#tips & advice from etjwrites

[etjwrites]

Nano is fast approaching and with it comes the PHYSICAL danger of writing too much too fast.

Watch this vid for tips on preventing and mitigating potential damage to your hands!

Transcript coming soon.

[etjwrites]

A really great resource for writers!

[etjwrites]

UNSTICK Your Plot & SMASH Writer's Block

The 3rd & final part has arrived!

Here's where we go in-depth regarding structure, format, and the resources you'll need to write easily and confidently every time. 😁

The video is broken up into chapters so you can go directly to the sections that will help you the most!

Psst! Just like last time, there's also a REALLY detailed article for those of y'all who'd rather read. 😉

[etjwrites]

Also reminder that Unsplash is AWESOME for free stock pics. Pexels is good, but I was struggling to find some melanated photos for a thumbnail I was making and unsplash really came through on that front. 😁

[etjwrites]

FYI this works for summaries in general, so take note if you're planning on publishing original work as well!

me: *writes fic*

me: great! time to post to ao3-

ao3 summary box: *exists*

me: 

ao3 summary box:

me:

ao3 summary box: 

me:

[etjwrites]

UNSTICK Your Plot & SMASH Writer's Block

Part 2 is here!

If you often get really stuck in the middle of a story, then this is for you😃

Psst! Just like last time, There's also a REALLY detailed article for those of y'all who'd rather read. 😉

Please reblog and share!! I want this to reach as many struggling writers as it can!

[etjwrites]

Here it is, the official announcement for my upcoming 3-part miniseries on how to SMASH writer's block & UNSTICK your plot!

I answer all these questions and more, and strive to set you on the path of starting and finishing your first novel.

While aimed at newbie writers, the information and resources within can be helpful to any stage of a writer's storytelling journey. The series focuses mainly on fiction and novel writing, but does touch on aspects of non-fiction and other storytelling formats (especially in part 3) as well.

The series is going to be simultaneously released on youtube and in article form on my etjwrites website blog–I'll be providing links to each–so you can access the series in whichever format suits you best.

Please share this announcement, 1st vid goes up Monday!

I put a tonne of time and effort into this, I'm super pleased with how it turned out, I'm very excited to share it with y'all, and it's my dream and desire that it helps aspiring storytellers to push through any stumbling block and finish your novels. ❤️

(Author friends, please reshare this and help me spread the word! I'm hoping it'll help a lot of writers. 😊 Sorry if I tagged you elsewhere on SM already 😅)

@akindofmagictoo @adie-dee @leave-her-a-tome @zmlorenz @sheabutterskyes @gaslightwestern @ashen-crest @esbarrison-author @raiswanson @ratracechronicler @homesteadchronicles @christinawritesfiction @ardawyn @ajbrooks-writes

[etjwrites]

HI! YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, I HAVE ANSWERS!!

Part 1 in my series on how to write (without getting blocked) just went up, and the the next two parts are coming very shortly. 😃

Guys, I’m dying here — how does one plot?

Is there like, a system?? Should I just spout random crap until it starts making sense???wHAT DO I DO

[etjwrites]

Hello! Since you've made some videos with tips and tricks I thought I'd ask you, how do you format a manuscript with redacted words? Do I need a special font? I want it to appear as black boxes in the final print product. Thanks!

Thanks for the question nonnie!

As far as I know, the following method should work whether you're printing directly from your computer or exporting to PDF to work with a POD or other printing service. I used OpenOffice (my go-to since it's free and does basically everything MS Word can do) but you should be able to use any word processor of your choice, including google docs. Simply mouse over and select the parts of the text you would like to be "redacted" and make sure you set both the text AND the highlight options of your document to a black colour.

I've also included how to do this in html using limited CSS. I got the header code from the web guide "Take pride in your eBook formatting" by Guido Henkel, and have modified based on my own knowledge of html and what google tells me :) Feel free to copy and paste as needed.

The nice thing about using HTML is that you can then format your kindle book the same way, but the text will reflow on whatever device you export to to display correctly.

[etjwrites]

UNSTICK Your Plot & SMASH Writer's Block

It's here, it's here!!! The first vid in a three part mini-series designed to help newbie & struggling writers. 😁 Please share & help others out!

Psst! There's also a REALLY detailed article for those of y'all who'd rather read. 😉

Part 2 goes up next week so keep your eyes peeled for that!! ✌🏼

[etjwrites]

HOW TO TYPE AN EM/EN DASH

Guys, I just found this and am shook! It works!!!

[etjwrites]

Eh, it depends. For numbers 1-99 they can be written out, but once you get into the three digits it tends to revert to numerals.

This also can change based on whether you're using APA, Chicago, or MLA writing styles, as each serves a different function and is used for different types of writing (scientific, essays, fiction, etc.) so always consult your style guide if you want to be certain!

The second writing tip I got from my English teacher is when you're writing a story/essay and you want to sound as professional as possible,

Write numbers in letter form.

Example: fourteen instead of 14.

[etjwrites]

Can You Revise While Actively Drafting??

For a pantser like me, ABSOLUTELY. It's not that I specifically try to do it while drafting per se, more that (if I'm feeling particularly inspired), the sentences just burst out, rearranging themselves in my head before I've finished typing them, and if I recogise that the second (or third, or fourth!) configuration is better than the first thing I started to type, who am I to deny my instincts?

Or I get an awesome idea for something that definitely is going to be included in the second draft. I plunk that idea down, and keep writing as if that new canon has been there all along, mentally revising the story from a structural standpoint.

So for all of you who like to edit as you go, and find that it helps your process instead of hindering it, you have my permission! Now go, and have fun writing! Get that WIP finished!

[etjwrites]

Hey there! Are you considering writing dual or multi POV? Not quite sure how to make it work? Then this video is for you! 😃

Head on over to the ETJ Writes Youtube channel to watch the rest or check out the article version of this video:

Feel free to add your own tips!

[etjwrites]

So this is a thing I'm doing today; if you're in the area, come on down and say hi! 😁📚

[etjwrites]

Came across this quote from Bruce Lee, and it applies to so many different aspects of life, but especially resonated with me as a writer, since there is an overwhelming amount of writing advice out there, and not all of it useful.

Agree, disagree? 🤔 Let me know your thoughts!