Questions

      You are now a career writer…you are working on your first novel, let’s say a western ****? you also ****?t to bring in some money, recognition and just build your web presence.  This is where last week’s question of “who do I write for?” is answered.  A better question would be to first ***?k, “What do I ****?t to write about besides the novel?”

     A ****?d way to start would be to pursue one of two avenues, maybe even both:  Article writing and short stories.

     What is article writing?  Article writing is non-fiction writing, focusing on an area that you have some expertise in.  This expertise could come from a hobby, your job, ***?mily, or social work/ministry.  Let’s say your hobby is quilting or restoring old cars.  Either of these subjects could create many articles on a variety of subjects ***?rtaining to quilting or car restoration.  Your job ***? a nurse or ministry working with disabled children would support articles that would be widely read.  Do you love to cook and are always pouring over cookbooks?  Write about it.  Have you raised *****?s or give care to elderly parents?  Write an article.

     I can suggest three places you can submit articles:

(1)  Free article websites- these are websites that offer articles free of charge for ***?ople to use in newsletters, e-zines and other places.  You might **** the thought of giving your work for free ****? you can get noticed, build your presence and help others through article websites.  An article I wrote on my child graduating and the mixed emotions I experienced was noticed by an e-zine editor and now I am a contributing writing for her on-line magazine.  ****?gle “free article websites” and check guidelines to ***?e what is needed.

(2)  Magazines are always looking for well-written non-fiction articles concerning their subject matter.  Diligently ***?arch out what magazine your article will fit best and follow guidelines completely.

(3)   Your own website- if you love quilting or nursing or cookbooks, consider starting a website on the subject and publish your own articles.  You can create a following that will be ***?miliar with your writing and ready to purchase that novel when it is completed.

Short Stories

     Short stories are simply what their name infers-fiction or true to life stories that are short, some ***?ople consider a short story less than 5000 words and some less than 10,000 words.  ***?ople just beginning to write short stories  would probably be helped by *****?ing a genre ****?h ***? western, romance or modern day sports story to keep them from being overwhelmed.  My dad always told me to write about what I know.  When I was a ****?nager, I tried to write a short story about a ****?nager in Alaska and it didn’t flow well at all.  The ***?ct was I had never been to Alaska and the research wasn’t giving me a comfortable experience of trying to write about it.  I changed the place to my own home state and things went much better.

Three places to submit a short story:

(1)     Literary journals- these are magazine which print short stories and poems exclusively.  They usually publish one to four issues a year and are looking for new writers.  Read the journal of your choice and get a feel for it before submitting work.

(2)     Contests and anthologies- There are many short story contests on the internet; make sure to research for legitimate ones.  Many literary journals have contests and some contests require a small fee to enter.  Anthologies of poetry and short stories are often looking for “new” stories; one example being “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

(3)     Magazines-many magazines have short story contests or print one to two short stories ***?r issue.  Again, check out the magazine and look over guidelines carefully.

I hope you ***?e that writing articles and short stories can be a great way to build up a following eager to ***?e what you are writing next…next week join us ***? we discuss building a web presence…your own website…


- Jennifer Hallmark

Article Title: “Write Rite” - How to Write Creatively (’Here, There and Everywhere’) and perhaps even have Inspirational Books Published Author: Craig Lock Line Space: 65 characters Web Site: http://www.kompuwiz.com/kompustore

Other Articles: http://www.soulful-writer.com and http://www.bridgeniche.com

Category (key words): Writing, Writing Hints/Tips, Inspirational Books, Writing Course

Publishing Guidelines: We hope that the following article (which is an early lesson from our online writing course) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. If it helps others “out there” in any way, then we’re happy. This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print. If you do not want to receive my articles as a member of an article list, you will have to unsubscribe from them, as I do not have your email address. If a lot of you do that, I’ll take the hint and rather not send out my articles! Thanks. “We share what we know, so that others may grow.”

* “WRITE RITE” # - HOW TO WRITE CREATIVELY AND PERHAPS EVEN HAVE INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS PUBLISHED (Extracted from Online Writing Course)

# Oops - sounds funny that phrase!

“I never had any doubts about my abilities. I knew I could write. I just had to figure out how to eat while doing this.” - Cormac McCarthy

“It took me 15 years to find out that I had no talent for writing, but by then I couldn’t give it up, because by then I was too famous to give up.” - Robert Benchley

To be a published writer is one of the most rewarding occupations and pastimes - both financially and creatively. I find it a very satisfying and enjoyable activity.

I can’t each you how to write, let alone how to be a writer. All I can do is give you some tips and guidelines, which hopefully will make it a lot easier…if that is what you really want to do. They are all based on what I have learnt by doing it myself - usually through the long process of trial and error. I hope they are interesting and helpful to you in your quest to be a writer.

There are no ABC’s in writing. Having the ability to put words down on paper is only the beginning to writing. There is a great deal more to be learned on the techniques.

There is a huge market for creative work. As a result of enormous demand, editors and publishers are continually on the lookout for new writers and fresh ideas. Freelance writers can earn good fees and royalties. However, I found that one has to specialise and make decisions: either write books or articles for “maggies”.

What is the size of the market? There are over 50000 magazines and newspapers published in English world wide, including the gate-way to the Asian market in Singapore. Incidentally, I believe the Far East is the growth area for English books in the future. Thousands of fiction and non-fiction books are published each year, as well as countless radio and television scripts. There are also numerous stage plays performed throughout the world. So you can see that there are enormous outlets for your writing - especially if you have more than a touch of talent…and I’m sure many of you do.

Once you have learned how to write for these markets, you should have no difficulty selling your work.

Don’t give up after rejection follows rejection. Whatever you do, PERSERVERE. Remember perserverance and not talent is often the difference between a published and an unpublished writer.

* I believe that writing is a skill, which like other artistic skills, you can learn and develop with practice. Just like a sportsman or artisan, the more you write, the better you will become. So write as often as you can. I definitely feel that my writing abilities have improved dramatically in the last two* long years, since I have totally dedicated myself to the pursuit. * Now ten!

I do not think that an aspiring writer needs any special educational qualifications or background to be a writer. Writers come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Look at me! My father was a life assurance salesman, then rose to executive. The only family link is my grandfather Billy, who was a sports journalist.

Because writing is a relatively easy and inexpensive pursuit to get into, nearly everyone has the same opportunities. However, how far you go will largely depend upon your own creative talent and application. Also how much you really DESIRE to be a writer. N.B.DETERMINATION and PERSISTENCE more than anything else will get you there. I believe that most people will find abundant amounts of these qualities within them. If you look hard enough and are really tested. But only once they have found what it is that they really want to do with their lives. Hopefully there’ll be more writers around in the future, because they are “the eyes of the world”. You see the world through the unique perspective of the author.

Enough on that subject. I’ve written plenty about it in my book STEPS TO SUCCESS, PROSPERITY and HAPPINESS already. Plug plug!

Everyone has their own style of writing, as well as their unique life experiences they may wish to share in the form of words. Also they have their own reasons for wanting to write. To journal to merely express your thoughts and feelings, or with the aim of publication - to be read by others. I’m definitely not the “arty-farty-airy-fairy” type of writer, as I only write for a reason, a PURPOSE - to try to make a difference in the world through the power of the written word. To touch lives (pervert!) and make an impact on people through encouraging, uplifting, enlightening and hopefully even inspiring people around the globe. That’s me (and was my original intention and vision when I started out)… But no matter your reason for wanting to write, I find it the most satisfying and enjoyable “occupation/pursuit” I’ve ever had… and this has now evolved into something far bigger than I could ever have imagined.

(And with the invention of the www it’s now so much easier to be published and let your words touch lives around the globe… and you too can use this amazing tool of instant communication).

There is tremendous power in imagination: YOUR creative imagination. Albert Einstein stated: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Napoleon believed that “the human race is governed by it’s imagination.”

Pascal: “Imagination disposes of everything; it creates beauty, justice and happiness, which is everything in this world.” Use it well and it’s amazing power will astound you - in your writing as well as in all areas of your life.

I hope the above information may be helpful to you in writing creatively and getting published.

Enjoy the writing journey (of self discovery, as well as personal growth)

Happy writing

Craig Lock http://www.craiglock.com http://www.craiglockbooks.com

“It took me 15 years to find out that I had no talent for writing, but by then I couldn’t give it up, because by then I was too famous to give up.” - Robert Benchley

“The world would have you agree with its dismal dream of limitation. But the light would have you soar like the eagle of your sacred visions.” - Alan Cohen

Craig Lock’s humorous travel book ‘Here, There and Everywhere’: This is a captivating account of Craig’s adventures while traveling in Europe with some family members. His style takes you in his journeys with him and allows you to experience his anecdotes first hand. In the style of Bill Bryson, ‘Here, There and Everywhere” tells tales of his ‘crazy’ escapades in his younger years through ‘Grate’ Britain and the Continent and is available at: http://www.kompuwiz.com/kompustore (click on “SoulfulBooks”)

Writing Course: http://www.craiglock.com/downloads/cwcourse.html (the “original” online creative writing course)

P.S: Don’t worry about the world ending today… it’s already tomorrow in “little” scenic and tranquil New Zealand THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED


- Craig Lock

Article Title: Sharing some Writing Tips - “A Simple Recipe for Writing Success” (Updated) Author Name: Craig Lock Line Space: 65 characters Category (key words): Writing, Creative Writing, Writing Hints/Tips, Writing Course Web Sites: http://kompuwiz.com/kompustore and http://www.craiglock.com/downloads/cwcourse.html

Publishing Guidelines: We hope that the following article (which is an early lesson from our online writing course) may be informative and helpful to your e-zine readers, or on your web site. If it helps others “out there” in any way, then we’re happy. This article (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print. If you do not want to receive my articles as a member of an article list, you will have to unsubscribe from them, as I do not have your email address. If a lot of you do that, I’ll take the hint and rather not send out my articles! Thanks. “We share what we know, so that others may grow.”

*

Sharing Some Writing Tips - “A Simple Recipe* for Writing Success”

* That’s a metaphor, btw

“It’s easy being a writer… the hardest part is figuring how to make a living, whilst one does so.”

“I got sick and tired of waiting for writing success… so just carried on without it.”

“Writing to me is like gasoline to an automobile, without it I would be immobilized.” Carla J. Curtis, The Inspirational Literary Entrepreneur Author of Grip the Rope: Prayers for Single Mothers http://www.trccommunications.com

Here is a short article in the form of a bit of advice for aspiring writers, which I hope may be helpful.

My advice for aspiring writers* is as follows…

* What’s the definition of an aspiring writer? A waiter!

(Don’t worry, I was one too… though I spilt more than was left in the glass; so no wonder I just had to carry on writing!

* Write something every day. Regularilty and practice makes “purrfect”.

* “Remember that getting published takes a great deal of commitment and hard work.

* Learn patience. Things move slowly in the world of publishing - usually far longer than initial promises.

* Treat writing as your career; so take it seriously.

* Learn everything you can about the writing “business” and the craft of writing creatively.

* Be open to criticism from your peers. Still far easier to criticicise than create, eh? Incidentally, there has never been a monument built honouring a critic!

* Listen to your heart, your intuition, the “core of your being” (sounds “real airy-fairy stuff” that, Craig!). Write what you love - not what the MARKET wants (unless you are desperate for purely financial rewards from your writing). That’s not a “true writer”, I believe!

* Join a writers’ association and mix with other strange “arty-farty, airy-fairy intellectual types”.

* “Write as you talk yourself.” - Maeve Binchy.

* Write as honestly as you can. “I write because something inside myself, inner and unconscious forces me to.” That is the first compulsion. The second is one of ethical and moral duty. I feel responsible to tell stories that inspire readers to consider more deeply who they are.”

Writers help people to see the world differently- from the writer’s perspective. Make your story real. Be totally honest to the story that is being told. My “journey” of my various books is my life journey.

Always remember,

* Writing is hard (and sustained) work - a writer has to work hard every day, even when one does not feel inspired. So I make sure I’m inspired at 7am each day.

* Small ideas become bigger, when you leave to your creative subconscious mind. Seek inspiration (from within and or externally from God, “the Ultimate Source”) regularly.

* Revise your work constantly; but one has to “call a halt” sometime.

* Strive for perfection, but accept excellence in your writing.

* Believe in yourself and in the quality of your work. You have something unique to offer the world: the gift of sharing.

Remember that dreams can come true in your writing… and in your life.

Happy writing and good luck

Craig Lock (Eagle Productions) http://www.craiglock.com

“The world would have you agree with its dismal dream of limitation. But the light would have you soar like the eagle of your sacred visions.” - Alan Cohen

Craig’s novel Angolan Dawn is available at http://www.kompuwiz.com/kompustore (click on SoulfulBooks)

A family struggles to survive through the bitter war torn strife of Angola. A father makes the decision to travel far from home to work in the gold mines of South Africa only to have a terrible accident occur which leaves him unable to return home. Writing Course: http://www.craiglock.com/downloads/cwcourse.html (the “original” online creative writing course)

P.S: Don’t worry about the world ending today… it’s already tomorrow in “little” scenic and tranquil New Zealand THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED


- Craig Lock