My Neo-Noir Sci-Fi story “The Longevity Project” is part of
#TheVellys
contest happening on
#KindleVella
and I need your help!
Follow the link below, to read the first 10 chapters for FREE! And if you like it please give it a 👍🏽 and Follow for updates!
Have you ever read a book that made you cry?
I’ve listened to songs that have made me cry. I’ve watched movies that have made me cry. But I’ve NEVER once read a book that made me cry.
Name a book in the comments that brought you to tears.
Who else read “Choose Your Own Adventure” books as a kid?
I loved reading these, and even attempted to make a few of my own based on some my favorite franchises at the time.
I wonder what kids would think of these today 🤔
I have found that creatives seldom rest on just one creative endeavor.
If you’re a writer, or an artist, chances are you’ve dabbled in acting, singing, or playing an instrument.
What other talents do you have that you don’t share on this platform?
“The book was better!”
Probably the most commonly uttered phrase following the viewing of a film based on a published work. But that can’t always be the case, can it???
Is there anything you’ve watched where you felt the movie actually improved upon the original story.
Not every writer was born with a pen in their hand.
While many writers start their craft at an early age, some don’t find their creative voice until long after they’ve been married, had a career, children, etc.
How old were YOU when you wrote your first story from start to end?
I find myself thoroughly intimidated by lengthy books when I sit down to read. I’ve always wanted to read Leo Tolstoy’s War & Peace but it feels like such a huge commitment.
What’s the longest “printed” book (not book series) that you’ve ever read? Do you like longer reads?
There’s a lot of discourse today about not reading Indie Books because of typos/errors.
I’ve read nearly 50 books this year, and seen typos/errors in almost all of them. But only 10 of those books were by Indie Authors.
Are a few typos really a Deal Breaker for you folks?
I’m seeing a lot of discourse online around the “business” of being a Self-Published author.
Not only do you have to write a book you now have to edit your book, get cover art made, submit work to publishing platforms, all while maintaining a social media presence.
🧵(1/4)
Maybe it’s just me, but I find character descriptions to be more distracting than useful 99% of the time.
Unless your MC’s eye color👁️, nose shape 👃, or earlobe length👂🏽has something integral to do with the overarching plot, I frankly just do not care! 🤷🏽♂️
What about you?
Standing in the Science Fiction section at the book store, and a kind fellow walked up to me and asked “what is science fiction?”
He then told me he mostly read Non-Fiction books, and he’d just finished Ghandi’s autobiography.
So tell me folks, what’s a genre you’ve NEVER read!
Do you include Beta Readers into your writing process?
If so, how involved are they?
Do you allow them to help shape your story, or do you primarily leverage them to see if your story is resonating with your target audience?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I saw over on 🧵 that some people are pretty riled up about the usage of the F-Bomb in Fantasy stories, siting that it was not a common part of the vernacular at the time.
Does modern day swearing in Fantasy stories take you out of the immersion of the world?
@VirginiaVincen2
I think I’ve just been playing it too safe for too long. I added Where The Red Fern Grows to my TBR. As well as some of the other titles folks have mentioned.
Everyday this week I have read some story about the faltering publishing industry, the downfall of traditional book stores, and the inevitable rise of AI written books.
Is it really that bad out there? Or is this all just a bunch of internet hype???
My supernatural thriller short story ‘ONEIRO’ is AVAILABLE NOW for only 0.99¢ (US)! Click the link to BUY IT NOW Or Read it for FREE on Kindle Unlimited
I just came from a discussion about authors wishing they could quit their day jobs, so they could write full-time.
A majority of folks agreed that most authors have day jobs and can only write part-time as a result.
So I was wondering: Are you a full-time or part-time author?
I wrote this for me just as much as I did for all of you.
There’s so much doubt that comes with being a creative, but the most important thing is that YOU be YOUR biggest advocate for your writing.
Bet on YOU. Believe in YOU!
Because you can do this.
End.
To all the writers out there in the X-o-sphere…
About how long after you’ve written something do you usually wait before coming back to edit?
I find I need at least a few days away from a project before diving back into it with the red pen and scissors.
But don’t let it get you down.
Keep at it. Keep writing. Keep publishing. If there’s a story burning inside of you to get out don’t hesitate. Write that story and do whatever it takes to get it in front of people. Because at the end of the day your story is worth it!
🧵 (4/4)
We all know that a MOST Self-Published authors work in addition to writing.
We all know that footing the cost of Self-Publishing can feel like giving up an arm and a leg.
And with so much competition in the market, it can feel like you’re always swimming upstream.
🧵 (3/4)
As someone who once worked freelance as my sole source of income I can tell you that it is IMPOSSIBLE to do it all, and even harder to do it all yourself.
So if you feel like you are drowning in an unending sea tasks to get your book out the door…you’re not alone!
🧵 (2/4)
How did you find your editor?
I’ve read stories of people hiring a random person on Fiverr to proofread and copy edit their work.
I’ve also heard of folks doing exchanges with their colleagues.
(The latter sounds much more desirable.)
So what has your experience been?
Have you ever written or do you currently write Fan Fiction?
I used to attempt to write stories based on my favorite Comic Book characters, and even drew the panels myself.
What about you? Which story world is your go to?
(This is a Judgement Free zone, so play nice)
@LizzieBDarcy1
I hear you on this. Every story featuring a BIPOC character shouldn’t have to be about struggle just to get an agents attention. Can’t a kid that happens to be BIPOC just want to go on an adventure with their friends???
I just received my first ever personalized rejection from a literary agent, and I’m a little of “over the moon” 🌙 about it.
They added a line to the form rejection to let me know that they liked my work, and it sat on their maybe pile for a long time before deciding to pass.
900 followers!!!
I can’t thank you all enough for your support. I’ve had a blast connecting with this community and I am incredibly grateful to all of you for liking, commenting, and sharing my posts.
(Especially this last post which absolutely blew up!)
Onward to 1000!
Just received a notification that I will soon receive my very first Royalty check from my short story ONEIRO.
Since the story released on the last day of October it’s only a days worth of royalties, but it’s the 1st step towards generating a monthly income stream on my writing.
I’ve seen a few posts recently where authors express guilt, or even sadness, about putting their characters in violent situations.
I imagine this makes it tricky when attempting to write in certain genres.
What’s your comfort level when it comes to writing violence in stories?
@ChadAnctil
Sadly I think the real problem is that there are a lot of garbage indie books out there with great covers and store bought blurbs that make the rest of them look bad.
@AkkalonAS
I run into this issue every time I reach the second half of my story.
I recommend skipping ahead to the part you do know and write that. It may help inspire you to fill in the gap later, and any information that needs to carry over into what you wrote can just be added later.
I recently went through my list of followers and wiped out all the bots (which amounted to out about 30 in total), but now I’m back to where I was prior, so thank you to all of my new followers for filling that depressing gap!
There is no greater feeling than when you write something and the person reading it “gets it!”
I am a firm believer that your story may not be for everyone, but it should be for someone. And if you can figure out who that someone is, you will find your audience.
I’ve been writing every night for the last week, which is far more consistent than I’ve been the last couple months due to a number of big life changes.
Tonight I took a break to read a book, but now it’s after 1am and all I want to do is stay up a little longer to write!😫
I wasn’t a big reader growing up.
I felt that most of the stories targeting my age range were pretty dull as a kid.
It wasn’t until I discovered the action packed pages of Comic Books did I truly come to appreciate stories.
What about you? Did you read Comic Books as a kid?
Have you ever considered crowdfunding your book? Today, we'll be chatting with
@Kickstarter
about how to successfully fund your self-publishing project.
Did you know that today (January 2nd) is regarded as National Science Fiction day?
It is also the day acclaimed Science Fiction author Isaac Asimov chose to celebrate his Birthday!
Do you have a favorite Science Fiction story? Share the Title, or Cover, in the comments below!👇🏽
A recent positive response from a Literary Agent got me excited to get back into the query trenches with the Adult science fiction novel I queried last year.
I sat down all pumped to submit some new materials and was instantly reminded of how grueling of a process Querying is.
Are you a Self-Published author?
If so… are you publishing wide (on all platforms), or have you found it financially beneficial to publish exclusively on KDP?
Would love to hear your thoughts!
@Wisteraverse
It’s a great point, but LOTR was written over 70 years ago. Audience tastes have changed dramatically since then.
Many of today’s readers will drop a book after the first chapter if they aren’t invested in the plot/characters right away.
It’s all about that hook!
Alright folks, now its time for me to ask one of my favorite questions to ask Authors EVER!
Are you an UNDER-Writer or an OVER-Writer 🦣?
I tend to be an OVER-writer. Repeating sentences, lengthy descriptions, and just using too many words in general.
Which one are you?
Just read these words in a newsletter I subscribe to talking about “jump starting” your writing in the new year.
I feel like this message of pushing through and telling “your story” has been surrounding me all day today!
What is with all the prologue discussion lately? Why do people hate prologue’s so much?
If I enjoy a book I’ll read it cover to cover, no page unturned.
So tell me… Do you READ Prologues? SKIM Prologues? Or just SKIP them altogether???
(Share your thoughts below!)
@BabbleBrown
There does seem to be a lot of responsibility these days for an author to promote their book, which is definitely a big change from what it seemed to be a few years back.
You’re a bloodthirsty lot!
More than 80% of you have no problem writing violence into your stories.
As someone who appreciates a well timed head-butt in a fight scene I get you!
I’ve seen a few posts recently where authors express guilt, or even sadness, about putting their characters in violent situations.
I imagine this makes it tricky when attempting to write in certain genres.
What’s your comfort level when it comes to writing violence in stories?
Books may not be a visual medium, but that doesn't stop writers from dreaming of one day having their story translated into a Major Film or Streaming Network show.
If you have a dream casting for your MC (or even better your stories Villain) show us who in the comments below!
Hey folks, I’m forcing myself to engage with TikTok more, so if you have a TikTok and I follow you on here, don’t be surprised if I show up on your list of followers.
I’d happily take a vague description over a thorough one.
One of the best stories I’ve read in recent years completely hid the MAIN CHARACTER from the audience until half way through the book.
The reveal was a huge surprise and impactful to the story’s overall theme.
Vampires tend to be sexier, more room for romantic plots, maybe?
Not a lot of Romance happening in Zombie stories. I am confident those stories exist though. 👀
Zombie fiction skews male
Vampire fiction skews female
When it comes to the annoying, obsessive "I love this show/book SO MUCH and I'll talk your ear off about it even when you ask me to stop" kind of love, the difference is clear.
Anyone know why?
@rocketfromthe
Wow! This is really cool. I used to dabble in Stop Motion when I was in High School. Most of the stop motion work around that time came out of Will Vintons studio.
POP QUIZ!!!
You just bought your
#indieauthor
friend’s new book to show support, but you read it and didn’t like it!
Your friend then comes back to you a few weeks later and asks you what you thought.
What do you tell them?
Well this is exciting!
I just crossed the 1000 follower mark. It wouldn’t be possible without all of you, so thank you, everyone, for all of your likes, comments, and sharing of my posts.
I appreciate all of your support!
#1000Followers
Name a Movie that features a sword fight duel:
King Arthur versus The Black Knight - Monty Python and the Holy Grail
By far the most unhinged sword fight I’ve ever seen in a movie.
I don’t follow a lot of authors reputations.
I seldom get book recommendations from people.
I often find Book Reviews to be unhelpful (biased towards the negative or clearly paid for).
If your book has a cool cover and an even remotely interesting premise, I’ll give it a shot!
@csmfiction
One of my more recent favorites:
“Anthony Davis—one of only two real people in a city of twenty million—caught the burrito his partner tossed him” - Snapshot (Brandon Sanderson)
Finally got around to watching the movie, Arrival, the Denis Villeneuve film starring Amy Adams/Jeremy Renner, and I’m still kind of reeling from it.
It may take me a few more hours before I decide what I actually thought of it.
Have you seen this movie? What did you think?
Seeing a lot of positive reviews about Dune 2 today.
I read Dune in High School (just the first one) and I’ve seen all the other big/small screen iterations of it.
What about you?
Have you ever read Dune or any of the accompanying books in the Dune Saga by Frank Herbert.
I’m seeing a lot of discourse in my feed this morning about politics and I just want to state, for the record, that I would rather have a cigarette put out in my eye then argue with people on the internet over their political beliefs.
There are a ton of great women in fiction all across the multi-media landscape.
From books, to movies, to comic books to video games, who is your favorite fictional female character?
(Yes, Manga counts!)
What are 5 topics you can talk about unprepared for 30 minutes?
1. Star Wars (30 minutes? Try 2 hours!)
2. Comic Books (grew up reading a LOT of comics).
3. Philosophy (my friends and I often held our own versions of Symposiums)
4. Religion (see above)
5. Food (I’m a foodie)
What are five topics you can talk about unprepared for 30 minutes?
1. My books and what inspired them
2. My favorite video games
3. The ups and downs of my history with Crohn's Disease
4. The funny/crazy things that happened when I was a teacher
5. My gym
For the next 4 DAYS (Wed 22nd-Sat 25th) my Supernatural Thriller short story ONEIRO is completely FREE!!!
Click the link in my BIO to download it now, and if you enjoy it (or even if you don’t), I would appreciate it immensely if you could leave me a review with your thoughts!
Just want to throw out that Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury was one of the most impactful
Science Fiction stories I ever read.
This book completely changed my world view of what a story could be capable of and I still hold it in high regard to this day.
Did you know that today (January 2nd) is regarded as National Science Fiction day?
It is also the day acclaimed Science Fiction author Isaac Asimov chose to celebrate his Birthday!
Do you have a favorite Science Fiction story? Share the Title, or Cover, in the comments below!👇🏽
For the first time in my life I am sitting in a coffee shop and working on my latest WIP.
It’s an interesting departure from my usual writing space.
I made a rookie mistake though and forgot my headphones (d’oh!), but overall I’m enjoying the experience.
#amwriting
I remember reading quite a bit of Shakespeare in my high school English classes (honors).
Years later I was able to attend the Utah Shakespeare festival in Cedar City and to this day it is still one of my favorite experiences.
Who among you are fans of the “Bard of Avon?”
Do you dream of one day getting Traditionally Published and marketed by one of the Big 5, or do you prefer the creative freedom that comes with Self-Publishing your own work?
I have a Writing Routine.
I find a comfy place to sit (mostly at night), plug in some tunes, and write until I can’t see straight.
I DO NOT however, have an Editing Routine.
What tips do you folks have for someone to help get into the headspace of editing a rough draft?
@BethBarany
👋🏽 hello!
I’m not big into flowers so I probably couldn’t name any, but every spring after a long rain we get Poppy super blooms and it looks AMAZING!
I’m seeing a lot of people talking about AI books becoming more and more popular.
From the few excerpts I’ve read so far (for free, I have zero interest in paying for one) it wasn’t very good.
So why is everyone so worried about these books taking over?
#SaturdayMorning
#ai
According to you all, a few typos here and there won’t keep you from finishing a story, but overall quality of a book (trad or indie) still matters.
With so many resources available for editing these days, it’s should be easier than ever to release a book error-free (mostly)!
There’s a lot of discourse today about not reading Indie Books because of typos/errors.
I’ve read nearly 50 books this year, and seen typos/errors in almost all of them. But only 10 of those books were by Indie Authors.
Are a few typos really a Deal Breaker for you folks?
I just crossed the 600 followers mark today (my goal for this month), and I am so grateful for this community of creatives that I have found.
Also thank you so much for your support of my work, and engagement with my posts. You are the reason I keep coming back to this place.
@KrakeJames
I definitely see a ton of romance books in the self publishing space. I imagine this is do to the breadth of diversity in people’s interests. Whereas traditional publishing tends to lean more on the “safe” side of publishing romantic stories. Inoffensive/Mass Market appeal.
@csmfiction
I have. I’ve also listened to the audiobook version, and I’ve seen the movie with Keira Knightley.
Sadly I’ve never seen the BBC version with Colin Firth that everyone loves.