Group Brainstorming for Success

A structured group brainstorming session can be an essential addition to an author’s toolkit

By Sherri Shackelford
Posted on 7/1/2018

Brainstorming in a group setting is a tried-and-true method for generating new ideas. Tapping into the creativity of fellow writers can be key to unlocking dynamic plots. For authors who produce multiple books each year, harnessing the power of diverse, creative minds guards against stale writing. Despite having the words “unrestrained” and “spontaneous” in the definition of “brainstorming,” organization and structure are necessary for success.

How the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Will Affect You

A breakdown of the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and what it means for writers

By Diane Kelly
Poste don 7/1/2018

Note: The following information applies to writers who operate as a sole proprietorship or limited liability company that reports on a Schedule C for U.S. income tax purposes. An incorporated writing business may be subject to different rules.

Ageless and Evergreen: Web Links that Never Change

How to create links that don’t change—even when the data behind them does

By Mindy Klasky
Posted on 7/1/2018

Here’s a pop quiz: Which came first, the book or the marketing for that book? The answer, of course, is that they evolve simultaneously. Authors typically build excitement about new releases well before books are available for sale.

Have You Considered a Writer Residency?

Get a vital boost to your writing just by changing your surroundings

By Tina Radcliffe
Posted on 7/1/2018

Have you ever imagined packing your bags and leaving the cares of your daily grind behind to focus solely on your writing in an environment that nurtures your creative soul? If so, then consider a writing residency.

Romance Law School Is Now in Session

How to include the law in your fiction in a realistic manner

By Adele Buck
Posted on 6/1/2018

If lawyers have a favorite phrase, it must be, “It depends.” The law can be a complex and shifting area. A single fact can change the outcome of a case. So, if something sounds simple, it’s likely not. But there are some legal plot points that arise in fiction from time to time that range from extremely unlikely to flat-out false.

Writing Fearlessly

How to write the book only you can write—and write it fearlessly.

By Jane McBride Choate
Posted on 6/1/2018

Most writers dream of writing fearlessly, yet many shy away from doing just that. The reasons are as varied as writers themselves: fear of being rejected, fear of looking foolish, fear of others’ opinions, etc.

Fifty Ways to Show the Spark Without the Heat

Hallmark Publishing’s Stacey Donovan and Rhonda Merwarth share tips on how to show chemistry between characters while keeping it “chaste”

By Stacey Donovan and Rhonda Merwarth
Posted on 6/1/2018

At Hallmark Publishing, we’re acquiring sweet romances similar to movies on the Hallmark channels. The attraction between two characters isn’t primarily physical. Sure, one main character may think the other one is handsome or adorable, but their attention doesn’t linger long on well-defined biceps or alluring cleavage. They don’t even think about what they’d like to do to the other person in the bedroom, let alone actually do it, even behind closed doors. A kiss, or a few, is as far as the physical connection ever goes.

A-Game Advice: Card Holder

Card holder: the pros and throes of business cards

By Damon Suede
Posted on 6/1/2018

A-game Advice is a monthly column offering practical tips for winning promo that fits your personal style, strategy, and measure of success.

Transition to Success: Side Hustles, Day Jobs, and Keeping the Lights On

Side hustles, day jobs, and keeping the lights on

By Donna Alward
Posted on 6/1/2018

In my January column, I talked about a pivotal moment for me when I “stood in my truth” and realized I had to do something differently with my career. I’d been living in an “if we can just get through to next month” mentality for too long, and I didn’t realize that I’d got myself into a big ol’ rut. Doing the same thing over and over wasn’t working (you know, that old definition of insanity? That was me.). Tawna Fenske hit the nail on the head when she said, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a career author, it’s that our income can vary wildly, and we have little control over market shifts.” I decided I needed to look for at least a part-time day job to help stabilize our finances.

Proofreading Hats

Round out your writer’s toolkit by improving your proofreading skills

By Christie Gibson
Posted on 6/1/2018

So, you’ve got the talent and passion to write. Maybe you just completed your first manuscript, or you’re a pro and just finished your twentieth novel. Regardless, congratulations! Being a romance writer is the most awesome career in the universe!