Does Outlining Kill Creativity?

There’s always been an ongoing debate amongst writers about whether or not outlines help or hinder creativity.

Some writers are known as “pantsers” because they never outline and so write by the seat of their pants. They don’t even know what the ending of their book is going to be until they write it.

Others only know the characters they want to write about and will outline their whole life history and then write a story around their personalities.

Still others only have a brief idea about the beginning, middle and end of their story and just wing it as they write.

There are also some who write out a one (or several) page synopsis and go from there while others have a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline to work from.

Personally, I need to know what I’m doing and if I don’t know the ending then I don’t know how to get there, so I do like to follow an outline because I find it easier to write that way, but I always reserve the right to make as many changes to it that I need to as my story progresses.

So does outlining kill creativity?

IMHO I think that it only kills creativity if you stick to it too rigidly.

But everyone is different so we all have to try it and see what works best for us.

One thing I do know for sure is that whether you like to use detailed outlines, brief outlines or no outlines, my 7-Day eBook Writing & Publishing System will DEFINITELY help you write and publish an ebook in 7 days AND start making sales.

You’ll also discover how you can write a short report or ebook in as little as 2 hours - and these short books are great for marketing or selling.

Just imagine how much you could write if you could do it so quickly.

Click the link below to discover more.

https://ruthiswriting.com/books/7day.html

A Writing Lesson From a Priest In Poverty

One of the TV shows I love to watch is Law and Order SVU. I have 21 seasons on discs and I watch them all the time (as well as other shows too).

And the other day I was watching an episode in which the detectives suspected a young Catholic Priest of committing a crime, a murder that happened in his church. He hadn’t done it, but couldn’t tell them who had without breaking the secrecy of the confessional.

But the storyline wasn’t what interested me, and instead, I was fascinated with how the priest lived and worked.

He lived in a tiny apartment and owned almost no furniture or other personal items, not even a TV, and even what little he did own was old and looked years old.

The detectives were stunned that anyone could live in such poverty and own so few possessions but the priest explained that he took his vow of poverty seriously. Clearly, he also took all his other vows seriously too because whenever the detectives showed up the priest was busy writing sermons, scrubbing the church floor, cleaning the pews, or visiting parishioners. He seemed to do nothing but work and said that he loved it so much that he didn’t need anything else.

And it got me thinking about writers and how all the successful ones are hard workers who love what they do and are always writing or plotting their next book or setting up another money-making website.

This is why I recently sold my house and moved to a small apartment at the coast so that I could spend less time on things that don’t matter (lawn mowing, house maintenance, etc) and more time on writing and other things I enjoy (and I love the fresh sea air too).

How about you?

Do you fit your writing around your life or your life around your writing?

Want to learn how to do it?

Start by clicking the link below.

https://ruthiswriting.com/books/LLS.html

A List of Writing Inspiration and Writing Markets

 Hi

I hope you're having a productive writing week.

Below I've gathered a list of writing articles to help inspire you and keep you writing and earning more, and a few freelance writing markets.

Enjoy. :)

How to Create the Mental Space to Write

https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/how-to-create-the-mental-space-to-write

Elements of Suspense: How Mystery and Thriller Writers Grip Readers

https://thewritepractice.com/elements-of-suspense/

Discover an untapped goldmine of content ideas

Online app. Just type in your keywords and see what readers are looking for online.

https://answerthepublic.com

The 24-Hour Book Writing System

Currently reduced in price to only $27

https://24hourbook.com/cb-go?hop=writelady

How To Make Money Freelance Writing: Websites That Pay Writers $50+

https://www.makealivingwriting.com/make-money-writing/

Publish  a Book With Trigger

We look for books that offer help or advice to our readers, with a focus on mental wellbeing, and Mind, Body, Spirit. 

Submit synopsis plus the first 2 chapters of a 40,000-word manuscript.

https://triggerhub.org/submissions/

Writers Call for Submissions: True Crime/Nonfiction

Nonfiction, true crime accounts featuring lawbreaking couples who have joined forces to commit crime.

Word count: 4,000-7,000 words

One-time payment per story: USD $130, and 2 print copies of the book.

Deadline for submissions: June 1, 2021

https://mitziszereto.com/call-for-submissions/

Call for submissions for 'Escapism' issue: Moonflake Press

This can be escaping worlds, cities, identities or however else you interpret it.

Minimum 100 words

Maximum 2500 words

Deadline: 1st September 2021

Payment: £25

https://www.moonflakepress.com/guidelines

Classic Monsters Unleashed anthology: Crystal Lake Publishing

 We’re looking for dark, scary stories featuring a classic monster or monsters (think famous creatures from pre-1960 horror movies).

Length: 1500 to 5000 words

Submission Period: April 8 to May 30, 2021

Payment: 6 cents a word

https://www.crystallakepub.com/authorcentral/

How to Have Confidence in Your Writing

 One of the big problems with being a writer is getting criticised because it can no only hurt your feelings, but it can eat away at your confidence.

The ‘trick’ to overcome these feelings is to realise that not everything is about you. Not everyone will enjoy reading what you write but that’s ok because you’re not writing for them.

There’s a lot of advice for writers like “know who you’re writing to,” and “know your audience.” But not all writers do this unless they’re copywriters and need to market directly to customers who are going to buy their products.

Writing should be enjoyable, so if you want to write, just write.

When I first began, I had an ugly website and never thought about who my intended audience was, yet I hit the ground running and was quickly earning decent money and had thousands of website visitors and a huge list of subscribers.

I also earned money writing articles for other websites, magazines, and I wrote a couple of ebooks that sold really well too.

And I think my ‘secret’ to having such confidence to do it all, was that I was simply enjoying myself.

Did I get criticised? You bet. Did I care? Nope. I did at first but I quickly realised that there are a lot of angry people in the world that I can do nothing about, so I simply blocked them from my email address and my website and carried on.

My other ‘secret’ was that I wrote a lot and constantly submitted short stores, proposals for articles, and I always wrote for my website as well.

I simply got on with it.

And so should you.

7 Day Ebook Writing And Publishing System
How to Write and Publish an ebook and Start Getting Sales in Just One Week
https://ruthiswriting.com/books/7day.html

How to Always Have Time to Write

 I was reading a book recently and the author spoke about the importance of time and how it’s all we really have because our lives are made up of the things we do and the time it takes to do them.

The most interesting thing he said was that we often don’t do things because we think we don’t have enough time. But the time that we think we don’t have is going to pass anyway so we may as well use it.

This got me thinking about often I’ve used this excuse myself to not start things, including writing projects. And the truth is, that once I start something, I’m amazed at how much I can get done in a short time.

I also recently read an interview with actress Kathy Bates and she was talking about how she changed to a plant-based diet a few years ago to help her beat cancer.

She said that people often ask her how she had the willpower to do it because it took a long time, but not only did she beat the cancer, she also lost a lot of weight and looks amazing. And she said that she didn’t believe in willpower but she does believe in determination.

And I thought, wow. She’s right. Saying ‘I just don’t have the willpower’ makes it sound like it’s not your fault. But being determined to do something makes you own it.

So be determined.

Start things.

Because the time it takes is going to pass by anyway so you may as well use it on things that matter.

Mission Critical For Life:
Start Living Life On Your Terms By Pursuing Your True Life Mission
https://ruthiswriting.com/books/MCFL.html

How to Eliminate Writer's Block in Just 5 Minutes

 A few days ago I was reading a popular post on Twitter about how writers buy a lot of notebooks but never use them, and there were so many comments from writers saying that it's EXACTLY what they do all the time but they thought they were the only ones. But haha, I think we all do it. I know I do.

For me, the reason is that I think that buying a new notebook will inspire me to write more, and get rid of any writer's block. But by the time I get home with my new notebook, the ecstatic feelings have gone and I put my new notebook away, promising myself that I'll write in it soon.

I wish that buying a new notebook did make me write and earn more, but it isn't true, no matter how much I want it to be so. The only way that having a new notebook makes me write more is if I've got an idea burning in my brain and I'm not at home, so I have to buy a notebook and start writing in it straight away, which means it's not the notebook that inspired me but the idea running around in my frantic monkey mind.

But there is something that always gets me writing straight away, even when I think I don't feel like writing.

And that is to just sit down and start writing. Sometimes I journal, or re-read my work from yesterday and make corrections, or browse ideas in my ideas notebook, or start reading a book and take notes, or get out a great piece of writing by an author I admire and write it by hand to get a feel for it.

Or maybe I'll write something else. It doesn't matter what it is as long as I just start.

I also don't allow myself to get distracted by anti-social media or online surfing.

So if you're stuck and can't get past writer's block, just sit down and start writing. Write anything.

And if you're like me, within 5 minutes you'll be immersed in your work, brimming with ideas, and inspired to write - especially if you have a new notebook. :)

Don't believe it can work?

Try it.

Goodbye Writer's Block:

How to Be a Creative Genius and Have an Abundance of Ideas Plus the Inspiration and Motivation to Write

https://ruthiswriting.com/books/WB.html

Writing News, Opportunities and Competitions April 2021

To help with inspiring you to write and earn more money this month, I've gathered a list of writing news,  plus a couple of free writing competitions and freelance opportunities.

Enjoy. :)

Bookselling Ireland calls for Taoiseach to make bookshops 'essential'

Bookselling Ireland has asked that bookshops be classed as "essential" retail and allowed to open, or be granted special dispensation to offer click and collect services.

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/bookselling-ireland-calls-taoiseach-make-bookshops-essential-1252180

Books Most Wanted Banned in 2020

The American Library Association reported more than 270 challenges to books in 2020, from Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” to Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” compared to 377 the year before.

 https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2021/04/05/books-kendi-reynolds-steinbeck-among-most-objected-2020-according-american-library-association/7088680002/

Free Short Story Competition

Your Story #111

Write a short story of 650 words or fewer based on the photo prompt provided. You can be poignant, funny, witty, etc. Whatever you want.

The winner receives publication Writers Digest Magazine. No monetary payment, but a great addition to a resume to be published in such a prestigious magazine.

Deadline: 26th April 2021

https://www.writersdigest.com/wd-competitions/your-story-111

Coping with the Monkey Mind

Having a monkey mind is a meditation term indicating an “unsettled; restless; capricious; whimsical; fanciful; inconstant; confused; indecisive; uncontrollable” mind — is one of the biggest obstacles to meditation and mindfulness practice in Buddhism - and writing.

https://buddhaweekly.com/meditation-techniques-for-people-with-unsettled-monkey-minds

It’s Not About Routine, But About Practice

If you find yourself unable to stick to a writing routine, remember it's more important to keep up the practice of writing daily, rather than trying to stick to the exact time you do it.

https://ryanholiday.net/practice/

Free Writing Competition

Imagine 2200—Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors (worldwide)

Imagine 2200 calls for short stories (3,000–5,000 words) that envision the next 180 years of equitable climate progress. What will our planet look like in the year 2200 — or anywhere between then and now? How will we move around the cities of the future? What will we eat, drink, wear, use, and live in? 

$3,000 first prize, $2,000 second, $1,000 third, plus 9 x $300 prizes

Deadline: April 12  2021- be quick

https://grist.org/fix/climate-fiction-writing-contest-imagine-2200-prizes/

Bedtime Stories Wanted For Mslexia

A submission slot for short stories written to be read aloud to a child at bedtime. They can be on any subject, but no more than 250 words long, please.

Deadline for online submissions: April 12 2021 - be quick

https://mslexia.co.uk/fiction/

Children's Books Are Dominating The Market

The Corona Virus panic has caused a surge in the sale of children's books as parents look for ways to keep their kids educated and entertained at home. See what's selling.

https://www.businessofbusiness.com/articles/childrens-books-trends-during-coronavirus-lockdown/

JK Rowling’s Writing Process

Have you ever wondered how JK Rowling does it? Ever wondered what her writing process is that helps her to pump out so many successful books? Here are 9 principles that may help and inspire you.

https://thewritepractice.com/jk-rowling-writing-process

What Is Developmental Editing?

What makes it different from other kinds of editing, like line editing, copy editing, or proofreading?

https://thewritepractice.com/developmental-editing

Freelance Ghostwriter Needed for a Dog Website

"We’re looking for a skilled writer who can help us expand our site. We have hundreds of topic ideas that we’re ready to start producing. For this, we need a writer with some experience with dogs."

Payment is 4 cents/word for articles ranging from 1,250 to 3,750 words, writing 3 to 4 articles/month.

https://problogger.com/jobs/job/freelance-ghostwriter-needed-for-a-dog-website/

Now it's time to write, submit, earn money, and enjoy.

https://ruthiswriting.com