Writers' information booth

First novel for a series....

Zack Kullis — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:10:06 GMT

I am nearing completion of the first novel in a small series. Could somebody share any suggestions and/or warnings with me?

The two primary antagonists end up going the way of the Dodo bird at the end of the first book. However, there is a fairly large group of antagonists who will carry the cause over in to the next book.

How many ends loose ends are too many loose ends? When I finish the story, how obvious do I want to make it that there are still some pissed off people that are now at the top of the antagonistic food chain?

Any suggestions, comments, feedback, and warnings would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Zack...

Writing routine

JimNC — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:39:15 GMT

We have writers of varying degress of experience in the forums. I'm curious about the writing habits of the members, whether you have many publications or are just starting out.

How often do you write? Do you schedule a time to write? Do you have a specific place where your write? Do you outline a story before you begin, or just start once you get an idea? Assuming you use a computer to compose your work, do you edit from a printout or on-screen? What do you do when you sit down and you can't think of anything to write?

More Difficult To Get Work Published These Days

Third Generation — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:00:15 GMT

It seems as though it's much more difficult to get published now than it was 30 or 40 years ago. Am I right? Why are the publishers and literary agents so strict now?

How to describe historical settings with realism?

kamariden — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:36:06 GMT

I have a two-fold problem. First, I've never been to the place in which my story begins (at least not since I was 2). Second, my novel is historical and I'm having a very difficult time getting descriptive information that isn't tainted by modernization. For example, I can find all the info I want on the cities in that area today, but next to nothing about what it sounded like, felt like, smelled like,etc. in that area during the 1800s.

Do any of you have good suggestions for sources on this sort of thing? I've thought of perhaps finding some historical diaries of people who lived in that area at the time, but can't seem to find any. Then again, maybe I don't know where to look.

Honestly, any suggestions would be GREAT! Thanks!

-K

ETA: Traveling to the area is out of the question ($$).

Encyclopaedia Writannica

MartinZ — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:46:21 GMT

Thoughts on effective writing routine

When you get entangled in the subtleties of the creative process, looking up suitable advice can often be distracting and time-consuming, especially for the budding writer. Your bookcase might be brimming with books on writing but which one to dip into? Which pages and highlighted passages to consult? This is where a purpose-built reference guide - I call mine Encyclopaedia Writannica - can come to the rescue.

1. Go digital. The days of the little colorful sticky tabs and how-to publications piled high on the writer’s desk are numbered. Software-based Writannica makes your writing routine less disjointed and saves you time in the long run: it facilitates quick search, seamless updates, easy switching between summary and detail (via hyperlinks or outlines), and offers a convenient gateway to additional resources on the Internet. Once you load it onto a laptop, rewriting on the sofa, in cafes and hotel lobbies suddenly becomes as effective as behind the desk in your study.

2. Design a flexible template. Create a new document in your favourite text editor (MS Word, OpenOffice) or in Wikipedia, and then organize it into sections and subsections that encompass all key aspects of writing: writer’s routine and development, craft, grammar, new vocabulary, publishing business, resources, motivational thoughts, you name it. Next, format the headings, lists, indexes, outlines, and paragraph styles to suit your preferences.

3. Transcribe useful information. As you read about writing you come across fresh insights that you may want to exploit in your future work or writing routine. Transcribe them to the corresponding Writannica sections and, as time goes by, continue to expand, update and restructure the file. With persistence, the initial entry will evolve into a comprehensive reference guide tailor-made to your unique developmental needs.

4. Flatten the learning curve. The transcription method accelerates your growth in three important directions: first, by retyping word-for-word a piece of advice you’re memorizing it; second, by appending new content into the existing Writannica sections you’re refreshing previously acquired knowledge; and third, by consolidating expertise from various sources under a single Encyclopaedia entry you’re painting the complete picture of a given topic. The upshot of all this is that, either consciously or subconsciously, you will apply the lessons learned in your next article or story.

5. View it side-by-side. Whether you’re outlining, revising, polishing, or preparing a query letter, keep Writannica open alongside your current project to boost the effectiveness of the creative process. Invest into a widescreen monitor or second monitor (and use the ‘Extend desktop’ feature in MS Windows) so you can arrange the two documents side-by-side without compromising their size on the screen. Add an on-line thesaurus and dictionary if you still have pixels to spare.

6. Listen to the audio edition. Squeeze extra mileage out of your day by converting Writannica entries into mp3 files, and then listen to them on your iPod en-route to work or while performing household chores. Applications such as TextAloud compile two pages of text into audio in a minute, their only downside being the somewhat android voice that, admittedly, takes some getting used to. But that’s fine as far as your main objective is to learn and not to be entertained. To optimize the experience, replace the default MS Windows voice engine with one you can live with – Natural Voices by AT&T is a popular choice.

I started my own Encyclopaedia Writannica a couple of years ago; today, every one of its hundred and forty pages fast-tracks my progress as a writer. It could play a pivotal role in your development, too.

Getting started

JBDES — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:31:23 GMT

I know, I know. This has been talked and written about many times over. But, I think I have some really good ideas and stories to tell, but just CANNOT get started. I have one idea that has stuck with me for a long time. I know it's the one I can write AND finish.

I get so wrapped up in details, small insignificant details but ones that may be included somewhere in the story. I don't think I'm wasting time thinking of them but I'm not writing the story. Maybe it's psychological or some other mental defect. Maybe it's just my creative way, but how do others fight this? Too simple to say "sit down and write" though that may be the best thing. Are there other ways? I go the library and read a lot. Of course subscribe to The Writer and go to writer's conferences. But how else do we combat the getting started curse? I seem to think of excuses to avoid it. But I KNOW this is something I must do/ WANT to do!

Any advice or responses are apprecitated much!

Writing Class

charliaz2 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:12:47 GMT

Has anyone heard of Winghill Writing School? It's an online writing class also known as Quality of Course Inc. It is expensive but sounds good. I have been laid off for 6 months now and have time to start writing, but if I should find a job, other classes have a class time and this course is on your own time. It appears to be what I'm looking for but I am trying to find anyone who has heard of it. It is at http://www.winghill.com/ if you'd like to take a look.

If anyone has any knowledge on it please let me know. Thanks!

By the way . . . I looked them up at Better Business Bureau and they are rate A+

Writers needed-it pays good!

Sondrafast — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 02:09:57 GMT

An online publication urgently needs writers, many topics to choose from. It pays real good with lots of extras that pay too.

Visit this site to put in your application:

http://www.examiner.com/assets/joinexaminer.html

Be sure to click the "Find my Examiner" link at the bottom of the application and put in my ID: which is 1580 so I can get credit.

You can't miss this opportunity if you're a writer.

Advertiser Since: 3-2005

Restaurant reviews

FReagle — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:18:48 GMT

Does anyone know of websites that accept submissions for reviews of restaurants? I have 2 restaurant reviews I've written recently on associatedcontent.com for which I granted non-exclusive rights. I am also considering contacting local papers.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

Tom

Question about contest entry - Cover letter or no?

valkyr — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:32:22 GMT

I'm submitting something to the The Writer mag's contest, and was wondering if I should include a cover letter? (I have a title sheet with my contact info and word count).

I've never submitted anything anywhere before, so any suggestions are appreciated.

Also, if a cover letter (or something similar) is suggested, where's a good resource to get ideas for a cover letter?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Blog, Facebook, etc

amadan — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:17:37 GMT

I have a question. I'm going to be restarting my blog and setting up my writing presence on the net more fully. If I'm planning to be writing under a pseudonym (my actual last name is just sometimes a bear for people to spell), is it better to establish all of those things under the same pseudonym or under my actual name?

thanks!

Writing Software???? HELP!!!

Third Generation — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:29:48 GMT

I have a Compaq Vista, and I need to know if anyone can recommend a really good writing software for writing stories (short stories as well as novels). There are soooo many out there in stores, but I don't know which is best to use for EVERYTHING I need for doing this type of work.

Please help?!

Naming songs or artists in a novel

HCRose — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:56:08 GMT

In one of my scenes, a character is listening to the radio, and although I have the song she is listening to in my head, I am not sure if it's ok to name the song or artist without repercussions from doing so when I do attempt to publish.

Does anyone have experience with this? I have been researching, and can't find anything. I could use some help. Thanks.

Freelance writers in this economy

rdwriter — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:20:34 GMT

Just reviewing some interesting new statistics on how freelance writer jobs are faring in this economy and thought I'd share. Although it looks as though the jobs remain steady, it looks like hourly rates are on the decline. This is a bit discouraging, but I think it's probably mostly due to the general state of the economy right now. What are your thoughts?

Losing The War

Patous — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:23:16 GMT

I've got the story in my mind (and on a large white board) the only problem I face is that I don't know how to write battle scenes. I've read a trilogy that did it really well, but aside from picking the book up and changing the names of the characters I don't know how to do it. Is there anyone out there that can give my a few hints and tips as to how to write a great battle scene? Or maybe a webiste or two? Any help would be great! Thanks.