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For the past twenty or so years, writers have been urged to brand themselves as a certain type of writer. Writing Tip for Today: Here are some tips for creating your own brand and filling a need for readers: Be Skilled Before you can create a brand or platform, you must know what that means. […]
A few years ago, obscure yet devoted writers like me were informed that we had to be a brand. We needed a tag line, as if we were products on TV, and we had to pick one type of thing to write. Writing Tip for Today: After more than a decade of urging by PR […]
It’s launch day for my latest book, Prayers for Parents of Prodigals! Over the past few months, I’ve learned so much about building a platform. Writing Tip for Today: Here are a few tips I’ve picked up about growing a platform: Who’s Your Tribe? One of the things I’ve found is that tribes stick together. […]
As I anticipate the release of Prayers for Parents of Prodigals (my seventh book), I’m keenly aware of the need for a growing readership. Platform is a word that scares many writers, but it really boils down to who you know. Writing Tip for Today: What are some ways to increase your readership and […]
Just when I think I have finally mastered my schedule of writing, teaching, blogging and social media-ing, my agent says I need one more task. Since I’m writing a book about dealing with addiction/mental illness from a loved one’s standpoint, I need a blog about that too. Nothing too hard about that, right?Writing Tip for Today: […]
These days every writer is confronted with the task of deciding just who she/he is. Some writing teachers tell students they must define themselves in order to succeed. Others say having a writing “brand” or identity stifles creativity and limits a writer worse than an ill-fitting corset.Writing Tip for Today: At the beginning, you might […]
Everywhere she goes, Miss Crankypants hears from authors who treat their books like so many cans of peanuts. Writers are no longer mysterious wordsmiths, weaving riveting tales from their dark and musty garrett. No more Mr. Shakespeare. Now, it’s legions of writers hawking their wares from every corner of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.There’s something wrong […]
I heard an interesting term this past week. Flexing. A colleague, Cristina Katz, offers webinars and courses on platform and increasing your audience. Her book, Get Known Before the Book Deal, has been very successful, and I admire her accomplishments.Writing Tip for Today: So what is FLEXING? And how can you use it? Versatility. For […]
Many successful authors preach passion. That is, they urge writers to follow their bliss, write the stuff their hearts say is their passion. But that coming-of-age novel or literary book you’re on fire about may have to wait.Writing Tip for Today: At least as many literary agents advise writers to “write something that sells,” in […]
Miss Crankypants is officially against author branding. I know, you’re supposed to have a catchy slogan, a tag line that separates you from the madding crowd. Bologna! Some of these tag lines make my head want to explode. To wit: A very good friend and super writer recently started a blog. You know, because you’re […]