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Welcome to a place where everyone knows what it's really like to be a writer.
Welcome, to the world of I Do The Write Thing!
Here you will find tips on over coming writers block, tips for additing tension to your fiction, 10 tips for publishing success and other helpful articles for writers! Also, helpful websites to get you started, blogs on writing, Newsfeeds to keep you up to date on market trends, Jobs for Writers, and much more!
Daily Writing Tips!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhy do writers write?
Because it isn't there. ~ Thomas Berger
Writers on YouTube
PublishersNewswire.com : Book Business
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byI'm In Love with Books Free!
I'm completely hooked on this book rental program (think Netflix for paperback and audiobooks). I go through a ton of audio books because I have a 45 minute each way commute so this works out well for me! Check them out: 20% off your first month at Booksfree.com. Use coupon code: CJ86
A Writing Book Worth The Money
The one writing book that I think every writers should have is Stephen King's On Writing. This book is part memoir and part writing book. It's the one writing book that I've actually re-read.
On Writing
This is the one writing books I've read so far that was worth the money.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/04/2008)
HELP! I'm stuck in a dry well!
Getting Past Writers Block
Whenever I write, inevitably I get to a place where my creative well seems to not only dry up, but cave in on me.Many other writers experience this exact same phenomena. That's why we come up with artful ways to describe what happens - the sagging middle, muse-go-bye-bye, and worst of all- blocked.
The problem, as I see it, is far simpler and less traumatic than those phrases make it out to be.
Writers frequently sit down to write because we had a great idea for a story. In actuality, what we had was a great idea for a scene. We rush to our keyboards or paper frantic to begin the process. After you've expended all your energy on the brilliant scene you realize, you have to tie that scene to a beginning and an end.
At this point is where the real work of being a writer begins. Anyone can create a scene, only writers know how to craft those few ideas into a masterpiece.
When you reach the "I'm stuck" place, ask yourself:
Do I know where to begin and end?
Do I have one great climactic scene to anchor all the others?
Do I have several smaller climax scenes leading to the big scene?
My guess is the answer to at least one of the questions will be, no. In addition, I bet the question most frequently creating obstacles is the last.
We know we have to open by introducing the characters in their natural habitat. We know we have to wrap everything up at the end. The huge crisis scene is what set us off on this adventure in the first place. What's left are the foothills leading to the mountain.
The foothills are the trickiest because they have to do with motivation-which is usually straight forward-and conflict-this seems to be the hardest. After all, you've spent a lot of time giving birth to these characters, and making them decent people. Then you have to torment them. What kind of a monster are you?
It's okay. It's your job to torment your characters, and their job to suffer.
If plot is a four-letter word to you, then mull over the dilemma, let it simmer until you know all the scenes that build your story. If you're a plotter, send your charting skills into high-gear, and map out what you need to do to get from a to b to c.
Whether your process is organic or mechanical, don't force the answers. If you do, the results will be stale and predictable.
Getting stuck happens, but it's not the end of the world. Instead, redefine a block as an opportunity to dig deeper and discover you're in a mineshaft full of gold.
The Gift Shop for Writers!
Writers of all genres will find something to love.
Time To Write Wall Clock
Time to Write
Price: 19.99
Blue I don't believe in muses Cap
Muses are fickle little fairies. Writers of all genres can appreciate these unique t-shirts, and gifts.
Price: 17.99
Mystery Writer Use Caution White T-Shirt
Caution Mystery Writer!
Price: 17.99
"I am a galley slave to pen and ink.~Honore de Balzac (1799 - 1850)"
PublishersNewswire.com : Talking with Authors
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhen The Muse Strikes At Night!
NiteWriter - Lighted Pen
This has to be the best invention for writers ever! Shines light on the paper only so you won't wake up anyone else in the room with you.
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/04/2008)
List Price: $7.75
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Lighted Bedside Notepad
Just as good at the pen but a little more expensive. But it doesn't need refills. Puts out more light than the pen which isn't a good thing when you're trying not to wake a spouse but HEY whatever works better for you (I'm sticking with the pen).
Amazon Price: (as of 07/04/2008)
List Price: $39.95
Tips For Adding Tension To Your Fiction
Imagine you plunk down $1.50 for the Sunday paper and the headline reads, "Some Stuff Happened But We Didn't Feel Like Researching it, Check Back Tomorrow." You'd be upset and probably want your money back. After all if those lazy reporters can't do their jobs then why should you waist your money?
Yet, there are countless books out there with chapters where nothing really happens. Why should a reader waist their time?
If dramatic tension stays flat chapter after chapter why are those chapters in the book? Exposition? Boring! Look for these tension killers and eliminate them.
1) Repetitiveness - Writers want to make sure the reader understands what's happening in the story. Then make sure what you wrote was clear the first time, instead of slowing the pace by repeating yourself.
2) Rambling Man - Moving characters from one place to another, can slow the pace of a story. If one scene is in the living room and the next dramatic scene is in a grocery store, the reader doesn't need to follow the character into the garage, out the driveway, past the church at the end of the block, waving to Mrs. Johnson - You see my point here, right? If there isn't a horrendous collision that sends your character into a coma, ala soap writing 101, somewhere on the way to the store your reader will lose interest. End the scene in the living room, add an extra line and then begin the scene at the store.
3) A Whole Lot of Thinking Going On -- If your character is having a problem with indecision don't let them sit around thinking. Get their problems out of their head and into dialog. Better yet, add a scene that shows the characters indecision through their action or inaction.
4) DANGER, DANGER! - Is your character in enough danger from one chapter to the next? Danger can take many different forms. The easiest and most obvious is the physical danger. Don't forget to use emotional danger. You as the writer have a moral responsibility to torture these characters as much as you can. Pile on the emotional danger along with the physical and see where that leads you.
To view the rest of this article and learn more Tips For Adding Tension, please click here!
Linda Seger Books!
Making a Good Script Great
Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $1.91
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Creating Unforgettable Characters
Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $3.96
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Making a Good Writer Great: A Creativity Workbook for Screenwriters
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $3.80
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Advanced Screenwriting: Raising Your Script to the Academy Award Level
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $5.89
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Valuable Links for Writers!
- Gotham Witers Workshop
- Offers free tips on writing, a free newsletter, and awesome writing resources. There workshops are the top!
- Crime Scene Investigation Articles
- If you're a mystery or horror writer you must check out this site. Gives you all the details you'll need to make your books next Crime Scene Investigation feel real.
- Powells Books RSS Feeds
- Powells isn't just one of the best bookstores ever, they also offer RSS feeds with book reviews, author interviews, essays and more!
- The Writers Weekly
- Get signed up for their newsletter! This is one of the best writing resources you can find.
- Writer Gazette
- Free newsletter! Great resources for writers!
- Volunteer Lawyers For The Arts
- They offer pro bono legal service for artist and art organizations.
- Writer Beware
- Warnings for Writers about those out to take advantage of our trusting natures.
- The Book Standard News
- This is a great site that offers information on the world of publishing. Free newsletters help keep writers on top of what's happening in publishing.
- 20 Worst Agencies List
- A list of the 20 literary agencies about which Writer Beware has received the greatest number of advisories/complaints over the past several years.
- Preditors & Editors
- Does the agent you're looking at have any warnings out there? Find out!
Other Great Gifts For Writers
Check out some of these other great desgins!
Ten Dos and Don%u2019ts For Publishing Success
1. Do-edit your manuscript until it's as close to publishable as you can make it.2. Don't-be snotty in your correspondence with an editor. Be professional. This is a business
3. Do-draft a great query letter. Get help to make it attention getting.
4. Don't-get cute with your submission. Multicolored paper will make your manuscript stand out but not in a good way.
5. Do-send a clean copy of your manuscript. No coffee stains or musty smelling paper.
6. Don't-call an editor every other day to enquire on the progress of your manuscript
7. Do-finish the next book while you wait for a response. You know they're going to love your work so be ready with the next one!
8. Don't-go broke mailing out complete manuscripts. Use your attention getting query letter instead. This is a cost effective way to weed out editors and agents who aren't interested.
9. Do-send a thank you note to any editor who reads your entire manuscript-even if they reject it. They loved your voice enough on this project, they might be interested in another project so leave them with a good impression.
10. Don't-ever give up! 90% of publishing success is being there when the time is right.
Books on Writing from Amazon.com
Goal, Motivation and Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction
This book is a must have. These are the 3 building blocks of a book.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $79.98
On Writing
This is the best book on writing I've ever read. Part life story part how-to.
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $3.50
Usually ships in 24 hours
How To Be Your Own Literary Agent: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book Published
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $7.15
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Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print
Every writer needs to edit their own work. This helps you find the mistakes that you wouldn't normally find.
Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $7.72
Usually ships in 24 hours
Ten Percent of Nothing: The Case of the Literary Agent from Hell
You need this book! If you're serious about getting an agent, get this book and read it. When you're done re-read it! Take this tale to heart.
Amazon Price: $22.00 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $11.49
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Publishers Weekly Latest News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWriters In Peril Movies
Half Light
Demi Moore is a mysery writer (she even has an Edger on her shelf!) who looses her son in a tragic accident, then almost looses her mind ala Gas Light.
Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $1.15
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Misery
The ulitmate in author torture. Every author's worse nightmare when it comes to their "biggest fan"
Amazon Price: $10.49 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $2.98
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Secret Window
Johnny Depp is so sexy it's hard to remember what the movie is about {{sigh}}.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $0.01
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Romancing the Stone / Jewel of the Nile
Romance author Joan Wilder is set loose on an unsuspecting world. Or was it the other way around? Hmm.
Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $14.84
Usually ships in 24 hours
Finding Forrester
This is just a damn good movie.
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $2.00
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If You Want To Study Story Telling
Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (1977 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
The hero's journey down to the letter.
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $7.41
Usually ships in 24 hours
Casablanca
If you want to study Goal, Motivation and Conflict this is the movie to watch!
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $9.02
Usually ships in 24 hours
Witness (Special Collector's Edition)(Widescreen)
If you study Linda Seger she references this movie a lot.
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $4.29
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Usual Suspects (Special Editon)
Masterful story telling!
Amazon Price: (as of 07/04/2008)
Used Price: $6.76
Jobs Available for Qualified Writers!
- Writer
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Rosetta Stone - Harrisonburg, VA
a CONTENT WRITER for our language education software. The ideal candidate will be a strong writer and a... environment. Content writers work closely with the...... - Writer
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University of Miami - Miami, FL
athletics and service. Come join our team! The University of Miami is seeking writer who will be responsible for preparing proposals to private funding sources...... - Copy Writer
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- ,
I need the following: a) product sales ads for Craigslist, newspaper,etc b) field agent recruitment ads for Craigslist, newspaper, etc c)voice broad casting...... - Writer
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Federal Aviation Administration - Washington, DC
seeks an experienced writer to bolster a major... Duties: The successful candidate will serve as a Writer/Editor, strategist, researcher and delivery...... - Marketing Writer
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- , FL
description The Marketing Writer will uses excellent... and edit Who we are looking for The Marketing Writer must demonstrate: Bachelor's in Marketing, English......
Round Out Your Vocab With A Word a Day!
Every writer loves to discover new words. That's not just me is it?
- dapple: Dictionary.com Word of the Day
- dapple: a small contrasting blotch; also, to mark with spots.
Stay Current on Writing Trends!
Subscribe to one or two of these magazines.
Writer
This is an excellent magazine! If you haven't picked this one up yet you should.
Amazon Price: $29.00 (as of 07/04/2008)
Writers Journal
Loads of contests in this magazine (that pay $$$). There's also a lot of options for writers to publish their writing articles with them.
Amazon Price: $17.97 (as of 07/04/2008)
News About Writers!
- 'Gonzo': A Writer Lost in His Story
- It never bothers to make a case that Thompson was a first-rate writer (opinions vary) or a responsib...
- Writer calls for slimmed-down BBC
- LONDON (Reuters) - The BBC should be slimmed down to just one television and one radio channel, the...
- Boone influences writer to forge ahead
- By Bill Ladson / MLB.com CINCINNATI -- Hal McCoy has seen it all while covering the Reds for the Day...
- Spoof writer had starring role on original Gilligan's Island sitcom
- He has asked various Spoof writers to fill in for some of the original cast who are no longer around...
