#WritingTips


  • Have a Writing Question? Bring It to the Chat.

    Have a Writing Question? Bring It to the Chat.

    One of the reasons we created the Current Words Publishing Subscriber Chat is simple: writers have questions, and those questions don’t always need to wait for the next blog post. Maybe you’re wondering whether you should self-publish or pursue traditional publishing. Perhaps you’re trying to figure out Amazon keywords, book reviews, editing, cover design, ISBNs,…


  • Your Work Has Value Before It’s Published

    Your Work Has Value Before It’s Published

    Protect Your Own Copyright, Too Most writers spend a lot of time worrying about accidentally infringing someone else’s copyright. Far fewer spend time understanding their own. The final installment of our “Can I Do That?” series turns the conversation around. We’ll look at when copyright begins, why your first draft already matters, what registration does (and doesn’t)…


  • Please Stop Quoting….

    Please Stop Quoting….

    Every writer has experienced it. You’re working on a scene when the perfect song lyric pops into your head. It says exactly what your character is feeling, and suddenly you’re wondering whether you can borrow just a line or two. Unfortunately, copyright law isn’t quite that simple. In Part Three of our “Can I Do That?”…


  • Copyright Is Every Author’s Business

    Copyright Is Every Author’s Business

    Most writers don’t become authors because they enjoy reading legal Copyright Is Every Author’s Business Most writers don’t become authors because they enjoy reading legal documents. But sooner or later, nearly every writer asks questions like these: Can I quote song lyrics? Can I use that photograph I found online? If I give credit, is…


  • Join Our New Subscriber Chat

    Join Our New Subscriber Chat

    Today we’re announcing a brand new addition to our Current Words Publishing Substack publication: CWP subscriber chat. This is a conversation space exclusively for subscribers—kind of like a group chat or live hangout. Dave and I will post questions and updates that come our way, and you can jump into the discussion. Join chat How…


  • Am I the Only One Rick Riordan Is Writing to?

    Am I the Only One Rick Riordan Is Writing to?

    CURRENT WORDS PUBLISHING VENDOR VETTING CHECKLIST FOR AUTHORS ARE YOU AT RISK OF BEING TRICKED BY SPAM? Does everything in the emails sound like a dream come true, such as “We think your book would make a great movie”? Do you have someone helping you decide whether these offers are legitimate? Do you prefer to stay…


  • Do Authors Need a Website? Yes, and Here’s Why It Matters

    Do Authors Need a Website? Yes, and Here’s Why It Matters

    “Do I need an author website?” Yes, you do. And we build them. You don’t need a big author website, and you don’t need an expensive one. For about $68 a year, you can have a clean, professional home on WordPress, one you actually own. No gatekeepers, no middlemen, no wondering where your content went. If…


  • How to Get the Most Out of Critique Groups: A Guest Post by Virginia Watts

    How to Get the Most Out of Critique Groups: A Guest Post by Virginia Watts

    I have participated in quite a few of writing critique groups for many years now, and I can say that the feedback I have received from fellow writers has been critical to my success in publishing my work. It is true that if you remain with the same group over an extended period, there will…


  • Summer Break/Kids/Writing

    Summer Break/Kids/Writing

    If you’re a parent, like I am, you know how kids being off their regular schedules in any way brings a little bit of havoc to adult lives. Maybe it’s sweet havoc, and havoc we cherish, but we’re also trying to write. I want to share with you two things that have helped me when…


  • Learn How To Write A Better Book With Our Reels

    Learn How To Write A Better Book With Our Reels

    Introducing CURRENT MONDAY, I think I seem to be doing on Monday mornings. Each week I discuss a topic related to writing a book. I record the reel live, but you can view it after too. THIS WEEK: Have you ever thought about how dialogue in a story is telling rather than showing? Why is…