This FAQ is aimed at new writers and thus I’ve captured the kinds of questions I see most often plus a few I think should have been asked. If you have a question not asked or a site that answers a question, add it to the comments. The goal here is to answer with links to reputable articles. An aspiring writer would do well to study everything here.

NOTE: This is an evergreen article, I plan to update and make additions as time permits.

Creativity

1. What should I name a character?

• http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-7-rules-of-picking-names-for-fictional-characters

• https://writeitsideways.com/what-not-to-name-your-characters/

• https://thewritelife.com/6-creative-ways-to-name-your-fictional-characters/

• https://www.behindthename.com/random/

1. How do I get over writer’s block?

• https://goinswriter.com/how-to-overcome-writers-block/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/7-ways-to-overcome-writers-block

• https://www.writermag.com/2016/09/13/beating-writers-block/

1. What should I write about?

• https://writeitsideways.com/what-should-i-write-about-finding-inspiration/

• https://medium.com/on-writing-2/what-should-you-write-about-29dd3fcf86c1

1. What should my title be?

• https://kindlepreneur.com/free-book-title-generator-tools/

• http://scottberkun.com/2012/the-truth-about-picking-book-titles/

• https://self-publishingschool.com/book-title-ideas-choose-perfect-title-book/

Writing

1. Is Story Structure Formulaic?

• http://storyfix.com/structure-is-it-formulaic

1. What is Deep POV?

• http://theeditorsblog.net/2011/11/16/deep-pov-whats-so-deep-about-it/

1. What are common writing mistakes?

• https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/common-writing-mistakes-pt-39/

1. What is an Unreliable Narrator?

• https://www.thebalance.com/the-unreliable-narrator-in-fiction-1277141

1. What is form?

• http://www.tameri.com/write/formngenre.html

1. What is structure?

• https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-structure-in-writing-and-how-does-it-affect-meaning.html

• http://www.writersdigest.com/tip-of-the-day/six-logical-writing-structures

1. What is prose?

• https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/terms-prose

1. What is Scene and Sequel?

• https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-structure-scenes/

• http://thewritersaurus.com/2015/09/11/scene-and-sequel-the-scene/

• https://awritingguide.com/2014/09/18/scene-sequel-structure/

1. Are adverbs bad?

• https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/03/13/stephen-king-on-adverbs/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/dont-dismiss-adverbs

• https://www.justpublishingadvice.com/stephen-kings-no-adverbs-rule-is-going-out-of-fashion/

• http://ka-writing.com/why-adverbs-are-almost-always-a-bad-idea/

1. What is passive voice?

• https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/passive-voice/

• https://datayze.com/passive-voice-detector.php

• https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/tensing-up-active-vs-passive-tense/

1. How should I write dialog?

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/keep-it-simple-keys-to-realistic-dialogue-part-ii

• https://www.thebalance.com/top-tips-for-writing-dialogue-1277070

• http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-7-tools-of-dialogue

1. Where can I find free or low-cost writing classes?

• https://www.creative-writing-now.com/free-online-writing-courses.html

• https://www.tckpublishing.com/free-online-writing-courses/

1. How do I write a novel?

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/how-to-write-a-novel-7-tips-everyone-can-use

• http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-things-will-doom-novel-avoid

• https://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/articles/snowflake-method/

1. Should I use an outline?

• http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-steps-to-creating-a-flexible-outline-for-any-story

• https://nybookeditors.com/2013/09/outlining/

• https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-outline-your-novel/

1. How can I organize my notes?

• http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/how-to-organize-and-develop-ideas-for-your-novel

• https://lifehacker.com/how-scrivener-helped-me-organize-all-my-writing-1599446028

• https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2481164,00.asp​

1. What does Show, don't Tell mean?

• https://thewritepractice.com/show-dont-tell/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/why-show-dont-tell-is-the-great-lie-of-writing-workshops

Editing

1. How can I edit my work without any money?

• https://thewritelife.com/self-editing-basics/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/10-things-your-freelance-editor-might-not-tell-you-but-should

• https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mandi-kontos/pay-for-editing-your-writ_b_9621100.html

1. How do I get a Beta Reader?

• https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/find-your-next-beta-reader/

• https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2014/03/5-things-you-should-know-about-working-with-beta-readers/

• https://www.janefriedman.com/find-beta-readers/

1. How do I use a Beta reader?

• https://thewritelife.com/ultimate-guide-to-beta-readers/

• http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/08/how-to-be-a-good-beta-reader/

• https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/beta-reader-etiquette/

1. What are the stages of editing?

• http://www.molly-greene.com/writers-get-the-right-kind-of-feedback/?utm_content=buffer2bf33&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

1. How much does an editor cost?

• https://thewritelife.com/how-much-to-pay-for-a-book-editor/

• https://www.thebalance.com/freelance-editorial-costs-for-authors-2800243

• http://bibliocrunch.com/pricing-guidelines/

Publishing (Submitting/Querying, Agents and Editors)

1. How much does a book cover cost?

• http://bibliocrunch.com/pricing-guidelines/

1. How do I write a query letter?

• https://nybookeditors.com/2015/12/how-to-write-a-darn-good-query-letter/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/how-to-write-the-perfect-query-letter

1. Where can I submit a short story?

• https://thewritelife.com/where-to-submit-short-stories/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/uncategorized/how-to-get-a-short-story-published-like-a-pro

• https://submittable.help/submitters/common-questions/why-should-i-use-submittable-to-submit-my-work

1. Should I get an Agent?

• http://www.spacejock.com.au/LiteraryAgent.html

http://www.sfwa.org/why-a-writer-needs-an-agent/

• https://www.janefriedman.com/query-agents-editors/

1. How much should I pay to Publish my book?

• https://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2012/07/25/how-much-should-you-pay-to-publish-your-novel/

• https://self-publishingschool.com/much-cost-publish-book/

• https://blog.reedsy.com/cost-to-self-publish-a-book/

1. How do I self-publish my book?

• https://www.janefriedman.com/self-publish-your-book/

• https://writingcooperative.com/so-you-want-to-self-publish-a-book-1-things-to-begin-with-e8ef85c8c427

1. How do I get my book published?

• https://www.janefriedman.com/start-here-how-to-get-your-book-published/

• http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk/How-To-Get-Published.html

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/general/i-want-to-publish-my-book-now-what

1. Why is my work getting rejected?

• http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/12/13/25-things-writers-should-know-about-rejection/

• https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/writing-rejected-cope/

• https://thewritepractice.com/rejection-truth/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/general/back-to-basics-why-am-i-getting-rejected

• https://nybookeditors.com/2017/05/tips-dealing-inevitable-rejection/

Promoting

1. How should I respond to a negative review?

• https://www.reviewtrackers.com/respond-negative-reviews/

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/sage/2014/03/03/handling-haters-how-to-respond-to-negative-online-reviews/#4b2cbde06a85

• https://thewritelife.com/respond-negative-review/

1. Should I use a Pen Name?

• http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/three-reasons-use-pen-name

• http://penandmuse.com/when-you-should-and-shouldnt-use-a-pen-name/

• https://writebrilliant.com/using-pen-name-risk-writers-shouldnt-take/

1. How do I get more sales?

• https://www.huffingtonpost.com/penny-c-sansevieri/how-to-sell-more-books-without-spending-a-dime_b_8273446.html

• https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/2017/03/07/sell-more-books-on-amazon/

• https://insights.bookbub.com/book-marketing-ideas/

1. How do I promote my book?

• https://authorunlimited.com/50-ways-to-promote-your-book/

• https://www.justpublishingadvice.com/whats-the-best-way-to-promote-my-self-published-book/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/marketing-your-work

1. How do I get more followers?

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2015/06/18/50-free-ways-to-increase-your-instagram-followers/#5b9c64a1b108

• https://bloggingwizard.com/how-to-get-more-twitter-followers/

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketempleman/2017/05/10/how-to-get-250000-real-facebook-followers-in-under-a-month/#67a1043f27f4

1. What is Author Platform?

• https://www.janefriedman.com/author-platform-definition/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/build-a-platform-start-blogging/building-a-writers-platform

• https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-an-author-platform-2800074

1. How do I get my book into a library?

• https://www.bookworks.com/2016/07/how-indie-authors-can-get-their-books-into-libraries/

• https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/68467-how-to-get-self-published-books-into-stores-and-libraries.html

• https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2015/02/26/bookstores-debbie-young/

1. How to I get an author signing event?

• https://www.thebalance.com/author-readings-book-signings-2799979

• http://maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/debut-author-lessons-10-things-about-signing-books/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/wp-content/uploads/How-to-Set-Up-a-Successful-Book-Signing-Event.pdf

1. How do I get on a speaker panel at a conference/convention?

• https://guykawasaki.com/how_to_kick_but/

• https://readwrite.com/2010/02/15/event-speaker/

• https://hbr.org/2013/05/how-to-moderate-a-panel-like-a

1. How can I get reviews of my work?

• https://www.kirkusreviews.com/indie-reviews/

• http://www.yourwriterplatform.com/get-reviews-for-your-book/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/marketing-self-promotion/how-to-get-reviews-for-self-published-books

1. How can I get feedback on my writing?

• https://www.critiquecircle.com/

• http://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/free-writing-critiques.php

• https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/how-to-get-feedback-on-your-writing-and/

Business

1. How can I become a full time writer?

• https://thewritepractice.com/how-to-become-a-full-time-writer/

• http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/10-questions-writers-must-ask-before-quitting-their-day-job

1. How do I copyright my work (US)?

• https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

• http://www.lulu.com/blog/2301/copyrighting-your-work-101-2/#sthash.58fPNluD.dpbs

• https://www.newmediarights.org/business_models/artist/do_i_need_put_copyright_notice_my_work

1. Should I post my work online?

• http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/questions-and-quandaries/should-you-post-your-novel-online-for-free

• http://writersrelief.com/blog/2012/01/post-your-writing-online/

• https://kidlit.com/2010/12/20/posting-writing-online/

MIsc.

1. What should I worry about as a writer?

• https://blog.nathanbransford.com/2017/11/writers-scared-right-things

1. What can you do to persuade me not to write

• ​https://www.salon.com/2010/11/02/nanowrimo/

1. ​Should I call myself an aspiring writer

• ​https://www.justpublishingadvice.com/five-weak-words-authors-should-avoid-using-in-bios/

#FAQ