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Category: Writing Tips

Writer’s Life: 10 Ways To Deal With CriticsCritics Bad Reviews

Writer’s Life: 10 Ways To Deal With Critics

Published by Jay Long on July 23, 2019

When I first decided to post my writing online for public view, I had no idea it would lead to pursuing a professional career. I thought a few friends and some family members would enjoy the posts and that would be that. Now, a little more than 5 years have passed and my fans and followers are over 100K. The number still amazes me. And there are days when the Internet and its social media algorithms make me question it all – but I am always grateful – day in and day out.

Being in the public eye I am an open book. And as an artist, I am of course my own worst enemy and critic. That doesn’t mean haters don’t find me. And when they do, I take it best I can because most are just trolls trying to stir the pot.

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7 Websites To Find Free ImagesFree Stock Images

7 Websites To Find Free Images

Published by Jay Long on July 19, 2019

I am sure you have heard writers and authors online mentioning someone using their words – mostly on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest – and not giving them credit. It happens every day. I myself have had a popular quote of mine shared with my name removed over 250K times.

I am also sure you have seen countless writing pieces created over images. Quotes, poems, pieces of prose, you name it, they all seem to make their way on to some image-based background.

That is what I want to touch base on – those who use images for their writing memes. Unless the image is copyright free or has a free use license- it cannot be used without permission from the artist or photographer. Simply adding a caption stating ‘image: Pinterest’ or ‘image: Google’, etc. doesn’t change the fact the image is copyright protected.

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3 Free Microsoft Word Alternatives

3 Free Microsoft Word Alternatives

Published by Jay Long on May 30, 2019

If you’re like me, Microsoft Word was and may still be a mainstay on your PC. I know when I was younger I thought I was all that when I had a full install of Microsoft Office. As time grew on, my path in life did as well. My needs and priorities changed. I spent my money on software titles like Photoshop and Dreamweaver to further my web and graphic design business. Microsoft Word wasn’t a necessity. I found an open source alternative that was free and used that. I could save DOC and DOCX files – I was set.

Microsoft Office still corners the market but there are several reliable free options out there to be found. All very useful, with many of the features of Word and all compatible with existing documents.

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Social Media Hashtags For WritersSocial media Hashtags For Writers

Social Media Hashtags For Writers

Published by Jay Long on May 11, 2019

If you have spent any time on social media, any time at all, you have seen hashtags used within a post or comment. Back in the day, a hashtag was simply known as a pound symbol. Today, it is a way to start, follow, and participate in online conversations.

As a writer, promoting your brand is vital. Hashtags are a great way to stay on top of the conversation in your genre. The writing community frequently uses hashtags as a way to self-promote, announce projects, and follow trending topics of interest.

Don’t feel as if you are alone on an island when it comes to social media hashtags. Just how they work, what they are and how they can help writers on social media platforms is sometimes confusing.

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