An Englishman in New Jersey

The "I are a writer!" (and more) Store

jongibbs — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 14:21:18 GMT

Back in July, I had an idea for an eCommerce business. It's taken me a while to get things organized, and I've had to learn some new skills, but I'm delighted to have completed the first stage:

The "I are a writer!" (and more) store (www.iareawriter.net) is now open for business. There's not too much there at present, but in the coming months I'll add a lot more.

It's good to be productive again :)

Interesting blog posts about writing – July 31st 2020

jongibbs — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 22:45:14 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

Authors’ Magical Thinking (Janet Grant)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/authors-magical-thinking/

Write What is Unreal But True (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2020/07/write-what-is-unreal-but-true.html

How to Weave in Backstory Without Stalling Out Your Story (Tiffany Yates Martin)
https://writerunboxed.com/2020/07/06/how-to-weave-in-backstory-without-stalling-out-your-story

Even minor characters need to want something (Nathan Bransford)
https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2020/07/even-minor-characters-need-to-want-something

How Do Publishers Decide Which Books to Bet On? (Anne Trubek)
https://www.janefriedman.com/how-do-publishers-decide/

Identifying and Crafting Your Inciting Incident (Kathryn Craft)
https://writerunboxed.com/2020/07/09/identifying-and-crafting-your-inciting-incident

Writing in Different Children’s Book Genres and Categories (Mary Kole)
https://kidlit.com/2020/07/13/writing-in-different-childrens-book-genres-and-categories/

6 Principles for Writing Historical Fiction (Jane Friedman)
https://www.janefriedman.com/dos-and-donts-of-writing-historical-fiction/

The Breakout Outline (Bobbo Miller)
https://www.teachingauthors.com/2020/07/the-breakout-outline.html

4 Questions to Prevent Plot Holes (K.M. Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/prevent-plot-holes/

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2019, 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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – June 26th 2020

jongibbs — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 17:11:45 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

A Writer’s Guide To Ruthlessly Killing Your Darlings (Katharine Grubb)
www.10minutenovelists.com/a-writers-guide-to-ruthlessly-killing-your-darlings

Online Marketing Doesn’t Have to Mean Lying, Cheating, or Gaming the System (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2020/06/online-marketing-ethics/

Public Speaking for Writers (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2020/06/public-speaking-for-writers.html

When the Story Ends Too Soon (Cynthia Ruchti)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/story-ends-too-soon/

How to Get Inspired to Write: A Proven Process (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-inspiration/

How to diagnose big picture problems in your novel (Nathan Bransford)
https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2020/05/how-to-diagnose-big-picture-problems-in-your-novel

A Look at Body Language in Writing (Ellen Buikema)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/05/body-language-in-writing/

What Writers Have to Learn from the 10X Rule (Carmen Amato)
https://www.janefriedman.com/what-writers-have-to-learn-from-the-10x-rule/

How to Write Subtext (September C. Fawkes)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/uncategorized/how-to-write-subtext/

Character Building (Part 1) (Angela Ackerman)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/05/character-building-how-much-do-i-need-to-plan-part-1/

When Your Premise Paints You Into a Corner (Larry Brooks)
www.storyfix.com/when-your-premise-paints-you-into-a-corner-part-19-of-the-gsdwt-series

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2019, 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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – May 29th 2020

jongibbs — Fri, 29 May 2020 16:49:41 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

Introducing the essential magic of PREMISE (Larry Brooks)
www.storyfix.com/the-whole-ballgame-pearls-nuggets-and-excerpts-the-series-part-17

4 Newbie Writer Mistakes that can Derail a Great Book Idea (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2020/05/newbie-writer-mistakes-derail-book-idea/

Rejections: What You Need to Know (Rachel Kent)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/rejections-what-you-need-to-know/

The Spark of a Novel: Five Ways to Light That Spark (Barbara Linn Probst)
https://writerunboxed.com/2020/04/17/the-spark-of-a-novel-five-ways-to-light-that-spark/

Enemy Without a Face: When Dealing With a Different Sort of ‘Villain’ (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2020/04/enemy-different-villain/

Conflict Thesaurus Entry: Being Assigned an Undesirable Partner (Angela Ackerman)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/04/conflict-thesaurus-entry-being-assigned-an-undesirable-partner/

Picture Book Endings (Natascha Biebow & Ellie Farmer)
https://www.wordsandpics.org/2016/04/ask-picture-book-editor.html

The Practice Novel (Dave King)
https://writerunboxed.com/2020/04/21/the-practice-novel/

The 3 Ms of Character Setup (C.S. Lakin)
https://www.janefriedman.com/the-3-ms-of-character-setup/

Causing confusion will sink your query letter (query critique) (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2020/04/causing-confusion-will-sink-your-query-letter-query-critique

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2019, 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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – April 24th 2020

jongibbs — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 17:12:37 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

How to Write a Picture Book Query Letter in 6 Simple Steps (Reedsy)
https://blog.reedsy.com/picture-book-query-letter/
by way of Laurie Wallmark

Peer Critique Versus Professional Editing: When, Why and How to Use Both (Barbara Linn Probst)
https://www.janefriedman.com/peer-critique-versus-professional-editing/

How to Write Compelling Emotional Triggers (Lisa Hall-Wilson)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/03/emotional-triggers/

The Value of Watching Bad Movies (Cynthia Ruchti)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/the-value-of-watching-bad-movies/

Don’t begin query letters with empty rhetorical questions (query critique) (Nathan Lane)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2020/04/dont-begin-query-letters-with-empty-rhetorical-questions-query-critique

5 Questions to Ask for Stronger Scenes (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/08/find-your-plot-fridays-what-to-do-what.html

Revising Their Way to a Debut (Kim Chafee)
https://writersrumpus.com/2020/04/10/revising-their-way-to-a-debut/

Plot Your Novel in 3 Simple Steps (Laurence MacNaughton)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2020/04/plot-your-novel-in-3-simple-steps.html

Writing the Middle-Grade Novel (Kristi Holl)
www.right-writing.com/middle-grade.html

Organize your query’s plot summary in a clear way (query critique) (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2020/04/organize-your-querys-plot-summary-in-a-clear-way-query-critique

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2019, 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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – March 27th 2020

jongibbs — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 22:47:11 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

Don’t release the tension (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2020/02/dont-release-the-tension

How To Rewrite Your Whole Darn Book (P J Parrish)
https://killzoneblog.com/2020/02/how-to-rewrite-your-whole-darn-book.html

Audiobook Publishing and Distribution: Getting Started Guide for Authors (Jane Friedman)
https://www.janefriedman.com/audiobook-publishing/

What’s the Best Way to Discover Your Story? (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2020/03/whats-the-best-way-to-discover-your-story.html

Clueless Advice People Give New Writers: 10 Things to Ignore (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2020/03/clueless-advice-people-give-writers/

The Imposter Syndrome (Wendy Lawton)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/the-imposter-syndrome/

Synopsis Writing Made Easy (James Scott Bell)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/03/synopsis-writing-made-easy/

A Three-Step Plan for Returning to a Partially Finished Manuscript (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2020/03/a-three-step-plan-for-returning-to.html

Everything writers need to know about book series (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2020/03/everything-writers-need-to-know-about-book-series

10 Common Time Management Mistakes Writers Should Avoid (Colleen M. Story)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/03/time-management-mistakes/

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2019, 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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – February 28th 2020

jongibbs — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 01:23:35 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

How to Make a Book Trailer that Speaks to Readers (Victor Blasco)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/01/how-to-make-an-amazing-book-trailer/

Why Your Query Blurb Isn’t Working (Jessica Faust)
http://bookendsliterary.com/2019/08/20/why-your-query-blurb-isnt-working/
by way of Laurie Wallmark

Conflict Thesaurus Entry: Confiding in the Wrong Person (Angela Ackerman)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2020/02/conflict-thesaurus-entry-confiding-in-the-wrong-person/

The Curse of Expository Dialogue (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2020/02/the-curse-of-expository-dialogue.html

How to Make It Through the Middle of Your Book (Colleen M. Story)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/uncategorized/how-to-make-it-through-the-middle-of-your-book/

Great Expectations for Writers (Cynthia Ruchti)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/great-expectations-for-writers/

Hey, Still with Me? Poking Dead Scenes With a Stick, Part One (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2010/08/re-write-wednesday-golden-oldie-poking.html

When Revising Your Novel, Look for These 4 Problem Areas (Kris Spisak)
https://www.janefriedman.com/when-revising-your-novel-manuscript-look-for-these-problem-areas/

Finding An Opening Line Is Like SeeingThe World In a Grain of Sand (P.J. Parish)
https://killzoneblog.com/2020/02/finding-an-opening-line-is-like-seeingthe-world-in-a-grain-of-sand.html

When editing, start with the problems before jumping to solutions (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2020/02/when-editing-start-with-the-problems-before-jumping-to-solutions

So Your Feedback Session is Spiraling Out of Control (Bill Ferris)
https://writerunboxed.com/2020/02/15/so-your-feedback-session-is-spiraling-out-of-control/

10 New Publishing Scams to Watch Out for in 2020 (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2020/02/new-publishing-scams-2020/

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2020, 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.

Care to promote your writing conference?

jongibbs — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 19:49:56 GMT

I'm a big fan of writing conferences. Sure, some meet our personal budget and current needs better than others, and not everyone you encounter leaves you feeling all warm and fuzzy about your future potential, but if you go along with an open mind, the positives far outweigh any negatives.

If you know of a writing conference taking place this year, please share a link to its homepage in a comment. I'll upload it into the main post here.

FEBRUARY

SCBWI Winter Conference
Fri-Sun, February 7th-9th, 2020 - New York, New York

Farpoint Convention
Fri-Sun, February 21st-23rd, 2020 - Hunt Valley, Maryland

MARCH

The Write Stuff Conference
Thurs-Sat, March 12th -14th, 2020 - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Sleuthfest
Thurs-Sun, March 26th-29th, 2020 - Boca Raton, Florida

                                    APRIL

Create Something Magical Writers & Readers Conference
Sat-Sun, April 4th - 5th, 2020 - Iselin, New Jersey

Pikes Peak Writers Conference
Fri-Sun, April 17th - 19th, 2020 - Colorado Springs, CO

MAY

Malice Domestic
Fri-Sun, May 1st - 3rd, 2020 - Bethesda, Maryland

PennWriters Conference
Fri-Sun, May 14th - 17th, 2020 - Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Balticon
Fri-Mon, May 22nd - 25th, 2020 - Baltimore, Maryland

JUNE

Rutgers University Writers' Conference
Sat-Sun, June 5th - 7th, 2020 - New Brunswick, New Jersey

DFW Writer's Conference
Sat-Sun, June 13th - 14th, 2020 - Dallas, Texas

SCBWI NJ Chapter - Summer Conference
June 13th - 14th 2020 - New Brunswick, New Jersey

Philadelphia Writers' Conference
Fri-Sun, June, 2020 (exact dates tba) - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Deadly Ink
Fri-Sun, June, 2020 (exact dates tba) - location tba

                 JULY

Southampton Writer's Conference
Weds, July 8th - Sun, July 19, 2020 - Southampton, New York

IWWG Summer conference
Fri-Thurs, July 24th - 30th, 2020 - Beverly, Massachusetts

Shore Leave
Fri-Sun, July 10th - 12th, 2020 - Hunt Valley, Maryland

AUGUST

Killer Nashville
Thurs-Sun, August 20th - 23rd, 2020 - Franklin, Tennessee

Creatures, Crimes, and Creativity
Fri-Sat, August 28th - 30th, 2020 - Columbia, MD

            SEPTEMBER
Women Who Write (Men are also welcome at the conference)
Saturday, September 26th, 2020 - Madison, New Jersey

               OCTOBER

Put Your Heart in a Book
Not sure if they have a conference this year - Fri-Sat, October 2020 - Iselin, NJ

Magna Cum Murder
Fri-Sun, October 23rd - 25th, 2020 - Indianapolis, Indiana

             NOVEMBER

Crime Bake
Fri-Sun, November 2020 (tba) - Dedham, Massachusetts

South Jersey Writers Conference
Not sure if they have a conference this year - West Berlin, New Jersey

Philcon
Fri-Sun, November 20th - 22nd, 2020 - Cherry Hill, New Jersey

            DECEMBER

SOME FUN, CONFERENCE-RELATED LINKS:

10 Things You Shouldn’t Say to an Agent During an In-Person Pitch

The Agent Pitch: 10 Responses You Don't Want to Hear

Do you know of any writing groups in New Jersey?

jongibbs — Sun, 16 Feb 2020 18:46:25 GMT

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

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

The Memoir & Fiction Writers' group
Where? OCL (Ocean Township Branch), 701 Deal Road, Ocean, NJ 07712
When? Fourth Monday of the month - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Contact: (Library) 732 531 5092

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – January 31st 2020

jongibbs — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 20:39:52 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

Un-Con Redux, Part II: Emotional Tipping Points (Donald Maass)
https://writerunboxed.com/2020/01/01/un-con-redux-part-ii-emotional-tipping-points/

How to be a productive writer (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2020/01/how-to-be-a-productive-writer

The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2020 (Farrah Daniel) (Jon’s Pick of the Pack)
https://thewritelife.com/best-websites-for-writers-2020/

Middle Grade or Young Adult (Allison Rushby)
https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/5-ways-to-tell-if-youre-writing-middle-grade-or-young-adult-fiction/
by way of Laurie Wallmark

How to Create a Powerful Character Arc (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/character-arc/

5 Common Story Openings to Avoid—If You Can Help It (Jane Friedman)
https://www.janefriedman.com/5-story-openings-to-avoid/

4 Tips For Creating Villains (Sacha Black)
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2020/01/4-tips-for-creating-villains.html

A Simple Trick to Keep Readers Turning the Pages (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2020/01/a-simple-trick-to-keep-readers-turning.html

2 Different Types of the Lie Your Character Believes (K. M. Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2-different-types-of-lie-your-character-believes/

Jane’s Guide to Getting the Most Out of a Writers Conference (Jane Friedman)
https://www.janefriedman.com/guide-to-writers-conferences/

If you found these useful, you may also like my personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2020, 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.

Interesting blog posts about writing: Jon's Pick of 2019

jongibbs — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 17:27:08 GMT

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
Manipulating Story Time for Maximal Effect (Kathryn Craft)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/12/12/manipulating-story-time-for-maximal-effect/

NOVEMBER
7 Story Structures Any Writer Can Use (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/story-structures/

OCTOBER
Rookie Mistakes Indie Writers Make (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2019/09/rookie-mistakes-indie-writers-make.html

SEPTEMBER
Five Ways the so-called “Conventional Wisdom” within the Writing Conversation Can Take You Down (Larry Brooks)
www.storyfix.com/five-ways-called-conventional-wisdom-within-writing-conversation-can-take

AUGUST
Three Simple Questions That Will Unlock Your Story (Lisa Cron)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/07/three-simple-questions-that-will-unlock-your-story/

JULY
Let No Good Tension Go Unstretched (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2019/06/let-no-good-tension-go-unstretched.html

JUNE
Setting Goals to Finish Writing Your Book (Brian Tracy)
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-goals/

MAY
The First Five Lines (Donald Maass)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/05/01/the-first-five-lines/

APRIL
Skip Those Writing Speed Bumps (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/writing-tips-2/speedbumps

MARCH
Your Online Presence: 10 Mistakes for Authors to Avoid (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2019/02/online-presence-10-mistakes

FEBRUARY
Unsnagging Your Plot (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2019/01/unsnagging-your-plot.html

JANUARY
It Doesn't Matter Where You Start. Just START! (Shonell Bacon)
https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2019/01/juststart.html

How about you?

What were your favorite blog posts from 2019?

If you found these useful, you may also like:

My personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2018
My personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2017
My personal selection of the most interesting blog posts from 2016

Interesting blog posts about writing – December 13th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:42:42 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

What Really Drives Your Characters? (Jim Dempsey)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/11/12/what-really-drives-your-characters/

12 Character Archetypes You Can Use to Create Heroes Your Reader Will Love (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/character-archetypes/

The best strategy for sending query letters (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2019/11/the-best-strategy-for-sending-query-letters

Improve Your Novel Writing: 11 Tips For Newbies (Meg LaTorre)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/11/improve-your-novel-writing-11-tips-for-newbies/

How to Choose the Right Antagonist for Any Type of Story (K.M. Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-choose-the-right-antagonist-for-any-type-of-story/

Is It Necessary to Write EVERY day? (James Scott Bell)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/12/is-it-necessary-to-write-every-day/

Business Musings: Die Hard (Licensing) (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
https://kriswrites.com/2019/12/04/business-musings-die-hard-licensing/

The Dating, er, Agent-Search Game (Lisa Lowe Stauffer)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/12/the-dating-er-agent-search-game.html

7 Realities of Traditional Publishing (Susan Dennard)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/08/how-i-stay-grounded-7-realities-of.html
by way of Laurie Wallmark

Manipulating Story Time for Maximal Effect (Kathryn Craft)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/12/12/manipulating-story-time-for-maximal-effect/

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – November 22nd 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 18:34:56 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

7 Story Structures Any Writer Can Use (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/story-structures/

Should You Re-Query an Agency? (Rachelle Gardner)
https://rachellegardner.com/should-you-re-query-an-agency/

3 Ways to Keep Writing When Times Are Tough (Chandler Bolt)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/motivation-and-the-writing-life/3-ways-to-keep-writing/

A Simple Trick to Increase Your Productivity (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2019/10/a-simple-trick-to-increase-your-productivity.html

How to Hook Your Reader in Every Scene (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/10/how-to-hook-your-reader-in-every-scene.html

Writing that First Chapter: 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Starting Your Novel (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2019/11/writing-that-first-chapter/

How to know what to cut from a novel (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2019/11/how-to-know-what-to-cut-from-a-novel

How to Evaluate Your WIP and Figure Out Your Next Steps (Mary Kole)
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2019/11/how-to-evaluate-your-wip-and-figure-out.html

Surprising Your Readers in Every Scene (September C. Fawkes)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/11/surprising-your-readers-in-every-scene/

What Makes Readers Give an Unknown Author a Chance? (Barbara Linn Probst)
https://www.janefriedman.com/give-unknown-author-chance/

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – October 25th 2019

jongibbs — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 16:29:48 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

The Hack’s Guide to Breaking Up With Your Book (Bill Ferris)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/09/21/the-hacks-guide-to-breaking-up-with-your-book/

The Up and Down Sides of Critique Groups (Lori Freeland)
http://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/09/up-and-down-sides-of-critique-groups/

In the Beginning: Which Type of Opening Works Best in a Novel? (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2012/07/in-beginning-which-type-of-opening.html

Three Simple Questions That Will Unlock Your Story (Lisa Cron)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/07/three-simple-questions-that-will-unlock-your-story/
by way of Laurie Wallmark

Business Musings: Expect Failure (Kristine Kathryn Rusch)
https://kriswrites.com/2019/09/25/business-musings-expect-failure/

Finding the Funny : Five Proven Ways to Add Humour to Your Story (Elle Carter Neal)
https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2019/09/finding-funny-five-proven-ways-to-add.html

Writing the Query Letter: Dos & Don’ts (Heather Webb)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/09/26/writing-the-query-letter-dos-donts/

Rookie Mistakes Indie Writers Make (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2019/09/rookie-mistakes-indie-writers-make.html

Writerly Procrastination: Why It Happens & How To Break Free of It (Tamar Sloan)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/10/writerly-procrastination-why-it-happens-how-to-break-free-of-it/

Truth and Lies Within the Collective Writing Conversation (Larry Brooks)
www.storyfix.com/truth-lies-within-collective-writing-conversation

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.

What have you got lined up in the coming weeks and months?

jongibbs — Sun, 20 Oct 2019 16:20:57 GMT

I'm looking forward to crossing state lines next week, when I'll be taking part in the Easton Book Festival by giving two presentations for the Greater Lehigh Valley Writing Group.

Sat, December 7th, 2019 NJ SCBWI event (tba)

Sat, October 26th, 2019 (1pm)
BRILLIANT BEGINNINGS
Northampton Community College Room 112,
25 S 3rd St Easton, PA 18042

Sat, October 26th, 2019 (11am)
10 WAYS TO MARKET YOUR BOOK IN PERSON
Northampton Community College Room 112,
25 S 3rd St Easton, PA 18042

March 21st - 23rd, 2019
THE WRITE STUFF WRITERS CONFERENCE
300 Gateway Drive,
Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania 18017

How about you?

What have you got lined up in the coming weeks and months?

Interesting blog posts about writing – September 27th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 14:53:05 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

Scribe Guide to Author Photos & Portraits (Tucker Max)
https://scribewriting.com/how-to-take-author-photo
by way of Joan Zachary

Create a Compelling Book Title (Rachelle Gardner)
http://rachellegardner.com/create-a-compelling-book-title/

Re-editing Older Works (Joanna Campbell Slan)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2018/09/5-things-re-editing-your-older-work-can.html
by way of Laurie Wallmark

10 Kinds of Critique Groups that Can Drive You Bonkers (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2019/09/critique-groups-can-drive-you-bonkers/

Creating Your Character’s Inner Conflict: Want vs. Need (K.M. Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/your-characters-inner-conflict-want-vs-want/

How Realistic Should Your Action Scenes Be? (James Scott Bell)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/09/how-realistic-should-your-action-scenes-be/

The Budrys Rule: Three Writerly Sins, One of them Cardinal (Dario Ciriello)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/09/the-budrys-rule-three-writerly-sins-one.html

How to get back in the saddle (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2019/09/how-to-get-back-in-the-saddle

Five Ways the so-called “Conventional Wisdom” within the Writing Conversation Can Take You Down (Larry Brooks)
www.storyfix.com/five-ways-called-conventional-wisdom-within-writing-conversation-can-take

Fiction Addiction: 3 Simple Ways to Make Your Series HOOK Readers (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2019/09/series-hook-readers/

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – August 9th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 14:57:43 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

Writing During Vacations (Elizabeth Spann Craig)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/motivation-and-the-writing-life/writing-during-vacations/

5 Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Children’s Book Mistakes (Margaret Meacham)
https://www.writermag.com/improve-your-writing/writing-for-young-readers/childrens-book-mistakes/
by way of Laurie Wallmark

Why Every Novel Needs a Sprinkling of Fear (Sacha Black)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/07/why-every-novel-needs-a-sprinkling-of-fear/

Developing an Audiobook: An Indie Author’s Perspective (Ray Flynt)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/07/developing-audiobook-indie-authors.html

Why it works: “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson (Nathan Bransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2019/07/why-it-works-treasure-island-by-robert-louis-stevenson

6 Tips for Finding a Great Critique Partner (Julie Glover)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/07/my-critique-partner/

The Breakout Novel & Why Publishing is Desperate for the Next BIG Thing (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2019/07/breakout-novel-publishing/

How to Waste Money When Self-Publishing a Book (Nate Hoffelder)
https://annerallen.com/2019/07/self-publishing-money-wasters/

Three Simple Questions That Will Unlock Your Story (Lisa Cron)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/07/three-simple-questions-that-will-unlock-your-story/

4 Major Differences Between Young Adult and Middle Grade Fiction (Hailey Hudson)
https://thewritelife.com/young-adult-vs-middle-grade-fiction/

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – July 19th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 16:56:38 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

Turn that Picture Book Page! (Patricia Toht)
https://groggorg.blogspot.com/2016/04/turn-that-picture-book-page-by-patricia.html
by way of Laurie Wallmark

Let No Good Tension Go Unstretched (James Scott Bell)
https://killzoneblog.com/2019/06/let-no-good-tension-go-unstretched.html

Understand Your Premise to Understand Your Novel (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/07/understand-your-premise-to-understand.html

How to Write an Opening Scene that Hooks Readers (Janice Hardy)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/07/how-to-write-an-opening-scene-that-hooks-readers/

Barnes & Noble SOLD: Goliath has Fallen & What This Means for Writers (Kristen Lamb) [Jon’s Pick of the week]
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2019/06/barnes-noble-goliath-has-fallen/

How to write a good climax in a novel (NathanBransford)
https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2019/06/how-to-write-a-good-climax-in-a-novel

Staying Positive After a Rejection (Tyrean Martinson)
www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/2019/06/staying-positive-after-rejection.html

5 Ways to Ensure Readers Don’t Abandon Your Book (Jane Friedman)
https://www.janefriedman.com/5-ways-story-stakes-keep-readers-glued/

How Predatory Companies Are Trying to Hijack Your Publisher Search, Part 2 (Victoria Strauss)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/06/4-steps-to-establish-beginning-of-your.html

Make Your Setting REAL With Strategic Description (Lisa Hall-Wilson)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/06/make-your-story-feel-real-with-strategic-description/

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – June 14th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 17:42:02 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

What’s Your Author Persona? How to Be Yourself Online—Only Better (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2019/05/whats-your-author-persona/

When a Writer Becomes a Target (Rachelle Gardner)
https://www.booksandsuch.com/blog/when-a-writer-becomes-a-target/

5 Ways Writers (Try to) Fake Their Way to Good Storytelling (K.M.Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/5-ways-writers-try-to-fake-their-way-to-good-storytelling/

Setting Goals to Finish Writing Your Book (Brian Tracy)
https://jerryjenkins.com/writing-goals/

What You Can Learn Listening to Audio Books (Polly Iyer)
https://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/2019/05/what-you-can-learn-listening-to-audio.html

Tune out your self-doubt—Fiction Therapy (Jim Dempsey)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/05/14/tune-out-your-self-doubt-fiction-therapy/

Saggy Middle? Use Conflict to Nip and Tuck It (Sacha Black)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/05/saggy-middle-use-conflict-to-nip-and-tuck-it/

The Two Basic Rules of Editing (and the Rookie Mistake) (Allegra Huston)
https://www.janefriedman.com/the-two-basic-rules-of-editing-and-the-rookie-mistake/

Are You Making Writing Harder Than it Needs to Be? (Barbara O'Neal)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/05/22/are-you-making-writing-harder-than-it-needs-to-be/

Naming Your Novel: How to Choose a Fiction Title That Fits (Author unknown)
https://www.tckpublishing.com/how-to-choose-a-fiction-title/
by way of Laurie Wallmark

Beginning Close to the Action (Elizabeth S. Craig)
https://elizabethspanncraig.com/writing-tips-2/in-medias-res/

Lessons From a Revision (Julia Munroe Martin)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/05/27/lessons-from-a-revision/

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – May 31st 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 31 May 2019 16:21:10 GMT

Here’s my latest selection of interesting (and sometimes amusing) posts about writing:

Beyond Good Writing: Two Literary Agents Discuss What Matters Most (Sangeeta Mehta)
https://www.janefriedman.com/beyond-good-writing/

8 Ways to Inject Humor into Your Writing (Becca Puglisi)
https://writershelpingwriters.net/2019/04/8-ways-to-inject-humor-into-your-writing/

Examine Your Turning Points (Janice Hardy)
http://blog.janicehardy.com/2019/04/sunday-writing-tip-examine-your-turning.html

Leaving a Writer’s Group: 5 Reasons it May be Time (Kathryn Craft)
https://writersinthestormblog.com/2019/04/leaving-a-writers-group-5-reasons-it-may-be-time

Writing Mistakes (Savannah Cordova)
https://writingthroughlife.com/7-writing-mistakes-you-probably-dont-realize-youre-making/
by way of Laurie Wallmark

The Morning After (Brunonia Barry)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/04/30/the-morning-after/

How to Develop a Great Story Idea (Jerry Jenkins)
https://jerryjenkins.com/story-ideas/

The First Five Lines (Donald Maass)
https://writerunboxed.com/2019/05/01/the-first-five-lines/

5 Newbie Mistakes that Will KILL a Perfectly Good Story (Kristen Lamb)
https://authorkristenlamb.com/2019/05/five-mistakes-kill-story/

Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags (Anne R. Allen)
https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests/

8 Quick Tips for Show, Don’t Tell (K.M. Weiland)
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/critique-8-quick-tips-for-show-dont-tell/#

How to Avoid One Dimensional Character (Mary Kole)
https://kidlit.com/2019/05/06/one-dimensional-character/

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – April 19th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:38:01 GMT

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-to-promote-yourself-as-an-author-before-and-after-publication
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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – March 29th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 16:52:59 GMT

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – February 15th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 18:13:51 GMT

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.

Interesting blog posts about writing – January 25th 2019

jongibbs — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 19:17:32 GMT

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.

Do you know of any writing groups in New Jersey?

jongibbs — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 00:25:07 GMT

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

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.