Author Archives: Rob Bignell

All too often self-publishing gets a bad rap as a last resort of authors whose writing wasn’t good enough to be accepted by one of the Big Five publishers. Never mind the long explanation of how big corporate publishing actually is something new, a product of the past century that worked then because the economics ofContinue reading “Many Famous Books First were Self-Published”

Suffering from writer’s block or need to add some spunk to your writing? The problem may be that you need to change up your routine. To that end, try this tip: Stories consist of many different bits: dialogue, the main character doing something, that character’s thought, another character doing something to the main character, a description ofContinue reading “Writing Prompt: Take Your Story Forward”

A whole group of writers seem to misunderstand the significant difference between these two similar-sounding words. A core is the central or most important part of something: The puppet government was corrupt to its core. A corps, however, is a division of military personnel, usually those who have a specialized function: The Marine Corps landed on the beaches shortly before dawn.Continue reading “Heart of the Matter: Core vs. Corps”

“There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” – Red Smith, sportswriter “I try to leave out the parts that people skip.” – Elmore Leonard, novelist and screenwriter “The wastebasket is a writer’s best friend.” – Isaac Bashevis Singer, author “Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very;’ yourContinue reading “Five Great Humorous Quotes about Writing”

Authors who haven’t published often like to think of themselves as an “aspiring author,” an “aspiring novelist,” or an “aspiring writer.” They act as if by not being published they are somehow lesser than someone who actually is. The truth is you’re an author the moment you commit ink to paper or keystroke to computer screen.Continue reading “I Don’t Need Permission to be Called an Author”

The day has finally arrived: Your first book reading and signing! No doubt your stomach is aflutter, not just with excitement but with a little apprehension. What if you mess up in the reading? What if you can’t think of what to say when someone answers a question? What if the crowd finds you boringContinue reading “Tips to Ensure a Successful Book Reading/Signing”

Once you’ve asked someone to write a review for your book, you might be peppered with a few questions: How long should it be? What do you want me to say? When do you need it by? Consider handing them a copy of the instructions below, particularly if they’re writing a customer review that appears onContinue reading “Some Guidelines for Reviewing a Book”

Suffering from writer’s block or need to add some spunk to your writing? The problem may be that you need to change up your routine. To that end, try this tip: Journaling often best unveils truths about oneself when it answers a thought-provoking question. If you’re uncertain what to write about, try these questions to kick startContinue reading “Writing Prompt: Thought-Provoking Question”