Writing Tool update
"Writing is just having a sheet of paper, a pen, and not a shadow of an idea of what you're going to say." --Francoise Sagan
The Rant 'N' Rave Section
First I'll report on Dr. Wicked's online writer's tool. I've been using Dr. Wicked's software now for a month and have gone from chapter 6 of my novel through chapter 11. That's quite an impressive jump in my output. My average has been about one chapter a month or less. It has taken a bit of getting used to on my part. Francoise Sagan must be watching each time I sit down to write. Sitting down in front of a blank screen with a word goal of five-hundred words and a time limit of thirty minutes is daunting. Even more so when I haven't the foggiest idea of any specifics about what I'm going to put down. Oh, of course I have a general idea of where my main character is going and I know what his immediate and primary goals are but beyond that I haven't got a clue. That's where some of the magic of Dr. Wicked's site comes in. I have no choice. I have to start typing. Words flow, ideas abound and flow onto the screen like oil spilled on water. Oh, did I mention that if I pause for too long, the words I've written start to unwrite themselves? Okay, I'm impressed with this tool and highly recommend it. I wish I'd known about it when I started to write.
Next, let's talk about characters for a moment. I bought a how to book on characters a couple of weeks ago. (I've got several already but none of them seemed to click with me.) It's called Creating Characters, How to build people, by Dwight V. Swain. I usually only get through about the first chapter of a how to book before my eyes cross, my mind goes blank and my fingers go numb and my ears fall off. That's when the book winds up in my library with the promise that someday, maybe, I'll finish it. NOT!
This book is different. I've learned more in the first two chapters of this book than in all the others combined. I'm now on chapter 9, Wild Cards, building offbeat characters. Luckily for me I'm just finishing the first draft of my novel. I expect to have read this book cover to cover before my first rewrite. Knowing what the book contains and using it for a reference to make my characters leap of the pages will be a tremendous help. Did I mention that I recommend this book? Specially for newbies, but it's a great addition to any writers repertoire. On to tidbits...
"TIDBITS"
Here's a great contest to enter:
The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to everyone! This competition welcomes anyone who loves arranging words into the beautiful art of poetry or to write a short story that is worth telling everyone. 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.
Postmark Deadline: July 31, 2009
All winners will be announced on August 31, 2009
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.
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. Fees payable to: “Dreamquestone.Com”
Mail to:
Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654
Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com/ for further details or to enter!
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember, in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One
Word of the month
Aeolist: A pompous windy bore who pretends to have inspiration. “Sounds a lot like a politician to me!”
Last but Not Least
"I didn't know that!"
Jonathan Swift 1667 - 1745 Dublin born Swift finished his education in Trinity College and was ordained into the Church of Ireland in 1695. Thought by many to be the greatest prose satirist in the English language his most well famous book,Gulliver's Travels. a childrens favourite was in fact intended for adults. He once stated that he thought Ireland 'the most miserable country upon earth'. Certainly a novel approach to getting on the list of famous Irish people. Nonetheless he was very fondly regarded. Apparently he died 'mad' and left much of his estate for the establishment of St. Patrick's Hospital which incidentally still treats mental illness.
My thanks to Real Irish Food at http://www.realirishfood-recipes.com/famous-Irish-people-2.html for the above.
Well, that's it for this time, see ya later gater…..Aelf
Sites to see, places to go and groups to join
Long Story Short: http://www.alongstoryshort.net/
Fantasy Gazetteer: http://www.fantasygazetteer.com/
My Writing Friend: writingfriend@yahoo
Linda Barnett-Johnson: http://lindabarnettjohnson.homestead.com/
Pindersoft's Writers Project Organizer: http://www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm
StorYBook 2.1.11 http://storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/
Nick Daws Writers Circle: Nick Daw's Writer's Circle.
Wridea: http://www.wridea.com/
J.D.Vine Publishing: http://www.jdvine/com/index.html
Tennessee Writers Alliance: http://www.tn-writers.org/
USA Patriotism, Poetry: http://www.usa-patriotism.com/
Poynter 30 Writer's Tips: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid=103943
Freebie Writers Tools
Idea Cruncher: http://www.ideacruncher.com/purchase/
Freemind: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Auto Crit: Automatic manuscript checker: http://www.autocrit.com/
Word Web download :http://www.wordweb.info/
I’ll be adding to the above list as time goes on and I find more newbie friendly sites.Copyright © 04/29/09
First I'll report on Dr. Wicked's online writer's tool. I've been using Dr. Wicked's software now for a month and have gone from chapter 6 of my novel through chapter 11. That's quite an impressive jump in my output. My average has been about one chapter a month or less. It has taken a bit of getting used to on my part. Francoise Sagan must be watching each time I sit down to write. Sitting down in front of a blank screen with a word goal of five-hundred words and a time limit of thirty minutes is daunting. Even more so when I haven't the foggiest idea of any specifics about what I'm going to put down. Oh, of course I have a general idea of where my main character is going and I know what his immediate and primary goals are but beyond that I haven't got a clue. That's where some of the magic of Dr. Wicked's site comes in. I have no choice. I have to start typing. Words flow, ideas abound and flow onto the screen like oil spilled on water. Oh, did I mention that if I pause for too long, the words I've written start to unwrite themselves? Okay, I'm impressed with this tool and highly recommend it. I wish I'd known about it when I started to write.
Next, let's talk about characters for a moment. I bought a how to book on characters a couple of weeks ago. (I've got several already but none of them seemed to click with me.) It's called Creating Characters, How to build people, by Dwight V. Swain. I usually only get through about the first chapter of a how to book before my eyes cross, my mind goes blank and my fingers go numb and my ears fall off. That's when the book winds up in my library with the promise that someday, maybe, I'll finish it. NOT!
This book is different. I've learned more in the first two chapters of this book than in all the others combined. I'm now on chapter 9, Wild Cards, building offbeat characters. Luckily for me I'm just finishing the first draft of my novel. I expect to have read this book cover to cover before my first rewrite. Knowing what the book contains and using it for a reference to make my characters leap of the pages will be a tremendous help. Did I mention that I recommend this book? Specially for newbies, but it's a great addition to any writers repertoire. On to tidbits...
The Dream Quest One Poetry & Writing Contest is open to everyone! This competition welcomes anyone who loves arranging words into the beautiful art of poetry or to write a short story that is worth telling everyone. 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.
Postmark Deadline: July 31, 2009
All winners will be announced on August 31, 2009
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.
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. Fees payable to: “Dreamquestone.Com”
Mail to:
Dream Quest One
Poetry & Writing Contest
P.O. Box 3141
Chicago, IL 60654
Visit http://www.dreamquestone.com/ for further details or to enter!
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. “And remember, in whatever you do, it’s okay to dream, for dreams do come true.” –Dream Quest One
My thanks to Real Irish Food at http://www.realirishfood-recipes.com/famous-Irish-people-2.html for the above.
Long Story Short: http://www.alongstoryshort.net/
Fantasy Gazetteer: http://www.fantasygazetteer.com/
My Writing Friend: writingfriend@yahoo
Linda Barnett-Johnson: http://lindabarnettjohnson.homestead.com/
Pindersoft's Writers Project Organizer: http://www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm
StorYBook 2.1.11 http://storybook.intertec.ch/joomla/
Nick Daws Writers Circle: Nick Daw's Writer's Circle.
Wridea: http://www.wridea.com/
J.D.Vine Publishing: http://www.jdvine/com/index.html
Tennessee Writers Alliance: http://www.tn-writers.org/
USA Patriotism, Poetry: http://www.usa-patriotism.com/
Poynter 30 Writer's Tips: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid=103943
Idea Cruncher: http://www.ideacruncher.com/purchase/
Freemind: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Auto Crit: Automatic manuscript checker: http://www.autocrit.com/
Word Web download :http://www.wordweb.info/
I’ll be adding to the above list as time goes on and I find more newbie friendly sites.Copyright © 04/29/09
posted by Aelf at 4:23 AM
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