Plotting Problems - Episodic Writing

The rejection letter says: "Your story, on the surface, appears to be well-told and has appealing characters. However, the writing is episodic; the story lacks direction."You frown. Huh? The story lacks direction? How could it? Your main character is on a quest; how much more of a direction could you... Read More

Learning How To Write

As a student of Spanish, my goal was to think in Spanish. Skip the word-by-word translation so I'd have the necessary speed to speak and listen. I know words in Spanish that I'd be hard pressed to translate. Usually profanity, I confess. Chingow!For years my students here in China have... Read More

Screenwriting and Screenwriters ? beyond Syd Field

Without denigrating the work and contribution of Syd Field to the art of screenwriting, it is about time many screenwriters moved on.Syd Field gave us the plot point - a clearer definition of what was previously known as the "twist" - as well as other concepts such as the "pinch"... Read More

Crime Writing Beckons

If your cash is running out fast and you have an incessant need to write, why not turn to crime?No! Not committing crime, but to writing about crime. Crime is all around us, and people want to know about it. Don't believe me? Turn on the five o'clock news, Lifetime... Read More

How To Write More Powerful Reports

There is one key difference between reports and most other forms of business writing, and we get a hint of that in the word, "report." Whereas with many other forms of written comms you can be a little creative and put your own slant on your words, in a report... Read More

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 the... Read More

How You Can Take Advantage of the Increasing Demand for Freelance Online Writers

The freelance writing market is a growing market to be in. There are many jobs available, but sometimes, it can be hard to find the work that you want, and available at the time you want it to be. All opportunities will help you to develop a career in the... Read More

When Getting Stuck Goes Amuck

Many of us have always wanted to write. We have all gotten writer's block. What happens when we are stuck? Can we go to a doctor for having writer's block? Are there any "writing doctors" that prescribe medication to overcome what to write about or how to stress our premise?Having... Read More

Writing New Ideas

Someone once commented that there were no new ideas to write, that all that could be done was a recombination of the words and phrases for a deeper, more personal expression of meaning. They have completely missed the point and purpose to 'writing'.One writes, not to refine old ideas, but... Read More

Get Published: The Nuts and Bolts of Good English, and How to Impress a Publisher (3)

A well-punctuated approach letter may make the difference between acceptance and rejection by a publisher's commissioning editor. In this article, I'll look at just one small, but often bothersome, piece of punctuation: the apostrophe.One of the biggest problems that writers face when it comes to punctuation concerns this seemingly insignificant... Read More

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Story Structure - Final Conflict

Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More

The Daily Rite

If you want to be a writer, then you must... Read More

A Writers Life

Ever wonder what an author's life is like? What that... Read More

Screenwriting ? The Lone Wolf Story Structure Template

Story Structure Templates are the fastest way to write screenplays.... Read More

The Writer and the Web

If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More

The Psychology Of Effortless Writing

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of... Read More

How To Identify Your Own Style Of Writing

This article is to help identify which style, technique or... Read More

Seven Compelling Reasons to Get Your Name on a Book Cover

Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, maybe... Read More

The Power of Punctuation

Punctuation, when used creatively, is powerful. Note, however, that when... Read More

Using Metaphor Effectively

We've all heard a politician on their soapbox, pushing for... Read More

Top Seven Essential Hot-Selling Points To Implement Before Writing Chapter One

Every part of your book can be a sales tool.... Read More

Writing Styles for Fiction: Which Voice to Use

I recently set up a website to promote a new... Read More

Sell More Books With a Powerful Back Cover

Did you know that your back cover information is, after... Read More

Have You Completed A Character Questionnaire?

Creative Writing Tips ?Complete a character questionnaire for each of... Read More

Is The Theme Running Throughout The Story?

Creative Writing Tips ?It's no use coming up with a... Read More

Writing Good Dialogue.

There's nothing that kills a scene like hackneyed dialogue. Just... Read More

Starting a Local Writers Group

My husband is no poet, so when I offer my... Read More

Writing Internal Newsletters: How to Build Your Network and Your Reputation

To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More

Trying Too Hard

If you dread the thought of writing, if you fear... Read More

Character Motivation - Always Ask WHY

For many years, I've been a tutor for students undertaking... Read More

6 Ways to Jump-Start Your Writing Day

1. PLAY A GAME LIKE SOLITAIRE....for half an hour or... Read More

Prolific Writers

Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More

A Series of Articles on Autobiography

ESSAYS ON AUTOBIOGRAPHY: NUMBER 1Preamble:Nearly seven years ago I wrote... Read More

Self-examination vs Self-indulgence

Self-examination is brutally honest. Self-indulgence is brutally maudlin.Writing requires the... Read More

Freelancing Doesnt Mean Writing For Free. Does it?

Writer's forums are bustling with debate over whether or not... Read More

Time to Write

SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER?Many people have entertained... Read More

Need a Book Coach, Ghost Writer, or Editor? Part 1

If you either want to write a book to help... Read More

How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas

How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas When Your... Read More

An Introduction to Self Publishing Material

Any article, report or book which is bought or sold... Read More

The Writing Club

Typically when falling asleep in bed at night great thoughts... Read More

How to Outline your Book and Chapters with Mindmapping

Mindmapping is better than linear outlining because authors can use... Read More

Nobody Likes A Rambler

We all know people who ramble. They include every boring... Read More

Plagiarism Through The Eyes Of College Students

Plagiarism has been condemned lately by all types of experts,... Read More