Holly Lisle: Writer

My Mistake, Your Gain–A Fun Drawing for 10 Free Memberships

My newsletter introducing the workshop I’m teaching for SavvyAuthors.com [LINK CORRECTED] started like this:

So.

In the midst of my current insane seventy-hour-a-week work schedule, I got this crazy question.

It was “How would you like to do a free writing workshop for our
site?”

Now, in most cases, the answer to the question “How would you like to add about 70 to 100 more hours to your workload and not get paid for it?” would be “Not very much!”

In this case, though, I found two reasons that made me say yes…

And on my writing diary while making the same announcement, I said:

Finally, a COMPENSATION DISCLAIMER:

I’m not an affiliate of SavvyAuthors.com. I’m not making a dime from the workshop, nor will I receive any payment for recommending the site.

I’m doing this because I think it will be fun, and interesting, and challenging, and because it will let me meet some new folks.

And then Sharon, my primary liaison for the workshop, sent me a happy e-mail about how many people had signed up (231 the last I heard), and she told me I’d be getting some money.

To which I said, “I honestly didn’t know I was supposed to get any sort of compensation. The long e-mail I sent out and my blog post both made it clear that I WASN’T being compensated.

“So as nice as the money would be, I’ll have to turn it down. Use it for something cool. :D”

Her idea of cool was, why don’t I give it to ten of you as paid memberships for one year to SavvyAuthors.com.

And I agreed that would be pretty cool.

So.

HOW TO WIN

If you’d like to win a year’s membership to SavvyAuthors.com, just post here. Let me know the MOST USEFUL THING you’ve learned from my website, this weblog, or any of my courses.

That’s it. If you do that, you’re eligible in the drawing.

I’ll do the drawings NEXT WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 24th), which will give folks a LITTLE time to reply, and winners enough time to attend some of the workshops this year.

I’ll announce the winners on this writing diary.

[A NOTE: I am reading these entries. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. If you attempt to use this contest to claim that I recommended a product I have never even heard of, I will delete your entry and block you from the site. I don’t tolerate spam. I have deleted one entry so far.]

image_pdfDownload as PDFimage_printPrint Page

Posted

in

by

Holly

Tags:

Comments

444 responses to “My Mistake, Your Gain–A Fun Drawing for 10 Free Memberships”

  1. Lori Ford Avatar
    Lori Ford

    Holly, You have been a great inspiration to me. I frequently use what I learn to tell my writer’s group new ways to write. I always recommend you and your site to others. The biggest way though, is how much you have helped me with improving my own writing. I am able to understand my goals for what I am writing due to what I have learned from you. Thank you for the help.

    Reply
  2. Ronald W. Mullins Avatar
    Ronald W. Mullins

    It’s just recently that I have been recieving your e-mails with writing tips. Just the writing tips you have given, since the beginning of the year, has helped me to finish my first book, which I am using to try for an agent. I have just started revising this book, while finishing it’s sequel. I have never taken any writing courses before but have extensively read my subject. But now I need to know about revisions because I fear that my work really isn’t up to publishing standards yet. I thank you, sincerely, for what you have done for me so far.

    PS: I am at the moment unemployed and money is very tight, so please excuse me for not joining any of your online classes.

    Reply
  3. Sonya Avatar
    Sonya

    The most important thing I’ve learned from you? Easy. Never give up on your dreams.

    There’s lots of other useful stuff I’ve already taken away and there’s lots more to take on board, sure. Believing in myself and my dream, though, mean that all the ups and downs of the writing life are just bumps on the road rather than obstacles.

    Reply
  4. Ruth Ann Dell Avatar
    Ruth Ann Dell

    Hi Holly
    Wow this is difficult, there are so many things that I could name but as you’ve asked for the most useful thing, I’ll name my discovery of Vision which I learnt about on your website. What a wonderful ezine, a veritable chest of treasures for aspiring writers like me!

    Many thanks and best wishes

    Ruth Ann

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Bickerton Avatar
    Jennifer Bickerton

    Hi Holly,
    I perused your website a few weeks ago and have learned that you offer something for just about everything a newbie writer trying to learn the craft might need. I am currently receiving e-mails from you about using conflict for plotting. I love it. Thank you for all the work you are doing. Those of us just beginning need your advice and experience!
    Jen B.

    Reply
  6. V Stark Avatar
    V Stark

    The most important thing I got from you is: never give up. Ever!

    Thanks!!!

    Reply
  7. Chrissy Wissler Avatar
    Chrissy Wissler

    Honestly, I love hearing all the different approaches to writing, building characters, and plotting. Every author has their own advice, little nuggets of information, and I simply love picking up each one, trying them out, and then deciding if they work for me.

    So, thank you for sharing your process with all of us.

    Reply
  8. zeina wane Avatar
    zeina wane

    I was initially overwhelmed at all the information from Holly’s site…such generous, solid, good information. I have learned that I better get to it and learn tons about this business, and learn about how to improve my writing and everything that goes along with it, and really, just sit my self down and write…like brushing your teeth…twice a day no matter what…

    Reply
  9. Janet Kerr Avatar
    Janet Kerr

    I discovered your website Holly years ago when I began to write and you taught me what great fun it is.
    Thanks so much,
    Janet Kerr

    Reply
  10. Mary Ingmire Avatar
    Mary Ingmire

    What I’ve learned is that it’s okay to piss people off by my writing.

    Reply
  11. Clare K. R. Miller Avatar
    Clare K. R. Miller

    The most useful thing I’ve learned from you is The Sentence. It’s such a revelation, especially then being able to use the Sentence Lite for scenes…

    Reply
  12. Laura Withrow Avatar
    Laura Withrow

    The most useful thing I’ve learned is that dialog in a story should show some sort of conflict between characters and not be just a time passer or for description. That has changed the manuscripts I am working on tremedously.

    Reply
  13. SteveG Avatar
    SteveG

    I’ve had the privilege of having my own directions confirmed by the comments Holly and commenters have made about perseverance and embracing the playfulness about writing. I know it’s hard work as well, but if you get too serious you forget readers want a good story more than anything else.

    Reply
  14. Catriona Avatar
    Catriona

    I’ve just started exploring your website and free downloads, but the most important thing I have learnt so far is that the exciting, overwhelming, glorious story in my Head (and some on paper) is do-able!!!

    Reply
  15. Kara Hash Avatar
    Kara Hash

    I learned that having a system to use isn’t crazy after all, and that even if my system is strange, as long as it works for me I should use it.

    Thanks, Holly! 🙂

    –Kara

    Reply
  16. Winston Ash Avatar
    Winston Ash

    What is the one main thing I learnt from HTTS?
    JUST HOW MUCH THERE IS TO WRITING!!
    As the late John Updike said a couple of years ago, even at his age, and with so many books behind him, he still continued to learn every day about writing!

    Thanks.
    Winston Ash.

    Reply
  17. Sunny Avatar
    Sunny

    I’ve learned from your “Dare to be Dreadful” step in an article you wrote about finding your writing voice. Love that!

    Reply
  18. Kimberly Sutton Avatar
    Kimberly Sutton

    I have really enjoyed all of your advice on writing. Most recently, the article on Finding your Themes, has been very beneficial to me. The sentence on “What compels you to create lies that have about them the ring of truth; what drives you to invent people and places and events and create a context that pulls them all together and makes them seem real?” This is what I’ve been studying lately.

    Thank you, Holly, for your wonderful attitude towards helping us all!
    Kimberly Sutton

    Reply
  19. Tianna Avatar
    Tianna

    Hi Holly! For me, you’ve helped my make my characters more quiafied to fit their place in my novel. You’ve been able to help me create them in a way that I never imagined they ever could. With your advice I was able to mold them into a shape and from there each and every one of them was able to turn themselves into a human (creature). They showed and told me things that I wasn’t even aware they could do. For that, I am very grateful for!

    Reply
  20. Paula Meengs Avatar
    Paula Meengs

    I’ve learned that copy-editing is the last thing you should do when revising a novel. This has given me a whole new view of revision and of my novel itself. I am delightfully wallowing in that process.
    Thank you, Holly,
    Paula

    Reply
  21. William Pastille Avatar
    William Pastille

    The most useful thing I learned–because it was the thing that has been keeping me from becoming a writer–is that I CAN produce enormous amounts of raw material if I just write as fast as I can and don’t stop until the end of the writing session.

    This one tip has allowed me to produce more material in the past few months than I have been able to write in years and years.

    Of course, it all has to be fixed to become useful; but it’s SO GREAT to have stuff to fix!

    Thanks Holly,

    William Pastille

    Reply
  22. Cindi Avatar
    Cindi

    The most useful thing I’ve learned from your newsletter has been to be more courageous as a writer, both in my novels and my life. Now, when people ask me what I do, I tell them I’m a writer. When a character wants to say or do the one thing I’m begging him not to, I write on to see where it all ends up. My writing has improved. I find it more valuable that my life has improved. Finding confidence in myself as a writer has helped me find confidence in the rest of my life. Thank you for showing me how.

    Cindi

    Reply
  23. dayner Avatar
    dayner

    I most important thing I’ve learned from you is WRITE. Write-write-write! Write something everyday. Set goals and write everyday.
    Also, I’ve learned better was to plot a novel. My favorite is to plot and outline with index cards.
    Thanks for that!!

    Reply
  24. Angela Robbins Avatar
    Angela Robbins

    I’ve learned to make my characters like cake- layered. They need the good and the bad (and sometimes the ugly) to be enriched and catch the reader’s attention. Just like all of us, a villian has a soft spot, some motivation beyond just evil just as a hero always has some fear or some skeleton in the closet.

    Reply
  25. Kirsten Avatar
    Kirsten

    That it’s ok to mess up. To realize that even published authors don’t get it perfect the first time. That there are plenty of others that are in the same boat as you. And to not ever give up!

    You’re awesome Holly! Thank you so much for everything you do!

    Reply
  26. STEPH Avatar
    STEPH

    Holly,
    your regular emails kept me on track. I’ve refined and retuned according to your suggestions and now Bendy Elephant has been published. Huge thanks! Much gratitude.

    Reply
  27. Rachel Goldstein Avatar
    Rachel Goldstein

    Sorry, can’t narrow it down to one. I learned that another definition of a scene is a unit of change. That helped a lot. Learned about the various plot structures. Most helpful. Also learned about nuances of conflict: conflict doesn’t have to be a fight. It can be the stress of change. It could be humor. Talk about a revelation!

    Reply
  28. greta Avatar
    greta

    The most useful thing I’ve learned is that I’m not alone. Other writers out there fumble and fall down. They get distracted. They get stuck. They get frustrated. What separates them is that they push through and keep going. They don’t give up on their dream. I take hope from that and use it to keep pushing when it’s more slogging than enjoying and don’t give up.

    Reply
  29. Jennifer McCurdy Avatar
    Jennifer McCurdy

    The most useful thing I’ve learned from the newsletter comes from the very first one I recieved: a little a day goes a long way. I write 500 words a day now, and my portfolio thanks you! I also adore the newsletter for providing a sense of empowerment. As Honore de Balzac said, “All happiness depends on courage and work,” and reading the Holly Lisle newsletter has definitely helped me develop my courage as a writer. Thank you!

    Reply
  30. Jane Stafford Avatar
    Jane Stafford

    This website is so awsome! When I first came here, I knew nothing of plot outlines, cover pages, actually NOTHING about writing a book. Then I began to search your site for help and found that the most useful thing I’ve learned here, and in your emails, is EVERYTHING! Thank you Holly for paying forward! Your site has changed my life and now I am actually writing my novel! You’re the best!

    Reply
  31. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    What I learned: Never give up. Take a break if need be, but never give up.

    Reply
  32. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    Love the classes, its really helped me with my craft

    Reply
  33. Kari Wolfe Avatar
    Kari Wolfe

    The most useful things… 1) That only I can motivate myself to do what it takes to make my dreams (any of my dreams) come true, and 2) There are other people who believe this too. 🙂

    Thank you, Holly, for being there — even if just on a blog or in an email. I’m so glad you are 🙂

    Reply
  34. Chris Olson Avatar
    Chris Olson

    The most useful thing I’ve learned from this site? Conflict drives the story! Interesting characters come from conflicts! I think I always knew this, but it helps explain why I struggle with some of my scenes, and why others flow so fast I can’t keep up. I look forward to each newsletter so that I can pick it apart and gorge myself on the good bits …

    Reply
  35. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Some of the most useful things I learned were what I had been doing wrong—writing exhausting plot summaries that seemed to go on forever and still got me nowhere at all, insisting on finding the beginning of every scene rather than building around the most critical elements, or redrafting my entire story every time I changed anything. I was so frustrated at how much time I was spending and how little I was producing.
    From “Create a Plot Clinic” I found the techniques of writing line-for-scenes very useful, as well as asking open ended questions of my characters and situations. I haven’t had a chance to get tarot cards yet, but I plan to. And your essay “How to Get There from Here: The Magic of Goals” has been a real life saver.

    Reply
  36. Anthea Avatar
    Anthea

    I think if I have to pick only one most useful thing that I’ve learned, it is how to clarify a story using the Sentence, from the HTTS course. I’m still working on getting the hang of it, but that one lesson is helping me learn to write *stories* instead of just vignettes.

    Reply
  37. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    The most useful thing I have learned is “never give up on your dreams”. I have always had a dream that my writing would not only be published, but that it would provide someone ou there with some joy while they read it. So before I turn 40 I want to make that happen for myself and that someone. I need all the help I can get.
    Nancy

    Reply
  38. Bev Avatar
    Bev

    Motivation, craft, and encouragement, encouragement, encouragement.
    Thanks Holly

    Reply
  39. Yolanda E. Avatar
    Yolanda E.

    Anyone can learn to be a good writer. There’s nothing in the genes that definitively determines whether you have “it” or not. And…sit down, write, even if it’s just a little at a time.

    Reply
  40. Kerryn Avatar
    Kerryn

    The Sentence! Hands down. The Sentence in preparation, during writing, in revision and the Sentence Lite for scenes. So versatile and it holds so much power. 🙂

    Reply
  41. TimK Avatar
    TimK

    The most useful thing? That’s easy (even though I’ve learned numerous useful things from you).

    I learned how to design and write deep characters, from your Create a Character Clinic, which literally transformed my stories and took my writing to a new level.

    Or maybe the most useful thing was how to write The Sentence, which is one of the most powerful fiction marketing tools I know of, the usefulness of which I have (literally) only just begun to explore.

    Aiee! I can’t decide on one thing! Can I still be entered in the drawing? 🙂

    -TimK

    Reply
  42. Don Parks Avatar
    Don Parks

    Out of all the things I have learned from you Holly, which are many. I have to say that the “most useful” thing is being disciplined about writing and not giving into fear are paramount to getting those words out and into the world.
    Thank you again for your novels, your inspiration, and your instruction in building worlds and writing confidence. I continually try to “follow by example” and pay it forward. All the best.

    Reply
  43. Dianna Avatar
    Dianna

    I learned a lot from this website… I learned another writer’s story, and I always enjoy reading the stories of successful writers. I learned some new planning techniques, some of which didn’t work for me and others which did.

    Most of all I found a great resource not only for me as a writer to keep coming back to, but something that I could recommend/show to friends who were also looking for writerly advice.

    Reply
  44. Mihla Avatar
    Mihla

    I learned that successful writers are real people just like me with their own foibles, frustrations, and family distractions. That gives me hope.

    Reply
  45. Taylor Clark Avatar
    Taylor Clark

    I’ve learned that it’s better to plot – characters, storyline, everything! – before you start writing. I’ve done it both ways (your way and my way) before, and I failed my way every time. Your way, I’ve gotten more than halfway through my first novel. 🙂

    Reply
  46. August Avatar
    August

    the most useful thing I’ve learned from you, Holly, is staying on track. I have a habit of wandering away from my theme or central character development, and your tips and hit-the-author-across-the-head advice have given me fresh inspiration to stick with it.

    Reply
  47. Rachel Kenley Avatar
    Rachel Kenley

    I’ve learned not to be scared to plot things out and to be willing to listen to my characters. I trust myself more as a writer! Thanks, Holly. I love the way you pay-it-forward.

    Reply
  48. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    The one thing I’ve really taken away from the site, the blog, and the mini-courses is to own the story. To make it mine, make it interesting for me and the reader, make it mean something. Anyone has the potential to write but to write something that matters, to work towards achieving my dreams (of publishing and beyond), has given me the biggest motivational boost. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it will take a lot of work, but in the end I’m creating something that I’m passionate about.

    Reply
  49. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    SAFE NEVER STARTS. PERFECT NEVER FINISHES.
    Those words are taped to my monitor and on my bulletin board. Those words remind me that each day I START writing is a good day, that each time I finish a manuscript, chapter, scene or even a sentence is a PERFECT day because I am taking chances; I am writing.

    Reply
  50. Kayla Avatar
    Kayla

    The most important thing I’ve learned is how worldbuilding is so important, even if you’re not writing fantasy or in some made up land.

    Reply
Older Comments
1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 9
Newer Comments

Leave a Reply to Dora Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

444
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x