The Big Picture: Book to Film
May/June 2010 
 WOW! Women On Writing
 Issue #39: The Big Picture: Adapting Your Story for the Screen

In This Issue:
QUICK LINKS
ARCHIVES 2010
ARCHIVES 2009
ARCHIVES 2008
ARCHIVES 2007
ARCHIVES 2006
Visit our sponsors:

For WOW Readers:


Visit our sponsors:

The Next Big Writer


Hiring Writers



Join our mailing list!

Greetings!


Would you like to see your book, short story, or article as a movie? For many authors, this would be a dream come true, but how does it happen? I've always been fascinated by the adaptation process and have even visualized my novels-in-progress as feature films--with my favorite actors playing the roles of my main characters, of course! So to quench my thirst for knowledge about the process, and I hope yours too, we've put together a fantastic issue that answers all the questions you may have about book to film adaptations and more.

Last December, I posted a list of movies made from books in 2009. It's not a complete list by any means, but it always surprises me just how many get made and how many I didn't know about. I compile the list every year, and every year it gets longer. There are many reasons for this growing trend, but the most apparent is that Hollywood wants to cash in on a book's established audience. It also comes down to the excitement of the producers and directors who want to take on the project. Most are book lovers who've read a particular book and thought it would be perfect for a movie or telefilm (a movie made for TV). And yes, many of the books are bestsellers, but not all. Some are adapted from novels and short stories written by emerging authors. One of my favorite movies of all time, Fight Club, was adapted from Chuck Palahniuk's debut novel when he was virtually unknown. So, as an author, how can you get your book or short story made into a film?

In this issue, we talk to screenwriters, directors, producers, filmmakers, script consultants, literary managers, film rights agents, and authors to cover every angle of the process. We also cover book trailer basics and how to format a screenplay. If you've ever thought about screenwriting, consider this piece of information from a feature article in this issue: "a book (at five hundred pages and $10,000) pays $20 a page while a screenplay (at one hundred twenty pages and $300,000) pays $2500 per page." That's quite a big difference! But you'll also find that the authors in this issue say writing a novel is much more satisfying than writing a screenplay.

I could go on, but I'll let the experts speak for themselves. We have a fantastic issue filled with informative articles, industry advice, and lots of takeaway--all designed to help you see the big picture.

----------------

Announcement:

WOW! Receives Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers 2010 Award!

We just found out from several of our readers that WOW! Women On Wriitng was selected as a Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers 2010! We're listed in the Genre/Niche section of WD's May/June issue on page 60 with the description, "Women writers supporting women writers throughout the writing process." This is our third year in a row and we're thrilled. We'd like to thank all of you for supporting us. This is a great honor for all women writers!

----------------

A big, warm, thank you goes out to our freelancers & staff:

We're trying to cut down the size of our newsletter since it's always so long! ;) Please visit the Editor's Desk for a complete list of thank yous and the editor's comments on the issue.

----------------

Spring 2010 Flash Fiction Contest

Last month to enter!

DEADLINE: May 31, 2010 Midnight, Pacific Time.

GUEST JUDGE: Literary Agent, Jenny Bent

About Jenny: In a career spanning 15 years, I have made a practice of making bestsellers--either by spotting new talent or developing careers for multi-published authors. My list is varied and includes commercial fiction and nonfiction, literary fiction and memoir. All the books I represent speak to the heart in some way: they are linked by genuine emotion, inspiration and great writing and story-telling.

I was born in New York City but grew up in Harrisonburg Virginia in a house full of books where I spent many lazy afternoons reading in a sunny window seat. I went on to England to get a BA/MA with first class honors from Cambridge University. After graduation I worked in magazines, bookselling and agenting, most recently at Trident Media Group, before founding THE BENT AGENCY in 2009. I now live in Brooklyn in an apartment full of books and while there are not quite so many lazy reading afternoons, I manage to fit one in now and then.

Find out more about Jenny by reading her interview on WOW! Women On Writing: Jenny Bent Tells Us What Agents Want.

Visit The Bent Agency's website: www.thebentagency.com

PROMPT: Open Prompt

WORD COUNT: 750 Max; 250 Min

LIMIT: 300 Entries

Don't wait until the last minute! Enter Today. Visit our Contest Page and download our terms & conditions ebook. Good luck!

----------------

Call for Submissions

WOW! is seeking submissions for their upcoming themes:

Creativity: (Deadline for queries/subs: July 15, 2010)
This issue is open to interpretation. Get creative and send us your queries/subs!

The Freelance Union 3: (Deadline for queries/subs: September 15, 2010)
This issue covers all topics related to freelance writing. This will be our third issue on the subject, so we are looking for article topics we haven't covered before. Please visit our previous issues:
The Freelance Union 2
The Freelance Union 1
Some other issues that cover freelance writing:
Breaking Out of Your Cube
Money Matters for Writers
Writing the Web
You can also do a search of our site with the Google Search box that is located on the left-hand sidebar of every page of our site to make sure we don't already have an article covering the topic you are proposing. Note: this is an all how-to issue. The only sections that are open to interviews are the 20 questions column and the Inspiration column.

Submission Guidelines:Also, please review our submission guidelines on our Contact Page (scroll to the bottom under "Submissions") for pay rates and how to submit. We look forward to hearing from you!

Some of the slots have already been filled above because we announce first calls for submissions in our Premium-Green Markets newsletter. To find out about first calls from WOW! please subscribe to our Premium-Green Writer's Markets. We share detailed descriptions of specific articles we need right now. Land one gig and it more than pays for a year's subscription! We currently have 30 issues--ebooks filled with over 100 pages of markets--available for immediate download with the purchase of your subscription. Join the community that gives back! And write-on!

The Muffin Seeks Bloggers

Fiction Blogger: Are you a fiction writer who enjoys sharing your knowledge, tips, and advice with fellow writers? We're looking for a blogger who is dedicated to fiction--someone who has a novel under her belt and/or published short stories--who can craft short posts on how-to topics related to fiction writing.

"Tech" Topics Blogger: Do you like to write about SEO, social networking for writers/authors, blogging, book promotion online, etc? We're looking for a blogger who can write about various "tech" (okay, not so tech, but sort-of) topics in a woman-friendly voice. A blogger who can guide newbies through the labyrinth of the web. Posts can be about anything from how to burn a feed to how to find groups on Twitter. Posts should be short, simple how-tos written for beginners.

Apply as a blogger: All posts will be roughly 250 - 500 words. Familiarity with Wordpress and blogging is preferred. This is an ongoing blogging position where you'd be required to blog regularly and come up with your own post ideas with little or no supervision. Starting pay: $5 per post, paid monthly through PayPal. If you'd like to join our team, please send an email to [email protected] with "Fiction Blogger" or "Tech Topics Blogger" in the subject line. Include links to sample blog posts related to the topic you're applying for. Include links to your blog(s) and/or links to blogs you currently blog for. Let us know how many days a month or week you'd like to blog. We look forward to hearing from you!

----------

On to the issue, enjoy!

 Winter 2010 Flash Fiction Contest Winners Announced!
 Drum roll...

Winter '10 Contest Winners Congratulations goes to everyone who entered the Winter '10 Flash Fiction Contest. All of your entries were incredible this round, and our esteemed guest judge, literary agent Elise Capron, did not have an easy job! But with her expertise, she dutifully picked the winners, and we thank Elise!

All of the stories this season were phenomenal! It was hard to narrow down the entries to the Top 25 and then the Top 10. All the stories were superlative in subject, content, and style--it really came down to technical aspects and the guest judge's personal choice of which ones made it into the Top 10. Every story is a winner in its own right and has the potential to win a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place. They were that good.

I know you've all been waiting patiently, so here's the results!

-- 1st Place Winner: Corinne Mahoney

-- 2nd Place Winner: Lauren Leatherman

-- 3rd Place Winner: Laura J. Silver

Runners Up (in no particular order):

-- Pia Padukone
-- Madeline Mora-Summonte
-- Marina Sabatini
-- Kelly Thompson
-- Wave Geber
-- Candi Sary
-- Elizabeth Esse Kahrs

Read the Top 10 winners' stories in our contest feature!

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

-- Norah Piehl
-- Ami C. Bair
-- Linda Courtland
-- Mary Ellen Sanger
-- Mary Jo Caffrey
-- Sharon Blacknall
-- Shelley Jewell
-- Michele Roach
-- Jennifer Smith Gray
-- Susan M. Nacsa
-- Steffanie Gamecho
-- Cody McCormack
-- Mikal Cardine
-- Patricia Ann McKinnes
-- Gayle Beveridge

Congratulations goes out to all the winners! And congrats to everyone who hit the send button--we know it's not easy, but each season provides a rebirth of opportunity!

So, go on already! Read the stories!

Notes: if you purchased a critique for the Winter '10 contest, we will be sending critiques one at a time over the next couple of weeks. If you haven't received your critique by the end of May (make sure you check your bulk mail), please send us an e-mail and we'll resend. Prizes: all prizes this season are digital, so we will be sending gift cards, e-books, and cash prizes electronically next week. Thank you!


MORE >> 


 From Book to Big Screen: An Interview with Screenwriter Robin Swicord
 By Kerrie Flanagan

Robin Swicord Robin Swicord's success as a Hollywood screenwriter came as a direct result of her dedication, perseverance and love for writing. She is most recognized in her field for her incredible screenplay adaptations of novels and short stories. Swicord took books like Little Women, Matilda, and The Jane Austen Book Club and transferred the imagery and essence of each story to the big screen. Her work on Memoirs of a Geisha won her a Satellite Award in 2005 for best adapted screenplay, and her latest work, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, earned her an Oscar nomination.

Kerrie Flanagan interviews Swicord about how she got started in screenwriting (over thirty years ago!), what the industry was like then, and the writing process behind her book to film adaptations. Robin is an absolute delight and a fantastic mentor. This interview is not to miss!


MORE>> 


 Make Your Book a Movie: Adapting Your Book or Story for Hollywood
 By John Robert Marlow, with Jacqueline Radley

John Robert Marlow and Jacqueline Radley Is your book a movie? Most authors would like to see their work adapted for the big (or small) screen, but the path from here to there is, at best, unfamiliar--and can seem incomprehensible. Some best-sellers are made into movies; others ignored. Even obscure books, short stories, and magazine articles are blessed by Hollywood's magic while thousands of screenplays are turned away. Harry Potter sells to Hollywood a mere year after publication while The Lord of the Rings takes nearly five decades to hit the screen. What sense does that make? Is there no rhyme or reason here? Well, yes, actually. But it's hard to make out when--like most writers--you're on the outside looking in.

This 5,500-word-plus article, written by John Marlow and Jacqueline Radley, will take you through the looking glass and make some sense of the enigma that is the Hollywood adaptation process. More importantly, it will explain why some books are made into movies while others are not; and what you can do to make your book (or story) more attractive to filmmakers.

The article includes advice from experts: producers Gale Anne Hurd and Julie Richardson, director Lesli Linka Glatter, story editor Christopher Lockhart, and screenwriter Teena Booth.

This article is definitely one to bookmark or print out!


MORE>> 


 Coming to a TV Near You: Telefilms from Books
 By Mary Castillo

Mary Castillo Back in the 80s, TV movies and miniseries were part of a network's regular programming. Sydney Sheldon, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Danielle Steele, and Judith Krantz became household names as their novels of glamour and wealth were translated to the small screen. But then like every trend, TV movies and mini-series tapered off, and sitcoms rose to prominence. But with recent productions of adaptations of novels by Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber and Patricia Cornwall, television movies, or telefilms, are finding new audiences through cable. So how can you get your book made into a telefilm? Mary chats with experts from the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime to find out how authors can tap into this woman-friendly market!

MORE>> 


 A Writer of all Trades: An Interview with Alexandra Sokoloff
 By Tara Lynne Brown

Alexandra Sokoloff Alexandra Sokoloff's latest novel, The Unseen, touts that "the paranormal is real" by unfolding chilling fiction based on accounts of true supernatural experiments. It's almost fitting that Alex's own exciting life story seems unreal. She began directing plays at sixteen, and now adapts novels into screenplays for Fox and Sony. She is also the author of Screenwriting Tricks for Authors (and Screenwriters!). Exploring her background in novels and screenplays, Alex spent some time with WOW! discussing the unique struggles of film-to-novel adaption versus novel-to-film projects and what barriers screenwriting imposes on writers, as well as the immense satisfaction and freedoms offered through novel writing.

MORE>> 


 Book Trailer Basics: Bring Your Story to Life
 By Annette Fix

Annette Fix You thought you had a handle on reaching out to your audience. You're blogging and social networking, but now there's another item to add to your to-do list: a book trailer. Book trailers are one more step in the digital evolution of book promotion. And the last thing an author wants is to get stuck in the tar pit of outdated marketing ideas. With the exponential advances in technology, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, but with a few basic tips, you'll be able to create a book trailer that brings your story to life.

Annette Fix walks authors through the process of creating their own book trailer. This article covers the different styles of book trailers you can choose from (and shows you examples), gives you tips on storyboarding and scripting, includes a checklist of dos and don'ts, and provides you with all the D.I.Y. video-making resources you need to create your masterpiece, as well as sites where you can broadcast your baby (besides YouTube!). You'll be excited about the possibilities and have the knowledge you need to get started after reading this article!


MORE>> 


 20 Questions Answered by Allison Winn Scotch
 By Sara Hodon

Allison Winn Scotch Allison Winn Scotch is the New York Times best-selling author of The Department of Lost and Found and Time of My Life. Her third book, The One That I Want, hits the shelves in June. In a remarkable stroke of luck, Allison recently landed a deal that would have any writer green with envy--her novel, Time of My Life, is currently being developed into a film.

Sara talks to Allison about her film project, what to expect when selling film rights, her latest novel, and living the writing life. She also talks about freelance writing for magazines and shares her most memorable assignment--flying to the White House to interview Ari Fleisher! Allison is a writer's writer and shares her fantastic stories and advice in this lively interview.


MORE>> 


 How to Format a Screenplay 101: Putting Your Best Script Forward
 By Christina Hamlett

Christina Hamlett "Rules are meant to be broken" is an axiom often used by entrepreneurs, politicians, and fashionistas as justification for bending traditional practices to fit an alternative vision. Contrary to popular belief, however, being a nonconformist, when it comes to presentation, isn't a smart course to follow if your product is a screenplay you're hoping to sell. For every plot with a faint glimmer of originality and promise, there are just as many more that get rejected from the first page because their authors didn't bother to learn proper formatting.

Professional script consultant and WOW! instructor Christina Hamlett walks you through the process of formatting your screenplay and provides you with free Internet resources to help make the projects you submit to contests, agents, and prospective producers look as professional as possible!


MORE>> 


 Real to Reel: Liliana Greenfield-Sanders Frames Love of Film on the Big Screen
 By LuAnn Schindler

Liliana Greenfield-Sanders Do you enjoy short films? Discovering what will make a film the best it can be drives filmmaker Liliana Greenfield-Sanders to produce thought-provoking and intriguing movies. Whether it's an edgy drama or a comedic glimpse into a serious subject, Greenfield-Sanders captures the attention of film enthusiasts. She has received numerous awards for her short films, including Ghosts of Grey Gardens, Miriam, Anna, Samantha, and Adelaide. In this interview, conducted by LuAnn Schindler, Liliana shares her views on filmmaking, discusses the inspiration behind the name of her film company (Gluten Free Films), and talks shop about being a screenwriter, director, and editor. After reading this interview, I bet you'll want to try your hand at writing shorts!

MORE>> 


 Photo Essay: The Conference Experience: Without Leaving Your Chair
 By Margo L. Dill

Margo L. Dill Going to a conference can be one of the best things you can do for your writing career. If you're a beginner, you're introduced to the "writing world"--people to network with that think like you and understand your struggles; access to editors, agents, and best-selling authors; and information on plotting, formatting, and submitting to take your writing to the next level. In this photo essay, Margo L. Dill takes us on a visual journey to the annual Missouri Writers' Guild conference where we discover what it's like to attend workshops, pitch to agents, and network with other writers!

MORE>> 


 Premium-Green Writers' Markets: Give Yourself the Ultimate Gift that Gives Back
 Jump Start Your Freelance Career!

Premium-Green

Are you tired of markets newsletters that simply "list" a bunch of markets without any personal guidance?

Get the Guide That Helps You Grow Your Freelance Writing Career!




PREMIUM GREEN MARKETS


The Ultimate Guide for Freelance Women Writers

Will Show You the GREEN!

Premium-Green isn't just market listings, it's a guide with community benefits. For only $4 a month, you get a 100+ Page Ebook delivered to your inbox every month, and you'll have access to a private community of women writers just like you!

We know that becoming a freelance writer takes more than just market listings. You'll need the opportunity to network with your peers and have a support system to help you reach your goals. And that's exactly what your Premium-Green Markets Subscription will do.


Here's what you get when you subscribe to PREMIUM GREEN:

  • Monthly 100+ page ebook in friendly PDF format: Easy to print, easy to save. No need for storing emails to find links and articles you missed!
  • Articles to grow your Freelance Career: These are articles not found anywhere else: More than Your Magic 8-Ball, I.T.T. In the Trenches, Tips & Tricks, Meet Your Mentor, Get Writing Mamas!, Project Workbook, and more...
  • Access to the PG Subscribers Group: Network with your peers through the Google list-serve, post discussions, ask questions, and receive insider tips.
  • Documents for PG Subscribers: Upload, download, and share content with the group. We put up f*r*e*e* articles, contracts, and ebooks for the group each month, so take advantage!
  • First Calls from WOW!: We give you immediate calls for what we need on the spot (or when we're in a crunch) to fill each issue. Get on the ground level and write for us!
  • Pink & Green: Find women's markets only, and get insight from the editors and what their needs are right now.
  • Markets, markets, and more markets. We provide markets for all aspects of freelancing. One example is, "Niche Quiche," which includes greeting card markets, slogans, and anything you can write in a few words and get paid! Check out our markets page for more details.

Earn the money you deserve, and get a real support team that will help you grow your freelance career.

Join Now and Download all 30 Premium-Green e-books!

The subscription price is $48 a year, which is $4 per month. We want to support you! Let's make this a banner year for all women writers. We can only do it by helping each other and creating a strong network and community for ourselves. Together, we can do it!


VISIT THE MARKETS PAGE >> 


 WOW! Women On Writing Workshops & Classes
 invest in yourself, write now

WOW! Classes Whether you are looking to boost your income or work on your craft, we know that education is an important part of a writer's career. That's why WOW! handpicks qualified instructors and targeted classes that women writers will benefit from. The instructors are women we've worked with on a professional level, and these ladies offer high quality courses on various topics.

How the courses work: All of the courses operate online--whether through email, website, chat room, or listserv, depending on the instructor's preferences--and are taught one-on-one with the instructor. The flexibility of the platform allows students to complete assignments on their own time and work at their own pace in the comfort of their own home. It's a wonderful experience and an excellent way to further develop your skills, or to try your hand at something completely new!


Featured e-Courses (By Date):


GET PAID TO WRITE: BECOME A FREELANCE WRITER! by Nicole LaMarco

START DATE: May 17, 2010

DURATION: 10 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class is for beginning freelance writers or for those who are interested in becoming freelance writers. It includes all of the basics of freelance writing: overviews of the different fields in freelance writing, what is needed to begin, how to store ideas, where to get ideas, how much you should make, where to find clients, and how to get clients.

In this class, I am your writing mentor through every lesson, every assignment, and I stay your writing mentor for life. Make some extra money with your writing or create your own full-time freelance career! Learn from my personal stories, information, resources, goals, activities, lessons, and assignments. Everything in this writing class is done via e-mail. This class will provide you with the structure and guidance you need to get paid to write.

Limit: 15 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

--------------------

SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CRAFT OF SCREENWRITING by Christina Hamlett

START DATE: May 17, 2010

DURATION: 6 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 6-week class provides an overview of the techniques and formatting requirements to develop an original screenplay. The lectures and assignments cover character development, dialogue, genre, structure, pacing, budget, and marketability. All materials submitted are critiqued by a professional screenplay consultant and learners are free to ask as many questions as they'd like about how to turn a story idea into a commercial, pitch-ready script.

Limit: 10 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

--------------------

ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE: AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING by Christina Hamlett

START DATE: May 17, 2010

DURATION: 6 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, the live theater experience has satisfied an audience's need for entertainment that is immediate, intimate and accessible to all ages and levels of society. Whether performed in an outdoor courtyard, on a vintage stage, in a school auditorium, or above the din of an urban coffeehouse, a play is an ever-evolving and timeless art form that derives its energy from both sides of the footlights. Unlike a novel or a film which is financed and produced only once, a theater script undergoes a new transformation with each change of cast and each change of venue. Even the passage of time itself impacts how a theatrical story will resonate with successive generations, giving new definition and perspective to old ideas or providing a yardstick of how far we've come from social mores that were once held as truth.

In this class, you'll be learning what makes a play successful...and how to write one yourself! Each module consists of a lecture and writing assignment, as well as interviews, websites and anecdotes. Ideally, it should only take one week to complete each exercise. The final assignment will be the writing and submission of an original 15-minute one-act play, which will be professionally critiqued for its adherence to all of the principles addressed in class.

Limit: 10 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

--------------------

SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR AUTHORS: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more! by Margo L. Dill

START DATE: May 24, 2010

DURATION: 4 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will teach writers how to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites such as Shelfari or JacketFlap (students' choice) to network; to build a loyal following of fans; to start working on a brand/image; and to promote books, articles, magazines, and blogs. Instead of using Facebook and Twitter to write about your fabulous dinner or disastrous day at the grocery store, you will learn to sell yourself and your writing!

Limit: 20 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

--------------------

SHORT FICTION WRITING by Gila Green

START DATE: June 1, 2010

DURATION: 8 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Through writing exercises and classmate and instructor feedback we will delve into the fundamentals of short fiction with a view to publishable work. We will explore a variety of craft elements including: character, plot, point of view, description, dialogue, setting, pacing, voice and theme.

Course objectives:
1. To complete at least one work that is publishable.
2. To encourage you to read published short fiction, including short stories, personal essays, and flash fiction.
3. To increase your confidence and skills as a writer.
4. To develop a foundation for the skills of crafting, editing, and revising.

Limit: 8 - 10 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

--------------------

THE GATEKEEPERS: ALL ABOUT AGENTS & EDITORS by Andrea Campbell

START DATE: June 7, 2010

DURATION: 4 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In order to succeed in this industry, you, the writer, must know it intimately from all sides. Find out about agents and editors from an expert! Andrea is known for her book proposal course, which landed a student of hers a "very good deal"--a $100K + advance. In this class, you will learn about the book publishing industry (a primer on business, how publishing houses are set up, how a book is made); how to define your product through bios, platform and credentials; how to get an agent or editor (queries, synopsis, business letters and book proposals); and how to be a valuable client (questions to ask before you sign, contract tips, expectations, agent FAQs). Special price for spring!

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

--------------------

BLOGGING 101 AND MORE: Start a Blog, Make it Unique, and Keep it Going by Margo L. Dill

START DATE: July 12, 2010

DURATION: 5 weeks

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Blogging is one of the best and cheapest ways to achieve an Internet presence. This class will help students start a blog. If you already have a blog, it will help you target the readers you want to reach. Students will also learn how to create a unique blog, build followers and/or drive traffic to their blogs, blog on a schedule, connect posts to social networking sites, and monetize their blogs. This course is for beginning and intermediate bloggers or for people who are looking to spice up their blogs! **Please note: you do not have to be technologically savvy to start a blog and keep up with it!

Limit: 20 students

VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>

--------------------

I hope you are as excited about our classes as we are. WOW! Women On Writing ensures that our instructors will work with you one-on-one. In most cases you will receive emailed course materials and assignments, or for those with groups, you will be able to download course materials. Your instructor will give you assignments and personal feedback, and guide you through a charted course of learning. Our instructors are wonderful ladies who go above and beyond to help you achieve your writing goals.


MORE>> 


 WOW! BLOG: THE MUFFIN
 Find out the latest from the Bakers of WOW!

The Muffin Have you checked out what we've been baking for you on the daily Muffin? We've stirred together some traditional ingredients with new ones to deliver more interviews, enlightenment, thought provoking ideas, and inspirational messages to help you through those gray writing days.

----------


Never Stale! Here's the Latest:

Tuesdays are contest interview days!

If you are interested in writing for our contests, check out the interviews with previous Top 10 winners to find out how they crafted their stories.

Fall '09 Flash Fiction Contest Third Place Winner: James Tipton
Interview by Margo L. Dill

Fall '09 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Pamela Allison
Interview by Anne Greenawalt

Fall '09 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Stacy Post
Interview by LuAnn Schindler

Fall '09 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Martha Katzeff
Interview by Marcia Peterson

Fall '09 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Catherine E. Jones
Interview by Margo L. Dill

Fall '09 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Jacquelyn Malone
Interview by LuAnn Schindler

----------


Blog Posts of Interest:

Cindy Hudson, Author of Book by Book: The Complete Guide to Creating Mother-Daughter Book Clubs, Launches Her Blog Tour!
Interview by Jodi Webb

Mother-Daughter book clubs offer a great way for families to grow and share--with each other and with other mother-daughter pairs. Cindy Hudson offers all the how-to tips mothers need to start their own successful book clubs. Join us as Cindy starts her blog tour with a great interview, covering her book club experience as well as success tips for non-fiction writers. There are more stops to go on this tour, check it out! Check the dates and join in.

Lisa de Nikolits, Author of The Hungry Mirror, Launches her Blog Tour!
Interview by Jodi Webb

Lisa de Nikolits has lived and worked all over the world, and has art directed on magazines such as Marie Claire, Vogue, Vogue Living and Cosmopolitan. Her latest novel, written in first person, is the story of everywoman and her relentless struggle with body image. The first stop of her blog tour offers a compelling interview, in which she talks about the idea behind The Hungry Mirror, and whether it's based on real life. She also shares the interesting road to publication of the book. Link to a free book excerpt included. There are more stops to go on this tour, check it out! Check the dates and join in.

Exercise the Write Muscles
By Elizabeth King Humphrey

Can a vacation dull your writing abilities? How important is it to write regularly? Elizabeth tests her understanding about the importance of consistent writing.

Book Titles, Back Cover Copy, & Author Promotion: Tips from Susan Kendrick
Interview by Angela Mackintosh

Susan Kendrick shares her expert advice on choosing a winning book title, writing your back-cover copy/synopsis, and the most effective ways to market your book. There are some wonderful tips and how-tos in this interview that you can apply right away!

The March 15 Blog that Probably Shows up on March 16
By LuAnn Schindler

As writers, it's probably happened to all of us at some point. We think we can squeeze in one more interview and get those notes transcribed before we begin dinner preparations. Or we focus on completing the page of fiction or a line of a poem before we fold the laundry. Listen in on a seasoned writer's struggle to find the balance between time and projects.

Prompts on the Brain
By Jill Earl

If you find yourself hitting a wall in your writing, think about using prompts. Perhaps having 'prompts on the brain' can help keep your writing fresh. We've got a few for you to try!

Young Adult Power Surge
By Margo L. Dill

Young adult literature is taking the world by storm right now, and Margo gives you the scoop about the "young adult power surge." What is it about this genre? Why is it so popular? Why are adults just as excited about reading the latest YA books?

Spring Resolutions for Writers
By LuAnn Schindler

Even if you aren't meeting your beginning of the year resolutions, it's not too late to set new goals. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Check out these great ideas to get your writing back on track.

Slow Down!
By Carrie Hulce

What happens when you're on a fast track and can't seem to slow down? Carrie shares some lessons learned and her list of how she'll make a difference in her writing by slowing down.

What Can You Write in Ten Minutes?
By Jodi Webb

Got ten minutes? Try writing fillers--for fun and profit. Jodi shares the three things you need for filler writing success, as well as the types of fillers magazines are looking for.

Are You Accidentally Using Copyrighted Images?
By Angela Mackintosh

Sometimes, adding a picture to a blog post comes as an afterthought. You spend so much time crafting your article that only when it's time to post you think, Gosh, what image can I use to go with this post? Then, in a mad dash, you do a search on Google Images and hope to find a picture that will illustrate your idea. And when you find the perfect image, you think it's okay to use because it's available online. But, the truth is, it's not.

Pitching to Agents and Editors at a Writing Conference
By Margo L. Dill

Following her first post about her writing conference experience, Margo shares more details, focusing on what she learned when she had pitch sessions with two literary agents. Find out her three best tips!

In the Company of Friends
By Elizabeth King Humphrey

Elizabeth explores the idea of starting her own writing group, and asks for reader input. Do you belong to a writer's group? If so, how did you find your friends? If not, why not?

Spring Cleaning the Office
By Cher'ley Grogg

Spring cleaning is time to get out the bandanna, the feather duster, and the MP3 player. A brighter, cleaner office makes for better, happier productivity, which means better writing! Check out these tips to get your office in shape.

Should Writers Specialize?
By LuAnn Schindler

Does specializing limit your writing style? Or is it a good fit for you? This post will help you determine if specializing will be the best for your writing career. LuAnn shares her experience and offers some helpful tips for finding markets for your work.

-----------


Want to contribute to The Muffin?

Friday's are "Speak Out!" days. We allow posts from contributors for promotion. If you'd like to submit a post, please make sure that it's about women and writing.

Your post can be about: writing inspiration, balancing family life/parenting with writing, craft of writing fiction/nonfiction, how-tos, tips for author promotion/marketing/social media, book reviews, writing prompts, special opportunities (paying markets for writers), publishing industry news/gossip, and anything you think our readers will love.

Please make sure that there is take-away value to our readers. No press releases please. We're more interested in hearing from our core audience--personal essays and humorous anecdotes are encouraged as well, as long as they provide something useful to our audience--including a good laugh! ;)

How To Submit: Submit your 250 - 500 word post in the body of your email to our blog editor Marcia Peterson: [email protected]. Please put "Friday Speak Out! Submission" in your subject line. Upon acceptance, we will ask for your bio, links, bio photo, and any other pics to illustrate the article. We look forward to hearing from you!

-----------


Want to get blog posts via email?

Subscribe to The Muffin with Feedburner and get the latest delivered straight to your inbox.

Visit The Muffin >> 


 Promotions
 The Strongest Start Novel Competition 2010

Deadline: June 8, 2010

Submit the first three chapters of your novel. Grand prize award of:
  • $500 cash.
  • $2,500 self-publishing solution from CreateSpace.
  • Feedback on every chapter you submit.
  • The chance to meet other authors, get motivated, and get noticed.
$100 cash awards for the following sub-categories:
  • Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror
  • Romance
  • Memoir and Non-fiction
Everyone who enters receives feedback, motivation, and advice.

Keep Us Reading

We know that writing a compelling start isn't easy. So, for the fourth year we've put together a motivational competition to help you hone your first three chapters to perfection (if you haven't already). We're looking for opening chapters that will create a burning need to find out what happens, how the characters turn out, how the novel resolves itself. The kind of start that gets an agent to call back, a publisher to show interest, and a reader to plunk down their hard earned money. Above all, give us three chapters that will keep us reading.

Deadline: June 8, 2010

Learn More About the Strongest Start Novel Competition>>


In Closing:

We hope this issue has provided you with all the information you need to know about book-to-film and story-to-screen adaptations. It's exciting to think about the possibilities!

With the shift of digital media comes a new audience for our work. And even though book readers are declining as technology advances, keep in mind that every movie or telefilm first starts with a writer crafting a solid story. That means you!

So, dig in, digest all of the knowledge provided in this issue, and get back to the page and write. We're here to support you!

Happy Writing!