I’ve been doing a lot of research into conspiracy theories for the sci-fi book I’m writing… and I came across this little gem. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... #writingcommunity #podcasts #scifi #conspiracytheories #writing #authorlife

Promote your work. Share your deals. Just skip the “only”. It assumes I have spare cash sitting around. I don’t. And seeing that a deal is “only [insert price here]” adds to the guilt I am already feeling. #BookSky #blackfriday #sales #deals #moneystruggles #singlemom #holidaysales #budget

Are you a thriller writer or just want to learn more about how to write one? I highly recommend this podcast: #booksky #writing #writingadvice #writingtips #podcast #thriller #writingpodcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

What is an ARC reader and how do they help? #booksky #writing #writingcommunity #arcreader #arcreaders #betareader #authorlife #publishing #booklaunch open.substack.com/pub/miagaray...

What is an ARC reader and how do they help? #booksky #writing #writingcommunity #arcreader #arcreaders #betareader #authorlife #publishing #booklaunch open.substack.com/pub/miagaray...

Readers want to know what other readers think. This is why putting together an ARC team is worth the effort when you publish your book. #booksky #writingcommunity #arcreader #arcreaders #writingadvice #writingtips #booklaunch #bookrelease #publishing

I’m feeling stuck. A writer friend recommended that I go back to the basics and only use pen and paper instead of my computer. Do you have any other advice that could help? #writingcommunity #authorlife #writingadvice #writingtips #booksky

Grumpy Teen (my daughter) called me a boomer again. Not for anything I did, just because it brings her joy. #AuthorLife #writingcommunity #parenting #grumpyteen #honestyhurts

“Did you like the main character?” tells you nothing. “Who surprised you?” tells you everything. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #books #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #authorlife #writing #substack miagaray.substack.com/p/20-charact...

I’ve read a lot of manuscripts. I’ve also seen the same beta reader questions over and over. Here are 20 not-so-common character questions for your beta readers. #booksky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #substack

A quick yes or no won’t fix your draft. But a thoughtful answer might. Make sure you are asking the right questions. miagaray.substack.com/p/worldbuild... #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #authorlife #writing #editing #substack

Beta Readers: Honesty does not give you permission to be mean. Always remember there’s a REAL person reading your comments. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #authorlife #amwriting #writing

Beta Readers: Have you ever been asked to sign an NDA? (I’m curious how common this is.) #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #writing #editors

I’m curious, which do you prefer: Substack, Medium, or Wattpad? Why? Am I missing any others? #writingcommunity #writing #substack #medium #wattpad #blogging #newsletter #authorlife #booksky #amwriting #5amwriterclub

Don’t confuse feedback with instruction. Beta readers give the first. Editors give the second. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #writing #editing #editors

If you skip beta readers, you end up paying editors to tell you things a reader could have told you for free. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #writing #editors

Why pay an editor when a beta reader could have caught that first? #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #editing #editors

Beta reading is not about fixing. It’s about noticing. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingadvice #writingtips #writing

Mr Bean is a comedic genius. He always starts with a simple goal, makes a mess of it, then somehow makes it worse. It shouldn’t work, but it always does. As a new writer, I’m taking notes… #booksky #writing #writingcommunity #mrbean #writersky #writingtips #writingadvice #fiction #writinggoals

When your teenager swears you’ve ruined everything… Remind them that every good story starts with an inciting incident. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips #authorlife #writing #parentingadvice

My daughter thinks getting her phone taken away is a punishment. I like to think of it as a plot twist. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #parenting

I just did a scary thing… I sent out a pitch to be a guest at an author network event where I’d give a mini class on beta reading. I’m desperately hoping they say yes. Wish me luck!!! #betareader #betareading #writingcommunity #authorlife #collaboration #booksky #writersky #freewebinar #writer

My daughter told my mom, “Let’s work on keeping our thoughts inside our heads.” I’ve been using it as writing advice ever since. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips #writing

My mom narrates movies out loud. Unedited drafts narrate too much on the page. Both are irritating. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips

Family TV night turned into the best writing lesson I’ve had in months. #booksky #writersky #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips #5amwritersclub #writing

I’ve been more productive this week than I have in a long time. Finished two beta reads, one ARC read, and outlined three more scenes for my novel. I’m off to a great start! #booksky #betareader #betareading #writingcommunity #amwriting #amreading #ARCreader #writinggoals #authorlife

Those filler words get me every time! My most used are “really” and “very”. What are yours?

My goal this month is to finish my outline so I can draft in November. What are your goals for October? #booksky #writingcommunity #authorlife #amwriting #writing #writinggoals

One of the hardest parts of ARC reading is loving a book and having to keep quiet until it’s out into the world. That’s me right now with an incredible spy thriller that won’t be released for months. #booksky #amreading #arc #readingcommunity #betareading #betareaders #writingcommunity

Reminder: You don’t have to figure this out alone. Sometimes a conversation with a person gets you further than another online course or module ever could. #booksky #authorlife #writingcommunity #writingtips #writingadvice #writing

Writing Tip: Test your worldbuilding questions on yourself first. If they don’t get you thinking, they’re probably not going to help your beta reader either. #BetaReading #BookSky #WritingTips #BetaReaders #WritingCommunity #WritingAdvice

One of my favourite online writing summits is back! I always learn so much from Ray Brehm’s events, from craft to publishing to marketing. And the best part… it’s FREE. #booksky #authorlife #writingcommunity #writingtips #writingadvice #writing bookmarketingacademy.co?__position__...

Yesterday I went to the mall to buy my daughter clothes, but found myself tempted to buy books instead. I managed to resist the urge, but it feels more like a mistake than a win. What was I thinking? #booksky #amreading #writingcommunity #reading #books

Querying is when you voluntarily seek rejection and call it hope. #booksky #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips #amwriting #authorlife

I go through this on a daily basis 😂

Writing Tip: During revisions, instead of asking: “How do I fix this?” Start asking: “What was I trying to say in the first place?” #booksky #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips #betareading

If AI ever learns how to care about a story the way I do… I’ll let it beta read. Until then, I’ll be the one doing the reading. #betareader #booksky #authorlife #writingcommunity #writingadvice #ai #betareading #writersky

I started using Notion to break big tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. Now I’m overwhelmed by all the manageable ones I have to get done. #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #BookSky #AmWriting #Notion #WritingAdvice

“All I want is for you to be honest.” Translation: “Please don’t hurt my feelings.” #booksky #betareader #betareading #writingcommunity #authorlife

Beta Readers: Feedback born out of burnout is rarely feedback worth giving. Take care of yourself first. #booksky #writingcommunity #betareader #betareading #writingtip #writingadvice

The best way to get ignored: “I need a few beta readers. DM me for more info.” Don’t make beta readers chase you for details. Give them everything upfront. #booksky #betareader #betareading #writingcommunity #writingadvice #writingtips

The following is a statement from the WGA on ABC’s decision to pull ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

First time I’ve ever agreed with a fortune cookie. #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #AmWriting #FortuneCookie #Booksky

Today's plot holes are tomorrow’s brilliant twists. Keep writing! #writingcommunity

To survive morning drop-off with my angry teenager, we invent stories about the traffic cop outside of her school. Today’s: His walkie talkie doesn’t have batteries, but he still talks into it. #writingcommunity #authorlife #momlife #booksky #momhack #fakebackstories

Can a proofreading replace a copyediting? Aren’t they the same thing? Well, actually, they aren’t. Proofreading isn't a cheaper version of copyediting.

Beta Readers should be asking you questions before agreeing to read your manuscript. #writingcommunity #booksky #betareaders #betareading #authorlife #writingtips #writingadvice #substack open.substack.com/pub/miagaray...

Writers deserve beta readers who care. Beta readers deserve writers who are ready. #BetaReading #BookSky #WritingTips #BetaReaders #WritingCommunity #WritingAdvice

Beta Readers: Please make sure you only work with authors that you can help the most. Don’t just say yes because they asked. #writingcommunity #booksky #betareaders #betareading #authorlife #writingtips #writingadvice #substack open.substack.com/pub/miagaray...

To survive morning drop-off with my angry teenager, we invent stories about the traffic cop outside of her school. Today’s: He is still learning the difference between directing traffic and waving at cars. #writingcommunity #authorlife #momlife #booksky #momhack #fakebackstories