Janet Alcorn

Suspense | Horror | Romance

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  • IWSG,  Writing

    Cliffhanger endings: 3 reasons why they make readers mad

    December 4, 2024 /
    Insecure Writer's Support Group badge

    Mickey Spillane once said, “The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book.” Unfortunately, some authors interpret that truth as meaning they should end a book with a cliffhanger. There are (at least) 3 reasons why cliffhanger endings will make readers mad–and angry readers are less likely to read your next book. But before we get to that: This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group (IWSG) blog hop. On the first Wednesday of every month, we IWSG-ers share our doubts, fears, struggles, and triumphs. Our awesome co-hosts this month are  Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia, Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine. Stop by and leave them some comment love. Each…

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    Janet Alcorn

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  • IWSG,  Writing

    Threads and BlueSky: New Social Media Options for Writers

    October 31, 2023 /
    Collage featuring logos for BlueSky and Threads, photos of a spool of blue thread and a blue sky, and screenshots of Janet Alcorn's profiles on BlueSky and Threads

    Writers are told we need to “build platform”–have websites, grow our email lists, and build community on social media. Many of us have invested many hours over several years to grow a following on the Site Formerly Known as Twitter, only to watch one egomaniacal billionaire destroy that site piece by poorly-redesigned piece. I’m still on there (for now; follow me @ja_alcorn), but I’m engaging less and less as the most interesting people leave the platform and the bigots and haters take over. Instead, I’m trying out Threads and BlueSky, two new social media options for writers. I’ll share my experiences with both platforms in a minute, but first: The…

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    Janet Alcorn

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I’m off work this week, so I’ve been walking more. I saw these rock hearts on the Rillito River Park Trail here in #tucson and they made me smile.
My latest blog post includes more info about my interview on the Mysterious Goings-On podcast (link in bio). Host @alexginkc and I talk about getting started as a fiction writer, using short stories to advance your writing career, and lots more.
Seen at the Red Cross blood donation center in #tucson . I think they took a little too much from this guy. Seriously, give blood if you can. You might save a life.
The Bellagio outdid itself with this conservatory display. Simply stunning.
Stopover in #kingmanaz on our way to Vegas. #route66
Buds on fishhook barrel cactus in #orovalley #arizona. So much beauty in the #sonorandesert
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