5 Things That Writers Should Stop Doing

I’m often asked at presentations and writers conferences what should writers stop doing. What are things that may not be as helpful to one’s writing journey? So, here’s my list.

1. Stop procrastinating. Sit down and write the book. You can edit a bad or sad draft. You can’t edit a blank page. Talking about writing a book is not writing a book.

2. Stop comparing yourself to others. We are all on a writing journey, and we’re at different stages. Plus, something that works for one person, may not work for another. Be you. That’s what makes your writing unique.

3. Stop listening to that negative voice in your head. (Not the one that is warning you about danger…the one that is making you feel bad.) The writing journey is a rollercoaster and imposter syndrome is real. But if you really want to write and publish a book. You need to make up your mind to try. Sit down and write.

4. Stop wallowing. When you get bad news (we all do), have your own pity party. Do what it takes to get over it…exercise, scream, eat chocolate, cry, rant to your dog, and then see what you can learn from the experience and move on. Those that spend weeks, months, and years wallowing, waste all their creative energy on something they probably can’t change.

5. Stop playing at writing. Writing is a business. If you want to be a published author, then treat your writing as such. Learn your craft, learn how to market, learn the business side of it, and network with other authors. Build your social media presence and put yourself out there. Do your research, do your homework, and write.

What else would you add to my list?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Dr. Katherine Hayes

I’d like to welcome Dr. Katherine Hayes to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you never want to run out of: Faith, perfume, binge-worthy books and movies

Things you wish you’d never bought: Too many useless souvenirs and books

Hardest thing about being a writer: The rejection, isolation, and waiting

Easiest thing about being a writer: I love inventing stories and building their worlds

Things you need for your writing sessions: Candles, jazz, and caffeine

Things that hamper your writing: Keeping up with the business of writing, chatty family members, naughty pets

A few of your favorite things: Family photos, traveling, animals, swimming

Things you need to throw out: Old greeting cards, terrible plays I wrote years ago, and very random memorabilia

Words that describe you: I’m loyal to a fault, generous, funny, energetic, spontaneous, and artistic

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: OCD, overly sensitive

Favorite foods: Curry chicken (most Caribbean food), Korean food

Things that make you want to gag: Squid, fish eyeballs

Something you’re really good at: Project management, working with people, public speaking, cooking, decorating, drawing

Something you’re really bad at: Algebra, calculus, and saying, “No!”

Favorite music or song: Jazz, gospel, neo-soul, classical piano

Music that drives you crazy: Heavy metal and most country music

Favorite smell: Lavender and peppermint

Something that makes you hold your nose: Bad body odor

Things you always put in your books: Food, food, and more food, animals

Things you never put in your books: Erotica

Things to say to an author: I’m going to buy every single one of your books, write a review for them, and tell everyone what a rockstar you are!

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Are you ever going to get a real job?

Favorite places you’ve been: Italy, Scotland, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Jamaica, and England (I was born there)

Places you never want to go to again: The Bronx (Even though I grew up in Brooklyn, New York after leaving England)

About Katherine:

Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is an editor, author, speaker, podcaster, and educational consultant. She is Embolden Media Group’s production editor and a Word Weavers International member, serving as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association, FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future in Guatemala. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She contributes regularly to several magazines, blogs, and newsletters. She authored a Bible study for women, a collaborative anthology of devotions, and is currently working on the sequels of her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story debuted in February 2024 through Endgame Press.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.drkatherinehayes.com

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/khutch0767

Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katherine.hutchinsonhayes

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordrkatherinehayes/

Books: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Little-Black-Dress-Women/dp/1365056163

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-katherine-hutchinson-hayes-3b5a3254/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordrkatherine/

Podcast (Apple): https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/murder-mysterymayhem-laced-with-morality/ade5f5bb-6cbf-4722-a421-9874b24fa49d

Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4zWmZckdnPsYG9CUAKkv1p

#WriterWednesday Interview with Matt Cost

I’d like to welcome author Matt Cost to the blog today for Writer Wednesday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Writing. Sometimes you have to just sit down and grind it out.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Writing. Other times, the words flow like the chocolate river in Willy Wonka.

Things you need for your writing sessions: My headphones. I put cool jazz on, and this allows me to write anywhere.

Things that hamper your writing: Going down the rabbit hole of research and surfacing days later realizing that you haven’t gotten any actual writing done.

Favorite music or song: Jimmy Buffett. “Cheeseburger in Paradise”

Music that drives you crazy: Ye (formerly Kanye West). If I can understand the words, they don’t make sense.

The last thing you ordered online: The audiobook of King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby.

The last thing you regret buying: That final whiskey at the bar.

Things to say to an author: I hope I get your book for Christmas.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Hater reviews will always get you killed in my next book. Reviews with no basis of critique, just unhappy people lashing out.

Favorite places you’ve been: Cuba, Iceland, and Paris are tied at the top of my list.

Places you never want to go to again: The waiting place from the Dr. Seuss book, Oh the Places You’ll Go.

Favorite books (or genre): Mystery books! One of the best of my recent reads is An Honest Man by Michael Koryta.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Books where nothing happens. I’m with Elmore Leonard, cut out the parts that make your eyes glaze over.

Favorite things to do: I like to write, chill, play basketball, and golf.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: I am not a big fan of cleaning.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: A very nice older lady called me to say that she loved my books.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: That same lady explained that she enjoyed being able to identify places and told me where she lived. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I was currently killing somebody in my book at her house.

My favorite book as a child: The Hardy Boys were big favorites!

A book I’ve read more than once: All of the Louis L’Amour books.

Your favorite movie as a child: Blazing Saddles.

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): Jaws.

About Matt:

Over the years, Cost has owned a video store, a mystery bookstore, and a gym. He has also taught history and coached just about every sport imaginable.

During those years, since age eight actually, the true passion has been writing. I Am Cuba: Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution (Encircle Publications, March 2020) was his first traditionally published novel.

Cost has now written six books in the Mainely Mystery series starting with "Mainely Power", five books in the Clay Wolfe Trap series starting with Wolfe Trap, and two books in the Brooklyn 8 Ballo series starting with Velma Gone Awry. A few historical fiction pieces fill out the shelves. The Not So Merry Adventures of Max Creed is Book One in the Max Creed Chronicles.

Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. There are four dogs to help with editing. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.mattcost.net/

Writing is a Business

I am asked frequently about what is one piece of advice that I would give to aspiring authors or a younger me. It’s that writing is a business, and you need to treat yours like one. Writers write books and get royalties, right? Yes, but there’s a whole business side to the process that I didn’t really grasp until I received my first publishing contract. Here’s what I learned.

1. Writing is hard work. It takes time and practice to hone your craft. You have to put in the time to get the best results. And your first draft is NEVER the final one.

2. Editors, agents, and publishers are looking for books they can sell.

3. Not every person who reads is going to buy your book or even like your book.

4. It is hard to hear not-so-positive reviews or critiques of your work. But to improve your craft, you need to learn what you can from feedback (and learn to ignore the trolls).

5. No matter how big your publisher is, you will still need to market your books and build your author platform.

6. It is hard to go it alone. Find your crew who understand the process and the writing life. Your writer friends will celebrate with you and help cheer you up. The best thing I did was to join Sisters in Crime and other writers’ groups.

7. You need to research the business and financial (tax) aspects that affect you and where you live. You may need a professional to help you with the record keeping, business licensing, and other advice.

8. Once you have publications, you need to consult your attorney about what to do with the rights and royalties after you are gone. You need a will if you don’t already have one.

9. When I treated my writing as a hobby, it was hard to get family and friends to understand that this was more than a fun project. Now, I schedule the work and appointments like I do at the day gig.

Writing is tough sometimes and writing for publication is often an adventure. But there is nothing better than seeing your name on the cover when it finally launches into the world.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Sandra Rathbone

I’d like to welcome Sandra Rathbone to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Not giving into self-doubt. The Imposter Syndrome is a such a real thing. Marketing your book is also a challenge.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Coming up with great characters. It’s my favorite part about writing.

Something you’re really good at: Drawing cartoons and playing the violin.

Something you’re really bad at: Anything athletic. I love watching baseball and the Olympics. I’m lucky to be able to walk and do a bit of yoga.

Last best thing you ate: I had a plate of corned beef, bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, pickled slaw and German potato salad at the German Festhaus at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA.

Last thing you regret eating: I had a cheese chili hotdog at a ballgame in Asheville. It was so messy. Good, but messy.

Favorite music or song: Fascination Street by The Cure

Music that drives you crazy: I am not a fan of bluegrass music, which is funny since I’m from Asheville, NC. Bluegrass is huge there.

Favorite places you’ve been: Savannah, GA (Love Leopold’s ice cream, the town squares throughout the city, and the riverwalk); Charleston, SC (Love the City Market, the houses on the East Battery, and dessert at the Peninsula Grill; Burnsville, NC (My grandparents are from there.)

Places you never want to go to again: Going south on Highway 17 to Wilmington. We were driving from the Outer Banks to Wilmington. We stopped at a gas station somewhere in between. I entered that place and felt so unwelcomed there. It was the way the locals looked at me as I made a beeline for the bathroom and made another beeline back to our car.

Favorite books (or genre): I still love to read Young Adult and Middle Grade books. There are so many wonderful authors, especially where I live which is the Piedmont Triad of NC. I’m currently reading a YA book from a North Carolina author, Elizabeth Mowery: The Unforgettable Tales of Adeline Bigsby, Book 1: Whispers in the Forest. She, too, writes about visiting other worlds and like Skelee Boy in my books, the main character Adeline (Addie) tries to fit in and make her life work going between the two worlds.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I am not a fan of romance novels. I have tried. Just not for me.

Favorite things to do: I love to watch Classic movies. I am a huge fan of Film Noir from the ‘40s and ‘50s. I love the Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe characters, especially.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Yardwork. I absolutely hate it. My mom would be ashamed to hear me admit this. She is such an avid gardener.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: I conducted the NC Western Regional All-State Repertory Orchestra. One of the pieces I conducted was the “Overture to Rienzi” by Richard Wagner. I was told by other Orchestra directors not to do it. I did it. The students sounded amazing. I would do it all over again if could.

Something you chickened out from doing: I was asked to play a violin gig. The music was so difficult. When the gig came up, I had gotten the flu. Most musicians will play while they are sick. I just couldn’t do it. I had to turn it down during the first rehearsal. I wasn’t asked to play for that group again.

The funniest thing to happen to you: My students played a joke on me. I was trying to tune them, but their instruments just wouldn’t stay in tune. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. The room wasn’t cold (a nightmare for string instruments.) Well, it was April 1. The kids were laughing this whole time. I figured it out. Little stinkers would detune their instruments behind my back after I had tuned them.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: I was playing violin at a recital in college. I showed up on time. Knew the piece well. Our group wasn’t performing until later. I went to the restroom. Lost track of time. Made a fashionably late entrance as the musicians were waiting for me to join them. My college mates still give me flack about that one.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: Don’t stop writing. Please don’t. This is something you need to keep doing.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: This wasn’t a reader, but I was at a festival where I was selling my books. A woman told me that she didn’t allow her kids to read scary books. She said her kids were scared of everything.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: I used to write comic strips. The Skelee Boy character came from the comic strips I created.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Originally, Skelee Boy was just going to be comic book series. A friend of mine thought he would do well as a novel. The rest is history.

My favorite book as a child: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

A book I’ve read more than once: Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy. Loved that story in high school. Still love it now.

About Sandra:

Sandra's tastes in literature and music can best be described as eclectic. She writes middle grade and young adult horror fiction and enjoys reading rock musician biographies. She is also an avid fan of rock and classical music.

Sandra is an award-winning author of “Skelee Boy: A Skelee Boy Book” and “Skelee Boy and the Demon King.” She also is an Orchestra Director in the state of North Carolina.

Sandra lives in NC with her husband and their "tortie" cat, Charley. When she's not writing you can find Sandra playing her violin and viola as a free-lance musician.

Skelee Boy: Two Worlds is the third book of the “Skelee Boy” book series.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skeleeboybooks

Website: www.sandrarathbone.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/skeleeboybooks1/

X: https://x.com/SandraRathbone6

#WriterWednesday Interview with Sarah E. Burr

I’d like to welcome the multi-talented Sarah E. Burr back to the blog. Congratulations on your new mystery!

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Play video games and read manga

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to-do list: Cooking dinner

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Tea, my laptop, and sunshine.

Things that distract you from writing: My dogs, social media, and video games.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Balancing writing time with everything else that needs to get done.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Coming up with a “gist” of a new story.

Things you will run to the store for at midnight: Chips and salsa, the ultimate snack.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Seafood of any kind.

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: A gaming chair with designs from one of my favorite games.

The thing you wished you’d never bought: A really uncomfortable pair of shoes.

Favorite snacks: Chips and salsa, popcorn, pretzels, Cheezits…any salty munchy!

Things that make you want to gag: Seafood of any form.

Something you’re really good at: Organizing and planning.

Something you’re really bad at: Saying no to things.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: A detective.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: Try to sell people things.

Last best thing you ate: Homemade tacos with lots of sour cream.

Last thing you regret eating: Spaghetti Bolognese.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Ziplined in the Jamaican rainforest.

Something you chickened out from doing: Seeing a scary movie in theaters (gotta watch at home).

Best piece of advice you received from another writer: “Protect your joy in storytelling.”

Something you would tell a younger you about your writing: “Just write the book. Don’t overthink it.”

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: Go for a walk, change your scenery, or step away for a bit.

Things you do to avoid writing: Scroll through social media or clean.

About Sarah:

Sarah E. Burr is the award-winning author of the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, Trending Topic Mysteries, Book Blogger Mysteries, and Court of Mystery series. She co-hosts It’s Bookish Time TV, a cozy web channel featuring live author chats. When she’s not crafting twisty whodunits, Sarah can be found reading mysteries and manga, playing video games, or strolling around with her adorable rescue pups, Eevee and Itto. Want to stay connected and snag free short stories? Join her newsletter here: https://bit.ly/saraheburrbookssignup.

Her latest, Fatal Sign-Off, book three in the Book Blogger Mysteries, is out August 26th on eBook and paperback: https://books2read.com/u/4Erlrl.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.saraheburr.com/

Substack: https://substack.com/@saraheburrbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saraheburrbooks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsaraheburr/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb5AnjG2Tdb6ESttl4oQqJQ

Do You Have a Playlist for Your Book?

Think about creating playlists for your book or series. Readers love music, and it’s an interesting way to share another facet related to your writing.

How Do I Create One? Go to your favorite streaming site and login. Most have a playlist or a “Create Playlist” feature. I use Spotify. After I click Create, I name it. In the description field, I usually put a summary of the book or series. Spotify has a “My Library” feature to house my playlists.

Examples

• My Glamping Playlist for the Jules Keene Mysteries

• The Jules Keene Playlist - full of peppy songs that I listen to while writing

• My Favorite Christmas Songs for the Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries

• Songs about Writers

• Songs about Writing

What kind of music do you listen to while writing?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Sean O'Leary

I’d like to weclome Sean O’Leary to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: the waiting

Easiest thing about being a writer: I don’t get writers block. All I have to do is go to the desk and work.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Coffee, laptop, notes galore.

Things that hamper your writing: Ah, boring stuff, like paying bills, cleaning, but good stuff too, like great films and books, I can’t drag myself away from.

Last best thing you ate: Lemon Cheesecake.

Last thing you regret eating: Garlic bread.

Favorite music or song: Chet Baker/Royel Otis

Music that drives you crazy: lift muzak

The last thing you ordered online: a desk lamp.

The last thing you regret buying: some dodgy headphones.

Things you always put in your books: sex/fights/plot twists

Things you never put in your books: I’m up for everything.

Things to say to an author: I love your stuff

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I always thought I could be a writer. (There’s nothing stopping you.)

Favorite places you’ve been: Vietnam

Places you never want to go to again: Bali

Favorite books (or genre): The Great Gatsby. The Quiet American.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I’m up for anything, but if it doesn’t work, I don’t mind quitting early on.

Favorite things to do: Write/drink great coffee. Arabica in Bangkok is great. Travel.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Get insurance. Complain about bad service.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: This was an extract from a review. I loved it: Fast-paced, sleazy, violent. O'Leary doesn't just show you the seedy sights of two of Australia's most famous cities; he drags you down into the gutter along with the losers, deadbeats, and addicts that populate this engrossing tale. I needed a bath with a wire brush and Dettol once I was done with this one.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: I got a 2-star review recently, and it started with, this isn’t my usual fare—and went downhill from there.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done? I just started doing screen printing, plus I’m a mad photographer.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: A few short stories got burned and shredded.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: I’ve been in a psychiatric ward for a short time on three occasions. I have schizophrenia.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: I wrote a short story collection called ‘This is Not a Love Song’ about failed love affairs, and a few people thought some were true. None were by the way.

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: I bought ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ at Brashes at Chadstone Shopping Centre, and I’ve been editing an anthology called ‘Crime Songs’, and Nevada McPherson-one of the contributors, chose that song as her inspiration.

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: Rave

My favorite book as a child: The Guardians, a sci-fi book by John Christopher.

A book I’ve read more than once: The Great Gatsby.

Your favorite movie as a child: My parents took me to the cinema to see ‘The Man Who Would be King’ with Sean Connery and Michael Caine. It stayed with me.

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): The Thirteen Ghosts/The Exorcist.

About Sean:

Sean O’Leary is a writer of crime and literary fiction from Melbourne, Australia. He has published five short story collections, two novellas and four novels as well as over fifty individual short stories in journals both literary and crime. He walks through cities, along coasts and on bush tracks. Takes photographs like a madman, does some drawing and thinks test cricket is the greatest game of all.

I write crime novels that are fast paced, action filled stories featuring relentless protagonists who never give up.

I write crime and literary short story collections filled with slices of life that will make you laugh and cry and break your heart.

My crime novels are also translated into Spanish and Portuguese.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sean.oleary.404569

Instagram 1: https://www.instagram.com/oleary4119/

Instagram 2: http://www.instagram.com/point_and_shoot_88

Threads: http://www.threads.com/@point_and-Shoot_88