Writers On Writing: An Author's Guide Vol. 1

by Joe Mynhardt (Editor), Jack Ketchum, Brian Hodge

Learn the craft of writing from those who know it best.

This is Writers On Writing – An Author’s Guide, where your favorite authors share their secrets in the ultimate guide to becoming – and being – an author.

In this first volume you’ll find in-depth essays from authors such as Jack Ketchum, Brian Hodge, Mercedes M. Yardley, Tim Waggoner, Jasper Bark, Kevin Lucia, Monique Snyman, Todd Keisling, and Dave-Brendon de Burgh. Edited by Joe Mynhardt.

“The Infrastructure of the Gods: 11 Signposts for Going all the Way” by Brian Hodge

“The Writer’s Purgatory: Between Finishing the First Draft and Submitting the Manuscript” by Monique Snyman

“Why Rejection is Still Important” by Kevin Lucia

“Real Writers Steal Time” by Mercedes M. Yardley

“What Right Do I Have to Write” by Jasper Bark

“Go Pace Yourself” by Jack Ketchum

“A Little Infusion of Magic” by Dave-Brendon de Burgh

“Never Look Away: Confronting Your Fears in Fiction” by Todd Keisling

“Once More With Feeling” by Tim Waggoner

Writers On Writing is an ongoing series of 15,000 to 20,000 word eBooks, with original ‘On Writing’ essays by writing professionals. A new edition will be launched every few months. Future volumes will include essays by the likes of Kealan Patrick Burke, Richard Thomas, Mark Scioneaux, Rena Mason, J.G. Faherty, William Meikle, Lucy A. Snyder, Kate Jonez, Chantal Noordeloos, Taylor Grant, Gary McMahon, Lori Michelle, Robert W. Walker, Brian Kirk, Lisa Morton, Lynda E. Rucker, Maria Alexander, and many more.

Writers On Writing give young authors the guidance they need, but has advice for all authors, from the interested newbie to the seasoned veteran (sounds delicious, right?). This ongoing series of essays on the craft of writing will include all topics related to writing fiction, including:
The Basics
Plot & Structure
Voice
Theme
POV
Characterization
Dialogue
Narrative
Creating a bond with your reader
Pacing
Advanced writing and plotting techniques
Writer’s block
Marketing
Branding
Publishing
Self-publishing
Healthy habits
Bad habits
The Writer’s Life
eBook formatting
Paperback formatting
Amazon keywords
Writing blurbs and descriptions
Cover design & layout
Productivity
The Classics
Short stories
Poetry
The Writing Process
Show don’t Tell
Self-editing
Proofreading
Building a solid career
Targeting a specific genre
Genre Fiction
Literary Fiction
Sharpening your writing skills
Making every word count
Deadlines
Putting together an Anthology
Working with other artists
Collaborating
Grammar
Punctuation
Writing for a career
Treating it as a business
Running a small press
Financing your career
Keeping track of your royalties
Staying motivated
Writing movies
Writing comics
Writing games
Building a fan-base
Online presence
Newsletters
Podcasting
Author interviews
Media appearances
Websites
Blogging
And so much more&hel

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Anthologies, Horror

76 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2015

Reviews

[Leo Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this because I mistakenly thought it was the compendium of all volumes. Oops!

Some interesting perspectives on writing. I don't completely agree with any of them and imagine they don't agree with each other either of course—but that's writing :)

Oh! One more thing, though: "I wrote" vs "I was writing" is the difference between the past simple tense and the past continuous tense—not active vs passive voice, as is claimed in this volume. True, you should use simple tenses as much as possible, but it's not the same rule as active/passive voice. John Green made the same error in one video I watched of his on The Catcher in the Rye... Anyways an example of passive voice is '"The road to hell is paved with adverbs" - Stephen King (Lord of All that is American Genre.)' (Incidentally, Don DeLillo is Lord of All that is American Literature. Enjoy playing "Spot the DeLillo" in important essays—the guy's phone must be ringing off the hook, man! 'Uhhhh Dad I mean Don what do I think about, uh... paragraphs?') "Adverbs pave the road to hell" is active, because the adverbs are paving, whereas in King's version, the road is paved upon. But some writers are guilty of excessively using the active voice to personify emotions: 'Anger tore through me' etc. To me this constitutes such transparent avoidance of the passive voice that I'm thrust out the story. Or, the story thrusts me out, if you prefer—but you don't have to. Judgment call.

John Rember, in his hilarious and pretty damn useful book "MFA in a Box" said if anyone could agree what was "show" and what was "tell", there wouldn't be a need for MFAs. I'd quote this at anyone who debated the two if I thought the debate was worth spending any time on whatsoever. I like to think of stories as part "putting reader in the scene" and part "film montage." To put a reader in the scene, you show and evoke; if you're doing a film montage, a transition, you compress the essential information between scenes in a narrative summary, to make the transition as fast as possible: you tell. Showing and telling are essential tools and just like active/passive, the writer should use both to remain invisible: no forced expansions of telling into showing where it's not needed. As far as I can see, Joseph Heller only told. Isn't the first sentence of Catch 22 "It was love at first sight."? Goddamn that's terrible writing. Technically, or on limited authority. In this day and age, every possible method of writing has been done successfully and praised. Just have at it, mate: your heart and soul are the best writing teachers available to you :)

Hope this was useful, but I'm sure it broke every writing rule=principle in existence, including sentence fragments, starting sentences with conjunctions, poor grammar, cliches etc. Oh! And I said "one more thing" and I had way more things. And I used " and ' interchangeably. I don't think I capitalised titles properly. I think it did the job—but who ever knows :P

[Deborah Sheldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compact collection of insightful essays on How To Get The Job Done. And it's not just for beginners. I've been a professional writer for 30 years, and I found this little book inspiring and reassuring.

[J.P. Willson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say I had fun reading this book. I found myself chuckling under my breath quite a bit as to the things being pointed out by the other authors with "essays" in this book. Simple common mistakes I believe we all as authors tend to do more than once.... yet we learn from our mistakes-and our editors! Riding the bus and giggling away, people looking at me like I was insane-which made it that much funnier.
Good read with many pointers as to the things not to do when it comes to writing, or lack of because of. The finer points of submitting a proper manuscript to avoid the inevitable rejections, and how to deal with those rejections positively instead of thinking everybody in the publishing world is against you. Two words to remember always- if you are serious about being published "try again."
A very enjoyable read.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all you aspiring authors out there, this is a must have! Within these pages, you will find a wealth of information. The tips offered here are little gems that “make it work” for these established writers. Now, I am not saying you will become a published author by buying this book, but you will perhaps get started in the right direction.

Monique Snyman offers up tips in the all-important task of self-editing. As an editor herself, she explains what editors first notice when reading a manuscript. You may have the next bestseller on your hands, but if not properly presented, it can be rejected.

Kevin Lucia explains why rejection can be a great learning tool, and he speaks from experience! So, don’t despair if you already had that first rejection, instead learn how that can be turned around to benefit you.

Do you have stories in your head, but feel you have no time to tell them? Mercedes Yardley is a busy mom of three and a published author; how does she do it? She steals! Time, that is. She shares her tricks on how she steals time to write, it may sound a bit funny, but if you read what she says you’ll see that it can work for you. As she states, “Novels are built word by word, sentence by sentence.”

You know, when you are reading a book you want the story to flow. It can be annoying when you have to reread things over again to understand what the author is trying to say. Jack Ketchum relays the art of pacing. Giving examples, he will show you how slight changes can make a huge difference on how we perceive what we read.

This is just a sampling of what type of advice you will find within these pages. The tips from the other contributors are also just as beneficial; but if I continue writing of each author’s advice, I will end up with my own novel here. Each contributor shares their tried and true formula that can work for any aspiring author.

What? You already are an author? Well, that’s okay, even an old dog can pick up a new trick here or there. Or, perhaps you are just a tad curious and want to know how others do it, you can find out here.

And, the best part of all of this is that it doesn’t end here! This is to be an on-going series; there will be a lot more advice to come. Truly, if you ever thought about writing, this is a great way to get motivated.

[Icy-Cobwebs-Crossing-SpaceTime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: WRITERS ON WRITING VOL. 1

You can find books about writing that are complex and confusing; books that recommend one system or another; books that are designed simply to sell copies. Crystal Lake Publishing's WRITERS ON WRITING VOL. ONE brings you advice from WRITERS who have struggled, worked the process, and LEARNED.

What's the best advice offered here? It's all good; but for me, WRITE WHAT YOU LOVE; persevere and keep learning and improving; and tend your story's emotional core, to make it important, life changing, and unforgettable, to readers. Go on: find the best advice for you.

[Leadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect from this. A lot of big names writing about what they do best, write. And telling you what to do, how to do it and what not to do, in ways I didn't expect.
As with all books like this you are going to find some gems and others that you want to skim through. I was going to say what worked for me but then again, it might be something else for you. I'm sure everyone will find something to help them in this book.
But only if you really want to write.

[Jim Dooley · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is the situation with most books offering advice, this one's value depends on where you are in your writing life. For me, I found the essays by Monique Snyman (The Writer's Purgatory: Between Finishing the First Draft and Submitting the Manuscript) and Mercedes M. Yardley (Real Writers Steal Time) to be extremely helpful and inspiring at the same time. Others ran the gamut from "This one has some excellent points" to "Of limited value all the way around."

I was very disappointed in what I assume was an editorial decision to split Brian Hodge's essay (The Infrastructure Of The Gods: 11 Signposts for Going all the Way) into two parts ... one offering excellent insight in this book, while the second part is being held back for publication in the follow-up book. The flow of the writer's thoughts is shattered and provides much less value until the essay can be read in its entirety. It did both the writer and the reader a disservice.

I will be taking some of the advice to heart ... and I did feel the inspiration to revisit my writing schedule and stop making excuses for hesitating. So, writers of every stage will likely find some good information here, although they won't necessarily be the same essays that were of benefit to me.

It isn't a Master Class. It is more of an introductory seminar.

[Working Man Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highlighted alot of this. Now let's see if I remember it. It was amazing reading this guide, because it was written by guys who have done what my dream is. They have sat down and wrote their book. There were passages that I might not use due to me aspiring to self publish, and those passages talking about traditional publishing. But the most valuable parts of this were the tips, tricks, and pick me ups that I needed to hear right now.

[Iseult Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice

This book contains essays from some of the best horror writers working today. They cover topics such as writing time, editing, rejection and pacing.
A wonderful book full of advice for all writers but especially beneficial for new writers and those wishing to take their writing more seriously.

[Jery Schober · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the articles just weren't to my liking, so it wasn't useful to me. Other people might see this differently.

[Petrina Binney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most honestly written books on writing that I’ve read. Writers on Writing discusses, in essay form, creating a daily routine, the real difference between writing and thinking about writing, and the importance of consistency.

Those of us who are in it really appreciate the camaraderie that is found in the writing community on social media. It can be a lonely career, with hours upon hours spent alone, at a desk, with a cold coffee, developing a skin, as your only companion. But there are moments, just moments, when someone else has massive success, usually it’s thoroughly deserved. But sometimes…

“Like every other category of human, writers are an envious lot. There’s always somebody out there enjoying the success we want. Flaunting it by their mere existence, the swine: sales figures, audience size, skill level, story acceptances, film rights, book contracts, glowing reviews. Name it, and somebody out there has more of it than we have and Oh my God they don’t deserve it, not like I do, I hate them, we hates them all, we swears it on the precious.
“People achieve what they achieve. They reap what they reap. Merit may not always have much to do with it, and nobody’s going to check it for your approval. You can either live with that, or let it eat you alive.”
15% in, Part Five of Eleven Sign Posts for Going All The Way by Brian Hodge, Writers On Writing

The general idea here is to get your head down, concentrate on your own WIP and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing. Be consistent. Don’t make excuses. Give the book the time it needs, and be kind to your editor. They’re people, too, and they don’t want to add in all your apostrophes for you.

[Reynaldo Vazquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat helpful. Just write, have a core in your story or novel that centers on the emotional relationship of or between main chars & friends and family. Short sentences grab hold of your attention and log ones sit you down on a reclining chair of entertainment


I liked the thought of one author who said, "write what you like to read". My thoughts on what we can do is to white every sentence in a way that you think sounds better than anything you've ever read before.🌱 Put your figurative words into some fine soil and water it with plenty of plots, conspiracy, haunting memories, action, chases, new memorable lines like, "i'll be back" , narrow death escapes, set backs, discovered clues, new friends, new false friends, betrayal, flirting, arguments, thinking to themselves, narrating, fights, betting or dares, scenery, surprises, conversation, lifestyle and personality traits, likes and dislikes, appearance, physical abilities, class, intelligence, popularity, and last but not least how good a characters social skills are.🌠

[Dan Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Advice from Great Authors

Writing an advice book on writing is not a new concept, and I try to avoid them because they almost never give you any advice you can't Google for free. This book is no exception to that, most of the advice contained herein is not new, or sensational, or anything you haven't hear before.
There are a few gems in here to be sure, with an authorial lineup like this you're bound to get something good, but what pulls this up out of the morass of other advice books is the tone. The authors giving advice here don't sound like the "buy my book about this sure fire method to write your first novel in just ten minutes" people. Believe it or not, the authors sound like people who have written before and know the ups and downs and sideways feelings that come from writing.

This is one advice book that is actually worth the price!

[R.K. King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great info in these entries by a handful of great authors. Some of which I already practice daily (or try to), some of which I really should start doing.
My favorite entry spoke of the emotional core that any solid story needs to possess. It's very true.
Any writers out there would do well to add this to their repertoires of writing advice.

Join the RK King readers' list for an exclusive FREE short story, plus inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes

[Joseph VanBuren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, insightful, and inspirational

One of the best books about writing I have ever read. Relevant and refreshing takes on various aspects of being a successful writer from actual successful writers. The content is practical, realistic, and motivating. Though the articles are written mostly by horror authors, most of the material could be applied to any genre. If you are serious about your writing, read this book.

[Sean Seebach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sound advice from accomplished authors

As the headline reads, this book is short. But it's also free, so there! I've read a few books about writing and this one is a definite winner.
Everything talked about in this book is practical and can be applied to your writing (and future writings) today. Right now.

[Michael Shayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really an "in-depth" examination of the nuts and bolts of writing, but rather a collection of essays by established authors on their approach to different aspects.

I would recommend and will likely read other volumes in the series. King's On Writing is the Holy Grail to which I measure all "how-to" writing books. This collection falls a little short, but, then again, most do.

[Paul Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great essays on writing by Brian Hodge, Jack Ketchum, Tim Waggoner, and other well-known horror writers. Jack Ketchum gets up close and in-your-face personal with "Go Pace Yourself". It's a brilliant exposition of how to create magic with words. Ketchum's piece alone is worth the price of the book.

[Cal Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad collection

This is a collection of other writers in an attempt to give aspiring writers some insight to the industry. It is well laid out and evenly paced and I did learn a thing or two from this.

[Gerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this for free from the publishers website.

It's for most a mix of the usual essays on writing and editing, what stood out to me was Jack Ketchum's "Go pace yourself" which gives the most practical writing advice.

[T.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Essays

Several interesting essays from writers for writers, I found some more interesting than others and I think it will depend on each individual which ones they get the most out of. Certainly worth a read for all new or aspiring writers out there.

[Tom Britz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some more helpful insights from published authors on their own processes. It is like sifting a gold mine. Not everything is gold, but it is there.

[Jill Smith]

This is a great book, having been a Somerset junkie and seeing authors in the flesh talking about their work. This is a good one to have on the shelf to get the same writers insights.

[Mark Hennion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review forthcoming.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much needed motivational pep talk

Needed something to give me a boost and keep me going as I ploughed through a first draft. This did the trick, so ... where's my notebook?

[Jennifer Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book and would recommend to others.

[Keoki Nunies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent content

I like that this book focuses on your own craft and give good advice on exactly what you need to do to write.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars.

A good little collection of essays on the subject of writing, including how to focus on getting writing done.

[H.G. Gravy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the budding author, this is an excellent collection of essays designed for quick and easy reading, and most importantly, to motivate writers into writing. There is no filler in this collection. Each essay builds upon the previous one covering subjects like consistency in writing, dealing with rejection and criticism, and finding the time to write in our hectic lives. Although Crystal Lake Publishing is known for their horror and dark fantasy stories, this book applies to writing in general.