Writing Rules – Do Authors Have to Adhere to Them?

Yet another great post from Tanya.

T. R. Robinson Publications

Reference to ‘Writing Rules’ regularly appears in author and writer related discussions, posts and articles. Nevertheless, the so called ‘rules’ are not usually listed, leaving readers with no option but to surmise what they are.

It is in fact not easy to find such a list, however, a search of the internet, and through multiple websites and blogs, has enabled the following summary to be put together. Of course there may be other ‘rules’ readers of this article may consider merit inclusion but for the purpose of this discussion the following provide an effective basis. The so called rules (10), together with some brief observations:

Rule 1: Write what known

Naturally, the ethos behind this makes sense however, it can be limiting. Everyone starts life with a primarily blank canvas. Of course, there will be some character and personality traits but overall all subsequent knowledge is gained through example, education…

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How WordPress Powers the Internet (Infographic)

Have to say I’ve always liked WordPress and if I can work it, anyone can!

Nicholas C. Rossis

When I first started working on the Internet, back in the mid-90s, we had to code everything by hand. And I mean, everything. You couldn’t even write a simple “Hello World” without a dozen lines of code.

Fast-forward to today’s WordPress-powered blogs and websites and the difference couldn’t be starker. Even though my coding experience has proven invaluable time and again, it’s now possible to develop in a single day a website that would have taken me at least a week back then. Months, if I wanted to use some of the fancier elements that are now available at the click of a button!

And it still amazes me that it’s all free! So, this is my way of saying “thank-you” to Automattic and the WordPress team for making my life so much easier–and productive. Many thanks to Hosting Tribunalfor the excellent infographic!

And if you like my site…

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Seriously flawed standards

The very sad truth.

Two on a Rant

Now, on a serious note.

I happened upon a writer on Twitter and Facebook:

Dakota Willink

Her Twitter introduction:  “Amazon Int’l Bestselling Romance Author | Survived my 1st publishing with coffee & wine | Music Lover | Star Wars Geek Since Birth.”

She explains how non-writers are scamming the system at Amazon

and

graciously allowed me to reprint (aka copy/paste) her post.

<_><_><_>

I need to tell a story – it’s going to be a long one, so settle in if you’re interested in hearing it.

I began writing my first book in 2013. I self-published it on December 27, 2015. I was new to the business and I literally knew nothing. I made my own cover, which I’m embarrassed of now. But hey – I was brand spanking new and was learning as I went. And yes, there were typos galore in this first book. My January 2016 sales…

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More Challenges Faced by Indie Authors

Food for thought, lots of good points.

Author Don Massenzio

This is the second in a series of posts centered on the challenges faced by indie authors as we try to compete in the vast ocean of competitors/cohorts that is filled with sharks and other predators. Here are more that I’ve come up with to get you thinking and to foster a discussion:

The Stigma of Self-Publishing

I refrain from calling what we do self-publishing. I am an independent author. My publisher is Amazon. Instead of having services provided to me by a traditional publisher, I outsource them to providers that fit within my budget and style.

I recall trying to join a local author group and being refused because I was “one of those self-publishers”. Truth be told, I had essentially published more books than the total of all of the authors in the group. Many of them were waiting for some big publisher to say yes. Of those…

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A TRAILER AND YOUTH TRIALS

I was so thrilled with my very first video trailer which is for the Amie series, so I just can’t resist sharing it with you again, although I understand that over a thousand people have already seen it.

(Oh gosh that worked, such a great surprise!) Huge thanks to the very talented Susan Darlene Faw.

On a more serious note February 6^th is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

Yes, I know that it’s a subject that makes people squirm, like those personal adds that pop up in the middle of the Saturday night movie.

Despite that I chose it as a central theme in Amie Cut for Life – is it the teacher in me? Not exactly, I just wanted to raise awareness among the population that the practice of female circumcision is going on and, in some areas even spreading.

I’ve done lots of research on this for the book – and the subject matter there is handled very sensitively it’s an adventure story after all – and if it helps to spread the word … in classrooms, police stations, in communities and to mothers who may be planning to have their children cut.

Check out the slides below there is not one good reason for mutilating young children.

I read that the practice is not confined to Africa, the Middle East and Indonesia, but among those communities now living in Europe and America. The UK has pledged £50m to help end FGM across Africa by 2030 which hopefully will help but it’s also prevalent in other parts of the world.

Supporters are mothers and family members who believe that girls need this to make them suitable for marriage. It will also prevent them from unfaithfulness and ensure they remain pure for their future husbands.

The good news is the first successful prosecution in the UK where a mother had her daughter aged 3 circumcised. She will be sentenced in March. I hope it will be a warning to others. So that makes the one point in that slide above out of date, but I compiled that a year ago.

I think I’d better stop now before I really began to rant!

Check out the book, I think you’ll enjoy it.

myBook.to/Ac4L

Actually, if you have read this far, the above statement is also a lie! I have 10 ARC copies of book 5 Amie Savage Safari – due out on Feb 26th. Anyone interested?  Drop me an email lucinda@lucindaeclarke.com

Till next time, take care.

Lucinda