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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 29, 2009 9:00 am

Every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy, sometimes from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers (and sometimes not – like today!). This week, the strategy is about what to do while waiting for publishers and editors to decide on sample chapters, book manuscripts, or article pitches.

Last week, I submitted my sample chapters to my agent, to be forwarded to a Canadian publishing house. They’ve been considering my See Jane Soar book idea for over a year. That’s a long time to wait in human terms… but in book publishing terms, it’s but a drop in the bucket. The publishing process moves at glacial speed at the best of times! 

But I can’t sit around twiddling my thumbs and biting my nails while I wait for the publishers to decide on the fate of my book. I’ll get old and gray! Older and grayer.

Are you in the same boat? If not now, you might be soon…

Here’s a list of things for writers to do while waiting for publishers or editors to Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #5 – What To Do While Waiting for Publishers to Decide'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 23, 2009 12:58 pm

Every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers. This week, the strategy is about asking for specific feedback for sample chapters.

I submitted my three sample chapters to my agent last week, who delivered them to a potential publisher (my fingers and toes are crossed! See Writing Strategy #3 – Write for One Hour for details). Part of my editing process included showing my sample chapters to my writer’s group. Their feedback resulted in more work…and sample chapters that flowed.

Writer’s groups can be an effective way to improve your writing.

But don’t just plop your Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #4 – Ask for Specific Feedback for Sample Chapters'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 8, 2009 5:45 am

Every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers (or another first-rate source!). This week, the strategy is how to “write for one hour.”

My sample chapters to a publisher are due in a couple of weeks, my series of seven health articles is due in one week, an editor needs me to rewrite an introduction to an article I recently submitted (my original isn’t gripping enough), and my blog schedule may be just a little too demanding.

Aaacck! 

How do you write when you feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, or just plain not good enough? Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #3 – Write for One Hour'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, August 1, 2009 6:53 am

This week, the strategy is how to “grab your reader by the throat” (every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers or another first-rate source!).

Grabbing your readers (or editors, or publishers) by the throat is a fancy way of saying “write effective leads.” Hooking people will keep them reading – and ensure you get published!

Writing fascinating leads is difficult when you’re blogging, because of Search Engine Optimization. On one hand — whether you’re a blogger or print writer – you need to write effective leads or introductions that catch a reader’s eye. On the other, you have to use your keywords and key phrases properly so Google and other search engines will index your blog posts. You want surfers to find them.  

Writers can’t be as creative or playful when writing blog posts that are meant to attract new readers or internet surfers. But, here’s a writing strategy for introductions that works for both web and print writing… Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #2 – Grab Your Readers by the Throat'»

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By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen, July 25, 2009 9:02 am

Every week, The Adventurous Writer features a writing strategy from Quips & Tips for Successful Writers (or another first-rate source!). This week, the strategy is “let your writing go.”

“The best writing advice I ever received was to not get attached to your words,” says editor and freelance writer Alyice Edrich of the Dabbling Mum. “When we allow ourselves to get emotionally attached to what we’ve written – which is really easy to do as a creative artist – we don’t allow ourselves to improve and grow as writers.”

As a freelance magazine writer, I’ve learned to disconnect from my writing. It’s easier when it’s a nonfiction health article (one of my favorite types to write!)…but definitely more difficult when Continue reading 'Writing Strategy #1 – Let Your Writing Go'»