Wave or Waive: Do You Know Which One to Use? It is no surprise that the English language (at least, as spoken by we Americans) is crammed full of words that turn our brains to mush when it comes to figuring out which word spelling to use, how to spell them, or just when exactly to use them. Our school systems have long since abandoned the “readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic” days when kids were gi...

Using Quotations: When You Need Permission First of all, here’s my disclaimer. I’m not a lawyer. The following is based on my own research and, as you’ll see, every situation is different. That’s why the use of quotes can be confusing. I do hope, however, that this can help you to make better decisions when preparing your own manuscripts or other creative projects. Quotes are wonderful little th...

Use Time and Timing Wisely for Powerful Storytelling Anyone who has told stories often knows the importance of time and timing. Used with planning, time can be a storyteller’s best friend. Used without thought, however, time can ruin a performance and rob a teller of credibility, reputation, and the joy of experiencing eager listeners. In this article, I will highlight the ins and outs of time ma...

Use the Power of the Pause to Strengthen Your Storytelling When we are telling stories to a group, and especially as a newer storyteller, one of the most difficult techniques to master is the use of the pause. Even in everyday conversation, most people have a problem with silence. Somehow we feel we must always fill a space with words. And yet silence and a pause during the telling of a story not...

Understanding Ebook Rights: The Basics You Need to Know Information products are big online. Generally, they’re PDF products packaged in what is known as an “ebook format”. Years ago another popular option was .exe but due to viruses and their incompatibility with the Mac they have lost a lot of their popularity. An easy way to start your own web business with low start up costs is to purchase e...

Understanding Children’s Book Genres I just received a letter from a writer who said, “Alas, I find myself adrift in a sea of unexplained and/or contradictory publishing terms.” It’s true — you can read three different books on writing and find three different definitions of “picture book.” So, to make your life easier, here’s what I hope is a definitive glossary of children’s publishing genres: ...

Run Your Own Race-At Your Own Pace On Thanksgiving Day, dawn spills over Dana Point Harbor where thousands of runners gather for the annual Turkey Trot. The largest holiday race in California beckons folks of all ages, sizes, shapes, and abilities. Waiting at the starting line for the 10-K, I talk to a Dad and his 7 year- old daughter. Around me, I hear bravado talk about marathons, triathlons, h...

How to Write a Romance That Publishers Will Buy Romance fiction is designed to entertain. At its best, it can transport a reader to a fantasy place where happy endings are guaranteed, where there are always resolutions to problems and the girl inevitably gets her perfect man. Is that your understanding? Perhaps. From an objective (some might say cynical) point of view, romance fiction is an ex...

Researching The Market Editors always plead with authors to research the market before submitting manuscripts. This makes sense–it cuts down on the number of inappropriate submissions an editor may receive, and presumably will lower the chance of a manuscript getting rejected. But how, exactly, does one research a market that produces thousands of new products each year? I suggest a systematic, t...