Writing techniques – Lee J. Russell, Author

Approaches to writing Effectively and Efficiently…

In my latest vlog I talk about how to write Efficiently and Effectively using a combination of: – Plotting (not “pantsing’) – Mind-mapping in “FreeMind” – The 7-Point Story Structure – A writing tool like yWriter5 – Dictating a first draft using the “Dictanote” Chrome app – Editing with SmartEdit, Hemingway and editMinion Take aContinue reading “Approaches to writing Effectively and Efficiently…”

MS Word – text to speech…

A productivity/editing tip – did you know that recent versions of MS Word have the ability to read your text back to you? I am finding that an excellent way to catch missing words, repeated words, gender mistakes as I edit etc. It also has the huge benefit of helping to catch plain boring bitsContinue reading “MS Word – text to speech…”

Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…

I just stumbled upon this wonderful quote about love from legendary sc-fi author Ray Bradbury… “The only thing you’re ever going to own in your life is your work… we belong only by doing, and we owned [things] only by doing, and we loved only by doing… if you want an interpretation of life andContinue reading “Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…”

I’ve now printed the first 4 alpha copies of ‘Evil Eye – A Lissa Blackwood Thriller’…

Back in August I announced that I had finished the first draft of ‘Evil Eye’, and like all writers I immediately started work on improving that copy. ‘Evil Eye’ is my third novel and I’m getting used to that process of polishing and embellishing my work, but this time around I was thrown by someContinue reading “I’ve now printed the first 4 alpha copies of ‘Evil Eye – A Lissa Blackwood Thriller’…”

The 10 Rules of Writing Large Casts of Characters…

I’ve just read a good article about “The 10 Rules of Writing Large Casts of Characters” by K.M. Weiland on https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/large-casts-of-characters/ This always seems to trip me up and I found this to be a helpful summary of some things to think about – it’s worth taking a look at… #authorlee #amwriting

How Book Bloggers Boost Sales for Indie Authors – from shaylaraquel.com

Like many (ie most) indie authors I find book marketing to be a painful, arcane art that is full of hard work, confusion and disappointments. That just drives me to try harder and fortunately the internet is full of good advice, like… … this helpful blog article from Shayla Raquel (@shaylaleeraquel) about “How Book BloggersContinue reading “How Book Bloggers Boost Sales for Indie Authors – from shaylaraquel.com”

Next vlog about the writing of the Brexit Conspiracy-Thrillers is now on YouTube…

In my latest video blog I give an update on how I planned & prepared to write my new series of Brexit Conspiracy-Thrillers, and show some of the software that I now use. The vlog is on my YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/NQ4My7eXwN4 The tools I show include: FreeMind – mind mapping software MS Word &Continue reading “Next vlog about the writing of the Brexit Conspiracy-Thrillers is now on YouTube…”