The Renegade Writer

I just stumbled across this website today and I’m impressed.  The Renegade Writer is actually two writers with a lot to say about writing professionally.  Together they’ve created more than a thousand blog posts, many of which contained information I either didn’t know or wish I had known earlier. 

One article in particular could be useful to any budding writer.  Do you think you have to begin your writing day in the morning, just like a “real” job?  You may be wrong.  Just as some of us are night people, or day people, one of the keys to writing successfully is to find out when you can be most productive.  There’s a world of difference in your quality and production when you find the right time to sit down at your computer.  This article goes in depth on finding your ideal time to write, and what might be blocking you.

No matter what you might want to investigate as a writer, I suspect there’s a post here that will give you new insight into the process, and the timing, of writing.  Plan on spending a substantial amount of time here.  Both beginners and experienced writers will find something of interest.

The website is here:

Is Bubblews the World’s Largest Social Experiment?

I think I’ve figured out what Bubblews is really about.  If I am right, it’s actually a gigantic social experiment.  Where else can you connect with people all around the world as they share big and little stories about their lives and customs, families, and all the large and small details that make them real people?

I have always believed that if ordinary people around the world could talk directly to one another, we would find that we are all actually much alike.  Everyone wants enough food, a safe place to raise his or her family, and the ability to meet basic needs.

The Bubblews platform seems deliberately designed to try to meet the need for understanding among people of all cultures and social positions.  Without leaving the website, I have read stories about people living in Asia, Canada, South America, Europe and the Pacific Islands.  Some of these stories are well written, others struggle to express themselves.  Nearly all contain some little gem of knowledge or insight about the people who wrote them.

Whether this “social experiment” is intentional or not, I believe it is happening at Bubblews.  For this reason, if for no other, I will continue to support the site.

It also doesn’t hurt that the site is one of the best-paying of its kind that I have run across.  It is going through some serious growing pains at the moment, so there are times when it is not possible to log in.  But in my opinion, it’s definitely worth the wait.

I encourage you to at least visit the site.  It may not be to your liking, but then again ...

Thinking About Writing a Book?

Here’s a writing website you need to spend some time on.  There’s more here than meets the eye when you first visit, so be prepared to take your time and explore some of the side roads he has built into it. 

Author Scott Berkun pulls no punches in explaining the realities of writing a book to hopeful authors.  And some of his observations, while obvious, are still surprising when you first read them.  But it is all based on his experience and a good dose of common sense. 

Scott’s advice will help you start your first (or next) book, and then goes on to help you with “what’s next?”  

You’ll also find his blog entertaining.  And don’t miss the comments.  Some of them also contain some very useful information.  His website is here:

Can This New Business Model Work for Indie Authors?

There’s a new business model out there for indie authors and publishers.  Can it work?  If you judge by the success of a company called Word Branch Publishing, the answer is yes.

Word Branch Publishing is actually a co-op.  No one associated with the company draws a salary. Instead they share a portion of the royalties as the books they represent become successful.  Author members have published books in several lucrative genres including young adult, spiritual, fantasy and science fiction. 

All of Word Branch Publishing books are published electronically, and most are also available as print-on-demand paperbacks.  One advantage to this system is that it keeps shipping costs down so that more profit is available for its members.

The company is currently working with eleven authors publishing a total of 24 books and is in the process of signing several more.  One also has a screenplay being produced in Asia.  Others have developed their own following.

There are, of course, no guarantees that members will make money, but so far the company, which seems to be very well managed, seems to be well on its way to profitability in the next year or two.

 Word Branch Publishing is located in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, which is a story in itself.

For more information on this innovative company, visit here.  You might also want to take a look at this site.