The Daily Port of Call: July 2, 2014

Photo by Alexander Lvov/bigstockphoto.com

In today’s Daily Port of Call, you’ll find a seven-layer cookie recipe, how to use layers to show intense emotions, and how to use the difference between real life and fiction to create more engaging stories.

What does a seven-layer cookie recipe have to do with writing?

Speaking of layers, use them to show intense emotions.

How can we take advantage of the difference between real life and fiction to create more engaging and entertaining stories?

What do you need to know to compose a great social media update?

Mourn your failed projects with timeboxed whining.

Here are five ways to tackle self-doubt.

The secret to writing well isn’t what you think.

The Daily Port of Call: July 1, 2014

Photo by Alexander Lvov/bigstockphoto.com

In today’s Daily Port of Call, you’ll find a weird tip for cutting your novel, how to write a suspenseful story climax, and twelve essential steps from idea to publish-ready novel.

Here’s a weird, but helpful, tip for cutting down your novel.

“The first few pages of a novel sell that novel, the ending of the novel sells the next novel.” Discover how to write a suspenseful story climax.

Here are twelve essential steps from idea to publish-ready novel (with resources).

Seeing it from the other side: a New York editor and author who went indie shares her experience.

Here are books from novelists who went from indie to traditional publishing.

John Green helps you clean up your writing with his guide to common spelling and grammar errors.