iUniverse considers Options for Writing Full-Time – Part 2

Our first iUniverse article, iUniverse considers Options for Writing Full-Time – Part 1 we introduced you to the idea of giving up your full-time day job and take up writing as a profession. We also shared some thoughts on whether you had a viable lifestyle that fits in with your change of life. In this the second article in our series, we mull over different areas you should think over before making that final decision.

How long will it take?

Writing in your spare time is a good option for most, keeping a job ticking along waiting for stardom. But you still need a deadline. A book can take you ten years if you don’t watch out. So plan your daily, weekly and monthly writing and publishing life. Remember if you were to give up your job and become a full-time writer you should put yourself in the clock-in and clock-out mode. Being in a full-time writing profession does not mean that your daily obligations to you, your family and lifestyle must change, but it should be carefully monitored to be sure you don’t get into difficulties. Money will not instantly pour through the letterbox if you don’t get the next book to the publishers in time and out into the marketplace.

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iUniverse considers Options for Writing Full-Time – Part 1

In this the first article in our two part series, iUniverse considers Options for Writing Full-Time, we mull over different areas you should think over before making that final decision.

iUniverse Publishing understands that for many writing comes an extension of their personal lives. They may want to document what they felt over a life-changing experience, to highlight their time as an international sports personality, or maybe to produce a child’s book that came from an idea when their own kids were young. Whatever it was their final goal is to have it published and hopefully make money.

This creative process of writing can start as a hobby which eventually comes to fruition, never another book written. To the fully fledged writer it is an ongoing world of creativity and realizing their dream of having a #1 ranking in their genre. But writing in your spare time over a long period and putting yourself out there marketing, takes a huge amount of time spent away from family and friends. Add to this your day job and you end up with precious little left for anything else.

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iUniverse suggestions to make your Blog more interesting – Part 1

Starting your own blog is an excellent way to promote your book(s). The most important elements of a blog are interesting content and frequent updates. iUniverse Publishing offers tips on topics to write about on your blog as well as other items you can add to your blog to pique readers’ interest.

Should I host my own blog or use a free blog service that will be hosted for me?

iUniverse believes this is the first decision you need to make. You might want to use a free blog service like Blogger.com, or you may decide to host your own blog using WordPress or similar sites. WordPress will charge a minimum of $30 a year for your own domain name. The advantage of using WordPress is that you own the blogsite and , therefore, have more control over it.

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iUniverse Creating Villainous Characters – Part 2

In our first editorial of this series, iUniverse Creating Villainous Characters – Part 1, we saw some devilish anti-hero traits which could indicate the next biggest baddie around. Following on from the black widow, the fanatic, and others iUniverse publishing looks at casting our net wider in Part 2 with some more unscrupulous, downright dirty bad guys and girls.

Power hungry – Tyrant

This baddie ruthlessly crushes his enemies and conquers everything in his path. He wants power at any price and people are just pawns to his wishes. Behind the propaganda and big smiles for the cameras lurks the worst of man.

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iUniverse Creating Villainous Characters – Part 1

Over the years iUniverse has seen numerous story villains come marching or slithering through its doors waiting to be immortalized in self-publishing by their creator – the author. Ask any author and they will tell you they had more fun writing the bad guy character than any other, they just love creating the next anti-Christ, double-dealing gangster, or cowboy in the black hat.

Many readers remember more of the bad guy than the hero, why is this? Maybe it’s because they have an underlying feeling of wanting to be bad, or to experience the thrill of not always doing the right thing. Who knows, but to quote a favorite villain of the last 40 years, Darth Vader:-

“You don’t know the power of the dark side!”

We look at some of the types and traits that make your character the man in black.
Satan from Paradise Lost

The man in red – The Devil

No twin six guns or light saber for this big guy. He uses his charisma and charm to find a person’s moral weakness and lures them into self-destruction. Not someone you want to meet, so cover your ears to his temptations.

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