Editor's Blog

Sep 1, 2010, And then...

This phrase always tickles my imagination. I always come up with something ludicrous afterwards, and then your off

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Aug 29, 2010, Take your time!

Take yor time in writing, don't force yourself. If you're strugglig take a break. It will come to you. Writing should be fun not frustrating.

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Aug 29, 2010, 5 minute writing

Yes, the title says it all. Set a timer to 5 minutes and wrote non stop for that amount of time. Even if you cannot think of anything. Write I don't know

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Aug 19, 2010, Yvette Fleming Self Publisher

Yvette Fleming describes the motivation behind her books and her decision to self publish.

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Aug 18, 2010, Self Publishers Define Success

Read the survey results of how 18 self publishers define success. Audrey Owen, editor for self publishing writers, conducted the survey at the Sunshine Coast Writers' Festival.

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Aug 18, 2010, Articles on Writing

A collection of articles on writing for self publishing and other writers. These gems do not fit neatly into the structure of Writer's Helper, but are too good to leave off the site.

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Aug 18, 2010, Self Publishers Survey

Audrey Owen at WritersHelper.com conducted a self-publishers survey at the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts in Sechelt, BC. The 18 writers shared their stories and provided valuable data fo

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Aug 5, 2010, An Idea from Dickens

The Great Victorian Novelist Charles Dickens carried a notebook with him everywhere he went. In it he would write character names, story titles, character

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Aug 2, 2010, Creating Realistic Characters - Just Add Passion!

We all know about irritating, one-dimensional characters in writing that completely ruin a story. Look no further than Twilight's bland heroine, Bella

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Jul 30, 2010, Rule number 1

Once began, do not stop

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Jul 25, 2010, Books For Writers

Recommended books for writers. Reference books I wouldn't be without. Buy them for yourself or for a friend.

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Jul 12, 2010, Writing Goals 2010

Writers share their writing goals for 2009 and receive support from Audrey Owen, editor at writershelper.com.

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Jul 7, 2010, Be the character

If you imagine yourself in the same place that your character is in, you can place yourself in the moment. Placing yourself in the moment can help prevent

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Jul 4, 2010, OUR STORIES ARE US

It is true that our books, novels and short stories are a projection of ourselves on paper. What one writes, whether he/she realizes it or not, is inspired

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Jun 24, 2010, Be inspired

Don't just make a boring story up, be inspired by other authors who you like and who you know are very good writers. If you have a favourite book read

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Jun 21, 2010, First Impression Matters

Whatever you are writing, wait for inspiration about the choice of words and language construction for the first paragraph. The first paragraph is like

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Jun 20, 2010, line spacing

When I go to format, to set up my page, I can't seem to get the right line spacing on each page the same. I'm trying for 24 lines, but sometimes I get

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Jun 19, 2010, Index

Where do indexes go? Front or back at the end of a book

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Jun 13, 2010, Give your character a name the reader will admire.

A name for a character can be difficult to conjure up. But if you put effort into it you can come up with something the reader will idolize, and that

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May 25, 2010, when drowning in the flood of ideas

I have had the problem of holding on to one idea and work it start to finish, I allways have multiple storylines in motion and it can get distracting sometimes.

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May 25, 2010, Cliches

avoid cliches like the plague. (Get it?...It's still great advice!

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May 18, 2010, Forget It!!!

Give your manuscript a break before editing it. Allow yourself to forget the story so that when you re-read it you see every word as the reader will. You

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May 11, 2010, Plow!

Never stop writing. Start and do NOT stop until you have to stand up and do something. When you go back feel free to read over what's you've written. But

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May 11, 2010, Step Into Their Shoes

When you're alone, or outside, talk to yourself. Start an imaginary conversation. Yes, with yourself. When I'm sitting outside with no creativity at all,

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May 11, 2010, Give Your Soul to Your Writing

Making a piece come alive means putting your whole soul in it. By this I mean, if you're writing a sad part, summon up the saddest feeling you ever had

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May 7, 2010, Give it all you got!

When I'm writing I throw it all out there, I don't worry about editing or spelling, I just want to get my ideas on paper before I forget them, then I take

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May 5, 2010, Problem in using the definite article

Hi, I'm not a native English speaker; therefore, I always have problem correctly using the definite article the in my sentences. Can you please provide

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May 5, 2010, being in the momment

you have to let the reader fell like he or she is in the story use creative words that describe how the characters feel in every moment of the story, and

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Apr 28, 2010, German ?

Hello, can I use it for German language

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Apr 28, 2010, lost email

Hi Audrey, I seem to have lost your email address-I wanted to invite you to our group on facebook but there are several people with the same name. We are

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Apr 15, 2010, Skip the boring bits!

When I'm writing, I always find it best to write the bits I enjoy first, and slave over the middle bits later. The hardest part, in my opinion, is trying

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Apr 15, 2010, Short, sweet and to the point!

DOn't always go for long, dreary sentences! All you're doing is loosing attention and interest! The odd short sentence here or there can make all the difference,

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Apr 9, 2010, If I change my name, is it still my memoir?

Dear Audrey, can I write a memoir and change everyone's name, including my own? Or would it have to become fiction at this point, and have to follow the

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Mar 21, 2010, Do I need permission to use a friend's name in my autobiography?

In my autobiography I am telling about my experience of attending seminary and the friend's I acquired during that experience. What I need to know: do

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Mar 18, 2010, Be in the story

One thing I have always found useful is to BE IN the writing yourself. For other people to feel what you feel, see what you see in YOUR mind you must

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Mar 13, 2010, Read - a lot.

It seems obvious but you can never read too much when you're writing. Especially if you have writers block. Read within the genre you are writing, and

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Mar 13, 2010, West Coast Screenwriting

West Coast Screenwriting asks,

"Are you feeding your inner screenwriter?"

In March, West Coast Screenwriting principals, Keith Digby (Time Exposures) and Brian Paisley (Lies Like Truth) will hold a Weekend Blitz‚ workshop for NINE aspiring screenwriters.

Yes, that's right. There will only be NINE participants, maximum, in the class. This course is not only specific to success in the craft of screenwriting, but also uniquely personal in the assessment and development of each individual participant's work.

Location: Bay Film Studios, Maple Bay, Vancouver Island.

Dates: Friday March 26th (evening) to Sunday March 28th (late afternoon)

Please Note: Only 3 places left!

For new and emerging screenwriters, bring your idea/concept, outline or unfinished screenplay. Novel and short story writers, who might be thinking of adapting one of their works, bring a one-page outline and watch its progress to the screen.

Are you interested in taking this high-power, team-taught 12-hour course?

Take the plunge.
Take the workshop!
Tell other writers about this opportunity.

Sponsored by Bay Film Studios... Where major motion picture, Tommy Prince, Devil with a Heart, starring Adam Beach, will shoot this summer!

Click for more info

Mar 11, 2010, Author Payment For Library Use

Did you know that there is provision for author payment for library use? Find out how to get your cheque.

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Mar 11, 2010, Can first and third person live together?

Dear Audrey, If I'm writing in first person, can I write my second POV character in third person? Thank you, Jacquelin

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Mar 11, 2010, no ideas?

when you don't know what to write, try these easy tips to get your writing going again. 1. Read a book! 2. Imagine the characters are at a different

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Mar 10, 2010, Heather Conn Reading

Hi everyone,

I hope that you’ve been enjoying this glorious sunshine.

I will be doing an author reading on Saturday, March 13 at 2 p.m. at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery as part of their Words and Image exhibition. I will read short excerpts from my memoir-in-progress and some other creative nonfiction works. I’ll also show a few slides from my trip in India

The gallery is downstairs at 287 Gower Point Road. Hope to see you there.

Cheers, Heather

Mar 8, 2010, Write On Vancovuer

Write On, Vancouver
Vancouver, BC, Canada
The mini-conference for fiction writers
May 28th – 29th, 2010

An award-winning fantasy, romance, and short fiction author, past president of Novelists, Inc., a popular columnist and public speaker, and author of the highly acclaimed: Rejection, Romance, & Royalties: The Wacky World of a Working Writer

"The best book on the writing life since Bird By Bird or The Artist's Way. The incisive and insightful Laura Resnick cuts right to the heart of the joys, sorrows, costs, and rewards of pursuing the creative dream."

Teresa Medeiros, New York Times bestselling author

WORKSHOPS:
Laura Resnick - Story Development and 20 Questions, an interactive industry Q&A

Eileen Cook - Pitch Perfect

Terri Smolar - Building Your Brand: What every writer should know about developing a media presence

Nancy Warren - The Conflict's in the Character...and the Character's in the Conflict

INDUSTRY PANEL AND EDITOR APPOINTMENTS:
Martin Biro - Kensington Publishing
Johanna Raisanen - Harlequin/Silhouette
Leanne Salter - Cobblestone Press

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Early Bird bookings before March 31
Members $100 - Non Members $130
Regular bookings from April 1
Members $130-Non Members $160
An ideal Christmas gift!
For all registration information and bookings please contact
Sally Collins at SallyCollins@shaw.ca

PROMO OPPORTUNITY: We welcome promo items from authors. For more information, contact SallyCollins@shaw.ca.

Mar 7, 2010, OREGON COAST CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS WORKSHOPS, SUMMER 2010

Next summer, July 12-16 and July 19-23, 2010 we proudly will present the eighth Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshops, www.occbww.com, in the exquisite Oregon coast town of Oceanside. The instructors for each workshop will include five established children's book authors (between them, specializing in YA and middle school novels, picture books, non-fiction, magazine pieces, and poetry), two children's book editors from major houses, and one children's book agent. Summer Workshops 2010 promise to be our best yet because

- The instructor-student ratio will be a maximum of one to six,

- Each day, you will meet with an instructor for at least one comprehensive consultation, and

- You can have one-on-one informal meetings with instructors each day as well, and

- Every student who wishes can have an anonymous first page manuscript critique by all eight instructors in front of the class, and

- We will offer at least twelve instructional lectures on various aspects of writing and publishing, and

- There will be two evening readings/discussions by instructors, and

- Out-of-class consultations with instructors are available, and

- There will be at least three guest lectures, and

- There will be two wonderful parties (quite appropriate for friends, partners, spouses, children)

If you are ambitious to publish a children's book (or simply adore children's books), this is the workshop for you. It will allow you to connect directly with authors, editors, agents who are active in the children's book business. If you go to the website and look under Evaluations, you'll see that it's received extraordinarily high praise (some listed below).

The course is available for graduate credit.

For complete information we welcome you to visit our website at www.occbww.com

We always tend to fill up early and turn many people away who wish to attend simply because there isn't space. So, if this is of interest, you may want to register sooner than later. There's a generous refund policy (described at the website) if you decide not to attend.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Click for more info

Feb 26, 2010, Remember...You're Only Talking to Me!

Have you ever noticed when some people write a memo, an email, a letter, an article or even a book which they know will be read by many people, they address

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Feb 26, 2010, Hey,..I'm a Person....Not a Thing!

Don't forget to use personal pronouns when referring to PEOPLE. Say this: He is the person who invented the shortwave radio. Not this: He is the person

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Feb 22, 2010, 5 Ways to instantly be a better writer

1: READ MORE The more you read the more you want to write. Appreciating a good turn of phrase or being irritated by a bad turn of phrase will make you

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Feb 15, 2010, Is it yesterday's, or the previous day's trousers?

Is it grammatically correct to use yesterday in the following context? Thank you. I walked up the stone staircase wearing yesterday's blue trousers

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Feb 15, 2010, FOCUS

As a writer, I have found that for every piece you write, fiction or non-fiction, it is important to FOCUS! At any given point in the piece, you should

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Feb 14, 2010, Sarcasm

Sarcasm is fatal to everything i write. I love to be funny. Sarcasm could easily describe a deathly situation, or it could be the base of your next joke.

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