• About Daniel Ottalini
  • The Steam Empire Chronicles
    • Book 2 – Copper Centurion
    • Book 3 – Iron Tribune
    • Book 5 – Laurel Emperor
    • Book 1 – Brass Legionnaire
    • Book 4 – Steel Praetorian
    • Novellas
  • Educational Consulting
  • Poetry
  • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Custom Missions & Resources
    • So You Want to Homebrew?
    • Tallavanor’s Tales
    • Saviors of Saltmarsh
  • Contact Me

Modern Papyrus

~ Daniel Ottalini's author blog and website

Modern Papyrus

Tag Archives: writing tips

“How do you get inspired to write?” 3 Straightforward Ways to get Inspired

24 Friday Apr 2020

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in How to, Self-Publishing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

how to write, Inspiration, writing tips, Writing Tricks


IMG_2748

Obligatory photo of my new wireless mouse!

Hi readers! Today I want to take a look at the toughest question of all – “How do you get inspired to write?”

Don’t forget to try and win a copy of both of my prequel novellas – The Last Gladiator and Roma Aeronautica!

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Day 15 – How to Write Plot Twists

15 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in How to, Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo2016, Self-Publishing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

how to, Laurel Emperor, NaNoWriMo, NaNoWriMo2016, writing tips


Hi everyone!

Today I want to talk about everyone’s favorite point in a novel – the plot twist. Whether you’re a reader, a writer, an author, a movie-goer or a television watcher, you’re familiar with the plot twist. Everything is going perfectly fine (or at least, in the same, expected direction) and then suddenly, a key component of the story is spun on it’s head. This forces the reader/viewer to adapt or even change their opinions about a character, event, or challenge.

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

What is NaNoWriMo?

09 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in NaNoWriMo, NaNoWriMo2016, Self-Publishing, Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Author, Author Tips, NaNoWriMo, publishing, writing, writing tips


CNW_Winner_1500-1

Hi everyone,

As many of you may know, this last year (time wise, not 2016 wise) I participated in both NaNoWriMo 2015 (November) and Camp NaNoWriMo2016 (July). I’ve compiled my thoughts on the experience so you can see if NaNoWriMo is right for you! This is the first post, detailing how the programs are similar and how they differ. The second one will focus on what I like and what I think could be improved

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Update To Brass Legionnaire’s Page

01 Wednesday Jul 2015

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Alternate History, Kickstarter, Novellas, Self-Publishing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

authors, Brass Legionnaire, characters, Kickstarter, novellas, writing tips


Hi everyone,

I’ve updated the information on Brass Legionnaire’s book page above. I’m planning on having a friend do some general clean up work on the book, which will be significantly revised in the next month. Backers of the kickstarter who pledge $25 or more or add some money for additional print copies of Brass Legionnaire will get the updated version. Already have a copy? No worries! I’m looking at cleaning up various problems and smoothing the story out, so your old version will not be ‘obsolete!’ and if I choose to add an additional chapter, I’ll make it available for free here on the website, as that’s fair for everyone. (Although I want you to buy my books, I don’t want you to buy a new copy of Brass Legionnaire just for another chapter, that’s silly!)

In essence, I’ve added character plots for Julius, Constantine and Corbus. See the overall design of their story plots in BL, and learn a bit more about the characters!

Also, there’s only EIGHT DAYS LEFT IN THE KICKSTARTER! Help us reach $1250 and everyone will get BOTH of my novellas for free! Woo! We’re only about $230 away, so every dollar helps!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Five Ways to Keep Your Self-Publishing Clients Happy & Coming Back for More

27 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Formatting, How to, Illustrations, Self-Publishing, Website

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

editing, how to, illustrations, self-publishing, writing, writing tips


By Daniel Ottalini

You want to have all your bases and operations covered!

You want to have all your bases and operations covered!

Hi all, this is a companion piece to my earlier article on how to make sure that your freelancers/self-publishing helpers do their best for you. But what about the flip side? What can you, as a freelance/small business editor, cover artist, etc., do to make sure that you give your customers what they want, keep them coming back, but also make money and keep your dignity in the process? Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Novellas and the Self Published Author: Remix Part 1

30 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in Novellas, Roma Aeronautica, Self-Publishing, Thoughts, World of Romanpunk

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

how to, Novella, novellas, steampunk, writing, writing tips


Part 1

About a year or so ago, I posted this article on Novellas and the self-published author. I’ve put the original article on the bottom of this post for your enjoyment. I’ve now published two novellas, one through my traditional self-publishing system, and one through a small publisher, to try and see which approach I like more. I figured it would be beneficial to share my new insights and thoughts.

Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Do You Need a Glossary?

25 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by Daniel Ottalini in How to, Self-Publishing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Glossary, how to, how to write, self-publishing, writing tips


Hey there all you self-published writers!

Got a big book you’re about to bring out?

Does it have…

  1. A million characters to keep track of (Ala Robert Jordan, Tolkien, or Martin?)
  2. Words in another language (Real, made up, modified – this is me!)
  3. obscure military, technological, or scientific terms?
  4. a PhD worth of terminology?
  5. A fantasy world of made up locations, animals, magic, etc?

Then you, my dear compatriot, probably need a glossary.

Some simple rules to follow when creating a glossary.

  1. Follow my Significant Other’s rule – if she doesn’t know what it is, the average reader won’t (I.E. Better to leave it in than keep it out of the glossary)
  2. Add the humor or additional backstory – the glossary is a great place to add sneaky extra bits of information, backstory, or other fun, world building tidbits.
  3. But be careful – don’t say it is one thing in book one, then something different in book two.
  4. Find some examples from great fantasy books to help you out.
  5. When in doubt, ask your editor or beta readers to underline or identify the words they didn’t know to help you out!

There you have it! I hope this helped! Glossaries can really make your book much more approachable, and people will love finding those hidden ‘easter eggs’ in the back of your book (but never tell them where to look, it is more fun to find them on your own!)

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is much faster than snail mail.

Join 978 other followers

Check me out on Facebook

Check me out on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

  • RT @CTULocal1: Our teachers, clinicians, PSRPs, nurses, librarians and other rank-and-file have voted overwhelmingly to authorize all educa… 10 hours ago
  • RT @pwoodreporter: Good morning. It's MONDAY, Jan. 25. Coronavirus vaccine eligibility opens up to 65+ in Maryland today. Some hospital sy… 13 hours ago
  • This close to a covid vaccine this morning. 2 days ago
  • @alt_historian Weird - I bought two and switch them out occasionally. Apple or pc? 2 days ago
  • @alt_historian I’ve literally been using some cheap $10 usb mice I got on eBay - easy to use, have a few buttons, a… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 2 days ago
Follow @dottalini

Goodreads

Awesome Places

  • Amazon Profile

Blogroll

  • Steam Empire Chronicles Series Website

See what you’ve missed…

Recent Posts

  • Running a D&D NPC as a party member January 22, 2021
  • New Map! I’Mirski’s Tomb January 16, 2021
  • Creating an “antique” looking prop for Dungeons and Dragons January 5, 2021
  • New D&D Resource – Maps of Brokenbank in Wildemount December 30, 2020
  • Happy Holidays and Good Riddance to 2020 December 27, 2020

Blog Stats

  • 51,154 Visitors so far!

Top Posts

  • 50 Ways to Kill a Character
  • New D&D Maps - Town of Burle & Carnival Games
  • 50 Ways to Kill a Character Part II
  • Custom Missions & Resources
  • More Updates to our Ghosts of Saltmarsh Campaign - Redwatch Expanded!
  • So You Want to Homebrew?
  • Written Word Media Promotion Review

Papyrians Only

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

A Brief History of New Caesaria Accountability airships alternate history Amazon Antioch Burns Author author help authors Author Tips blogging blog tour Book Review book reviews Books Brass Legionnaire characters Copper Centurion Cover Art D&D Dungeon Master Tools Dungeons and Dragons ebooks Fantasy Fiction Giveaway historical fiction history how to illustrations Iron Tribune Kickstarter Laurel Emperor Maps NaNoWriMo NaNoWriMo2015 NaNoWriMo2016 NaNoWriMo2017 new authors Novel Novella novellas Novels poems poetry project 27 publishing Reading reviews roman roman empire Romanpunk rome Sale self-published self-publishing Self publishing short stories Smashwords Steam Empire Chronicles SteamLit steampunk Steel Praetorian Tallavanor's Tales teaching technology The Last Gladiator The Steam Empire Chronicles thoughts writers Writers Resources writing writing tips Year of Accountability Young Adult

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: