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James Sane

James Sane

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    • AllAuthor AllAuthor 3 years ago
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    • Have you ever experienced "Writer's Block"? Any tips you would like to share to overcome it?
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      • James Sane James Sane 3 years ago
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      • I've experiences writer's block several times and, though frustrating at times, it is also a perfectly natural process in writing. If anything, it shows that you are taking your work seriously and not 'settling' for any random idea that might adversely impact the story. If anything, it is your brain letting you know that it is time to take a break - but not necessarily give up altogether.

        On important tip for overcoming writer's block is to allow the block to take it's course and not try and force ideas out for the sake of it. So take a break for your work. Go for a walk, have a go at some of your other hobbies, binge-watch that tv show you've been putting off. Eventually, the block will lift - either through a sudden and brilliant idea that comes to you (that Eureka! moment), or when you decide to return to your work and read over what you have done already with fresh eyes.

        Another tip for to help reduce writer's block is to not stick too rigidly to pre-prepared plans for the story. There's nothing wrong with having structured plans per se, but in my experience, writer's block has kicked in when I stressed about making those plans work. By the time you finish your story, you'll likely find it very different to how you initially imagined it.
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      • James Sane James Sane 3 years ago
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      • They say "Don't judge a book by its cover" - but they also say "First impressions are important". That's why one goes to a job interview, or a first date, nicely dressed and well-presented.

        For me, the most important aspect of a book is the story itself - but the most important aspect of publishing and selling the book (especially one that is largely unknown) is the cover and title. There are plenty of awesome books out there that I have not read (to date) largely because their covers did not attract me to them. Have I missed out? Maybe...but I'll never know because in order for me to read it and admit I was wrong to judge...I'd need to buy it.
        That said cover doesn't need to be over the top and flashy either. It can be simple and eye-catching at the same time. The Beatles "White Album", for example, had nothing on that cover.

        A title is also important. It needs to be interesting enough to attract the reader (like the headline of a newspaper) and not too common. For example, my recent book was not originally titled "The Trial of Jonathan Haughton". It was changed prior to publishing because the original title would not have stood out so well against the several unrelated books already out that had that same title.
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      • James Sane James Sane 3 years ago
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      • In my view, people are entitled to their opinions and one cannot please everybody. Some will like my stories but some won't and that's fine. For me, a review that is critical but honest about it (without resorting to personal insults) is not necessarily a "bad" review. As frustrating as it can be to read critical reviews, they can sometimes be helpful. After all, "He who makes no mistakes, makes nothing".

        Responding directly to critical/negative reviews (unless asked to) is a big No-No (especially if it's to complain). Appearing to accept and appreciate 'only positive reviews' will say more about you than it will about them.
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      • James Sane James Sane 3 years ago
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      • Fake reviews (from unscrupulous publishers, paid-for fake reviewers, and 'bots' ) that get a writer's hopes up.

        This can take various forms:

        1) From vanity publishers who tell writers how great their books are and that they will "will be the next big thing" to get them to part with a lot of money...only to deliver very little in return and the writer potentially more out of pocket than when they started.

        False prophets preaching false profits.

        2) Writers paying for 'positive reviews'. Why do this at all? It's similar to 'liking' your own Facebook comment. If your book is as good as you say it is, then you shouldn't need to pay people to say that. People can do that by themselves.
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