WCRI Flash Brief

If you want to succeed, you need to visualize what success means to you.

We need to remember as writers that we need to manage our time, be it through schedule or routine.

We all need a community, both to be helped and to help. We can teach and learn, and sometimes we need hugs or to be slapped down.

Being competitive is part and parcel of being a writer. You need to find a way to compete with others to keep up your competitive side.

Old-time radio serials may appear to be a weird source of inspiration, but they use a lot of techniques that some of us wish we could master.

It may sound weird, but cooking shows can show you the differences between different regions, especially those that focus on specific regions or traditions.

Writers are often looking for ways to master dialogue and inspiration. Watching talk shows can provide both.

There's no reason to quit your day job...at least, not until things take off.

When you are looking at potential merch for your comic, make sure that you ask yourself if it will sell. Please Support the Channel: https://www.patreon.com/twosparrows

Sometimes you need to go outside. The sun is your friend.

When deciding on the advertising budget, make sure that you are using it to advertise as efficiently as possible.

The flow of the story is the most important thing.

There's a temptation to get a little crazy about exploring characters in your writing; don't go deeper than you need.

Sometimes you need to apologize. Don't let your ego get in the way.

Don't worry about if your story is going to be considered "literature"; no one really knows what it is, and it's usually not what you want to be.

While you shouldn't be afraid to discuss politics in your writing, don't go overboard: Too much political talk can ruin the story, making it little more than a mere screed.

When you research don't be afraid to explore all of the weird tangents that come up. They can only help your story.

Your project can't survive if no one hears about it. Do what you can to make sure everyone hears about it!

When you start doing research, keep in mind that you should question every source that you come across.

Any expression of a person's creativity will express things important to that person; as such feel free to talk about politics if it's what you want to talk about.

Too many writers worry about working in original territory when they should just worry about writing a good story.

A little extra detail can help create an identifiable character. Add those peacock feathers, red caps, and...dare I say it? Twirl those mustaches!

Anyone can do all of the bio stuff; it takes a real world-builder to know what the foods of the world are.

It's your life. Do you really want to deal with medical advice that may cost you that?

Passion is fine; anger is not. Video games can be an excellent therapeutic tool to deal with your anger.

Rituals and routines keep you regular. Establishing them as quickly as possible is always a good idea.

You need to protect your rights and reputation. The first step is to use a search engine to see what's going on in that regard.

If you're serious about your business, make sure you have all the copyright and trademark protection you can get.

Sometimes you need to expound on your emotions. Share them with others for maximum effect.

Your meds keep you healthy and sane. Make sure that you take them.

You're running a business. Take it seriously.

Sometimes crinkling something up, feeling it crunch, hearing it crunch is all sorts of cathartic.

The biggest crime you can commit is to be boring.

Some of us use music to wake up. Make sure that the music doesn't put you back to sleep.

Writers need to learn to steal.

Plants make your room nicer, smell better, and keep you breathing. You may want to get some for your room.

You need something that's healthy, quick, and doesn't need plates and silverware. Burritos may just be the best food ever!

When you start working out your business plan, don't forget that more and more readers don't do floppies. Digital needs to be part of any successful business plan.

Sometimes you need to just charge right in. On days like that, do what Conan would do.

Some days you need to vent or talk to someone. Know who you can talk to ahead of time.

Always debate picking up a new pet, toy or game; it may stop you from writing.

Not all plots need to be linear: You should feel free to play around with flashbacks, flash forwards, and time travel.

Everyone gets hungry during writing; snack healthy for the best focus.

You need inspiration; tabletop RPGs and video games are not a bad place to start.

Part of writing is marketing yourself. Make sure that you put some serious effort into it if you wish to succeed.

You need to know when you can write so that you can fully charge into it.

The best writers learn to read a story as both a reader and a critic, usually at the same time.

If you want to make your artist happy, include YouTube as part of your research.

Writers suffer from postpartum in their own weird way upon finishing a book. Get some support for it.

If you want to be successful, you'll need to figure out how to balance your paying work and the work you want to do. At least, at first....

A comic book shop is great for you by itself. But a comic book shop with a web presence? EVEN BETTER!