Hey folks, Meka James here. Evie decided to take a gamble and let me do a guest spot on her blog. I don’t normally do “opinion” pieces and I’m not in the habit of sharing “advice” and things of that nature, but this topic is one that is near and dear to my heart.
Read MoreWe’ve all been there. That nerve-wracking, nauseating moment where feedback from a beta, CP, contest judge, editor, or agent pops up in your inbox. You want to know what they have to say. You sent your book baby to them for the sole purpose of getting their opinions and advice. You know there’s going to be criticism involved, because you’re a smart cookie and you’ve gathered you can’t please everyone. Still, terror grips you by the throat as you click the email and open what is sure to be at least a minor bruise to your writerly ego.
Read MoreWriting a griping page-turner—a novel the readers just can’t put down—requires quite a few elements to fall perfectly into place. One of those happens to be the tightness and effectiveness of your scenes. That means each scene has to serve a purpose, and all “fluff” scenes gotta go.
Read MoreEveryone writes for different reasons. Most of us write because, quite frankly, it’s a compulsion. We’d cease to feel alive if we didn’t. A lot of people, including me, also write as a form of self expression and to satisfy an inner need to experience things outside our little bubble.
For many, this need to venture outside their own lives leads to the creation of characters who possess everything the writer wishes they had. This includes everything from rockin’, gym bunny bodies to high-paying dream careers and billionaire-esque lifestyles.
Read MoreI’ve already touted the importance of beta readers—and I truly hope each and every one of you utilize these invaluable resources—but the purpose of this blog is to discuss a very specific beta reader niche: sensitivity readers.
Read MoreI decided to do a post on this occasionally “controversial” topic because I’ve read a few books lately where it’s painfully obvious no one ever taught the poor soul either the difference between these two, or tips on how best to use them.
Read MoreIn my humble opinion, one of the most important things for a writer is to find their writerly tribe. That is, a group of like-minded writers who act as a support system for one another as they travel the bumpy #amwriting road together. Because, trust me, folks, it’s bumpy. So, so bumpy. I’m talkin’ potholes the size of moon craters that’ll knock you out of alignment in 2.5 seconds flat if you don’t have people who get your pain to set you back to rights.
Read MoreIn discussing the subject of my guest blog, Evie gave me one goal. Help Writers. And I want you all to know I am so, so, so about that. As is she. That’s why I love my Evie. I dipped into my relevant pool and came up with, dun dun dun…
Self-editing. Because I just edited the heck out of my next book.
Read MoreWe’ve all heard the adage that your first five pages can make or break you, which I have always agreed with to some extent, but my understanding had always been along the lines of, “Make sure your writing sparkles and shines at the beginning so agents/editors/readers get hooked by your brilliance and keep reading.”
I mean, duh. That’s also important, but I was missing the “big picture” boat with that thought process. Hardcore.
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