nod from me, but I delete the email quickly. Boredom is slowly kicking in. Because I know I’m about to get more emails promoting the same thing.

The third person? It’s already annoying. So if you have gotten the recommendation email from another blogger, maybe don’t send it to your subscribers. Send something else instead.

Look, I get it. It is your income we are talking about. You are thinking about potential purchases. Or you are thinking about how impressed your affiliate partner will be when you send many new potential customers and fans their way.

Never forget, however, that your most important relationship is the one with your own subscribers. You don’t want to annoy them.

Think about your timing. If it has been recommended it to you, if you aren’t one of the first people the creator notified about it, people have already gotten the promotional email.

Do occasionally do a Seth Godin.

If you have something meaningful to say and you can say it in a few words, do it. It is all the rage nowadays to send long, long text. Change it up when it comes to length. Your subscribers will thank you for it.

Marketing master Seth Godin excels at the short stuff. Okay, admittedly he is great at longer stuff too, but you get the point.

Don’t send them too often.

I unsubscribe from a lot of newsletters because I can’t keep up with the sender’s frequent messages.

It is commendable that you want to educate and entertain your audience frequently. You might be thinking “I’m not even promoting anything! This is just valuable information!”

Great, but we all have Google. What I mean is, as much as we might be dying to become experts on any given topic, we don’t want to stay married to our inboxes. I strive to save as many excellent newsletter issues as I can, but occasionally I’ll just say, “Sod it!” and start deleting everything to get to Inbox 0.

And gasp!, I might even unsubscribe. The good news is, if you are so productive that you’re flooding my inbox daily, I already know your name. I will even occasionally remember to check out your blog. The bad news is, you’ve still lost a subscriber.

Don’t be that person.

Do offer your subscribers options.

Some sayings are cliché because they are true: You can’t please everyone. Even people who enjoy your blog enjoy it for different posts and reasons. So it’s wise to check in with your subscribers every once in a while and asks them what kind of news, topics, and frequency they are interested in. It is more work on your part, but I assure you, it is worth it.

Don’t send them too infrequently.

I have to admit this is one of the sins I commit. I tend to send a newsletter once a month or less. This bullet point is a reminder to both me and you to remind your audience of your existence more often.

Once a week or at least once in two weeks is fine – unless your audience notified you otherwise.

Do write an engaging subject line.

We all know subject lines matter at this point. However, writing a captivating one is easier said than done. If you don’t want to spend too much time obsessing over this (and you shouldn’t), at least try to capture the essence of what it is about.

Don’t be a drama queen with your subject lines or the content itself.

This point might seem like it contradicts with the previous one, but it doesn’t.

When we study marketing, we are encouraged to be personal. To determine an urgent need/want of our target audience and to capture their ever-fleeting attention. But when you overdo it, you can end up losing people.

What do I mean by not using too much drama?

I literally just deleted this email from a publication I like and subscribe to without opening it. The subject line said: “You Will Wonder How You Ever Lived Without These Tips and Tricks.”

No, I won’t. I don’t think you have found the holy grail of tips and tricks (and congrats on not even telling me what they are about, by the way!), and there is much doubt on my part that a subject line like that can deliver on its promise.

While I advise being specific, you might hurt your chances if you are too specific, or if you appear condescending.

For instance, let’s say you are launching a product or service that promises to help your audience increase their income level from a certain point. That’s awesome!

But how do you frame that certain point without pissing off the audience that is at or below that income level and find that interval not disappointing or low at all?

Saying “Want to make …. $ more a month?” can yield better results than “Ever grow tired of making just …. $?”

It doesn’t matter if you deliver on your promise and every client you worked with succeeded through your advice. You don’t want to make your readers feel less than.

Don’t use emojis.

This might be me giving away my age, but we are all adults here. Do emojis really belong in the newsletter? Let me know if it is my own personal pet peeve.

I’m in my 30s, and I have seen the times when emojis didn’t exist. Of course, I might be wrong, but I’m willing to bet I’m not the only annoyed by this.

It is okay – even recommended – to use images and a fun, friendly language in your newsletters. Even emojis, depending on your personal style and subject matter. But use caution when dropping emojis in subject lines.

Do balance the promotional with the informative.

We all have something to promote, even if we aren’t selling anything. Otherwise, we wouldn’t need a newsletter.

You might just want to be heard. You are still promoting your ideas. And that is fine.

Writing is meant to be read and shared. Ideas are meant to be spread and talked about.

And it is more than okay – expected even – for you to be selling something. You need to make a living. And what better way to make money than by helping others achieve something?

So your readers are ready for – and mostly fine with – emails that want to sell them something. Still, you don’t want to do that with every email, or even every two emails.

Balance them. It is best if even your promotional stuff is filled with freebies, helpful links (that go to free-to-read articles and resources), and a ton of practical information.

Do pay attention to your formatting.

Technology pisses off even the more experienced or patient of us. Formatting can get awry even though you didn’t do anything wrong or different. The best thing you can do is to preview the email you are planning on sending, and then send it to only yourself to check how it looks before everyone on your list receives it.

That said, the same format might look different on Hotmail vs. Gmail vs. Yahoo, so there is only so much you can do.

Still, for peace of mind, I recommend previewing and sending it to yourself. And if a subscriber alerts you to an issue, you can take a look then.

Do include images and links when you can.

I touched upon this in a previous bullet point, but it deserves its own. It’s tempting to send someone all text. Some readers might even prefer it that way. But most people are not happy without much white space to wake them up. You don’t want an active subscriber, someone who bothered to open your message, to get lost in all the writing.

So spice it up. Make it visually appealing. Links and images mean you have gone the extra mile. Your readers will appreciate it.

Do lure them in, but deliver in the whole post as well.

I talked about enthralling your audience with a subject line that will attract their attention. Now, your newsletter has to deliver. Don’t just work on getting opened; work on being read fully.

Do send them freebies and promotional codes.

Have you created a freebie resource yourself? Did someone you admire craft one? Let your audience know. Is the hosting company you are using offering a discount? Is your autoresponder running a sale? They should know.

If people need that service, they will take you up on it. The one thing you need to do is let the audience know if you are getting paid for the recommendation.

Do share your favorite resources.

What are you reading? What courses are you taking? What blogs are forever bookmarked on your computer? Share these with your readers.

If links are applicable, use them so you will save your readers time. They appreciate people who make their life easier.

Do disclose affiliate relationships.

This is worth repeating. If you are getting paid, just noting “aff. link” next to the whatever you are linking to will suffice.

Do choose a reliable autoresponder.

There are free options out there. You can also opt for a different autoresponder later down the line and migrate your existing subscribers. Just read the features of the service you are interested in.

How much does it cost?
Do they offer a free trial?
Do they allow affiliate links in emails?

and so on.

Do a bit of reading. I’ve used TinyLetter (free) before for this blog. I later converted to (pun intended!) ConvertKit (aff. link), and for my travel blog, I’m currently experimenting with MailerLite (which is free for 1000 subscribers) on my travel blog.

Do brainstorm ideas with friends and colleagues.

Don’t know what to put in your newsletters? Brainstorm with writer friends. Also take a look at what your fellow writers are putting in theirs.

For instance, my good friend Olga Mecking invented a sort of national newsletter writing month where she is sending her subscribers a newsletter every day for November.

Yes, I told you not to flood people’s inboxes, but this is a special, themed occasion inspired by NaNoWriMo, and will only last a month. And people know what they are in for when they sign up.

Now that you’ve armed yourself with information on how to rock your newsletter, get to work on applying these babies.