Editor's Blog August 2006
Aug 31, 2006, Successful Freelancer Offers Advice
I always say that a freelance writer is a person who gets rejected for a living.So says the freelance writer who has published over 3,000 articles in more than 400 publications worldwide and interviewed an estimated 20,000 people, including Yasser Arafat, Jimmy Carter, Evander Holyfield and three presidents of Colombia.
He has some things to share about freelancing.
Aug 29, 2006, The Long Tail Applications
Use The Long Tail to deliver a one, two, three knock-out punch to your marketing competition. Create an integrated package that puts technology to work for you.
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Aug 29, 2006, The Long Tail And Self-Publishing Filters
The Long Tail filters help savvy self-publishing writers to spread the word. Do you know how to market your book, digital product, or Web site?
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Aug 29, 2006, The Long Tail And Self-Publishing
The Long Tail theory is good news for self-publishing writers. Learn how it applies as you publish books, digital products, and Web sites.
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Aug 29, 2006, The Long Tail: An Introduction
The Long Tail works wonders for self-publishing writers. This introduction sets the sage for three following articles.
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Aug 28, 2006, Are You Ready For Cyberspace?
Savvy writers are using the Internet to publish and be paid.
If you are ready to consider this option, this is your moment! THE best Web creation/hosting/e-business service around is having a sale.
Buy one site for the regular price of US$299 and get a second site for only US$100.
If you are just starting, I do NOT recommend owning two sites. But you could certainly split the two sites between you and a friend or family member.
The link below will give you some excellent ideas of how you can use the Web to be paid for your writing skills.
Aug 28, 2006, Writing Life And Freedom
Writers who cherish freedom have an opportunity to indulge in reading an anthology of international writers who write about writing while supporting imprisoned writers.
In the past, PEN has raised over $200,000 in support of literary prisoners and the concept of freedom of the press.
Writing Life showcases the best contemporary authors sharing their passion for their art. The quotes below are just a sample.
ALISTAIR MACLEOD
This may well be what the "writing life" signifies; that it is a life of comunication which helps us to recognize the great within the small and makes us feel less lonely than we are.
MARGARET MACMILLAN
I love history for its gossip and its limitless cast of characters.
ALICE MUNRO
In order to have time to do my work, I must continually refuse to do things that other people think perfectly reasonable and even obligatory for me to do, and sometimes I get mad enough to tear out my hair.
CHARLOTTE GRAY
A good biography ... needs that spark that will allow the writer, and the reader, to feel she or he has actually awoken the dead.
ELIZABETH HAY
I live in a house full of books. I pull down one I love and read a page or two and invariably I'm absorbed and stirred and reaching for my pen. What I'm doing is catching a ride on the coattails of literature.
Never rush the simmering stew, nor over-stir the subtle sauce. And take dancing lessons: someday, somewhere, when you least expect it, you may get the urge to trip the light fantastic.
JOSEPH BOYDEN
Once you've placed your crosshairs on the target, even the slightest breath or movement in your body sends the crosshairs jiggling all over the place. You have to take into account wind direction and speed. You have to be calm, and not rush. You have to be confident. A tiny jerk of the trigger will send the bullet askew. It's hard, that's my excuse. Like writing.
MARGARET ATWOOD
The blank page is always pure potential, for everyone, me included. Every time you begin, it's just as frightening, and just as much of a risk. The magic can always fail, and the eggs that come out of the hat may end up on the floor.
Aug 27, 2006, Considering self-publishing?
Two self-publishing writers share their experiences about the process.
Read the pros and cons of self-publishing here.
Aug 25, 2006, Do YOU Know How To Write Video Games?
If writing video games is in your future, you'll want to have a look at this book. The first Chapter is available online so you can see what you get. . .
What is game narrative? It?s a question that developers, writers, reviewers, and publishers have been trying to answer for years with only limited success. Like many other things in this still-young industry, narrative is an area where definitions are still being stretched, formulated, and tried on for size. It is crucial, however, to formalize a definition of game narrative before attempting to create one. Otherwise, you?re trying to hit a moving target with an entire development team waiting for you to make the perfect shot, with a limited chance of success.
The above is a quote from Chapter 1 of Chris Bateman's book, Game Writing: Narrative Skills For Video Games. You can read the whole first chapter by clicking the link below.
Warning: This is 23 pages long, so you might want to bookmark this page and come back to it when you have time to read.
Aug 23, 2006, How Do You Stack Up Against This Uber Marketer?
I've never read one of Kenneth J. Harvey's books, but I will now, just to see what sort of writing this top marketer does.
Harvey isn't a self-publisher, but he knows what so many writers don't know -- that writers need to be marketers. This is a must-read article for any of you who have books that could use a boost in sales. Isn't that any of you who have books in print?
Those of you who haven't published yet can still take inspiration from Harvey's commitment to and success in marketing his books.
Those of you who are ready to take the plunge to get a Web site going need to see inquire-Solo Build It.com
Article removed at source.
Aug 23, 2006, Rhyming Dictionary
What should you consider when you buy a rhyming dictionary? Links to suggested rhyming dictionaries.
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Aug 23, 2006, Writer's Exercise -- Not What You Think
Writers look for exercises to improve their writing. There are other exercises writers need at least as much.
What sort of exercise do you need?
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Aug 21, 2006, Book Review Kirby's Ocean Friend
A review of the self-publihsed children's book, Kirby's Ocean Friend. Review written by editor Audrey Owen.
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Aug 21, 2006, The Ghost Writer And Her Dream
In "Ghosting: A Double Life" Anchor, paper, $13.95, Erdahl explains the fiscal difficulties that lead to her long and hidden career as well as the emotional cost of such a life.
More about ghost writing here.
Aug 20, 2006, Book Reviews
Book reviews: Reviews of books by self publishing authors. Includes links to services self publishers need: printers, illustrators, editors.
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Aug 19, 2006, From First Word to Best Seller in 60 Days!
Not everyone can go from the first printed word to being a best seller on Amazon.com in 60 days, but Glen Hopkins of South Surrey did just that.
Of course he had a head start, not in the writing (although he may have had a head start, there, too) bu in the marketing. He had a subscription list.
Do you?
If you are reading this, you are someone I could market to. Although you may not be on one of my lists you are here, reading my opinions, hopefully learning to trust what I have to say.
If you want to learn to build credibility on the Internet, the best place I know of to start is here.
Aug 19, 2006, Authors Discuss Publishing Experiences
Should you go the traditional route, or self-publish? These writers share their experiences.
For other stories of self-publishing writers, click here.
Aug 17, 2006, Write a Report
Add a report or an e-course to spice up affiliate offers. Learn how.
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Aug 16, 2006, Happy Birthday WWW!
The World Wide Web is officially 15 years old.
Can you believe it?
If you are reading this, chances are that the Internet is a daily part of your life. How much society has changed over the past 15 years!
Two areas are of most interest to me.
- The Internet is a sadly underused venue for self-publishing.
- Working from home appeals to a growing number of people. Writers who learn to work with the Internet can get the jump on their peers.
And if you are ready to seriously consider your part in this well-established venue, check out this site.
Aug 16, 2006, Writing Tip 101: Read Good Books
If you want to write well, read the best books you can find.
The long list for the Man Booker prize for fiction is out. Have you read any of these books yet?
Maybe your reading group will choose one of these to enjoy together this fall.
What! You have no reading group? Start a book club and boost your writing skill as you consider the best in literature with a group of readers.
Aug 14, 2006, Make Room For Illustrations
A workshop participant explains what she learned about how to create a balance between text and illustrations.
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Aug 13, 2006, Are You A Blooker?
Blook, blooking, blooker. Is there a blook in your future? Learn about the newest in self-publishing.
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Aug 12, 2006, Self Publishing Venues
Self-publishing options include tradtional self-publishing, POD, e-books, Web sites, blogs, and rss.
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Aug 10, 2006, Writing Contest Evoking a Place
Editor's Choice writing contest, the writing contest everyone wins. Topic: evoking a place.
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Aug 10, 2006, Write Verse for Children
Most people who write verse for children fail. Meet with success by using this free four-lesson course on writing verse for children by Audrey Owen, editor at writershelper.com.
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Aug 10, 2006, Writer's Style Guide
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.
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Aug 10, 2006, Memoir
Things to consider when you write a memoir. Learn how a memoir differs from an autobiography.
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Aug 7, 2006, Book Marketing and the Book Proposal Doctor
A writer shares his experience using a book proposal doctor.
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Aug 5, 2006, Writing Goals 2006
Writers share their writing goals for 2006 and receive support from Audrey Owen, editor at writershelper.com.
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