Advice for Writing, Editing, Reading, and Life.

New posts on Mondays (for non-fiction) or Fridays (for fiction)

The Paradox of Platform
Non-fiction, Marketing and Publicity, Life Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil Non-fiction, Marketing and Publicity, Life Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil

The Paradox of Platform

If you already have a built in fan-base from another venture, such as internet videos or a television show, your book will be a much easier sell than someone with no web presence, regardless of how good or bad either book actually is. As a person with virtually no platform, I know how that sounds—envious and a little bitter. To some extent it probably is, I confess, but it’s also just the reality of producing art for profit.

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Five Characteristics of a Great Writing Group
Non-fiction, Writing, Editing Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil Non-fiction, Writing, Editing Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil

Five Characteristics of a Great Writing Group

Like it or not, you will never be all you can be as a writer until you open yourself up to outside feedback. Every writer needs an editor, every editor needs a reader, and every reader needs a writer. A critique group is a wonderful way to begin widening the circle of people who see and respond to your work, but I don’t recommend just thoughtlessly messaging people in hopes of finding a group. So this week, I want to discuss some things to look for in a critique group.

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Why Write? Because I Love to Read
Non-fiction, Writing Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil Non-fiction, Writing Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil

Why Write? Because I Love to Read

I love reading.

I write in hopes that somehow I’ll leave a lasting impression on someone else. I write because I firmly believe there cannot be too many books. I write because no one knows better what I love about books than I do. I write because the idea of living in a world where there’s less to read than there could be is tragic.

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Random Tips to Write With More Confidence and Authority
Non-fiction, Writing, Editing Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil Non-fiction, Writing, Editing Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil

Random Tips to Write With More Confidence and Authority

When I lost my job and my book deal along with it, it was a huge blow to my confidence, and it greatly exacerbated my case of imposter syndrome. Part of the reason I began this blog in the first place was to share what I do know about writing, however little it may be, and give other writers and editors the tools they need to stop feeling like a fraud.

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Five Questions to Guide Your Worldbuilding Process
Non-fiction, Writing, Editing, Worldbuilding Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil Non-fiction, Writing, Editing, Worldbuilding Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil

Five Questions to Guide Your Worldbuilding Process

Not all fiction is set in a fantastical world, distant planet, or alternate timeline, but all fiction requires some level of worldbuilding. Even a novel written to be a realistic drama set in a real, modern-day city needs internal consistency to ensure the parts that are fiction don’t clash with the parts that are not.

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The Gift that Keeps on Taking: 2021 Year-End Review
Updates, Life, Non-fiction Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil Updates, Life, Non-fiction Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil

The Gift that Keeps on Taking: 2021 Year-End Review

This post was originally planned to be a simple recap of the books I’ve read this year and some brief spoiler-free reviews… well, it’s morphed into something more comprehensive; it exposes more of me than this blog was ever intended to, but my hope is that you, dear reader, will find it more worthwhile and helpful as a result.

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Building a Brand: The Difficult Simplicity of Defining Your Audience

Building a Brand: The Difficult Simplicity of Defining Your Audience

Your audience is not how many people are reading your content. Your audience, at its most basic level, is who your content is for. Knowing this shapes what and how you write—what information has to be communicated, what can be assumed, and what can be otherwise ignored.

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Building a Brand: What is “Voice”?
Non-fiction, Marketing and Publicity Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil Non-fiction, Marketing and Publicity Sam "One-Wheel" O'Neil

Building a Brand: What is “Voice”?

Imagine the voice of your best friend. Imagine the voice of your mother. You wouldn’t have to see their faces to distinguish them; as long as you can hear them speaking, you’ll know who they are because you are so familiar with what they sound like. In some ways, voice in writing is similar to this; obviously, it’s not an actual, audible voice, but it does identify you as a writer.

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Helping Fledgling Ideas Take Flight: Advice from a Self-Published Author
Non-fiction, Guest Author, Publishing Courtney B. Dunlap Non-fiction, Guest Author, Publishing Courtney B. Dunlap

Helping Fledgling Ideas Take Flight: Advice from a Self-Published Author

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I’ve spoken with someone who excitedly shared a book idea. When I eagerly inquire what they’ve done with this idea, too often they say, “nothing.” They haven’t written it down, or if they have, they haven’t taken steps to find out how to publish.

This saddens me, so here is some advice for aspiring authors

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