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Sat, Jul 12, 2025

4:36am EDT

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Writing Blog Number 2

by S 🤦

Rated: 18+ · Book · Personal · #2311764

This is a continuation of my blogging here at WdC

This will be a blog for my writing, maybe with (too much) personal thrown in. I am hoping it will be a little more interactive, with me answering questions, helping out and whatnot. If it falls this year (2024), then I may stop the whole blogging thing, but that's all a "wait and see" scenario.

An index of topics can be found here: "Writing Blog No.2 Index"

Feel free to comment and interact.

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Schnujo NEEDS to do homework

Jul 7, 2025 at 12:50am
In response to "20250707 ARCs"

Apologies for my questions being anti-traditional publishing. I'm pretty sure that wasn't my intention.

I didn't realize that traditional publishers also did ARCs for book launches. Interesting! Yes, you might be missing out on sales, but I bet at least half of them wouldn't have actually bought the book anyway, but perhaps that's my disorganized self who believes too many people are like me -- meaning to do something, but never getting around to it. lol

Anyway, I totally believe reviews, and thus ARC reviews, are important. Just today I was looking for a couple of books to send a friend. "Oh, that looks like a good book! Never mind. No reviews. IDK if it's any good. Oh, here's one! Nah, only 1 review. It could have been their mom." lol Yep, even if the ARC reviews were hand-picked from their best folks, most likely to give favorable reviews, IDK that. It still makes me more likely to buy the book if there are at least 5 reviews (if it's in a hard-to-find niche like finger knitting, such as today's events) and it's rated at least 4.5 stars, though 10 reviews or more is better (especially in a bigger niche that's not so specialized).

You're right about Amazon being wishy-washy about ARC reviews lately. Some folks are having no issues, but others ARC reviewers are having to remove the detail of being an ARC reviewer from their review to get the review to go through. Yet, that's a requirement of the review -- to mention if you got the book for free. Whatever. lol

Is Bookgram Instagram for books, like BookTok is TikTok for books?

Anyway, thanks for this blog post! Interesting!

Schnujo NEEDS to do homework

Jul 4, 2025 at 7:53am
In response to "20250704 Types Of Editing"

Funny that you mention that many people will do line and copy editing at the same time. I had them listed on my To-Do list as to do at the same time. lol I also had the order reversed -- copy edits, then line edits, but I can see where doing it in the reverse order makes more sense. Thank you for this!

Schnujo NEEDS to do homework

Jul 2, 2025 at 8:52am
In response to "20250702 Answering Questions"

I think what your writing goals are makes a difference in what you should write. If you love writing about shape shifting alien roaches who have left their galaxy and gone off to conquer Pluto, know that you will likely find it VERY hard to get that published through a traditional publisher. If you are okay with that, so be it. Enjoy writing. Self-publish. Post short stories on your blog. Write for your own enjoyment. Whatever.

But if your hopes and dreams are to be traditionally published, you should probably consider what publishers are looking for. Shape shifters are still popular among many readers, but perhaps not alien roach shape shifters. Can you write about shape shifting wolves or dragons? It may not be your deepest passion, but if you can write about them and not hate your life, you should probably choose to do that.

Otherwise, you'll need to work very, very hard to find those very, very few fans who are interested in your shape shifting alien roaches and you'll likely have a very, very hard time getting traditionally published because there's virtually no market for that book and traditional publishers know this and aren't likely to be willing to invest in it.

That's my 2 cents from someone who has no interest in becoming traditionally published. I prefer to keep the rights to my stuff -- even if it isn't worth having. lol

The other organization I've joined recently also doesn't push social media, though they encourage it if you are interested. They recommend an author website, of course, but otherwise, just email lists to market to. They said with an active email list and a decent back catalog (not sure if that's the term I think they use, but I'm blanking on it) of books to offer, you can make $1500-$2k without spending any money on marketing. Impressive! Of course, they have folks making $15k-$20K/month with advertising (people post their "wins" from last month at the beginning of each month so we get to see who the high performers are), but they're also spending a good bit on advertising, so there's that. They're still coming out ahead, though.

Beholden

Jul 2, 2025 at 5:57am
In response to "20250702 Answering Questions"

Item 5 is excellent. If you can't write for yourself, you'll be like the rest of us - slaving away in a job you hate.

Beholden

Jun 30, 2025 at 6:06am
In response to "20250630 Letting ”The Idea Tap” Flow"

It does indeed answer the question - thank you. Lots to ponder on, including things that I've done in the past and allowed to fall away. Must really get into the habit of writing down ideas when they come and not trusting my memory.

AmyJo-Downhill slide begins!

Jun 30, 2025 at 1:20am
In response to "20250630 Letting ”The Idea Tap” Flow"

Well said! Thanks for some new to me ideas. I like the sitting down to write anything. Thank you for sharing.

Beholden

Jun 25, 2025 at 6:39am
In response to "20250625 Blog Entries"

I remain impressed with your sheer production. For instance, your recent series of stories using Beatle song titles was outrageously productive, a seemingly endless stream of creativity and invention. And here am I, tortured by my inability to think up one measly story per week.

So my question concerns this only: how does one open the faucet of ideas so that they become a steady source of new and interesting stories?

1 Like

WakeUpAndLive

Jun 25, 2025 at 2:06am
In response to "20250625 Blog Entries"

Oh, WordMaster, you'll always be a teach no matter what. Don't be a stranger.

1 Like

Spud

Jun 20, 2025 at 12:27pm
In response to "20250620 Writing Westerns"

Good advice, I thought the whole "Garry Cooper with breasts and a pretty face" bit was hilarious. Though even in the South West, the US had gender roles in the mid to late 19th century that made the idea of a female caucasian protagonist unrealistic. I guess it's what readers expect though.

Also it boggles my brain that trains aren't allowed as transportation. They were—and still are in my childhood hometown—a big part of the West. Yes they were steam instead of diesel but they were very much a part of the West. The Jessie James Gang, notorious outlaws, robbed trains exclusively. Not to mention that trains were used to transport loads of things back and forth from the region.

Also, historically, most of the "Cowboys" either called themselves vaqueros and were in Mexico, were black or indigenous. Also at least a few individuals migrated from the Antebellum South to start over after the Civil War. There were also a good number of German immigrants.

Anyways, I've been rambling. I just am flabbergasted by what readers expect of their Westerns.

S 🤦

Jun 18, 2025 at 4:01am
In response to "20250618 I vs Me"

Dave Ryan - not just the UK. I hear commentators for our football say it all the time. And in US TV shows and movies!

The myself thing is something I use when writing to indicate a pompous ass... But it annoys me as well. I am with you all the way here.

1 Like

July 11, 2025 at 12:13am

#1093211

20250711 External Writerings June 2025

External Writerings June 2025

Okay, I admit I forgot, but it is time I listed the writing I have done for Weekend Notes (and any other places that could be bothered publishing me online).

Songs only this time. One is a memorial to a dead singer. Standard stuff, but lots to listen to!
Remember, you do not have to listen to the songs (though I would be grateful if you did), but every look at the articles from a different IP address with no ad blockers helps me out in my increasingly desperate attempts to make money as a person who writes.

A list of songs with “today” in the title.

A list of songs with “tomorrow” in the title.

A list of songs with “yesterday” in the title.

Remembering Brian Wilson through Beach Boys and solo songs.

A list of anti-war songs. Not songs about peace, but distinctly anti-war.

5 articles this month. I have to do at least 4 to keep my ranking in the top 25 contributors, so your clicks will also help me in that regard. As usual, if you want a certain topic covered in songs (I can do films and books as well), leave a comment below. I would love to give readers what they want.

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