TIME CORRECTION: Are There Ethical Uses of AI for Fiction Writers? Live Session
Mon. 3/18/24 Join us in the Writers’ Mastermind with writing coach/author Dan Soule for a thoughtful discussion about the role of AI in fiction writing.
Are There Ethical Uses of AI for Fiction Writers? – A live discussion with Writing Coach Dan Soule
Mon. 3/18/24 Join us in the Writers’ Mastermind with writing coach/author Dan Soule for a thoughtful discussion about the role of AI in fiction writing.
From Fear to Fun: Embracing Enthusiasm in Fiction Writing
In our last post, we talked about letting fear pass through us so we can move forward. This week, we learn to harness to enthusiasm. I'm sure I've said this too many times in meetings, videos, blogs, and newsletters—once we stop having fun with writing, our reader...
#1 Enemy of Writers
We've talked about perfectionism, rejection, and the mysterious phenomenon of self-sabotage when it comes to committing to developing our creative potential. But if we dig down to the core of most issues that keep us stuck, the culprit is fear. Fear is insidious. It...
Writing Against the Odds
What are the chances you'll become a successful fiction writer? In our last post, we talked about Turning Rejections into Success and surviving artistic losses by benefiting from what they force us to learn. Today, we will talk about becoming mentally and emotionally...
Turning Rejections into Success
I was so sure my WIP was a perfect fit for a certain small but prestigious publisher. Then I received the typical, canned auto-rejection.
The Alchemy of Story Structure: Secrets for Crafting Engaging Narrative – A Workshop for Fiction Writers
Become a narrative alchemist. Transform the dull metal of a plodding story into pure, dynamic gold. Understand cause and effect relationships, character arcs, and the five key story moments.
Using Criticism to Grow as a Writer
When we write a book (especially if we did it right) we bare our hearts in it. So when someone criticizes our work, even if it's unfounded, it wounds a deep part of us that doesn't have the capability of rationalizing it away or laughing it off. It hurts. Many people...
16 Ways Authors Can Harness the Power of Collaboration & Collective Promotion
Learn 16 ways fiction authors can harness the power of collaboration and collective promotion.
Connecting to the Source
Clear your creative circuits and connect to the source. Pick one or more of these activities and see what happens.
Live Reading: Virtue’s End by Joseph Sale
Today, we are honored to feature Joseph Sale’s extraordinary reading from his epic poem, Virtue’s End.
What’s your best opening line?
All writers want to open their story with a killer first line. What makes a great opening line? It’s not easy to define.
Live Reading: Talking to the Moon by Mollie McClure
Today, we are excited to feature Mollie McClure. She is a founding member of the Writers’ Mastermind and the creator of Women Writers’ Circle Retreats. Today she reads from her novel-in-progress, Talking to the Moon.
Luxury for the Fiction Writer—CREATIVE ABUNDANCE
You can create a sense of creative abundance all around you by becoming intentional about how you shape your experience.
Live Reading: Hecctrossipy III by Bia Bella Baker
Today, we are excited to feature Bia Bella Baker, a YA scifi author. She is a founding member of the Writers’ Mastermind and the author of the upcoming Hecctrossipy Series.
Giving away your writing time is closing the door on your possibilities
No one will respect your writing time if you don’t. If you routinely let others’ wants take priority, you diminish your possibilities for success.
Live Reading: Dark Brilliance by Clennell Anthony
“Nell” is a visually impaired author who recently released Dark Brilliance. Christa Wojciechowski reads several vignettes from her beautiful collection.
Make Hard Changes to Free Creativity (and Yourself)
What’s holding you back from being your freest, most creative self? The end of the year is the perfect time to think about the changes we need to make to become the writers we’re meant to be.
Author Year-End Review 2022
You’re invited! Each year, the Writers’ Mastermind gets together to review our wins and failures and declare our intentions for the next year.
Live Reading: Fulfilling a Vow by J.A. Cox
Lady Death is back in this new scene from J.A. Cox’s upcoming action-packed scifi, Fulfilling a Vow, Looking for Answers.
Your Growth as a Writer
Growing pains (they’re a good thing for writers). Nothing is worse for creativity than being stagnant.
7 Signs Perfectionism is Ruining Your Writing
This year, I published my first full-length novel called Oblivion Black. Members of the Writers' Mastermind witnessed me slaving over this manuscript in our weekly co-writing sessions since our virtual writing group began two years ago. They also know that I have been...
Live Reading: Universal Justice by Brenda Wilkins
Brenda Wilkins reads an excerpt from Universal Justice, a thriller with a scifi twist. Wrongly accused of murder and rape, Brian has been sitting on death row for three years. Once known as the black Walter Cronkite, he now recalls how his nightmare began.
Meet Fiction Writer Brenda Wilkins
Today, we have Brenda Wilkins, an aspiring lawyer turned writer who is now working on her first novel called Universal Justice.
Why You Should Keep Everything You Write And Never Delete Your Drafts – Self-Publishing Advice
Derek Haines from Self-Publishing News outlines all the reasons you should keep everything you write and never delete your drafts.
Live Reading: The Princess and the Spider by Dan Markowski
Dan Markowski is a fantasy and horror writer/reader and host of A Happy Moment Podcast. Today, he reads an excerpt from his dark fantasy tale, The Princess and the Spider.
Delight readers with this storytelling trick—”The Prestige” by Joseph Sale
“It’s not enough to make something disappear. You have to bring it back.”
Live Reading: Glass Eyes by Charlotta Amato
Today, Charlotta Amato reads her unsettling story, Glass Eyes, from her home in Norway.
Unlock the Magical Creator Within – A Workshop for Fiction Writers
Unlock The Magical Creator Within is a workshop for fiction writers, designed to unleash your full creative potential using psychological, spiritual, and practical techniques.
How to Become a Confident Writer
How to become a confident writer? I knew there were issues with my writing. The problem was, I couldn’t tell what they were.
Live Reading: The Eyes of the Tower by Sara Halabi
Sara Halabi reads from her short story, The Eyes of the Tower, a dark and creepy fairy tale that will leave you in a state of morbid dread.
How Fiction Shapes Reality
Originally published in The Writing Cooperative—This is for all the fiction writers out there. You’re not mere entertainers. You shape reality.
Live Reading: The Cleaner by Sam Szanto
Sam Szanto has just published her debut story collection. Today she reads her short story, The Cleaner.
What’s it like to be a blind writer? #AccessibilityAwareness
Originally Published on The Writing Cooperative Writing, publishing, and selling a novel is challenging for anyone, but what is it like to be a blind writer? Think about composing, spotting errors, using track changes, and formatting. Moreover, in today’s publishing...
Meet Nell Anthony–Author of Paranormal Fantasy
Clennell Anthony is a paranormal romance and fantasy author. She is a founding member of the Writers’ Mastermind and the host of our Saturday write-ins.
I Pre-released on Kindle Vella … Here’s What Happened
Is it worth publishing on Kindle Vella? Here are the pros, cons, shortcomings, and future potential of Amazon’s new episodic story platform.
9 Fun Ways to Name Your Characters
How do you create distinctive and unforgettable character names? Writers’ Mastermind members share their fave ways to name your characters.
The Problem with Writers and Money
Combine our romantic “poor starving artist” notion with traditional qualms about money, and you’re destined to become the cliché broke writer.
Where do self-published authors go wrong?
Where do self-published authors go wrong? The truth is, unless we have an author platform and some basic PR skills, no one will know we have a book out.
11 Questions with Sam Szanto
We talk to Sam Szanto, author of second place winner, If No One Speaks. Sam is an accomplished writer and poet, whose had nearly 40 stories and poems published and listed in competitions.
Secrets of Self-Publishing Success! A Live Q&A with Howard VanEs, President of Let’s Write Books, Inc.
Anyone can publish a book, but few authors are successful. Howard VanEs from Let’s Write Books, Inc. teaches us how to prepare and position our fiction books for success on Amazon and other distributors.
11 Questions with Tomas Marcantonio
Dystopian noir author Tomas Marcantonio talks about living in South Korea and how his life shapes his writing.
11 Questions with Yong Takahashi
Today we talk to Yong Takahashi, author of The Elements. You’ll learn about her struggles as a Korean immigrant and how she writes all her drafts in longhand on pink legal pads.
The Best Writing Contests and How to Apply–Kindlepreneur
The Writers Mastermind Short Story Contest is thrilled to be among the best writing contests listed on Dave Chesson's Kindlepreneur website. Add these contest deadlines to your calendar and get your stories ready! This article also provides tips on how to submit and...
11 Questions with Samuel Parr
Meet Samuel Parr, finalist of the Writers Mastermind Short Story Contest with The Knowable Failures.
Why We Write – Barbara Weitzner
Why We Write, a personal essay by Writers Mastermind Short Story Contest winner, Barbara Weitzner
You’re invited! Read Your Story Mash-Up Writer Challenge 2022
Join the second annual Writers Mastermind Read Your Story Mash-Up!
Away From the World and the Horrific Things That Happen In It by Barb Weitzner – Short Story Contest 1st Place Winner
… most of us well into our eighties, gather every morning to claim our familiar positions at a table under an umbrella on the veranda, at The Bowers, an upscale assisted-living facility, our lives lived in slow motion, killing time, in similar, desperate ways.
If No One Speaks by Sam Szanto – Short Story Contest 2nd Place Winner
When they threw my kitten into the furnace, I thought: how in God’s name can I survive this? But what else can I do?
Feathers by Tomas Marcantonio – Short Story Contest 3rd Place Winner
All at once my whole being seemed to shrink, as though something had reached inside my chest and grabbed my very soul, and with bony fingers was attempting to wrestle it out of existence.
The Elements by Yong Takahashi – Short Story Contest Finalist
When does life begin? Does it start in the air as the breeze carries a lover’s call? Does it start in earth as warm bodies roll around in the soft grass? Does it start with fire as a look ignites new possibilities? Does it start in water as the amniotic sac explodes and pushes us out into the world?
The Knowable Failures by Samuel Parr– Short Story Contest Finalist
If you join r/windowlessroom on Reddit, you will learn about the Gift of the Meaningless Library, and your obsession will begin.
Short Story Contest WINNERS
Hello, writers! We are proud to announce the shortlist for the Writers Mastermind Short Story Contest. This has been the most extraordinary year. We had nearly 200 entries. The stories we received were amazing. Thanks to our panel of judges, and thank you all for your...
Short Story Contest SHORTLIST 2/23/22
Hello, writers! We are proud to announce the shortlist for the Writers Mastermind Short Story Contest. Thank you all for your patience. Congratulations to all those who made it. NOTE: These are in alphabetical order. Final results coming soon! 9,066 Soup – CJ Anderson...
Short Story Contest Longlist
Hello, writers! We apologize for the delay in announcing the 2021 Short Story Contest Winners. We had a much larger turnout than we expected, and as all our judges are volunteers, we extended the judging period so we could devote our time and attention to each and...
We’re doing The Artist’s Way together this year!
"All too often, it is audacity and not talent that moves an artist to center stage."Julia Cameron – The Artist's Way After running the Writers Mastermind for a year and a half, the biggest problem I see with struggling authors is not that they don’t have talent or...
From the Ashes – 1st Story Relay from the Writers Mastermind
What happens when 15 authors from 8 countries get together to create one short story? The Writers Mastermind Story Relay.