Writer In The Making

Recently I received advice from developmental editor and book coach Savannah. Her advice on setups/hooks set off a lightbulb in my head

So you’ve found critique partners! Yay! Now what? How well will you work together? Can you gracefully back out if you prefer to look for someone new? How do you keep up the communication? @CPmatchmaking is mentioned in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

Indie authors, what’s a good strategy for pricing your books? Should you price them for free, 0.99, $2.99+. I’ll share how to price ebooks along with paperback books. While you do want to remain competitive in your pricing, are there times when free works in your favor? Should you do this all the time? Of course not. This is your business, so don’t cheapen the quality of your work. Strategy is the key. Smashwords.com andAmazon KDP are mentioned in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

My journey to publication. While I do plan on traditionally publishing in the future, here’s my experience with self publishing. Smashwords.com is mentioned this episode along with, Goodreads and Booklikes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

Since I’m working on outlining my next novel, I recently discovered yWriter software. This is a software to organize scenes, chapters, characters, and settings at a glance. Listen to my thoughts. I mention K.M. Weiland and Simon Haynes in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

Should you use an outline? If so... which one? I’ll be referring to K.M. Weiland’s How to Outline your Novel and onestopforwriters.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

According to onestopforwriters.com “symbols and motifs add depth by placing harmonic elements into a story to reinforce an author’s emotion rich insight.” Say what? Think of it as another way of using metaphors or similes. Figurative language ring a bell? I’ll explain. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

Hooks. They are usually the first opening lines in your manuscript. It’s also your readers’ third impression of you as an author after your cover and blurb. What do you do? K.M. Weiland’s Structuring Your Novel is mentioned in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

Cover design. Is yours eye catching or amateurish? What’s the best thing to do when you’re a writer on a budget? Should you make it yourself? The cover is the first thing readers see before they even read your blurb. Is it wise to make your own or hire a professional? I mention MS PowerPoint, shutterstockcom, bigstockphoto.com, and viladesign.net in this episode. At the end of the day, make the decision that works best for you. When using MS PowerPoint, save file as a JPEG. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

How do you get to know your characters? How do you make them 3-dimensional? Here I’ll share my process of creating well rounded and relatable characters. I reference onestopforwriters.com. This is a longer episode, but I think you’ll thank me

This idea came to me, so I wanted to share. If you’re a beginner to critique partners, here’s how I practice my skills without necessarily being someone’s partner. I mention Wattpad.com in this episode. Read other works by fellow authors and comment on those who ask for feedback on their work. Also be willing to receive feedback in return. Practice here! :) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

I’m loving onestopforwriters.com. In this episode, we’ll explore more of this one stop website for authors everywhere. Not only do they have character builder profiles, but also setting thesaurus’, story maps, scene maps, templates and worksheets, world building surveys, and timelines. I know

The One Stop for Writers by Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi, and Lee Powell. Does this work? From character building, world building, and mapping scenes, you’ll find it here. Is the investment worth it? onestopforwriters.com is mentioned in this episode

Wanted to follow up and let you guys know I sent in my manuscript. Total word count, 69,717 words. I did it! I hit the send button! Will you join me? If you don’t write it, who will? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

I’m two days away from querying next manuscript. It’s been a long six months. What do you do when you’re right there? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

I play the piano by ear after not having touched a keyboard for 17 years! However, almost 5 years later with practice and commitment, I’m now a musician at my church. How does this relate with my writing? Each take practice. Listen and I’ll share. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

Backstory: Should I or shouldn’t I? While backstory is okay, you don’t want to drag the story. Here you’ll find out when to use it or cut it out.✂️ I mention Sandra Gerth’s book Show, Don’t Tell. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support

Is there a right time to publish a book? Are some months better than others? Does genre matter and depend on the time of year? All will be discussed, but my short answer is TODAY is the day to publish your book. Remember “Just Do it” from Nike? Yeah, just do it. Beware

How do I write my books? Where do I start? Do I outline? How long does it take me to write? Well... have a listen.

Is it worth the investment to hire a professional editor? Here’s my story and what it did for me. Use at your our discretion. FirstEditing.com is mentioned in this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/daria-white/support