Things really started to pick up for me as I discovered the power of popular hashtags. Goodbye frumpy tags that no one knows. I saw immediate results. And so, this article is going to go over 3 writing hashtags which I see time and time again.
They’re ones you should know.
#WritingCommunity
Writerscommunity, WritingCommunity, and other similar tags all take you into the world of agents and fellow writers in an instant. Also, these tags are specific enough that you’re sure to be found if someone searches for writing. Not only that, but the people that follow/post to this hashtag are overwhelmingly positive as they discuss the struggles they’ve faced while writing.
#Amwriting
Amwriting, Amwritingromance, Amwritingfantasy, and there are a whole lot more where that came from. These are great for writers to find people writing in your genre and discuss problems, tropes, and successes. Find your kin! This hashtag also extends to amreading or amagenting. Basically, keep this one handy because you’ll need it later. It applies everywhere that I’ve looked so far.
What are you writing? Not sure if there’s a hashtag for that? Helpful tip: use Twitter’s search like a google engine and type in your question.
#Writerslift
This one is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a lift. Either a lift in awareness, a lift in mood, or anything else to help your fellows. Let this one bring light to your day and use it to share the nice things that are happening in life. The writers and agents that use these tags are trying to share the happy.
Where To Look
The way I discovered hashtags was, surprisingly, as easy as a google search and one simple click. I found http://best-hashtags.com/. It had a list of hashtags, right at my fingertips. As well as:
They have a chart. Fantastic. I’m sure this plays into SEO and I really miss Yoast (which is something I used while I interned for a blog agency). There are other websites out there for you to explore, if you have the time and the brainpower, but if not… here are the one’s I’ve found and used.
Thanks for sticking around until the end. In the commentsbelow let us know what hashtags do you use to share your writing?
Writing is hard, but memes can make the work lighter. Here are 10 memes to brighten your day and give you the extra burst of motivation you need.
1.
Google, stop asking me if I need human teeth. I promise I don’t. When you’re writing, it’s fine that your search history makes you look like a serial killer. Trust me. Just do the research. It’s better than sounding silly.
2.
I’m a gardener (pantser) and I feel this on a deep level. I have to tell myself to plot at least a little to save me some stress when I get to editing. But honestly, I have no idea what my characters are going to find as they explore the world. I write as I go.
3.
Ah, yes. A healthy dose of fear. Also, setting deadlines helps keep that forward momentum. Even if you can’t meet the deadlines all the time, it’s a good thing to strive for. Get as close as you can in the time you’ve allotted yourself because I assure you that once you have an agent you can’t miss those important dates!
4.
This kitty is just too cute. Look at it thinking so hard. If I could think like this kitty I would obviously be the best among writers. Anyhow, don’t forget that thinking is part of writing. Don’t spend all your time thinking; but give yourself time to think between drafts and such to keep your creative juices flowing.
5.
Showing vs. Telling. The age old struggle. It would be so nice if all that eyebrow twitching you’re doing while writing those expressions would magically convey itself onto the page. But alas.
6.
Writing a book blurb is so hard. Make sure you do a couple of revisions of the blurb over time because that is the hook that’s going to get you a manuscript request. You’ll need a blurb, a log line, and an excellent cover letter. Don’t worry though, you’ve got time to get it all sorted out.
7.
You have to get rid of some “cool” things to have a good story. Trust me. It’s the hardest thing you’ll do, but it’s totally worth it. Also, hold onto those things you pull out and maybe you’ll be able to recycle them into another story some day. No writing is worthless, even if you end up not using it.
8.
Get yourself an Editor. Do it. Please. It’s worth it. Trust me. You need it. No matter how many times you read over your own work, there are still going to be errors and editors (in all their types) are a valuable part of both self and traditional publishing. So, go find an editor and get them to take a look at your book. In fact, I do have an editor listed on this very site. Deseretgear is an amazing editor!
9.
Once you’ve submitted your manuscript, all you can do is wait. Sometimes for weeks on end. Don’t become a skeleton, though. It’ll come, so find some other project to work on.
10.
Okay, for some people it takes really long, but don’t give up hope.
Thanks for staying all the way to the end. I hope you enjoyed the memes and if you haven’t already, don’t forget to follow us here at Rigmarole for updates and posts.
I know I posted earlier this week about my “WIP” singular buuuuut, I haven’t been entirely honest. I actually have several projects which I’m working on and here’s a summary of where I’m at for each of them.
Mag Kad (working title)
I’ve completed the dirty draft for this one which means that it’s sitting at 22,000 words and I expect to triple that. However, I realized that the story was 1. extremely trope ridden and 2. the characters were weak. So, I’ve set that one down for now and plan to come back to it sometime in July.
I don’t have a blurb for this one yet, but it’s an arcanepunk, solarpunk secondary world dystopian novel where magic users are caused by radiation and are viewed as abominations. I’m excited to flesh out this work and the characters. Right now it needs a lot of work, though.
Titaness of Bone (working title)
I’ve completed the dirty draft and dug into draft one on this one. The characters were stronger, I felt more invested in the story, and I knew where/what to change by the time I finished my dirty draft. I’ve revised draft 1 through the first story arc which means I’m sitting at 55,772 words currently and I hope to expand it out to around 90,000 (the higher end for fantasy drafts). I never imagined reaching anything of that length, but as I’m revising… things keep getting stretched out and fleshed out. So, I may end up eventually doing some trimming. Gasp.
I’ve previously posted about this one so go check out my first WIP post for the blurb and more details.
Sellsword (working title)
This one’s a fantasy romance and I actually haven’t finished my dirty draft yet. I realized I didn’t know where I wanted to go with the story. Unfortunately, since I didn’t finish the dirty draft this one may drop off. But also, I certainly am hopeful that when I come back to it in August that I’ll better see the flaws and I’ll know where I want to take that story as well.
Right now it’s sitting right at 22,000 words-ish. And this isn’t the official blurb but this is what I wrote before delving into the novel. Rinise never wanted the throne. In fact, she and her brother actively fled from their cultish family so they wouldn’t try to sneak them back into the courts. Unfortunately, some fanatics got wind of surviving royals. And well, that would ruin everything. So, to keep the current king they’ve sent out an assassin. They killed her brother, but she’s still alive for now. And she’s in Lazaro looking for a sellsword. There’s all kinds of shifty sorts here. The barkeep said the one in the corner is honorable, however, so she’s walking towards him. And his flat eyes meet hers.
Queen of R (working title)
It’s laughable, but this one’s sitting at 4,000 words. I started this gender-bent beauty and beast retelling a day or two ago. The protag, Gentry, wants to save his shop and so he’s heading to the soothsayer to see if she can tell him a way to earn the money to do that.
I’ll let you guys know when I finish the dirty draft for this one.
My Collab Works
I actually have two collaborative works going right now which I’m co-writing with two different individuals. Since I’m not the only one working on these projects, I can’t say exactly how far along in these two projects we are, or if they’ll ever reach completion in the way we envisioned. The first one, which has undergone multiple iterations, is currently on the back burner for myself and my co-writer. We’ll have to see if we come back together to salvage that one. The other work, which just underwent a major plot overhaul, is slow going as me and my co-writer are both currently very busy. But it’s moving along slowly.
My short stories
I’m going to say, I’m not very good at writing short stories at the moment. But that hasn’t stopped me from trying. The work is still a bit rough so I’ve set all four of them to rest for the moment. However, I’ve got my eye on them. I’m hoping that after a month or two I can make the required changes and send them out one more time for applications.
So, as you can see I’m a little crazy. Between these and increasing my online presence, I’m ready to pull out my hair, but I will continue to send updates every couple of weeks and I will be published, sooner or later. Thanks again for your support, I wish you all success and glory. What do you have in the works right now? Share in the comments below.
When you decide to start writing, there’s so much pressure to perform right away. Especially in an age like ours where results are meant to be immediate and visible. Well, sorry to break it to you, but only an outlier would make it like that. The norm for most people is that good old recipe of time, luck, and money. If you haven’t already, go ahead and subscribe to our page for updates; and let’s talk about 3 writing misconceptions.
You have to write every day
Flimflam. While it’s true that you do have to write consistently, for some people that does not mean they write every day. Perhaps it’s write so many pages a month or so many pages a week. As long as you have a consistent schedule, don’t worry about writing every day. Especially since so much of writing… isn’t writing. This is a huge writing misconception.
Fact or Fiction: Writing is Hard? Writing is Easy?
You’ve been hornswoggled. Some people say it’s a myth that writing is hard. Others say it’s a myth that writing is easy. Both are wrong. “Hard” and “easy” both get confused with time consuming in most cases. The more you write, the faster ideas and structures come to you. So, at first, crafting a good scene will take a very long time. However, with practice you will become more capable. And eventually you will write well. This writing misconception is a hard one to beat since it comes at you from both sides, but don’t give up. Writing really does take time; that’s not a myth. So make sure you set some hours aside for it, or things really will get out of hand.
What do you think? Do you agree that writing is more an issue of time rather than difficulty? Go ahead and add your thoughts to the comments below.
Fact or Fiction: A First Novel really is a First Novel
Delusionary diddle. In case the image didn’t tip you off, this is false. People aren’t naturally good at writing. (Well, maybe someone is… but—squints suspiciously—I doubt that.) The book you read underwent at least a couple revisions, which might have taken the writer years to complete. This misconception has agents and self-publishers crying together. Please, don’t do it. A book you hold in your hands is truly a labor of love and effort on the part of the writer and anyone that helped them along the way.
Those are just three of the common writing misconceptions common today. For additional help with writing, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is the book the industry is raving about. Check it out today and save yourself the hassle before you’re knees deep in a dirty draft.
Writing is the perfect excuse to travel. If you’re looking to write deeper stories, live abroad and if possible learn the language there. In doing that, you’ll strengthen your understanding of people and widen your worldview. Here are three ways that living abroad makes you a stronger story teller.
Why People Do What They Do
We really do view the world differently based on our culture. American tourists abroad will often get a lot of flack for exactly that reason. They’re considered individualistic and inconsiderate. And, comparatively, I can’t say that is entirely wrong. Compared to many other countries, American culture is defined by a strong sense of the individual and personal needs over the needs of others.
By living in another country, people undergo what many call “culture shock.” For me, this felt like a coming to terms with discomfort caused by unfamiliar cultural pressures. This forced self-awareness gives the “why” to people’s actions. Suddenly, you have to rethink even basic things. “Why do I do this?” becomes a constant question. So, it was by living abroad that I have developed a deeper sense of self-awareness. And as I’ve become more self aware, my writing has improved.
Knowing why people act how they do, subverting that, and juxtaposing it makes character interactions compelling. So, if you’re struggling with dialogue, or character development in general, try a different scenery. You’ll be shocked by what you find.
World Building Inspiration
One of the complaints that agents give is that they’re tired of “euro-centric” narratives. So, knights and castles? It’s a bit overdone, you know. The market is looking for something fresh, something new. You’ll find things so different from what you’re familiar with, and that’s inspiring. Every culture needs basic things: food, water, shelter. And yet, people addressed those basic needs so differently around the world. Going abroad helps you step away from the familiar. You can combine the familiar with the new, or you can pull entirely from the new. It makes the worlds you build feel 1. more real and 2. more inclusive. Nothing’s worse than a white-wash novel full of people, places, and things that are all the same. The world is filled with unique things, so things in your book should be unique as well.
It could be a festival, an art form, a fighting style, really anything could capture your attention while travelling. While in South America I was often amazed at the graffiti around the cities. Literally. Anything. You’ll see how people and culture come together and shape each other, and you’ll better under stand how you can write a culture in the context of a book.
Despite the fact that I’ve mainly focused on fantasy ideas with this, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to travel even when writing a modern fiction because with that it’s all the more important to make sure you’re getting the facts from the source.
Stories Different From The Ones You Know
Stories change around the world, as does the manner of storytelling. Your writing will feel fresh if you implement some of the writing techniques from various countries or cultures. American story telling is… for lack of a better word, very linear. This happens because of this and that leads to that. But, this isn’t true of all narrative styles. Some are more meandering, you’ll get at the finish but it might not be a straight path. Others dance around the central topic without ever brushing it explicitly. The best way to familiarize yourself with different approaches to narratives is to read literature from other cultures. Which is, in my opinion, best done in that language if you can manage it.
For something less European, you could certainly read the works of Machado de Assis. Although I recommend the original Portuguese, I know that many people reading this likely won’t speak Portuguese. As such, here’s a link for purchasing his book Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas and, one of my all time favorites, Dom Casmurro. If you haven’t read them, they’re worth the read!
So, what do you think? In what ways has travelling helped you become a better writer? Comment below and don’t forget to follow the page for more updates.
C.W. Spalding 
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