Editor's Blog

May 16, BC Federation News

Wed, 16 May 2012 02:59:38 GMT

The Federation of BC Writers has posted their news. Contests and other news of interest to writers.

May 16, Writing Goals 2012

Wed, 16 May 2012 02:55:31 GMT

Writers share their writing goals for 2012 and receive support from Audrey Owen, editor at writershelper.com, so their projects get completed in record time.

May 11, Don't Stop

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:22:46 GMT

No matter how hard you want to, never quit. Keep writing until the end. Don't give up

May 10, Avoid Clichés

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:31:00 GMT

No matter how many times I tell myself this I always managed to use clichés anyways. It normally takes someone else looking at my work and them telling

May 6, Your Readers Aren't Stupid

Sun, 06 May 2012 20:41:00 GMT

Never repeat anything. Also, remove all information the reader already knows. They already know the color of the sky and the direction rain falls. They

Apr 30, Writing What You Know

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:58:48 GMT

Writing What You Know By Marcella Simmons For many years, we writers were taught to stick with the old adage of 'write what you know.' That may well

Apr 29, Articles on Writing

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:13:00 GMT

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.

Apr 29, The Cost Of A Free ISBN

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:12:00 GMT

Weigh the costs of a free ISBN to make the best self-publishing decision for you.

Apr 28, "Evil" MOTIVE help

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:56:51 GMT

My story is about a bunch of video game characters being plucked from their universes and all being brought to a single planet to engage in battle against

Apr 26, Characters

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:20:39 GMT

Characters should be interesting before they are real

Apr 25, Get Your Writing Fighting Fit -- Review

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:59:05 GMT

MaryAnn Shank loves Get Your Writing Fighting Fit. As a writer and reviewer of business plans, she knows the help many writers need.

Apr 23, What is an editor?

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:47:14 GMT

An editor answers the questions: What is an editor's job? What are the qualities of a good editor?

Apr 23, Write a lot or not

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:39:12 GMT

Write a lot, most of the time plan what you write but others don't my first long story I had a character and a setting and just wrote. Just write whenever

Apr 18, Use a Thesaurus

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:27:17 GMT

My writing is always better when I use a thesaurus. I love it. It increases my quality at least 127%. I even used a thesaurus for my title

Apr 18, Write Out Everything

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:52:16 GMT

Write Out Everything That is in Your mind at That Moment I chose this tip because I think you should never leave any details out from your mind. You would

Apr 17, Ballpark estimate?

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:17:13 GMT

Hello, I am interested in self-publishing my book. It's around 50,000 words. Although this book has been rewritten from beginning to end twice since I

Apr 10, Write Where You Are Right Now

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:28:04 GMT

Write Where You Are Right Now By Marcella Simmons Whatever it takes for you to write, by all means do it. Let the words flow. If it's not the

Apr 10, Writing Time

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:06:05 GMT

Discover what your writing time is i.e. when do you do your best writing or when do you have your best ideas. It's different for everyone, but once you

Apr 9, Tell the World

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:14:46 GMT

When writing fiction, I find that my best ideas come when I'm telling my friends about my story. Don't worry about spoilers, if all goes well, hundreds

Apr 6, Two small problems I'm having

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:44:48 GMT

Hi, I stumbled across your site and I got engaged in reading the hints and everything on the home page. I came to the conclusion that I've been mostly

Apr 3, Sample Edit: Minimal Fee Or Free?

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:59:17 GMT

A sample edit lets a writer test-drive an editor's services and assures that the quote for services is tailored to your writing. Learn how to get your sample edit for free.

Mar 16, Finding ideas to write about

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:08:29 GMT

Below are several tips for finding ideas to write about. 1) Old ideas rewritten become new ideas – search through your files and find something you’ve

Mar 16, My first published work

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:10:08 GMT

My first published work Writing has played an important role in my life, and for the most part, I took my career pretty serious. Humorous writing wasn’t

Mar 14, Tips on getting published

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:50:58 GMT

Here are several tips that helped me become a published writer and they will will help you get started. Read. Read the type of material that you enjoy

Mar 14, Travel Writing: Take that Extra Step and

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:48:17 GMT

Travel Writing: Take that Extra Step and Go Beyond Simply Documenting Your Many Adventures Welcome to the wonderful world of travel writing!

Mar 14, Inside scoop on writing for magazines

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:44:27 GMT

Inside scoop on writing for magazines I once read that Professional writers sell before they write: amateur writers write before they sell. These were

Mar 14, A long look back

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:39:44 GMT

After months of submitting manuscripts to magazines such as Redbook and Glamour, receiving rejection slip after rejection slip, I started researching the

Mar 14, The Importance of observation

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:37:40 GMT

The Importance of observation A writer needs to be observant of different types of people, places and things like it were a sixth sense. While everyone

Mar 14, Finding fresh ideas to write about

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:34:48 GMT

As Orson Scott Card states, “Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people

Mar 14, Writing with Grandma Savvy

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:31:23 GMT

Writing with Grandma Savvy Back in the days when my children were in diapers (and believe me, there were several in diapers at one time - there were eight

Mar 14, Nurture the writer within

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:29:04 GMT

Nurture the writer within For several months, I worked for a small town newspaper as staff reporter. I wrote front-page news, feature stories, editorials,

Mar 14, Resources for writers

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:18:31 GMT

There are several publications and websites available for writers that are a storehouse of useful information. Here are several that offer a ton

Mar 13, NEWBORN ANTHOLOGY: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:21:55 GMT

Leaf Press is gathering poems for an anthology to, for, about or by newborn humans. We are interested in thresholds and liminal states; in moments that transcend global cultures. We welcome poems from all the continents, asking only that they be accompanied by a translation to English. We may be able to help, in some instances, with translations. Please send your poem to: poems AT leafpress.ca
Subject Line: Newborns or to: Leaf Press
Box 416
Lantzville, B.C.
Canada V0R 2H0 We will accept poems that have been previously published. Poets must provide this information (publication, publishing house and date) as well as permission for us to reprint. Leaf plans to publish the anthology in Spring 2014. Anthology Editors: Ann Graham Walker and Ursula Vaira Selected poets will be paid a fee of $50.00 CAD plus a copy of the book. We will keep these guidelines updated as the anthology begins to take shape.

Mar 13, PRIMASCRIPTOR is a new Fraser Valley based on-line literary magazine and forum.

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:21:55 GMT

PRIMASCRIPTOR is a new Fraser Valley based on-line literary magazine and forum. For Writers Guide-lines please visit our site. We are now accepting manuscripts for our first issue which is slated for publication in June 2012. Prima Scriptor not only provides the opportunity for new and emerging writers to publish, we also host a forum for writers’ critique, hints, events, workshops and literary news. We will be producing a monthly newsletter with articles pertaining to writing, and a calendar of local literary events. We will be pleased to include your events. Please send them to admin
AT
primascriptor.com

Mar 13, Playwrights' Alert

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:21:55 GMT

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN WRITE!!! Deadline for submission April 23 Selected playwrights notified by May 15 A selection of ten minute plays will be given a public reading by professional actors at the Performing Arts Lodge Studio Theatre, June 6, 2012. The best scripts will be presented to a live audience so writers will have an opportunity to find out what works on stage. scripts submitted in standard play format. Must not exceed ten pages. name and contact details should be omitted from the script but included in the cover page with the title of the play, and description of characters. Title of the play should be included on each page with the page number. No more than 3 characters Mail to Yvonne Adalian, #327-581 Cardero Street, Vancouver V6G 3L3

Mar 13, CHILDREN’S STORY CONTEST

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:09:00 GMT

Ascent Aspirations Publishing is seeking contributions for a unique volume of previously unpublished children’s stories with representative fine art. Stories should be directed to ages 9 to 12 and be of approximately 1500 words. Ten stories will be published with a prize of $200 for the best entry. After selection, artists-in-residence from T.O.S.H. (The Old School House) will create fine art works to represent the stories. Our goal is to produce a special book that will give children great stories and exposure to a range of contemporary and original artistic styles. All profits will go to support T.O.S.H., a non-profit community arts centre in Qualicum Beach, BC. Contest deadline has been extended to March 31, 2012. Please send electronic entries to ascentaspirations AT shaw.ca either in the body of the e-mail or as a word.doc. Put “Children’s Story” in the subject heading. Also send your entry fee of $10.00 and a hard copy submission to: Ascent Aspirations Publishing 1560 Arbutus Drive Nanoose Bay, BC V9P9C8

Mar 13, Impulsive writing – a good thing

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:02:09 GMT

Impulsive writing – a good thing Writing has always come easily to me. Throughout my teen years, poetry and journal writing was my favorite hobby. As

Mar 12, OREGON COAST CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITERS WORKSHOP, SUMMER 2012

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:47:46 GMT

This summer, July 9-13 we proudly will present the tenth Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop, www.occbww.com, in the exquisite Oregon coast town of Oceanside. The instructors for the 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 (we have yet to sign our second editor), and one children's book agent. Summer Workshop 2012 promises to be our best yet because: - The instructor-student ratio will be a maximum of one to seven (probably less) - Each day you will meet with an instructor for at least one comprehensive consultation - You can have one-on-one informal meetings with instructors each day as well - Every student who wishes can have an anonymous first page manuscript critique by all eight instructors in front of the class - We will offer at least twelve instructional lectures on various aspects of writing and publishing - There will be two evening presentations by instructors - Out-of-class consultations with instructors are available - There will be at least two guest lectures/writing workshops - There will be two wonderful parties (quite appropriate for friends, partners, spouses, children) More and more of our students are publishing and signing with agents. 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.

Mar 12, How I became a writer

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:35:46 GMT

How I became a writer When I was a little girl, I loved to write poems and short stories. I had a collection of my poems in a folder and during the summer

Mar 11, What Will Editing Cost?

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:24:38 GMT

Wondering what editing costs? An editor answers your question.

Mar 10, THE BASICS OF WRITING...

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:27:22 GMT

THE BASICS OF WRITING & Getting Published Marcella Simmons 106 Fletcher Drive Logansport LA 71049 USA 318-210-4651 or 318-609-4751 Email: marcies04 AT

Mar 8, Writer's Style Guide

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:48:49 GMT

Use the writer's style guide and the find feature on your word processor to help proofread your own work. This page explains the most common errors Writer's Helper editor, Audrey, found while editing.

Mar 8, punctuation for brevity and banality

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:39:18 GMT

I do a fair bit of editing at work for researchers and students who write technical reports. My pet peeve is over-use of commas - I threaten to charge

Mar 6, Dream

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:33:33 GMT

When writing you must think! Once you have lived your story through the depth of your own imagination, words will string together easily. Form the shape

Mar 6, enjoy it!

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 02:54:22 GMT

write about something that you enjoy, something that you find interesting, not just what other people want to hear. No doubt if you write something you

Mar 4, Scrib- Editing

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:01:18 GMT

Scribendi is an editing/proofreading service but I love the free articles and podcasts available on the site! They deal with everything from how to write

Mar 2, Writing Goals 2011

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:40:29 GMT

Writers share their writing goals for 2011 and receive support from Audrey Owen, editor at writershelper.com.

Feb 29, Call for Submissions: KidsPo!

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:24:31 GMT

Arc Poetry Magazine fall 2012 annual themed issue Canada’s poetry magazine is looking for poems for kids & youth really good illustrations kids to review poems (lend us your kids!) your favourite poem as a kid your published book of kids’ poems really good cookies articles & criticism on kids’ poetry Submit your work online; pitches and queries to editor@arcpoetry.ca (indicate children’s poetry issue)

Feb 29, 16th Annual Writing for Children Competition

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:24:31 GMT

Deadline: April 24, 2012 The Writers’ Union of Canada is pleased to announce that submissions are being accepted until April 24, 2012 for the 16th annual Writing for Children Competition. The winning entry will be the best Canadian work of up to 1,500 words in the English language, fiction or non-fiction, written by an unpublished author. PRIZE $1,500 for the winning entry, and the entries of the winner and finalists will be submitted to three Canadian children’s publishers. JURY Writers Don Calame, Hazel Hutchins, and Rene Schmidt will serve as the jury. ELIGIBILITY This competition is open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have not been published in book format in any genre and who do not currently have a contract with a book publisher. Original and unpublished (English language) fiction or non-fiction is eligible. HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES: · Entries should be typed, double-spaced, in a clear twelve-point font, and the pages numbered on 8.5 x 11 paper, not stapled. Do not send entries that only have a few sentences per page. · Illustrations are not accepted. · Submissions will be accepted by hardcopy only. · Include a separate cover letter with title of story, full name, address, phone number, email address, word count, and number of pages of entry. · Please type the name of the entrant and the title of the entry on each numbered page. This is not a blind competition. · Make your cheque or money order payable to The Writers’ Union of Canada. Multiple entries can be submitted together and fees can be added and paid with one cheque or money order, $15 per submission. · Entries must be postmarked by April 24, 2012 to be eligible. · Mail entries to: WFC Competition, The Writers’ Union of Canada, 90 Richmond Street East, Suite 200, Toronto,ON M5C 1P1.

Feb 28, Color words and Details

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:49:52 GMT

Uhmmm ex:Candy apple red (for color words) Ex:The juicey looking swirled choclate icecream,with a cherry on top,and frozen chocolate syrup on top,with