Made in Heaven

Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend - my Mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so in. . .

Timer Magic for Writers

If your writing muscle isn't in shape, writing a novel may seem like a sheer, unscalable cliff. ("Gee, I don't think I can write today. I left my climbing shoes in my other backpack...") Keep in mi. . .

The Write Habit: How to Strengthen Your Writing Muscle

Writing is a muscle that needs exercise to stay in shape. I realized how true that saying is when I took what I called "a well-earned break" after I finished my first novel. The last few days of wr. . .

Write SMART: How to Create Terrific Writing Goals--And Ac...

Open up your favorite calendar and circle today's date. Why? Because no matter what day it is, you've been given a wonderful gift: a bright and shiny year ahead to make your writing dreams come tru. . .

How to Pitch a Story

How to Pitch a StoryEver wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a story is worthy by “pitching a story?” I have. I’m a baseball enthusiast, and it makes a lot of sense to me. When the editor i. . .

8 Tell-Tale Signs That Forecast Writing Success!

‘Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.” Stephen KingEver wonder what the hands of fate will deal yo. . .

5 Ways to Enhance Your Creativity

We're born creative. However, this innate characteristic becomes buried as we get older. Our logical left brain usually takes the driver's seat. Here are 5 ways to help you unearth your creative se. . .

Write Strategy: Think, Believe, Attack

Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms of art, work or talent, requires discipline. It won't ever be enough that you say to yourself that you are a writer. O. . .

Top 10 Ways to Know your Book Concept will Sell--Before y...

Make your book stand out from the crowd! Test your book's significance, find your market before you write, and treat your book as part of your business. 1. Test your book's significance fun, humor . . .

The Top Five Writing Mistakes Professionals Make

Yes, you know your subject. You also need to think about entertaining your audience, and making your book or other writing easy to read. If your writing lacks organization and compelling, vital s. . .

5 Free Time-Saving Tools for Article Authors

You can save time and make your article writing and promotion easier by putting some very great tools to use. Below I've included 5 tools that can help you. 1. Article Formatter If your artic. . .

Take Baby Steps In Your Writing To Yield A Book

The thought of writing a book is usually daunting for many writers. After all, how and where do you begin writing a book that's anywhere from 25,000 to 100,000 words? Big numbers can be pretty inti. . .

The Makings of a Personal Essay, Really

Sometimes I can be dense when it comes to realizing the potential of my own life experiences as essays for magazines. I, of course, fully believe that everything in my life is newsworthy, but so. . .

Becoming the Total Package

Being a great writer is no longer enough if you plan to score a big publishing deal, especially as a nonfiction author. Particularly if your book idea falls into the how-to or self-help categorie. . .

The Beginner's Guide to Freelance Writing

The Big Idea Okay. So youve figured out that you would like to write for magazines, newspapers, and e-zines. Unfortunately, so have about eight gazillion other people on this planet. Therefore, y. . .

Writing as a Gift

What am I supposed to give Anthony as a wedding gift? I asked Kristin, my bridesmaid and person-who-was-married. I mean, what kinds of things do brides give their grooms? I was thinking of hiri. . .

What Can Go Into A Plot?

Creative Writing Tips –We all tackle plotting differently. How you plot will be individual to you, as it is with every writer.Below is an outline of what can go into a plot. How much you choose to . . .

Do You Plot With Your Character In Mind?

Creative Writing Tips –You are plotting the story. You write down what will happen, what problems will arise, what obstacles you will place so the character won’t reach his goals immediately, what . . .

Creative Writing Tips - Does The Name You Chose Suit Your...

How do you choose a name? Do you put down the first name that pops into your mind? Initially that’s what I used to do, until someone pointed out to me that there are a few things to take into consi. . .

Have You Completed A Character Questionnaire?

Creative Writing Tips –Complete a character questionnaire for each of your main characters or even secondary characters that play a vital role in your story. This way you will know your character(s. . .

Have You Tested Your Plot?

Creative Writing Tips –Our plotting stage is our testing area. Everything in the plot should be tested for its effectiveness before we put in into our stories. If you believe something in your plot. . .

Does Your Plot Suit Your Characters And Vice-Versa?

Creative Writing Tips –When an idea comes to us for a short story, we either think of a story line first or a character first. Whichever we think of first, and later on build, we have to make sure . . .

How Are You Plotting?

Creative Writing Tips –Writing is a creative process and how every writer chooses to create, is individual to them. Likewise, with plotting, every writer plots at a level they are comfortable with.. . .

Have You Plotted Your Story Before Writing It?

Creative Writing Tips –The writer, who doesn’t have the time to plot, always finds the time to rewrite. Sound familiar? I’ve been guilty of this too, back in the early days of my writing apprentice. . .

8 Advantages to Writing a Book as an Entrepreneur

As an aspiring or an established entrepreneur, you are an expert in something, but does the rest of the world know? You have a wealth of information, experience and knowledge that you can packag. . .

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 with. . .

How to Catch the Writing Bug

If you earn income as a writer, or use writing as a marketing tool, you know how difficult it can be at times to write. I started writing for my website and newsletter a few years ago. Sometimes it. . .

Is Your Title Compelling?

Short Story Writing Tips:Your title is your selling tool. It’s the first thing readers will scan and contemplate whether to read your story.What your title’s job is, it has to lure the readers into. . .

Do You Know What A Plot Is?

Creative Writing Tips –What a plot is and what a story is can be sometimes confusing. If you think they are the same… They are not. A plot is the outline of your story. The story is everything incl. . .

Is The Theme Reinforced In The Ending?

Creative Writing Tips –By now you should have an idea that your theme has to reach its conclusion just as your story does. But our theme has to do more than reach its conclusion – it has to be rei. . .