cornerofmadness

Another short post mostly because I have SO much school work to do. I loathe summer school. I totally forgot I have a test monday AND to go grade last week's shit. bah.

This brings me to my idea for the week, deadlines. Yeah they're weighing on my mind. We get them for sure in pro projects. Hell we get them in fanfic projects. How do you react to deadlines? They usually make me more creative in a short burst of time but at the same time that's sort of crazy making.

What I would like is to find a way to keep myself on track for a deadline. LIke the one I'm rushing to beat for the latest Demon Hunter story (and again if anyone wants to help beta that let me know). I had plenty of time. But I managed to squander a lot of time (see last week's post on time wasters). I need a better plan to keeping myself on track. sigh.

Here, having some practical tips for blogging/having your own website platform as an author by Colleen Lindsay (former agent) as seen on her twitter feed.

Practical tip #14: If you're going on vacation or need a break, ask a friend to guest-blog for you so content stays fresh! (honestly I'm not too sure I want to do this. you'd really have to trust someone)

Practical tip #13: Write about other writers you love to read. Pay it forward, especially if you have a strong platform (now THIS I like)

Practical tip #12: List any and all awards you've won, whether you're a NYT, USA Today bestseller, etc

ractical tip #11: Add your bibliography, in the order that the books were published, so new readers can read in order

Practical tip #10: Make sure you add links to all your (public) social media presences on your blog/website

Practical tip #9: For the love of GOD, don't put auto-play music on your blog or website! (this should go for ANY website. that is so 1998)

Practical tip #8: Avoid graphic-heavy landing pages; they add nothing and just piss off people with older browsers.

Practical tip #7: Make sure your agent and publicist's contact info is on your blog/website

Practical tip #6: Don't be afraid to take control of your comments and delete the assholes. It's YOUR blog. (AMEN)

Practical tip #5: HIRE A DESIGNER. Make an effort! It's not super-expensive these days to hire a blog designer.

Practical tip #4: Have a separate area on your site for appearance information, and make sure it's up-to-date

Practical tip #3: Don't make it hard for readers to leave comments and engage you in conversation. Allow use of Open ID, etc.

Practical tip #2: Create a downloadable press kit for your site, w/ high-res photos, book jackets, bio & press clippings.

Practical tip #1: ALWAYS have contact information on your website or blog (and not one of those contact forms)

and here a quote I really like if you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. STEPHEN KING

Also if anyone wants to have a REVIEW copy of Cross Bones the m/m pirate anthology, let me know and I'll hook you up with the pdf once i get it. But please review it

yearly word count -

51043 / 125000 words. 41% done!

demon hunter holiday -

5175 / 15000 words. 35% done!