Writing Information
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Is Now the Time for a Play about the War in Iraq?

Everone knows that comedy is mostly about timing. If you hit upon the right nerve (is a funny bone a nerve?) at the right time then, usually, you don't even have to be original or even marginally funny to win laughs. The audience laughs just at the reference (i.e. "How about Michael Jackson?") an. . .

How to Break the Cycle of Postponing Your Dreams

Do you have a dream, but keep postponing it because you feel trapped by the responsibilities of life? Want to be a writer, work from home, own your own business? First, we will examine how your dream got deferred. Then, we will outline definitive steps to get you back on track. "How did I get to . . .

Advice From Successful Freelancers: Starting & Maintaining A Freelancer Career

For the e-book, Advice from Successful Freelancers: How They Built Their Careers & How You Can Too!, I asked ten questions of freelancers who were living their dream life. Following are some of their answers. They cover successful marketing techniques, how to get clients and more!1. Why did you s. . .

The Cost Of A Web Site

Just starting out, you can start with a simple informational site, which is all most need initially, and build up to a fuller site (e-commerce and/or interactive) when you can afford it.Your goal should be to get an online presence. Remember, most surfers are looking for information. Dancing cart. . .

Reward Those Who Publish Your Articles!

It is pretty obvious that content is king online. It is also obvious that writing more content and submitting them to other sites will help boost your popularity and bring more visitors to your site. So why wouldn't you help boost those pages that have your articles on them? I want to share a s. . .

Gut Check: Quitting Your Full-time Job for Your Freelance Career

It's 6:00 p.m. You're dead tired, but instead of an early night, you go to your "second job" — your freelance business. Between writing articles, researching new assignments and invoicing for completed work, it will be well past midnight before you can even think of going to bed. How much longer . . .

Sowing the Seeds of Opportunity: How to Multiply Your Freelance (Writing) Work

You can turn your $200 fee to write a press release into $2,000 to carry out an entire PR campaign simply by convincing clients to invest in campaigns, instead of individual assignments. Campaigns achieve better results and cost less in the long-term for clients, compared to individual assignment. . .

How To Stay Fit While Writing

Day after day, writers tend to sit for hours writing that novel or story, and over time, this can become a potential problem. Their metabolism may slow down and the pounds can inch up. Statistics show all kinds of health problems associated with obesity. If you’re an author, you are aware how you. . .

Seven Compelling Reasons to Get Your Name on a Book Cover

Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, maybe you’ve already established firmly in mind your exact purpose for becoming an author. Your reasons may match one or more of those below. Or perhaps you could add yours to the list. Nevertheless, with some 65,000 books being published in the Uni. . .

Teach Me Who You Are

We all have a privately held belief system that defines who we think we are. This belief system is composed of ideas that we have accumulated over time that we think describe us accurately. These ideas came from sources that varied widely in quality. Most of the ideas we have chosen to label our. . .

How to Write a Holiday Tale that Isn’t a Turkey

When we write stories, with the purpose of sharing them with others, we enter into an agreement where we allow our reader to see a glimpse of our heart, our souls and our memories. If we truly want them to be immersed in the tale, we actively immerse ourselves in those memories so that a glimmer . . .

The Ironies Of MASH

The TV show MASH ran for 11 years taking nearly every opportunity to bash the US involvement with the Korean War, which was actually an allegory for Vietnam. Many episodes showed a moral relativism between the US side and the communists, the doctors(with the exception of Frank Burns) made no dist. . .

The Work Flow Cycle of the Editorial Industry

As an editorial professional, I'm sure you're aware of the market slump right now. What you may not be aware of is that this is due to more than just the economy.Editorial work is a seasonal profession. From mid-June through Labor Day and from Christmas through the end of January are usually pret. . .

I'm Just The Writer

Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how their work is changed when it is adapted for the big screen. When Irwin Shaw's World War II novel The Young Lions was shot in Paris in 1958, the Nazi character was played by Marlon Brando. Ever the method actor, Brando provoked an upr. . .

Realism

‘Realism’IIn William Dean Howells’ words, Realism is ‘ the truthful treatment of material’. But to the question ‘what is truth’, philosophy gives not only different answers, but also different kinds of answers, representing different approaches to the sam. . .

Tracking Your Articles Properly

Writing articles related to your business is a great way to build your link popularity and also to provide more content for your site and other sites. Not too mention it's always nice when someone finds your site and uses it within their newsletter. The only problem is, what if people dont tell y. . .

The Paradox of Sarah Kane

There are some who believe that the world lost one of its finest late 20th century dramatists when Sarah Kane committed suicide in 1999. Her work produced extreme reactions in critics and audiences alike but many failed to appreciate the pure poetry of her writing until it was too late. She was b. . .

Fair Use and Copyright: What You Need To Know

While running a writing community for the last three years many questions have come up regarding copyright. What is copyright? “The legal protection given to authors which protects them against unauthorized copying of their work.” All writers at one time or another have quoted something someone e. . .

SEO Article Writing 101

SEO writing is very different from content writing, article writing, story writing and news writing. When I first realized my innate talent for writing stuff and putting thoughts into words, I was still reading Mills and Boons, and it was during this time that my romance storybooks were confiscat. . .

Your First Step To A Digital Publishing Empire

The hardest part of writing is the first sentence. When you look at the whole project, it seems like an impossible task. That's why you have to break it down into manageable tasks. Think of climbing a mountain. You are standing at the foot of it and looking up at its summit vanishing into the clo. . .

Ghostwriting - It's Not Only For Books

Utilizing a Ghostwriter for eBook product creation is a quick and easy way to churn out product after product.BUT, ghostwriting is not just for ebooks!Do you currently have a website and do you already market products?If you do you are in luck. As we all know, to market your product you need to . . .

Custom Writing Services: Market Overview

In this article the author is going to carry out custom writing services market overview providing comprehensive survey of the market divided into the following categories: market identification, market size, market segmentation, market growth speed, market customers, principles of operation, fin. . .

How To Find Writing Work

Are you looking for new writing work? It can be a challenge to build a career in any area, but it is often even harder to do so when you are in a smaller town. Sure, there may be a huge market for talented freelancers in your area, but let’s face it, it is not New York where you can find countl. . .

A Guide to Creative Writing That Sells

It's unbelievable that with all the creative writing courses out there, that no one teaches the necessity of researching your market before you set pen to paper.Yes, we all want to be creative and let our imagination go. At the same time, wouldn't it be great to have some of your work published? . . .

The Untold Secrets of Writing Best Selling Children's Books

Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers get their ideas? The answer may surprise you. Most children's books are based on the same exact story - good versus evil. Ex. Harry Potter vs Voldomort. Cinderella vs her wicked stepmother. Pinnochio's conscience vs. outside influences. . .

How Do You Write Poetry?

The very short answer is: don't write at all unless you have to. The short answer is: in numerous different ways. A somewhat longer answer is: find the way that best suits you - that comes only from experience. But, one might reasonably ask, what different methods are there which can be tried in . . .

Some Sticky Grammar Situations or How to Avoid Some Ugly Mistakes!

With the advent of electronic word-processing and spellchecker programs, many people just presume that simply by running spellchecker all of their grammar errors will be caught and corrected. This is simply not so. Spellchecker programs often include some grammar checking, but no man-made program. . .

Free Reprint Articles That Will Interest Publishers - 4 Tips

Have you been writing and submitting your free reprint articles for quite sometime now? If so, how is your reprint rate doing? Is it doing well or is it a bit below 50%? Are webmasters approving your articles?Here are some tips on how to write effective free reprint articles that would guarantee . . .

Writing Effectively: A Two-Part Guide, Part 2

In Part 1, I gave you some ideas on how to write your text. When your text is finished, you will need to review it in order to spot the flaws, correct the errors, and put a final coat of polish on your good work. In the publications industry this process is called “proofreading.”I’m not going to . . .

How to Write a Chorus

A song without a chorus can hardly be called a song. This rather bad statement is my personal opinion so if you don't agree, that's okay. But I would like to start this lesson with this statement, not only to wake you up, but rather because it's one of the key-statements of this lesson. So if you. . .

Tackling a Writing Assignment: How To Get Started

Writing assignments are often considered the worst possible class or course assignment. There's nothing worse than sitting down in front of a computer, with a blank screen in front of you. Where do you start? How do you get that first sentence written? Once you start, how do you avoid common mist. . .

The Truth about Search Engine Optimization

While the basics of Search Engine Optimization or SEO are pretty much textbook, it isn't the textbooks that you're competing with, it's the competition ... who within the most competative markets make it almost impossible to get to that search engine position of being number one. Discovering the . . .

10 Article Writing Quirks

Much has been touted about the effectiveness of article writing in the promotion of their business. While everyone raves about its benefits I’ll look into a few quirks. Too much junk- You can’t even imagine the amount of rehash material that is being passed off as something in which the reader c. . .

How To Become a Freelance Grant Writer

What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a lot of power in their hands. When they work for companies, they are essentially trying to help gain free money for that company to help the company expand, do research, or to stay in business. These individuals will use a detailed know. . .

How To Find Freelance Copywriting Jobs

Your goal is to land a few nice, secure freelance copywriting jobs, but how do you get them? The most important factor in finding these jobs is that you pursue the job you are looking for with all of your ducks in a row, so to speak. Here are a few things you need to do in order to get the free. . .

How You Can Improve Your Songwriting Skill

Are you a beginning songwriter who strives towards writing songs that become hits? Do you need to know how you can improve your songwriting skill? It's not too complicated. Don't try to re-invent the wheel. As far as I'm concerned the best way to improve your songwriting is to study what hit song. . .

How To Become A Freelance Copywriter In New York

As a freelance copywriter in New York, your work is never done. What? Do you mean to say that it is hard to find regular freelance writing jobs, even here in New York City? For those looking to succeed, employment is hard to find only because we lack the knowledge of where to find the work we . . .

Music Basics Guide for the Beginning Musician

Hello! Welcome to the wonderful world of music. Have you always dreamed of being able to learn to READ MUSIC and play the piano, keyboard, guitar or any other instrument? Well, your dream is just about to come true with this Beginning Music Course. This is not rocket science but it does take a ge. . .

The High Cost of a Six-Figure Book Advance

The six-figure book advance, like the New York Times bestseller, is the object of many a writer’s fantasy. Whether it’s also a realistic goal is something else again.*Can you really get a six-figure book advance?*When Susan Page wrote *The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book* in 19. . .

The Written Word

The Art of Writing Very few people can avoid writing on a daily basis. Of course, some people really enjoy writing, others do it out of necessity. Writing, essentially, involves placing a series of words together to convey a certain message or meaning. To write in its basic form is not a difficul. . .

How To Use Quotations Effectively?

Quotations are the repetition of words used by somebody in the past. When you repeat the speech or spoken words of a character from a play or novel, you are said to be quoting that character. Use of quotes requires quotation marks, speech marks or inverted commas to denote repetition.Take the exa. . .

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 hiring someone to clean the house before we left for the honeymoon so we’d come back to a spotless house.. . .

Stop, Look And Listen

There are three journal actions that you should take when writing a journal entry. You should stop. You should look, and then you should listen. In order to write a journal entry you need to be aware of what’s going on inside and outside of you. After practicing these three actions you will be. . .

Voices in Your Head

Are you struggling with your story’s dialogue? If so, you’re not alone. Dialogue is tough for many writers. Fortunately, by learning to listen, you can make your fictional dialogue much stronger. So let’s begin by looking at a quick dialogue exchange, from a short story I’ve been working on.. . .

How To Take Your Freelance Writing Chances

Your initial freelance writing assignments are the best way to present yourself to your client for repeated work. If you provide for them a good product, at a good price, they are likely to come back time and time again. The goal of any career, particularly as a freelancer, is to have steady bu. . .

The ONLY Thing You Need to Know About Writing Articles

You don't need to be a great writer to write great articles, just be fast and entertaining. There is only ONE SINGLE THING you need to know about article writing.Tell a story.Stories are easy to follow and interesting. Why are the Chicken Soup for the Soul books interesting? Because they're st. . .

Tight Lines, Writers!

“Tight lines” is a good luck wish among fishermen. When you’ve hooked a fish, your line tightens up.I was musing on this expression as my husband critiqued my lousy casting skills on our latest fishing expedition. Anthony’s as accurate a caster as they come. He can pinpoint a particular far-away . . .

Let's Get One Thing Straight About Being A Published Author

Just for fun, evaluate the following statement: "Most people want to write a book and get it published, but that's simply impossible 99% of the time."Is the above statement true?Not exactly. What's true is that most people THINK they can't write a book and get it published. And while that's a w. . .

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 sometimes have trouble figuring out which experiences will hit home with other people.I recently learned . . .

How to Find Ideas for Articles & Speeches

Do you have problems finding ideas for articles and speeches? I know have had at times, and others tell me the same thing. At my Toastmasters club, for example, I've often heard members say they have difficulty finding topics for speeches.But, I've learned, like others who write and speak a lot, . . .

Beginner's Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as a Freelancer

Beginner's Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as a Freelancer by Brian S. Konradt of BSK Communications and Associates My samples are self-selling. They gleam behind protective covers in my portfolio and snatch me business. "Wow, I really like this one," says a new client. . .

Five Minute Miracles

FIVE MINUTE MIRACLESFIVE MINUTES ... Is All You Need ........to phone a friend ..... peel potatoes for dinner ..... pick the kids up from school ..... or write a few words that could earn you anything from a plastic pinny or ballpoint pen, to a dream house in the sun, a top-of-the-range sports. . .

The Myths Of Writing: Have You Bought Into These?

There is an image most people carry of the artist (think Van Gough's self-portrait, the one with his ear bandaged), working in solitude in a barren garret in a dark corner of the city. Everyday is a struggle. He continually walks between moments of brilliance and moments of insanity. It's a roman. . .

How to Create Incredible Characters Easily

Creating incredible characters can be easy if you know of a few simple rules: Each character should have his own voice. If your character is from Brooklyn, give him brooklyn accent and mannerisms. Before you write, decide on his or her background and outline it thoroughly. If she is supposed to b. . .

A Writer's Inner Battle

There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate the drive, self-esteem, and human spirit of many aspiring Writers of any age. These Writers are faced with an obstacle that make them stop, think twice and question their right to be a part of a respected community. This even leads th. . .

How to Write Words Worth a Thousand Pictures

Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It can be hard on writers unless they learn to connect with today’s readers. Writing that connects is easy when you keep a few basic writing principles in mind. Let’s face it, as a writer, you are competing with the greatest influence. . .

It's All About YOU!

The Hottest Word on the WebDid you know marketing people and copywriters are developing a science about writing for readers in this new medium called the Web? In fact, they use carefully selected words to catch a reader’s attention. Here are a few: New True Authority Sexual Guaranteed Bonus First. . .

Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 5 of 6

PASSED, PASTrPassed is the past tense of pass. Past means a time that has gone.r "Time passed and we all forgot the incident." r "In times past it was the custom for women to wear hats in church."PEACE, PIECErPeace means the absence of war (or even noise); piece is a portion of something.PEAK, P. . .

Hooks, Lines & Sinkers

Hands up if the title to this article made you think that you'd strayed into a fishing feature?Perhaps you didn't quite go that far, but hopefully you were puzzled or curious enough to wonder what on earth those three angling associated words have to do with writing. The answer of course is noth. . .

Editing Secrets

Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and written the last word of text, the real work begins. As busy editors are bombarded with hundreds or even thousands of submissions a year, it's more important than ever that authors apply their own editing skills to their manuscripts . . .

Be Concise

Concision. (Sounds like I made up another word.) It's the idea of being concise in our ongoing communication with others, both written and oral.Many take forever to say so little. These are the same people who spend a lot of time in meetings. Some who may have little to say use lots of words to s. . .

Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 1 of 6

By Laraine Anne Barker ACCEPT, EXCEPTrNot commonly seen even from unpublished writers, who are probably familiar with the difference because they're all waiting for an acceptance!r"We accept your invitation to your party, except for Bill, who will be away on that day."ADAPT, ADEPT, ADOPTrAdapt me. . .

Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 6 of 6

SALE, SAIL rSale is either offering something for purchase ("for sale")or offering it at a special price ("on sale"); sail is partof a ship or boat.SELL, CELLrSell is to exchange for money; cell is a small room.SCENE, SEENrScene is the place where something happens; seen is the past participle of. . .

Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 3 of 6

ELICIT, ILLICITrElicit means to extract or draw out; illicit means not legal.EVERYONE, EVERY ONErEveryone means every person in a group; every one means each person and is always followed by "of".r"Everyone needs to know how to swim."r"Every one of you should be able to swim."rFAIR, FARErFair mea. . .

Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 4 of 6

LATER, LATTERrLater means afterwards; latter is the second of two things.r"Later that day we went for a walk."r"We have two choices. The latter is the more reliable, but the former would be cheaper."LAY, LAIDrThis pair confuses writers almost more than any other.r"He lay on his bed." Although thi. . .

How To Write for the Web

The Scanning ReaderWriting for the Web is different than writing for print. The differences are slight but significant. First, people don’t really read online; they scan because of what is called the “flicker rate” of a computer monitor. This means people read 25% slower online than in print pu. . .

Nobody Likes A Rambler

We all know people who ramble. They include every boring and insignificant detail, speak in five-minute-long sentences and take forever to get to the point. When they finally reach the end of their story, most people have either walked away or lost interest.If you were reading their words, woul. . .

Learn to Write Like a Pro

Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having a number one best seller. Both are wonderful reasons for writing. What many fail to realize is that these two do not have to be mutually exclusive. With a little research, you can enjoy writing incredible stories and see to it that the. . .

End Of History? Not Quite.

A visitor to Moscow would be immediately struck by the fact that an otherwise dull Kremlin now seduces one to break the sound barrier in a mike, rediscover one self on a Compaq or simply feel Warner in a Pringles. If this is not enough then there is always Chairman Mao in Tiananmen Square calling. . .

Marketing for Writers When Writing Just Isn't Enough

Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having a number one best seller. Both are wonderful reasons for writing. What many fail to realize is that these two do not have to be mutually exclusive. With a little research, you can enjoy writing incredible stories and see to it that the. . .