Lauren's link love: YA vs. middle grade, commercial vs. literary, writing camp, & Twitter tips

Links to share, collected at @LaurenWaynecom on Twitter:

The Key Differences Between Middle Grade vs Young Adult | @marielamba at @brianklems https://t.co/mtIRPG99GA #writing #childrensbooks

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 29, 2016

Like I need an excuse.

Put Down the Broom: Tidying Up Can Hamper #Creativity | @PassiveVoiceBlg https://t.co/JE5gHZMvan #writing #amwriting

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) March 1, 2016

A question many of us have:

Where Do You Draw the Line Between Commercial and Literary Fiction? https://t.co/MTPaXxNUYP #writing #amwriting pic.twitter.com/QChnpQVNMl

— Angela Ackerman (@AngelaAckerman) March 1, 2016

Lauren's link love: Making a living as a writer, editing Hemingway-style, & the good of Amazon

Links to share, collected at @LaurenWaynecom on Twitter:

<3 this: How I Make a Living as a Writer (and You Can, Too) by @jaltucher https://t.co/8agyxAXaio (Hint: It involves a LOT of #writing.)

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 27, 2016

Need an editing app? So did Hemingway, apparently.

Hemingway Takes the Hemingway Test - will he pass? https://t.co/k5O9LyFtc5 #editing #writing

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 26, 2016

How to Edit Your Book in 4 Steps by Mike Nappa at @WritersDigest https://t.co/HgL9egfIG3 #editing #writing

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 28, 2016

Lauren's link love: Query letter formula, captivating characters, celebrating diversity, & breaking through blocks

Links to share, collected at @LaurenWaynecom on Twitter:

How to Write a Query Letter | @NathanBransford https://t.co/lnRwW9u7XI #writing #amquerying

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 23, 2016

Making a Dark Character Likable through Vulnerabilities https://t.co/bSjjORvlsX #writing #amwriting pic.twitter.com/7uGHjDwS2J

— Angela Ackerman (@AngelaAckerman) February 19, 2016

Fiction Writing: What Makes Readers Care About Your Characters? https://t.co/TlbqcTPLgO #amwriting

— Alan Felyk (@AlanFelyk) February 25, 2016

Call it a Toni Morrison celebration: #BannedBooksWeek 2016 will honor diverse writers https://t.co/zra8MSA2No

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 25, 2016

Lauren's link love: How to query, writing inspiration, blogs to follow, & micropoetry

Links to share, collected at @LaurenWaynecom on Twitter:

What Agents, Editors & Publishers Look for in a Query Letter | @brooke_warner at @BlogHer https://t.co/eRE1VtK6qw #querying #writing

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 19, 2016

When inspiration strikes, don't wait. Just write...but pull over first. #amwriting #poetry

— Christine Marie (@AWritersWay) February 18, 2016

In thinking of how to use YouTube as an author:

How to Create Blockbuster YouTube Channel Success in Any Niche via @marketingprofs https://t.co/NdmQ8enVlM pic.twitter.com/EPmR4Icydk

— CoPromote (@copromote) February 16, 2016

Secrets to querying literary agents:

"3 most crucial elements to a novel selling: the writing, the writing, the writing," from @thewritelife: https://t.co/AzDZIR8sra #writing

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 23, 2016

Lauren's link love: Query spreadsheet, picture book info, analyze your Twitter persona, & e-publishing at your local library

Links to share, collected at @LaurenWaynecom on Twitter:

You had me at spreadsheet: How To Keep Track of Query Letters #writing #amquerying #amwriting https://t.co/eBJ9TbpH8Q

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 16, 2016

Jennifer Represents...: A whole lot of info about Picture Books https://t.co/6eBeTiphCr @literaticat #writing

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 16, 2016

Reality check from Barbara Kanninen - Can I Make a Career out of #Writing Picture Books? https://t.co/espboodckQ

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 17, 2016

Lauren's link love: How to get your children's book published, editing checklist, bump your follower count, & the proper use of cheese

Links to share, collected at @LaurenWaynecom on Twitter:

6 Guaranteed Ways to Get More Followers on #Facebook, #Twitter, and Google+ | @kevanlee https://t.co/0d7jw6m0su #blogging

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 8, 2016

Kazuo Ishiguro Has a Brilliant Response to People Who Think Genre Fiction Doesn’t Matter by @CharlieJane https://t.co/qaPfY6OEZa #writing

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 10, 2016

When stuck, eat a piece of cheese. It won’t get you unstuck, but it will make you feel better.

— Ksenia Anske (@kseniaanske) February 11, 2016

Lauren's link love: YA preview, Twitter tools & tips, Scrivener tute, and animated cats

Links to share, collected at @LaurenWaynecom on Twitter:

The Most Anticipated Children’s and YA Books of Spring 2016 https://t.co/Prw4EKzo60

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 2, 2016

How to Write Better Using Humor https://t.co/5iD9f05Q7Z

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 2, 2016

#Scrivener Tips from Joseph Michael | @thecreativepenn https://t.co/tQHqQGZuwi #writing

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) February 2, 2016

Lauren's link love: Editing tools, author publicity, & crafting a book

Links to share, collected at @LaurenWaynecom on Twitter:

5 Ways to Use #Instagram as an Author | Jane Friedman #writing https://t.co/W3OsTNpeHH

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) January 25, 2016

#Writing is as hard as breaking rocks. Sparks and splinters fly like shattered steel. Clarice Lispector #amwriting pic.twitter.com/pX2yIvxqx5

— The UnNovelist (@TheUnNovelist) January 27, 2016

7 Web tools that check for empathy, inclusivity and more https://t.co/HMUnAIf6hV

— Lauren Wayne (@LaurenWaynecom) January 28, 2016

Sunday Surf: Where's the money in publishing?

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

The 7k Report – Author Earnings

What authors are really earning self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, and what’s right for you. Hint: Self-publishing’s earning more for everyone. Really interesting results!

1 WEEK AGO

Finances self-publishing traditional publishing

money (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

An Open Letter to Journalists and Brands About Blogger Compensation | IFB

If you’re doing the work, you deserve to be paid. Tips for bloggers working with brands.

1 MONTH AGO -  2

blogging Finances monetizing 2 notes

Haters and Critics: How to Deal with People Judging You and Your Work - James Clear

How to focus on the positive and respond to the negativity.

1 MONTH AGO

writing criticism blogging reviews comments negative comments

On Professional Editing and Why I Charge My Friends For Advice

So I only work with highly successful highly motivated writers and I expect great things from them. You can’t hire me if you are only dabbling or if you want someone to tell you how great you are. You can only hire me if you are willing to succeed. And you can only hire me if you are going to be so successful that you make back my ridiculously high hourly fees and then some.

1 MONTH AGO

writing editing

Sunday Surf: Reposting old posts & Facebook giveaways update

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

Blogging Basics: How to Revive Old Blog Posts

Check your analytics & follow a few simple steps to boost your archive views.

2 MONTHS AGO

blogging blogging tips

Blogging Workflow (Photo credit: cambodia4kidsorg)

Facebook Promotion Guidelines Update: What You Need To Know

It’s less restrictive now if you want to host or promote a giveaway on Facebook.

2 MONTHS AGO

facebook giveaways

The Other Side of the Story: How Do You Feel About Re-Posting Old Blog Posts?

Rules on reruns

3 MONTHS AGO -  1

blogging tutorials writing 1 note

Sunday Surf: Pinterest, moms writing, & book signing pressure

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

Validating for Rich Pins for Pinterest: Blogger Xpertise

Make your pins stand out.

Pinterest recently announced new functionality for “Rich Pins” for Pinterest for different types of pins (product, recipe, movie, or article).

Pinterest + iPad = Love (Photo credit: Bunches and Bits {Karina})

4 MONTHS AGO

Sunday Surf: Google dos & don'ts for bloggers and bad romance novels

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

The Top Ten Signs You're Reading a Very Bad Romance Novel | Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Hilarious list that goes all the way to 11. I particularly appreciated this one:

Number 2.5: There’s a widow who is still a virgin, despite being married to Lord Humperslut for years and years.

How is this possible? Well, sit back and we’ll tell you. The heroine married Humperslut just before he started introducing his bloodstream to metric tons of opium, and his penis was lost shortly thereafter in a tragic riding accident. His young bride is sworn to secrecy lest his reputation suffer, leaving her to misery and, of course, sexual unfulfillment.

OK, fine, we’re exaggerating a little — but only a little. Yet again, the Sacred Virginity of the Heroine rears its ugly maidenhead, and the heroine’s validity as a woman is tied up in the sanctity of her love canal. Virgin widows may have been novel plot devices back in the day, but Romancelandia is lousy with those beasts. We say it’s time to put this particular cash cow out to pasture.

5 MONTHS AGO -  60

novel writing romance novels novels genre novels writing reading 60 notes

How to Use Google As a Blogger - Smart School House

5 MONTHS AGO -  2

Sunday Surf: Social media ad tests & best posts for Facebook

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

Do social media ads really work? We put them to the test! | TechHive

Experimental ads across five services: Google AdWords, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and StumbleUpon. 

4 DAYS AGO -  1

advertising Social media facebook google adwords Twitter linkedin stumbleupon marketing 1 note

Weaving Influence | More Eyes Means More Engagement

Challenging the ideas of what Facebook posts get the most views.

This is in line with my experiences as well (text = most, pictures = not as much). I haven’t tried the idea of a shortened link without a preview, so that’s next on my list!

via Ariadne

1 MONTH AGO

facebook facebook fan pages Social media marketing

(Photo credit: Search Influence)

Sunday Surf: Blog income, where to place sharing tools, analyze your site

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

Pinch of Yum’s October Income Report - Making Money from a Food Blog - $4,237.45

Fascinating series with hard data and real numbers on how a food blog makes money.

I especially like the analogy in this post for what types of income you can hope to make blogging, by being a teacher (affiliate marketing), landlord (selling ad space), or inventor (creating a product), or all three.

1 MONTH AGO

monetizing blogging Finances advertising affiliate marketing ebook sales

3 Tips for Placing Tools on Your Page | AddThis Blog

Where to position tools for follow, share, and related content.

1 MONTH AGO

blogging blogs design

6 SEO Tools to Analyze Your Site Like Google Does

I especially appreciated the HubSpot graders.

1 MONTH AGO

seo blogging

Sunday Surf: Inbox cleaning made fun, infographics, & popularity contests

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

Email Management Made Fun | The Email Game

A game for Gmail that inspires you to clean out your inbox — FAST!

2 MONTHS AGO

gmail Email inbox inbox zero Time Management scheduling

(via :: Good Girl Gone Green » Enough with the Infograhics :: )

2 MONTHS AGO

blogging spam pr infographics

Strocel.com | Reflections on Blogging Contests

Here’s the truth, in my experience: these contests typically go to the best networker. You’re not going to win by voting for yourself as many times as possible. You have to get other people to vote for you, and advocate for you. If you’re not comfortable promoting yourself in that way, that’s fine. Many of us aren’t. We don’t want to pester people. I sort of feel that way, myself. And now I know that’s why I’ve never won these contests. Knowing that, somehow, has allowed me to make my peace with it. …

Of course, there’s also nothing wrong with calling on your network for support. There’s nothing wrong with telling your community that you’re in this contest and you’d love for them to vote for you. There’s nothing wrong with putting it out there, and seeing what comes back. 

2 MONTHS AGO

Sunday Surf: Awesome Facebook marketing, 404 pages, & schedules

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

29 Links to Make You Awesome at Facebook Marketing (So You Stop Spinning Your Wheels) | Constant Contact Blogs

16 HOURS AGO

facebook Social media blogging marketing

Best Time to Post on Facebook

It depends on your audience. Since most of my fans are SAHMs, I don’t think the ban on during the workday applies for me. The other tips were helpful.

1 DAY AGO -  1

facebook blogging Social media marketing 1 note

Sunday Surf: Take control of your to-do list & inbox, plus the truth about blogging conferences & safe FB sharing

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

BlogHer Tells WSJ the Rest of the Story About Blogging Business Trips - Elisa Camahort Page - Voices - AllThingsD

The answer is that the Journal has published the umpteenth article dismissing women who blog — even as we are using our expertise across social media not just to develop our own brands and businesses, but to symbiotically develop some of the hottest new companies in the startup economy (Pinterest, anyone?). MilitaryMoneyChica nails it in her post, “If Mom Bloggers Lean In Any More, They’ll Just Walk All Over Us. Thanks a Lot WSJ.”:

Let’s be honest. Do I have fun when I go to a blogging conference? Uh, yes. But I had fun when I went to conferences and professional development opportunities when I guess, according to this article, I had a “real job”…. Thanks for portraying my profession as a bunch of opportunistic, burnt-out moms who have to dress a vacation in business casual to get out of doing the laundry.

1 MONTH AGO

blogging blogging conferences conferences blogher women writers feminism sexism parenting

Brilliant article on 

How to Make Your To-Do List Doable:

When you’re wearing your Boss hat, it’s up to you to write down the instructions in such a way that your Assistant self can just do them without having to think - or stress. Taking the thinking out of the acting is one of the best ways to make your to-do list a cinch to finish off.

1 MONTH AGO -  1

to-do list time management 1 note

Sunday Surf: Tracking submissions, mass PayPal, and traditional vs. self-publishing

Links to share, from Writing Tidbits:

Tracking Your Submissions - Triple Tracking Method -- Writers Write(R)

To collect better data, create 3 submission tracking spreadsheets: general, individual manuscript, and individual publication.

3 MONTHS AGO

Submissions novel submissions manuscripts agents publishing

QueryTracker | Free Database of Literary Agents and Publishers

Free database for tracking your manuscript queries

3 MONTHS AGO

Submissions novel submissions manuscripts query agents publishing