Writing Tips and Writerly Musings

The publishing industry uses a lot of terms, and none of them can quite agree on a definition. But, if you're trying to get published, you need to know the difference between a logline and a query letter. =============================== 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/Twi...

Why would someone want to be traditionally published instead of dodging the massive gatekeepers and leaning into the supportive Small Press and Indie communities? (Of course, all this talk doesn't mean I'm not excited to work with small presses as well...) =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! Join me Sunday afternoons for "Morgan's Laz...

Welcome back for Season 9 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 the publishing industry, my own writerly realizations, and craft advice from the pros! I know season 8 had a long hiatus, but I'm gla...

I've got one almost quick tip to get yourself sorted when you've got a rough draft that just kinda fizzled out... NOTE! This episode was recorded prior to the NaNoWriMo implosion. Morgan has been disassociated from NaNoWriMo since November of 2024. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New pod...

Have you ever wanted to sit down and write, but your focus was shot and you just kept dithering instead? One shortcut many writers have found that works for them is the use of writing rituals. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musi...

In the dream world, we'd sit in front of notebooks and words would flow to the pages, never needing edits or revisions, and nothing would ever interrupt us. Unfortunately, this is the real world. Here are tips on managing to get your writing in, and ways to support your writing. Here are tips, from seasoned authors, on how to balance your personal life with a writing career. ======================...

Everyone talks about the importance of "strong verbs", and Stephen King is infamously quoted as recommending getting rid of your adverbs. So, let's do a quick grammar refresher and see exactly how to do this for your writing. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at "...

"Learn the ins and outs of what goes into creating a great comic book!" Or, at least, my notes from panelists talking about what they think makes a great comic book. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: The occasi...

Meisner is an acting method with the focus of staying in the moment and responding to present circumstances. By applying the basics of Meisner, authors can resolve or worsen the conflict, build deep characters, and avoid plot holes while staying dynamic, present, and responsive in their manuscript. While I usually don't usually write up workshops, I have to gush about the titular workshop with Ian...

A discussion on tips, steps, and guidelines to follow when writing for an anthology - Notes from Imaginarium. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: The occasional blogpost sharing " Writing Tips & Writerly Musi...

Tips from romance writers on how to write an enchanting love story that is fresh and will leave your readers wanting more. The 12 Stages of Intimacy: https://jamigold.com/2019/10/romance-beats-vs-12-stages-of-intimacy/ =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writin...

What if the creatures of folklore existed alongside us? How would we need to rearrange our taxonomic systems to incorporate them? What sorts of diseases would we need to watch out for? And what could you do to keep them away from your magnolias? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcas...

Learn how to create compelling characters for your story, here are 8 techniques for getting to know your characters =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: Rerun YT videos & Blogposts sharing more " Writing Tips...

Writers often are full of ideas and have an ever-growing list of projects to work on. Day-to-day life can get distracting and staying focused long enough to finish drafting and polishing a project can be an ongoing challenge. Here are some tips and tricks from other writers on staying focused. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm p...

Someone’s read your work in progress… and they have feedback. How do you know what should be worked in, and how can you do it so that changes feel consistent with what you’ve written? How can you deal with conflicting suggestions? What’s the difference between constructive feedback and a reader’s personal preference? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it...

The three-act structure has been the standard in Western storytelling for millenia. How can we create innovative, exciting work in a format the audience is expecting? How do we make the middle part powerful and lasting when most of the attention-grabbing moments are at the beginning and end? The Setup The Conflict The Resolution Resources: https://www.dailywritingtips.com/three-act-structure (basi...

Language exists to share a thought or concept. If you manage to do that? Congrats! You've used a REAL word. At least in my opinion. =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: Rerun YT videos & Blogposts sharing more...

It’s a jungle out there for new writers. Do you know the difference between a real publisher and a vanity press? What kind of scams are currently circulating? What rights are you giving away when you sign that contract… or even enter that contest? Panelists will give advice on how to navigate these and other pitfalls and give information on resources and communities that can help you out. Things T...

How do you deal with rejection? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: Rerun YT videos & Blogposts sharing more " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Sundays: Productivity Sprints on YT/Twitch You can find me...

Otherwise known as "Tales from a form rejection letter connoisseur" How many of these have you gotten? Any I missed? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: Rerun YT videos & Blogposts sharing more " Writing Tips...

When you're writing a story, you need to pick a point of view. (POV) First, second, or third? Close or omniscient? And whose story are you telling? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: Rerun YT videos & Blogpo...

When your words aren't flowing, sometimes that means you should mix things up. Have you tried using your phone and these 5 tips? =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: Rerun YT videos & Blogposts sharing more "...

Writing Query Letters seems intimidating, but it's just a business letter. Past the gimmicks and bios, here are the 5 things you really need. https://queryshark.blogspot.com/ =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episodes here at " Writing Tips & Writerly Musings " Thursdays: R...

While many publishing terms are used to mean multiple things, these are a few basic concepts that the industry mostly agrees on. Querying The Query Letter Comps Pitch or Logline High concept/low concept Slush pile Submissions SASE R&R =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Mondays: New podcast episo...

There are many emotional states that a querying author goes through. So, let’s explore a few of them through song. https://youtu.be/Ic7NqP_YGlg https://youtu.be/lYqvy31w8f4 https://youtu.be/NI6aOFI7hms https://youtu.be/a-C9pUGszsw https://youtu.be/xo1VInw-SKc =============================== If you find my content of value, please share it with your friends! I'm putting out content most days! Monda...