Writer's Tips
Writer's tips are like refined gems scattered about the grazing land of the Internet just waiting for us newbies to find them. I can't resist them and I'll bet you can't either. I'm a complete nut about them. Whenever I find a writer's tip or a link to one, I follow it like the Holy Grail, sure that, when I find the right tip, that magical formula or method of writing, I'll sit down and instantly write a best seller. HA! As a writer I'm always on the hunt for anything that will enhance my skills. Do I use all the tips that I glean? No, but that doesn't dampen my zeal when it comes to looking for them.
It's important to remember that not all tips work for all writers. What resonates with me might skip off your skull like a rock skipping off a lake, or vice versa. The important thing, in my opinion, is to search them out and read them. I like to keep a file of those that I find useful. One of the sites I found quite a while ago is Poynter Online. He has a list of Thirty Tools for Writers that are excellent tips. I have a link that will take you there at the bottom of the page in the Sites to See, Places to Go section.
News Flash: News Flash: One of my favorite publishers has a new blog that they've just started. Sarah M. Gibson writes the blog while Jared D.Vineyard edits it and provides many of the tips. Can't beat that, where better to get tips than from a publisher. They'll be adding new tips from time to time so do check it out. The first two tips are already posted. Here are teasers from each one:
"The first tool we want to share with you is physical character development.
Part of creating a great story is creating great characters. A great way to begin developing a character is figuring out their physical characteristics."
"Now that we have covered how your character looks, it's time to figure out what he/she wants. Stories are about characters who want something, their struggles to get that want, and what happens when they succeed or fail in getting what they want. Wants need to be a part of all of your characters, antagonists and protagonists alike."
Want more?? Just go to: J.D.Vine Publishing and click on "blog" or use the link at the bottom of the page.
Well, that's it for this issues Rant n Rave section, on to Tidbits.
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I don’t know how many of you use a little freebie program called Word Web but if, for some reason you don’t use it or have never heard of it here's a news flash. GET IT NOW!!. I use it all the time when I'm writing. If I think that maybe, (perish the thought!) I've misspelled a word or am looking for another word to use in place of the gem I've just placed on screen, salvation is just a click away. All I have to do is place my cursor at the beginning of the verbal culprit and click on the friendly little icon on my desktop.
VOILA! Up pops this wonderful little screen that shows me what the word is, i.e.: noun, verb, pronoun, etc, pronunciation and meaning. It also allows me to check out all the synonyms, type of word, spelling and other Internet resources such as Wikepaedia and Wiktionary. All with one click of my mouse and, BEST OF ALL, it's a FREE download. I've used the free version for years now and wouldn't be without it.
There is also a Pro version, which can be purchased for a mere $29.00. It's Wordweb Pro 5 and, in addition to all that the free version features, the full Pro version includes 6000 more definitions and numerous extra features including: Adding custom web references, custom glossaries, wildcard word search and much more. I'll be purchasing my copy as an early Christmas present to me unless I can drop enough heavy hints to get my wife to pick it up for me.
Now all of that may sound a bit like a commercial and it is! When I find something this good, I like to share it with everyone!! No, I don't get paid for advertising. Do yourself a favor, download it and try it. Use this link: Word Web or use the link on my homepage to go to their site. Now, on to Last but Not Least….
"I didn't know that!"
Did you know? That Lewis Carrol's real name was Charles Ludwige Dodgson?
"I didn't know that!" His pseudonym, Lewis Carrol, was a play on words of his real name. Lewis is the English form of Ludovicus, (Latin for Lutwige). Carrol is the English version of Carolus (Latin for Charles). He wrote `Through the Looking Glass", among other great stories. Well, that's it for this time, see ya later gater…..Aelf
My Writing Friend: writingfriend@earthlink.net
Nick Daws Writers Circle: Nick Daw's Writer's Circle.
Wridea: http://www.wridea.com/
J.D.Vine Publishing:J.D.Vine Publishing
Tennessee Writers Alliance: http://www.tn-writers.org/
USA Patriotism, Poetry: http://www.usa-patriotism.com/
Poynter's Tips:Poynter: 30 Writers Tips
Auto Crit Automatic manuscript checker: http://www.autocrit.com/
Word Web download :Word Web
I’ll be adding to the above list as time goes on and I find more newbie friendly sites.
Copyright © 10/10/07
posted by Aelf at 2:01 AM
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