The Writer's Perspective by Maria Schneider - Inspiration

Announcing: The Great WD Writing Prompt Contest

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:29:59 GMT

Hi Writers,
One of the most fun, creative and productive writing exercises I know of is coming up with writing prompts, so I thought I'd hold a little contest here on "The Writer's Perspective" and on our forum, to come up with the best writing prompt.

So if you've come up with a good writing prompt, let's hear it. You can post it here in the comments section, or on our forum.

The only rules are keep the prompts PG-13 and fewer than 100 words.

This contest is open until end-of-day Wednesday (September 24). I'll chose my five favorite prompts and put them up on our forum for a popular vote. The winner will be announced Monday (September 29). [please note: the voting is being postponed until October 13. Brian A. Klems, our online managing editor will be choosing his favorite five prompts and posting them on our forum so please check our forum October 13.]

The winner will receive this very cool 2009 Writer's Digest Weekly Planner and be featured in an upcoming issue of Writer's Digest magazine!

Let the prompts begin!

Keep Writing,
Maria

Maui Success Story

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:28:34 GMT

Hi Writers,
I'm finally recovering from the 6-hour jet lag from Hawaii following the Maui Writers Conference and a week of frolicking on the big island—swimming in the wild with dolphins and watching hot lava spill into the sea—talk about inspiration!

The Maui Writers Conference was fabulous. Brian wrote some great post-conference articles including Gary Braver's 10 basic ingredients of a successful thriller and Steve Berry's 8 Rules of Writing, both of which are pulled from sessions we attended.

But as always seems to happen with conferences, the most inspirational words came from the mouths of the writers who are just on the cusp of making it.

Eldon Thompson first went to the Maui Writers Conference in 2000 to study with his writer/hero Terry Brooks. In 2003, after multiple trips back to the conference and much work on his manuscript, Thompson sold his 3-book fantasy trilogy Legend of Asahiel to HarperCollins and he's just finished the screenplay adaptation of Terry Brooks' Shanarra series.

It's success stories like this that make it all seem worthwhile. We'll be offering video streaming of sessions from Maui coming soon via WritersDigest.tv so be sure to check back.

Keep Writing,
Maria

pictured below:
Eldon Thompson at the Maui Writers Conference
Maui Writers Conference opening ceremony

Writers are Readers

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:42:18 GMT

Hi Writers,
Publishers Weekly published an essay last week "Two-Way-Street" by Charlotte Cook.

Cook, an independent publisher of her own book line, Komenar Publishing, was the subject of a short profile in Writer's Digest last year. She writes that she was deluged with queries, phone calls and submissions after that article came out. It seems like attention would be a good thing for a small publishing house.

But here's the rub: Cook writes that even with all of the attention Komenar received for that article in WD, they've seen little impact in the way of sales.

I suppose the implication here is that writers aren't supporting the industry that they're asking to support them. This makes me sad on a number of levels, but especially because I don't believe it's an accurate assumption to draw from one publisher's experience.

I think, if anything, writers are the heaviest readers and the heartiest supporters of the book industry.

So, in the spirit of solidarity with your fellow writers, I'd love to hear your comments on what you're doing to support the struggling book industry.

"A writer is a reader moved to emulation."
-Saul Bellow

Keep Writing,
Maria

Writer's Digest TV: Lee Child

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:49:31 GMT

Hi Writers,
Another video today--I know, I spoil you.

Today's video is an interview with Lee Child, author of the spectacular Jack Reacher series. Here Lee talks about why he switches between first and third person point-of-view in his novels.

Keep Writing,
Maria

Writer's Digest TV: Sandra Brown

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:22:17 GMT

Hi Writers,
Remember back last month when I was at ThrillerFest, the great writing conference/party thrown by the International Thriller Writers? Well, I got the chance to do some video interviews with a few thriller luminaries, including the amazing Sandra Brown.

So here's a a short (around 4 minutes) Q&A I did with Sandra, in which I ask the brilliant question: So how do you get to be Thriller Master anyway, do you have to kill someone!
(I don't think Diane Sawyer has anything to worry about).

Keep Writing,
Maria