The site for writers of all genre, and the readers who love them. Find what you want to know.
Writing Tools & Applications
Here is a list of valuable tips and tools you can use for the various phases of your manuscript process.
Unblocking Your Muze
by Mia Zachary
There you are. It’s your favorite time of day; you’re in your preferred spot on your preferred chair in front of your laptop. After flexing a few times, your fingers descend to the keyboard. You take a deep, cleansing breath and- Just check email right quick, maybe post “Don’t bother me, I’m writing” on Facebook, then click on this one article link…
Reconsider Hand Writing
By Mia Zachary
Novelist Robert Stone said: “I write in longhand in order to be precise. On a typewriter or word processor you can rush something that shouldn’t be rushed — you can lose nuance, richness, lucidity. The pen compels lucidity.” Novelist, Neil Gaiman,writes his first drafts in longhand using fountain puns and moleskin. “One reason I like writing by hand is it slows me down a little, but it also forces me to keep going: I’m never going to spend half a day noodling with a sentence to try and get it just right, if I’m using a pen.
Pop Quiz: Who Are You?
Shirley Jump
When I first started writing, I thought I wanted to be the next Jane Pauley. I could just see myself, leaping after the big story, landing the big headlines and the cheers of the newsroom. Then, after a few years at a city newspaper, I realized I didn’t have what it took to be an investigative reporter. I didn’t like butting into people’s lives, I didn’t like stirring up trouble and I especially didn’t like hunting down a story that didn’t want to be found.
Writer’s Conferences Do You Really Need To Attend?
Shelle Castles
You may moan and groan at the prospect of going to a writer’s conference. It’s too much money, you may complain. It’s too far away, you mumble to yourself. I don’t need to go to a writer’s conference, you may try to convince yourself.
The Art of Being Rejected–475 Words
Sharon Horton
Okay, everyone who has received one of the above intriguing [see article] and informative form letters raise your hand. Wow, what a breeze that caused.
Science & Science Fiction Writing Organizations
A growing list of Science and Science Fiction Writing Associations – Great for Publishing information or a resource for your mauscript.
Path to Self-Publishing Success
Bob Baker
When the subject of e-publishing and self-publishing on the Internet comes up, the conversation usually turns to talk of .pdf and .exe files, not to mention the pros and cons of various personal ebook readers. What you don’t hear much about is the workhorse of Internet communication: basic e-mail.
Tightening Your Manuscript and Trimming the Word Count
Deanna Lilly
Now that the mechanics of achieving 250 words and 25 lines per page are out of the way, the manuscript is complete and perfect (you didn’t forget to remove the line numbers before printing and sending your “baby” to your editor) and at last the wait is over. Finally, you get the long awaited letter back. Your editor has fallen in love with your story BUT, she/he wants you to cut your 100,000-page masterpiece to 90,000 pages.
Misused Words
Deanna Lilly
Here is a list of regularly misused words and their appropriate uses. You might want to bookmark this page so you have ready access to which spelling you should be using.
Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
Donna Clayton
Simple steps to automatically change your double dash to an em dash.
Edit Easier
Megan Potter
Editing is not a lukewarm writing stage. Either it’s your favorite part about writing or you dread it. Personally, I sort of like this stage. If writing were pottery I would compare writing the rough draft to making the clay, I see editing as my opportunity to mold it into something recognizable.
High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
Margaret Terhune
Beginners are by nature inexperienced and prone to making mistakes. Part of any learning process involves working through trial and error towards achievement. Novice writers are no exception. There are, however, many common mistakes the beginner can avoid. I have grouped these into three main categories: not researching enough, not writing enough and not revising enough.
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