6 tips for writing back cover copy that sells your book | BloggingBistro.com

6 Tips for Writing Back Cover Copy That Sells Your Book

Many editors advise authors: “Don’t write the back cover copy for your own book.” Learn why, and get six must-do tips for brainstorming back cover copy.

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“One look at an email can rob you of 15 minutes of focus.” | BloggingBistro.com

Does Checking Email Cause You to Lose Focus?

Repeat after me: Today, I vow to shut down my email while I’m working on a project that will grow my business.

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Painfully Funny Similes and Metaphors from High School Students | BloggingBistro.com

Painfully Funny Similes and Metaphors from High School Students

Back by popular demand: Our list of painfully funny metaphors and similes written by high school students.

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Why bother editing a blog post? After all, it’s ONLY a blog!

An aspiring author (who struggles to write a coherent sentence) was affronted when I suggested that it might be a good idea to seek a little editing help.

“Why do I need to edit my blog posts? It’s JUST a blog.”

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What’s a Seaplane Doing in the Middle of the Road?

“I can’t think of anything to write about.”

When I taught high school English, my students frequently moaned about the lack of interesting things to write about.

My standard response: I’d roll my eyes and challenge them to keep their eyes and ears open and to ask questions about everything they see and hear.

When I was driving near my home, I spotted the perfect story starter. I’ve never had to pull to the side of the road to make way for a seaplane. In fact, I’ve never seen a seaplane being towed down the highway!

This scene has the makings for a good mystery/suspense story or an intriguing blog post.

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Need a Burst of Creativity? Switch Your ‘Mouse’ Hand

Have you ever stared at your computer, waiting for inspiration to strike? Here’s a quick tip I picked up at Daniel Scocco’s DailyBlogTips: Use your non-dominant hand to operate your mouse. It’s all about stimulating those neural connections between the right and left sides of your brain, says Daniel.  Doing something out-of-the-ordinary exercises your brain […]

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Tighten Your Writing: Dump ‘Illegal’ Words

You’ve drafted a blog post, magazine article, non-fiction book, or novel. Now it’s time to weed out the “illegal” words – vague, filler words that clutter your story. Here’s an exercise to help you cut the wordiness from your piece: Choose an “illegal” word or phrase from the following list: very really rather just simply […]

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A Little Toilet Humor

Seen inside a public toilet stall: Toilet out of order. Please use floor below. (My sons do that… and our toilet works.) On a readerboard outside a pre-school: This sign intentionally left blank, just like your child’s mind. (Should parents interpret this as a compliment or an insult?) In an office break room: After tea […]

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‘Alexandria Impolite’: Spell Checker Mangles Names in High School Yearbook

When the students at Middletown Area High School in Pennsylvania picked up their yearbooks, they were in for a surprise. On four of the yearbook’s 176 pages, last names of students were changed to creative new monikers: Max Zupanovic became “Max Supernova” Kathy Carbaugh became “Kathy Airbag” William Givler became “William Giver” Cameron Bendgen became […]

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Five Tips for Becoming an Expert at Your Craft

Whenever people learn that I’ve written three books, they respond: “Oh, I’ve always wanted to write a book about ________.” (fill in the blank with the topic you’ve dreamed of writing a book about) I’ve heard that: 81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them. 10 percent of that 81 percent actually […]

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