Ryan Van Cleave

Getting started with your sci-fi, fantasy, or horror story can be a daunting challenge. When you’re writing speculative fiction about other possible and impossible worlds, there are a thousand different details to think about. These easy-to-use tips and questions can help launch your writing process in the right direction and focus on the things that matter for your story.

Transform your life experiences into a captivating memoir! Here’s a quick guide to get you started on capturing the essence of your story.What makes your story unique? Your One-Sentence Pitch: Can you boil down your memoir’s premise to a single, powerful sentence? This helps focus your writing. Your Ideal Reader: Who do you most want to connect with through your story?

No matter whether you're a first-time author or you've written several books, attending a writers' conference can do wonders for you, in several different ways. This bonus chapter discusses some of the main opportunities of attending a writers' conference. So read on and see how to not only just attend a writers' conference, but also to get your money's worth.

Writing is a solitary act, so finding ways to combat the sense of loneliness is a good idea. Here are a few ways to create and develop a community to help support you in writing your memoir. Few people can appreciate the struggles a writer faces like another writer can. Take a writing course at a university, community college, or community center.

Many people interchangeably use the terms “autobiography” and “memoir.” Although Amazon and many brick-and-mortar bookstores put them in the same category, they are quite different. Here’s how they are different. An autobiography Focuses on the trajectory of an entire life Starts at the beginning and progresses chronologically to the end Feels more like a historical document; tons of fact-checking and very specific dates/information Strives for factual, historical truths Typically is written by famous people A memoir Focuses on a key aspect, theme, event, or choice in a life Starts anywhere and can deftly move around in time and place Feels more personal; less intense fact-checking Strives for emotional truths Can be written by anyone Both are based in truth.

You’re writing a memoir to share your story, which means you obviously want people to read it. To write a memoir designed to satisfy and engage readers, strive to meet the following expectations: A sympathetic main character: A reader’s sympathy and interest doesn’t come for free. You have to earn it. Make this a priority for your main character to come across as sympathetic, and readers will appreciate it.