Writing Tips and Writerly Musings

Like many writers, I've known what I wanted to do since childhood, and I've always known I'd need a dayjob. But, I didn't recognize how hard it would be to break into publishing in the first place. To be honest? This is taking longer than I wanted. So, let's talk about one writer's path -- or at least, one writer's roadblocks. If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Joi...

Bookshelves are packed with volumes about how to properly submit your manuscripts, but how does professionalism function in real-world publishing relationships? Moreover, what defines professionalism from culture to culture?_ =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivit...

Whether you've been writing for a while or dreaming of getting away and actually having time to write, many of us have wondered if a writer's workshop was right for us. Here are the vetted ones mentioned: Clarion - Established in 1968 at Clarion State College (now University) in Pennsylvania. The workshop is now in University CA, San Diego. Clarion West - Founded by Clarion alum in 1971 and based...

Trilogies and longer series seem to dominate the market regardless of genre. From a craft perspective, how do you set up a successful series from the start, with characters that continue to be interesting five books in, and plots that are sustainable across hundreds of thousands of words? At what point in your career does it make sense to pitch a series? =============================== If you find...

Most publishers are in it for the love of books. Yes, even the acquiring editors, the marketing team, and the contract specialists. It's a labor of love that hopefully breaks even. But! That doesn't mean there aren't some problematic publishing companies out there. Whether you go with traditional publishing or small press, you need to be careful. =============================== If you find my cont...

As writers, we're always refining and adjusting our processes, trying to figure out what works best for this novel, today. Me? I finished up a round of revisions this weekend, and tossed them off to beta readers -- but I might have been too hasty. Of course, no two writers work the same and the best process is what works for you. But, here are some of the mistakes I've made, and a few I've managed...

Everyone is putting out content these days. Should you join the masses? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivity' Sprints" on YT/Twitch, where sometimes we're productive, and sometimes we're not, but we always bring snacks. If you're looking for an agent, check out...

With a mother who was a children's librarian and did the best bedtime stories, I've always been fascinated with audiobook narration. As an adult, I've dabbled in voice acting with the fairytale podcast, Anansi Storytime (Anansi, like the spider). So, how do you get started with audiobook narration, how do authors find a narrator for their works, and should you ever record your own stories?_ ======...

Heroes and villains step aside: We're here to talk about your lieutenants, your seconds in command, your BFF, your life partners. What is the purpose of these characters? What are their demographics and what are the characteristics of the best ones? Recommendations: (w/sponsored links? I forgot I could do that. So far, I've made 0 cents off that thing) Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots The Goblin Em...

From werewolf clans to alien hives, authors shared the most imaginative and thought-provoking examples of family structures in genre works. Here are the recommendations: Books of the Raksura by Martha Wells Murderbot also by Martha Wells The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey The Deepest Rift by Ruthanna Emrys The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester The Alliance-Union series by C.J. Cherryh No Gods,...

The good, the bad, and the bumping uglies. Writing a compelling sex scene that moves the plot forward without turning your work into erotica is a balancing act. Where you fade to black depends on your audience and your own writing style. Authors share how to depict "the act" in your writing. The recommendations were: Our Share of the Night by Mariana Enriquez The Incubus series by A. H. Lee The Kn...

The more issues the characters face in a novel, the bigger the story feels. Yet the subplot can’t take over the book. Here are 5 tips for writing better subplots. The suggested titles were: The Invisible Life of Addie LeRue by VE Schwab Luckenbooth by Jenni Fagan Norman Mailer for his twisty plots Mayor of Easttown =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it wi...

How getting the science right improves a story, types of science you can use, and aiming your story for the right audience. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivity' Sprints" on YT/Twitch, where sometimes we're productive, and sometimes we're not, but we always bri...

The reluctant hero: Not every protagonist wants to be the hero of the story. How do doubt and hesitation develop heroic characters, and how does reluctance change over the course of a narrative? Here are tips on: motivations to demur ways they're relatable - favorite tropes If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday After...

Everyone loves free stuff, but authors need to pay the bills. Can you make money by giving your work away, and if so, how do you choose what to distribute for free? What tools and metrics can you use to show a publisher or business partner that the work that you give away for free is driving sales? The panelists were Brenda Clough, Leonardo (Leo) Espinoza Benavides, Jean Marie Ward, and Donald Ekp...

I'm still going to push forward with this trick, but it's less effective at times. How do you do it? (note: this episode was recorded back when I was still associating with the now-defunct NaNoWriMo challenge. These days, I still do the challenge, just with my own friends.) If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday After...

=============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivity' Sprints" on YT/Twitch, where sometimes we're productive, and sometimes we're not, but we always bring snacks. If you're looking for an agent, check out My Agent Database on Patreon, where for $1/month you can have access to...

You Get Agency, and You Get Agency – EVERYBODY Gets Agency! If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivity' Sprints" on YT/Twitch, where sometimes we're productive, and sometimes we're not, but we always bring snacks. If you're looking for an agent, check out My Agent Database on Patreon, where for $1/...

The reluctant hero is a solid staple of fiction and comic books. How do you write the heroes who never wanted to be, what motivates them, how to maintain their reluctance throughout a whole series, and how to make them relatable to readers. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afterno...

One of the main things that can make or break a novel is it's pacing. How can you get it right? If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivity' Sprints" on YT/Twitch, where sometimes we're productive, and sometimes we're not, but we always bring snacks. If you're looking for an agent, check out My Agen...

Welcome back for Season 10 of "Writing Tips and Writerly Musings", with writing tips from the big names, the medium names, and everyone else, plus, of course, my own writerly musings. I'm your host, Morgan Hazelwood and this season, I'm back with tips about writing the reluctant hero, the very alien, publishing, and more, so get ready, and hang on tight, and thanks for listening. =================...

Back in January of 2024, I had no clue how bad my executive dysfunction was going to get and I set all these resolutions. Looking back, I just have to laugh at some, but I didn't do too poorly on others. How much progress have you made on your goals? If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivity' Spri...

While resolutions aren't for everyone, I like to set out plans and intentions for the year. Fingers crossed that I'm being realistic. Do you make resolutions? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivity' Sprints" on YT/Twitch, where sometimes we're productive, and som...

If I lose this key, it really doesn't go well. Ask me how I know. Note: This episode was originally recorded before the NaNoWriMo challenge imploded, but I'm still participating in a November Writing challenge with my friends. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivi...

So often, you hear writers talking about their word goals -- how many words they want to write in a day/week/month/year. But, there's another limit we don't always think about... =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Lazy Sunday Afternoon 'Productivity' Sprints" on YT/Twitch, where sometimes we're...