Write On

It's Like a YouTube For Writers

2009-07-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-07-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-07-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

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'

2009-07-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-02T07:46:00.001-07:00

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

2009-06-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-26T13:40:00.001-07:00

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

2009-06-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-24T11:58:00.000-07:00

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/

Children Write Children's Books!

2009-06-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

Kids write books! For real! Check out this extremely cool website where children write online books and have them printed out into real hardcover and paperback books! Tikatok is free and developed by two mothers to encourage imagination and creativity of their children. Must be 13 or UNDER. How often do you hear that? Do they check ID?

Directly from Tikatok's website:
Tikatok is a free creative community for kids under 13 where they can write, illustrate, and share their original stories, and have them printed out into real hardcover and paperback books. It was developed by two mothers to encourage the imagination and creativity of their children and children everywhere. See it in a book: How it Works.

How it works
These are some of the ways Tikatok helps children unleash their creativity:
Kick-start the imagination — Explore a fun collection of interactive story templates called StorySparks™.

Build a book — Easily save your words and drawings with a book editor that opens right in the website. No extra software to download or install!
Get social — Safely add friends, share favorites, and collaborate with other kids.

Show off — See your books on the front page, email them to friends, send them to Tikatok book clubs, and even put them on your blog.
Get real — Order any book as a real hardcover or paperback, even single copies! Now you’re a published author.

A class of third graders send advice to Obama via Tikatok: http://www.tikatok.com/view/book/dear-mr-president

I Wanna Be Freeeeelancing!

2009-06-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Type F Personalities

Seek and you'll find: experts. Research leading freelancers and contact them. They may respond! Janene Mascarella answered my email and included this great interview link of the freelance Cinderella herself: http://portraitofabusiness.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2009-03-11T09_51_52-07_00

Some tips from Janene's interview:

Even if you never thought it was possible, follow your dreams of writing. She did.
Do your homework. Read as many books as possible on freelancing. It is important to know the rules before you start playing. In particular, magazine rules and protocol. Familiarize yourself with what it takes to get published.
Send your pitch to the right guy.
Find a hole and fill it. There is something lacking in some magazine, somewhere. Go hunting!
Deal with rejections (should I have put the word rejections in red ink?). They happen more often than not. Have tough skin and do not take it personally--don’t run and hide after a rejection. Get back out there!
It is a business - keep trying. If they say no right away, read another issue of the magazine and try again.
Don't be a sour puss. No one likes them! (And they probable don't even like themselves). Being friendly and conversational is key.
Read back issues so you don't pitch a story idea they've recently done. It's just embarassing. Read their magazine as a potential writer. Read the editors letter, look at advertisers, try and figure out what kind of topic they would be interested in. Then pitch your idea.
Be reliable.
Join writers groups.
Network.
Be aggressive, bee ee agressive. Set aside time to pitch and go after them!

All for now!

Ingredients: Starting Tips

2009-06-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Buy writers magazines - Magazines offer valuable insights for the first time writer, including contests and freelance opportunities. Here are some titles and sample articles you may find useful:

1. Writers Journal, May/June, Vol 30/No. 3

Refusing Materials
Interviewing
Affiliate Marketing
Poetry Critique
Marketing Help

2. The Writer, July 2009

5 Keys to an Engaging Story
Take Charge in a Tough Economy
One writer's 7 Principles for Long-Term Success
Learn how to use pacing to improve story flow

3. Writing Basics, displayed until Aug 16, 2009

How to Write Your Book In 15 Minutes a Day
21 Ways to Beat Writers Block
The Ultimate Writer's Website Guide
Red Flags You Need to Know
How Writing for Free Can Pay Off

4. Poets and Writers, May/June 2009

Agent Action: How They Find You
22 Lit Mags That Do More For Your Work
Authors on TWITTER--Who Cares?
Inside Poetry

Read. Read. Read. Read books that emulate your style. Take note of the publishers and find out if they are presently publishing what you want to write.

Did You Know? Harper Collins does not accept unsolicited manuscripts or query letters. They suggest referring to your local bookstore, a library, or the book, "Literary Marketplace."

Internet Resources - Be wary of Internet resources, they are not all the same nor are they all helpful or reliable. I read two "writing" blogs with spelling errors in the introduction.

Critique Group - consider joining a critique group. A quick Google search should find you local chapters. These are especially helpful for the novelist, who write long scripts between sessions.

Remember: While it is tempting to seek free information in this dismal economy, if everyone stopped buying, no one would get paid! We might all be broke. No one is suggesting paying for unhelpful information, but be open to purchasing information you find valuable in the same way you expect someone to pay you for your work.