Category Archives: Writing Behind the Scenes

The One Book Review Every Author Wants

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group The December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review, do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your … Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

4 Reasons Why I Participate in NaNoWriMo

Posted on October 27, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The author discusses her participation in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) since 2013, in which she primarily worked on her seven-story Laurel Ridge romance series. She also published six other books during this period. She attends NaNoWriMo for its accountability, dedicated writing time, camaraderie, and reflection on past achievements. For the upcoming event, the author intends to write a guidebook for aspiring writers. Continue reading →

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How to Stay Positive

Posted on October 2, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Instead of answering this month’s question, which is an AI question, I queried a writer friend and asked, What would you most like to read about in a blog right now? Her response was, “Staying … Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Inspiration, Motivation, Struggling to write, writing, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Wow, Do I Have a Story to Tell You!

Posted on August 19, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Last night, I met with an agent online and chatted about a major, new idea I’m working on. I left the meeting last night with goosebumps. I went to bed not a hundred percent confident which of my dozen projects … Continue reading →

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A Writing Career Path: Finding the Joy

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

I found joy as a writer, but I almost gave it up. Writing is so much about the journey. Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Inspiration, Motivation, Publishing books, Writer at Work, writing, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Cover Adventures: Creating Covers

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Not all covers are created the same. Nor do all authors travel the same journey in the creation of those covers. Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Covers, Laurel Ridge novellas, Publishing books, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

October’s Glory

Posted on October 4, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group The question for this month is: What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre? Because I have a number of favorite genres, that question becomes long in answering. Instead, I’m choosing to … Continue reading →

Posted in #amwriting, #IWSG, Writer at Work, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Writing to Market or Writing From the Heart

Posted on August 2, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

Writing to market is okay, but writing from the heart is the best because I’m fully engaged and interested as much as the readers will be once I publish the book. Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Blogging, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Living in Fiction

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group The question for this month is: If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose? Living in Fiction I had to really think about this month’s question. I considered the time … Continue reading →

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The Struggle for a Decision

Posted on March 1, 2022 by Diana Stout MFA PhD

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day with a purpose to share and encourage. Writers are offered a question to answer each month or to write a block of their own. … Continue reading →

Posted in #IWSG, Writing Behind the Scenes | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments