Screenshot of my guest interview at http://www.karenhollands.com.au There are many blog series which feature published authors and how they managed to scale the publishing heights, but few focus on writers in the midst of the struggle. Many of us fear being labelled failures or no-talent wannabes if we open up about rejections, and we suffer … Continue reading Guest interview on thriving in the ‘liminal space’ between submission and publication
What if you never get that book published?
Photo by Felipe Cespedes on Pexels.com When Kate Mildenhall asked Tony Birch what he'd change about the publishing industry on the always fabulous First Time Podcast recently, he responded with the wish that publishers would take more chances on debut writers, making the observation that it can be soul-destroying to write a novel that never … Continue reading What if you never get that book published?
How to write through rejection and silence
Bouddi National Park A good friend and glorious writer admitted this week to being 'at sea' with her writing. Traditionally published with no shortage of accolades or experience, she is currently pitching her new novel—her baby—to agents and publishers. And so far she's had to deal with several rejections and worse: silence. In an attempt … Continue reading How to write through rejection and silence
Embrace vulnerability to strengthen your writing
Photo by Keenan Constance on Pexels.com If writers want to make an emotional connection with readers, they need to be willing to tap into their own vulnerability. Some of the strongest, most affecting writing comes from a place of raw honesty. Examining and exposing your feelings takes courage, but I guarantee that if you embrace … Continue reading Embrace vulnerability to strengthen your writing
What makes a writing competition worth the entry fee?
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Writing competitions can provide wonderful opportunities for emerging writers. The prospect of raising your head above the sea of other unpublished writers with a prestigious win or shortlisting, and perhaps attracting the attention of an agent or publisher, is irresistible. Or the lure of a cash windfall. Some offer publication … Continue reading What makes a writing competition worth the entry fee?
Eight writing prompts to fire up creativity
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I have a love-hate relationship with writing prompts. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I don't like being told what to do—remind me never to sign up for a boot camp! In all seriousness, I love writing prompts that produce free, unselfconscious writing. Overly constrained tasks, … Continue reading Eight writing prompts to fire up creativity
Don’t limit yourself: the case for juggling multiple writing projects
Photo by SharkBite on Pexels.com At the moment I'm in the limbo period between finishing the first draft of a novel manuscript and embarking on the editing process. As a rule, I try to leave a manuscript alone for at least a month at this stage, preferably several months, in the hope of being objective … Continue reading Don’t limit yourself: the case for juggling multiple writing projects
How to support Australian creatives this financial year
Photo by Khoa Vu00f5 on Pexels.com In Australia, the end of the financial year is rapidly approaching. If your level of organisation is anything like mine, you may still be deciding which charities to support with your tax-deductible donations prior to June 30. When so many people are in need, especially in the context of … Continue reading How to support Australian creatives this financial year
Eight things I wish I’d known when I started writing
Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com I've been playing at being a writer for nine years now, almost a decade. It came as something of a shock when I calculated the time since I first put fingers to keyboard, because I often feel like a beginner. To be fair, the first four years were a … Continue reading Eight things I wish I’d known when I started writing
How to build an author platform (and still find time to write that book)
Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com A writer I follow on Twitter recently tweeted about a rejection she received from a literary agent. Apparently the agent loved her story but didn't feel she had enough of a platform to take her on as a client. While there are authors who wow agents and publishers with … Continue reading How to build an author platform (and still find time to write that book)
Lisa Kenway 