The world’s cutest puppy—otherwise known as Moke, my nine-month-old English Cocker Spaniel—was starting to look more like a dust mop than a dog. It was time to take action. I steeled myself for the task. He may be young, but he has definite opinions about what he likes to do and what he doesn’t. And… Continue Reading
Do you use enough nonverbal communication in your writing? Fiction writers know that showing what’s happening to their characters rather than talking about it makes for a much more compelling read. Action, dialogue, and detail all contribute to a show-don’t-tell–or story-showing, as I call it–approach to writing a novel or short story. One aspect of… Continue Reading
I had been unsuccessfully trying to convince my writing coach client to reach out to some people who might endorse their book. Endorsements–getting a few lines of praise from people with names, affiliations, or credentials that readers will recognize–is a critical part of marketing. “What’s the problem?” I finally asked. To be honest, I probably… Continue Reading
The first time I remember seeing Chris Griffin, he and a friend were making their way up a snowy path in Bear Valley, California as they headed to the same potluck my friend, Pam Jamison, and I were attending. The tall, mustached redhead held a two-pound package of raw spaghetti, his buddy a bottle of… Continue Reading
Is researching a book really necessary? If you’re writing a nonfiction book, you’ve identified a thesis that you’re making a case for. That’s the book’s big idea, and every book has one (and only one). Whether you’ve chosen a self-help angle, a book about finance, a historical treatise, or a guide intended to convince people… Continue Reading
To make an effective argument in a nonfiction book or even gear a novel to the audience you’re aiming for, you have to know to whom you’re appealing (i.e. your reader demographics). That’s why attorneys find out as much as they can about the jury members on the cases they’re arguing. Knowing about their audience… Continue Reading
When writing a book to boost your business, you’ve got a couple of missions. We’ve talked about the importance of sharing information and stories about yourself that make people want to do business with you. But for that one-two knockout punch that will deliver clients, you have to make your case for the product and/or… Continue Reading
I’ve written a lot about storytelling and what I call story-showing. I talk about it even more. So I figured that a fun quiz might spotlight the differences between the two along with why one is so much more effective than the other. Ready? Okay, here we go. Do the following passages represent storytelling or… Continue Reading
So many writers worry about whether their language sounds good enough. Good enough for what, I’ll never know. As a result, they go over and over and over their pages until they’ve eliminated just about any trace of their own personal voice or style, thereby guaranteeing themselves a case of stilted writing. What a shame!… Continue Reading
If you’re writing a book to help boost your business, you might not immediately think about writing about yourself. I’m betting the idea of opening up and adding a dash or six of vulnerability in those pages is even further from your mind. I have two words for you: Big mistake. Google “how to breed… Continue Reading
Literary Agent:
Ted Weinstein
Ted Weinstein Literary Management
Mechanics’ Library Building
57 Post Street, Suite 512
San Francisco, CA 94104
tw@twliterary.com
www.twliterary.com