C. M. Skiera's Blog

Do you ever struggle with writer's block, or feel like your brain is stuck in a rut, recycling the same old tropes? Do you wish you knew some time-tested techniques to nudge your creative mind in new directions? Do you have trouble establishing (or maintaining) a consistently productive writing schedule? If so, I have something that may help. I recently read the review copy of Opening the Creativity Diamond: The writer's guide to creative thinking by Tony Jones , which is a book designed to help writers unleash their potential. Tony Jones is a fellow indie author, blogger , and Google Plusser with  "years of experience as a trainer of creative thinking tools."  In his book, Mr. Jones reveals proven ways to 'jump-start' your brain, including detailed examples, puzzles, and brain teasers. Mr. Jones explains that  "I have tailored a diverse set of techniques for writers. The book contains many examples of the ideas in action along with a few exercises ...

Happy new year, everyone (better late than never)! I sincerely hope you had a wonderful holiday season and wish you all the best for 2015. As another year rolls by, I find myself assessing my efficiency and productivity. As an indie author, I still need to maintain a non-writing, full-time job, and hence, my 'free' time for creative writing related activities is at a premium. Since I waded into the self-publishing pool in 2012, I've seen the industry expand in leaps and bounds. It seems every day there is something new to consider; websites, services, blogs, advice, social media outlets, retail sellers, and more bombard the indie author with promises of success. Yet wading through this myriad of potentially-beneficial distractions to find the most useful and efficient tools is daunting. As a newbie, I tried everything; signed up for every social media platform, joined all the indie author sites I could find, subscribed to countless blogs, posted my e-book anywhere it co...

As the holiday crunch closes in on us, I thought I'd share some of my favorite freebies, in case you're in need of another stocking stuffer, or just want to get a little something for yourself. Free e-books are all over the internet, but if you're looking for some quality free e-books, I think these suggestions stand out above the crowd. I've read the books below and found each of them valuable: Smashwords Book Marketing Guide  By Mark Coker An easy-to-implement guide on how to market ebooks. My rating; 5 stars. The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success  By Mark Coker The 30 best practices of bestselling self-published ebook authors. My rating; 4 stars. Put the Cat In the Oven Before You Describe the Kitchen   By Jake Vander Ark Twenty writing tips for novice (and intermediate) writers. My rating; 4 stars. How to Write More Words More Easily (Fiction Writing HELP)  By Terrance Field Guidelines for writing an interesting, page-turning story. My rating;...

Although Dwight V. Swain's  Techniques of the Selling Writer is older than I am (which is pretty darn old), it stands the test of time and remains a valuable read for writers, especially beginners and those still striving to perfect their craft. So, you may be asking, why bother reviewing a 49-year old book? Fair question. It's one of the most cited and referenced books on writing I've encountered, and after reading it, I can understand why. If you haven't heard of it, or given it a try, I'll attempt to convince you. Techniques of the Selling Writer  focuses on the premise of understanding your reader’s motivation for reading. With that goal in mind, the book then provides instructions on how to successfully assemble your story to give your readers a powerful emotional experience. Dwight V. Swain's book can be thought of as a builder's manual for crafting a satisfying and rewarding story. Possibly the most well-known concept Swain presents in this book ...