Writers can get quick tips on writing and editing with “50 Tips for First-Time Authors.” Pull up a chair, get your favorite beverage and dive right in to learn writing, editing and publishing tips.
By Shelley Widhalm
Seven is a lucky number that represents perfection and completion, both physical and spiritual.
There also are seven days of the week, seven continents and seven brides for seven brothers. Seven has a lot of mathematical play with repetition and multiplication*. And it is the number of objects you can hold in your head when they are placed on a table. After that, counting is needed.
I counted 50 of my best writing, editing and publishing tips in my book, 50 Tips for First-Time Authors, which I published in print and e-book formats on 7/7 in 2020 (a year some consider not so lucky with the worldwide pandemic, social isolation and mask-wearing and other mandates).
The Lucky 7
This year on Lucky 7, or July 7, I will have my e-book at a lucky discounted rate, so that you can get a quick jumpstart into the writing life.
Leading up to that day, I will have other discounts, the first of which is for 7 days June 21-28. Through a Kindle Countdown Deal, the e-book will sell for $0.99 June 21-24, then for $1.99 June 24-28. It will return to the regular price of $2.99 at midnight PDT.
In my book, I assembled the best tips I’ve gathered during my 20 years of writing novels and four years of professional editing to help writers get their books publication ready.
The Tips Simplified
I want to let writers know that though writing is hard, it also can be fun. It doesn’t have to be some overwhelming, daunting task but can be broken down into chunks, such as writing for an hour a week or setting a page or word count goal—basically, just get out the rough draft and worry about editing later.
I also want to inspire writers to start but also to maintain writing, so that it becomes a hobby or even a job. Writing is a craft that can be learned through reading, webinars and classes, but then the writer brings in their magic through their style, voice and use of words. That’s where the fun can come in.
I also give tips on the writing and revision processes, plus offer a few ideas for overcoming writer’s block. I explain the differences among writing in the fiction, nonfiction and poetry genres. And I touch on methods for writing concisely without repetitions and things like word echoes.
If you want to get lucky (in writing, that is), check out the best 50 tips.