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Fiction's Building Blocks
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July/August 2010
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Greetings!
I love books on writing. I have so many books on the craft of fiction writing that the shelf next to my computer slightly sags in the middle. I can almost hear it groan as I add another great book to my collection. I've read them all with a highlighter and sticky notes. I've typed pertinent passages into Word documents and saved them for reference. And when I re-read them, I always find a new technique I can use for my works in progress. These books have become part of my fiction writing toolkit. When we compiled this issue, we had one goal in mind: to create a virtual reference library, just like my bookshelf or yours, full of free information that fiction writers can use right now. A toolkit filled with techniques, exercises, and how-to advice for almost every aspect of fiction writing. So, we picked out the very best articles we could find to bring to you! We have everything from how to use dialogue tags in your story to how to speed up or slow down the pace of your scenes. We have advice from best-selling authors such as Debbie Dadey and Jodi Picoult. We have advice from literary agent Kathleen Ortiz. We have articles on setting and description, voice, scenes, plotholes, and a 5,000-word article on self-editing. We've created a virtual toolkit for fiction writers to reference time and time again. And just like I do with the books in my library, we urge you to copy-paste notes into a Word document, print out articles and highlight passages, bookmark your favorite articles on social bookmarking sites to save for later, and revisit this issue when you need advice or inspiration. When I first started building my collection of writing books, a non-writer friend came over one day and commented on my library. "Why do you have so many writing books?" he asked. "I thought it was something you were either born with or not." Yeah, it was a bit rude; but he wasn't a writer, so what did he know? I went on to explain that writing wasn't something we were born with. We had to learn to write our first sentences in grade school. It's like anything else. Sure, you can hit the keys on a piano, and it will produce sounds, as awful as they may be; but you have to practice every day just to play one song. And a lot of that practice is repetitive--downright boring at times. You have to learn how to read music, practice the scales, stay on time with the metronome, and play the same melody over and over until you get it right. The same thing can be said about writing--especially fiction writing. Learning how to create fascinating characters, construct a riveting plot, write realistic dialogue, build meaningful scenes that move the story forward, orient the reader with setting and description, and edit yourself into print is not an easy task! It takes a lot of practice, dedication, and love of writing. It takes a lot of reading--both books in your favorite genre and books and articles on the craft of writing. It takes a lot of feedback and critiquing from fellow writers. And ultimately, it takes a desire to see your work published. That desire should keep you striving to be the best writer you can be no matter how many rejections you receive in the beginning. No one can craft a best-selling novel on her first try without practice. Even best-selling authors like J.K. Rowling, Agatha Christie, and John Grisham received numerous rejection letters before publishing their first books. Stephen King got so many that he used to nail them on a spike under a timber in his bedroom. So if you love to write, and I know you do, keep that fire burning and fan the flame with practice. The key to being a successful writer is persistence. This issue will provide you with a fantastic set of tools you can use right away in your fiction. It's your writer's toolkit! ----------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. ====================================Please take a moment to visit our sponsors:If you enjoy the free content on the WOW ! site, please help support our efforts by visiting our sponsors and seeing what they have to offer. We handpick sponsors that we think will be of interest to WOW ! readers. :) ----- Frenzy Marketing - Special Deal for WOW! Readers Only!Writers/Authors: Do you need some help with marketing or book promotion? Frenzy Marketing is offering WOW ! readers a special discounted package for a limited time only! If you need a custom website designed and built for your writing services or author book site, check out this amazing deal! Website Package $450- Website - 1 Year of Free Hosting and domain registration service ($129.00 value) - Twitter account set-up (and training if needed) - Facebook Fan Page - Search Engine Submissions Print Promotion Package for Authors! $350- Business Card Design - Bookmark Design - Postcard Design (mailing additional) - Poster Design Visit Frenzy Marketing to find out more about their affordable packages for WOW ! subscribers. You can also read our interview with Sarah McGinnis, VP of Creative Services, on The Muffin. She's great! She has a lot of helpful advice on marketing for authors. ----- FanStory - New Poetry & Writing ContestsParticipate in free writing contests and you can win cash prizes! Over 50 new writing contests are opened (and always free) every month. In addition, a new writing prompt contest is announced daily. You will receive feedback for everything you post. Your reviews are free with your membership. A large reviewer base means you do not have to write reviews to get reviews. For over ten years FanStory has been helping writers improve their craft. Visit FanStory today and get started with your free membership. ----- Dream Quest One Poetry and Writing ContestDeadline: July 31, 2010Write a poem, 30 lines or fewer, or a short story, 5 pages maximum, for a chance to win up to $500.00 in cash prizes! Visit their site for complete contest guidelines: www.DreamQuestOne.com----- Thank you for visiting our sponsors! :) If you'd like to be featured in this section, please contact us about our special advertising rates. You can also view our media kit here. ====================================Announcement for Spring 2010 Flash Fiction ContestantsWe sent out first-round judging notifications a couple of weeks ago via e-mail. If you received that e-mail (please check your bulk mail), you know that we will announce the spring contest winners at the beginning of August, or sooner. Since this is a combined issue (July/August) we've created a place holder on the home page of the WOW ! site (first spot under "Features")--this is where spring contest winners will be announced. Please check back at the end of July/Beginning of August to read all the winning entries and view the final results. We are still currently in judging. Stay tuned, and good luck! ----------Call for SubmissionsWOW ! is currently seeking queries and submissions for our upcoming themes: Creativity Deadline for queries/subs: July 15, 2010This issue is open to interpretation. Get creative! PS. If you queried or submitted to this issue already, we will respond after the deadline closes on July 15th. Freelance Union 3Deadline for queries/subs: August 23, 2010This 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 2The Freelance Union 1Some other issues that cover freelance writing: Breaking Out of Your CubeMoney Matters for WritersWriting the WebYou 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. (Blog posts don't count. If we covered the topic in a blog post, it' still game!) 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. And don't forget our new Photo Essay column--you have a chance to get creative there. Submission Guidelines: Please review our submission guidelines on our contact page (scroll to "Submissions") for pay rates and how to submit. We look forward to hearing from you! Do you have an idea for an issue theme? We'd love to hear from you! We're in the process of coming up with our editorial calendar/issue themes for 2011. We strive to bring you free information on topics you want to know about; so if you have an idea for an issue you'd like to see covered, please e-mail the editors. Put "Theme Idea" in your subject line. If we pick your idea, we will send you a gift! ----------WOW! is Seeking Independent Sales RepsDo you have connections in the writing and publishing industry? Do you have experience selling advertising for women's publications? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. WOW ! Women On Writing is seeking an enthusiastic independent online advertising sales rep with 5+ years experience in advertising sales. Online media sales experience is preferred but not required. Must be excellent in customer service, have a proven track record, and possess a strong client "Rolodex." We offer generous commissions on all sales. Please respond by letting us know your experience in advertising sales. Email your resume and cover letter outlining why you are the right person for this position to: [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you! ----------Summer 2010 Flash Fiction ContestThe WOW ! Women On Writing Summer 2010 Flash Fiction Contest is open. DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2010 (Midnight, Pacific Time) GUEST JUDGE: Literary Agent Kathleen OrtizAbout Kathleen: Kathleen Ortiz began her career in publishing at Ballinger Publishing as an editorial assistant and interactive media designer for the young adult section, working to boost the magazine's online presence through social networking. She then moved on to uwirepr.com as online editor for the features, art & entertainment sections. She has also taught high school classes as a visual media instructor. Kathleen is currently Associate Agent and Foreign Rights Manager at Lowenstein Associates. She is seeking children's books (chapter, middle grade, and young adult) and young adult non-fiction. While Kathleen enjoys everything from light-hearted and humorous to dark and edgy, she'd love to find an amazing romance from a male point of view or a steampunk with fantastic world building. Lowenstein Associates believes with the continued demand for online marketing in publishing, a strong online platform is essential for today's authors. Kathleen uses her background in interactive media design to assist Lowenstein Associates' clients with branding themselves. She maintains a blog on tips for querying and publishing at Neverending Page Turner and may also be found on Twitter. Find out more about Kathleen by reading her interview on WOW ! Women On Writing, featured in this month's 20 Questions column. PROMPT: Open PromptWORD COUNT: 750 Max; 250 MinLIMIT: 300 EntriesDon't wait until the last minute! Enter today. Visit our Contest Page and download our terms & conditions ebook. Good luck! ----------On to the issue...enjoy! |
Writing a Strong Story: Beginnings, Middles, and Ends
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By Kerrie Flanagan
A great novel is one that grabs your attention at the beginning and keeps a firm hold on you until the very last word. Although successful authors may vary on the techniques they use when writing, one thing is for certain, they like to keep the reader fully engaged and wondering what will happen next. Many writers struggle not only with creating a good beginning, but also with building tension in the middle and knowing when to end the story. The result can be a boring book or can lead to a writer giving up and not writing at all. One way to prevent this from happening is to go to the source. Kerrie Flanagan interviews successful authors--Debbie Dadey, Cricket MacRae, Laura Resau, Jeanne DuPrau, Amy Kathleen Ryan, Kathryn Cushman, Jodi Picoult, and Jonathan Kellerman--who share how they work through the challenges of writing a strong story, hopefully giving you new techniques and strategies to add to your writing toolbox... MORE >>
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WHERE ARE WE? Using Setting & Description in Creative, Yet Crucial, Ways
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By Darcy Pattison
"Where am I? And why should I care?" Readers ask these two questions at the beginning of every story. Writers often focus on the second question, how to hook a reader. But orienting the reader is just as important. They need to know the setting: this is more than just the geographic location, and can include the historical time period, emotional territory, or phase of a relationship. Readers revisit these same questions at the beginning of every chapter or major change in setting. In this article, Darcy Pattison provides you with a step-by-step technique and some sensory exercises that will help you orient your reader--simply by changing a few words... MORE >>
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Creating Scenes
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By Sue Bradford Edwards
Whether they write romance or mysteries, chick lit or literary fiction, top-notch women's writers know the key to selling their work is to create a scene. No, I don't mean arguing with their agent. Or even butting heads with their editor. The scenes they create are the ongoing viewable action and dialogue that we all use to tell our stories. Read on to find out how scenes work and how to use them to strengthen your fiction. In this article, Sue Bradford Edwards walks writers through the process of beginning a scene, beats in a scene, ending a scene, foreshadowing, tying it all together, difficult scenes, and what a scene won't do... MORE >>
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VOICE: Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!
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By Cathy C. Hall
Have you ever noticed how writers always speak of "finding" their voice? As if they're on a hunt, searching high and low, under rocks, inside nooks and crannies, between sofa cushions, hoping their voice will somehow magically show up? Oh, if only it were that easy! Voice is not like a lost key, waiting around to be found. But voice is key in creating an authentic story, whether characters are discussing picking pockets on a 19th century London street or spells at a fantastic school for student wizards. Zeroing in on the right sounds and patterns makes fictional worlds real to the reader. So, how's a writer supposed to find the magical key that makes a novel stand out? Cathy chats with WOW ! readers--Beth Cato, Cara Holman, Madeline Mora-Summonte, J.M. Kelley, and Donna Volkenannt--who share their favorite examples of voice. She also provides you with some great exercises and resources to help you bring your voice to life... MORE >>
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PACING: Finding Your Rhythm
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By Julie Momyer
Pacing is the rhythm or tempo that determines how fast or slow a story reads. It's also what writers use in each scene to hook their readers and draw them into the emotion or mood of their characters' experiences and into their fictional world. Pacing can refer to a scene, a paragraph, or the entire novel or piece you are working on, and each of these elements are very important to your completed project. Even if a story is good, if the pacing is off, it can bore someone to tears (too slow), leave them panting with exhaustion (too fast), or just plain confuse them. In this article, Julie provides you with a number of techniques you can use as brakes or accelerators, including narrative, dialogue, description, internal monologue, and backstory. She also shares examples of how you can pace your paragraphs by alternating sentence length to create a beautiful rhythm... MORE >>
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USING THE LAW IN YOUR STORIES: Characters, Plot, and Professions
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By Donna Ballman
When I speak at writers' conferences about how to use the law in stories, the first reaction I usually get from anyone other than mystery/thriller writers is: "But the law doesn't apply to my story." Yet the law is everywhere. From the second they wake up in the morning, the law touches everything your characters do. Your romantic heroine brushes her teeth when she wakes up. Does her toothpaste have toxic chemicals in it from China or is it safe? Your literary fiction main character drives to work in a car that doesn't explode when hit from behind thanks to civil lawyers. He goes to work, and because of employment laws is paid wages and overtime and isn't subjected to discrimination. Or does everything go terribly awry despite the law? The claims characters can make are almost infinite. Anything that can go wrong for them could end up as a court case. Whether your character is in an accident, faces discrimination in the workplace, or is in a relationship gone sour, the law can offer a slight plot twist or an entire plotline. You think the law doesn't affect your character? Think again. The law can also provide characters who can observe things in your stories. And of course, murder victims. In this article, Donna discusses some of the ways law can help your stories, some legal-type characters who are useful if you need an observer to any event, and some folks who just may need killing... MORE >>
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Avoiding Plotholes
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By Gayle Trent
You're driving down the road looking at the flowers lining the sides of the highway...you're listening to the radio...you're admiring that sporty car that just passed you. Then it happens. You hit a pothole, and it jolts you. Maybe the pothole is so big it causes you to run off the road or it damages your car. In order to create a smooth ride for your readers and avoid jarring them out of your story, you have to learn how to keep your story free from " plotholes." Plotholes jolt your readers out of the story because something is either blatantly wrong or else simply doesn't seem right. Plotholes can occur due to insufficient research, unexplained character behavior, inconsistencies, structural weakness, or too much "authoring" and not enough storytelling. In this article, Gayle examines each of these plotholes and shows you how to avoid them... MORE >>
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Red Pencil Round-Up: Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
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By Annette Fix
You've finished your manuscript. You've celebrated the accomplishment of completing something many people dream of but never do. You've let your manuscript sit for at least a few weeks, and now you're ready to begin editing. Self-editing is a lot more work than you may realize. It's so much more than just checking for grammar and punctuation errors. You need to evaluate every part of your story: narrative, dialogue, characterization, setting, plot, etc. It's important to ensure every aspect of your story is polished before you submit your manuscript to an agent. So where do you start, and what should you be looking for? In this 5,000-word article, Annette shows you how to edit your manuscript step-by-step and polish every aspect of your story. It's a must-read for any writer--no matter where you are in the process... MORE >>
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20 Questions: Literary Agent Kathleen Ortiz
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Interview by Marcia Peterson
What makes a good plot? How important is voice? Are there common mistakes that authors make in their queries and submissions to agents? Marcia Peterson interviews Kathleen Ortiz about these questions, and more! Kathleen is currently Associate Agent and Foreign Rights Manager at Lowenstein Associates. She is actively seeking children's fiction (chapter, middle grade, and young adult) and young adult non-fiction. In this interview, Kathleen also shares her tips for building an author platform through social media and what she looks for in an agent-author relationship... MORE >>
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The Contest Conundrum: What are Flash Fiction Contest Judges Looking For?
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By LuAnn Schindler
You peruse writing contest listings and find a challenge that piques your interest. After pondering the reasons to enter, including practice, a critique, and publication, you write and polish a potential winner, hit the send button and wait. But one question looms in your mind: What critique process does the person evaluating the piece use? Using the WOW ! contest rubric, LuAnn defines flash fiction, critiques a sample flash fiction story, explains each set of criteria, and shows you what works--and what's missing--from a submission... MORE >>
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How 2 Make Dialogue Tags Work for Your Story
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By Margo L. Dill
While I was writing my work-in-progress the other day, I focused on a scene full of dialogue. Two characters are arguing in a bedroom, and the scene is about a third of the way into the novel. Readers already know what the characters and bedroom look like and some of the characters' quirky traits, so I had trouble creating dialogue tags that made sense and added description and depth to the scene. Sure, I used "said," included no dialogue tags at times since there were only two people talking, and used some body language tags such as "she crossed her arms;" but I want my novel to sparkle and my dialogue tags to work for my story. To tackle my semi-writer's block, I made a list of the jobs dialogue tags can do in a short story or novel and turned to some of my favorite books to see how the authors put these tags to work for them. In this article, Margo shows you how to use dialogue tags to set a scene--so you can keep the action moving and give readers a sense of place. She also shows you how to incorporate dialogue tags to reveal a character's appearance, to tell who is talking and what he or she is doing, and to share inner thoughts... MORE >>
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One Amazing Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
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Interview by Margo L. Dill
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an award-winning author and poet. Her themes include women, immigration, the South Asian experience, history, myth, magic, and celebrating diversity. Her books have been translated into twenty languages, including Dutch, Hebrew, Russian, and Japanese. Two novels, The Mistress of Spices and Sister of My Heart, have been made into films. Her short story collection, Arranged Marriage, won an American Book Award. In today's interview, Margo chats with Chitra about her latest novel, One Amazing Thing, and the inspiration behind it. Chitra volunteered to work with Hurricane Katrina refugees in 2005; and a few weeks later, she experienced a similar situation first hand--Hurricane Rita came through Houston, and she had to evacuate. This experience inspired her to write One Amazing Thing, a novel where nine men and women of diverse backgrounds are trapped in an Indian consulate after a devastating earthquake hits. Chitra also shares how she kept track of nine extremely different characters when writing, the research that went into her novel, and how she kept the pace moving while including plenty of setting and description, and what keeps her motivated and inspired... MORE >>
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Writing Groups: Fiction Writers Wanted
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Photo Essay by Margo L. Dill
Most fiction writers need some sort of writing group whether it's for support, networking, critiquing, or brainstorming. Writers need other writers to keep up creativity and productivity. Writing groups can come in all forms and sizes from national organizations to state guilds to local critique groups. In her photo essay, Margo takes you behind the scenes of some fascinating writing groups in her area. She shows you what it's like to attend a "critique-nic"--a picnic and critique session rolled into one, a critique group that meets at Borders, and a "shop talk"--where writers meet to discuss or learn about a subject that relates to the writing craft. Come join the fun! This essay may inspire you to attend one of these types of events if they're available in your area or create your own... MORE >>
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Premium-Green Writers' Markets
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Jump Start Your Freelance Career!
Are you tired of markets newsletters that simply list a bunch of markets without any personal guidance? Get the guide with community benefits! We will show you the green! PREMIUM-GREEN MARKETSThe Ultimate Guide for Freelance Women WritersPremium-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, share resources, collaborate on gigs, 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 articles are 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 private Google listserv, post discussions, ask questions, and receive insider tips and job posts.
File Sharing for PG Subscribers: Upload, download, and share content with the group. We post free articles, contracts, and ebooks for the group.
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 in on the ground level and write for us!
Pink & Green: Explore our women's markets only section 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--Fiction, Non-Fiction, Magazines, Web-Only, Niche, Contests, Anthologies, and more! Earn the money you deserve, and get real support from a team that will help you grow your freelance career. Join Now and Download all 32 Premium-Green Ebooks!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. Just like Rosie the Riveter says, "We can do it!"
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WOW! Workshops & Classes
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Invest in Yourself, Write Now
Summer Classes are in Session!
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 try your hand at something completely new! Featured e-Courses (By Date):--------------------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>>
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THE HUNGRY WRITER'S GUIDE TO TRACKING & CAPTURING A LITERARY AGENT: How to Find the Right Agent for Your Manuscript by Annette Fix
START
DATE: August 2,
2010
DURATION: 4 weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Are you looking for the perfect agent to represent your manuscript
but not sure where to start? Have you sent out queries and received
rejection letters? If you haven't had agents request a partial or full
read of your manuscript, you need help targeting the right agent and
honing your pitch and query letter.
This class is for
writers who want to find an agent who will fall in love with their
manuscript and be excited to present their work to major publishers.
Querying is not a numbers game. Mass submissions = mass rejections.
Without the proper approach, your manuscript will never have the
opportunity to be read by an agent.
By the end of this course, you will know how to
target the right agent for your material and leave with a list
of agents who are signing and selling in your genre. You will develop
your "elevator pitch" and learn valuable in-person pitching techniques.
You will complete the course with a query letter that showcases your
voice and the tone of your book, and lifts your query out of the slush
pile. Limit: 10 students
VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>
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GET PAID TO WRITE: BECOME A FREELANCE
WRITER! by Nicole LaMarco
START DATE: August 2, 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>>
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SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES: AN INTRODUCTION TO
THE CRAFT OF SCREENWRITING by
Christina Hamlett
START DATE: August 2, 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>>
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ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE: AN INTRODUCTION TO PLAYWRITING by
Christina Hamlett
START DATE: August 2, 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>>
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FINDING YOUR WRITER'S VOICE by Alison Dubois
START DATE: August 2, 2010
DURATION: 6 Weeks
Description: Before you start trying to write, you should find your
voice and the way to perfect it. Perfecting your voice can mean the
difference between selling your next article or story idea or that idea
remaining in the editor's slush pile.
Let's face it. There
are literally millions of writers out there but the ones we remember
are the ones that stand out. They stand out because they have made an
impression on us. And it is their voice that has impressed us.
Think about your
favorite book or books. What is it about that book, that writer, you
love so much? Now ask yourself, would you have gotten it if it had been
written by someone else? Would you love it as much? Hold it as dear?
If you are being
honest, the truth would probably be no. You can always find other
writers but you cannot find another Jacqueline Susann, J.K. Rowling or
Laurrel K. Hamilton. These writers have become icons because their
voice etches an indelible marker in the blueprint of our memories.
Throughout the class
I will be your guide, helping you through exercises and instruction to
help unlock your unique writer's voice.
Limit:
10 students
VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>
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INTRO TO BOOK REVIEWING: Turn a Love of Reading into a Rewarding Sideline by Norah Piehl
START
DATE: August 6,
2010
DURATION: 4 weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Are you the life of your book group? Do you enjoy offering opinions
about books on websites like Amazon and Facebook? Would you like to use
your skills to get free books and build your freelance writing
portfolio at the same time? Book reviewing can be a great way to break
into a freelance writing career. In this class, we'll discuss the
elements of great book reviews, try our hands at writing book reviews
for various genres and publications, and explore the wide market for
book review writing, from traditional newspaper book pages to online
book blogs.
Limit: 16 students
VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>
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SOCIAL NETWORKING FOR WRITERS: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and More! by Margo L. Dill
START DATE: August 23, 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 Jacket Flap
(students' choice) to network; to build a 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>>
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NO MATTER HOW BUSY YOU ARE, YOU CAN FIND TIME TO WRITE! by Kelly L. Stone
START DATE: September 1, 2010
DURATION: 4 weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students learn unique and creative ways to fit writing time into their busy lives, including how to set achievable writing goals, how to create a Writing Action Plan, and how to manage distractions and interruptions.
Limit: 50 students
VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>
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WRITING FOR CHILDREN: Everything You Need to Know About Short Stories, Articles, and Fillers by
Margo L. Dill
START DATE: September 8, 2010
DURATION: 7 weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This class will teach the basics of writing for children's magazines,
crafting short stories, nonfiction articles, poetry, and fillers. The
student will come away with a short story and cover letter, nonfiction
query letter, and a filler or poem. She will also have a list of
potential markets, fitting her manuscripts. The instructor will also
share an organizational tool for submissions and information on finding
other children's writers and networking.
Limit: 15 students
VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>
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THE SECRET TO FREEING YOUR CREATIVE MINDby
Kelly L. Stone
START
DATE: October 4, 2010
DURATION: 4 weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Make the most of your limited writing time by learning how to tap into your subconscious mind's unlimited wellspring of creativity using easy to learn techniques.
Limit:
50 students
VISIT THE CLASSROOM PAGE FOR DETAILS>>
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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.
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WOW! BLOG: THE MUFFIN
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Find out the latest from the bakers of WOW!
Winter 2010 Flash Fiction Runner Up: Kelly ThompsonInterview by Marcia Peterson ---------- Blog Posts of Interest:Barbara Barth, author of The Unfaithful Widow, launches her blog tour!Interview by Jodi Webb The Unfaithful Widow is a collection of candid essays on finding joy again after the loss of a mate. With warmth and laughter no subject is taboo. Join us as author Barbara Barth starts off her blog tour, and find out about her writing and publishing experience. You won't want to miss learning about Barbara's book! Linda M. Rhinehart Neas, author of Gogo's Dream: Swaziland Discovered, launches her blog tour for a good cause!Interview by Jodi Webb Gogo's Dream: Swaziland Discovered is the culmination of a month long challenge to write a poem a day. When author Linda Rhinehart Neas took the challenge, she was determined to write about the people and land that had touched her so deeply. The poems illustrate the poverty and need in Swaziland but also the love and dignity of this family oriented culture. All of the profits of this book will go to Possible Dreams International to help the peoples of Swaziland. Be sure to check out this interesting and inspirational chat with Linda! Blogging 101 & More: A Sneak-Peak with Margo L. DillInterview by Robyn Chausse If you're interested in learning how to blog, Margo shares some great tips about her upcoming e-course in this lively interview! Learn what makes a blog unique, why you should guest blog, and some tips for monetizing your blog! What happens to the First Draft?By Jodi Webb The news story this July 4 is that Thomas Jefferson didn't get it all right on the first try! Seems when Jefferson was writing the Declaration of Independence he erased some words and substituted others. It's a writer's biggest nightmare. Imagine readers being able to compare your sad looking first draft with the polished, and often completely different, final draft. If Jefferson could, I'm sure he would swoop down and tell those nosy historians, "No, no. Don't look at that stuff. Here's the finished piece." So, how about you? How do you treat the paragraphs, sentences, and chapters you cut out of your work? Save them? Run them through the shredder? Toss them in a bonfire? Authors: Need Some Marketing Help? Try Frenzy MarketingInterview by Margo L. Dill Margo interviews Sarah McGinnis, VP of Frenzy Marketing, who shares some great tips for authors looking to promote their books. Sarah talks about author marketing plans, having a web presence, social networking, and shares some great introductory packages for authors on a budget. Creating Dynamic Characters in 5 Easy StepsBy Anne Greenawalt Have you ever wished to create a character that others will either love, or love to hate, for generations to come? Ever wondered how writers create these delectable characters? You can create dynamic, memorable characters by following these five easy steps. The Reading WriterBy Jill Earl "If you do not have the need to read, you don't have the time to write." Jill explores this quote with a personal story, which drew a lively discussion from blog readers. What do you think? Fear Of Submitting My ManuscriptsBy Margo L. Dill Do you always put sending out your manuscripts at the bottom of the list, which you hardly ever get to? It's not writer's block--it's sending-out-your-work block. Explore the fear of submitting your manuscripts, and how one writer is dealing with the challenge. Is Your Writing Dating You?By Jodi Webb In a world where the latest "in" thing changes from month to month, if not week to week, do you ever wonder if you're dating yourself when you write? After all, it takes a long time to write and 80,000-word novel. Then there's the process of finding an agent or publisher, going through the editing phase and finally getting your book into stores. We're talking years here. Writing, Resting, and ReflectingBy Jill Earl Last week, as a birthday gift to myself, I went on a personal retreat in a neighboring state. I'd wanted to do this for some time and found a retreat center that was quite affordable and particularly welcoming to writers and other artists. There was a train station a mile from the center, and guests could arrange to be picked up from there. I looked forward to my long weekend and with tickets in hand last Thursday, my journey began. Testing the Non-Fiction WatersBy LuAnn Schindler Have you been toying with an idea for a non-fiction book? Check out LuAnn's pep-talk-turned-blog-post, and you'll be ready to start writing! Includes tips for considering your non-fiction book proposal. Giving AdviceBy Margo Dill What do you do when a good friend or relative asks you to read her manuscript, give a "critique" (or at least tell her what you thought of it), and...it's not good? Margo explores the issues surrounding this topic, and readers chime in with their thoughts. Join the discussion! Let it SitBy Marcia Peterson Have you ever read an old piece of your work, something from way back, where it seemed as if the words were written by someone else? Reading it again, weaknesses stand out in ways they did not before. Perhaps plenty of good writing is there too. Either way, it's distance from your work that provides the new and helpful perspective. Writing Your Life into Short Creative Essays: Tips from Melanie FaithInterview by Robin Chausse Don't miss this chap with inspirational WOW ! workshop instructor Melanie Faith! She discusses the benefit to learning the art of creative essay writing, and reminds us that our experiences in life matter and can be shaped and molded into an art form that others will find compelling. Balancing the StepsBy Elizabeth King Humphrey She used to think there were two steps, but now she knows there's five. You may feel like skipping one, but each is an important part of the process. Learn how to appreciate the balancing act of writing! Make Your Writing Space Focus-FriendlyBy Robyn Chausse Have you been having trouble getting into your groove--your writing groove that is? Days when the heart is willing but the mind won't follow? Robyn has some great tips to make your writing time focus-friendly. Writing Articles with Unique SlantsBy Margo L. Dill Margo shares a writing exercise about creating unique article slants--a great prompt that she used in the online class she teaches for WOW ! Try it for yourself and see how you do! Find out why new and original article slants are always needed by editors, and the best way to think of them. Does Your Writing Remind You of Anyone Else's?By Elizabeth King Humphrey When reviewing books and reading the promotional material, I recognize when the marketers are trying to position a book: if you like this New York Times bestselling author, then you will love this debut novel. Obviously, to understand an unknown (read: debut novelist) it becomes important to build upon something we already are familiar with. But how do you determine that? Is it from what books have influenced you and whose style might pepper your own? Or is it from someone reading your work and telling you that it reminds them of x writer? Who Should go to Writers' Conferences?By Cher'ley Grogg Most conferences have something for everyone, even readers and spouses. Cher'ley shares the best parts about conferences, a good resource for finding one in your area, plus her one and only complaint about conferences she's attended. The Composition Book: A Writer's Tool to Vicarious LivingBy Robyn Chausse Priced under three dollars, composition books offer a convenient way for friends to share notes on people watching, highlights of local festivities, bits of unusual conversations that strike them, interesting gossip, family stories they suddenly remember, descriptions of sunset from their porch and the seasonal sights and smells. They can tuck inside pictures of local sights printed on plain paper, pressed flowers, interesting news clippings or a napkin from that trendy bar. This is a great way to gather information on a place you have not visited! -----------
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!
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VISIT THE MUFFIN >>
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In Closing:
We hope this jam-packed issue will be your go-to resource for fiction writing! I'm so thrilled with the articles in this issue. Reading them has definitely rekindled a fire in my fiction. I can't wait to get back to work on my novels-in-progress. And when I do, I will certainly turn to these gems and add them to my writer's toolkit of excellent resources.
If you find the articles useful, be sure to visit the author's sites and let them know they were helpful. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you. Putting together this issue was like taking a course on fiction writing! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did putting it together for you. :)
Write on!
Angela & Team WOW! WOW! Women On Writing
Writer's Digest 101 Best Sites for Writers 2008, 2009, 2010 Preditors & Editors Truly Useful Site Award The Stevies Finalist for Women In Business American Association of Webmasters Silver Web Award
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