Writers Resources | The Mighty Pen

How to Select a Publisher

Writing a book is really an exciting task and similarly finding the right book publisher is a very tough task. For the beginners, this is little more difficult task as the first time writer’s manuscripts never guarantee that they will be accepted. However, the writers can do extensive search so that they will have a list of publishers where they can start their career. Here is a simple checklist to choose a publisher for the book.

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First, writers can prepare a list of interested publishing companies. It is always best to talk with people who have recently published their book in the publishing company included in the list. Next, writers should look closely at the publishers catalogs to check whether the idea of the writer’s book match with that of the publishers interest.

Next important thing to consider is the price charged for the paperbacks and hardbacks. Some companies may only publish only hardbacks, so it is better to check carefully. Next thing to check is the review sections of the publishers where the review of the published books will be posted. Some writers love to advertise their book in a unique way. Therefore, writers can check whether the press advertise their books with respect to writers interest.

If the writers are particularly interested in any specific publishers, it is better to arrange an introduction section with the editors or writers in the press. The writers should be well-prepared for the introductory section. Finally, writers should not limit themselves to one publisher and writers should be confident about their book.

Filed Under: General, Publishing Tagged With: publish, Writer, Writers Resources

A Quick How-To on Becoming A Playwright

Are you a writer or an aspiring writing who wants to write dramatic plays and literature? These people are known as playwrights or dramatists. These works are generally written and produced to be performed by actors in a live venue.

There are many ways for a person to become a playwright. It will take a great deal of tenacity and patience, as well as writing talent. While writers are not required to have a college degree, an aspiring playwriting may want to attend classes that can expose them to different writers and writing styles.

Here are a few other tips that those considering writing a dramatic play or performance piece can use to help them along the way.

Read scripts from writers who have a style similar to yours. You will gain knowledge about style and formatting. Formatting a play is almost just as important as the story.

Write what you know. All writers have heard this at one time or another. This may mean taking a personal experience or a compelling story about an acquaintance or family member. Because you are close to the subject, your character development will be easier and more in-depth.

Begin your writing with an outline. You may need to re-work this outline many times, but it will help you stay on track with your story line and characters. The outline does not need to be highly detailed.

Make sure that you know what you are saying and that the audience will understand it. One of the major downfalls of many writers is that what is in their heads may not translate successfully to the page or the stage. Let other people read your work and accept their feedback.

Once your play has made it to the stage, you will need to promote it. Marketing, such as posters and flyers are valuable.

Filed Under: General, How To Tagged With: Playwright, Writer, Writers Resources

Poetry Prompts

Exploring the depth of poetry has a different look to it depending on the reader, but the important part is getting the reader to read it. Here are some templates that will hopefully help get the process going.

â€¢ Formulation. Using this technique limits the use of extra language (fluff) keeping it at a bare minimum, while maximizing a set of directives. This style writes from the imperative mood angle, which is basically expressing direct commands or requests. The sporadic and straightforward nature of this method changes what is a normally complicated topic into a simplistic idea.

â€¢ Suggestion. This technique has no typical guideline, which gives the author the ability to use a subject and voice that they can really dig into. This type of poem has the potential to become a friendly suggestion from a friend or complete stranger, but it comes across as familial advice. However, it can also act as a provocation to an enemy or adversary. The writer has the autonomy to direct the writing however they feel at that moment.

â€¢ Objective method. This method allows the writer to maintain a distance from the topic that influences both the speakerâ€™s outlook and the readerâ€™s response of the poem. With this technique the writer uses more academia language than the use of layman wording.

Take the time to test out each method to see which one of them fits the style of writing, and one that meets the writerâ€™s comfort level. As time goes on, and the writer becomes more confident with their work, they can begin to challenge themselves on other techniques.

When writing poetry it helps to look deep down into the soul. It is imperative, when doing â€œrealâ€ topics to list feelings and views with a passion. These topics are difficult to teach, so try to focus on the more technical aspects of writing poetry when starting out.

Filed Under: Inspirations, Publishing Tagged With: Arts, Business, communication, Poetry, Twitter, Writer, Writers Resources, Writing

Writing inspiration

Writers find inspiration in many different places. Sitting quietly outside taking in a sunset, at the park watching the laughter and play of young children, even observing at a funeral.

These locations evoke some form of emotion, whether it is positive or sadness, they get a writer to contemplate, analyze and feel. This is one of prime times to write all thoughts and emotions down on paper.

Find different locations to write. Donâ€™t always stay in the usual spots. Venture out to places like a coffee shop, a library, or a secluded garden area. The best way to write in these instances is to just write, donâ€™t over think, just write. Donâ€™t worry if it is going to be a publishable work, just write until there is nothing left.

Another option is to try a completely different writing genre. For example, if the norm of your writings is fiction, do some research, and try out writing a fascinating non-fiction topic. It will help to stretch your writing â€œmusclesâ€ to keep it challenging, but also to keep it interesting.

Another idea is to take a writing of your past work and change the viewpoint. Basically if you originally wrote the piece in first person, switch it up, and re-write it in second or third person. Furthermore, go so far as changing the tense from past to present or the other way around.

The technology that is available in this day and age, gives writers the option to join other writers groups that are online to brainstorm through ideas and issues. The groups are other writers who understand the business, and will understand your struggles specifically.

If you are in a writers slump, the best bet is to change it all up and walk away for a time. This will give you the ability to come back with a fresh mind and perspective, and hopefully many ideas!

Filed Under: Inspirations, Publishing Tagged With: Arts, Chats and Forums, Directories, FAQs Help and Tutorials, Mailing Lists, Writer, Writers Resources, Writing

Writing tips

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It has been said many times over, but it never hurts to repeat; successful writers read, a lot.

Here are a few writing tips to help improve the quality of the work.

I. Many mistakes are made when a writer waits until the last minute to do the work. One word; procrastination. There are countless steps that go into a quality piece of work. If too many of these steps are skipped it will affect the quality of the writing. The best advice is, be prepared, have a plan, and get started.

II. Each individual writer has their own pre-writing methods that help them to organize their thoughts and ideas. Some writers use basic outlines, while others use what is called a writers mind map. Whichever one is chosen, it is important to get a plan on paper so specific aspects donâ€™t get forgotten or lost in translation. These tools will also help to keep the writer on task.

III. Audiences thrive on being able to relate to an authors story. It helps to validate their thoughts and feelings as well. That being said, it is imperative not to get lost in an overload of facts and numbers, and not enough life examples and stories. Readers have to be able to relate or stay interested to keep them reading.

IV. Leave the editing for the end. If a writer tries to edit as they write, they lose focus, become frustrated, and the work suffers. Another piece of advice is to write without regard of the comma splices and spelling etc, because most writers edit at least 3-4 times before it is all said and done.

V. Unless the writer is writing a scholarly work, keep words that require a dictionary to a bare minimum. If the writer uses language that is overly sophisticated, they will lose readers due to confusion because of the inability to translate and understand the writing.

Filed Under: Inspirations, Publishing Tagged With: Arts, Blog, FAQs Help and Tutorials, Mailing Lists, Publishing, Writer, Writers Resources, Writing

Becoming a writer

Can anyone become a writer? Writing potential is in all of us, but what that branches into becomes very diverse. If it is an aspiration to write as a career, than dedication and practice will help meet that goal.

A few recommendations to those novices just starting out, below are some tips that will hopefully help kick start your writing.

One of the first things to do is to absorb all the activity around you going on. (Potential topics) Try to stop participating, and turn the focus on observing. It is recommending to somewhat detach yourself from the current surroundings. Take in first hand account on how people act and interact with each other in social situations.

Make a conscious effort to take in things you normally take for granted such as buildings, street shops and so on. Notice what is in front of you, beside you, underneath, and document it.

Write what you are thinking in that moment. If you are in a discussion with someone, take the first moment available and dictate it. Be vivid in describing everything from environment, to colors, textures, objects and so on.

Another idea is to take one of your most embarrassing moments and write it down. Don’t leave anything out. Once you are finished, put it out of sight for a few weeks, and than come back to it and see if your perspective has changed.

Don’t put restrictions on what you write. Try to write every form such as poems, fiction, dialogue, and even take a stab at writing songs. You never know when that practice in different arenas will benefit you in other writings.

The main point is to set goals you can achieve. We tend to set goals to a standard most normal people cannot attain. Start out small and move up.

Filed Under: Inspirations, Publishing Tagged With: Arts, Business, Communications, Publishing, Writers Resources, Writing, Writing and Editing, Writing Exercises

Getting published

Getting published can be a stressful time, but the sense of accomplishment at the end is well worth it. It cant be stressed enough about the importance of reading. If you are writing for a specific genre, it is crucial to read other books in the same arena. These books are your competition; by checking them out you are able to see what is succeeding and what is not.

Also read other genres for ideas. It may be helpful to read plays that will help with forming dialogue, thrillers for developing plots, and short stories for articulateness.

Another aspect is staying teachable. There are workshops, readings, and seminars available for longtime writers as well as those just starting out. This will help give you the opportunity to share writing struggles, ideas and so on with other writers who may be able to help guide you. This is also a good networking tool that is always a key thing to do in any business.

Enter your work into as many competitions as you can. There are numerous contests available via the web, and this not only gives you practice, but also give you the opportunity to see if your writing has the potential that you think it does.

Developing your voice as a writer is also a crucial piece to becoming a successful author. If you choose to go with a mainstream publishing house you will want to obtain the services of an agent. Most publishers wont even look at an authors work without going through an agent. This can be expensive, and most publishers, if they choose to publish your work, will likely own the rights to your book. It is important to have good representation so as not to lose your rights to the work you have spent so much time and energy on.

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Creative writing

Creative writing is a fun and rewarding activity for aspiring writers, and it can also be an activity that is shared with kids and family. It is important to start out with small projects. It will discourage and frustrate you if the first writing project you choose is an epic novel. Start out by writing a series of short stories or poems to get a feel for your writing style. It will also give you a chance to see how easily you can put words to together in an understanding and cohesive manner.

It is not uncommon to have writers block from time to time. Generally if you remove yourself from the situation for a brief period and come back, you will have a fresh perspective on what has gotten you stuck. Another way to get passed the writers block are prompts. There are several ways to getting these idea prompts such as: online, in books, or just taking a moment to take in your current environment.

There are parts of writing a creative piece such as: plots, characters, disputes and contradictions and so forth. These are what are considered the meat of any good writing. Another method to help just start your writing is the jumble story method. What this method entails is taking paper and writing about varying scenarios, characters and their notable traits, and write them down on the different pieces of paper. Pick one sheet per category, and use them to make a story. This exercise will also help stretch you as a writer, because you will have to think outside the box to put the story together.

It is a great idea to join a writing group with others to share ideas, but also for them to be able to critique and proofread your work. Those two items are imperative when you write.

Filed Under: Inspirations, Publishing Tagged With: Arts, Creative writing, FAQs Help and Tutorials, Mailing Lists, Master of Fine Arts, Writer's block, Writers Resources, Writing Exercises

Writing viewpoints

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Deciding what viewpoint to write a story will eventually become the basis of building credibility for each of the main characters. Here are some different viewpoints on which stories are told.

If the story is written from an objective viewpoint it is being told from an external view. This is a form of narrative that is based solely on the observations of what a character says and does. This is used frequently in the romance genre.

Next is the first person subjective. This is being told from the person narrating, and it is not an objective outsider. Telling a story from this viewpoint is based completely on one characters view. While writing in this form it gives the character the opportunity to draw closer to the reader. Generally this is the point of view that most mystery and suspense writers use.

When it comes to second person narrative, it is very rarely used in any form of fiction writing. Another viewpoint is omniscient. This particular narrative is all knowing. In the same way that God is viewed as omnipotent. With this form of writing each character will likely be given the chance to disclose their personal thoughts and views separate from each other.

Lastly, we have author intrusion. This is another one that is not widely used as it was years ago in the Renaissance Era. Generally this form of narrative is used when the author is the main character writing from a first person point of view.

Delve into each character and dont hold back. Try not to write from too many different viewpoints in one set writing piece, because it will be confusing and distracting from the story. Also, describe all the senses of the characters such as: sight, smell, taste, and things such as motivations and passions towards people and things.

Filed Under: Inspirations, Publishing Tagged With: Arts, Fiction writing, God, Narrative, Protagonist, Renaissance, Short story, Writers Resources

Beginning to Write

A good tool to use when brainstorming ideas for writing is the question, what if and why? Some authorâ€™s writings are based or have a piece of their life experiences incorporated in their work. Each writer will vary depending on where they feel comfortable writing.

Starting a new project can be an overwhelming process, but the best way to get past that is putting the pen to the paper and write until you canâ€™t anymore. The key is to not focus on spelling, grammar and adherence because those can be corrected when it comes to the multiple edits that are done before the piece is finished.

Another idea is to create a timeline for tracking the progress of your writing. It gives the writer a tangible thing to keep moving forward, and keep them on task. It could be as little as writing a page a day, but at least it gives the writer a goal to work towards getting to the final product.

If the writer is just starting out, here are a few ideas that may help in getting the process moving:

1) Generally a good writer likes to read and needs to read. It helps to envision the story, and also helps expand the writerâ€™s vocabulary. TV and movies are fine, but they should be used as last resort.
2) Once you have finished reading or watching a story, mull it over. What did you like about it? What did you not like? How would you have written it?
3) Finding your niche. It takes trial and error when a writer begins to write. Some writers excel at short stories, some fairy tales, poems and so on. A successful writer writes about something they are passionate about or have a good understanding about. Doing this, the passion and feeling will come through to the reader, and keep them reading.

Filed Under: Inspirations, Publishing Tagged With: art, Communications, Fiction, Short story, Writer, Writers Resources, Writing, Writing and Editing