Second, you must read, and read a lot. Did I say A LOT? I read over a hundred books a year and have done so since I was fifteen years old, and every book I’ve read has taught me something. I’ve learned that some authors are incredible at building suspense (see The Firm by John Grisham), I’ve…
Author Tips
Tips for entrepreneurial authors.
Prolific is Better than Perfect
I am so grateful for Benjamin Hardy’s article about his new culture wall, which Gaping Void created for him. Number 14 in his list of pictures is by far my favorite. It summarizes exactly my philosophy when it comes to making it as an artist and an author: “It’s better to be prolific than perfect.” — Joe…
Two Reasons to Want to be a Writer (according to Orson Scott Card)
In the postcript of the audiobook version of Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card shared the two reasons anyone decides to become a writer. You read something amazing and say, “Oh, wow, I want to be able to write like that.” You read something awful and say, “If that got published, then I can write.” The…
What Made Bridge to Terabithia a Success?
I just finished reading Bridge to Terabithia. Someone had left a copy of it in our Little Free Library and it was on my list of children’s books to read and research as a writer. I got the audiobook version on Overdrive and listened to the book while doing chores around the house. At the…
7 Lessons for Writers from Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven
On a five mile run last week, I listened to the entire book (1.75 speed on the Overdrive app), Make Your Bed, by Admiral William H. McRaven. As a writer, here are seven lessons I learned while listening to the book: 1. Make your bed literally and figuratively. Make your bed in the morning. It…
