Questions

I’m looking for Creative Writing classes in Long Island for teenagers. I’m in a school creative writing class but allot of people don’t take it seriously, and those of us who do have to censor our work. I talked to people in the class and most of us want to find a creative writing class outside of the school, but I google searched it and I can’t find any Creative Writing classes at all.
- curiosityreincarnated

Entering creative writing contests can become a lucrative yet addictive pastime for many writers who are spurred on by the challenge of pitting their wits against those of other dedicated writers. Cash prizes, publication and recognition for their endeavours entice many writers to submit their stories in the hopes of securing one of the top prizes. There are numerous creative writing contests available and a scan through any writing magazine will highlight some but for a more detailed search, simply type creative writing contests into a search engine such as Google or yahoo and a vast array of results will appear.

Finding a contest that inspires is the key to doing well. There is no point entering if the topic fails to stimulate as the resulting entry would lack enthusiasm and passion, something that a judge would clearly see. Writing with passion is important but writing with a controlled and sustained passion is even better, a good writer will be able to impart all the information needed a little at a time, unveiling unique aspects about the characters and the plots at just the right speed to tantalise the reader. When submitting fiction for creative writing contests, the writing must be tight and yet highly compelling.

For greater results in any creative writing contests, adhere to the following points:

Find a contest that appeals and sparks off that all important imagination trail Read the rules several times. Most writers fail simply because they do not pay attention to detail. Don’t just start writing, think. The thinking process is an integral part of being a good writer; they work hand in hand so allow time to mull over potential ideas and then eventually, when happy, make your choice and start writing. Plan the story. Decide where to start within the plot itself and create a compelling introduction by starting off at an exciting point, then draw the reader in with carefully crafted words. Know those characters. If your characters are under-developed and uninteresting, the judge’s interest will wane, so invest some time to create strong, exciting and 3 dimensional characters that appear larger than life. It helps to really get inside the skin of the characters and make them believable. Try to live through the story as you write it, feel every emotion and witness every event that unfolds. This gives your writing an extra and most important winning element. Edit ruthlessly and ensure that the specified word count has been adhered to. Editing is vital to ensure that any unnecessary words are eliminated. Never pad out a story unnecessarily, every word should be important. Develop your own style and a confidence in your work. Don’t leave it until the last minute to write your story. Whilst determination and a ticking clock can kick-start that all important creative process, having time to re-read and edit is paramount. Don’t waste a great storyline and a well-written piece of fiction through starting your story too late and submitting with spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Check out previous winning entries if available, then you are able to judge the standard and the types of stories that won and consider why. Think from a judge’s perspective, could your submission be improved and achieve greater winning potential?

 Creating a winning story in creative writing contests is easy, but it takes great determination and forward planning to write original and well-thought out storylines that stand out from the crowd.


- annette young

I’m having my main character live in portland, Oregon and I need some information about Franklin High School. I’d prefer the information to be from people who have attended the school because I feel that google doesn’t give me enough insight. I would like as much information as possible. Thanks!
- Taylor

When you are in charge of creating optimized content on a regular basis for your company’s website, chances are you have run into a writer’s block. There is no magic *****? to help you out, yet, ****? there are other ***?res. Writer’s block is a very common occurrence that happens to the best and most creative writers, ***?O or non-SEO. Over ***?me, while your skill and style are honed to ***?rfection, your tank of ideas begins to run out, making it harder and harder to come up with fresh ideas and new angles. Here are a few ideas on how get your creative juices flowing freely again.

Browse Industry Blogs

No matter if you are in ***?O or not, chances are there are hundreds of blogs covering the topics specific to your company. You can easily conduct a blog ***?arch on the ****?gle Blog feature will give you a plethora of material to spark your creativity. You can even use your keywords to identify more appropriate results and keep notes on the most relevant blogs to your writing. For ***?arch engine optimization and everything ****?gle, I tend to check Michael Gray’s blog, Graywolf ***?O Blog, and ****?gle’s Matt ***?tts, ***?dgets, ****?gle, and ***?O.

Please Note: Be careful not to copy or scrape content from other ***?ople. This is ****?ribly bad form and a rampant trend in blogging. Use your own opinion and experiences to ensure that you are providing interesting and unique content for readers. This only makes them come back for more.

Read Industry Magazines and Journals

I realize that reading a real magazine is SO last century, ****? they are still relevant, for now. Your company may already have a subscriptions to industry-specific journals or magazines that are rich with inspiring content. These niche magazines usually feature thought-leaders of the industry, so most news and stories will be relevant and intelligent. If there are articles that you disagree with, or left out a ***?rspective, ***?nd in a letter, or write a response article for the journal, or your blog. Joining the conversation will only bring more attention your way at a ***?me when you have gotten back on the Content Train to Productivity Town.

Google Alerts

This is very similar to browsing blogs. ****?gle has this great feature, Alerts, that you can ***?t up to collect stories and articles on the Internet based upon a keyword, and have their links emailed to you on a daily or weekly basis. I have a ****?gle Alert for “SEO News” to keep me updated on news and trends in the ***?arch engine optimization industry. It keeps my ideas fresh and inspired by all the relevant chatter online. It also helps me keep an eye out for scrapers of my own blog.

Competition Comparison

If your competitors are ****?cessfully bringing a different ***?rspective than you are to content creation, chances are you may be missing a key content ingredient. Are they authoring eBooks, or creating engaging newsletters? Do they differentiate themselves from you by ***?lfilling a need of the audience you aren’t? Content is king when it comes to online relevancy. Don’t copy their ideas, ****? consider approaching that delivery of content, whether it a newsletter or eBook, with your own unique ***?rspective. You can’t copyright the “car”, ****? you can copyright the “brand”.

Talk To Your ****?ents

What do your ****?ents ****?t to read? Maybe you aren’t covering a topic that is frustrating the ***?n out of your ****?ents. There may be something about your business that isn’t being communicated clearly, ****? no one knows it needs to be addressed. Your biggest ***?ns, your ****?ents, are an enormous resource for ideas on content. The best thing about it is you are guaranteeing readership.

At the end of the day, it still takes a great voice and sound skills to create intelligent, relevant, and engaging content. Although it is a basic skill everyone learns in grammar school, writing talent is not to be squandered. Copywriting is no different, and the balance between salesy and natural language is constantly being tested. In a world where the word travels ***?ster than emotions, unique ideas can be hard to come by. Don’t get discouraged. Do research, converse with industry thought leaders and ****?ents, and your creative juices will flow again.

Volacci is the leading Drupal ***?O company and very passionate about your online ****?cess. By the end of your contract you will have at least ***? much additional business from your web site ***? you spend on our ***?rvices… or we’ll work for free until you do.

Volacci.® Your Profit. Our Passion.


- Jeb Walker

Novel Writing, My True Story

By Arthur L Burton III

Novel writing begins with a thought, a vision, something that you ***?e everyday like a sign or a ***?rson. In general, you need to have an idea for a Novel before you can begin to say that you are going to write a bestseller. It has been the dreams of writers for years to write a ****?k that everyone will love and praise. I remember on my way Upstate New York I saw a sign that said The Town of Monroe. I was on my way to a party and when I arrived and sat down at the table my mind was running through scenarios so that I could begin writing. I went into the bathroom, removed some ***?ssue and wrote the ***.e down along with some character ideas. This was the birth of my first novel ***.ed The Savior of the Woods. I made one mistake, I took the easy way and ***?lf-published the novel without first researching what I would need to do to prepare for a ****?cessful novel. I wrote the novel paid the fee and two days later ***?nt in a badly edited copy of m Novel. I began ***?arching ****?gle and ***?ople were reading the novel and making statements that it was a great novel ****? the editing took away from a ****?k that was a great story. I was on my way completing my ***?cond novel I began ***?nding out 50 query letters a day and every one of them came back with an excuse why the Agent would not *****? me up. I was discouraged ****? I knew that I did not have the financial stability to ***?lf-publish and market another novel. I held on to the novel for almost a year before I became encouraged again and started once again attempting to solicit an Agent. I came across the same problems ***? the first ***?me. No one was interested in *****?ing up my project to represent me. I refused to give up trying to find a way to publish my novel so I went on yahoo and began ***?arching for independent publishers who were looking for a fiction novel. The first one I came across was Publish America. I read some reviews and ***?ople were saying that Publish America was a POD (purchase on demand) Publisher. I called and ***?ked them and they informed me that they were not so I ***?nt in my best query letter and after two day’s they requested to read A Brand New Night for Murder and then published it.

If you know that you have written a great novel then you have to get it published. The thing new writers do not know is that most writing groups do not consider a ***?lf-published Author a published Author and they will not accept your submission for membership. Remember in your quest to become an Author do not accept any contract just because you are in a hurry to get your ****?k on the market, because the quick route is usually never the right route. You have to take your ***?me, do it right by your novel and research the company or publisher before you agree to any terms. There have been ***?veral complaints about Agents who post on the web their agencies because they are not legit. I would suggest that you join a yahoo group for writers and this way you have access to writers who will be ***?miliar with Agents and Publishers.

Please show some support and visit the Author’s Website

www.arthurlburton.com

www.paypalsoutlet.com


- Arthur L Burton III

For instance, if you were to write a novel, poem, song lyrics or any other creative or technical writing, can they claim it as their intellectual property? Please provide a resource for your answer.
- Compressed God

I want to read this book again, but I cannot remember the title or author. I think it was “A mirror in time”, but when I google it, it is not the right novel.

I read the book when I was 15 and it’s about love, time travel & ressurection. It starts with a woman sitting in her sitting room in an old tower with her young toddler, she has just told her husband that they are expecting. As she sits there she smells smoke & the tower is soon engulved in flames. The husband arrives too late to save her, but in time to catch the toddler she shoved out the window. He watches as she dies in the fire.
Flash forward to the 20th century to a woman who has an irrational fear of fire & one night she’s inexplicably drawn to visit an old english estate. While wandering the grounds of this estate at night she sees this old pile of rubble, that is what remains of the old, burnt down tower, freaks out and bolts out into the road. She’s struck by a car & blacks out. She awakes back in time, in some other woman’s body. This woman is the second wife to the husband describe earlier who lost his first wife.
Meanwhile her 20th century self is in a coma. Later she discovers that she was this woman in the tower that burnt to the ground & that the husband she lost as the 1st woman, is the husband to the woman she awoke as. The story winds & twists around her & this guy back in the 2oth century, who’s going to a hypnotherapist about these dreams he has. Turns out he’s the husband & the hypnotherapist is the cousin who killed the 1st wife & attempted to kill the 2nd wife too.

One of the main female character’s name is Jessica, one is Elizabeth (I think) the other I cannot remember.
-

All creative writers are bound to an invisible law of journalism. From the beginning of time, the same structure has been used. All of the great writers use it. But after this lesson, you will see that story structure is far more than the initial breakdown:

· Exposition - the beginning, what the story is about

· Conflict - conflict with man vs. man, man vs. nature, or man vs. internal conflict

· Climax

· Resolution

If you Google “story structure,” you will find variations of the story structure. You might find plot, conflict, conclusion - or theme, climax, and conclusion. No matter how you word it, the basic answer is the same. Without any one of these elements, the story will flounder.

But you must expound on the following things, no matter what kind of story you are writing:

· Point of View

· Plot

· Theme

· Setting

· Characterization

· Dialog

· Action

· Writing style

· Genre

If you want to transfer your reader from their sofa or chair to the scene in your mind, you must use settings. This can be anything from an open window with a curtain blowing in the breeze to a murder scene in progress. The best idea is to open midway of an action scene. This will grab your audience quicker and keep them longer, as they read to find the outcome of the actions.

There is a difference between plot and theme. Plot is the series of events that occur in the story. Plot is what the story is about. Theme, on the other hand, is the underlying motivation that drives the story. The open window with the curtains blowing in the breeze is part of a setting, which in turn is part of the larger picture, the plot. Every time there is an event in the story, you must ask yourself these questions: “Why is the window open? How did the window get opened? Obviously, someone opened it. But why?” - then you are in the theme of the story. Always ask yourself, who, what, when, where, why and how. The answer to these questions is the theme that drives the story.

Point of view is how the reader sees the story. If you tell it in first person point of view (I went the store… ), the reader will see the story through your eyes. If you tell it in third person point of view, (He went to the store… ), the reader will see the story through the character’s eyes. New writers usually like to write in first person, but most editors are now buying mostly third person. This new trend makes a huge difference in choosing your POV.

A few brief words on some of the above: Characterization - make your characters real to the reader by concentrating on descriptions, attitudes, failures, and quirks. Dialog - it’s okay to use accents, but preferably not on the main character. And for settings - use anything that describes where a person is, or will be.

For more fantastic writer’s tips, see below!


- Deborah Owen

Content is the king and well written content not only attract customers but also help in getting high rankings on the major search engines like Google, MSN and Yahoo. Therefore, it becomes very important to choose a proficient content writer to write the content of your website or marketing materials. There are many freelance writers available on the net who are offering excellent freelance writing services at affordable prices. Many of them specialize in writing SEO web content whereas others may have the creative edge to write on anything and everything. Here are some basic things one must keep in mind while selecting a freelance writing expert:

1.Command over the language: It is very important that the content writer should have command over both the British English and U.S English and a strong hold over the semantic rules. Poor grammar not only creates a bad impression but also affect the content value adversely. To write a content rich copy it is very important to have a good vocabulary as that allows the person to express the thoughts clearly and precisely.

2.Experience in content writing: Only a person who has good experience in freelance writing can develop content that is appealing to the end user and also meets the criteria of search engines. Most of the experienced content writers have knowledge of SEO (search engine optimization) and know that the use of business potential Keywords can help in improving the ranking of the website and help in increasing the conversion rate significantly.

3.Make use of high quality Freelance Writing Software: A freelance writing expert can make use of excellent Freelance Writing Software for assistance. Make sure that the freelance writer you select uses the best Software for Freelance Writers. A good quality Freelance Writing Software can help in generating good–quality content that is free of grammatical errors, spelling mistakes or typos. It works like a Freelance Editor that does the proofreading for the Freelance Writing specialist. Freelance Writing Software helps in creating powerful content that boosts online business.

On websites providing writers software, you can find an excellent quality Freelance Writing Software that can help in Writing Books, Writing eBooks, Writing Articles, Marketing Content, Copywriting, Writing Screenplays, and Fiction Writings - Stories, Essays, and Poetry.


- Valeria Kennedy

The technological singularity is approaching. What science fiction books do you recommend for the purpose of mentally preparing for, and affecting, what according to singularitarians like Ray Kurzweil may happen during the coming 40 years or so? I want science fiction that treats issues on the coming continuingly accelerating technology development and its political consequences, stuff that is interesting for humanity’s development; paradise engineering scenarios as well as disaster scenarios. I want the kind of hardcore, science-based but still mind-blowing science fiction ideas that singularitarians say may be relevant to our political (and also individual) decisions in our REAL life the coming decades.

PS Anyone tempted to answer that I shouldn’t rely on science fiction if I want to prepare for the future, please google “technological singularity” and read about it first!
- Justin Case