Self-editing is a challenge for even the most skilled fiction writers. Once you’ve poured your heart and soul into a draft, it’s difficult to slash and revise the words you’ve become attached to. But, as the famous writers’ expression goes, you must kill your darlings if you hope to create a work of fiction readers […]
Take a quick browse through a bookstore or Amazon’s virtual shelves and you’ll discover that there are hundreds of books about how to write fiction. But when you need to get serious about self-editing your manuscript, pickings are slim. Still, a few fantastic books stand out as tremendous guides to help fiction writers self-edit. Here’s […]
What is the natural habitat of the happily published, career author? Is it sat in a boutique café with a deconstructed coffee, thundering through chapters on the newest laptop? Maybe it’s perched in the corner of the living room at midnight, clicking away on a vintage typewriter? What does a real daily routine look like, […]
Given the wide reach of the internet, there’s no shortage of writing competitions available to enter nowadays. In fact, if you spent enough time exercising some Google-fu, chances are you could pull out thousands of competitions, spread across almost any genre and style you could think of. Some competitions are free, while others ask for […]
Quick! Name something that can make you feel happier and more productive and inspires creativity. Your first thought might have been “a hot cup of coffee” – and okay, that’s valid. But did you know that keeping a writing journal has the same benefits and they last long after the caffeine buzz has worn off? Why Keep […]
These days, it’s easier than ever to get yourself online. Making a simple, visually appealing, and functional author website is no longer the sole domain of technical wizards. But that doesn’t mean building the cornerstone of your online presence isn’t daunting for the uninitiated. We created this beginner’s guide to help you get started. Why make […]
Your novel is completed, edited to perfection, and your beta readers love it. Now what? You’ve heard the next step is to approach a literary agent, but do you really need one? The short answer is no. The longer answer is: it depends. For some writers, having a literary agent on your side could make […]
To the collective AutoCrit mind, organization is important. Essential, even. The public might imagine writers as messy creative types, perched behind desks that overflow with coffee-stained pages, tattered sticky notes, and half-empty Starbucks containers. While there may, admittedly, be some truth in there, the fact remains that some organization is a must for a happy […]
Writing fiction is a creative activity, so why would you need to spend time doing another hobby? Won’t that suck your brain dry of creative juices for the day, leaving you staring at a blank page while mental exhaustion closes in from all sides? It’s a legitimate worry to have – but surprisingly, the evidence […]
What is a flat character? Indiana Jones. Sherlock Holmes. Juliet Capulet. None of these could be accused of being flat. The dream of every writer is to create a character that is so real – so believable – they take on a life of their own. From a commercial perspective, a great character will drive […]
