Instagram for writers - Ally Aldridge

September 26, 2019 Ally Aldridge Tips, Writing

Useful hashtags for writers (part 2) – writing communities

For part 2, I am going to share tags for more general communities that are not hosted by anyone.

General writing community

#writer #writers #writerofig #writersofig #writerofinstagram #writersofinstagram #instagramwriter #instagramwriters #igwriter #igwriters #writingcommunityofinstagram #fellowwriters #writersofinsta #writerscommunity #writingcommunity

General author community

#author #authors #authorscommunity #authorschallenge #authorsofig #instagramauthors #authorsofinstagram #igauthor #igauthors #aspiringauthor #aspiringauthor #authorsofinstagram #authorcommunityofinstagram #authorslifeforme #fellowauthors #authorcommunity #authornetwork #authorsonig #authorsofinsta

General indie author community

#indieauthor #indieauthors #indie #indieauthorsofinstagram #indieauthorsofig #indieauthorsofinsta #indiecreatives #fellowcreatives #indiewriter #indiesareworthit

General poets community

#instapoet #poetsofinsta #poetsofig #poetsofinstagram #poetrycommunity #poetsandwriters #igpoets

General bibliophile community

#bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagramer #newbookstagramer #bookworm #bookdragon #booklover #bookish #abookaday

There are more bookish hashtags coming but they have been listed under other categories such as genres and book bloggers.

If you find these useful, please stay tuned for the rest of the series coming every Thursday.

In the meantime, you will enjoy:

I did #FebWritersChallenge

April, I featured poets – what’s next?

Me being featured!

Book Review: Duet Rubato

Click My Link Tree
To Connect On Social Media

September 19, 2019 Ally Aldridge Tips, Writing

Useful hashtags for writers (part 1) – writing groups

If you’ve been following my blog you may have noticed that this year I’ve been really enjoying Instagram. I recently achieve 3,000 followers and I created next months #WIWOctober photo prompt for @worldindiewarriors.

My idea for this post was to share my personal collection of hashtags but as I started writing it I realised it was getting too long! So, I have broken it down into a series of posts.

I am going to start off with tags associated with writing communities I have connected with via Instagram.

Tags for writing communities

There are lots of people looking to connect on Instagram. Here are some of my favourites and tags associates with them:

World Indie Warriors

This is a great group for any creative or indie looking to collaborate and make meaningful connections. This supportive group share tips, resources and support each other’s growth.

Follow @worldindiewarriors and join their group on Facebook. Use hashtags: #wiw #worldindiewarriors

Founder @michelleraabwrites also encourages the use of the hashtags #readersheart #everyonehasastory

Hustling Writers Community

This group is aimed at anyone that aspires to be an author but has to juggle writing alongside other commitments making your dream the side hustle. There are people working full time, studying, parents, carers etc but they are all dedicated to squeezing writing in wherever they can.

Follow @midnightstarlightwrites and become part of her group on Facebook. Use the hashtag #hustlingwriterscommunity

Fellow Creative Minds

This is a networking group to connect creatives together. There is a good mix of artists, writers, musicians, etc. If you would like to meet fellow creatives follow @lizthewritingwiz and join her Fellow Creative Minds group on discord. Use the hashtag #fellowcreativeminds

Authors Challenge 2019

Follow @debratorreswrites and pm her to take part in her monthly challenge. She will add you to an IG chat group so you can get to know other authors taking part in the challenge.

Use the hashtag #authorschallenge2019 and post pictures for the daily picture prompt.

Tags for Wattpad

One of the most popular online platforms for sharing writing is Wattpad so it is no surprise that people are posting to IG about it. You don’t have to follow @wattpad but it is a great way to stay up-to-date regarding the platform.

If you are a Wattpader (reader/writer) here are some tags you may find useful.

#wattpad #wattpadstories #wattpadwriter #wattpadquotes #wattpadmemes #wattpader #watpaders #wattpadbook #wattpadcover #wattpadstory #wattpadauthor #wattpadlove #wattpadislove #wattpadlife #wattpadnovel #wattpadreader #wattpadbookclub #wattpadaddict #wattpadlover #wattpadlovers #wattpadteenfiction #wattys #wattpadrecomendation

If you enjoyed this post, stay tuned for the rest in the series.

In the meantime, you will also like:

Instagram For Writers — Ally Aldridge

Why I Love World Indie Warriors

A Group For Writers with a Side Hustle

I did #JanWritersChallenge

May 30, 2019 Ally Aldridge Novel, Writing

The Story Snippets Challenge

I love the photo prompt challenges on Instagram, especially those that inspire and encourage me to share my writing.

The #StorySnippetsChallenge was hosted by the following authors on Instagram: @amandalyncreek , @bridieblake , @jjotisauthor , @sireyourstory and @son_dae_writes .

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Tomorrow is the start of #StrorySnippetChallenge. I'm going to join in. To find details of the writers hosting the event and how to take part, see below: Repost from @amandalyncreek using @RepostRegramApp – So excited to co-host the #storysnippetschallenge with @bridieblake, @jjotisauthor, @sireyourstory, and @son_dae_writes! ⁣⠀And a big thanks to @authorbrittanywang for bringing us together in her Patreon group. ⁣⠀ The challenge will happen during the week of May 20th- 26th if you want to join us. This will also be the first time I reveal anything about my work in progress. I'm what I like to call nervcited to share, although I've received good feedback so far from my teacher and my classmates. ?⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Each day of the challenge has a prompt and a corresponding hashtag. Here they are:⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Day 1: #MeettheMainCharacter (tell us anything you want about your protagonist!)⁣⠀ Day 2: #TeaserTuesday (Share something that will make your audience want to read your work in progress!)⁣⠀ Day⁣ 3: #SettingSetup (Describe your world/setting to show the mood/tone of your WIP)⁣⠀ Day 4: #FirstLines (She a snippet of the beginning.)⁣⠀ Day 5: #ThemeStated (What's your overall theme in your WIP?)⁣⠀ Day 6: #ExcitingMoment (This can be your inciting incident or midpoint. No spoilers, though.)⁣⠀ Day 7: FunDialogue (Show off one of your favorite conversations in your WIP)⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ If you're an author and want to join, be sure to share this image and use the hashtag #storysnippetschallenge!⁣⠀ ⁣⠀ Let's do this! :)⁣⠀
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on May 19, 2019 at 4:25am PDT

My story snippets

Here, in this blog post I am going to collate and share all my snippets in one place that I posted during Monday, 20 May 2019 to Sunday, 26 May 2019. These are snippets from a work in progress so may change by the final edited version:

Monday

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Day 1: #MeetTheMainCharacter Name: Mariah Turner Age: 15 Type: Mermaid (shifter) ”We both are wearing shorts, my freckled left knee pressed against his tanned right knee. My head hung heavy, my red curls falling around my face.” Jewel of the Sea, Chapter 1. Fun Fact: The name Mariah means Jewel of the Sea. Visit #Wattpad to read Jewel of the Sea a #paranormalromance, #contemporaryfantasy, #yafiction novel or check out The Cast for my character profiles. #storysnippetschallenge
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on May 20, 2019 at 5:14am PDT

Tuesday

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I struggled to choose my snippet for day 2s #TeaserTuesday for the #storysnippetschallenge but hope you enjoy this. ”Every time Murray laughed at the film I growled. At one point he put his hand on my knee and rubbed my leg. I quickly peeled it off and dropped it back on his side of the armrest which seemed to amuse him more than anything. I was glad when the film was over and I didn't have to sit as close to him anymore. He made me so angry, I felt sick.” Jewel of the Sea, Chapter 8. Visit #Wattpad to read Jewel of the Sea a #paranormalromance, #contemporaryfantasy, #yafiction
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on May 21, 2019 at 7:01am PDT

Wednesday

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Today’s #storysnippetschallenge is to post a snippet for #settingsetup I must confess, I am not a fan of lengthy descriptions setting a scene. I prefer to build up a picture throughout the action so it was tricky to find a ’snippet’. I had three snippets I was considering but decided to go with this scene as it reminds me of the fun I had at the beach last Sunday. My son was throwing stones into the sea for Nellie the dog to fetch, which is her favourite game. #TBT #makingmemories #FelixstoweBeach
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on May 22, 2019 at 2:28am PDT

Thursday

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Day 4 of the #storysnippetschallenge is #firstlines Jewel of the Sea is #paranormalromance #contemporaryfantasy #yafiction
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on May 23, 2019 at 3:33am PDT

Friday

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Today’s prompt for the #storysnippetschallenge is #themestated I only recently learnt about this concept of novel writing from #savethecatwritesanovel , so I hope I have got this right. In chapter one an unexpected thunder storm strikes the removal van and cuts the engine. This postpones her best friend (& neighbour) Jace from moving away. The storm is a hint at Marian’s powers awakening early. Only Gwyn is aware of her being a #mermaid. She gives Mariah this advice/warning but Mariah shrugs it off angrily as she thinks her mum doesn’t get how upset she is about the situation. She heads off to enjoy the extra time she now has with Jace. Later in Act 3, Mariah will need to learn to control her emotions to master her powers. #contemporaryfantasy #paranormalromance #jewelofthesea
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on May 24, 2019 at 1:12am PDT

Saturday

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It's been a busy day but here is an #ExcitingMoment from my novel #JewelOfTheSea for the #storysnippetschallenge ******Something terrible and dark brewed inside me, my fingers tingle with rage. It was taking hold of me. An uncontrollable force! *****
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on May 25, 2019 at 12:50pm PDT

Sunday

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Today is the last day of the #storysnippetschallenge . Today’s prompt was #FunDialogue : He laughed and leapt off his swing at the highest point, flying into the air and then landing on his feet a few yards in front. I followed suit. My dress floated up around my waist, before falling back to my knees. "I saw your knickers," Jace smirked. I blushed, "How old are you?" "Thought you were a lady now?" He teased, "Flashing isn't very lady like." "At least I act my age and not my shoe size!" Childishly, Jace stuck out his tongue. Laughing, he grabbed my hand and all the anger washed away in a second, replaced by a fast running bubbling brook that was turning a whirlpool inside me, "I want to show you the duck pond." #jewelofthesea #yafiction #paranormalromance #contemporaryfantasy
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on May 26, 2019 at 4:07am PDT

Reflecting on the challenge

I really enjoyed this challenge. It made me think about different parts of my story. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have edited my manuscript but I was still checking over and fine tuning the snippets before posting.

Most of all, I love sharing my writing and this was a great opportunity to give my followers snippets and tease them into wanting to read more. I think using snippets like this would be a great way to promote a published book too as it gives people a taste of your writing and the story, like a little appetiser.

It was great fun seeing what others writers were working on too. Writing a novel can be lonely but taking part gave a sense of being part of something bigger – I was not alone in my writing journey. It gave something to connect with other writers over.

I was flattered when someone commented on how much they liked the way I presented my snippets. This was a huge compliment as I am no professional. They are all created for free in Canva. On Thursday, I created my image in Canva and then used the Video Typer app to animate my text – again this was free.

Have you ever shared snippets of your novel?

If you enjoyed this, you may enjoy:

Create with Canva Beginners Course Review

Instagram For Writers — Ally Aldridge

April, I featured poets – what’s next?

Camp NaNoWriMo Diary (midpoint April 2019)

Camp NaNoWriMo Diary (middle to end)