10/16/12 How to grow in the craft of writing.

DiamondLB RT @IndelibleWriter: Join us for #indiechat in 3 minutes! Self improvement tips for the self published! -8:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Hi everyone! #indiechat -8:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @LM_Preston By any means necessary! #indiechat -9:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak Hi everyone! #indiechat -9:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling We've had so many chats about marketing and 5 year plans. But what about improving our craft? #indiechat -9:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley Hi #indiechat -9:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB “@laurapauling: Hi everyone! #indiechat”

laurapauling @DiamondLB Hey there! I dm'd you back. :) #indiechat -9:01 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: We've had so many chats about marketing and 5 year plans. But what about improving our craft? #indiechat -9:01 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @crankyashley Hi there! Welcome #indiechat -9:01 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @laurapauling Thanks :) #indiechat -9:01 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB Hi guys! #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Does everyone usually see an improvement in their writing from year to year? #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn Hello everybody! #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB @laurapauling oh yay! *scoots to reply* #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @chandahahn Hi Chanda! #indiechat -9:02 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Yep, but still have ticks @laurapauling: Does everyone usually see an improvement in their writing from year to year? #indiechat” -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling I think if you keep at it, you can't help but get better. #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB “@laurapauling: Does everyone usually see an improvement in their writing from year to year? #indiechat” <

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling not sure. I haven't been doing this that long to make a comparison. #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Hello indiechatters! #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I love looking back to the last year and knowing how I've improved. #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB @susankayequinn hullo! #indiechat -9:03 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling I finally learned to stop writing "nodding her head." Uh, what else would she be nodding? lol #indiechat -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio How long have you been writing? #indiechat -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Lol! Yep “@Stacey_WB: @LM_Preston By any means necessary! #indiechat” -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn Hi Susan! =^.^= #indiechat -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Stacey_WB ha ha. I still have to delete those kinds of things from my first draft. #indiechat -9:04 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling do you mean idly or seriously? #indiechat -9:05 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio srsly. #indiechat -9:05 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Stacey_WB LOL! Yes, redundant redundancies. I excel at those. #indiechat -9:05 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @KatGirl_Studio @LM_Preston *waves* #indiechat -9:05 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling a year or 2 maybe. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio Cool. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @susankayequinn Me too! Now I have betas that are specifically asked to only look for those. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston #indiechat I think my writing has greatly improved as well as I've taken some risk with other genres -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 Hey #Indiechat anything new happen? :) -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @LM_Preston I love experimenting with other genres! Really helps widen my toolbox so to say. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @LM_Preston I think taking risks is a HUGE part of improvement. #indiechat -9:06 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling One thing that really helped was to have someone out of my genre beta my work. Different perspective. #indiechat -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @laurapauling @LM_Preston I decided to delve into a sci-fi story. I'm hoping that'll help me out, too. #indiechat -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch Hey #indiechat Did you see our interview and giveaway with @srjohannes ? http://t.co/BAyaVdFT -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Being scared of a story is a sure sign to try it out. #indiechat -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I came from working in illustration/comics so writing book books is new for me. #indiechat -9:07 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Steps to improve can depend on where you are in the journey: starting out, serious-about-publishing,or multiple-novels-and/or-pub #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: Being scared of a story is a sure sign to try it out. #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling How many of you read books on the craft of wr iting? #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston RT @laurapauling: @LM_Preston I love experimenting with other genres! Really helps widen my toolbox so to say. #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling At the beginning, craft books can make a huge difference. #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @KatGirl_Studio Ah, but you already have a great sense of story/dialogue from comics I imagine #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB I've also learned that each book = different process. Becoming comfy with that makes a big difference. #indiechat -9:08 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling Oh I read a ton. I love informational & how to books. #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling What are some of your favorite craft books? #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn I think learning tips from screenwriters can really help novel writers. #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Are you doing Nanowrimo @crankyashley: @laurapauling delving into a sci-fi story. I'm hoping that'll help me out, too. #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn yes but its also very different. #indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

IndelibleWriter #indiechat happening now! Join us! We're talking improving the craft of writing! -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn Stephen Kings 'On Writing' #Indiechat -9:09 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston You haven't seen me blabbering on about it? lol @poor_dick and I both. 2nd year. @laurapauling #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I loved the Donald Maass books. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Though I can get overwhelmed with all the advice. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston I'm sticking to fantasy and trying a Beauty & the Beast rewrite, though @laurapauling #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston #indiechat I'm trying to do Nanowrimo every year to improve my writing time. Anyone else? -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling And, of course, Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling I don't really read craft books per se. I learn about craft from reading novels in the genre that I'm writing. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling If I was home I'd list a bunch off my shelf. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley RT @IndelibleWriter: #indiechat happening now! Join us! We're talking improving the craft of writing! -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak It's hard to chat and do bookkeeping at the same time. Just sayin'. #indiechat -9:10 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Some writers don't read craft books and others devour them. That's okay. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston What's your #NaNoWriMo page? I bet you can guess my name ;-) #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn I try not to pick up a craft book unless I have a manuscript to apply it to. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @laurapauling me too. Sometimes it's just too much and too contradictory. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I really liked all the Writers Digest Books I have. Very helpful. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I don't read them as much as I used to. #indiechat -9:11 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch And what about blogs that talk about the craft? #indiechat -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

VictoriaSmith76 @LM_Preston I did it last year for the first time. Really does help with writing. :) #indiechat -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling But STORY by Robert McKee during my first year was a Godsend. #indiechat A little technical but opened my eyes. -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn What's your NEWEST effort to improve craft? Mine: looking for places to use literary devices #indiechat -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @VictoriaSmith76 I think it's great, especially for people who tend to over think what they write. @LM_Preston #indiechat -9:12 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @laurapauling I've found a few good ones like James N. Frey's, but a lot just frustrate me. #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn YES@laurapauling: But STORY by Robert McKee during my first year was a Godsend. #indiechat A little technical but opened my eyes. #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I also read a lot of articles across the internet. #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @BiblioCrunch Sometimes blogs about craft can be good; sometimes not so much. #selective #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston I haven't had time to set up yet I think it is. @crankyashley: What's your #NaNoWriMo page? I bet you can guess my name ;-) #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Lately I've reading a lot more since having an ereader. and that's really helped my writing. #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Lisa_Nowak Why do they frustrate you? #indiechat -9:13 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I finally get the advice to read, read, read. #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Hi everyone! Story by Robert McKee answered so many writing questions in my screenwriting days. #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB @laurapauling I don't read them...I wonder if it's held me back... #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak Still haven't gotten through that one, but I'd like to. @laurapauling: But STORY by Robert McKee... #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

srjohannes Hi every one! sorry Im late #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

VictoriaSmith76 @crankyashley true. I found it worked pretty well with my writing style. I don't self edit so it wasn't too bad :) @lm_preston #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @DiamondLB A lot of them are repetitive. And you can learn the same thing through reading just a diff. process. #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @DougSolter I LOVE that book. #Story #indiechat -9:14 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston #indiechat LA Banks told us she could finish a novel in 2 to 3 wks and edit it 1 time before it hits the editors desk -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I started breaking down story structure in published novels. That was amazing. #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn When I'm in the middle of writing a book. I tend to not read for fun until my projects done. #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @VictoriaSmith76 My SO has that problem. He only ended up w/about 5K b/c he kept rewriting @LM_Preston #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @LM_Preston Srsly? 2-3 weeks? That's amazing. #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter I became a better writer after that book. Just sayin. @susankayequinn #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston You shouldn't need to this year. They revamped the site. All I had to do was log in and my old stuff was there #indiechat -9:15 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @chandahahn I do that too - during first drafts at least. #savethemforrewards #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston I want to grow into that @laurapauling: Srsly? 2-3 weeks? That's amazing. #indiechat” -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

VictoriaSmith76 @chandahahn I do this to! Helps me stay constant with my style :) #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I usually need a break so I do continue to read. And it still helps, doesn't hurt. #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @LM_Preston wow and I thought my 1-2 months was fast. #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

srjohannes I always try and make time to improve my craft through conferences, online courses, and reading #indiechat -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @susankayequinn I'm still looking for more thoughts on what we should be putting on our new blog :) #indiechat suggestions please! -9:16 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore Hello all~! I'll be in and out. #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert Hi! #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn I've got a whole stack I've collected to reward myself with as soon as I'm done with my current one. #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

VictoriaSmith76 @crankyashley yeah the key is to write first and edit later. @lm_preston #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @srjohannes me too. a variety of learning media. #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Really studying a certain aspect like pacing or dialogue or bodylanguage in books I like has helped the most. #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri I'm late. I'm late. I'm late. #indiechat. I was working on a back cover copy. But I'm here now. -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

srjohannes @laurapauling I heard STORY was awesome!! #indiechat -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston She was a full time author with 4 releases a yr contract @KatGirl_Studio: wow and I thought my 1-2 months was fast. #indiechat” -9:17 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: I started breaking down story structure in published novels. That was amazing. #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @LM_Preston I think announcing writing times is like those Demotivational Posters. #notsomuchhelping #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB Hello! @Addison_Moore @Juliana_Haygert #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @laurapauling I can't help but do that too. #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling What's been the aspect of craft that's been the hardest for everyone to grasp or get right? #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Addison_Moore Hey girl! #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

srjohannes @BiblioCrunch I read alot of blogs that talk craft. What I like to do is search 4 topics. 2day I was reading new posts on pacing #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @DougSolter Screenwriting? That sounds like fun! #indiechat -9:18 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @LM_Preston I wrote DITM in 2 months. book 2 has taken longer because I've been too busy to work on it. #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling The Writer's Knowledge Base is a terrific resource with tons catalogued blog posts. #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @VictoriaSmith76 I struggle so much with this. Totally why I fail at NaNoWriMo #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: Really studying a certain aspect like pacing or dialogue or bodylanguage in books I like has helped the most. #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore It's funny because with craft books I still prefer hardcopies to e-book versions. I guess I like to flip and bookmark. #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Some tips on the Indelible's blog: http://t.co/b33FuBGV #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @srjohannes It's alright, I was just mentioning your interview http://t.co/BAyaVdFT #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Addison_Moore And highlight! #indiechat -9:19 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Stacey_WB I'm big on just getting it down. @VictoriaSmith76 #indiechat -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @Addison_Moore that makes sense to me. #indiechat -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri I always am reading craft books. Especially between WIP's. RT @laurapauling: How many of you read books on the craft of wr iting? #indiechat -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DiamondLB RT @laurapauling: The Writer's Knowledge Base is a terrific resource with tons catalogued blog posts. #indiechat -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

SPNHeather How is everyone? #IndieChat What is the topic tonight? -9:20 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @SPNHeather Ways to improve our writing craft! #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn My newest trick is highlighting on Kindle passages that I like, for handy reference later, when I'm writing. #style #literary #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter I love writing screenplays. But it took switching to writing novels to earn my first dollar writing. :) @BiblioCrunch #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @laurapauling some are contradictory, some make me question stuff I already have down. #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

SPNHeather @laurapauling Oh yay I need lots of help :) #IndieChat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @SPNHeather Self-improvement tips for writers. #HI :) #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling I guess it's pacing and making sure to hit the climax at the right time. #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston RT @KatGirl_Studio: @LM_Preston I wrote DITM in 2 months. book 2 has taken longer because I've been too busy to work on it. #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Hi, Lisa! @Lisa_Nowak #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @DougSolter Nice to be paid, yes? :) #indiechat -9:21 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ReviewerRachel Awesome, how does everyone get their villain ideas? #indiechat @SPNHeather @laurapauling -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling *raises hand* I read a lot of craft books. I think I've read 15 craft books this year already #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @DougSolter Screenplays are a hard sell. Only so many movies are made each year. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling And we can't forget critiques and betas! #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert Wow! that's a lot! :) #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @DougSolter Hi there. :) Sorry I've been a stranger. Revamping my blog and building a website. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

SPNHeather @ReviewerRachel @laurapauling I can honestly say Me and the hubby just talk it out #IndieChat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn To outline or not to outline? (And do you outline before or after writing?) #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Yes! RT @susankayequinn: @DougSolter Nice to be paid, yes? :) #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert I do like rereading certain chapters from my fav. craft books. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Exactly! RT @Lisa_Nowak: @DougSolter Screenplays are a hard sell. Only so many movies are made each year. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio I used to read more craft books. Now mostly articles. #indiechat -9:22 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Addison_Moore @HeatherSunseri When craft books start saying the same thing, I stop buying! #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @ReviewerRachel I love me a good villain. Usually grows out of the story world; or who the protagonist most needs to overcome #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @srjohannes We are still looking for what people want to see on our blog :). #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @HeatherSunseri me too, especially in between WIPs @laurapauling #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn no, I write non-linearly. #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @ReviewerRachel I've heard of that one. #indiechat Heard it's really good. -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @KatGirl_Studio this year my writing has slowed A LOT since I'd overbooked with volunteering and 3 book release #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri I'm with @Addison_Moore. Like hold-in-my-hand craft books over ebooks. But Some of James Scott Bell's newest ones are ebook only. #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites RT @susankayequinn: I think learning tips from screenwriters can really help novel writers. #indiechat -9:23 PM Oct 16th, 2012

heatherself @ReviewerRachel Put whatever idiosyncrasies that piss me off the most into the "villain" #indiechat @SPNHeather @laurapauling -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @susankayequinn Me, too. I usually end up loving my villains. ;) @ReviewerRachel #indiechat -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Why are villains the most fun? #indiechat I love villains. -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @susankayequinn for me, it depends on the story. Some I pantsed 100%, some I plotted 100%, some was half-half. #indiechat -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @KatGirl_Studio I sketch out scenes (is that nonlinear), then put them in order on the Corkboard of Doom. #indiechat -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter I always outline. But it doesn't mean you always have to follow it. ;) #indiechat -9:24 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling because we can let out our true crazy lol #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @DougSolter Interesting, I have a friend who wants to do screenplays, I wonder if she'll take the same change? #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston I now subscribe to a site called Grammergirl and she sends me grammar reminders. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Addison_Moore I'm always afraid I'm making my villains too sympathetic. So I make them even more evil. :) #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @HeatherSunseri Oh, I did not know that! I wonder why? #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites Hey folks, I'm actually around for once ;-) #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @susankayequinn I'm becoming more and more of an outliner. Mainly b/c I hate fixing a non-outlined book. :) #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Juliana_Haygert I used to pants 100%, now I'm an avowed plotter. Works for me. *shrugs* #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @susankayequinn I'm big on outlining. Save cutting stuff later. :P #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I love finding a good 3 dimensional villain. Where being the villain is just a matter of perpective. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Oh, I also use tools to help like autocrit . com and a few others I blogged about. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn kinda ya. I write what comes to mind and them drop them in order. Scrivener makes it sooo easy. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ReviewerRachel @Addison_Moore @susankayequinn Yes, I'd really love for my readers to feel for him! but I have as of yet to dig up that layer... #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @DougSolter Agree. I just need a loose roadmap. #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

chandahahn I outline- then write from the hip. It's all based on how much my characters grow and change and where they take me for the ride #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @LM_Preston Do you like autocrit? #indiechat -9:25 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @aehowardwrites Hello! #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @aehowardwrites Welcome Anna! #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn after or during... usually. Some day soon I might switch that up though, I have a more complex world brewing #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn do you mean you draw them? #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn THIS @HeatherSunseri: @susankayequinn Im becoming more and more of an outliner. Mainly b/c I hate fixing a non-outlined book. :) #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @LM_Preston Is she on twitter? I think I get the same feed. love her. #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @laurapauling Love beta reading, it's like an advanced advanced readers copy. Really neat! #indiechat -9:26 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @addison_moore Hi! *waves* #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @Addison_Moore about JSB? Yeah. He's got a few out that are e-book. I just read his one geared toward self-publishing. Very good. #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @heatherselflol! So true.wonderful way to build a better villain. @ReviewerRachel @SPNHeather @laurapauling #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @KatGirl_Studio I wish! #notanartist No, I word sketch them on tiny squares of paper #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I love beta reading too. It's a different thought process. #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @laurapauling Yes, it's one of the tools I use previous to sending out to beta readers. Mainly because I like the same words lol! #indiechat -9:27 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela Totally agree! Hey, hello everyone! RT @Froze8: @laurapauling Love beta reading, it's like an advanced advanced readers copy. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @LM_Preston I usually have some word or phrase repetition problems too. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn I've never heard of this before. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB I try to outline, but I'm mostly a pantser. What I do, though, is write the beginning and the end and then fill in the middle. :) #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @TORRESpamela Hi and welcome! #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @HeatherSunseri I'll have to check it out. I really like him. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling It's a great way to improve our own craft too. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn What's your strategy toward self-improvement? I try to tackle one or two weak areas in every book. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I remember character arc was a big one for me. I just didn't get it when I started writing. #indiechat -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan Hi #indiechat! Does anyone here feel that working with editors improves their writing? -9:28 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @ulbrichalmazan I think working with the right editor would. #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @Stacey_WB Yes! I need to know the beginning and the end. #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @susankayequinn @Addison_Moore Hahaha! I love this! #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @ulbrichalmazan I guess in ways similar to a beta read but maybe even more mind blowing. #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @Stacey_WB Sometimes I find that once I have an outline the white page isn't so intimidating. Don't always follow it. #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @laurapauling I've struggled with character arcs, especially for the secondary characters. They need them too. #indiechat. -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

heatherself @Addison_Moore yeah I don't worry about liking em that way ;) #indiechat @ReviewerRachel @SPNHeather @laurapauling -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @ulbrichalmazan A million times YES!!! #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @ulbrichalmazan I know it improved mine. My editor is great =^.^= #indiechat -9:29 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @HeatherSunseri Yes. Character arc and making all the characters three-dimensional. #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @stacey_wb That's close to what I do, I often know my beginning and end, and then figure out how to get from A to B #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @laurapauling I find that writing out of order really helps with accidental repetitions #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Here's a blogpost I did on all the Editing Tools I use BEFORE sending my mss to the editor, http://t.co/9kQHtrcZ #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter I get lost without it sometimes. RT @Addison_Moore Agree. I just need a loose roadmap #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @KatGirl_Studio My plotting Corkboard of Doom with scene squares. #indiechat #amplotting http://t.co/dWDGwsEk via @TwitPic -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Stacy_WB I pants then when I get to the 25/30K pt where I get stuck, I go back and outline #indiechat -9:30 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Tweetdeck keeps freezing up on me #indiechat >_< -9:31 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @ulbrichalmazan What @laurapauling said. Becuase I've worked with meh editors, and it did nothing for me. #indiechat -9:31 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @crankyashley I've done it that way too! I'll try anything once. lol #indiechat -9:31 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela I saw a chart once, can't remember the author but she charted every character arc to be sure they had one. #indiechat -9:31 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @TORRESpamela I can see that being helpful. #charts #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @susankayequinn I have this whole weird way of doing things. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert Sometimes I just fill in a BeatSheet (Save the Cat by Blake Snyder) and go with it only. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @ulbrichalmazan As a reader I say yes. I can tell when I book has not been edited and it is a shame b/c I see the potential #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert I've had too many writers tell me they paid for a develop. editor to hear the same things crit partners said. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Stacey_WB It really helps me see what I have and what I need. I write by scene out of order. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @laurapauling And then you can use colored markers. Cool! #indiechat #fun -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

DougSolter Thanks! Nice list. @LM_Preston: #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @laurapauling @TORRESpamela I think I'm too impatient to chart arcs, which is exactly why I should. #indiechat -9:32 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert But it's something I'd try with the right recommendation. #indiechat -9:33 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn I loves the beat sheet. @Juliana_Haygert Sometimes I just fill in a BeatSheet (Save the Cat by Blake Snyder) and go with it only. #indiechat -9:33 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict by Debra Dixon - one of the best craft books I ever read. #indiechat -9:33 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I'll write a character's name I'm charting in the sidebar of Scrivener to help keep track of appearances. #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn I like! I have a line strung across my desk with paper clothes pinned to it... #indiechat @katgirl_studio -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling exactly. Sometimes it just needs the right editor. #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

MaganVernon Second time daughter is in time out tonight. Probably wont make #Indiechat if she doesn't go to bed soon -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @laurapauling I agree (editors vs. CPs) yet I'm going to try out a dev. editor next year (in addition to CPs). #experiment #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston After our first release using just 1 editor, I wanted to improve our work but on small budget. tools help RT @DougSolter #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @aehowardwrites Paper clothes?? Like for your characters? #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @susankayequinn With the right word of mouth, I would try it. Just to see. #indiechat -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri Reading craft books when I'm almost done with a story makes me realize how far I still have to go as a writer. #indiechat #alwayslearning -9:34 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan @lm_preston That looks like an interesting blogpost. I'll have to check it out later. #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @laurapauling Recommendations are key. #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @HeatherSunseri But that attitude means you're doing something right. #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling When we think we have nothing else to learn we're in trouble. #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @HeatherSunseri I do that all the time. It's even worse when you've finished a book and working on the second. Can't go back… #indiechat -9:35 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert THIS. We never stop learning. RT @laurapauling: When we think we have nothing else to learn we're in trouble. #indiechat -9:36 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn So true. @laurapauling: When we think we have nothing else to learn were in trouble. #indiechat -9:36 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling With self publishing it's so easy to focus on publication schedules and writing the next book. But we have to grow as writers 2. #indiechat -9:36 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @laurapauling For sure! I like to think of myself as coachable. #indiechat -9:36 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan A good dev. editor catches things the betas miss. I hope what I've learned from mine on this book will carry over to the next. #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @HeatherSunseri Me, too! Learning is a gift that I hope never ends. #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @susankayequinn @laurapauling Which is why we created BiblioCrunch to begin with, to get quality professionals to writers #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @BiblioCrunch That's awesome! Is there a way for word of mouth to work with your site? #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @ulbrichalmazan Thanks, the tools help you find your repetitive mistakes. You have to get mss clean b4 editor gets it #indiechat -9:37 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @laurapauling Yes! So important for indies to focus on self-improvment of craft first; writing second; everything else last #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB RT With self publishing its so easy to focus on publication schedules & writing the next book. But we have to grow as writers 2. #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @susankayequinn Loved Save the Cat! @Juliana_Haygert #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @ulbrichalmazan I agree. My betas don't catch big scale plotting things so much. #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn no, like the sheets of paper them like so: http://t.co/5nxsEWE6 #indiechat -9:38 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston I also do feed the craft by participating in critique groups, volunteering and sharing my growth with other authors too #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Addison_Moore @Juliana_Haygert Have you red Save the Cat Strikes Back? #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling What's everyone top way to improve in craft? #indiechat Just shout it out. -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @TORRESpamela I love that idea! I'm implementing it! #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela Amen,we wear so many hats. RT @laurapauling: With self publishing it's so easy to focus on publication and the next book.#indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @susankayequinn Did you like the cat strikes back? #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @aehowardwrites Ah! I would be afraid they would fall down. #needstrongpins! #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan @susankayequinn That's what Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Katherine Rusch recommend. #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @susankayequinn not yet. Did you? Should I get to it fast? @Addison_Moore #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @laurapauling totally. It's not worth pushing and sacrificing quality and self-improvment #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Studying bestsellers @laurapauling: Whats everyone top way to improve in craft? #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @aehowardwrites Coolest picture ever. I love stuff like this! @susankayequinn #indiechat -9:39 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn YES very worthwhile @laurapauling: @susankayequinn Did you like the cat strikes back? #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling For me lately, it's been reading a lot! #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn @Juliana_Haygert @Addison_Moore Cat Strikes Back has GREAT section on Act III #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch @laurapauling Yep, we have reviews on the site, so you can check the professionals profiles for those and their portfolios :) #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Does anyone take down a list of their writer's 'ticks' to make sure you edit those out after the 1st draft? #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling Read, read, read. Write, write, write. Edit and then send off to the editor. ;) #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling How do you all improve your style? #practice #reading Does anyone freewrite to practice? #indiechat -9:40 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling reading. And applying the beatsheet to every movie I watch, and book I read ;) (I started that bc of you!) #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

susankayequinn Have to run #indiechatters. Be cool! :) #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn haha! some of that's still from #FlightofBlue so it hasn't fallen yet! #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @BiblioCrunch Awesome! #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela Reading is the best thing for improving craft. I keep a notebook of the things I learn. #Indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @susankayequinn @Juliana_Haygert Just made a note to check that out! #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @LM_Preston I don't need to. I see them as I write, silently yell at myself, and worry about it later #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn and there's less on #TheGuardians b/c I'm still writing that one, of course ;-) #indiechat #whywouldIplot -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert :) I love breaking down movies. Incredibly helpful in studying pacing. #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @TORRESpamela I keep note books of things I learn as I read as well. #indiechat -9:41 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling RT @HeatherSunseri: @TORRESpamela I keep note books of things I learn as I read as well. #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @susankayequinn buh bye! #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @LM_Preston No. mostly in editing I'm fixing dyslexic mistakes. #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston Lol! 4 me, it's a blur @crankyashley: I don't need to. I see them as I write, silently yell at myself, and worry about it later #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @Addison_Moore @susankayequinn I thought it was going to be kinda repeated. But I'll check that out too #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling I love when you do it for me, lol! Loved those blog posts. @Juliana_Haygert #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @addison_moore thank you! :-) #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @LM_Preston I have a running tally. Rolled their eyes. Snorted. Totally. Back is my big one. I heart that word for some reason. #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @laurapauling @Juliana_Haygert You are good at it Laura I remember Aladin and what was the other one's you did! Great #indiechat -9:42 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Addison_Moore I learned so much by breaking down different kinds of books. #indiechat -9:43 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @TORRESpamela I did Tangled. #indiechat Is that what you're thinking of? -9:43 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri My twitter feed is going nuts. #debate vs. #indiechat :) -9:43 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @Stacey_WB I have those same words on my list, lol! #indiechat -9:43 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @lm_preston no... that's not a bad idea tho. Although seeing them all in one place might depress me ;-) #indiechat -9:44 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites RT @laurapauling: RT @HeatherSunseri: @TORRESpamela I keep note books of things I learn as I read as well. #indiechat -9:44 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling My break down of Tangled in 15 sentences. #indiechat http://t.co/w5kDvLeY -9:44 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @TORRESpamela I did How To Train Your Dragon too. #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @aehowardwrites Oh my, I get that #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Movies have pacing down to a science. #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @LM_Preston Do you let yourself use them ever? I allow them in the first draft and then cut MOST of them out later. #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling But I also love finding a book that breaks all the rules. #indiechat -9:45 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore RT @laurapauling: My break down of Tangled in 15 sentences. #indiechat http://t.co/w5kDvLeY -9:46 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling sometimes terrific writing can make up for weak structure. #indiechat -9:46 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites YES! @laurapauling: But I also love finding a book that breaks all the rules. #indiechat -9:46 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Stacey_WB And back usually isn't needed. I find that too. #indiechat -9:47 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling *sigh* that is my weakness. I love reading them a little too much for my own good. #indiechat -9:47 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @HeatherSunseri I'm trying to ignore debate tweets. #indiechat -9:47 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela Okay, timer went off/ dinner.I'm amazed how fast you all read/type. I suck! Fun, have to try again next time. Happy Writing!! #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling What's the biggest area of craft everyone struggles with? #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Or maybe we don't know what our biggest area is. lol #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston 1st draft anything goes RT @Stacey_WB:Do you let yourself use them ever?. #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling Exactly! My record is using back five times in one four sentence paragraph. It's an addiction. :) #indiechat -9:48 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Stacey_WB That's CPs are for. #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

TORRESpamela @laurapauling Mine is description, I tend to truncate. Couldn't resist. #Indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @laurapauling @HeatherSunseri Lol! I'm doing both since I'm a multi-tasking ADD Hyper writer #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @laurapauling For me in general as a student I struggle with sentence structure, grammar. The nuts and bolts. #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri I was until I saw one that made me L-O-L RT @laurapauling: @HeatherSunseri I'm trying to ignore debate tweets. #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @laurapauling Plotting... I totally pants it and plot later, which works, but the first two drafts are a mess before I get sorted #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling I'm an underwriter so I always have to flesh out scenes later. #indiechat -9:49 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling And I have this wacky sense of humor. I always delete those scenes. #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri That's what I want to try with next book. RT @laurapauling: I'm an underwriter so I always have to flesh out scenes later. #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @aehowardwrites Yes, but if pantsing works then it works. #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling Me, too. That's why the first few edits always take so long. #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

HeatherSunseri @laurapauling Like I can change my ways from book to book. Possible? #indiechat -9:50 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @aehowardwrites I can't pants a novel to save my life. #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley Do you save things you've deleted just on case you can use them later? I save everything! #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @TORRESpamela @laurapauling Definitely description/underwriting for me too. #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston This year with nanowrimo I'm trying to practice writing fast, no stopping, and slimming down my write time from 3 mos to 1 month #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling Oh gosh, those are the ones you should keep! lol! #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @HeatherSunseri I'm doing better once I realized I do it. #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @crankyashley me too! #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Addison_Moore No, really. :) I shouldn't. #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling I've pantsed myself in a corner before. Never tried that again. @aehowardwrites #indiechat -9:51 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @laurapauling true and it does work, plotting for me has killed novels. Maybe I don't know my biggest area I struggle with. hmm. #indiechat -9:52 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @crankyashley I do. I have a whole separate deleted scenes doc for each book. #indiechat -9:52 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @Lisa_Nowak Me too! I started it because I had one scene that was painful for me to delete. I hope to get to use it. #indiechat -9:52 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @aehowardwrites I believe u. I tried to pants once and had to quit after 6 chapters. Never worked on that story again. #indiechat -9:52 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites @laurapauling oh, I get stuck and my characters start yelling at me... those scenes have to go... #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling So think of your weakest area. Then think of one way to improve tomorrow in your writing. #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Addison_Moore I always pants myself into a corner and have to dig myself out. Sometimes it works, sometimes I have to scrap it! #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @crankyashley I use scrivener but i do keep a deleted section in it for each project. #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

aehowardwrites Okay folks, bedtime for the lil 'un. I'll catch you all next time, I hope ;-) #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @KatGirl_Studio me too. #indiechat -9:53 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @Lisa_Nowak I do that too. You never know when you might need that one sentence. #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 @crankyashley Deleted scenes are cool! #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @aehowardwrites Good night! #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @KatGirl_Studio Scrivener had too much going on for me >_< #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @crankyashley Scrivener has a learning curve. But now I love it. #indiechat -9:54 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston What is your challenge for your CRAFT this year? Have you met it? #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @crankyashley I'm going to be talking about it in my new blog starting this winter. #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @laurapauling Okay, I vow to not self-edit the next time I sit down to write. No matter what. Not even if I type o instead of a. #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

crankyashley @laurapauling I think it (seems to) works best for people who plan a lot. And since I don't plan… :) #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Froze8 Time for me to eat something, I'm starving, Interesting topic this week. #indiechat -9:55 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Tomorrow I'll give myself permission to let my character think without cutting her off. #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

KatGirl_Studio @Stacey_WB I sit down and write a whole section then go back later and fix any typos. #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @crankyashley If nothing else, use it as bonus material in a blog hop or on your website. #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @crankyashley Very true! #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Stacey_WB @LM_Preston Following and sticking to a production schedule. I'm the earner in my family and I need to treat my work like a job! #indiechat -9:56 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @laurapauling OK, then next time just send them to me. I've got a twisted sense of humor. #indiechat -9:57 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling If you had to advise one craft book to a beginner writer, what book would it be? #indiechat -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

ulbrichalmazan Time to put my son to bed. Goodnight #indiechat! -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

BiblioCrunch Great chat tonight! Hopefully this is something we'll cover on the blog #indiechat oh dont forget @srjohannes interview http://t.co/BAyaVdFT -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Addison_Moore @CountryAndTacos I guess we need the best of both worlds. #indiechat -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Lisa_Nowak @laurapauling How to Write a Damn Good Novel by James N. Frey #indiechat -9:58 PM Oct 16th, 2012

LM_Preston @Stacey_WB I work a full-time job too and it's a struggle to write at the pace I'd like #indiechat -9:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Blog post by @susankayequinn on the Indelible blog about growing in craft. Terrific post. http://t.co/RHBdgkZy #indiechat -9:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

Juliana_Haygert @laurapauling Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell. Or GMC: goal, motivation & conflict by Debra Dixon. Preferably both ;) #indiechat -9:59 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling @Lisa_Nowak I have the mystery one by him. #indiechat -10:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012

laurapauling Thanks for talking craft tonight, everyone! Set goals! Challenge yourself to write better! #indiechat -10:00 PM Oct 16th, 2012