Indie Life - Tell us your good news!

Welcome to Indie Life! A chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

What is Indie Life?
How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page
When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month (starting 1/9/2013)
What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie.
Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!

Because being Indie doesn't have to mean going it alone.

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Hi, Everyone! Laura Pauling here for this month's Indie Life! I wanted to take this month to give all of you a chance to share your good news with us.

Have you signed with agent?

Released a new book?

Finished a first draft?

Nailed down a rocking plot for a new series?

I shared some good news today for Indie Life today on my blog. Check it out here. I'll give you a little hint.

Tell us about your good news or accomplishments in the comments! We want to know.

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Publishing isn't like middle school...or is it?

Hey, Laura here.

I probably don’t even have to explain the title of my post. I don’t know anyone who wishes they could go back to middle school. High school? Maybe.

But never those years of 6th-8th.

I thought it was over when I shook the dust of middle school from my feet. The awkward dances, dreaded lunch periods, and the whispered gossip. As my kids yearn to grow up and leave their problems behind, I tell them.

“There are always mean kids. Cliques. Gossip. Hurtful words.”

I do see this in the publishing industry. Authors feeling jilted or not cool enough. Maybe they don’t realize people are actually reading their random tweets or blog posts. lol. At the same time, that’s just a small percentage. Overall, the writers I rub shoulders with are all extremely supportive and nice.

As with anything, my biggest advice in publishing would be keep your eyes on your paper. There’s always someone doing better than you and there’s always someone not as well off. And that eerily echoes what I tell my kids. That there’s always someone with more money, better vacations, a cooler house.

Don’t compare. Be thankful.

Once you let it bother you, once that bug grabs hold of you…it never ends. You reach the level you dreamed of being at only to realize that that isn’t quite enough. There’s even higher levels to reach.

Be happy. Be content. I do believe it’s possible to be both those things while reaching for the stars.

The answer to whether publishing is like middle school or not is….

it’s your choice.

 Laura Pauling @laurapauling writes about spies, murder and mystery. She's the author of the Circle of Spies Series for teens: The Almost Assassin (a short prequel), A Spy Like Me and Heart of an Assassin.

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Indie Life - Join us!

Starting today, the Indelibles will be hosting a monthly feature called INDIE LIFE. Modeled after Alex Cavanaugh's awesome Insecure Writer's Group, this will be a chance for indie authors to post about indie life, find each other, offer support, encouragement, news, helpful hints, and anything else that makes life as an indie author a little easier.

What is Indie Life?
How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page
When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month (starting TODAY 1/9/2013)
What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie.
Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!

Because being Indie doesn't have to mean going it alone.

Laura Pauling brings us her first Indie Life post.

With a new year comes the wave of blog posts about resolutions and writing goals. I enjoy reading them. I love seeing what my friends and blogging pals are up to. What insight they have in how to balance their writing and their families.

I don’t love writing resolution posts myself, so I jotted down some confessions. Most erred on the side of humorous and flimsy. But one mentioned how I miss the good ole days of blogging.

Three times a week, I blogged. Three times a week, I read a lot of posts and commented on most of them. But I didn’t mind it. In a phase of writing where I was querying and querying and querying, publishing to my blog and gaining readers brought a feeling of accomplishment.

Over the past year, each month, my Google reader diminished in posts. More writers were taking extended breaks. Eventually, I joined the crowd and dropped to blogging once a week.

But I was writing more, and I was publishing.

Even though I miss those days, I don’t want to go back. I still love keeping up with my friends and meeting new ones, but even more? I love seeing the progress my friends are making.

Some are signing with agents and getting book deals. Some are just jumping into the querying pool or signing with small presses. Others are self-publishing and hitting the best seller lists. More and more writers are making strides with their careers and finding success.

I couldn’t be more proud. I love it.

So yes, I miss the good ole days of blogging, but I love this day and age of blogging even more. Here’s to another fantastic year even with all the highs and the lows that a creative life brings.

Click here to visit Laura's blog.

HOP THROUGH FOR A PEEK INTO THE INDIE LIFE

ADD YOUR NAME TO LIST IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US (NEXT POST 2/13/2013)
NOTE: if you previously signed up, but your name is not on the list - please sign up again! We had a linky catastrophe that deleted everyone's names. Thanks for your understanding!

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INDIE-ReCon - an online conference for self publishing!

Hi guys!

Do I have a surprise for you! :)

A small group of indie writers has pulled together and is hosting a FREE online conference on everything INDIE in Feb 2013!

Welcome to the first INDIE ReCon - Make Indie Publishing a Mission Possible

Are you curious about Indie publishing, but don't know where to start?  Or, are you already a published Indie author looking to boost your sales or expand your reach?  Then you'll want to attend a new exciting online conference happening in 2013 - INDIE Revolution Conference.  Or as we like to call it, INDIE ReCon.

INDIE ReCon is happening online from February 12-14, 2013.

INDIE ReCon is a FREE, ONLINE conference that is modeled after the awesome annual WriteOnCon. It is designed to help any writer or author who is curious about the ins and outs of Indie publishing. 

However any author or writer can attend because we cover topics all of you may want to know more about (marketing etc)

Everything from the pros and cons of Indie publishing, essential aspects in creating a high-quality book, successful online marketing, and expanding into International markets. 

We will feature over 30 guests that include industry experts as well as some of the bestselling adult and young adult authors in the publishing industry today including: Bob Mayer, Hugh Howey, M. Leighton, and Samantha Young (just to name a few).  

For three days, INDIE ReCon will highlight new topics every hour (sometimes every half hour) for 8 hours a day which will include interviews, blog posts, vlogs, and live online chats.  You'll receive advice from authors, bloggers, marketing partners, cover designers, editors, and more.  You can check out our line up of topics and guests on our website.

Did we mention it's FREE and ONLINE? Well, there's more. Tons of Giveaways! There will be awesome giveaways from each and every speaker and partner. This will include books as well as services like free book designs, free editing, book development services, marketing prizes, and more. 

So mark your calendars for Feb 12-14th!

But, more importantly, sign up now with your email and we'll be sure to send you updates, news, and reminders as the conference gets closer so you won't forget. 

You won't find this much information (or excitement) about Indie publishing anywhere else. The hosts, partners, and presenters are all giving their time and knowledge for free for one simple reason: they're excited about being Indie and they want to help you decide if it's right for you too.  

You can already sign up on the home page to receive updates and news.

We hope you join us at INDIE ReCon - where we'll help you make Indie publishing a mission possible!

See you there!

Founders/Hosts:

S.R. Johannes

Ali Cross

Laura Pauling

Jessie Harrell

Heather McCorkle

Cheri Lasota

Special thanks to our partners:

ALLi

Bibliocrunch

IndieReader

Kindle Fire Department

World Literary Cafe

Why Every Indie Author Needs A Business Plan

A business plan--do you need one?

I confess, I was daunted by the idea when I first heard about it. I knew I needed to view my foray into self-publishing as a business venture, but how did one write a plan about that?

1) you write a book
2) you publish it
3) you hope it sells

What more could you  possibly plan? A whole lot it seems. Still, I had no idea where to start. The lovey Susan Kaye Quinn(link) had one, and she let me see what she'd done. It was helpful. She gave me phrases like, Goals, Audience, Brand, How will I promote, Marketing Budget.

You mean, I should break it down more than my measly three points, Sue? Well, she was certainly doing something right, since, her book was, like, selling.

So I did it, and it helped. I was starting to see myself as a business person, rather than "just" a writer hoping to break even some day.

Then Denise Grover Swank did this fantastic three part guest blog series on The Business Plan(link). Talk about comprehensive! And, man, it seemed to work for her! I was motivated to start!

I used her TABLE OF CONTENTS (yes, her business plan has a table of contents) as a template and officially began my own small business document, creating a comprehensive plan for 2013.

Denise's
Table of Contents
1. Description of Bramagioia Enterprises
2. Ownership of Bramagioia Enterprises and Location of Business
3. Products
4. Pricing Strategy
5. Financial Plan
6. Production Schedule and Writing Plans
7. Targeted Audience
8. Marketing and Promoting Plan
9. Web Plan
10. Long Term Goals
11. Summary

I added:

12. Projection of Perception series costs and profits

Some of the important things I learned by doing this:

1) Identifying myself as a business person with the objective of making a profit helped me to see myself as not just a creative person, but a person with a goal outside of that creativity (though linked. Makes sense?)

2) When you view things from a business perspective you make different decisions than if you're just making emotional or creative calls. (This only matters if you care about making money with your art.)

One big change I made while working out this plan was to fine tune my focus for 2013 in terms of what I was going to spend my time writing. From a business perspective it made sense for me to focus on my current series, the Perception Series and postpone a sequel to Seaweed. Denise did this with one of her series--focusing on the one that had the most financial potential and waiting on the one that didn't.

Before doing this plan, I'd felt "obligated" somehow to produce this next book. After doing the  plan I realized that I was free to do what was best for my business and that meant waiting on the Seaweed sequel.

3) Now that I have been indie publishing for over a year, I actually have some data, in terms of sales, promotional successes and flops, plus I've had a year to observe other authors, what worked or didn't work for them. I had information I could use to determine pricing strategies, and create a promotion/marketing plan.

4) Working on this plan also made me take a hard look at my web presence. From a writer/writing point of view my current blog was fine. Just fine. But it was missing the mark in terms of a business move. I realized I was at a place now where my web presence needed to refocus to readers and fans. Those were the people I wanted looking for me (and were starting to look for me) and I needed to give them what they were looking for. I also decided that the "networking" part was better spent on FB and twitter than on my blog.

5) Planning ahead with a production schedule. This was new and scary ground. By planning ahead I had to take a good look at just how long the process would take, or rather how long I wanted it to take. If I wanted to get books 2 and 3 of the Perception series out in 2013, I couldn't just wing it anymore.

Though I love my beta readers, they are all busy writing and building a business too. Turn around times are just too unpredictable. I made the leap to hire a developmental editor. Not only would this streamline things time wise, but I'd have a consistent set of editorial eyes to help me do the best job I could with a series. You  have to book a developmental editor 3 to 4 months ahead, so you have to plan, and be realistic with your production abilities. I went from thinking I could produce 3 books in 2013, to accepting that I could only produce 2 books if I wanted to do them well. And I want to do them well.  I now have deadlines for when the first draft needs to be completed, when it needs to be revised, when it needs to go to the D. editor, the copy editor, when the cover needs to be completed, when the promotion needs to start, etc, all on my calendar a year in advance.

So, if you're a writer looking to make money from your writing, I strongly encourage you to work on a comprehensive business plan. You'll be surprised at what you discover about yourself!

Elle Strauss writes fun, lower YA fiction. She is fond of sea salt dark chocolate and hiking in good weather. She also writes upper/mature YA (historical and science fiction) as Lee Strauss. 

Find her at www.ellestraussbooks.com

Honesty, self publishing, and home-made pastries.

picture credit

I’m not a cook. I don’t even really know how to cook. I follow recipes. But somehow we do okay. My family eats nutritious meals and sometimes they turn out pretty good. Well, not according to my younger son, who commented yesterday.

“Is that vomit? Or butternut squash?”

I told him he’d appreciate butternut squash when he’s older.

I really don’t want to talk about the numerous times I’ve completely dissolved the chicken in the crock-pot because it cooked too long. Or the fact that my mac and cheese still tastes like pasta with melted cheese despite my many attempts.

What I love is the creative side of cooking. I love to find a fun recipe and then bake it, usually just to see if I can do it. One time, I found the recipe for a breakfast Danish. And decided I was going to do this. Oh, the cookbook made it look so good. Golden crusted outside, a fruit filling spilling out the scored tops, and this melt-in-your mouth glaze dribbled over the top.

Thankfully, without too much trouble, I made it. And it was absolutely delicious. I even got really brave and made it again to bring to a sleepover reunion with high school friends.

The mom of one of my friends took one look at it and smiled. She said, “Now that’s homemade.”

But her remark was not an insult. She recognized the fact that if a professional had made it, or a factory, it would’ve had perfectly rounded corners. Each score across the top would’ve been exactly an inch apart, and the glaze would’ve been evenly applied.

I’ll connect the dots if you haven’t already. I’ve been reading a lot of self published books lately. Not because of the price but because I love the honesty in the writing and the story.

I love that they’re not perfect.

Laura Pauling loves pastries. And you'll find them sprinkled through out the pages of A SPY LIKE ME. The sequel, HEART OF AN ASSASSIN, is due out soon!

Her debut middle grade, HOW TO SURVIVE ANCIENT SPELLS AND CRAZY KINGS will be released in November. Try to say that title several times fast.

Stop by her blog and say hello!

10/16/12 How to grow in the craft of writing.

DiamondLB RT @IndelibleWriter: Join us for #indiechat in 3 minutes! Self improvement tips for the self published! -8:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Hi everyone! #indiechat -8:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @LM_Preston By any means necessary! #indiechat -9:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak Hi everyone! #indiechat -9:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling We've had so many chats about marketing and 5 year plans. But what about improving our craft? #indiechat -9:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley Hi #indiechat -9:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB “@laurapauling: Hi everyone! #indiechat”

laurapauling @DiamondLB Hey there! I dm'd you back. :) #indiechat -9:01 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: We've had so many chats about marketing and 5 year plans. But what about improving our craft? #indiechat -9:01 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @crankyashley Hi there! Welcome #indiechat -9:01 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @laurapauling Thanks :) #indiechat -9:01 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB Hi guys! #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Does everyone usually see an improvement in their writing from year to year? #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn Hello everybody! #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB @laurapauling oh yay! *scoots to reply* #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @chandahahn Hi Chanda! #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Yep, but still have ticks @laurapauling: Does everyone usually see an improvement in their writing from year to year? #indiechat” -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling I think if you keep at it, you can't help but get better. #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB “@laurapauling: Does everyone usually see an improvement in their writing from year to year? #indiechat” <

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling not sure. I haven't been doing this that long to make a comparison. #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Hello indiechatters! #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I love looking back to the last year and knowing how I've improved. #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB @susankayequinn hullo! #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling I finally learned to stop writing "nodding her head." Uh, what else would she be nodding? lol #indiechat -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio How long have you been writing? #indiechat -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Lol! Yep “@Stacey_WB: @LM_Preston By any means necessary! #indiechat” -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn Hi Susan! =^.^= #indiechat -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Stacey_WB ha ha. I still have to delete those kinds of things from my first draft. #indiechat -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling do you mean idly or seriously? #indiechat -9:05 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio srsly. #indiechat -9:05 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Stacey_WB LOL! Yes, redundant redundancies. I excel at those. #indiechat -9:05 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @KatGirl_Studio @LM_Preston *waves* #indiechat -9:05 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling a year or 2 maybe. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio Cool. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @susankayequinn Me too! Now I have betas that are specifically asked to only look for those. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston #indiechat I think my writing has greatly improved as well as I've taken some risk with other genres -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 Hey #Indiechat anything new happen? :) -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @LM_Preston I love experimenting with other genres! Really helps widen my toolbox so to say. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @LM_Preston I think taking risks is a HUGE part of improvement. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling One thing that really helped was to have someone out of my genre beta my work. Different perspective. #indiechat -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @laurapauling @LM_Preston I decided to delve into a sci-fi story. I'm hoping that'll help me out, too. #indiechat -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch Hey #indiechat Did you see our interview and giveaway with @srjohannes ? http://t.co/BAyaVdFT -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Being scared of a story is a sure sign to try it out. #indiechat -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I came from working in illustration/comics so writing book books is new for me. #indiechat -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Steps to improve can depend on where you are in the journey: starting out, serious-about-publishing,or multiple-novels-and/or-pub #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: Being scared of a story is a sure sign to try it out. #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling How many of you read books on the craft of wr iting? #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston RT @laurapauling: @LM_Preston I love experimenting with other genres! Really helps widen my toolbox so to say. #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling At the beginning, craft books can make a huge difference. #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @KatGirl_Studio Ah, but you already have a great sense of story/dialogue from comics I imagine #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB I've also learned that each book = different process. Becoming comfy with that makes a big difference. #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling Oh I read a ton. I love informational & how to books. #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling What are some of your favorite craft books? #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn I think learning tips from screenwriters can really help novel writers. #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Are you doing Nanowrimo @crankyashley: @laurapauling delving into a sci-fi story. I'm hoping that'll help me out, too. #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn yes but its also very different. #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

IndelibleWriter #indiechat happening now! Join us! We're talking improving the craft of writing! -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn Stephen Kings 'On Writing' #Indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston You haven't seen me blabbering on about it? lol @poor_dick and I both. 2nd year. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I loved the Donald Maass books. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Though I can get overwhelmed with all the advice. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston I'm sticking to fantasy and trying a Beauty & the Beast rewrite, though @laurapauling #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston #indiechat I'm trying to do Nanowrimo every year to improve my writing time. Anyone else? -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling And, of course, Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling I don't really read craft books per se. I learn about craft from reading novels in the genre that I'm writing. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling If I was home I'd list a bunch off my shelf. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley RT @IndelibleWriter: #indiechat happening now! Join us! We're talking improving the craft of writing! -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak It's hard to chat and do bookkeeping at the same time. Just sayin'. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Some writers don't read craft books and others devour them. That's okay. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston What's your #NaNoWriMo page? I bet you can guess my name ;-) #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn I try not to pick up a craft book unless I have a manuscript to apply it to. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @laurapauling me too. Sometimes it's just too much and too contradictory. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I really liked all the Writers Digest Books I have. Very helpful. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I don't read them as much as I used to. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch And what about blogs that talk about the craft? #indiechat -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

VictoriaSmith76 @LM_Preston I did it last year for the first time. Really does help with writing. :) #indiechat -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling But STORY by Robert McKee during my first year was a Godsend. #indiechat A little technical but opened my eyes. -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn What's your NEWEST effort to improve craft? Mine: looking for places to use literary devices #indiechat -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @VictoriaSmith76 I think it's great, especially for people who tend to over think what they write. @LM_Preston #indiechat -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @laurapauling I've found a few good ones like James N. Frey's, but a lot just frustrate me. #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn YES@laurapauling: But STORY by Robert McKee during my first year was a Godsend. #indiechat A little technical but opened my eyes. #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I also read a lot of articles across the internet. #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @BiblioCrunch Sometimes blogs about craft can be good; sometimes not so much. #selective #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston I haven't had time to set up yet I think it is. @crankyashley: What's your #NaNoWriMo page? I bet you can guess my name ;-) #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Lately I've reading a lot more since having an ereader. and that's really helped my writing. #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Lisa_Nowak Why do they frustrate you? #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I finally get the advice to read, read, read. #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Hi everyone! Story by Robert McKee answered so many writing questions in my screenwriting days. #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB @laurapauling I don't read them...I wonder if it's held me back... #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak Still haven't gotten through that one, but I'd like to. @laurapauling: But STORY by Robert McKee... #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

srjohannes Hi every one! sorry Im late #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

VictoriaSmith76 @crankyashley true. I found it worked pretty well with my writing style. I don't self edit so it wasn't too bad :) @lm_preston #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @DiamondLB A lot of them are repetitive. And you can learn the same thing through reading just a diff. process. #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @DougSolter I LOVE that book. #Story #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston #indiechat LA Banks told us she could finish a novel in 2 to 3 wks and edit it 1 time before it hits the editors desk -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I started breaking down story structure in published novels. That was amazing. #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn When I'm in the middle of writing a book. I tend to not read for fun until my projects done. #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @VictoriaSmith76 My SO has that problem. He only ended up w/about 5K b/c he kept rewriting @LM_Preston #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @LM_Preston Srsly? 2-3 weeks? That's amazing. #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter I became a better writer after that book. Just sayin. @susankayequinn #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston You shouldn't need to this year. They revamped the site. All I had to do was log in and my old stuff was there #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @chandahahn I do that too - during first drafts at least. #savethemforrewards #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston I want to grow into that @laurapauling: Srsly? 2-3 weeks? That's amazing. #indiechat” -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

VictoriaSmith76 @chandahahn I do this to! Helps me stay constant with my style :) #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I usually need a break so I do continue to read. And it still helps, doesn't hurt. #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @LM_Preston wow and I thought my 1-2 months was fast. #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

srjohannes I always try and make time to improve my craft through conferences, online courses, and reading #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @susankayequinn I'm still looking for more thoughts on what we should be putting on our new blog :) #indiechat suggestions please! -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore Hello all~! I'll be in and out. #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert Hi! #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn I've got a whole stack I've collected to reward myself with as soon as I'm done with my current one. #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

VictoriaSmith76 @crankyashley yeah the key is to write first and edit later. @lm_preston #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @srjohannes me too. a variety of learning media. #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Really studying a certain aspect like pacing or dialogue or bodylanguage in books I like has helped the most. #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri I'm late. I'm late. I'm late. #indiechat. I was working on a back cover copy. But I'm here now. -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

srjohannes @laurapauling I heard STORY was awesome!! #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston She was a full time author with 4 releases a yr contract @KatGirl_Studio: wow and I thought my 1-2 months was fast. #indiechat” -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: I started breaking down story structure in published novels. That was amazing. #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @LM_Preston I think announcing writing times is like those Demotivational Posters. #notsomuchhelping #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB Hello! @Addison_Moore @Juliana_Haygert #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I can't help but do that too. #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling What's been the aspect of craft that's been the hardest for everyone to grasp or get right? #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Addison_Moore Hey girl! #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

srjohannes @BiblioCrunch I read alot of blogs that talk craft. What I like to do is search 4 topics. 2day I was reading new posts on pacing #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @DougSolter Screenwriting? That sounds like fun! #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @LM_Preston I wrote DITM in 2 months. book 2 has taken longer because I've been too busy to work on it. #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling The Writer's Knowledge Base is a terrific resource with tons catalogued blog posts. #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @VictoriaSmith76 I struggle so much with this. Totally why I fail at NaNoWriMo #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: Really studying a certain aspect like pacing or dialogue or bodylanguage in books I like has helped the most. #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore It's funny because with craft books I still prefer hardcopies to e-book versions. I guess I like to flip and bookmark. #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Some tips on the Indelible's blog: http://t.co/b33FuBGV #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @srjohannes It's alright, I was just mentioning your interview http://t.co/BAyaVdFT #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Addison_Moore And highlight! #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Stacey_WB I'm big on just getting it down. @VictoriaSmith76 #indiechat -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @Addison_Moore that makes sense to me. #indiechat -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri I always am reading craft books. Especially between WIP's. RT @laurapauling: How many of you read books on the craft of wr iting? #indiechat -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: The Writer's Knowledge Base is a terrific resource with tons catalogued blog posts. #indiechat -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

SPNHeather How is everyone? #IndieChat What is the topic tonight? -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @SPNHeather Ways to improve our writing craft! #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn My newest trick is highlighting on Kindle passages that I like, for handy reference later, when I'm writing. #style #literary #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter I love writing screenplays. But it took switching to writing novels to earn my first dollar writing. :) @BiblioCrunch #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @laurapauling some are contradictory, some make me question stuff I already have down. #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

SPNHeather @laurapauling Oh yay I need lots of help :) #IndieChat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @SPNHeather Self-improvement tips for writers. #HI :) #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling I guess it's pacing and making sure to hit the climax at the right time. #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston RT @KatGirl_Studio: @LM_Preston I wrote DITM in 2 months. book 2 has taken longer because I've been too busy to work on it. #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Hi, Lisa! @Lisa_Nowak #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @DougSolter Nice to be paid, yes? :) #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ReviewerRachel Awesome, how does everyone get their villain ideas? #indiechat @SPNHeather @laurapauling -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling *raises hand* I read a lot of craft books. I think I've read 15 craft books this year already #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @DougSolter Screenplays are a hard sell. Only so many movies are made each year. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling And we can't forget critiques and betas! #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert Wow! that's a lot! :) #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @DougSolter Hi there. :) Sorry I've been a stranger. Revamping my blog and building a website. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

SPNHeather @ReviewerRachel @laurapauling I can honestly say Me and the hubby just talk it out #IndieChat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn To outline or not to outline? (And do you outline before or after writing?) #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Yes! RT @susankayequinn: @DougSolter Nice to be paid, yes? :) #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert I do like rereading certain chapters from my fav. craft books. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Exactly! RT @Lisa_Nowak: @DougSolter Screenplays are a hard sell. Only so many movies are made each year. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio I used to read more craft books. Now mostly articles. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Addison_Moore @HeatherSunseri When craft books start saying the same thing, I stop buying! #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @ReviewerRachel I love me a good villain. Usually grows out of the story world; or who the protagonist most needs to overcome #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @srjohannes We are still looking for what people want to see on our blog :). #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @HeatherSunseri me too, especially in between WIPs @laurapauling #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn no, I write non-linearly. #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @ReviewerRachel I've heard of that one. #indiechat Heard it's really good. -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @KatGirl_Studio this year my writing has slowed A LOT since I'd overbooked with volunteering and 3 book release #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri I'm with @Addison_Moore. Like hold-in-my-hand craft books over ebooks. But Some of James Scott Bell's newest ones are ebook only. #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites RT @susankayequinn: I think learning tips from screenwriters can really help novel writers. #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

heatherself @ReviewerRachel Put whatever idiosyncrasies that piss me off the most into the "villain" #indiechat @SPNHeather @laurapauling -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @susankayequinn Me, too. I usually end up loving my villains. ;) @ReviewerRachel #indiechat -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Why are villains the most fun? #indiechat I love villains. -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @susankayequinn for me, it depends on the story. Some I pantsed 100%, some I plotted 100%, some was half-half. #indiechat -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @KatGirl_Studio I sketch out scenes (is that nonlinear), then put them in order on the Corkboard of Doom. #indiechat -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter I always outline. But it doesn't mean you always have to follow it. ;) #indiechat -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling because we can let out our true crazy lol #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @DougSolter Interesting, I have a friend who wants to do screenplays, I wonder if she'll take the same change? #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston I now subscribe to a site called Grammergirl and she sends me grammar reminders. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Addison_Moore I'm always afraid I'm making my villains too sympathetic. So I make them even more evil. :) #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @HeatherSunseri Oh, I did not know that! I wonder why? #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites Hey folks, I'm actually around for once ;-) #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @susankayequinn I'm becoming more and more of an outliner. Mainly b/c I hate fixing a non-outlined book. :) #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Juliana_Haygert I used to pants 100%, now I'm an avowed plotter. Works for me. *shrugs* #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @susankayequinn I'm big on outlining. Save cutting stuff later. :P #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I love finding a good 3 dimensional villain. Where being the villain is just a matter of perpective. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Oh, I also use tools to help like autocrit . com and a few others I blogged about. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn kinda ya. I write what comes to mind and them drop them in order. Scrivener makes it sooo easy. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ReviewerRachel @Addison_Moore @susankayequinn Yes, I'd really love for my readers to feel for him! but I have as of yet to dig up that layer... #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @DougSolter Agree. I just need a loose roadmap. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn I outline- then write from the hip. It's all based on how much my characters grow and change and where they take me for the ride #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @LM_Preston Do you like autocrit? #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @aehowardwrites Hello! #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @aehowardwrites Welcome Anna! #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn after or during... usually. Some day soon I might switch that up though, I have a more complex world brewing #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn do you mean you draw them? #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn THIS @HeatherSunseri: @susankayequinn Im becoming more and more of an outliner. Mainly b/c I hate fixing a non-outlined book. :) #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @LM_Preston Is she on twitter? I think I get the same feed. love her. #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @laurapauling Love beta reading, it's like an advanced advanced readers copy. Really neat! #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @addison_moore Hi! *waves* #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @Addison_Moore about JSB? Yeah. He's got a few out that are e-book. I just read his one geared toward self-publishing. Very good. #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @heatherselflol! So true.wonderful way to build a better villain. @ReviewerRachel @SPNHeather @laurapauling #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @KatGirl_Studio I wish! #notanartist No, I word sketch them on tiny squares of paper #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I love beta reading too. It's a different thought process. #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @laurapauling Yes, it's one of the tools I use previous to sending out to beta readers. Mainly because I like the same words lol! #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela Totally agree! Hey, hello everyone! RT @Froze8: @laurapauling Love beta reading, it's like an advanced advanced readers copy. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @LM_Preston I usually have some word or phrase repetition problems too. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn I've never heard of this before. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB I try to outline, but I'm mostly a pantser. What I do, though, is write the beginning and the end and then fill in the middle. :) #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @TORRESpamela Hi and welcome! #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @HeatherSunseri I'll have to check it out. I really like him. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling It's a great way to improve our own craft too. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn What's your strategy toward self-improvement? I try to tackle one or two weak areas in every book. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I remember character arc was a big one for me. I just didn't get it when I started writing. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan Hi #indiechat! Does anyone here feel that working with editors improves their writing? -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @ulbrichalmazan I think working with the right editor would. #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @Stacey_WB Yes! I need to know the beginning and the end. #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @susankayequinn @Addison_Moore Hahaha! I love this! #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @ulbrichalmazan I guess in ways similar to a beta read but maybe even more mind blowing. #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @Stacey_WB Sometimes I find that once I have an outline the white page isn't so intimidating. Don't always follow it. #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @laurapauling I've struggled with character arcs, especially for the secondary characters. They need them too. #indiechat. -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

heatherself @Addison_Moore yeah I don't worry about liking em that way ;) #indiechat @ReviewerRachel @SPNHeather @laurapauling -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @ulbrichalmazan A million times YES!!! #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @ulbrichalmazan I know it improved mine. My editor is great =^.^= #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @HeatherSunseri Yes. Character arc and making all the characters three-dimensional. #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @stacey_wb That's close to what I do, I often know my beginning and end, and then figure out how to get from A to B #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @laurapauling I find that writing out of order really helps with accidental repetitions #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Here's a blogpost I did on all the Editing Tools I use BEFORE sending my mss to the editor, http://t.co/9kQHtrcZ #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter I get lost without it sometimes. RT @Addison_Moore Agree. I just need a loose roadmap #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @KatGirl_Studio My plotting Corkboard of Doom with scene squares. #indiechat #amplotting http://t.co/dWDGwsEk via @TwitPic -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Stacy_WB I pants then when I get to the 25/30K pt where I get stuck, I go back and outline #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Tweetdeck keeps freezing up on me #indiechat >_< -9:31 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @ulbrichalmazan What @laurapauling said. Becuase I've worked with meh editors, and it did nothing for me. #indiechat -9:31 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @crankyashley I've done it that way too! I'll try anything once. lol #indiechat -9:31 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela I saw a chart once, can't remember the author but she charted every character arc to be sure they had one. #indiechat -9:31 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @TORRESpamela I can see that being helpful. #charts #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn I have this whole weird way of doing things. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert Sometimes I just fill in a BeatSheet (Save the Cat by Blake Snyder) and go with it only. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @ulbrichalmazan As a reader I say yes. I can tell when I book has not been edited and it is a shame b/c I see the potential #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert I've had too many writers tell me they paid for a develop. editor to hear the same things crit partners said. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Stacey_WB It really helps me see what I have and what I need. I write by scene out of order. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @laurapauling And then you can use colored markers. Cool! #indiechat #fun -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Thanks! Nice list. @LM_Preston: #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @laurapauling @TORRESpamela I think I'm too impatient to chart arcs, which is exactly why I should. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert But it's something I'd try with the right recommendation. #indiechat -9:33 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn I loves the beat sheet. @Juliana_Haygert Sometimes I just fill in a BeatSheet (Save the Cat by Blake Snyder) and go with it only. #indiechat -9:33 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra Dixon - one of the best craft books I ever read. #indiechat -9:33 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I'll write a character's name I'm charting in the sidebar of Scrivener to help keep track of appearances. #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn I like! I have a line strung across my desk with paper clothes pinned to it... #indiechat @katgirl_studio -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling exactly. Sometimes it just needs the right editor. #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

MaganVernon Second time daughter is in time out tonight. Probably wont make #Indiechat if she doesn't go to bed soon -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @laurapauling I agree (editors vs. CPs) yet I'm going to try out a dev. editor next year (in addition to CPs). #experiment #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston After our first release using just 1 editor, I wanted to improve our work but on small budget. tools help RT @DougSolter #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @aehowardwrites Paper clothes?? Like for your characters? #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @susankayequinn With the right word of mouth, I would try it. Just to see. #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri Reading craft books when I'm almost done with a story makes me realize how far I still have to go as a writer. #indiechat #alwayslearning -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan @lm_preston That looks like an interesting blogpost. I'll have to check it out later. #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @laurapauling Recommendations are key. #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @HeatherSunseri But that attitude means you're doing something right. #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling When we think we have nothing else to learn we're in trouble. #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @HeatherSunseri I do that all the time. It's even worse when you've finished a book and working on the second. Can't go back… #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert THIS. We never stop learning. RT @laurapauling: When we think we have nothing else to learn we're in trouble. #indiechat -9:36 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn So true. @laurapauling: When we think we have nothing else to learn were in trouble. #indiechat -9:36 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling With self publishing it's so easy to focus on publication schedules and writing the next book. But we have to grow as writers 2. #indiechat -9:36 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @laurapauling For sure! I like to think of myself as coachable. #indiechat -9:36 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan A good dev. editor catches things the betas miss. I hope what I've learned from mine on this book will carry over to the next. #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @HeatherSunseri Me, too! Learning is a gift that I hope never ends. #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @susankayequinn @laurapauling Which is why we created BiblioCrunch to begin with, to get quality professionals to writers #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @BiblioCrunch That's awesome! Is there a way for word of mouth to work with your site? #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @ulbrichalmazan Thanks, the tools help you find your repetitive mistakes. You have to get mss clean b4 editor gets it #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @laurapauling Yes! So important for indies to focus on self-improvment of craft first; writing second; everything else last #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB RT With self publishing its so easy to focus on publication schedules & writing the next book. But we have to grow as writers 2. #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @susankayequinn Loved Save the Cat! @Juliana_Haygert #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @ulbrichalmazan I agree. My betas don't catch big scale plotting things so much. #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn no, like the sheets of paper them like so: http://t.co/5nxsEWE6 #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston I also do feed the craft by participating in critique groups, volunteering and sharing my growth with other authors too #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Addison_Moore @Juliana_Haygert Have you red Save the Cat Strikes Back? #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling What's everyone top way to improve in craft? #indiechat Just shout it out. -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @TORRESpamela I love that idea! I'm implementing it! #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela Amen,we wear so many hats. RT @laurapauling: With self publishing it's so easy to focus on publication and the next book.#indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @susankayequinn Did you like the cat strikes back? #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @aehowardwrites Ah! I would be afraid they would fall down. #needstrongpins! #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan @susankayequinn That's what Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Katherine Rusch recommend. #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @susankayequinn not yet. Did you? Should I get to it fast? @Addison_Moore #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @laurapauling totally. It's not worth pushing and sacrificing quality and self-improvment #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Studying bestsellers @laurapauling: Whats everyone top way to improve in craft? #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @aehowardwrites Coolest picture ever. I love stuff like this! @susankayequinn #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn YES very worthwhile @laurapauling: @susankayequinn Did you like the cat strikes back? #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling For me lately, it's been reading a lot! #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Juliana_Haygert @Addison_Moore Cat Strikes Back has GREAT section on Act III #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @laurapauling Yep, we have reviews on the site, so you can check the professionals profiles for those and their portfolios :) #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Does anyone take down a list of their writer's 'ticks' to make sure you edit those out after the 1st draft? #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling Read, read, read. Write, write, write. Edit and then send off to the editor. ;) #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling How do you all improve your style? #practice #reading Does anyone freewrite to practice? #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling reading. And applying the beatsheet to every movie I watch, and book I read ;) (I started that bc of you!) #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Have to run #indiechatters. Be cool! :) #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn haha! some of that's still from #FlightofBlue so it hasn't fallen yet! #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @BiblioCrunch Awesome! #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela Reading is the best thing for improving craft. I keep a notebook of the things I learn. #Indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @susankayequinn @Juliana_Haygert Just made a note to check that out! #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston I don't need to. I see them as I write, silently yell at myself, and worry about it later #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn and there's less on #TheGuardians b/c I'm still writing that one, of course ;-) #indiechat #whywouldIplot -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert :) I love breaking down movies. Incredibly helpful in studying pacing. #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @TORRESpamela I keep note books of things I learn as I read as well. #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling RT @HeatherSunseri: @TORRESpamela I keep note books of things I learn as I read as well. #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn buh bye! #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @LM_Preston No. mostly in editing I'm fixing dyslexic mistakes. #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Lol! 4 me, it's a blur @crankyashley: I don't need to. I see them as I write, silently yell at myself, and worry about it later #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @Addison_Moore @susankayequinn I thought it was going to be kinda repeated. But I'll check that out too #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling I love when you do it for me, lol! Loved those blog posts. @Juliana_Haygert #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @addison_moore thank you! :-) #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @LM_Preston I have a running tally. Rolled their eyes. Snorted. Totally. Back is my big one. I heart that word for some reason. #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert You are good at it Laura I remember Aladin and what was the other one's you did! Great #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Addison_Moore I learned so much by breaking down different kinds of books. #indiechat -9:43 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @TORRESpamela I did Tangled. #indiechat Is that what you're thinking of? -9:43 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri My twitter feed is going nuts. #debate vs. #indiechat :) -9:43 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @Stacey_WB I have those same words on my list, lol! #indiechat -9:43 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @lm_preston no... that's not a bad idea tho. Although seeing them all in one place might depress me ;-) #indiechat -9:44 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites RT @laurapauling: RT @HeatherSunseri: @TORRESpamela I keep note books of things I learn as I read as well. #indiechat -9:44 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling My break down of Tangled in 15 sentences. #indiechat http://t.co/w5kDvLeY -9:44 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @TORRESpamela I did How To Train Your Dragon too. #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @aehowardwrites Oh my, I get that #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Movies have pacing down to a science. #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @LM_Preston Do you let yourself use them ever? I allow them in the first draft and then cut MOST of them out later. #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling But I also love finding a book that breaks all the rules. #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore RT @laurapauling: My break down of Tangled in 15 sentences. #indiechat http://t.co/w5kDvLeY -9:46 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling sometimes terrific writing can make up for weak structure. #indiechat -9:46 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites YES! @laurapauling: But I also love finding a book that breaks all the rules. #indiechat -9:46 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Stacey_WB And back usually isn't needed. I find that too. #indiechat -9:47 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling *sigh* that is my weakness. I love reading them a little too much for my own good. #indiechat -9:47 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @HeatherSunseri I'm trying to ignore debate tweets. #indiechat -9:47 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela Okay, timer went off/ dinner.I'm amazed how fast you all read/type. I suck! Fun, have to try again next time. Happy Writing!! #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling What's the biggest area of craft everyone struggles with? #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Or maybe we don't know what our biggest area is. lol #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston 1st draft anything goes RT @Stacey_WB:Do you let yourself use them ever?. #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling Exactly! My record is using back five times in one four sentence paragraph. It's an addiction. :) #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Stacey_WB That's CPs are for. #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @laurapauling Mine is description, I tend to truncate. Couldn't resist. #Indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @laurapauling @HeatherSunseri Lol! I'm doing both since I'm a multi-tasking ADD Hyper writer #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @laurapauling For me in general as a student I struggle with sentence structure, grammar. The nuts and bolts. #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri I was until I saw one that made me L-O-L RT @laurapauling: @HeatherSunseri I'm trying to ignore debate tweets. #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @laurapauling Plotting... I totally pants it and plot later, which works, but the first two drafts are a mess before I get sorted #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I'm an underwriter so I always have to flesh out scenes later. #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling And I have this wacky sense of humor. I always delete those scenes. #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri That's what I want to try with next book. RT @laurapauling: I'm an underwriter so I always have to flesh out scenes later. #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @aehowardwrites Yes, but if pantsing works then it works. #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling Me, too. That's why the first few edits always take so long. #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @laurapauling Like I can change my ways from book to book. Possible? #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @aehowardwrites I can't pants a novel to save my life. #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley Do you save things you've deleted just on case you can use them later? I save everything! #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @TORRESpamela @laurapauling Definitely description/underwriting for me too. #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston This year with nanowrimo I'm trying to practice writing fast, no stopping, and slimming down my write time from 3 mos to 1 month #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling Oh gosh, those are the ones you should keep! lol! #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @HeatherSunseri I'm doing better once I realized I do it. #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @crankyashley me too! #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Addison_Moore No, really. :) I shouldn't. #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling I've pantsed myself in a corner before. Never tried that again. @aehowardwrites #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @laurapauling true and it does work, plotting for me has killed novels. Maybe I don't know my biggest area I struggle with. hmm. #indiechat -9:52 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @crankyashley I do. I have a whole separate deleted scenes doc for each book. #indiechat -9:52 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Lisa_Nowak Me too! I started it because I had one scene that was painful for me to delete. I hope to get to use it. #indiechat -9:52 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @aehowardwrites I believe u. I tried to pants once and had to quit after 6 chapters. Never worked on that story again. #indiechat -9:52 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @laurapauling oh, I get stuck and my characters start yelling at me... those scenes have to go... #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling So think of your weakest area. Then think of one way to improve tomorrow in your writing. #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Addison_Moore I always pants myself into a corner and have to dig myself out. Sometimes it works, sometimes I have to scrap it! #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @crankyashley I use scrivener but i do keep a deleted section in it for each project. #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites Okay folks, bedtime for the lil 'un. I'll catch you all next time, I hope ;-) #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio me too. #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Lisa_Nowak I do that too. You never know when you might need that one sentence. #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @crankyashley Deleted scenes are cool! #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @aehowardwrites Good night! #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @KatGirl_Studio Scrivener had too much going on for me >_< #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @crankyashley Scrivener has a learning curve. But now I love it. #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston What is your challenge for your CRAFT this year? Have you met it? #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @crankyashley I'm going to be talking about it in my new blog starting this winter. #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling Okay, I vow to not self-edit the next time I sit down to write. No matter what. Not even if I type o instead of a. #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @laurapauling I think it (seems to) works best for people who plan a lot. And since I don't plan… :) #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 Time for me to eat something, I'm starving, Interesting topic this week. #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Tomorrow I'll give myself permission to let my character think without cutting her off. #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Stacey_WB I sit down and write a whole section then go back later and fix any typos. #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @crankyashley If nothing else, use it as bonus material in a blog hop or on your website. #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @crankyashley Very true! #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @LM_Preston Following and sticking to a production schedule. I'm the earner in my family and I need to treat my work like a job! #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling OK, then next time just send them to me. I've got a twisted sense of humor. #indiechat -9:57 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling If you had to advise one craft book to a beginner writer, what book would it be? #indiechat -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan Time to put my son to bed. Goodnight #indiechat! -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch Great chat tonight! Hopefully this is something we'll cover on the blog #indiechat oh dont forget @srjohannes interview http://t.co/BAyaVdFT -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @CountryAndTacos I guess we need the best of both worlds. #indiechat -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @laurapauling How to Write a Damn Good Novel by James N. Frey #indiechat -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @Stacey_WB I work a full-time job too and it's a struggle to write at the pace I'd like #indiechat -9:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Blog post by @susankayequinn on the Indelible blog about growing in craft. Terrific post. http://t.co/RHBdgkZy #indiechat -9:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell. Or GMC: goal, motivation & conflict by Debra Dixon. Preferably both ;) #indiechat -9:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Lisa_Nowak I have the mystery one by him. #indiechat -10:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Thanks for talking craft tonight, everyone! Set goals! Challenge yourself to write better! #indiechat -10:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012