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Writing Information
Be Your Own Literary Agent and Get Published
So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to write a book. If you've already written a manuscript, chances are you're looking for agent representation. In the past few years, as an editor and literary consultant for www.TheOmnibus.org, I've had the opportunity to read more than 1,000 book proposals. Most, I'm sad to report, were inadequate because the author did not follow a few, very simple guidelines.
How to Catch the Writing Bug
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Keys to Characterisation
Far too many inexperienced writers create flat, stereotypical characters: the brave fireman, the damsel in distress, the strict schoolmistress. The best characters are those who evoke emotions within the reader ? fear, admiration, affection, laughter, horror? If the writer fails to make us care about the characters, no matter how ingenious the plot, we will toss the story aside without a second thought.
Balance Your Life
Balance your life
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Writing is a solitary task.
Writing needs concentration and quiet.
Writing requires absolute commitment.
Are all there scary statements true?
What is more, is it possible to balance your writing career and family without turning yourself into a zombie?
Everything is feasible; I am the living example of it.
There is only one secret: TIME PLAN.
This is step one for the aspiring writer's success. Without it, nothing can be achieved. How can you do it?
Simply make a rough plan of the time allowed to your writing project every day. It is highly important for the writer to know exactly WHEN he /she is going to settle down and write, feeling free of all the other responsibilities that he has.
I have made a simple schedule. You can work out yours according to your family needs.
Every morning just after breakfast, and as soon as the family have gone, I allow myself to work on my PC for one to two hours, depending on the workload of the day. Then I go on with the house chores and all the rest of the family tasks till noon. At 2 o' clock everybody is back so I serve lunch, but after that I have 2-3 hours free to work on my morning assignment. Thus, there is plenty of time to care for the family , while in the afternoons I still have time to go to my part time job in time , feeling satisfied I have worked at home on my project.
In the evening I sometimes find an hour or so , when the family watch TV . This time I sit with them in the living room , having pre arranged to do the easiest tasks for my writing job, such as note taking or layout planning of new stories or articles. I use pen to paper and I don't bother if I make mistakes. Next morning, there is plenty of time to revise them and complete them.
If this plan has been working perfectly for me, why not for you as well?
You only have to calculate when and how long you need to write every day. Of course , you must stick to your plan and never give it up , apart from very urgent cases. Remember that your work is also urgent, so never skip it.
If you respect your writing job, the others will do so too. What is more, they won't feel neglected as you will give them your care and attention at the time they are around. Furthermore, your house chores will be done in time and you won't feel overworked. " A little every day" is my motto, and, in the long run, everything is done and everybody is happy. Keeping your writing and family under control will make you feel satisfied and everyone, including you, will be happy.
Also, keep in mind that there is nothing odd if you work in unconventional places.
I sometimes find it stimulating to work in the living room with all the family around. Noise does not bother me ,on the contrary, it brings me more ideas. This article was outlined last evening while we were all watching a football match. Well, the truth is I did not watch much of it! I was absorbed in my new article, but that's how this idea sprang out. I can perfectly work in a chatty setting. Have you tried it? You may come up with fresh ideas and great articles.
Finally, who says that writing can turn you into a zombie? Shatter the myth! It's up to you to enjoy both your family and your writing career. Simply make a time plan!
Ends
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Persisting With Bulldog Determination
Persisting With Bulldog Determination [Book excerpt from Successercising}
by Rick Gettle © 2003-2004
Want to start a publishing revolution?
Calling all publishers, editors, journalists and freelance writers. It's time to breathe more life into your copy. Turn your articles into living pieces that spark measurable debate, get closer to your readers and engage their mind andsoul - we're talking revolution.
Writing About Writing
What am I going to write about?Which topic is the best?Who is going to be interested in my article?
Hunting for Markets Over the Holidays
Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks. Between
preparing for, celebrating, and unwinding from the holidays it may be
difficult to maintain your regular writing routine. And if researching
potential homes for your work is part of that routine-as it is for many of us
who regularly submit stories, essays, poems, articles, and reviews for
publication-you may be worried about falling behind.
Boost Your Income With Trade Journals
Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren?t the topics are dry? Don?t they require specialized knowledge? Not necessarily. You may want to consider trade journals to increase the potential market for your articles ? and for the money. Trade publications make up a significant portion of the hidden source of funds for professional writers. Breaking in can be surprisingly easy ? when you know the tricks.
Recipe for a Style Guide
Wired Online has recently announced its plans to drop capitalization in internet, web, and net, but Wired Magazine continues to capitalize these words. Which should you do? For the most part, it's up to you. To ensure consistency on such tricky words, most editors will have a style guide.
Applying KISS Principle in Writing
I have added a new word to my vocabulary. Logorrhea. We've all been touched by it. What is it? The Word Spy defines it, "excessive verbosity and long-windedness. Also know as verbal diarrhea."
10 Tips To Help You Pack More Power Into Your Business Writing
1. Before you write anything down define not what you want to say, but what your message must achieve. Keep that firmly in focus at all times and use it as the main goal for everything you write. Ask yourself "does this concept/approach /clever headline/earnest mission statement/ really help the message achieve its objectives?" If the honest answer is no, alter it or rethink it completely.
How To Be A Published (Non-Fiction) Author
1. Turning your idea into a book
How To Write More Powerful Reports
There is one key difference between reports and most other forms of business writing, and we get a hint of that in the word, "report." Whereas with many other forms of written comms you can be a little creative and put your own slant on your words, in a report you must not. Not in theory, anyway.
Five Golden Rules for Writers
Regardless of what sort of writer you are and how much you love to write, there are probably days when you'd rather clean ditches than face another blank page.
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New York Times |
Writing Lines for Obama, Mixing Comedy and HopeNew York TimesWhat becomes of hope? After the cheers die down and the confetti is swept up, what happens to the initial rush of excitement that a candidate can inspire? In David Litt's memoir, “Thanks, Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years,” this question is ... |
The Weekly Standard |
Writing the FutureThe Weekly StandardWriting, Jerry Pournelle liked to say, “is hard work.” Not exactly an original observation, but Pournelle, who died on September 8 at the age of 84, strove to make his writerly life a little easier: He was apparently the first person to publish a work ... |
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Teen Writing Club WorkshopThe Village GreenThe Get it Write! 'Teen Writing Club' will provide the spark for young people to get their creative ideas out of their heads and on to the written page. Sessions will take place one to two times per month. The club will make use of interactive ... |
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