Writing Writers Who Write
No one said writing for a living would be easy.
Of course, no one told you how completely undervalued that vital career would be. To learn the skill of writing one must be ruthlessly honest and fearless when presenting that truth. But how do you master the craft of writing? How do you find your voice, your audience, your niche? How do you deal with rejection, criticism, and self-doubt? How do you balance creativity and productivity, passion and profession, art and commerce? These are the challenges that every writer faces, whether they are beginners or veterans, amateurs or professionals, hobbyists or entrepreneurs. This blog is here to help you navigate the complex and rewarding journey of writing for a living. You will find practical and inspiring advice, success stories and lessons learned, tips and tricks, resources and tools, and much more. Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, poetry or prose, blogs or books, this blog is for you.
Why you won't sell books on Social Media
Vincent Triola
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
Beyond Likes and Followers: Unraveling the True Impact of Social Media Advertising
In this thought-provoking piece, the author challenges the notion that books can be sold effectively through
social media. Drawing on personal experiences and observations, the article underscores the importance of
understanding the unique ways in which different individuals interact with social media platforms that makes
selling books ineffective on these sites.
Why Selling Cheap Books is a Bad Idea
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
This article aims to educate authors on the pitfalls of selling cheap books online and the best practices for pricing their books. It explains the distinction between marketing and economics, the influence of Amazon’s algorithm, and the significance of quality over quantity.
Unleash Your Creativity: Mastering the Art of Writing with Inverse Language Techniques
Inverse language techniques can transform your writing from bland to brilliant. Find out how to apply this technique to create stunning sentences that will impress your audience. This article will teach you the benefits, examples, and tips of inverse language.
Adverbs: Misunderstood, Abused, & Powerful Tools
In this article, you will learn how to master the use of adverbs in your writing. You will discover why adverbs are not always the enemy and how they can enrich your language and storytelling. You will also see how adverbs can help you create realistic and lively dialogue that captures your characters’ personalities and emotions.
Why Authors Need a Website
Vincent Triola
10 Minute Or Less Read Time
Successful writers today do not rely on books as their sole means of earning. Modern authorship radically evolved in the last thirty years with the advent of the internet making websites a necessity to generate engagement. In this article, you will learn why you need a website and some of the pitfalls of not having and developing your site.
Education: The Cheater's & Fortunate Son Perspective
Education as a business may distort the goals and incentives of education. Commodifying academics as a business may influence choices and behaviors of both educators and learners that are not conducive to genuine learning and innovation. Educators are encouraged cut corners and other practices intended to cater to the demands of the market. Students engage in unethical practices such as plagiarism or cheating since they pursue pursue education for instrumental reasons, such as obtaining a diploma, earning a certificate, getting a job, or obtraining a higher salary, rather than for intrinsic reasons, such as curiosity, passion, or interest.
Cheaters Incorporated
Want to write but can't figure out how to do it and not starve or break your back working? 'Cheaters Incorporated' is the perfect guide for those who want to succeed in writing without actually doing any work! 😂
Strategies to Handle Publisher Rejection & Not Give Up The Writing Dream
Publisher rejection can be a painful and discouraging experience for writers, but it doesn’t have to be a fatal one. In this article, you will learn how to handle publisher rejection and not give up on your writing dream. You will learn various strategies and mindsets that can help you deal with rejection, learn from it, and move forward with confidence and resilience. You will also learn how to understand the publisher’s rationale and improve your chances of getting published.
How to Deal with Writing Pet Peeves & Learn from Them
As a writer, you know how rewarding and creative writing can be, but you also know how frustrating and challenging it can be. You have probably encountered some of the pet peeves that plague writers, such as grammar fanatics, plagiarism, clichés, and unrealistic expectations. In this article, you will explore how to handle these irritations and use them to enhance your writing abilities.
The Social Journalism Conundrum & Why Medium is Doomed
Vincent Triola
19 Minute Or Less Read Time
Despite appearing to be an ideal platform for publishing, Medium is actually hindered by technological biases within social journalism. Medium’s content ranking system is not impartial and fails to provide a level playing field for all writers. There exists a credibility issue in Medium (social journalism) stemming from its failure to be truly 'social' due to its biased content ranking system. The problems with Medium’s pay model and its impact on writers and readers. Medium’s system creates an unsustainable membership of more writers than readers. With some creative thinking and the implementation of traditional journalism strategies, Medium’s problems can be resolved.
Time to Shit Readers, Medium!
Terry Trueman
10 Minute Or Less Read Time
How to gain more readers on Medium? Easy, just follow these simple steps:
~Forget everything you learned about good writing. Grammar, punctuation, research, originality, none of that
matters on Medium. Just write whatever comes to your mind, preferably something controversial or sensational.
~Spam your followers with claps, comments, and shares. Don’t worry about the quality or relevance of your
interactions, just make sure you get noticed by as many people as possible. The more you annoy them, the more they
will pay attention to you.
~Copy and paste other people’s content. Why bother creating your own when you can just steal someone else’s?
Medium doesn’t care about plagiarism or ethics, as long as you generate traffic and revenue. Just make sure you
add some emojis and gifs to spice it up.
There you have it, the ultimate guide to gaining more readers on Medium. Follow these steps and you will be a star
in no time. Good luck! 😂
When I Started Publishing on Medium
When you start writing on Medium, it’s fun but soon devolves into a lot of work to get people to read your stuff. Soon you realize all effort is in vain because no one is even reading. Like a ship lost at sea, writing on Medium starts off as an exciting adventure, but soon devolves into a desperate struggle to be seen.
A Tribute To Education's Teaching Heroes & Studious Learners
How one C student became and author and another C student earned a living selling term papers. Celebrating lazy students and teachers. Learn how to coast through academics without giving a shit in this critique of the education system. Luck will make you a published author and resentment towards teacher will make you a hack writing success.
When All Else Fails, Talk About Sex to Get More Traffic
Terry Trueman
11 Minute Or Less Read Time
This humorous and sarcastic article mocks the common practice of using sex as a way to attract more readers and viewers to online content. The author claims that sex is the ultimate marketing tool, and that he has decided to use it to boost his blog’s popularity. He then proceeds to write a series of absurd supposedly sexy stories.
Learn to Deal & Not Deal With Writing Critics
Do you think it’s important for writers to read articles before commenting on them? Some of the worst critics are writers and readers who don't read, and unsurprisngly, most have achieved no fame. Learn how successful writers deal with critics and commenters, especially fellow authors.
Writing: Losing Friends & Enjoying The Emptiness
Writing is a double-edged sword, providing a source of joy and pain for writers. Writing can help authors express themselves, explore their creativity, and communicate their ideas to the world but also exposes the harsh realities of life, such as criticism, rejection, and true friends. Learn to enjoy the isolation.
How to Avoid Pedantic Editing & Create Original, Stylish Writing
Vincent Triola
15 Minute Or Less Read Time
Editing is an essential part of writing, but it can also be a source of conflict and stress for writers. Editors and critics often impose arbitrary rules and limitations on writers, who feel trapped and restricted in their writing. In this article, you will explore how to edit your work effectively without compromising your creativity, and how to break the rules and create your own style.
Men Trembled ~ None Believed the Myth of Writer Immortality
Unexpectedly, being an author doesn’t grant you immortality. Who knew that aging and fading into obscurity was just part of the human condition? How being an author doesn’t make you immune to aging and being forgotten. Question their own motives and expectations for writing, and try to appreciate the joy and value of writing for its own sake.
I write about what’s happened and happening
Terry Trueman
3 Minute Or Less Read Time
Ah, writing - the noble art of staring at the world and pretending we understand it. Of course, there are always obstacles in our way - pesky little things like reality and personal bias. But who needs honesty when we can just make it all up as we go along? After all, truth is such a fickle thing - always changing depending on how important our current situation is. It’s enough to make you wonder if it’s even worth looking for.
Writing isn’t some mystical mystery
Terry Trueman
4 Minute Or Less Read Time
Exploring the themes of legacy, reputation, and self-delusion through a mix of personal anecdotes, poetry, and introspection. The author invites readers to consider the power and purpose of writing.
Wounded Writer Fledglings & Not Them
Terry Trueman
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writing online is a way of creating something that lasts, but also something that is ephemeral. Online writers know that their writing will not last forever, and that can make them feel sad and lost, especially when they write about people they care about. But they also know that writing can help them deal with mortality and appreciate life, and that can make them feel joyful and strong.
Thank god for typing with two fingers
Terry Trueman
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
The author’s writing focuses on the universal human experience, capturing its essence and representing the experiences of their readers. Their goal is to speak for all through their writing. In an unforeseen development, it turns out that the author isn’t just writing to hear the sound of their own keyboard. They’re capturing the essence of the human experience and speaking for us all. Who knew that writing could be so altruistic?
Writing's Struggles & Joys - Advice From an Old writer
Terry Trueman
8 Minute Or Less Read Time
An honest, raw account of the struggles and joys of being a writer and a call to action for young writers to embrace their voices and write without hesitation.
More Urbane Witty Successful Writing Shit
Terry Trueman
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
If you want to make your writing funny and powerful without betraying your craft, here are some tips that are easy to say but hard to do. Don’t worry, they won’t make you sound like a clown or a dictator.
Some Basic Calisthenics to Better Writing
Terry Trueman
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writers, push those keyboards and pull those notebooks to explore the best ideas when exercising your creativity and imagination. Don’t let the distractions of the world interfere with your training. Focus on shaping your work into artistic excellence.
Writing, Making Music, Painting, & Other Ego Trips
What do you do when a guitar guy crashes your party and tries to impress everyone with his mediocre skills? Do you ignore him, tolerate him, or confront him? In this humorous article, the author tells us what he did when he faced such a situation and how he gave the guitar guy a taste of his own medicine.
Genre Fiction: The Plight of the Escapist
Vincent Triola
9 Minute Or Less Read Time
If you’re an aspiring writer wondering about the differences between genre and literary fiction, this article is a must-read. Learn why some literary fiction writers may view genre fiction as less meaningful, and what that means for your own writing.
Tricks to the Existentialist Trade
Terry Trueman
7 Minute Or Less Read Time
Terry Trueman uses the contrast between existentialism and nature to show his perspective on writing and life. He also uses humor and irony to make his point more engaging and relatable. He challenges the reader to question the value and relevance of existentialist philosophy, and to appreciate the simple and concrete moments of joy and wonder that nature offers.
It Takes a Lot of Booze to Write
Vincent Triola
3 Minute Or Less Read Time
Are you tired of churning out content like a factory worker while your masterpiece gathers dust in Amazon’s
digital graveyard? Do your emails to agents and publishers become the victim of ghosting? Keep calm and carry on
with your literary passion.
You will become a master of online writing!
How to Write a Story That Comes True by Lying to Yourself
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
How do you create a believable and engaging story? In this article, you will discover how the author learned a valuable lesson from a guy who lies a lot, and how he used that lesson to improve his writing skills. You will also find out how to use POV as a rhetorical device that adds meaning and depth to your story.
Persuasive Writing: The Key to Successful Writing
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writing is not only a way of expressing yourself, but also a way of convincing others to read and believe what you write. In this article, you will learn why persuasion is the primary goal of writing, regardless of the genre or topic. You will learn how to determine your writing's persuasiveness with examples of how persuasive writing works in different forms and genres of writing, such as history, science fiction, fantasy, and racism.
Thinking first-person POV is lazy writing isn’t wrong — it’s stupid.
Vincent Triola
4 Minute Or Less Read Time
How do you choose the right POV for your story? Is first-person POV always lazy writing? In this article, you will learn how POV is not only a matter of preference, but also a powerful tool that can enhance your story’s message and impact.
Writers, Nothing to see here...move along please...
Writers write for many reasons, such as expressing themselves, informing others, entertaining readers, or persuading audiences. But perhaps the most important reason is ability, which means more than just linguistic skill. Ability also involves a mixture of personality and desire that shapes the writer’s voice, style, and purpose. Personality is the unique way that the writer sees and presents the world, using their own tone, perspective, and humor. Desire is the motivation that drives the writer to write, whether it is passion, curiosity, or necessity.
How Ignoring Theme Ruined the Asexual, Female, Blue Alien Story
Vincent Triola
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
In this article, the author explains why theme is essential for fiction writing, and how ignoring theme can result in poor worldbuilding and character development. The author uses an example of a story about an asexual, female, blue alien who falls in love with a human pilot and saves the Earth from destruction. The author criticizes this story for being unrealistic, clichéd, and inconsistent, and argues that the alien character is a poorly conceived savior archetype with no thematic purpose. The author also suggests some ways to improve the story by adding a theme that relates to the alien’s asexuality and the human’s sexuality, and how that affects their relationship and their views on humanity. The author concludes by stating that theme is the foundation of fiction, and that writers should always consider the theme of their stories before they start writing.
Learn to Write Mosaic Poetry To Improve All Verse
Vincent Triola
3 Minute Or Less Read Time
Improve your free verse poetry by learning to write mosaic poetry. How creating mosaic poetry, in which each syllable rhymes, teaches rhythm and improves free verse poetry by developing meter and a better ear for rhyming. Improving poetry requires having a command of rythm and rhym, which ultimately makes free verse more engaging since many techniques overlap.
How to Stop Undermining Your Writing with Faux Humility
Vincent Triola
9 Minute Or Less Read Time
In this article, the author exposes the harmful effects of faux humility on writing and learning. The author argues that some writers use self-effacing rhetoric, such as “I am not an expert, but…” or “This is just my opinion, but…”, to avoid taking responsibility for their opinions and arguments, and to escape criticism and feedback. The author claims that this undermines their credibility and authority, and also prevents them from improving their skills and engaging in meaningful discourse with others. The author suggests that writers should be confident and assertive in their writing, and use facts, logic, and evidence to support their claims. The author also encourages writers to be open to different perspectives and challenges, and to seek the truth rather than confirmation of their beliefs. The author concludes by stating that writing is a quest for verity, and that writers should always consider the purpose and importance of their stories before they start writing.
How Writing Teaches You: The Craft and the Lessons
Vincent Triola
4 Minute Or Less Read Time
Writing is not only a way of expressing yourself, but also a way of learning about yourself and the world. In this article, you will discover how the craft of writing teaches you by perpetually teaching, resolving, and articulating your perceptions. You will learn how writing helps you to develop your critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills. You will also explore how writing can enrich your personal and professional life by enhancing your self-awareness, empathy, and confidence.
Two Reasons Why Author Roland Smith Is One of My Heroes
Terry Trueman
2 Minute Or Less Read Time
A tribute to Roland Smith, a renowned writer of children’s and young adult books, by his friend and fellow author Terry Trueman. It narrates how they met, how Smith inspired and helped Trueman in his writing career, and how Trueman admires Smith’s adventurous and successful life. It also includes a poem by Trueman dedicated to Smith.
Mimesis: The Secret to Realistic and Engaging Writing
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
Do you want to write more realistically and engagingly? In this article, you will learn how to apply the concept of mimesis to your writing. Mimesis is the imitation of reality in art and literature. By reducing the use of unnecessary pronouns, you can reduce the narrative distance between your readers and your characters. You can also make your writing more concise and efficient, which will improve your reader engagement. You will also see some examples of how mimesis works in different forms and genres of writing, such as novels, short stories, and articles.
The Secret of Writing Engaging Free Verse: Syllabic Poetry
Vincent Triola
6 Minute Or Less Read Time
Learn how to write engaging free verse poetry by using syllabic poetry as a tool. Syllabic poetry counts the number of syllables per line, rather than the number of stresses or rhymes. This article will teach you how to use syllabic poetry to create rhythms, emphasize words, and vary line lengths in your free verse poems.
Christians, Christian T. Roll, & Thoughts on Satire
Vincent Triola
5 Minute Or Less Read Time
Satire is a powerful form of writing that uses humor, irony, sarcasm, or ridicule to criticize, expose, or mock social, political, or moral issues; but quality satire must be truthful and expose social issues, otherwise it becomes slanderous. Satire often employs exaggeration, parody, or caricature to make its point. By doing so, satire challenges dominant groups and forces them to confront their behavior and hypocrisy. However, the most essential element of satire is honesty. In this article, we will explore the purpose and value of satire as a form of honest criticism and social commentary. We will also look at some examples of satire from various genres and media, such as novels (Animal Farm), films (Dr. Strangelove), shows (The Daily Show), cartoons (The Simpsons), and blogs (The Onion).