The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Debra

Using Life’s Lessons to Create Fiction

by

Using Life's Lessons to Create Fiction, Kelly KlepferToday’s author interview is with Kelly Klepfer, whose debut book released earlier this month from Bling! Romance (an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas). I really enjoy Kelly’s sense of humor and think you will too.

Kelly had ambitions to graduate from the school of life quite awhile ago, but alas…she still attends and is tested regularly. Her co-authored cozy/quirky mystery, Out of the Frying Pan, is the culmination of several of the failed/passed tests. Kelly, though she lives with her husband, two Beagles and [Read more…] about Using Life’s Lessons to Create Fiction

3 Common Dialog Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

by

Crafting great dialog takes work. And today I’d like to discuss 3 mistakes I see more often than any other.

Let’s look at definitions first.

A dialog tag (also known as attribution) tells the reader who is speaking, but also [Read more…] about 3 Common Dialog Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

11 Kinds of Magazine Articles You Can Write

by

little girl looking through paper towel roll
Are you looking for ideas?

Writing magazine articles is a good way to bring in steady extra income while you work on your book. But do you struggle to find ideas?

Let the following list of 11 types of articles you can write serve as a springboard. Each type has it own requirements and purposes.

If you are a regular subscriber of one or two specific periodicals, consider how their articles fit into the following categories. Then think about [Read more…] about 11 Kinds of Magazine Articles You Can Write

Creative Marketing with Cheryl Barker

by

Creative marketing Cheryl Barker author interviewI’m pleased to have Cheryl Barker with me for this month’s author interview.

Cheryl is the author of Mother of the Bride—Refreshment and Wisdom for the Mother of the Bride that released last month. She’s also written for compilation books, magazines, other publications, and for Blue Mountain Arts greeting cards, gift books, and calendars. [Read more…] about Creative Marketing with Cheryl Barker

You’ve written a book. Now what?

by

doberman looking at a laptopSo there you sit, staring at the book you’ve written. You’re proud of your hard work, and you should be.

Now you’re faced with “What do I do next?”

If you’ve only just finished the draft, then it’s time to start in on revisions.

Maybe you’ve revised and revised, and then revised some more and feel it’s time to start submitting to potential publishers.

I know beyond a doubt, you truly want to get your book published. I’ve been there, and [Read more…] about You’ve written a book. Now what?

Don’t let intimidating tasks force you to procrastinate.

by

When a task intimidates you, are you inclined to procrastinate doing it?

I admit, I do.

Usually it’s fear that stops me from taking action. Fear of the technology or the complexity of the task and so I procrastinate (for days, months, and yes, even years).

Invariably when I finally get to a point of [Read more…] about Don’t let intimidating tasks force you to procrastinate.

My Top 3 Tips for Self-Motivation

by

I can do this! With God, all things are possible.

Mondays.

The hardest day of the week for me and many others. For most because they face getting up and going to the 9-5 job. Yes, I have to get up, but I only have to walk 6 feet from my bed to my office desk. How great is that!

Whether you leave home for work or not, Mondays are about motivation. I look at my weekly calendar of scheduled work and can too easily feel overwhelmed. Especially if I’m not seeing any results with the work I’ve been doing.

For writers working a day job and writing at night (or in the early hours before work), it’s finding motivation to [Read more…] about My Top 3 Tips for Self-Motivation

Irish Beth Maddock and Book Award Contests

by

Irish Beth Maddock and Book Award ContestsI’m pleased to have award-winning Canadian author Irish Beth Maddock here with me today. She’s been a newspaper columnist, been featured in Reader’s Digest, and on broadcasts including 100 Huntley Street, Okanagan News Television, and with Canadian National Broadcast Radio. She is a published poet who has both performed in and directed plays and musical theater productions.

Her children’s book, The Great Carp Escape, is available as a fundraiser for schools, churches, charities, and ministries in need and has raised over $1000 for such causes thus far. As a member of [Read more…] about Irish Beth Maddock and Book Award Contests