Blog by Toby Welch

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Avoid Negative Motivators

December 8th, 2019
                                   This is a short post but it is a vital one. It is essential that you do not focus on the crap in your life when writing. While there are many motivations for writing, there are many negative motivators, things that work against your writing. Looking at the stack of bills that you need to pay with your writing will not inspire you. Dwelling on the latest reje ...

More Writers Advice to Their Newbie Writing Self

December 1st, 2019
Jock Mackenzie, the President of Red Deer Writers’ Ink, has published a teacher reference book on essay writing and not published a crime novel, Dealing with Dymans. He shares what he would tell himself when he was just starting on his writing journey, if he could go back in time.  “Dear Jock, Hang on! You are about to embark on a satisfying, challenging, humbling, frustrating, edifying, in ...

How to Keep Editors Happy, Part 2

November 23rd, 2019
Here are even more ways to stay on an editor’s good side: - Never, never, never mention how much your mother or your best friend loves your work. - If an editor rejects your story or pitch, say thanks and move on. Do not try to convince the editor to change his mind. - Avoid being cutesy. Letters with animal stickers and manuscripts tied with ribbons and fake flowers won’t win you any poin ...

How to Keep Editors Happy, Part 1

November 16th, 2019
Editors are often the ticket to a writer getting published. Having them on your side is vital. Here are suggestions on how to get on an editor’s good side, compiled from men and women who hold the job: - When pitching an idea to a book or magazine editor, do your research; make sure what you are proposing is in their scope of work. Don’t query a safety magazine an idea about doll houses. Don ...

Habits of Famous Writers

November 10th, 2019
Here are some habits of literary geniuses: Truman Capote had to write lying down on his bed or couch with a pencil in one hand and a drink in the other. The drinks each day ran the gamut from coffee to mint tea to sherry and finally martinis. John Grisham as a beginning writer would be at his desk at 5:30 a.m., his first cup of coffee in hand. William Faulkner had to have whiskey around wh ...

Thoughts on Coming Up With a Title

November 3rd, 2019
What if you’re stumped and can’t think of a title, even a mediocre one? Give brainstorming a try. Find a quiet spot and grab a piece of paper and your favorite writing instrument, one that allows you to write fast. Close your eyes and think about your book for a couple minutes. Run through it chronologically in your mind. When you get to the end, open your eyes and jot down the first 20 title ...

Living With the Stress of Being Creative

October 27th, 2019
                                  People in most professions are told to write to relieve their stress. They take journal writing classes, jot down their thoughts and feelings, and keep stress diaries. A 2008 U.S. study proved that cancer patients who write down their deepest fears may improve their quality of life. But for writers, the act of putting pen to paper can be a stress itself, not ...

How to Excel as a Writer

October 20th, 2019
Publishing professional, Edie Melson, shared her fabulous tips for how to excel as a writer in a blog post on The Write Conversation: “1. Embrace my creativity. One of the things that happens with my mind is that it’s always coming up with new ideas. Instead of shutting out these ideas, I keep a list. Now, I never lack for a blog post topic or article idea. 2. Work in small bites of time. I ...

Editors on Writer’s CVs

October 12th, 2019
Magazine editors share their thoughts on writer's CVs:Jim Adair, editor of REM - The Real Estate Magazine - “I’ll take a look at a CV because I’m interested in the writer’s background and qualifications to write the story, but the query is what’s important. Most of the pitches I receive do not include a detailed CV.” Adair shares what he is most interested in seeing when he receives a CV, “I ...

What Can You Do With Your Writer’s CV?

October 6th, 2019
CVs are useful for much more than just pitching article ideas to editors. They can be included in anything writing related such as: - approaching literary agents - pitching publishers - applying for an award - applying for a workshop position - requesting a grant - funding applications - calls for applications - bids for writing jobs - ghost writing appeals As you go about your writ ...

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