Did you know you can’t use certain fonts for commercial use? Some fonts require a license to legally sell products using them. Other fonts allow you to use them for free.

Fonts

When it comes to your books, you have to be careful about what fonts you use on the inside as well as on the outside. You also need to be mindful about the fonts you use on your social media posts that are aimed at advertising and marketing your book. Pro tip: Choose fonts that are easy to read.

There are resources available to check if a font is free for commercial use. For example, canva.com1 and fontsquirrel.com2 provide content about fonts that are free to use commerically. Keep in mind, however, that even if a font is listed on these sites, it’s important to always double check and verify a font before using it.

Typefaces

Typefaces fall under a category of font family (e.g. Serif, Sans-Serif, and Script). For instance, EB Garamond is the typeface, and it’s font family is Serif. When a text is in EB Garamond and formatted in bold3 and 12 point sized font,4 that is the font.5

Here are some examples of fonts from Canva.com and Fontsquirrel.com:

Cinzel

Cinzel Decorative

Berkshire Swash

Lemon Tuesday (regular)

Life Savers

Nickainley

Allura

EB Garamond

Alegreya

See image for visual comparison.

Conclusion

I hope this information is helpful to you as you continue your writing journey. Keep going. You’ve got this!

Introduction

This post features the three ways to network and make connections with fellow writers and authors.

Bookstagram

Instagram’s book nook, “Bookstagram,” is an extremely useful resource for connecting with fellow authors and potential readers. One thing I love about Bookstagram is that the authors support each other and help each other find readers.

Many authors share applications for ARC opportunities in their Instagram bios. It’s a great opportunity to sign up and support others’ work and gain insight into what you might want to do when the time comes for you to send out ARC applications.

By following other authors on Instagram and reading their posts about their experiences, you will learn about doorways to the writing business that you weren’t aware of before.

Writing Forums

In-person or online writing forums are a good resource to connect with other writers and learn about craft, storytelling, and the business of writing.

Writing Groups

Being a part of a writing group, whether in-person or online, helps you work with others and develop thick skin as you receive feedback. It also helps you develop bonds with people who can later become alpha readers, beta readers, or ARC readers.

Conclusion

Ultimately, as you network with other writers and authors, you get to become a part of an amazing community where everyone cheers for and supports each other.

Introduction

This post features the top three writing challenges from Writing Tips & More. Enjoy!

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these writing challenges!

Introduction

Writing a novel isn’t a habit. It’s a commitment. Habits are automatic, like checking your phone in the morning. Commitments take effort, and some days, it’s really hard to sit down and write. So, how do you commit to writing your novel? Think of it like a committed relationship.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. If you have questions and concerns, it’s best to consult with a licensed attourney or lawyer.

Writing Problems

Relationships are full of joys and problems. The same goes for writing a novel. When solving that plot hole or writing that one scene gets difficult, you don’t quit. You work through it. You go to “counseling.” In other words, you get feedback from early readers and other writers. See what works and what doesn’t work for your story. It may take time, so be patient with yourself and your story.

Marketing Problems

Once the book is published, the relationship ends, right? Wrong. You’re still committed to that book through constant marketing, trying to reach readers, and make sales. If you’re having trouble marketing your novel, here are some ideas on how to rekindle that commitment.

I. The Playlist

Create a playlist that matches the vibe of your story and the characters. Listen to the playlist as you write and share the playlist’s link on social media for readers to listen.

Note: Always do your research before creating content intended for commercial use. Using copyrighted music without acquiring a license on your social media content for commercial use can lead to lawsuits. While royalty-free music is an option, I personally prefer not to add music with my social media content.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. If you have questions and concerns, it’s best to consult with an intellectual property (IP) lawyer.

II. Shake It Up

Constantly creating content for your book can get exhausting. So, repurpose content you’ve already shared by giving it a new graphic or quote. When you see posts made by fellow authors, you can also take inspiration from those posts and create your own unique versions.

Note: Don’t copy and paste someone else’s idea. Make sure you create a variation of the concept and turn it into your own unique version.

III. Offer Gifts

The best way to get your book out there is to get people talking about it. One example of how to do this is by offering a chance to win a free giveaway to get readers excited about your story. This can include signed copies of your book and related merch like shirts or character art prints.

Note: Always do your research before providing giveaways. If you’re located in the United States, make sure you comply with the laws of each individual state when conducting entries for free gifts and mailing the giveaways. Make sure you also follow the social media platforms’ guidelines.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. If you have questions and concerns about conducting free giveaways on social media, it’s best to consult with a licensed attourney or lawyer.

Conclusion

Are you ready to commit to your novel? Comment “Commit” below.

Leave a comment

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Table of Contents

The Writing Challenge

My Book’s Hook

Video: What is a Hook?

Key Takeaways

Conclusion

The Writing Challenge

Using the three ingredients of a hook (the protagonist, inciting incident, and why it matters), write the hook of your story in one sentence and share it in the comments.

Leave a comment

My Book’s Hook

After her father is murdered, Nora gains magic she isn’t meant to have, and she must decide if she wants to use her abilities for revenge, but if she does, it could curse the nation.

Your Feedback

I’m not going to lie. Writing my book idea in one sentence was challenging. Based on this hook, How interested are you in reading this book? Comment below.

Leave a comment

To learn more about my debut novel, visit my author newsletter, S.N. Anderson Books.

Video: What is a Hook?

The video “Is Your Book Idea Good? Here’s How to Tell” by Alyssa Matesic covers pitching your book as a hook to literary agents and readers. The trick is to share an intriguing pitch with only a minute to grab their attention. Below, I’ve provided the key takeaways from the video.

Disclaimer: I am not being compensated or affiliated with this YouTuber. I merely saw this video and wanted to share it.

Key Takeaways️

Every book has potential. It all depends on how you pitch the story and execute it on the page. Write your book idea in one sentence that is compelling and focuses on the most important details.

A. The Four Main Types of Hooks

1. Setting Hook: Used to emphasize the world your book is set in.

2. Plot Hook: Used when characters are put into high-stakes situations.

3. Character Hook: Used to highlight something unique about your protagonist.

4. Theme Hook: Used if your story explores complex, heavy themes or thought-provoking commentary.

️B. Traps Writers Fall Into

1. The hook is too vague.

2. The hook is unfocused and has too much detail.

A hook needs enough detail to reel readers in, but not so much detail that it’s overwhelming.

️C. A Hook’s Three Ingredients

1. Your protagonist.

2. The event that sets the plot into motion (the inciting incident).

3. Why the event matters and what the consequences are.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading! I hope this information is helpful and that you’ve challenged yourself to write your book idea in one sentence. I wish you the best on your writing journey!

Introduction

In life, you’re pressured to always be on the go. This seems to apply even when writing a novel. The popular opinion seems to be “publish as many books as you can and as close together as you can. Keep momentum going and get your name out there!”

This mindset makes sense, especially if you’re trying to make writing your full-time career. However, it’s important to take the time to get to know your story and the characters, not rushing through the process. Taking it slow while writing your novel isn’t a bad thing, and I think more writers should adopt this approach. Here are three analogies to explain why.

Your Story

Your story is like a three-tier cake. Each tier needs multiple layers and filling. The ingredients call for characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. There’s a lot to consider here, and the intricate details and information you include are what make the story complete and cohesive. Figuring all of that out takes time, effort, patience, and educating yourself about specific topics that are involved in your book.

Act One - The layers in the cake’s first tier consist of the hook, exposition, and inciting incident.

Act Two - The layers in the cake’s second tier have the rising action. This emphasises conflict, challenges, high-stakes, and character development.

Act Three - The layers in the cake’s third tier contain the climax, falling action, and resolution.

Fun Fact: For the sake of this analogy, I had to look up tier cakes. If you’re like me and need a visual aid, here’s a short video about cakes that demonstrates the difference between layers and tiers.

Your Characters

Consider your relationships with family, friends, significant other, or coworkers. It takes time getting to know someone. However, even when you think you know someone, the question remains: how well do you actually know the person? What are the secrets this person keeps that nobody knows? The relationship you have with your characters are similar, but more invasive and dire.

The more time you spend with your characters, the more they become like real people, and the easier it is to write them. However, there’s a twist. Once you’ve gotten to know them and understand their personalities, you also know everything else. You know their pasts, their motivations, things they’re ashamed of, and what they fear. You know their deepest, darkest desires. There are absolutely no secrets they can keep from you.

As a writer, there is one undeniable truth: to your readers, you are an amazing author, but to your characters, you are an all-powerful, all-knowing deity. You are the difference between life and death. Therefore, the time you spend with your characters is precious.

Your Writing

It’s okay to be the tortoise instead of the hare as you write. For example, some writers challenge themselves to write 50,000 words in a month. I’ve decided to take that challenge and write 50,000 words in 365 days. My goal is to finish the first draft of my second novel by the end of 2026. I’ve broken the challenge into smaller pieces, planning to write 4,170 words a month.

Sometimes I manage to write a few pages. Other times it’s just a sentence or I don’t get to writing at all. However, approaching this challenge in a relaxed manner rather than constantly pushing myself has prevented stress, pressure, and burnout.

Don’t be afraid to make slow and steady progress. It’s okay for you to relax. It’s okay to be chill like a tortoise.

Conclusion

Take it one scene at a time. Celebrate the small wins. The word count gradually adds up, and sometimes, the total amount of words that you wrote by the end of the month will surprise you. You’ll be amazed by how far your story and your characters have come since the day you started writing.

Keep up the good work. I believe in you!

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Haiku Rules

The haiku has no title. It is written in three lines. The first line has five syllables. The second line has seven syllables. The third line has five syllables.

Challenge

The haiku can be a great tool to use for writing sessions when you are feeling creatively stuck. They are challenging and get the mind to think outside the box. I encourage you to try writing a haiku. Feel free to share your haiku in the comments.

Leave a comment

These are haiku I’ve written and am sharing as examples.

First Example

Rabbits are healing.

Rabbits help me be happy.

Rabbits are fun pets.

Second Example

Blueberry eyes blink.

Shedding fluffy snowy fur.

Pink rose petal ears.

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Introduction

A member of my writing group shared this writing prompt. I thought I’d pass it along for you to try. I’ve also shared my response to what I wrote.

Writing Prompt

The setting is in the kitchen. It’s almost mealtime, but nothing is prepared. Suddenly, the phone starts ringing, and the caller ID shows who is calling. Who is it? What are they calling about?

Answer the prompt using your own creativity. See what you can come up with and write it down in five to ten minutes. Share your response in the comments!

Leave a comment

My Response

Content Warning: kidnapping and physical abuse.

It’s 6 PM. Kara sits at the empty dinner table. Her expression is sunken and gaunt. Instead of a plate full of food, she keeps her phone in its place. Her eyes stare blankly at the chair in front of her.

The phone starts to ring. Each ring reverberates in her skull. Anxiety and panic well inside of her. Hands trembling, she picks up the phone. Her stomach drops at the caller ID she was expecting.

UNKNOWN NUMBER

Taking a shaky breath, she answers, holding the phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Do you have the money?” a disembodied voice asks on the other line.

Kara swallows, her throat dry.

“I have half. I can give it to you. I’ll just need some more time to gather the rest.”

“That is not what we agreed to,” the disembodied voice growls.

Kara shudders, tears stinging her eyes.

“I-I know. I’m sorry. Can...can I please just have a little more time? I’ll get it.”

“Sure, I’ll give you more time,” the voice jeers. “I just can’t say the same for your daughter.”

Punches land. Loud screams and sobs echo from the other side of the phone.

Tears stream down Kara’s face. “Please, don’t hurt her!”

“Then get me what I want,” the voice says coldly, sending chills down Kara’s spine.

The taste of dread fills her throat. Her empty stomach flips, threatening to spill over.

“You have until midnight. Then, the real torture begins.”

The line goes dead.

Kara gasps for breath. Her hand shakes so violently, her phone falls, clattering against the table’s hard surface. Hot tears spill onto her cheeks.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this writing prompt. What did you come up with? Share in the comments below. I’d love to read what you wrote!

Leave a comment

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The creative process is like a metamorphosis. It begins like a small egg; the glimmer of an idea. As you continue to learn and develop your creative skills, your ability to create becomes like a caterpillar with an appetite for more. As you continue working through the creative process, sometimes you have to let the idea sit for a while and encase it within your mind like a chrysalis.

Just like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, creativity is a test of resilience. Don’t let discouragement get you down. Give yourself time to emerge. No matter where you are in the creative process, keep working on your creativity and your ideas. Once you do, you’ll be amazed by the butterfly that emerges. Admire your creation, spread your painted wings, and share your beauty with the world!

The world needs creative minds. The world needs you.

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Writing Prompt

Your character is superstitious. What superstitious ritual does your character do? What does the ritual keep away? How does the ritualistic behavior fit into the character’s world? Share your response in the comments.

Leave a comment

Note: In my writing group, a member shared this writing prompt on Friday the 13th. I thought it was a spooktacular idea and decided to share it so others could participate. I re-wrote the prompt in my own words to fit my blog’s style.

My Response

Sara always feared the dark. From a young age, she would blow her fallen eyelashes off her finger and make a wish. She believed it kept the monsters lurking in the dark at bay.

As she grew older, however, her fear of the dark increased, and she began plucking her lashes to make wishes. Her parents became increasingly worried about her mental health. They took her to a therapist, and Sara was diagnosed with OCD.

Through therapy, she gradually accepted that no harm could come to her in the darkness; that she was causing more harm to herself than the “monsters.” She stopped plucking her lashes. She stopped making wishes. The moment she let her guard down, the moment she stopped her ritual, that’s when the monsters attacked.

Author’s Note

While the tale I wrote includes a superstitious ritual and literal monsters, it also provides a look into the horrors of living with untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD takes the appearance of multiple forms that vary from person to person. Many sufferers do rituals because they fear the outcome of what will happen if they do not fulfill those rituals.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Psychology Today. I am simply providing resources from this website for educational purposes.

Read more about OCD and how to get help here.

Read more about superstitions here.

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Introduction

Based on the quality of some shows and films that were released over the last few years, it feels like the good storytellers were replaced by politically motivated ones who don’t care about the characters or the craft of writing and storytelling.

It feels like the big film industries are being so obvious with their political messages that it doesn’t leave any room for viewers to speculate and reflect upon the message’s meaning.

To me, that’s the joy of reading a book or watching a movie: speculating how the story relates to our everyday lives and what’s going on in the world without the message being obviously stated. It’s the freedom of speculating what the story is trying to teach us, not preach to us.

Give it Meaning

This is my advice for writers who want to tell meaningful and memorable stories: don’t include politics in your writing for the sake of politics. Give it meaning.

If it doesn’t apply to the story or the character’s development, take it out.

If it’s a scene or dialogue segment that hints at something political, but nothing comes of it later on in the story, take it out.

Only include politics if it’s important to the character and to the story. Otherwise, take it out.

Don’t Preach

Don’t preach to the reader. Let them determine for themselves what they should take away from the message you’re trying to convey.

If it’s something the character cares about and the reader cares about the character, the reader will be more receptive to the interpretation of the story’s message.

Allow the reader room to breathe. People are more receptive to universal messages they can relate to and interpret for themselves, rather than messages that are preached to them.

Conclusion

What do you think of this post? Do you agree or disagree? Comment below!

Leave a comment

Introduction

Hey, awesome writers! Happy New Year! Ready for a challenge? Join me in the 2026 writing challenge and reach your writing goals! This is going to be your year. I can feel it!

In November, I attempted to write 50,000 words in 30 days in honor of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). However, life got busy, and I found it difficult to write 50,000 words in a month. So, I thought, “How about 50,000 words in a year?”

Writing Challenge

Main Goal: Write 4,170 words a month. Record your word count at the end of each month in a journal.

Simplified Goal: Write 139 words a day for approximately 30 days. Repeat the process over the next 12 months. Record your word count in a journal at the end of each month.

End goal: Write 50,000 words or more by the end of the year. Write your total word count in a journal. See how far you’ve come!

Word Count Report

Another option is to join my word count report, exclusively available on Instagram. Post your word count at the end of each month and invite me as a collaborator.

Why collaborate with me on your monthly word count? The goal is to create a support outlet for writers while also promoting them through these collaborations.

1. The writing challenge starts January 1st and ends December 31st, 2026.

2. Entry is simple and FREE. I’ll accept new participants until January 28th, 2026.

3. Join by interacting with one of my Instagram posts relating to the 2026 writing challenge or word count report.

4. Post your word count once a month. Invite me as a collaborator on that post.

5. Get a reminder from me once a month to post and collab.

For more information, click the button below.

View Instagram Post

Recommendations

Keep records of your day-to-day word count. It’s fun to look back and see the fluctuations in how much you wrote. Visually acknowledging the work you’ve done throughout the year is rewarding!

While the word count report is specifically for novels, the writing challenge itself can be applied to other forms of writing. You can participate in this challenge by journaling, writing poems, doing homework, texting, creating blogs, etc. Whenever you write, it counts. As a suggestion, I like using WordCounter as my word-counting tool.

Comment below if you’re participating in this writing challenge on your own or through Instagram. Feel free to leave your word count in the comments section, too. I’d love to see your progress!

Leave a comment

Conclusion

Remember, it’s okay if you don’t reach your goal. You’re still making progress. Good luck on your writing journey, and, most importantly, have fun!

Spooky Writing Challenge

In five minutes, write a book blurb based on the information you know:

1. The setting - Vampire apocalypse

2. The main character - human

3. The genre - Fantasy

What story can you create and summarize based on this information in five minutes? Set a timer and start writing! When you finish, add your book blurb in the comments section, where my book blurb is also included. I’d love to read what you came up with and see how we’ve turned a similar idea into our own unique stories.

Leave a comment

Conclusion

Happy October and good luck on your writing journey!

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Don’t listen to those who are intent on tearing you down and speaking negatively to you about your journey. Whether that journey is oriented in creativity, academics, careers, social situations, or overall well-being, don’t let them win.

While constructive criticism is acceptable, destructive criticism is not. People who say ugly things only act like they know more than you, when in reality, they’ve most likely never treaded the paths you’ve taken. They either don’t understand or don’t care to acknowledge the hard work you’ve put in behind the final result.

No one can truly understand the mountains you’ve climbed until they’ve climbed one themselves. And, even then, their experiences (while they may be similar) will not be an exact replica of yours. Therefore, they have no place making negative remarks about your journey and your progress. It’s different for everyone.

Celebrate your journey and be your biggest cheerleader!

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I’ve created a five-minute video just for you. The video features peaceful scenery of a pond with koi, ducks, and geese, accompanied by light music. Whether you’re writing prose, poetry, or journaling, put a pen to paper and write for five minutes. Good luck on your writing journey!

Introduction

We’ve all heard it. The nagging whispers. The voices that tell us we’re inadequate. Not good enough. An imposter.

We all put time and effort into our creative work, shedding blood, sweat, and tears while writing the story we want to tell and getting the tale to where it deserves to be. Nevertheless, discouragement can oftentimes weigh down our progress.

How can writers combat imposter syndrome? While it’s an eternal struggle, it is possible to cope with it. Here are some tactics for you try. I hope they are helpful!

Focus on the Good

It’s easier said than done, but once you take action, it can become easier to focus on the good. It just takes practice and self-discipline. For example, whenever you have a negative thought, replace it with a positive.

Another example is to surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed. Listen to the voices who see your potential. However, if support seems scarce right now and you feel like you stand alone, be your biggest cheerleader. See the value in your creation. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. Ignore the whispers that tear you down, whether they are the ones in your head or the negative voices of others around you. The key to overcoming imposter syndrome is perspective.

Keep a Journal

Keep a journal for recording your thoughts and feelings about your writing journey. For example, when I write my entries, I use bullet points and try to keep them short and specific. I try to write one thing I accomplished and one thing I could improve.

From the good to the bad days, I encourage you to record it all. That way, you can look back one day and see how far you’ve come. You can see the times you felt stuck or discouraged and where you unpacked why you felt that way. You can see how you chose to persevere. You can revisit the moments where you reached milestones and continued making progress despite the challenges you faced.

Switch It Up

If you don’t feel like writing, don’t force yourself. Instead, switch it up. Do something other than write. You could go for a walk and reflect on your story. Read a book or watch a movie that inspires you. Make character mood boards. Create or listen to your book’s playlist. Draw or paint character art. Do something that still involves your book, but the activity itself doesn’t include writing it. Choose something that gets you excited about writing your story again.

Conclusion

Writing a book is a huge task. A task that can be intimidating sometimes. Nevertheless, I believe in you, and I am cheering you on! Don’t let imposter syndrome get you down. I wish you the best of luck on your writing journey, and I can’t wait to read your story one day!

Introduction

Someone in my writing group gave a variation of this writing prompt, and I thought I’d share a similar version. I encourage you to give it a try.

Writing Prompt

Describe the sunrise or sunset in one to three ways using a different mood for each description. Share what you wrote in the comments.

Leave a comment

What emotions can you evoke from your readers? I’ve shared my responses below as examples. What emotions do you feel as you read these?

First Mood

️The stars fade at the touch of first light. Fire emerges from the sea, transforming the darkened world into a vibrant marmalade. The undulating water shimmers gold, welcoming the glow of a new day.

Second Mood

️Rising from its slumber, the sun yawns, stretching out its rays. Sunbeams tickle the underbellies of the dark, fluffy clouds, coloring them from sleepy gray to wakeful pink.

Third Mood

Silhouettes screech with fright, scattering for cover as golden beams chase in their wake. A shady figure lunges beneath a bush, disguising itself as the foliage’s shadow. The overbearing sun announces its presence, growing brighter as it ascends. A frantic dark smear skitters sporadically across the water’s surface. Failing to find shelter, the entity shrieks as a sharp ray pierces through its center, instantly disintegrating. Daylight waits for no one.

Conclusion

I hope you have fun with this writing prompt and share what you write in the comments! I’d love to see what you come up with.

Introduction

You’ve probably seen a familiar shape in the clouds on a sunny or stormy day. What stories can you create from those formations? Have you seen shapes elsewhere? What about within the texture of a ceiling, fabric, or wood furniture? What stories could you create?

I enjoy doing these types of prompts because they test how fast I can develop a story idea. It’s also fun to see if the concept interests me enough to develop into a long-term project or a short-lived idea. If it becomes a long-term project, it’s fun to see how the story changes and evolves.

Practice

Let’s practice. What do you see in these pictures of a textured ceiling?

Writing Prompt

What do you see? What stories did you create? Comment below.

Leave a comment

What I See

I’ve outlined what I see in the images below.

In this first image, I see a person with their back to the wind, their hair blowing against their face. I imagine a character received some bad news and ran outside to the sanctuary of a nearby hill, taking solace in the wind’s gentle touch.

In this second image, I see the Man in the Moon, taking the crescent shape with a profile. I see a large nose, puckered lips, and a tiny chin. I imagine a character watching the world below, wishing to live on Earth for a day. He longs to know what it feels like to be surrounded by life instead of darkness and distant stars.

In this third image, I see a skull. Perhaps it is Death coming through a portal from his realm, entering into the land of the living to guide lost souls into the Underworld.

Now that I’ve given some short examples of what stories can be told just by looking at textures, I’ll share a more in-depth example.

I saw this face in the fabric texture of my couch. He looks like a cool villain or anti-hero for a graphic novel or comic book.

Character Synopsis

As a child, his country was in a civil war. His family was brutally murdered in front of him. The right side of his face was badly burned. Somehow, he managed to survive, even after the war was won by the opposing side.

Years later, hardened by the war and its aftermath, he decided to take revenge.

He infiltrated the enemy’s government and started working up the ranks. He became a trusted ally and military operative, protecting the country by day and acting as a vigilante by night. While seeking vengeance in the dark, he wore a horned mask that was half man and half animal. The animal half covers his burns, symbolizing the monster he believes he has become because of the war.

First, he took down the individuals involved in his family’s deaths. Second, he hunted all the soldiers who wronged his people. In the process, he gained the name “The Minotaur,” becoming an infamous killer.

He continued these killing sprees at night while gaining clearance by day to become the personal bodyguard of the country’s leader, his final destination. Now face-to-face with the leader who started it all, he can finally destroy the man he had sworn to protect.

Conclusion

When you have a minute, scan your surroundings. Take note of any objects that have patterns or textures and see what stories you can create within the ordinary things around you. I hope you have fun with this writing prompt. Good luck on your writing journey!

Introduction

When looking for writing advice, it can be overwhelming sometimes. You might feel like you need to fill out checkboxes to know whether or not your writing is good. There are various perspectives on how to prepare and write a story. It took me a while to realize that I don’t have to follow every piece of advice I find. Writing advice is simply a suggestion and not a rule. I can take it or leave it. One of my English professors once said, “There are no rules in writing.”

Everyone works differently. Some people need rules for writing so that they can bend them. Others write without rules or planning out their stories. These are two examples of how some writers work through their writing process.

I’ve noticed that some writers give advice and act like their way is the best way to plot a story, develop well-rounded characters, and write dialogue. They insist that how they write a story will work for every writer, even though that’s not true.

I will admit that I used to be guilty of having the same mentality, but that changed when I started a writing group. Surrounding myself with other writers opened my eyes and made me realize that everyone learns and functions differently. What works for one person may not work for another. When I give writing advice nowadays, I like to share my experiences with different writing techniques and include my perspective on how they have or haven’t worked for me.

I always hope my writing advice is helpful, but I don’t want to pressure writers into doing things my way. I want to provide a new perspective that might help you on your writing journey. If it doesn’t, that’s okay. That’s why, whenever I give advice, my philosophy is to always assume that I’m wrong. While my way might be right for me, it’s important to remember that it might not be helpful for you. It’s a reminder that I’m simply providing my perspective about the writing process.

My Experience

Instead of getting writing advice from someone and immediately following it (which is something I used to do), explore advice from different writers and experiment with different writing techniques. See which strategies and advice work best for you. Even if you don't think something will work, you may be surprised. I was.

For example, I used to write with the flow and avoided story structure like the plague because many writers swore by plotting using story structure. I refused to consider story structure because the different styles and terminology used in story structure confused me.

I preferred to sit down immediately after getting a story idea and start writing. However, when I wrote with the flow, I noticed a pattern: I could only make it to five or ten pages, then I’d give up because ideas weren’t coming anymore. I felt like I was failing as a writer because nothing was flowing like I’d hoped it would as a “write with the flow” writer. Every time I tried to write like this, I quickly became discouraged and quit writing.

It wasn't until college that I allowed myself to look more closely at story structure in creative writing and literature classes. Although my anxiety levels went up and a cloud of confusion fogged my brain, I was determined to understand story structure despite having avoided it for so many years. I took writing and literature classes from multiple professors. The advice they gave about writing and how they explained story structure didn’t help with my confusion. However, after a few semesters, I finally found a professor who explained story structure in a way I understood.

I learned that there are seven types of story structure,1 each using its own format and terminology. I realized that’s what confused me the most, and that many story structures follow the same pattern despite having different terms for their sequence of events. I realized the terms basically mean the same thing.

Once the story structure finally made sense to me, everything clicked into place. I realized the three-act story structure and Freytag's pyramid story structure were the ones for me, and I combined them and used them in my outlining process. Using these two story structures helped me plan the beginning, middle, and end of my story—something I hadn’t been able to do before. I realized I was a writer who needed time to sit with the story idea and identify where scenes belonged in the plot before sitting down to write. I took a screenwriting class and was able to write a 120-page draft. That was the first time in my life that I managed to finish a first draft. Since then, I have completed a 170-page manuscript as my second draft and am in the process of editing and revising it. I finally found a writing process that worked!

I have since learned that writers are always learning and evolving. If you regularly struggle to finish stories as a go-with-the-flow writer, there's a chance that exploring the use of outlines, story structures, or some other form of organizing and planning for a story may help you finish your first draft.

Conclusion

I encourage you to experiment with different techniques for your writing process. You might realize that something you thought you hated works for you. While I thought learning about and using story structure would be a waste of time, I realized that it helped me learn about myself as a writer. I hope you’ll take the time to experiment with different storytelling and writing techniques, and in the process, learn more about yourself as a writer.

Be patient with yourself and your writing process. Explore different writing and story planning concepts and see what fits your needs. It may take time, but as you keep learning and writing, the process will be worth it.

At the end of the day, always remember that your story is yours. You can write your stories however you please. That’s the beauty of writing stories. The writer is in charge. Although writing advice can be helpful at times, other times it can make you second-guess yourself. Don’t let the advice someone gives you about how to plot a story, develop well-rounded characters, or write dialogue get in the way of finishing your book. Write what feels right to you.

I hope this advice about writing advice is helpful to you when you look for and consider the writing advice you receive. Good luck on your writing journey!

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Introduction

There are countless social media platforms to choose from, and it can be hard to decide which ones to go with. My goal is to help you consider which platforms to use. In this post, I’ll review the platforms that I use to give examples, why I use them, and how to plan content.

Prioritize Your Comfort

Consider using platforms you’re already familiar with to establish your authorial online presence. It’s not just about the statistics of how many people use which platforms. It’s about knowing what you’re comfortable with sharing online.

For example, if you don’t want to be on camera or have your photo online, don’t force yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s okay to have boundaries. You can still make engaging content without showing your face.

However, many say seeing a face helps build trust. As an alternative for your profile picture, you can have someone illustrate a portrait of you, or you can digitally trace your own face. Do something unique with your profile picture that helps you stand out amongst the crowd.

Social media is a very public place, and your comfort is important. I advise you to consider what you are most comfortable with when choosing the platforms you want to use to build your author brand.

Make Connections

Social media is a place to connect with people. However, it’s important to realize what that connection means for you and your audience. Remember this: when you create content, it’s not about you and what your viewers can do for you. Instead, it’s about your viewers and what you can do for them.

For example, when I’m creating content that involves writing advice, I think about what I would’ve liked to have known as an early writer and create content based on that.

This brings me to my next point: What is the purpose of your content? Is it to entertain, inform, or persuade? This will help you identify why you’re making the content for your audience and how it’ll reflect on your brand as an author.

Plan Ahead

Plan and create content in advance so it’s ready to post. I advise planning content at least a month ahead. Have fun with the content you create! There’s no need to stress about it.

When planning content, I like to keep a document on my phone with ideas on what to post and create the content beforehand. That way, I can go ahead and post it when the time comes. It helps me to avoid spending time doing both things on the same day.

I post on specific days at specific times to help stay organized. Many people say to consistently post at a specific time and day so followers know when to expect your content, but do people actually pay attention to those details? I know I don’t. Instead, I visit their social media page to check for new posts more than anything else.

Social Media Platforms

In this section, I discuss my experiences and recommendations for using Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Instagram

Instagram has an amazing community of writers, authors, and readers. This community is known as Boostagram. I have connected with so many wonderful people that I wouldn’t have otherwise networked with if I hadn’t discovered Instagram.

Instagram is useful for posting pictures, picture quotes, and reels. Utilize hashtags in your posts to grab attention. For example, I like to post encouraging thoughts for writers and promote other authors’ books with compelling graphics.

Instagram is a great place to provide interactive opportunities with your followers through stories. Stories have sticker options for polls, provide links, and create highlights for people to revisit.

In your bio, the word count is very limited. Be percise and compelling. Describe how you can help your audience and what types of books you write. Next, provide a link to your landing page. For example, my bio says:

Savannah “S.N.” Anderson
Supporting writers and indie authors.
ARC reader, blogger, & dark fantasy writer.
Check landing page. https://linktr.ee/s.n.anderson

I like to use Linktree, but there are other websites out there that you can use to create a landing page.

Select days and times within the week to make posts. Choose a schedule that works for you. For example, I post on Wednesdays between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Occasionally, I’ll post outside of those days and times, but I try to stick to that schedule to make things easier for myself.

If you want to use this platform and aren’t sure what to do for content, click the button below to connect with me on Instagram. I hope my content will provide ideas for your author brand.

Instagram

Twitter

Twitter, now known as X, is useful for sharing content from blogs. Although the free version has a limited word count and can be annoying, it challenges you to be more thoughtful about what you say to your viewers in the caption. Twitter is also a place to utilize hashtags in your posts as attention grabbers.

Pick a posting schedule that works for you. You can set a scheduled time and date for your posts for convenience. For example, I post on Tuesdays at 7:00 a.m., calling it “Twitter Tuesdays.”

Click the button below for content ideas and connect with me on Twitter.

Twitter

Facebook

Many people think Facebook is dead, but I think there are still opportunities to grow an audience. I use Facebook because you never know who you might reach. I see value in branching out and using different platforms because someone who uses Facebook might not use Instagram or vice versa, missing out on your content.

There’s also the option to connect Facebook to Instagram so that when you post on one platform, that post is also shared on the other. It can be useful if you’re trying to grow an audience on both platforms. It’s easier so you’re not creating entirely new content from scratch. If you decide to do this, however, I suggest that you repurpose what you share on Instagram or let the post “age” before bringing it over to Facebook.

I used to cross-post, but now I avoid merging them to keep the content separate so it’s not a duplication of content. I try to keep things feeling fresh so that if viewers do use both platforms, they aren’t seeing the same thing on the same day. Instead, I’ll post a teaser with the link to a new blog post on Facebook, and a few weeks later, post a graphic teaser for that blog post on Instagram.

Click the button below to connect with me on Facebook and get some content ideas.

Facebook

Goodreads

Goodreads is also a great place to connect with readers and authors. There’s also the Goodreads Author Program, where you can connect with fans and update them about your newest releases and giveaways. I plan to convert my Goodreads from reading into an author account when the time comes.

Click the button below to connect with me and see what I’m reading.

Goodreads

Conclusion

I hope this has helped you consider what direction you want to take when creating your author brand on social media. I believe there is value in utilizing multiple platforms to promote your brand, even the ones you think might not do as well. My word of advice is to use the platforms you can maneuver the easiest and spread the word across as many platforms as you can handle. It’s not a notion of literally throwing your stuff out there and seeing what happens, but putting your content out there in a way that is strategic, authentic, and meaningful.

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