One of Twitter’s advantages compared to other forms of social media is that it’s possible to build a network quickly. But if you don’t want a network with nothing but bots and online marketers, you’ll need to find some real people, hopefully ones who share some of your interests. Hashtags can help.

Hashtags are a word or phrase that come after the pound sign (#) and are included in your tweet. For example:

Come read my #blogbattle winner, Oak: http://wp.me/s6jPnk-oak. #shortstory, #flashfiction, #amwritingfantasy

I’ve never used four hashtags in a tweet before, but the story title was short, and one of the hashtags worked into the message. Generally, I restrict my hastags to only one or two.

Whenever you use a hashtag, you aren’t just identifying with a group, like wearing the jersey for your favorite team. Hashtags do more than that.

On the top right hand side of the menu…

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re aware that characters are kind of big deals when it comes to fiction writing. They’re the heart of the story and the main reason our readers gift us with hours of their lives. Let’s face it: without characters, the reading experience wouldn’t really be electrifying. Like, at all. May as well hand them a book on mathematical physics, I say.

I mean, sure, some readers enjoy plot-driven stories, but almost every great story is about the people. Even a fantastic plot-driven book would feel empty without well-developed characters. Why? Because there’s nothing like connecting with a story on an emotional level. And having rich, layered characters in your book is the way you achieve that. How? By making them realistic. I know, I know. This goes without saying . . . but it’s best to add a reminder. Just in case.

For many women, pregnancy is like a second birth. Many even consider that their life only truly begins the day they give birth. But there is a second group of women who are very worried at the idea of getting pregnant. It has nothing to do with not liking children, but it’s related to some common fears and worries that false information and urban myths have created around pregnancy. In truth, whether you are considering having children or whether you know someone who is, it’s good to get your pregnancy facts checked with science.

Focus on eating healthy

Craig Boyack here, with another post on the Storyreading Ape’s blog. This is my eighth post here, and the assignment gets more difficult with each post. “Write something without going down the buy my book path.” It’s a great test, and I’m always up for a challenge.

I’m writing this early in the morning on Christmas Eve. I may actually have a new book out by now, but don’t dare write about it today. My topic is going to be speculative fiction.

In the writing world, there are more definitions for every term than are helpful. Look up word counts for short stories as an example. In most cases, I look to the definitions as guidelines and make up my own parameters. Speculative fiction is like that. For me, it involves at least one impossible element.

You can look to broad categories like science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal, or you…

Hello, bloggers!

I hope you are having the most fabulous of days!! It’s always a great day in Alabama!!  🙂

Today, I have a treat for you. Susan Hughesis visiting with us and we are talking about the one thing that many authors aren’t a fan of… EDITING!!!Susan has some wonderful suggestions to share with us. So, as always, enjoy…

When Marlena offered me the opportunity to write a guest post for her blog, I jumped right on it. As an editor, I’ve been exposed to a wide range of writing styles and skill levels. I’ve edited professional documents for school districts, articles for the Huffington Post, poetry, nonfiction, fiction . . . you name it. As the copy editor for Addison: The Magazine of the North Dallas Corridor, I spend time on that end of things as well.

Most of my work, however, is with self-published…