With sharing our writing with others comes feedback. How you handle that feedback is just as important as getting it.

DROPS MONDAY. How good would the Olympics have been with an 'average Joe' lane, so you could really grasp how extraordinary our athletes truly are? How to DAD is your Joe.

I'm seeing a growing trend on social media and internet-based, closed discussion groups. There seems to be a push for inclusivity and open discussion, yet if you don't veil your comments in what is seen as being politically correct, then expect to be attacked by the lynch mob. It doesn't matter if you are being polite and careful about your wording. If you don't say things exactly how the vocal few wants you to say them, then you're not welcome. Public social media is a hot spot for this, because you might also be attacked by the trolls who are deliberately trying to get a reaction out of you. But when you see the policing of language and unfiltered thoughts on private community forums too, what might be seen as a good thing can quickly become a bad thing. There is a difference between hate speech and innocent comments that can be interpreted multiple ways. It's perfectly valid to have a random comment challenged, seeking clarification, because random comments with no context can be seen as negative and hateful. But when a clarification is given, there have been times when the lynch mob goes in for the kill, accusing people of things that they are not. Situations quickly escalate, and emotions rage out of control. How we navigate this minefield is a measure of our character. Most of the time, I just ignore the comments attacking me, particularly if they are on public social media. But when the comments come in via an avenue that is meant to be supportive and inclusive (and private)… At that point, we are often forced into a situation where we are silenced (and left with no way to express ourselves) or ostracized (and still left with no way to express ourselves). And all because the vocal few don't like what we have to say. In today's post, I want to show you how an innocent comment can quickly get out of control, leaving us with little choice but to become silent.

Alt: a group of girls are dancing on a stage and the words let 's party are on the bottom

There are different types of series, and they all present different reader experiences. And they come with different writing (and marketing) challenges.

Many story structure models focus on the role of the protagonist within the story. However, the antagonist is just as important and has a few beat points of their own.

There are elements of the past that have eroded to the point that I'm now wondering if titles and salutations like sir and ma'am even have a place anymore.

Reviews are a necessary part of the business. Without good reviews, a book never sees the positive side of the algorithms that promote your books for you. Without reviews, many readers will turn away from your book, particularly if it is an old book. And reviews help to build SEO traction on a book. However, as important as reviews are, reviews can also be a dangerous area for writers. Writers have lost their publishing contracts because they badmouthed a review on social media. Writers have been review bombed because of such deplorable behavior. But writers have also been attacked because they left a negative review on a competitor's book. In some cases, those attacks were warranted. In other cases, they weren't. The most important aspect with reviews is to remember that reviews are NOT for the benefit of the writer. They are for the benefit of the reader. It's readers telling prospective readers what they thought of the book. And when it comes to reviews, it is a very bad idea to respond to any reviews (or comments on those reviews) regardless of what you think of the review. If you want to share those reviews with others, then cross-post it on your feeds. Acknowledge the good reviews that way, but DON'T RESPOND. It's time to take a closer look at how responding to reviews, good or bad, could land you in hot water.

What have you been reading lately? My reading ranges from nonfiction through to fiction. I recently finished “We Need Your Art” by Amie McNee and am currently reading (and laughing as I read)…

You could have the best grammar in the world, but if your story is lacking when it comes to plot or character, then your reader will get bored.

Last week I wrote about the importance of showing up, whether that means showing up at your writing desk or in-person at a workshop, conference, or book festival. In retrospect, I fear I may have sounded a bit glib. As I’ve developed my blog over the past several years, a few recurring themes have emerged. Authenticity and being true to oneself is a subject I return to again and again.

Not all antagonists of a story are "bad guys". Not all antagonists are characters. It's time to understand the nature of your antagonist.