Using Writing Prompts

There's many Insta / Tumblr pages now that focus solely on giving vague writing prompts for people, and although they do well in regards to likes/comments, they can be quite limiting.

I feel that whenever I see a writing prompt, I make a quick idea in my head and it goes no further, but who is to say someone else didn't immediately follow the same thought? It's a little exercise to get your brain going, but personally, I definitely wouldn't risk trying to base a story around one. It's a bit of quick fun at best - but it does have it's benefits - writing prompts can trigger other story ideas, or lead you on a train of thought that could help with other projects on the go.

If I ever see a writing prompt that leads my brain on a thought - I run with it and see what I can create - but the ones I have come across seem very limiting, or uninspired, or just completely wild and I feel I can't do anything with it. They would be a good jump off point for high school essay projects or as a creative ice breaking task before writing something else - but I've never got too far with a writing prompt idea, if I ever do, I'll be sure to tell the world.

The positive about writing prompts, is that it could lead you in a completely different direction - which could inspire a project that's a safe enough distance from the prompt that you can go anywhere with it. I'm yet to see one that's inspired me.

I suggest exploring writing prompt pages, to see if anything sparks your creativity. Best of luck.

1). Following. 2). A 3). Word 4). Count

Obviously, if you have to work to a limit for someone, stick to it - don't sacrifice writing jobs because you don't like following a word count.

You may see other writers posting about how many words they have managed to write in a short period of time, and as a result, feel inadequate. Don't. Everyone writes differently, I don't use a word count for projects, nor do I set goals for how many words I plan to write in a set limit of time.

Word counts can be used to structure an essay, article, novel, etc, and having a deadline can put added pressure on writing. Writing can be painful as it is without a combination of a time limit AND needing a certain number of words. I feel if some days you are more creative than others, you're going to feel like a let down if you have an off day.

If you do choose to set a limit, ensure it's reasonable and not a project for someone else, that way you don't have a deadline to write it in. If you pass your daily goal, fantastic, if not, it doesn't matter, you're testing the water. I'd say do a dummy run, so when you're feeling particularly productive, pull a number out of the air and start writing. You then have the opportunity to see how long it takes you, how comfortable you are writing that much, and see if setting a word count is for you.

I don't work to one, I'd honestly prefer not to - in regards to my novel, I'm playing it by ear so when it is complete and I give it a run through and seems too short or too long, I'll deal with this in the editing stages of writing. If I get a writing job, I tend to write as much as I need to - but then chop and change when it's done.

Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!

You don't know pain like sending off a piece of work, then finding a typo the second it's sent.
Heartbreaking.

You can get other people to have a read through, or use a spell checker, but unfortunately, some things can be overlooked. I have only sent one essay off with a typo, so far, but I was fortunate to contact immediately and had the chance to rectify the mistake before the submission was accepted and the deadline was still open.

Proofreading seems like an obvious thing to do when writing, but as I said words can be overlooked, especially when you've added an extra word, your spell check may not flag the mistake, and your brain may completely miss it when having a quick skim when writing.
I've learnt to write, edit twice, proofread, and then have beta readers involved to avoid any typos slipping through. It's also a good way to hear your work whilst you're writing it - reading aloud whilst writing has helped me notice the words I've used.

Tip: Writing in comic sans apparently helps you notice mistakes, and makes you write more!

Revisiting A WIP : Spitting Ducks

I may have mentioned my sketch show idea, Spitting Ducks, last year or so. I was hoping to film parts of it just to get the hang of things, and a feel for directing a comedy.

The sketch show was written, edited and left in my notes - mainly due to the fact I didn't have any money at all to even hire filming equipment, never mind get anything made. Spitting Ducks is a daytime television parody sketch show - it takes television shows and mangles them, either with puns or taking it dark.

I had to dig out the notes recently, as I was inspired by the new series of Channel Four's Lee And Dean to get back into comedy. (If you've not seen Lee And Dean, you should! Come for the comedy, stay for the incomparable facial expressions).

Anyway, the notes I went through don't seem relevant anymore, or some ideas just come off as desperate or are spoofs of programmes that are no longer on television, and feel long forgotten. I'm glad I didn't throw it away though, as there is more good ideas I can work on than there is bad ideas. I am confident with 80% of the sketches - but there is always room to polish the positives.

I've decided to keep the title of Spitting Ducks, and will be leaving this open to work on as often as possible - I WILL get it perfect, it will be filmed, and I will bother as many people as I can with it.

4am Creative Writing

Being woken up at 4am isn't always fun. Who are we kidding, it's never fun being woken up, no matter what time it is!

Unfortunately, this is quite frequent these days, so I put my time to good use. I have been spending the early hours of the morning writing! Poetry, story ideas, and for the first time in a while - a complete children's story. I managed to write a full rhyming story in the hour and a half I was rudely awoken. When I woke up at a reasonable hour, I sent off the note to my beta reader ( ... my poor unsuspecting husband!) and had some good feedback.

No typos, no plotholes, no confusion.
How on earth did I do that when my brain doesn't want to work?

The story is called, 'Do Your Homework, Sally Dean!', I'm hoping to sit on it for a until the end of the year, or the beginning of next year, then release it - but I know for a fact I'm going to be overly excited and try to publish it as soon as I have the finances! (If you see me promoting a book with that title in a few months, call me out!)
I am making sure I put a pin in all future ideas and notes - they will either become future writing projects, or something to reflect on and wonder how I got anything at all done on so little sleep.

#WritingCommunity

It's so amazing that so many platforms use the hashtag, #WritingCommunity - I have used it several times to plug my work, get some feedback, connect with other indie writers and answer other people's questions.
I'm not as active on there as I'd like to be - as I often feel out of my depth dishing out advice and information to writers who have way more experience than me.

There are some cool folk on there who promote work, and help other writers get more followers and attention - which is so helpful to indies.
You don't realise how much you actually expand your audience when you use the hashtag, there are so many supportive people who will take the time to have a look at your work - so make sure you return the favour! I tend to like or retweet whenever I browse the hashtag, or even joining in with threads that I feel comfortable contributing to.
I love reading peoples ideas and WIPS, or learning about their book characters.
People come up with the most incredible plots and are happy to share for feedback.

The community is very accepting and welcoming to new writers, even if you've not written anything as yet, they are willing to advise, guide and answer any questions you may have.

Finding Feedback - The Struggle

It's fairly difficult to source your own book bloggers for feedback, and being an indie only makes it worse. Here's how I went about finding people willing.

I had to contact people on several different social media sites to find people willing to fit my work in to their busy To Be Read list.
You can't expect people to drop what they're doing to deal with you.
The people I spoke to were writers, bloggers, book reviewers, parents and carers, and people who enjoy children's literature, and fortunately, I managed to get some feedback.

Some of the feedback I received were posted on the social media that I had contacted them on, so I had featured on their Instagram stories, was retweeted on Twitter, and the cover of my book reposted on Tumblr. Not all feedback comes to Amazon - that's why you have to share their feedback on your own, as others may not see it. It's always good to request that they share their comments on Amazon, if they can, bonus, if they can't, it doesn't matter, they've spent time giving your work feedback, so you should take the time thanking them, sharing their words, and returning the favour if possible.

Don't go into thinking that people owe you anything. Yes, you have a new book. Yes, it's super exciting. Yes, the people you contact do this for a living. It doesn't mean they read your genre, or they prefer books that aren't indie, or they just don't have time - some people make a living from reviews, and therefore would expect a payment for their time. If you cannot pay them - don't ask them. I don't pay for reviews, as I feel you'd want more bang for your buck, and expect a glowing review as your hard earned money went towards it - which may not be completely honest or reflective of your work.

Top tip: Do not expect the review to be perfect and sparkly, they see your work in a different light and will point out the flaws, imperfections, and will inform you of their opinion - it's honest work, and it's better to hear the truth from someone who has built a career on book reviews, than to be told it's amazing and that feedback being useless to you.

Indie Writer : Dealing With Imposter Syndrome

I've posted twice about experiencing imposter syndrome. There's genuinely a horrible feeling of playing pretend when you're trying to follow your dreams and getting nowhere fast.
I've seen a few people posting about it in the Twitter Writing Community, which is comforting to know I'm not the only one, but it's also awful knowing that so many talented people feel like this when it comes to writing.

It can come in different forms, feeling like you're not being taken seriously as a writer, looking at your own work and thinking it's absolute rubbish, thinking your work will be overlooked because you're 'a nobody', or even when looking for writing jobs and not applying because you're not a household name.

Writing is hard, it always has been and it always will be - and unfortunately, Imposter Syndrome seems to follow not far behind whenever you start a writing project.
Yet, it's not permanent. Whenever I get excited that work was accepted, or I run with a new idea, or when a project is finished, it goes. Know it's not forever, it never shows it's face when you're on an up - I know it's often a long time between good news, but point stands, enthusiasm seems to curb the idea you're an imposter.
Chin up, crack on, and understand it's temporary.

Amazon Bestseller : The Maths

Ever wanted to work out how books reach the Top 100 on Amazon? They have a Best Sellers Ranking system which gives each book a number - this number changes with reviews, sales, and other books being added on to the Amazon website. So, I was wondering what it would take to hit the Top 100 from standing...

My best sellers ranking (at the minute) is 130,706.
So, I would need to have at least 130,606 reviews or sales within a limited period - as I said, if more books are added the book can be knocked back. (ARGH!)
I have approx. 450 Facebook friends, and 750 Twitter followers.
Providing there is no cross over with accounts, that's 1,200 people - so even if they purchased the book or left a review, it wouldn't scratch the surface. To smash this realistically, you'll need the best advertising and promotional team going - but who has the money for this?

It's near impossible - in my opinion - for an indie author, to promote, advertise and even know enough people to have them ALL help accomplish this goal.
I'm still attempting to boost the ranking number - for a personal achievement / for fun - it gives me something to work towards with this book.
The ranking doesn't mean the content of the book is no good - don't forget this!

Want to try and help bump my number up?
Grab The Macroodelzig on Amazon now!

Writing Projects : Knock Backs.

I'm not going to be one of those people who only blogs about the good news and the success in terms of my work - it's not what being a writer is. I'd rather be honest about it than put on a front - not everything is handed to you, and so it shouldn't be.

You will apply for things and get knocked back, you will enter your work and it be rejected, you will spend a long time working for it to be a none starter. It happens. If it didn't happen you wouldn't grow as a person, you wouldn't put more effort in, your writing wouldn't go anywhere.

I've seen today that the filming opportunity I applied for has closed, and the chosen projects have been informed. Meaning my short film idea wasn't taken on.
Of course I'm gutted.
But what can you do?

..You can crack on, that's what!
I have a filming project that I can work on, and film when I fancy. It's not the end of a project, just because one opportunity doesn't choose your work.
Take it on the chin and put it down to experience. Onwards and upwards - as always!