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How To Avoid Stereotypes When Writing Diverse Characters

How To Avoid Stereotypes If you Googled how to avoid stereotypes, you’ve come to the right place. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll know September 2017 saw the launch of my new B2W book, Writing Diverse Characters For Fiction, TV and Film (Creative Essentials). Marginalised characters have been a focus of B2W for years, so it made sense that I finally pull all my resources and experiences with this important element together, in one handy guide. So, from talking to the Bang2writers, a common cry is: ‘I want to write diverse characters … but I’m SCARED of getting it… Read More »How To Avoid Stereotypes When Writing Diverse Characters

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10 (More) Commandments For Successful Writers

Following the previous post in this vein, 10 Commandments For Successful Writers by the lovely Emma Pullar, Derin Attwood decided to throw her hat in the ring and lay down the law for Write Club, too! I totally agree with numbers 2, 7 and the last one … Well, all of them to be honest. Over to you, Derin — And enjoy, everyone! 1) Write! Otherwise you are not part of the Write Club. You can join the thinkers’, or dreamers’ or wannabes’ clubs, but the writers’ club is exclusive. 2) Set goals Write regularly and set goals. Keep to… Read More »10 (More) Commandments For Successful Writers

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5 Strategies For Successful Self Publishing On A Tight Budget

Self publishing has given a large group of writers a new opportunity to market themselves, reach a large audience and even make some funds in the process. Aren’t we all looking for such opportunities? To make the most of them, however, you need to have a good idea about what self publishing entails. Being a successful self published author is all about strategy. Even if you don’t have a lot of money to dedicate to the process, it’s still important to do a bit of preliminary planning. Here’s everything you need to know about publishing a book on a tight… Read More »5 Strategies For Successful Self Publishing On A Tight Budget

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Are You A Binge Writer, Or Do You Write Every Day?

Out in the blogosphere, there’s often a lot of discussion around the idea of writers being ‘plotters’ or ‘pantsers’ (for the uninitiated, the former is a writer who plots everything out, knowing the ending in advance; whereas the latter will just begin and see where the story takes them, the idea being they ‘fly by the seat of their pants’, hence the ‘pantser’ epitaph). As any veteran Bang2writer knows, B2W advocates being a plotter, especially if you’re a screenwriter. Structure is key in screenwriting, so starting without an end point in mind can land you in what I call The… Read More »Are You A Binge Writer, Or Do You Write Every Day?

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Top 10 Commandments For Successful Writers

The first rule of Write Club is: you do not talk about Write Club. The second rule of Write Club is … wait! Perhaps we should talk about it?? Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about what is acceptable behaviour in writing circles and what is considered bad manners. Perhaps you’ve already broken some Write Club rules. Dare to read on? Are you tough enough to take a punch to the face and come back fighting. Yes? Then chew on these, suckers (Arf)! Enjoy … RULE #1 Writers Shall Not Ask Other Writers to Write Their Book for… Read More »Top 10 Commandments For Successful Writers

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4 Easy Ways To Track Your Online Buzz

We’ve all done it before. Come on, be honest! You see that little rectangle box and all you have to do is type your name and you can see how many times you come up. It’s a little narcissistic, but it’s also human … … I’m speaking, of course, of Googling yourself. Whether you admit it or not, it’s perfectly natural to want to know who’s talking about you online! This is even more true with authors. If someone wrote a blog about your book, you want to know so you can see if it did anything for your sales. Or… Read More »4 Easy Ways To Track Your Online Buzz

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5 Reasons Every Writer Should Have A Blog

If you write for a living, you have a career that many others envy. You pick your own hours; you pick your own location; you pick the type of writing you want to do – so long as someone is willing to pay for it, that is! Being a freelancer means constant hustling; you will always have to market yourself to potential new employers, marketplaces, agents, publishers and filmmakers. And one of the best ways to do that is to have a blog, creating a following and platform for your work. Here are five things you will get out of… Read More »5 Reasons Every Writer Should Have A Blog

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How To Write An Outstanding Bio Online

It’s no secret writers need a way to stand out on all of their platforms. We only have a few seconds to convince readers to stay engaged, or they will find something else to occupy their minds. One way to do this is create a compelling bio. It’s worth your time to craft an amazing bio, instead of just throwing one together, because your bio can help you gain more fans on so many different platforms! Bios can be found on your website, your twitter profile, your Amazon book pages, your Amazon author page, your Facebook profile and pages, on blog… Read More »How To Write An Outstanding Bio Online

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How To Build Your Writing Career From Zero

Starting At Zero So you’ve decided to become a writer, but it feels like you’re at zero … You have no idea where to start! It might seem like a difficult to journey to pursue but don’t let the fear of the future scare you out of doing it. Sometimes you just have to cast your net and take a chance! Here are some of the tips I used to build my own writing career from zero … 1) Build your social skills It is known that many writers are introverts and love working by themselves. There is a whole world… Read More »How To Build Your Writing Career From Zero

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How To Write Female Leads Like A Professional Screenwriter

With the Oscar result due any moment, I’m in the curious state of being conflicted over which to root for this year, for the coveted Best Picture award! There are some genuinely diverse, interesting films up for the 2017 … a far cry from recent years. And long may that continue as far as B2W is concerned. However, if someone really twisted my arm? I would have to put my vote in for ARRIVAL. I’ve long been an admirer of Eric Heisserer’s work – I’d watched with interest his struggles to get the film greenlit, with Eric having to work on… Read More »How To Write Female Leads Like A Professional Screenwriter

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How To Build Your Own Online Platform

Many thanks to Bang2writer Karen who asked for my thoughts on building a platform/following online. If you’re thinking of launching yourself into the virtual world as a writer, here’s some tips to think on based on my own experiences. Remember, if you have a burning question for the blog that’s not been covered before, or you want to write a guest post yourself – then contact me via email, post in the Facebook group, or tweet me! Building your own online platform is not difficult in terms of set up, but it is difficult to a) know where to start… Read More »How To Build Your Own Online Platform

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5 Excruciating Ways of Being Annoying When You Want Help

Help Me Help You … As every writer knows, we ALL need help from time to time. There’s no RIGHT way to ask for help … but there are MULTIPLE wrong ways. Feast your eyes on these 5 super-clangers! 1) Cyberstalk People I love social media. But I also hate it, because every single day I get cyber-stalked by well-meaning, but let’s just say DESPERATE writers. I get a plethora of emails, private messages, tags and tweets from writers every day. I try and respond to all of them, but some inevitably slip through the net. Other times, these messages,… Read More »5 Excruciating Ways of Being Annoying When You Want Help

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