Write to be Published
Issue 3 June 2010
Welcome to the online version of Write to be Published Issue 3.
Please let us know what you think about our duel new look writing publication.
Each month, on or around the last weekend, we will send out a newsletter providing
the links to your new publication. Please note that the website address will change for each newsletter.
In this issue, we have lots of information to help you learn new techniques, win prizes and to help you to take your writing
towards publication.
To maximise your enjoyment, here are a list of direct links
Articles and Free Competition – Current Page
Writing Markets – Click here
Writing Jobs – Click here
Writing Projects – Click here
Free Competition
What Happens Next?
1st Prize: Video Coaching Session
Take a good look at the beautiful scene depicted in the photo. Write a brief summary depicting what would happen next and you could win a personalised coaching session.
No specified word count but maximum 2 or 3 paragraphs.
Email: [email protected] and add ‘What Happens Next ‘to the subject line. Please remember to add your membership number to the email.
Reveal your Characters Bit by Bit
by Annette Young
When you create your characters, remember that you should create complex character profiles so that you can build multiple layers to their personalities. This is so important because you are only going to reveal little bits and pieces of those all important traits to your readers.
Bombarding the readers with too much information about your characters is only a distraction. For example:
Joel’s commercially prepared blonde streaked hair, flopped alluringly over his green eyes that sparkled in the summer sun. His freckles joined up like a dot to dot picture making him look about ten years old although he hated them, they added a cuteness to his face. The boyish features planted firmly on a slightly overweight body didn’t quite gel and his acid wit turned off many. He liked skateboarding and surfing and showing off his golden brown tan which at least made the freckles dissolve into his new colouring. Joel liked to get his own way, if his cutesy appeal didn’t work the first time, he was prone to sulking, something that his mother had desperately tried to stop him doing. Joel’s girlfriends tried to avoid this happening as the sulking continued until they finally caved in, something that seriously could take days to achieve. His job as a bank clerk didn’t pay a lot but it had taught him to look after his money, something else the girls didn’t really like about him as he insisted they pay for their own.
Some of this information would be useful to the reader but too much would just negate from the storyline and leave the reader feeling exasperated. Tease the reader with subtle hints throughout and weave your characters personality traits in gradually. Let the reader absorb this information and start to build up their own perceptions through your careful management of the information. Knowing what to put in and of course, what to leave out is very important as is the timing of the information. Never add data just to pad out the storyline either as the reader will recognise it. If the tension is building within the plot and perhaps your character has a habit of losing their nerve at difficult situations, then this is the ideal time to plant the seed of doubt in your readers mind. Will he or won’t he stay the course and resolve the issue? The reader needs to be kept interested and feeding them the right information at key points is a great way to keep their interest and have them yearning for more.
Social Networking – Make It Work For You
by Annette Young
It is not enough to simply be a good writer, these days it is almost as important to be an expert in social networking and marketing. This can be a bit of a shock for writers who will have spent a long time honing their creativity only to find that they have been left behind when it comes to ‘getting the word out there’ regarding their writing projects.
When used correctly, social networking resources can be a useful way to increase interest in your work. It is ideal for example for those writers who are on the book promotion trail and although promotion does not always come easy to writers, it is a necessary tool in the modern age. Taking time to get to know others with the same interests is easy with certain networking sites and as well as broadening your own horizons and having fun, they can ease the times when writers block strikes or additional inspiration is needed.
Some of the most wellknown social networking sites include:
There are numerous sites to explore, all offering the same potential for self promotion but if not careful, they can also work to distract you from your goals. Celebrity tweets and facebook applications as a prime example can reduce the amount of time available for your writing. Social networking can be addictive and it’s very compulsion can work against and not for you.
How to Become a Magazine Writer – My Four Best Tips
by Angela Booth
I started writing for magazines in the 1980s. Over the years, I’ve sold many articles.
Editors are busy. However, they’re well aware of whatever crosses their desk, so if you send your queries by snail mail or as some magazines prefer, via fax or email, editors are aware of you, whether they respond or not.The more queries you send, with your best ideas, creativity, and writing, the more they’ll watch you. Sooner or later, you’ll get a response, usually via the phone. Therefore, always include all your contact details, especially your phone numbers.
2. If You Like an Idea, Never Give up on a Proposal — Keep Sending It out
Got a great idea you think would be perfect? If a particular editor wants an idea, you’ll get a response, within a day or two.
If two weeks pass, and you haven’t received a response, send the proposal elsewhere.
Make sure you edit your proposal first however. I can still remember how my face burned when I faxed a query to an editor (number three on my list). I was in a hurry, and forgot to remove the name of the second editor I’d sent it to.
Editor Three called me at once. She laughed, and wanted the article, but slyly suggested that I reread the query. Embarrassing.
3. Enthusiasm Is Everything: Discover What You LOVE
Passion and enthusiasm glow in your words. If you love a particular magazine, chances are good that you can write for them. If you read enough issues, you’ll get a feeling for what they want.
From then on, find ideas that excite you, and send them along. Editors will forgive you a great deal if you’re passionate.
4. What Are You Selling? Pay Attention to Your Rights
Try to keep as many rights to your words as possible. Nowadays, editors try to buy all rights (all worldwide rights, serial and electronic, for preference.) Negotiate. Never give up all rights without negotiating to keep as many as you can.
Writing for magazines is a lot of fun. You’ll make money, and you’ll make great contacts too. Try it, you may enjoy it.
Want to write for magazines? You can, with Angela Booth’s “Freelance Writing: Make Great Money Writing Articles For Magazines (In Your Spare Time)” at http://abmagic.com/magazines.html
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com/Article/How-to-Become-a-Magazine-Writer–My-Four-Best-Tips/753046
