Tim Wendel

Self-publishing experiment #4: Moving a book into the KDP Select program, which means the e-book becomes exclusive to Amazon, and Kindle Unlimited readers can read it for free. This is a tradeoff, because it closes e-book sales on other online platforms. But it has many advantages, and authors receive compensation for the pages read by Kindle Unlimited subscribers. My sales for Seven Blessings and a Murder were steady on Amazon but slow on Draft2Digital, so I'm giving it a try!

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The tool I use the most when I would otherwise have writer's block is this: I write down everything I DO know about the project or assignment. Sometimes it's little more than my name, the idea or pitch, and maybe placeholders for "hed and dek." It is a super effective trick at getting started when I am stuck. And I have 5 more tricks similar to that one. https://lnkd.in/ePqjJ6Se

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Five Vehicles for Adding Subtext to Dialogue - WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

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Our latest post on Kidlit Survival Guide, with thoughts on book promo: bit.ly/3UHC6dT

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Plot holes, pacing issues, tangled threads—sound familiar? From a writing perspective: your plot is the backbone of your narrative, the map that guides your characters through twists, turns, and resolutions. Strengthening it is key to turning a good story into a great one. From an editing perspective: a strong plot isn’t just about what happens—it’s about why it happens and how each event connects to the next. Every scene should have a purpose: to drive your story forward and keep readers engaged. Here are a few tips to sharpen your plot while self-editing: ✏️ Check for unresolved storylines or inconsistencies. Are all subplots necessary, and do they tie back to the main narrative? ✏️ Ensure every scene drives the story forward. If a scene doesn’t serve a purpose, revise it or let it go. ✏️ Map out your timeline. Track pacing and key events to maintain logical flow and consistency. Is your plot where you want it to be? Explore more ways to strengthen your story's plot, pacing, timelines, and conflict in my latest article: https://lnkd.in/ebf8SN6Y #WritingTips #EditingTips #IndieAuthors

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https://lnkd.in/grueChN3 There are many good books on writing fiction that can help you hone your craft. These are the ones I’ve read (or listened to) and found most helpful.

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As an editor and reader, I always look forward to learning what books are crossing the desks, or nightstands, of 𝘝𝘰𝘦𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘝𝘪𝘦𝘸's editors, and, more important, why. In this edition, they include 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 (Paul Krause) and 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘭 (Sarah Tillard). #bkreview

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I hear it all the time: “What’s a journalism degree worth these days?” It’s a good question, and I welcome it. I fully understand the lost trust in media and the concern about whether graduates will work brutal hours for low pay and then get replaced by AI. I can’t argue. Getting a job is not easy, keeping a job is not easy, maintaining the lifestyle is not easy. None of it is easy – at all. But I firmly believe the benefits of the journalism degree are vast – and especially in the AI era. Clear, concise, compelling communication is more valuable than ever. If you can convey something truthful in a way that sticks, you have an advantage over many people in this world. The journalism industry is struggling mightily. The journalism approach is still vital. Don’t just take it from me. Take it from one of my former students, who is now a teacher in Asia. Here’s what she wrote to me recently: “I feel like journalism grew my confidence so much. I am no longer afraid of coming off as ‘annoying’ or ‘pushy’ when asking for something or trying to get in touch with a person. I feel like I know how to communicate what I want concisely and professionally. I think that alone goes a long way. I also feel like I am able to be the person who can take a step back in certain conversations that might be emotional for two people and be the person to hear both sides and check biases.” Is my former student working at a journalism job? Not now, and maybe not in the future. But the journalism degree helps her in ways that don’t show up in the form of clips or reels. Sure, lots of people hate “the media.” But lots of employers respect what journalism aims to do. I’ll leave the last word to my former student: “In journalism, we talk about how it’s our job to get information to people in a way they can easily and quickly understand. I realized that is a huge part of what I do every day.”

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At The Writing Company, we talk a lot about how essential generosity, honesty, humility and curiosity are to good writing. I was interested to see those values mentioned in Daniel Jones' reflection on 20 years of editing the NYT's Modern Love column. Though he describes them as specific to good personal writing, we really believe that they apply to all writing aimed at humans... which is to say, all writing. From the piece: "The editor in me has noticed over time that the qualities of good personal writing — honesty, generosity, open-mindedness, curiosity, humor and humility — are the same as the qualities of someone with whom you would want to have a relationship. Likewise, the qualities of bad personal writing — dishonesty, withholding, blame, pettiness, dismissiveness and egotism — are the same as the qualities of someone with whom you would not want to have a relationship. This does not mean that good writers have good relationships or that bad writers have bad relationships. It does mean that you should strive to be honest, generous, open-minded, curious, funny and humble both in writing and in love."

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The assassination attempt on the former president reminds us that all journalists must be prepared to cover public gun attacks and trauma. Has your newsroom discussed ethical approaches and tips for trauma-informed reporting? Check out my article this week in Nieman Reports (Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard) on best practices for covering mass shootings, developed from the experiences of survivors. #journalism #journalismethics #gunviolence https://lnkd.in/eaw_9nGM

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The 2024 ASAJ Conference, aka #ASJACOn24, kicked off yesterday with a keynote by Krishnan Trotman about the importance of taking the uncommon path, and not being afraid to be wrong. Check out the recap to learn more about the day's sessions and join us for day 2. https://lnkd.in/emhKdjME

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