It's Like a YouTube For Writers

Their website states it best, "GetPublishedTV.com is the 1st dedicated TV Show on the Internet to help authors (and aspiring authors) from all over the world to get their own book published and make it a raving success!" The site is great for super-beginning beginners. If you've read or know anything about writing, the site may seem a bit redundant compared to what you already know. It's a great "introduction to the introduction" type site. This grassroots effort may have some sparkling gems here and there for the novice in training. They are video-a-holics, so be ready to watch, listen and learn!

Computer Shortcuts: Save Time!

As a writer, computer shortcuts can save oodles of time. Microsoft's Blog offers a list of "Eureka! You can do that?" computer shortcuts that could save typing or scrolling time in Word, Excel and Internet Explorer. Unless you're Steve Jobs, I guarantee you'll find a new trick. There's the obvious and the not so obvious, such as: change font with "Ctrl + Shift + P, then use the arrow keys to reach the new font size" in Microsoft Word. In sum, Little Red Riding Hood ends up at the front door of grandma's house: skip the wolf!

Submission Software Works!

If you plan to submit your work to publishers, magazines, newspapers, or the like, this free software is a great way to keep track of everything. Monitor when you sent a submission, to which publication it was sent, to whom it was sent, etc. Submission software can cost upwards of $1000, but Sonar's free software (with an option to donate to the developer, if you so choose) is a great alternative. Click here to download the site and click here for directions. It's an excellent free tool!

Guide To Grammer and Writing: Gyde 2 Gramar n' Writin'

Do you read grammar books on the treadmill? Attention grammar junkies: this grammar guide is your chocolate cake. The topics include:

• Word and Sentence
• Paragraph
• Essay and Research Paper
• Grammar Quizzes
• Grammar Search Devices
• Peripherals and PowerPoints
• Grammar Poll

For instance, the section includes 427 references to both the Guide to Grammar and Writing and the Principles of Composition.

While the organization of the site could use a housekeeper, the content is valuable. Bookmark it!

Dear Writer, Beware! Love, Upset Members

Watch out! Rumor has it, the writing organization, "Freelancers Union (also known as Working Today)" needs a lesson in courtesy. The very, very accomplished writer, Jenna Glatzer, tells quite a frustrating tale here. Upset members have an entire blog dedicated to the topic. This organization claiming to be free (is anything, ever really free?), yet jabs you in the side with a pitchfork if you buy this bag of "bads." Writers beware...dun, dun, dunnnn.

How To Charge $20 For Your Book and Have Me Buy It

Jenna Glatzer's book, "Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments," is an excellent resource for novices. This book is a FABULOUS A to Z insider's scoop on freelancing. In this, "everything you need to know, plus the kitchen sink" book, Jenna discusses how to set the stage, generate ideas, find markets, write a query letter, and basically--bring in the bucks! Why take advice from Jenna? Because she gets it done! Check out Jenna's IMPRESSIVE bio (pulled from her aforementioned book): Jenna Glatzer is the editor-in-chief of AbsoluteWrite.com, the most popular online magazine for writers. She's a full-time freelancer who's written for hundreds of magazines, such as Prevention, Physical, Woman's World, Woman's Own, Contemporary Bride, ePregnancy, Home Business an Women's Health & Fitness, and she's a contributing editor at Writer's Digest. She's also a columnist for Match.com and MSN.com and has written for many anthologies, such as the Chicken Soup for the Soul and A Cup of Comfort series. The best-selling author of nine books, Jenna's latest include Outwitting Writer's Block and Other Problems of the Pen and Words You Thought You Knew. The best aspect of Jenna's writing: she is concise. Ever thought, "Get to the point?!" Well, she does. And has the success to prove it works!

Before The Body, Outline!

Assignment: write a 750 word story without an outline. Go! No stopping! Move it! Make it perfect! It is quite difficult, I imagine. Unless you are like my father who thinks in a perfectly linear format (eg: A.0.0, A.0.1, A.0.2, A.0.3), Outline! Taking 10 minutes to draft a short outline prior to writing an essay will save you 60+ minutes re-arranging everything. That's six times less work for the same result. Even Richard Simmons can't promise that! It will also keep you from going nuts. And you will develop a better piece of work. Are you wondering how to outline? Follow these guidelines from the LA Valley College Library. Onward outline solider!

The Submission Goddess

Dear fellow beginning writers,

I would be doing you a great disservice if I did not point you to Susan Carleton's blog. Her blog was nominated for the 2009 Irish Blog Awards in four categories; longlisted in two. But, that's not why you should read it. Her blog is laden with submission opportunities and by laden, I mean, they're everywhere (the whole enchilada)! It is up-to-date, accurate and a "must-bookmark" blog for beginning writers.

Write on,

Nicole

Attention: Children's Book Writers

MUST HAVE TIP #1: Join the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Or, at least sign up to receive their free email newsletter. Their events include national and regional conferences and local critique groups. The have awards, resources, illustrators, and much more.

MUST HAVE TIP #2: The CBI Clubhouse is an online community for children's book writers. While you have to pay to be a part of this organization, check out their excellent (and, free!) videos for first time writers:
How to Write a Book for Children: Do I Need an Illustrator?
7 Things Editors at Children's Book Publishers Wish Writers Knew
Writing Tips - 3 Ways to Ramp Up the Tension in Your Writing
What It Takes to Make It Writing Children's Books
Writing Tips: 4 Rules Beginning Children's Book Writers Should Never Break
Writing Children's Books: A Crash Course in Submitting a Manuscript to a Publisher
Become an Instant Expert on Any Subject with Google Reader

CBI Publisher, Laura Backes, answers all your questions here:

Google Alerts!

Information is everywhere. No one needs it. People just need it all in the same place. The internet is a haven of facts, data, stats, etc. and can be overwhelming for those interested in gathering specific information. Google alerts allow you to sign-up for emails providing only the information you want. It's pretty amazing!

Click here to learn more or to sign-up:
http://www.google.com/support/alerts/