The usual question is when do you listen to beta-readers and when do you not. The reasoning put forward for the latter action is usually that, beta-readers are human and sometimes they are wrong. And the advice on how to know? See if more than one beta-reader said the same thing. That may be reasonableContinueContinue reading “Why have Beta-Readers if you’re Going to Ignore them?”
Category Archives: writing
Should you Finish Your Stories?
Well, you definitely should finish some of them. If you don’t you’ll never have anything published. I also do think you should finish most things. In part because endings are critical to a solid story, and if you only finish the really good stories, you won’t get in the practice on making the endings stick.ContinueContinue reading “Should you Finish Your Stories?”
View From the Other Side of the Slush Pile
So I slush read for two spec fiction magazines and have done so prior for one other. Without divulging anything sensitive or non-public, I thought it might be interesting to people to hear at least a little about what being a slush reader is like. Slush piles are different. Editors are different. Processes are different.ContinueContinue reading “View From the Other Side of the Slush Pile”
Writing with COVID
So don’t worry, this post isn’t really about COVID. Or not exactly anyway. It’s about adapting our writing and goals when life gets in the way. The reason for the title is just that COVID is the latest one of ‘lifes mishaps’ that has impacted my writing life. Coming back from vacation I had grandContinueContinue reading “Writing with COVID”
Video Game Psychology for Writers: Achieving Writing Goals through Gamification
I have been fortunate to write guest blog posts before for SFWA on science, and my latest one is on using the psychological science utilized in video games to help you meet your writing goals. The link to it is below. I hope you enjoy, and as always, please do reach out to me directlyContinueContinue reading “Video Game Psychology for Writers: Achieving Writing Goals through Gamification”
Reading Like a Writer: Unveiling the Secrets of Craft
For writers especially, reading isn’t just about enjoyment; it’s a powerful tool for us to refine our craft. But how do you do this? When you read like a writer, you should delve deeper into the mechanics of storytelling, character development, and language use. Here’s some tips people have shared with me, on how toContinueContinue reading “Reading Like a Writer: Unveiling the Secrets of Craft”
Creating Your Own DIY Writers Workshop
There are lots of different kinds of writers’ workshop. Some are intense 6 week in person retreats whereas others are an hour or two at a writers convention. Some are focused on novels, some on short stories, some on specific aspects of craft. And though there are many commercial versions (Clarion, Clarion West, Viable Paradise,ContinueContinue reading “Creating Your Own DIY Writers Workshop”
Navigating Writing Conferences as an Introvert
As I prepare to go to Readercon next week, this topic is heavily on my mind. Speaking personally, as an introvert, attending writing conferences can be both exhilarating and exhausting. They offer invaluable opportunities for learning, networking, and gaining insights into the publishing world. Here are strategies to make the most of a writing conferenceContinueContinue reading “Navigating Writing Conferences as an Introvert”
Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 3 (Reviews)
When I originally wrote this blog post it ended up too long for a single post, so I have split it up into ‘groups’ as I think of them, and will post them in sequence. Today, Reviews. If you are going to write, then almost certainly at some point you are going to have toContinueContinue reading “Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 3 (Reviews)”
Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 2 (Critique Partners and Beta-readers)
When I originally wrote this blog post it ended up too long for a single post, so I have split it up into ‘groups’ as I think of them, and will post them in sequence. Today, Critique Partners and Beta-readers. If you are going to write, then almost certainly at some point you are goingContinueContinue reading “Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 2 (Critique Partners and Beta-readers)”
Gideon P. Smith 