|
*** WRITESUCCESS QUOTE "My
grandpa always used to say that falling on your face is the first step forward." Pat
Mitchell, CEO of The Museum of Television and Radio *** FROM MY DESK TO YOURS: Clearing the Air Hello: I quit smoking a little over a month ago, putting an end once and for all to my over
30-year love-hate relationship with cigarettes. For those of you who have never smoked, bravo.
You are truly the smart ones. But you would also have no idea what quitting is like.
I wish I could say the same. This is hardly my first attempt, but I vow it will be my last. Naturally, smoking was permitted in my home office—after all, it was
my home office—and writing and smoking for me went together like peas and carrots,
as Forrest Gump would say. In fact, with a lit cigarette by my side, I could sit at the keyboard for hours,
sucking in poisons while simultaneously trying to breathe life into my writing. For years, the irony of
that was lost on me. So
I am now in the process of relearning how to do all of the things I enjoy without lighting up a menthol light 100.
Reading, taking an outdoor break from my day job, sipping my morning coffee, driving…and yes, especially writing.
That’s why this issue of WriteSuccess is late. My ability to concentrate for any length of
time hasn’t returned to peak levels yet, nor has my ability to sit still for any significant length of time when I’m
home, unless I am fast asleep. And speaking of sleeping, that’s something I simply can’t seem to get enough of
these days. All of this will pass, and I can hardly wait. What has helped me, writing-wise, and what I hope you’ll
take away from this, is my firm belief that even ten or fifteen minutes of writing a day is better than none—no matter
how stressed, busy, overwhelmed, tired, or whatever we writers may be. So maybe I can’t sit still for hours at a stretch
right now, but I can for 15 minutes, sometimes longer. And that’s enough to tap out a short piece,
do a first draft of a query letter, s-l-o-w-l-y put together the latest issue of an e-zine, or write this issue’s “From
My Desk to Yours” column. Actually, it took me 22 minutes to write this. Hey, maybe I’ll get the hang of this smoke-free
writing thing after all! Here’s
to your writing success. Mary Anne MaryAnneHahn1@aol.com *** AN EXCLUSIVE
MEMBERSHIP SITE FOR WRITERS! Resources4Writers site is jam-packed with features that you can use
to establish,
develop and grow your writing career—from free instructional e-
books and reports on a number
of writing topics, to low or no cost
Web site, newsletter template and e-book creation tools. Moreover,
site owner
Cheryl Wright continues to steadily add new resources for members to
explore and use, notifying her members as she does
so.
The five free writing courses she currently offers to members are
worth the price of the membership in
themselves. They are:
Outside the Square Fiction Workshop
E-book Marketing Secrets Course
Short Story
Writing Workshop
6 Steps to Create and Sell Your Own Products Online
5 Part Copywriting Course
Not sure
yet that you want to join? Then you can try it seven days
at no charge. I guarantee that Cheryl will make your membership
extremely worthwhile. You have nothing to lose and tons to gain.
For your fr.ee trial, go to http://tinyurl.com/2c6u69 . ***
|
|
BUILD
A PROFESSIONAL-LOOKING WEB SITE IN MINUTES Want a simple,
professional Web site for your writing business? Then use the company I used to create http://writesuccess.com , http://henchenmarina.com and http://hendersonharborny.com. For $11.95 a month you get free domain registration, a selection of hundreds of templates
to choose from, a ridiculously easy to use site builder, and much more! http://tinyurl.com/223672
*** SETTING YOUR SITES: Useful Sites for Writers Poets.org The site for the Academy of American Poets. Poet and poem spotlights, a free poetry
reading download, lots of articles, books and gift ideas for poets.
http://www.poets.org --- Robert Niles “Statistics every writer should know.”
Actually, this site doesn’t really provide statistics, but explains numerous statistical terms and how to use
them to beef up your writing. http://www.robertniles.com/stats/ --- Writing
Fix OK, this site is pretty cool—it
bills itself as the Home of Interactive Writing Prompts. Tons of free lessons and tools here. Right- and
left-brained writing prompts. http://writingfix.com --- Passionate Pen Great site for romance writers. Agent and publishers lists, submission
checklist, workshops and more. http://www.passionatepen.com/ ***
MY FIRST NOVEL IS NOW PUBLISHED THANKS TO NEWNOVELIST SOFTWARE.
"Many times over the last few years I
would attempt to write, not
sure what my problem was. Then newnovelist would show me the way.
Making it possible
to outline my story and establish its cast of
characters. Writing became a real joy. Thank you for your fine
product"
Mervin H Dochterman and 50,000 others have already
bought and enjoyed newnovelist – the software that helps you
write a novel. Buy your copy for less than $60 here: http://tinyurl.com/3tx4e *** FREE RESOURCES
FOR WRITERS My Book’s Out A place where you can publicize the release of your book (plus see what other writers are publicizing). http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MyBooksOut/ --- Paying Writer Jobs This is a mailing list for paying writer and
editor jobs. It can be Freelance, Staff, Contract, or Permanent, but must PAY. No work for free or chit-chat allowed. This
is primarily a network for writers and editors who are looking for work and editors who are looking for professional writers.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PayingWriterJobs --- Screenwriting The ultimate gathering place for professional and "new" screenwriters to discuss the industry
and network. Anyone in the film industry is welcome and you never know who you'll run into: producers, managers, and agents. http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/screenwriting --- "Year
to Success"
A
place where you can sign up and receive 365 daily prompts and
exercises designed to help you focus on defining and creating
a
successful life--and it doesn't cost a cent. You can check it out
here: http://hahnmah.yeartosuccess.com --- Rob
Middleton’s Marketing Workbook and E-zine Setting up
a writing and/or editing service? Want it to thrive?
Then you need a marketing plan. Get your free workbook here:
http://hypertracker.com/go/writesuccess/plan/ ***.
DEALDOTCOM—Where You’ll
Find a New Deal Every Day! Get great deals on software, Internet business tools, and more. Or
make money promoting this cool site to others. http://www.dealdotcom.com/invite/12000/ *** Earn
$5, $25, $50 or more writing and publishing the short pieces that hundreds of magazines crave.
Wouldn’t it be awesome to find these checks in your mailbox every day? *
Get Paid to Write Book Reviews * Short and Sweet—Markets for Your Fillers *
Cooking Up Recipes—Markets for Your Recipes and Food Tips * Quick as a Flash—Markets for flash fiction
100-500 words * Just Hit Send—Markets that You Can Query via E-mail These
ebooks provide you with specific markets for these kinds of pieces, saving you hours and hours of research. You
can download them within minutes by going here: http://tinyurl.com/2gep2r . *** WRITESUCCESS STORIES Have
you won a writing contest? Sold a story, article or essay? Landed a freelance writing
gig? Published a book? Whatever the success, drop me a line at MaryAnneHahn1@aol.com
and tell us about it!
*** CALLS FOR WRITERS In this section, you'll
normally find announcements I receive for contests, anthology submissions, sites looking for content writers, information
on writers' conferences, etc. Also, if you are looking to interview or work with
certain types of writers, you can post your request here by emailing me at MaryAnneHahn1@aol.com . --- The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to everyone! This competition welcomes anyone who loves to arrange words into beautiful art
or to write a short story that is worth telling. And to all who have the ability to dream. Write a poem or short story for
a chance to win cash prizes. All works must be original. http://www.dreamquestone.com Guidelines: Write
a poem, thirty lines or fewer on any subject, style, or form, typed or neatly hand printed. And/or
write a short story, five pages maximum length, on any subject or theme, creative writing fiction or non-fiction (including
essay compositions, diary, journal entries and screenwriting). Also, must be typed or neatly hand printed. Multiple
poetry and short story entries are accepted. Deadline: December 31, 2007 All
winners will be announced on January 31, 2008 Prizes: Writing
Contest First Prize is $500. Second Prize: $250. Third Prize: $100. Poetry Contest First Prize is $250.
Second Prize: $125. Third Prize: $50. Entry fees:
Writing Contest entry fee: $10 per short story submitted. Poetry
Contest entry fee: $5 per poem. To send entries:
Include title(s) with your story (ies) or poem(s), along with your name, address, phone#, email, brief biographical info.
(Tell us a little about yourself), on the coversheet. Add a self-addressed stamped envelope for entry confirmation. Mail entries/fees
payable to: Dream Quest One Poetry
& Writing Contest P.O. Box 3141 Chicago, IL 60654 Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com for further details, to print out an entry form or to enter online. --- Dear Writers, I
am currently editing "My Mom Is My Hero," and I am very short on quality entries; thus, I have extended the deadline
to December 15th. I desperately, as in desperately, need an influx of solidly written stories, particularly with strong characterization
and compelling story lines. The heroism doesn't have to be spectacular by any means, but the story does need to be well
told. For example, I'm honoring my mother's memory by writing about how my proper southern mother--a blend of Jacqueline
Kennedy elegance and Ava Gardner sex appeal--taught me social graces. A mother figure, grandmother, or a mother you know qualifies.
The publisher will only
allow five illness/death stories in the total work so I'm encouraging everyone to write about everyday heroism. I really
need diversity and humor! Here's the official "Call" and Guidelines. Please contribute and please pass it on
to anyone you know who might have a good mother story to tell. THANK YOU! "Call for Stories" For Adams Media's new Hero series, we seek fifty 850-1200 word true
stories no later than DECEMBER 15, 2007. We pay $100 per story (one per volume), plus a copy of the book, and we will also
award three prizes $100, $75, and $50 for the top three stories—and a free copy of the published book. A summary of
what we want, formatting requirements, and story tips follows. Please follow them carefully. Also, please click on www.literarycottage.com and carefully review all the text under: "Hero Series Guidelines" where sample stories
are available. My Mom Is My Hero Being a mother often proves the most difficult,
and the most important, job in the world; one that includes conflict but also brings rich—albeit often unspoken—rewards.
In this anthology, we seek to honor real-life mothers and, therefore, want inspiring, true, personal stories that speak to
the challenges, ultimately positive experiences, and extraordinary relationships between mothers and their children (mothers
of all ages, i.e., grandmothers count). Also a woman who served as a mother figure, who played a significant role, or who
performed a heroic deed may also be honored. Heroic deeds range from rescuing a child from physical peril to holding down a steady job and raising
children with exceptional values or work ethics. As we will print very few stories focused on illness or dying, we encourage
authors to choose another time that illustrates your mother's unique character, drive, strength, dedication, tenderness,
generosity, intelligence, humor, etc. Bring your mother to life on the page and show the world why she is worthy of accolades.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: DECEMBER
15, 2007 Please e-mail entries to
sreynolds@literarycottage.com as a separate Word attachment. If you don't have Word available, embed the copy in your
e-mail message (Times New Roman, no special formatting, please). BASICS: 850-1200 WORDS, tightly written, focused, true, uplifting
Formatting Requirements: Send all stories as a separate WORD document. If you don't have Word, embed the story into the
body of the e-mail. Single-space all contact info (name, address, phone, e-mail) at the top left of the document. No headers
or footers; No page numbers. Use 12 pt. Times New Roman; single or 1.5 spacing. Make Paragraphs flush left with one extra
space between them. No indentations. Only use ONE space after a period. Do not put titles in all CAPS; Do not include byline.
Do not put "The End" or anything else at the end. At the bottom of your document, please provide a tightly focused
three-sentence bio. Bios may include selected writing credits, but limit self-promotion to mention of a web site. Humor is
good. Link it to the story if relevant. Story Tips: Story must be true and uplifting. We are honoring mothers. Tell a story—utilizing
classic story structure, i.e., beginning/middle/end If you write an essay or profile, they must include dynamic characterization
Keep the focus on
your mother/mother-figure; she's the heroine of the story! Use description, characterization, action, and dialogue to
bring your mother to life on the page Focus on a momentous event that illustrates your mother's heroic character SHOW
us why your mother is/was unique, exceptional, colorful, dramatic, heroic Cut right to the chase, open with a scene; do not
open with "My mom is my hero because…." Come up with a snappy, evocative title; avoid "My Mom, My Hero,"
etc. Avoid death and illness stories (we'll get way too many) Strive for unique, fascinating, entertaining, distinctive
tales Make all the characters in the story dimensional, memorable Please use active voice and strong verbs. Avoid "It
was" and "There was" sentences. Use potent, succinct modifiers. Employ a strong voice Humor is WELCOME. ---
The season is here. Time to enter
The Christmas 2007 Edition Of The
Nashville
International Song & Lyric Competition®
Grand Prize: $1000 Cash & Prizes*
Including over
$500 cash and a full, 7-pc band demo
First Prize: $500 Cash & Prizes*
Including over $100 cash and a full, 5-pc
band demo
Award of Honor: $250 Cash & Prizes*
Including over $60 cash and a guitar or piano-vocal demo
20
Director's Awards, with $20 Rebate Certificates*
good on any new demo recording
PLUS $200 added to the Grand Prize, $100 added to 1st Prize and $50 more for the Award
of Honor if winners enter by December 1st. Now’s the time to exercise your full creative talent
to write an award-winning Christmas song, or search
for some you’ve already written and send them to us.
We’re looking for the best Christmas songs we can find, and making it worth your while to send them to us. Send us your Christmas songs or lyrics
now and get in the competition. Songs will be judged by professionals in the music business, so all entries will automatically
be heard by professionals who can get your songs to some of the best artists in the business. Plus the Grand Prize
winner will automatically go to at least five publishers and/or artists looking for Christmas songs.
The
entry fee is only $20 per song or lyric. Just enough to cover our postage, handling and administrative costs. But the rewards
are so much more. Not only are the monetary awards great, but everyone who enters gets exposure to judges who can get songs
to top recording artists and record labels.
This is a great
chance for you to make it big with just one song. But you need to enter right away. Because, while the final deadline is December
31, 2007, there are EXTRA bonuses for entries postmarked or uploaded by Dec. 1st.
Some additional rules: Professional Demos, including those done by us are
not eligible for the contest. All entries must be postmarked or uploaded no later than December 31, 2007 and received no later
than January 15, 2007. Winners names will be available on our web site after February 1,
Go to our web site at http://paramountsong.com/Entry-Instructions.php to enter on line.
***
LOOKING FOR FREELANCE
OR PERMANENT WRITING JOBS? Check out the links to writing job sites and listings at http://www.writesuccess.com/id25.html
***
E-ZINE AD SWAPS
FundsforWriters
The grant specialist for writers. Thousands of readers have followed FundsforWriters
for over seven years. There's a reason that Writer's Digest has chosen FFW for its 101 Best Web Sites
for Writers for seven years in a row. Come sign up. Our special is good through December
31, 2007. Register for a newsletter and receive an ebook and half off the paid subscription, TOTAL FundsforWriters.
www.fundsforwriters.com
---
Want
to generate income from your passion of writing? If you’ve been struggling to sell your work, this site is for you.
Writer2Writer is owned and maintained by a working writer making regular income from her writing. Sign up for our FREE courses
(many exclusive to the site) and learn how to turn your skills into cash. And don’t forget to check out our articles
and other resources for writers. http://www.writer2writer.com/x.php?action=alink&id=108
--- If you’re not
familiar with The Literacy Site, it’s a place where your free daily click helps fund books for children in need.
I urge every writer to make a special trip here—it takes seconds to support such a worthy cause.
Visit http://theliteracysite.com .
***
WANTED: ALL WRITERS WHO WANT
*SUCCESSFUL* WRITING CAREERS
Do you enjoy WriteSuccess and find it useful? Then
I hope you will feel free to forward this issue to your writing friends and/or online discussion groups. "WriteSuccess"
for everyone!
If this issue was forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe, mailto:writesuccess_ezine-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
.
ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION Mary Anne Hahn http://writesuccess.com MaryAnneHahn1@aol.com
'Til
next issue-write *every possible moment*...
|
