Writing Tips Archives | Lynn H. Blackburn

The Write Conversation

Lynn Blackburn — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:08:00 +0000

The Write Conversation has been recognized by Writer’s Digest as one of the top 101 Best Writing Websites!!! It is an absolute privilege to a be a monthly contributor to The Write Conversation. I’ve been posting on the first Thursday of the month since 2010 and the posts I share there are some of my favorite things I write each month.

Crazy congratulations to the writing genius behind The Write Conversation, Edie Melson. And a huge THANK YOU to Edie for allowing me to be a small part of this amazing online community!

Here’s a snippet of this month’s post!

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Don’t Overlook Valuable Writing Connections

Last month I wrote about some of the things I wish I’d known when my writing journey began. Today, I want to share something else that may be beneficial, whether you’ve only dipped your toes in the writing waters or have been swimming along for a while now.

Here it is . . .

In my humble opinion, your fellow writers are at least as important and in many cases are more important to your success than any agent or editor.

Now hear me out on this. I have the BEST agent. BEST. There is no way I would be where I am today without her. I have been privileged to work with AMAZING editors. The kind of editors who tell you half the story works and half of it doesn’t and you wind up being so glad you listened to them. There are a couple of awards on my mantle that would NOT be there without my editor.

So don’t anyone read this and think I’m saying that editors and agents aren’t important. They are. In fact, they are often referred to as the gatekeepers of the industry. Which is true. And that’s why it makes sense that writers often feel the opportunity to pitch to a particular agent or editor is the holy grail. The key to their publishing success.

And, in some cases, it is. But . . . not always.

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I’d love for you to come over to The Write Conversation to read the rest of the story!

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9 Things I Wish I’d Known at the Beginning of My Writing Journey

Lynn Blackburn — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 00:17:00 +0000

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about my early years as a writer. I had no idea what I was doing and I was so eager to learn. I took courses and went to critique groups and attended conferences, all in an effort to figure out how to do this writing thing right. And do you know what I remember most about that time?

Being confused.

There are so many different books, different authors, different opinions.

Here are a few…

Outlines are a must. Outlines are evil.
Read everything. Don’t read much at all.
Write in the morning. Write at night.
Write every day. Write 1000 words a day. Write 2 hours a day. Write at the same time every day.
Edit as you go. Finish your first draft before you revise a word.
Use Scrivener. Only use Word.
Critique groups are a must. Critique groups are a waste of time.
Join ten different professional organizations. Don’t join any.
Get an agent. Don’t get an agent.
Traditional! Indie!

Are you confused yet? I know I certainly was. As a card carrying member of the Perfectionistic People Pleasers Club, all the different opinions made it very hard for me to figure out what *my* writing process was. I was terribly afraid that someone was going to find out how I was doing it and they were going to tell me that I was doing it ALL wrong.

You can read the rest of this post over at The Write Conversation. I hope you’ll click over and join the conversation!

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Super Structure

Lynn Blackburn — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:21:00 +0000

Every time I see a book on “structure” or “story” I find myself bracing for the inevitable battle. If you’ve hung around with writers for long you know why, don’t you?

Someone is about to get in an argument about THE way to write. In my mind, I see a group of literary protesters. “Structure Leads to Perfect Stories!” shouts one side. “Structure Leads to Predictable Stories!” counters the other.

I see myself standing in the middle of the crowd singing, “LET IT GO!”

Don’t get me wrong. If someone has figured out how they write, I want them to tell me how they do it. I really do.

But I have absolutely no illusions that the way they do it is going to wind up being the way I do it. I wish it would work that way but I know a lot of writers, and I have yet to meet one who writes exactly like someone else.

I’m okay with that. It’s part of the mystery of story…and I love a good mystery.

Want to know more? I’m guest posting today over at The Write Conversation. Come by and join the conversation!

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Six Things To Do BEFORE You Sign Your First Book Contract

Lynn Blackburn — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:21:00 +0000

Today’s post is for the writer’s out there…

You’ve been writing for a while now.

You’ve got a
book or two written. You’ve entered a few contests, pitched to a few agents,
even attended a few conferences.

You’ve been doing this writing thing long
enough to know you want to keep doing it. You know you want to see your name on
a book. But what do you do while you’re waiting for that first sale?

Here are my suggestions.

Six Things
You Should Do BEFORE You Sign Your First Book Contract

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I’m guest posting today over at The Write Conversation. Pop on over to read The Six Things You Should Do BEFORE You Sign Your First Book Contract!

Grace and peace,

Lynn

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