Articles about Writing and Researching - Highlights from my Writers-bitz Blog
Self Publishing
FAQs For New Writers
What Can I Do About Writers' Block?
Australian Writers' Centres
Helpful Websites
Articles about Writing and Researching - Highlights from my Writers-bitz Blog
Old-fashioned But Useful
How Letters can Improve Your Writing
How Newspapers Can Spark Writing Ideas
Writers Are Immortal
Expect the Unexpected with Fans
Six Foot Dog
Promotions don't always turn out the way you expect
Eavesdropping On A Murder Plot
Plotting a Novel Can Lead to Trouble
Media And a Snake In Paradise
Take your life into your hands when you do a print media interview – as we did.
How Watching Movies Can Improve Your Writing
Hotel Surprises
Risking Rats and Tourists In the Name of Research
How You Know When You Are Losing It With Publishers
Wheelies And Walkies
When In Doubt, Pick a Topic you Know Nothing About
Writers-Bitz Blog
This is updated about once a week
Self Publishing
I've had books published by established publishing houses and published a few under my own Australian imprint, Launch Press. Here are a few links which might help anyone who is interested in self-publishing. While there are many sites out there, these are sources that I have found to be excellent.
ISBN Australia
A brief down-loadable Guide to Self-publishing
Blossom Books
If you need a cover design that is excellent and at a reasonable price, Karen is worth contacting for a quote
Griffin Press
Very helpful, quality printers used by large and small publishers and writers both in Australia and overseas
Hyde Park Press
Also helpful and friendly. They print novels and picture books. So if you have coloured illustrations they offer this facility
McPhersons
Offer quality printing, reasonable rates and a storage option
Self-publishing Made Simple: The Ultimate Australian Guide
Euan Mitchell’s book, shown on this site is a good guide. Mostly Australian contacts
Guerrilla Marketing for Writers
After your book is printed, how do you promote it? I found this book and website very helpful for thinking outside of the square
Dan Poynter's Self Publishing Manual
Dan has self-published and is very successful. He also handy contacts for the USA
FAQs For New Writers
I have an idea for a story, but where do I start?
Anywhere. With the last line, a setting, characters, moral dilemma or a simple 'What if?' idea. It doesn't matter where you start. A completed jigsaw puzzle begins with a single piece, then it grows.
Like a story. If you wait for the perfect words, idea or time, you might never start. If writing is what you want to do, then start immediately.
How do I make time to write?
This will depend on your work schedule and personality. But be determined, and choose specific times. Try some of these hints: Get up half an hour early each morning. Even if you only do it on week days, that will give you two and a half hours writing time a week.
Block out an afternoon a week. Turn on the answer machine so you can't be interrupted, or go out to a library, cafe or beach. Tell your loved ones that you would like a couple of hours a week for yourself. You might find they will be more accommodating if they know what is going on. Use waiting time.
How many hours do we use up sitting around at the doctor, dentist, lunch times while we're eating our sandwich, at the kids' school, waiting at sports practice, singing lessons, or on the bus home from work? This time can be used to write.
Have a writing 'season'. One writer I know takes notes on the bus to work each day, then spends a few weeks of his holidays each year writing them up.
Get up at night. If you are not a good sleeper, why lie there and worry? Get out of bed and do something creative. This is especially good if you have small children. They are asleep at this hour and your time is private and uninterrupted.
Join a writers' group or sign up for a course. This way, you have to write something for a deadline.
What if i'd like to write but i don't like using a computer?
Millions of books were written before computers. If you prefer, use a pencil, pen, charcoal, Braille or tape recorder for first drafts. Then you could barter labour with a friend or relative to type your story, or pay a professional typist.
What if someone else is writing the same story?
While it's important to know what books are currently available, your idea won't be exactly the same as someone else's. Also, your writing 'voice' or style will be unique to you.
How many drafts should I do?
Whatever it takes.
What do I do when I've finished my manuscript?
Put it aside and don't be tempted to peek at it for at least a few days, preferably a few weeks. Then edit. We become so close to our work that we often can't see errors immediately.
Are manuscript assessment services helpful?
If you want an opinion, outside of your own circle of family and friends, this is an option. But choose carefully. Ask around. Although, a good critique is no guarantee of publication and a negative one may not necessarily mean the manuscript is not good enough. Personal opinions vary. However, writers can always learn from the comments of others, even if we don't agree with them.
Where do I send my manuscript for publication?
The Australian Society of Authors has suggestions for getting published. Most countries have equivalent organizations. Also, your local writers' centre can help with this. They keep publications listing publishers' names, addresses and the kinds of material they publish. Links to several centres (Australian) are listed further down this page. Writers’ centres also hold seminars on getting published. Some publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts. For these, you will need to go through a literary agent. 'The Australian Literary Agents' Association' has a helpful website.
I haven't heard anything about my manuscript for weeks. Should I ring the publisher?
Sure. Why not? But remember they have thousands of manuscripts to read, so it does take time. A dose of patience is good at this point. I'd suggest waiting at least 6-8 weeks before phoning. And it is just as true of publishers, as it is of anyone else, that you catch more flies with honey that you do with vinegar. If you choose to phone, a polite inquiry will win you more brownie points than a curt demand for an editor to read your work.
What is the most important thing to remember?
Whether your writing is a pleasant pastime, money-earning hobby, or a serious ambition - enjoy it. More information about getting published can be found at www.cbc.org.au
What can I do about writers' block?
Change the place you write.
Play different music.
Dress as a character in your story.
Take time out and do something entirely different.
Have a routine of preparation rituals. (Eg, sharpening pencils, cracking your knuckles or rearranging furniture. I play Solitaire until I get the first game out, then I have to start writing.) Meditate. (It relaxes you.)
Have set writing times and habit will sometimes draw words from a tired mind.
Read aloud what you have already written or something that you feel you wrote well.
Free writing. Write what ever comes into your head for a set amount of time, anything from one to thirty minutes. The only rule is that you mustn't stop till the time is up. Don't wait for inspiration. Begin even if you don't feel like it. You might warm up and rediscover your talents.
Set yourself a word count target and don't leave your chair until you have finished.
Reward yourself with a treat; a walk, a chocolate, a bubble bath, a manicure. Write down the reasons why you are stuck.
Display any awards or competition certificates you have won to encourage yourself. Write in a single sentence what your story, long or short, is really about and aim for that.
Exercise. (Extra oxygen to the brain sometimes makes it work.)
Draw a diagram of the house in which your story is set or sketch a character.
Create a chat room in your head by imagining two of your characters then let them talk to each other. Write down what they say.
Allow yourself to be restless or bored. Creativity often follows if you allow your brain to freewheel.
Sleep on it. Your unconscious mind will often work out a tangled plot problem and the answer pops into your head when you wake up.
Write a list of 30 questions about your story, then answer them. Begin your own list of motivational techniques that work for you. Keep it handy and add to it as you discover new ones.
Australian Writers' Centres
SOUTH AUSTRALIA - http://www.sawc.org.au
VICTORIA - http://www.writers-centre.org
TASMANIA - http://www.tasmanianwriters.org
QUEENSLAND - http://www.qwc.asn.au/
NEW SOUTH WALES - http://www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
ACT - http://www.actwriters.org.au/
WESTERN AUSTRALIA - http://fawwa.iinet.net.au/wawc.htm
WA STATE LITERATURE CENTRE - http://www.writerswritingwa.org
NORTHERN TERRITORY - http://www.ntwriters.com.au
Helpful Websites
Time To Write
An inspirational, witty blog by Jurgen Wolff all about writing.
Australian Society Of Authors
Includes Getting published, Australian Literary Agents etc.
The Australian Literary Agents' Association
How to find a good Australian agent
Children's Book Council Of Australia
PEN
PEN's international charter is that 'Literature, national though it be in origin, knows no frontiers, and should remain common currency among nations in spite of political or international upheavals.'
It promotes freedom of expression and resists the repression of writers.
Sascha Hutchinson
Interesting answers to questions about illustrating books
Authors And Illustrators On The Web
'How To Write'
Columns By Robert. J. Sawyer
Lots of articles on everything from story beginnings to promotions.
Writers' Bookcase Books on writing
Lu Rees Archives of Australian Children's Literature
List of websites related to children's literature
Society Of Children's Book Writers And Illustrators Michigan, USA
Tips on submissions, Q & A, and lots more
Writers Write
Book excerpts, author interviews, information on writing and publishing
Australian Copyright Agency
If you have a question about Australian copyright laws, this is the place to go
Young Australian Readers' Awards
Online children's choice awards, reviews
South Australian Premier's Reading Challenge
Students are encouraged to choose books to read and get an award.
Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge
NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
Queensland Premier's Reading Challenge
Western Australia Premier's Summer Reading Challenge
Book Crossings
A virtual book club. Books are given away and you can track where they go.
