Setting Deadlines for Writing July 1, 2008

Karen Zara, guest blogger at the Writer’s Resource Center, has a lively post on why deadlines may be almost as good as money to spur your writing. Yes, indeed, she makes a compelling argument for how deadlines can determine whether and what you write, and, of course, that (ideally) translates into making money. Click here to read her full post.

Her post resonates with me because I find myself adhering to externally imposed deadlines while forever adjusting my internally imposed deadlines. When someone tells me to jump, I ask “how high?” When I tell myself to jump, I say “later.” Sadly, this is particularly true when it comes to my writing. Recently I completed a two-and-a-half year mentorship for my fiction writing, and I am anxious about whether my production will grind to a halt without a “mail by” date hanging over my head. So my first effort at keeping the momentum going is to enter writing contests.

Writing contests have deadlines. If you miss the deadline, you miss entering the contest and having a chance to win (anything). Whether I actually enter the contest is not the point, however; it’s that I used a real deadline to spur myself to write. That’s one thing I like about contests–they have deadlines so if you snooze, you lose.

So, how do you keep your writing momentum going?

Sustainable Writing June 26, 2008

Morgan O’Donnell, guest blogger at the Writer’s Resource Center, offers some great ideas for making your writing environment sustainable.  She uses the classic science fiction novel–Dune–to support her insightful ideas.  My favorite:  “All good writers recycle.”  To see what I mean, read her full post by clicking here.

Writers Can Have Lives Too June 26, 2008

Guest blogger at the Writer’s Resource Center, Cesar Torres, argues that writers can (and should) have lives.  He presents five ways to “get your life back.”  They involve the usual (but critical) “using time effectively” to intriguing suggestions of being “present with people.”  To learn more, click here to read the full post.

Let a Newbie Stimulate Your Creativity June 20, 2008

Sebastian Keller, guest blogger at the Writer’s Resource Center, has a stimulating post on using art to inspire one’s writing.  To keep inspiration alive, we must challenge the rules of our craft, which Sebastian admits is a lot easier for a newbie to do.  He encourages writers to “develop that magical perception. Everything is meaningful, everything is inspiring.”  Even a blank computer screen can be inspiring … hmmmm … I’ll have to think about that one.  But I take his point that even the most mundane circumstances, the most ordinary people can be vessels for inspiration.  So go and get inspired:  Read Sebastian’s full post by clicking here.

Creating Your Own Writing Retreats June 17, 2008

Ellen Goldstein, guest blogger at the Writer’s Resource Center, has some great suggestions for how to create your own writing retreat.  Her focus is poetry writing, but her advice applies to writers of all genres.  Ellen’s suggestions range from setting a schedule to going on field trips.  She also offers links to writing that can inspire you.  For her full post, click here.

Make the Most of Your Freelance Business With These Tips June 16, 2008

Guest blogger Meryl K. Evans at the Writer’s Resource Center has great tips for maximizing your freelance writing business.  No matter how many websites and blogs you’ve read that offer business tips, there’s always someone with a slightly different perspective that needs to be read.  Meryl’s post needs to be read because she offers some rather nuanced tips; for instance, sending “relevant articles to clients, let them know about a relevant blog entry in which they might want to leave a comment, give them names of people when they need a resource, and sent them relevant reporter leads so they can contact the reporter to help out and maybe be quoted in the story.”  This is networking at it’s best because, while you’re acting in the best interests of your client, you’re increasing your social capital.  For more great tips from Meryl, click here.

Learn How You Can Get Paid for Blogging June 13, 2008

Hana Kim, guest blogger at the Writer’s Resource Center, provides great advice for anyone interested in getting paid for blogging. Her advice can apply to writing in general since she touches getting used to rejection and calculating appropriate rates; however, her own experience in getting paid to blog is particularly noteworthy. Her take-home messsage: “Blog first; find the right gig later.” The best part of her story is that she is earning money blogging about things that really interest her, things that she was already blogging about for free. She describes it as her “dream job.” I want one of those! For Hana’s complete post, click here.

Learn to Critique and Become a Better Writer in the Process June 12, 2008

Today at the Writer’s Resource Center, Kat Shann offers a compelling argument for why writers should learn to become good critics. Kat notes that, “Most writers love to receive critique of their work. Few are keen on giving it.” Yet, writers have a lot to gain by critiquing the work of their fellow writers. Kat describes several benefits, including (and most important to me), developing a critical eye for one’s own work. By constructively reviewing someone else’s novel or short story, you not only learn what that writer did “right” (aka the “WOW” factor), you also learn how to create that effect in your story. Kat also provides several links on the proper way to critique as well as venues for critiquing. You’ll have to read her full post (click here) for those links

And here I will put a plug in for Zoetrope and New Bard’s Press; both of these online writing communities have been discussed in my previous posts and you can also find their links on the sidebar.

Do you have what it takes to be a successful freelance writer? June 11, 2008

Before you answer that question, read the post of guest blogger James Chartrand on the Writer’s Resource Center–”Want to be a Freelance Writer? Get Ready for Business!” James (of Men With Pens fame) describes several skills that a successful freelance writer needs–besides good writing skills: customer service; bookkeeping; marketing; and organizational skills. The crux of his article is that freelancing writing is a business and should be approached as such. If you’re serious about making a career of freelancing writing, then you’ll need to heed James’s advice. Click here to read the entire post.

The Authentic Voice: Using slang and accent in your writing June 9, 2008

Happy Monday morning and welcome to another blurb on the guest bloggers for the Writer’s Resource. Today’s guest blogger–Todd Eastman–provides some great advice for using slang and accent in fiction. Here’s a taste:

“Many writers find dialogue to be one of the most difficult aspects of writing fiction. Trying to include regional accents and speech patterns and doing it incorrectly can ruin your story. On the other hand, doing it correctly can make the story seem even more authentic. There are several things you need to be careful of when using this technique in your dialogue.”

Visit Todd’s post and learn more about using slang and accent in your writing.