Author’s Corner: How to Write a Book When You Have No Idea What You’re Doing

I want to write a book ... You remember when this big idea first hit? Maybe you were browsing for books, waiting for an author’s autograph, or sitting in stupefied awe after finishing a great novel. The idea took root and then, bam, you’re rushing to a stationary store to buy all the notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and highlighters you can carry. You browse online for writerly things, like a cute laptop mug that says, “Writer at Work.” The moment that mug arrives, you’re filling it with pencils … [Read more...]

Author’s Corner: Plot vs. Character

Plot vs. Character The plot-versus-character debate is nothing new. Most indie writers struggle with it. I’ve never been one to work from a plot outline, but I’m also among the first to admit that a man sitting alone with his thoughts is a not an interesting story. It may be a colorful character study, but it’s not a story. Story is the intersection of character and plot. Your premise and plot twists might keep the reader turning pages, but you also need a character (sometimes several of … [Read more...]

Author’s Corner: More about Marketing

More about Marketing I talked in my previous article about creating a solid marketing plan to brand you as a writer. The question becomes, how do you want to be known? I still struggle with it, because I write things in different genres. Today, even the legacy publishing houses find themselves unable to promote more than a handful of the thousands of books they publish. Almost without exception, they expect authors whom they sign to have a significant online presence already. If … [Read more...]

Rochester Writers’ Group and Events for 2014

Writing Groups, News, and 2014 Events The Freelance Marketplace Writers' Group meets the third Tuesday of the month at the Rochester Hills Barnes & Noble Bookstore at 7:30 p.m. We are not a critique group - we discuss the business of writing. Join us once, once in a while, or every time. It's free and open to new, working, and published writers, illustrators, and photographers. Author Ron Herron will be our guest moderator this month, Tuesday, January 21, for a general discussion on the … [Read more...]

Author of Detroitland to Speak at the Rochester Hills Public Library

Local historian and journalist Richard Bak will discuss his latest book Detroitland: A Collection of Movers, Shakers, Lost Souls, and History Makers from Detroit’s Past. on Thursday, January 19 at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library. Bak has assembled many of his award-winning historical features, all originally written for such periodicals as Hour Detroit, Detroit Monthly, and Michigan History and now updated and expanded for this collection. Bak relives the scandals, mysteries, … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, I want to write a book

Dear Crabby, I have always wanted to write a book. Do you think the average person can become a published author? Any idea what the first step would be? Sincerely, Beverly WannaBe Dear Ms. WannaBe, Well, it's funny you should ask me that. I have just recently finished the first draft of my very first book. The process has been interesting, to say the least; I'll get to that in a minute. As far as your question as to whether the "average" person could write a book, I would say, "No!" I … [Read more...]

Freelance Writers Group at Borders

The Freelance Marketplace Writers' Group meets Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Borders Bookstore in the Cafe area. We discuss the Business of Writing. Open to new and published writers, photographers and illustrators. Free to attend. Michael Dwyer Travel Columnist, Freelance Writer & Broadcast Journalist (248) 651-6869 Annual Rochester Writers' Conference: www.RochesterWriters.com Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/talktravel Join my Facebook … [Read more...]

May Events at The Rochester Hills Public Library

Residents of Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township, don’t miss these exciting events through the Rochester Hills Public Library.   Registration is online. Confirmation numbers are required at the door.  See the Schedule of Events on our website at www.rhpl.org or contact Youth Services at (248) 650-7140 for more information.   Autograph Celebration Wednesday, May 4 Amazon.com Widgets 4 – 6 p.m., Multipurpose Room Come and meet the 2011 Authors in April authors at the … [Read more...]