Author Archive: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time wordsmith and blogger in Vancouver, BC. Known as the Adventurous Writer, she created six "Quips and Tips" websites, and has written four "Quips and Tips" ebooks.
Writing Obstacles Be Gone! 3 Ways to Keep Falling Forward
Writers, no matter what your genre, you will face obstacles to writing. Use these tips to keep falling forward. In fact — say it out loud right now: “Writing obstacles, be gone!” And check out one of my all-time favorite quips: “It’s a sad day when you find out that it’s not accident or time [...]
How to Write a Query Letter to Publishers – Fiction Manuscript
My writer friend sent this query letter to ten publishers, and all ten asked to see his fiction manuscript. You can’t beat a 100% return rate! Why did every publisher ask to see his book? Because the author told an interesting story in an entertaining way. Here’s how one famous writer describes it: “I have been [...]
Write More Creatively by Dodging These Creativity Killers
Fellow scribes, if you want to write more creatively, you have to stop killing your creativity. These tips will help you find and flex the creativity muscle that will take your writing from good to grrreaat! “Why is ‘How to Kill Your Creativity’ a great title for an article?” asks Vancouver-based publication coach and freelance [...]
8 Freelance Writing Habits That Will Get You More Work
Want to get more work as a writer? Need clips and experience? Don’t miss these freelance writing habits – they work. The first two habits I describe are what got me the writing gig I’m starting today – a blogging job for which I’m charging “an arm and a leg” per word (when I’m too [...]
How J.K. Rowling Followed Her Heart to Fame and Fortune
Learning how J.K. Rowling followed her heart to fame and fortune will motivate and inspire you to write, fellow scribes! J.K. Rowling’s goal was to write what she loved…and now she makes millions of bucks as a published author. “It is our choices, Harry, that show us who we truly are, far more than our [...]
Example of a Query Letter to Literary Agents for a Nonfiction Book
Here’s the query letter for my “Quips and Tips” nonfiction book series, which I sent to a couple dozen literary agents five days ago. So far, I’ve received six positive responses and many rejections. I’ll post some of the agents’ responses soon — some of them are really interesting! Fellow scribes, how’s your writing coming [...]
Best Blogs About Writing – From AW Forums to Writing World
On What Are the Best Writing Websites and Blogs? Why?, I asked for the best blogs about writing, and you answered! Here are a few writing blogs suggested by writers, plus a few reasons why those bloggers have something we all want: a ringing endorsement from a fellow scribe. Before the tips, a quip: “Writing is [...]
What Does It Mean to be a REAL Writer?
Are you a real writer? What does that mean to you? As the creator of Quip and Tips for Successful Writers, one of the things I’ve always, always struggled with is the fact that I’m not a traditionally published author. Can I run a strong, successful writing website when I’ve never been published? Never worked [...]
Reasons Why Your Blog Isn’t Attracting and Keeping Readers
Perhaps the best way to learn why your blog isn’t attracting and keeping readers is to ask the “peeps” in your circle for feedback. I asked my Quips and Tips writers how I could improve my sites, and invited them to be brutally honest. The feedback I received applies to all blogs — not just [...]
Getting More Links to Your Blog – Things That Make People Link
What blogger doesn’t want to get more links to her blog? I know I do, so I asked my Quips and Tips writers what makes them link to blog posts, spread web articles, and keep visiting a blogger’s space. Here’s a great tip, right off the bat: “I really like clean cut minimal looking blogs [...]
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