Every week, Quips and Tips for Successful Writers features “Writing Quips and Tips From Successful Published Author X.” J.K. Rowling is up to bat this week; on deck for next week is Truman Capote.
These quips and tips from J.K. Rowling reveal all (almost) — including her opinion that finding an agent is preferable to approaching publishers [...]

Successful writers create new article or book ideas all the time – but do they talk about them before they’re written? Not according to Mario Puzo, Sidney Sheldon, or Ernest Hemingway…
“Never talk about what you are going to do until after you have written it,” said Mario Puzo.
Oops. I’m not only talking about my latest book [...]

These quotations from published authors on the dreaming and writing process is a follow-up from my How Dreaming at Night Inspires Famous Writers post. Thanks for the nudge, c.a. Marks
First, a writing quip:
“There are two kinds of [successful] writers: those that make you think, and those that make you wonder.” – Brian Aldiss
You can use [...]

Some successful writers believe that dreaming at night is the heart and soul of good writing – while others can’t remember their dreams at all!  Here’s a roundup of how dreams inspire some famous writers…and a dreamy question for you, fellow scribes.
First, a quip from the great writer Isabel Allende:
“You write a book and it’s [...]

How can belonging to a book club improve your writing skills? O, let me list the ways…
But first, a quip from Canadian icon, poet, and novelist Margaret Atwood:
“They [the book club members] are ready to reveal…their own reactions, their own biases and doubts and convictions, and above all their own tastes,” said Atwood. “The beauty [...]

These tips for overcoming writer’s block are from experienced freelance writers, successful novelists, and writing coaches. Did you know that some writers don’t believe in writer’s block or finding “The Muse”? Other writers not only believe in it, they’re paralyzed by it. Whether or not you buy into the “writer’s block” theory – you’ll find practical tips for [...]

I didn’t realize the importance of finding the best place to write your book until I gathered info for Freelance Writing Tips From Published Authors and Successful Writers. These tips about your environment can seriously increase your writing productivity!
Before the tips, a quip:
“In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us.” [...]

Finding solutions to common problems for writers is what “Quips and Tips” is all about! Here are nine ways to overcome writing obstacles — ranging from increasing writing discipline to earning more money.
Before the tips, a quip: 
“Writing is elemental,” said Natalie Goldberg. “Once you have tasted its essential life, you cannot turn from it without some deep [...]

Making your writing edgy and quirky will make your manuscript, sample chapters, or articles come alive! Writing in an edgy and quirky manner will help bring your manuscript, book proposal, or article pitch to the top of editors’ and publishers’ slush piles.
Before the tips, a quip:
“During the decades that I served as an editor and publisher, what drew my attention [...]

Finding great ideas for feature articles may be one of the most difficult parts of being a freelance writer. Luckily, it’s a writing habit that can be learned!
Take this writing quip from Jenna Glatzer: 
“Once your brain has opened up to this kind of idea generating, you’ll be amazed by how much more perceptive you’ll become in general,” Glatzer writes in Make [...]