Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:
Skip Those Writing Speed Bumps (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/writing-tips-2/speedbumps
Self-Promotion Tips (Carrie Pestritto)
www.manuscriptwishlist.com/2016/08/tips-t
by way of Laurie Wallmark
There Is No Time For Despair (Rachelle Gardner)
https://rachellegardner.com/there-is-no-time-for-despair/
Beta Readers: Who, When, Why, and So What? (Barbara Linn Probst)
https://www.janefriedman.com/beta-readers/
Struggling with Writing Flashbacks? Try Using the P.A.S.T. Method (Becca Puglisi)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/03/struggling-with-writing-flashbacks-try-using-the-p-a-s-t-method-/
Punctuation, Voice, and Control (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
https://kriswrites.com/2019/03/20/business-musings-punctuation-voice-and-control/
Creating Compelling Cadence: Small Changes, Big Impact (Margie Lawson)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/03/creating-compelling-cadence-small-changes-big-impact/
4 Pacing Tricks to Keep Readers’ Attention (K.M.Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/4-pacing-tricks/
How to Get a Literary Agent (And Why You Need One) (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
No, Really, Why Do You Write? (Heather Webb)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/03/28/no-really-why-do-you-write/
If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2018, and my previous list.
If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time). Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.
Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:
Five Characteristics That Give Picture Books P-U-N-C-H! (Laura Sassi)
https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/picture-books-with-punch/
an oldie but goldie, by way of Laurie Wallmark
The Key Components of a Compelling Character (Tamar Sloan)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/01/the-key-components-of-a-compelling-character-according-to-psychology/
Three Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Stakes in Your Story (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/01/three-mistakes-to-avoid-when-creating.html
Truths about Publishing You Can Only Learn in the Trenches (Heather Webb)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/01/24/truths-about-publishing-you-can-only-learn-in-the-trenches/
Fight, Flight, or Freeze? Psyche 101 for Writers (Becca Puglisi)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/writing-tips-2/psyche101/
Do You Have a Story Concept, or Just a Cool Idea? (Cathy Yardley)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/02/01/do-you-have-a-story-concept-or-just-a-cool-idea/
Your Online Presence: 10 Mistakes for Authors to Avoid (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2019/02/online-presence-10-mistakes
10 Advantages of Writing a Single-POV Story (What I Learned Writing Wayfarer) (K.M. Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/writing-a-single-pov-story/
How to Sell More Books: A Tale of Fishing & Catfishing (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2019/02/how-to-sell-more-books-a-tale-of-fishing-catfishing/
5 Ways to Turn Off Your Inner Editor and Get More Writing Done (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/02/5-ways-to-turn-off-your-inner-editor.html
If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2018, and my previous list.
If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time). Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.
Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:
Creating Characters: You Can Always Start With the Car (Laura Benedict)
https://killzoneblog.com/2019/01/creating-characters-you-can-always-start-with-the-car.html
Top Ten Things Good Books Are Missing (Cynthia Ruchti)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/top-ten-things-good-books-are-missing/
Secret-Keepers: Generate Page-Turning, Nerve-Shredding Tension (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2019/01/secret-keepers-fiction-tension/
Planting the Body in a Cozy Mystery (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/uncategorized/planting-the-body-in-a-cozy-mystery/
The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2019 (Dana Sitar)
https://thewritelife.com/100-best-websites-for-writers-2019/
What Is Public Domain? (And Why 2019 Is a Big Year) (Brad Frazer)
https://www.janefriedman.com/what-is-public-domain/
Manuscript Formatting (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/manuscript-format/
Unsnagging Your Plot (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2019/01/unsnagging-your-plot.html
Why You Need to Join a Writing Group (And How to Find One) (Blake Atwood)
https://thewritelife.com/why-you-need-to-join-a-writing-group/
The Inner Struggle: How to Show a Character’s Repressed Emotions (Angela Ackerman)
https://www.janefriedman.com/character-repressed-emotions/
If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2018, and my previous list.
If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time). Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.
Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:
Ask the Editor - How do I get back cover reviews? (Charlotte Phillips)
https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2018/12/ask-editor-how-do-i-get-back-cover.html
A Word to Focus Your Writer Journey in 2019 (Fae Rowen)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2018/12/35568/
Your No. 1 Secret Weapon: Writing Communities (Katrin Schumann)
https://www.janefriedman.com/writing-communities/
The Inner/Outer Balance (Donald Maass)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/01/02/the-inner-outer-balance/
The Book Contract ‘Red Line’ (Sophie Masson)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/01/03/the-book-contract-red-line/
New Writing Scams to Look Out for in 2019 (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2019/01/new-writing-scams-2019/
4 Things You Should Know Before You Quit Writing Your Novel (Jerry B. Jenkins)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/4-things-you-should-know-before-you-quit-writing-your-novel/
Is Story Structure Strangling Your Writing? (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/01/is-story-structure-strangling-your.html
9 Tips for Creating Successful Antagonists in Any Genre (Lisa Hall-Wilson)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/01/9-tips-successful-antagonists/
How To Write a Query Letter That Grabs an Agent’s Attention (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/query-letter/
Revising Older Manuscripts (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/09/5-things-re-editing-your-older-work-can.html
It Doesn't Matter Where You Start. Just START! (Shonell Bacon)
https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2019/01/juststart.html
If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2018, and my previous list.
If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time). Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.
I'm always looking to add some more New Jersey writing groups.
Scroll down for a list of the New Jersey Writing groups I currently have on file, with links to websites where available.
GROUPS WITH MEETINGS IN TWO OR MORE COUNTIES
WOMEN WHO WRITE (open to ladies only)Various groups (see their groups link for full details)
THE SCIENCE FICTION SOCIETY OF NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
Various meetings (see Meetup page for more details)
WRITING GROUPS BY COUNTY
BERGEN COUNTY
Bergen County Poets and Fictionaires
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page
Mahwah Writer's Collective
Where? 100 Ridge Road Mahwah, NJ 07430
When? Tuesdays: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Contact: Mahwah Library (201) 529 2183
Ridgewood Memoir Writing Workshop
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page
Science Fiction Association of Bergen County
Where? Bergen Highlands United Methodist Church,316 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
When? 2nd Saturday of the month (see www.sfabc.org for more info)
Contact: sfabcinfo@gmail.com
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Juliette Writer's Group
Where? Barnes & Noble, Eastgate Square, 1311 Nixon Drive, Moorestown, NJ 08057
When? Every third Tuesday, 7:30pm
Contact: Run by Dawn Byrne. Call store for details: (856) 608 1622
CAMDEN COUNTY
South Jersey Writer's Group
When? See Meetup page
Where? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page
Writing Group
Where? Barnes & Noble, Towne Place, 911 Haddonfield Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
When? Every second Tuesday, 7:30pm
Contact: Run by Susan Pitcher. Call store for details: (856) 486 1492
ESSEX COUNTY
Montclair Editors and Writers
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page
HUNTERDON COUNTY
MERCER COUNTY
Princeton Writing Group
Where? Various Meet-ups (see the group's webpage for details)
Contact: See website
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
New Jersey Romance Writers
Where? Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell Branch, 245 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
When? 4th Tuesday of each month, 6 - 8:30pm
Contact: See website
The Garden State Speculative FictionWriters (GSSW)
Where? Old Bridge Public Library,1 Old Bridge Plaza, Municipal Center,Old Bridge, NJ 08857
When? First Saturday of each month - see website for details
Contact: See website
Liberty States Fiction Writers
Where? Edison Library, 340 Plainfield Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08817
When? 2nd Saturday of the month 10-10:30am (business) 10:45-11:45am (workshop) Noon-1:15 (roundtable sessions)
Contact: See website
The Princeton Writing Group
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page
The Woodbridge Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers
Where? See Meetup page
When? See Meetup page
Contact: See Meetup page
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Writing Group
Where? ASBURY PARK Public Library, Children's Room500 First Ave - Asbury Park, NJ
When? 3rd WEDNESDAY of Each Month (5.30-7.30pm)
Contact: Neville - njansii_nj@yahoo.com
Writing Group
Where? Barnes & Noble, Lanes Mill Marketplace, 4831 US Hwy 9, Howell, NJ 07731
When? Contact store for info (see below)
Contact store for more info: (732) 730-2838
BelmarArts Creative Writing Group
Where? The Boatworks, 608 River Road, Belmar, NJ 07719
When? 4th Thursday, 7pm - 9pm
Contact: See website
Monmouth Creative Writing Group
Where? Monmouth County Library (HQ), 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726
When? 3rd Thursday of the month (7pm)
Contact: ?
Monmouth Writers
Where? Howell Library, Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731
When? 2nd Saturday of each month
Contact: Rick Kelsten See website
Writing Group
Where? NEPTUNE Public Library, Meeting Rm #225 Neptune Blvd - Neptune, NJ
When? 2nd Saturday of each month (1pm - 3pm) (NB: Please check library's calendar before turning up.)
Contact: - (732) 775-8241
The Noble Writers
Where? Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
When? Wednesdays ((10am - 11:30am) (NB: Please check library's calendar before turning up.)
Contact: TBA
Writing Critique group
Where? Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown, NJ 07748
When? Wednesdays (7pm) (NB: Please check library's calendar before turning up.)
Contact: TBA
OCEAN COUNTY
Manchester (NJ) Writers' Circle
Where? Manchester Library, 21Colonial Drive, Manchester, NJ 08759
When? 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month (2pm-4pm)
Contact: See website
Berkeley Adult Writers' group
Where? OCL (Berkeley Branch), 30 Station Road, Bayville, NJ 08721
When? Last Monday of the month - 6:30pm start
Contact: (Library) 732 269 2144
The Jackson Writers' Group
Where? Jackson branch of the Ocean County Library, 2 Jackson Drive Jackson, NJ 08527
When? See website
Contact: See website
SOMERSET COUNTY
New Jersey Writers' Critique Group
Where? Barnes & Noble (Somerset Shopping Center, 319 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ 08807)
When? First Wednesday of the month, 7pm - check B&N website for latest info
Contact: (B&N) 908 526-7425
New Jersey Writers' Society
Where? Franklin Township Library (Historical Room), 485 Dermott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873
When? Third Thursday of the month, 7pm - 9pm
Contact: (Library) 732 873 8700
UNION COUNTY
New Providence Writers
Where? Waterlilies Restaurant, 33 Union Place, Summit, NJ (parking free on Sundays)
When? 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, 2pm.
Contact: Join and RSVP for meetings through Meetup group
Want me to add your group?
If you know of any statewide or local writing groups in New Jersey which aren't listed above, please let me have contact details and/or a website link, if possible. Also, if your group is listed, but I've got the information wrong, please let me know.Somewhere, amidst all the interesting happenings of the year, were some great blog posts containing wisdomous words about writing.
As always, I had a hard time narrowing the list to just twelve, but I finally managed it. Here's my personal selection of the best writing-related blog posts from 2018:
DECEMBER
Finding Your Place in the Writing Community (Rebecca Ketling)
https://writersrumpus.com/2018/12/04/finding-your-place-in-the-writing-community/
NOVEMBER
Make Your Characters Memorable (Jordan Dane)
https://killzoneblog.com/2018/11/make-your-characters-memorable.html
OCTOBER
3 Principles for Finding Time to Write (Jane Friedman)
https://www.janefriedman.com/finding-time-to-write
SEPTEMBER
This is Gonna Leave a Mark: What Makes a “Real” Writer? (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2018/08/tips-real-writer/
AUGUST
Start Your Novel with a Bang! 12 Ways to Hook Readers (Sara Shepard)
https://insights.bookbub.com/start-novel-bang-hook-readers/
by way of Laurie Wallmark
JULY
Judge Yourself Less, Trust Yourself More, and Write Better Stories (K.M. Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/writing-perfectionism
JUNE
Everything writers need to know about pitching their book (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2018/05/everything-authors-need-to-know-about-pitching
MAY
Want to Stand Apart from Countless Other Books? Write a Better Story (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2018/05/write-better-story/
APRIL
Good Advice, Bad Advice: Writing through the “Shoulds” (Heather Webb)
www.writerunboxed.com/2018/04/26/good-ad
MARCH
Is Your Concept Really More Scene Than Story? (Larry Brooks)
http://storyfix.com/concept-really-scene-story
FEBRUARY
Writing Tips 41 Experts Wish They’d Known as Beginners (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-tips/
JANUARY
The Success Paradox: Programmed to Fail or Fly? (Kristen Lamb)
www.authorkristenlamb.com/2018/01/succes
How about you?
What were your favorite blog posts from 2018?
If you found these useful, you may also like:
My personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2017
My personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2016
My personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2015
I'm looking forward to crossing state lines in a couple of months, when I'll be visiting my friends at the Greater Lehigh Valley Writing Group in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I'm attending this year's WRITE STUFF Conference.
March 21st - 23rd, 2019
THE WRITE STUFF WRITERS CONFERENCE
300 Gateway Drive,
Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania 18017
April 14th, 2019
NJ SCBWI event - tba
June, 2019
NJ SCBWI event - tba
How about you?
What have you got lined up in the coming weeks and months?
Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:
How to Format Your Manuscript (Even If You Hate Computers) (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/manuscript-format/
Why Didn’t I Say Yes to Your Novel? (Rachelle Gardner)
https://rachellegardner.com/why-didnt-i-say-yes-to-your-novel/
How to raise the stakes in a novel (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2018/11/how-to-raise-the-stakes-in-a-novel
Three Ways to Add Tension to a Scene During Revisions (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/02/three-ways-to-add-tension-during.html
Heinlein’s Rules for Writers (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2018/12/heinleins-rules-for-writers.html
Finding Your Place in the Writing Community (Rebecca Ketling)
https://writersrumpus.com/2018/12/04/finding-your-place-in-the-writing-community/
5 Ways to Write Stronger Opening Scenes (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/12/5-ways-to-write-stronger-opening-scenes.html
Revising a Novel: The Five Stages of Death, Dying & Drama (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2018/12/revising-novel/
A Hook that Breaks the Rules (Dave King)
https://writerunboxed.com/2018/12/18/a-hook-that-breaks-the-rules/
The Powerball of First Page Resources (Becca Publisi)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2018/11/the-powerball-of-first-page-resources/
by way of Laurie Wallmark
If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2017, and my previous list.
If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time). Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.
Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:
Business Musings: Copyright Savvy (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
https://kriswrites.com/2018/10/24/business-musings-copyright-savvy/
Resurrecting an Unfinished Book (Polly Iyer)
https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2018/10/resurrecting-unfinished-book.html
Dare To Change Your Point Of View (Laura Fineberg Cooper)
https://writersrumpus.com/2018/10/26/dare-to-change-your-point-of-view/
Too Much of a Good Thing: Over Plotting Your Novel (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2011/03/too-much-of-good-thing-over-plotting.html
Query Letter Format (Mary Kole)
https://kidlit.com/2018/10/29/query-letter-format/
Avoiding the Pitfalls of ‘The Chosen One’ in Children’s Literature (Dianna Sanchez)
https://writersrumpus.com/2018/10/30/writing-for-every-child-avoiding-the-pitfalls-of-the-chosen-one-in-childrens-literature/
Description: Fiction Without the Fillers (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2018/10/description-fiction-without-the-fillers/
6 Reasons Authors Still Want Publishers (Rachelle Gardner)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/reasons-authors-want-publishers/
Make Your Characters Memorable (Jordan Dane)
https://killzoneblog.com/2018/11/make-your-characters-memorable.html
How to Use Swag to Support Your Book Marketing (Dawn Reno Langley)
https://www.janefriedman.com/book-swag/
If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2017, and my previous list.
If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time). Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.
Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:
3 Principles for Finding Time to Write (Jane Friedman)
https://www.janefriedman.com/finding-time-to-write
How To Publish a Book: My Ultimate Guide From 40+ Years of Experience (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-publish-a-book/
Writing the Authentic Modern Woman (especially if you’re a man) (Heather Webb)
https://writerunboxed.com/2018/09/27/writing-the-authentic-modern-woman-especially-if-youre-a-man/
Sometimes You Hit a Brick Wall (Rachelle Gardner)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/sometimes-you-hit-brick-wall/
Five Edits to Strengthen Your Writing, Right Now (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2013/02/five-edits-to-strengthen-your-writing.html
Writing Steampunk (Diana Hurwitz)
https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2018/10/writing-steampunk.html
The Weight (Donald Maass)
https://writerunboxed.com/2018/10/03/the-weight/
Mastering the Four Modes of Fiction (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2018/10/mastering-the-four-modes-of-fiction.html
How Can You Tell Legitimate Publishers from the Bad Guys? (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2018/10/legitimate-publishers-or-bad-guys/
Writing the Cozy Mystery: Series Tropes and Rituals (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/uncategorized/writing-the-cozy-mystery-series-tropes-and-rituals/
If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2017, and my previous list.
If you have a particular favorite among these, please let the author know (and me too, if you have time). Also, if you've a link to a great post that isn't here, feel free to share.
Profile
jongibbs- Jon Gibbs
- My writing website
Syndicate
Things What I Wrote and Other Stuff
No longer in print but there are still some copies floating around out there
No longer in print but there are still some copies floating around out there
THE MEAGER PUDDLE OF LIMELIGHT AWARDS
No longer in print but there are still some copies floating around out there
THE MEAGER PUDDLE OF LIMELIGHT AWARDS
