The Writer's Perspective by Maria Schneider

Hi Writers,

If you’ve been a regular reader here, you know that I spent much of 2007 perusing writer’s blogs for my Project 20/20: Build my Blogroll Project. I spotlighted 20 writer’s blogs (one a week for 20 weeks) and added them to my Blogroll, where you can still find the links.

Even though I didn’t start blogging officially until April 2007 with this, “The Writer’s Perspective,” I’ve been following the blog world for years. In 2001, I wrote, I believe, one of the earliest articles about blogging for Personal Journaling, The Art of the Blog. It was difficult back then to even find people who could speak knowledgeably on the subject. It’s amazing how blogging has changed in seven years. Now many professional writers, journalists, industry leaders and politicians have gotten into blogging. And the reason is obvious: Blogging is one of the quickest, most effective, and certainly least-expensive ways to get a message across. (For more, check out Brian A. Klems' "What is a Blog?")

But it’s not easy—at least it’s not easy to do well. I’ve decided to download the full contents of my brain where blogging is concerned, into this online-exclusive article. And because I’m the editor of Writer’s Digest, writers were first in my mind when composing this article. But I think there’s beneficial information here for anyone who wants to start blogging or improve their blogging expertise.

20 Tips for Good Blogging

1. Starting a blog is easy. There are many free blog services. Blogger.com is very user-friendly and will lead you through a pain-free set-up process. If you want to keep a specific domain (without “blogger” in the URL), you’ll need to set up your own domain and import it into another blog service, such as wordpress.com.

2. Decide what you want your blog to be. Who are your target readers? It’s important to decide from the beginning whether you’re blogging for professional or personal reasons. If you want to blog strictly as a diary or a way to get the creative juices flowing, password protect it. Think hard about who your potential readers are and what sort of image you want to portray. Announce your full vision for your blog in your first post.

3. Post one time a week at the absolute minimum. This is important, because once you develop a regular readership, you don’t want to lose it. Every day is ideal, although there’s a high burnout rate for bloggers who post this frequently. Aiming for three to five posts per week is a good goal.

4. If you write on your blog that you’re going to do something—do it. A lot of this has to do with building a solid level of trust with your readers. If you write that you’re going to post every day, or that you’re going to post something specific, be sure you can and will deliver.

5. You don’t have to be perfect, but still try. Yes, grammar and spelling expectations are somewhat more relaxed with a blog, but don’t get lazy with your posts. Respect your reader: at least run a quick grammar/spelling check before your post.

6. Remember that blogs are forever. I also like to call this tip “friends don’t let friends post drunk.” Like a tattoo, a piercing, or those expensive shoes you bought that kill your feet, a blog post may be around for a long, long time, so use due consideration before posting something inflammatory, overly critical or anything that could get you fired/expelled/sued/grounded.

7. If you know you’re the sort of person who will ignore tip #6, make sure your blog is password-protected, so only your friends will know you posted drunk.

8. Be a good neighbor. One of the very best ways to establish a readership is to reach out to other bloggers, by visiting their blogs and leaving comments. Link to specific posts you find on their blogs and comment in a positive way. Also include blogs you like and recommend on your blogroll.

9. Try to be positive. Don’t use your blog to lash out at your boss/spouse/probation officer/the world in general. You probably won’t develop much of a readership that way as it gets tiresome very quickly, not to mention, it could land you in trouble (see tip #6). There’s a kind of karma to blogging. If what you’re putting out is negative, what you get back is negative.

10. Keep your posts short. No one wants to read a Master’s thesis on your blog. Keep your posts concise. 300 words a post is a good target. You can occasionally go longer if you’ve got really good stuff—run it by an honest friend first to find out if it really is good stuff. The art of blogging is more about clarity and brevity. Note: Yes, I violated my 300- words tip with this very post. My managing editors, Brian and Kara told me it was good stuff.

11. Realize that blogging is an endurance sport. Anyone can start a blog, but very few people can keep a good blog up, week after week, month after month, year after year. Yes, it gets exhausting, but like training for a marathon, it can also be exhilarating. If you know you’re more a sprinter than a marathoner, maybe a blog isn’t the right format for you.

12. Can you land a book deal with your blog? Maybe. It happens, but don’t let that be your primary motivation, because it’s unlikely. You might think of blogging as a sort-of farm league for publishing. But it’s all about establishing a readership. If you have a devoted audience base, you can bet it won’t be difficult to score a publisher.

13. Encourage your readers to comment. Create clear, well thought out opinion pieces. Don’t be afraid to pose provocative questions to capture your reader’s attention. Get them emotionally/mentally involved in your blog. If you want to develop a rapport with your readers (if you don’t, then you shouldn’t be blogging), encourage their comments, and don’t deride them when their point of view is different from yours.

14. Remember that readers want information. It’s certainly not difficult to find information on the Web. But it is difficult to find it from a trusted, reliable source. Try to provide them with information they want, whether it’s from your own work, or linking to the work of others.

15. Develop your own style. What keeps readers coming back is you—your voice, your style, your point of view and your clear, polished writing. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through.

16. Have occasional guests. Yes, if you develop a readership, you’re the primary draw back to your blog. But it’s good and healthy to mix it up every now and then with fresh perspectives from trusted guest bloggers. In fact, it may give you a much-needed mental break away from the relentless demands of keeping up a good blog.

17. Visual aids can be good. But don’t overdo it. Blogging is primarily a written medium. If you’re a writer and trying to develop an audience for your writing, then write. Don’t over-rely on cheesy photos and other digital eye candy.

18. Let your blog evolve. A blog is a lot like a magazine, in that it’s a constant evolution. Be generous and flexible about letting your blog develop over time, as you do.

19. Don’t be overly promotional. Yes, a blog can be a good promotional tool, but if you’re only trying to sell something, it becomes obvious very quickly. If you’re promoting something, be a soft sell. And only do it occasionally, as it will turn readers away.

20. Keep it fun. Don’t take it too seriously. If you’re having a good time with your blog—and if you’re not then ask yourself why you’re doing it—people are going to have fun reading it and will keep coming back for more.

Feel free to comment: add to, agree or disagree with anything I wrote here. It is a blog after all, comments are always welcome. That’s part of the fun.

Keep Writing,
Maria

blogs and online writing | the writing life | writing technique

1/15/2008 10:55:45 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [5]

Friday, January 11, 2008

Is it time to ditch Word?
Posted by maria

Hi Writers,
I enjoyed this essay from Sunday’s New York Time’s magazine, about options beyond Microsoft Word for writers. It’s definitely worth reading this short, amusing essay: An Interface of One’s Own
by Virginia Heffernan.

Here's an excerpt:
Our redeemer is Scrivener, the independently produced word-processing program of the aspiring novelist Keith Blount, a Londoner who taught himself code and graphic design and marketing, just to create a software that jibes with the way writers think. As its name makes plain, Scrivener takes our side; it roots for the writer and not for the final product — the stubborn Word. The happy, broad-minded, process-friendly Scrivener software encourages note-taking and outlining and restructuring and promises all the exhilaration of a productive desk: “a ring-binder, a scrapbook, a corkboard, an outliner and text editor all rolled into one.”

Ring, scrap and cork sound like fun, a Montessori playroom. But read on — and download the free trial — and being a Scrivener-empowered scrivener comes to seem like life’s greatest role. Scriveners, unlike Word-slaves, have florid psychologies, esoteric requirements and arcane desires. They’re artists. They’re historians. With needs. Scrivener is “aimed at writers of all kinds — novelists, journalists, academics, screenwriters, playwrights — who need to refer to various research documents and have access to different organizational tools whilst aiming to create a finished piece of text.”

That “whilst”! It alone makes me feel like writing.

Scrivener, then, is one of us, at home in the writer’s jumpy emotional and procedural universe. Consider its desktop icon. It greets you without Word’s back-slanted, subliterate “W” — speeding nervously to the finish line — but with an open-minded yin-yang adorned with quotation marks. Unlike so many twerpy little applications, the Scrivener icon eschews that ubiquitous Curaçao blue. Neither is it slightly rounded like some squishy teething toy. Instead, it shines and stands upright like a domino, which makes you think of a brisk “click” instead of a software “blurp.” It’s also black and white, like words on a page.

To create art, you need peace and quiet. Not only does Scrivener save like a maniac so you needn’t bother, you also get to drop the curtain on life’s prosaic demands with a feature that makes its users swoon: full screen. When you’re working on a Scrivener opus, you’re not surrounded by teetering stacks of Firefox windows showing old Google searches or Citibank reports of suspicious activity. Life’s daily cares slip into the shadows. What emerges instead is one pristine and welcoming scroll: Your clean and focused mind.

Microsoft Word is so ingrained in my work/ writing habits, it's difficult to even consider switching. But reading this article really got me thinking about checking out Scrivener. Do any of you use Scrivener or are there alternative word processing programs you'd recommend trying? I'd love to hear from you.

Keep Writing,
Maria

the writing life | writing technique

1/11/2008 11:00:42 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [17]

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Ultimate Cheapskate Hits the Big Show!
Posted by maria

Hi Writers,
I wanted to give a shout out to a friend of this blog and frequent WD forumista, Jeff Yeager, aka "The Ultimate Cheapskate." Jeff will be appearing live on the "Today Show" tomorrow in the 8:00 hour to promote the release of his book The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches: A Practical (and fun) Guide to Enjoying Life More by Spending Less. I’m just guessing here that Jeff will be enlightening the world to his amusingly cheap ways.

Here’s a link to an article Jeff wrote for the October issue of WD on how being cheap can help your writing career (and your sanity). Less is More

Be sure to watch. I'm going to.

Good luck Jeff!

Keep Writing,
Maria
psst: Don't tell anyone, but I've offered Jeff five crisp George Washingtons to put in a plug for Writer's Digest.

the writing life

1/10/2008 11:23:51 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [2]

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Showing your ink
Posted by maria

Hi Writers,
I'm so glad to finally be back from my long holiday/vacation. I hope your holidays were both peaceful and productive. A special thanks to Brian and Kara for keeping the blog fires burning while I was away.

Oh the pressure! OK, I really wanted to do a highly intellectual post for this, my first blog of 2008. But frankly, the most literary thing I've done in the past two weeks is go on The Cat in the Hat Ride at Universal Studios, Orlando (which is fabulous, by the way).

So instead, I'd like to offer up the following entertaining feature brought to you by AbeBooks.com: Authors with Tattoos

Brief excerpt:
Tattoos are no longer the symbol of rebellion they once were but for many people, including plenty of authors, they have deeply personal meanings and, sometimes, there is a story behind the writer's artwork.

Of course, I've been on the cutting edge of this trend for awhile... ahem... I believe I've mentioned my Strunk & White tattoo previously here on The Writer's Perspective. Yes, I know all about the joy of having a meaningful, symbolic tat (that's what we hipsters call our tattoos).

How about you. Do you—or have you ever considered—a tatoo, especially one that's symbolic to your writing? If so, show us your ink—and tell the story behind it of course—on the WD forum.

Keep Writing,
Maria

the writing life

1/8/2008 1:39:16 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [7]

Friday, January 04, 2008

I ~~Read~~ Listened To, Watched That
Posted by Brian

(Actually posted by Kara)

This holiday my husband, Tucker (our 90-lb. lab) and I drove 14 hours (in a two-door Honda Civic) from Cincinnati to Boston to celebrate Christmas with my in-laws. On the way there and back we listened to the unabridged audio version of Ian McEwan’s Atonement, narrated by Jill Tanner. We loved it.

Shortlisted for numerous awards, including the 2001 Booker Prize for Fiction and the 2001 Whitbread Book Award for Novel, it won the 2002 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and was raved about in countless reviews.

Next week I plan to see the movie. I can’t wait. For all the flack movies-made-from-books seem to get, this one has received good press. In Ann Hornaday’s December 7, 2007 The Washington Post review, she writes:

“For admirers of Ian McEwan’s shattering 2002 novel Atonement, the prospect of adapting such a masterful piece of diamantine prose into a big-screen spectacle bespeaks temerity bordering on blasphemy. The fiercest of McEwan’s protectors may stand down. In the almost spookily capable hands of 34-year-old director Joe Wright, the film version of 'Atonement' has achieved that to which every literary adaptation should aspire.”

She ends the review with:

“How fitting, somehow, that a novel so devoted to the precision and passionate love of language be captured in a film that is simply too exquisite for words.”

Visit Rotten Tomatoes for similar reviews.

So I loved the audiobook. I’m guessing I’m going to love the movie. But as a writer, is it my duty to read the book, too? I’m sure I’ll find the experience enjoyable, but my time is limited. But am I missing something by not digesting the words page-by-page? Or, perhaps, have I gained something by hearing them read and seeing them come alive on screen?

Personally, there are some forms of writing I’d almost rather hear than read, such as poetry. But novels, well, I’m not so sure. So I’d love to hear what you think. Do you still read the book even if you’ve seen the movie and/or listened to the audiobook? Why or why not?

Take care,
Kara Gebhart Uhl
Managing Editor

P.S.: Maria returns from her well-deserved vacation next week, so be sure to check back soon!

1/4/2008 10:39:56 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [8]

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Monetizing Free Books
Posted by Brian

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's celebration. I sure did and I managed not to do anything embarrassing this year, which is good considering that number seven on my 2008 resolution list was to "Stop Doing Embarrassing Things."

Anyway, Maria is still enjoying a much-deserved vacation in Florida, but that doesn't mean we want you to miss out on any writing news. So your favorite managing editors, Kara and I, are holding down The Writer's Perspective in her absence and will drop a few updates until our beloved editor returns.

I thought I'd kick things off with a wild idea: Could writers and publishers give all their books away for free and come out ahead financially? Sounds crazy, but Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired, doesn't seem to think the idea is too far-fetched. In an interview with Media, Anderson explains how authors and publishers could potentially monetize free books:

"Here is a thought experiment. The problem with me and an imaginary publisher is they are in the book-selling business and I am in the me-selling business. My job is to promulgate my ideas as far and wide as possible, to create monetization opportunities. I don't do all of these things but I could: speeches, consulting, board seats, better job offers. People write books to market their speaking engagements. We make a lot more money from speaking than from books, an order of magnitude more. The problem is the publisher doesn't benefit from any of that. The best way to sell me is to get my ideas spread as far and wide as possible and yet they are only participating in books. So the natural solution would be to cut them in for a share of my revenues regardless of where they come. I am not saying I am doing this, but you could make my book free and I give you 30 percent of all my revenues-speaking, consulting, whatever. You could take the agency model; our client is you and we're going to monetize you in every way we can and we'll get a percentage of that. It basically aligns the interests of the publisher and the writer."

You can read the full interview here, but in the meantime, what's your take? Can the Google model of giving all your information away and using it as a platform to sell other goods (in this case, yourself) work with books? Drop us a note in the comments section.

Take care of yourself and your writing,
Brian A. Klems
Online Managing Editor
Ps-Have a wonderful and success-filled 2008!

1/2/2008 3:00:45 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [5]

Sunday, December 30, 2007

PROJECT 20/20: BUILD MY BLOGROLL WEEK 20 ADD!
Posted by maria

Hi Writers,
I'm back, shamelessly two-days late for this, the wrap-up of my Project 20/20: Build my Blogroll Project. I apologize to anyone who worried I'd given it all up to join a roving mime troupe. I've been on holiday, celebrating with family and doing good deeds involving small children and their pets.

But in being late, I did violate one of my own best blog practices: if you say you're going to do something, do it. For that I apologize.

As many of you who've been following this project know, I've been diving in the deep seas of the web for 20 weeks now in search of the best writer's blogs to add to my roster.

Thanks to all who have followed my blogroll project, who have nominated a blog or complimented other writer's blogs. It's been an amazingly educational journey for me and I hope you've found something useful along the way, as well.

For my 20th blogroll add, I wanted to spotlight one of the hardest working, most talented and most deserving writers I know. If you're a Writer's Digest reader, you're surely familiar with the copious work of this writer. I think you'll find this blog a darn good read.

Jordan's Muse
by Jordan E. Rosenfeld

Jordan recently released her book Make a Scene and she's been posting on her book and blog tour. Jordan's blog covers a lot of different subjects--she uses it as a journal of sorts. It's an excellent entree into the everyday life of a working writer. Check it out, you'll be glad you did.

And although this is the 20th and final blog I'm adding for my Project 20/20, I'm going to continue to hunt for the best writer's blogs on the web and spotlight them from time to time, so don't be shy about leaving me a comment with a link to your blog or recommending another writer's blog.

I'm off to Florida for a 7-day vacation with my family. My fearless editing team: online managing editor Brian A. Klems and managing editor Kara Gebhart Uhl, will be posting here on The Writer's Perspective next week, so stay tuned for some new voices, insights and opinions on the writing world.

In two weeks, I'll be sharing 20 tips every blogger should know, much of which is what I've learned from all of you during my Project 20/20.

I sincerely appreciate your readership. I wish you all peace, happiness and publication in 2008.

Keep Writing,
Maria

blogs and online writing | the writing life | Writer's Digest news

12/30/2007 9:46:44 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [3]

Friday, December 21, 2007

PROJECT 20/20: BUILD MY BLOGROLL WEEK 19 ADD!
Posted by maria

Hi Writers,
Well, you didn’t think I’d forget about my Project 20/20: Build My Blogroll, just because it’s the holidays, did you?

This is the 19th Friday in as many weeks in my project to add 20 writer’s blogs to my blogroll and now we’re counting down to the home stretch. I started a two-week vacation today, and I’m taking a bit of break from the blog next week. But no worries, I’ll definitely be back to post my final blogroll add.

I’m glad to see there’s still blogs getting added to the nominations (see many of the nominations in the Project 20/20 thread in the left nav). All told, I’ve received about 100 nominations and have thoroughly enjoyed exploring all of the great writer’s blogs.

But alas, I have to chose just one a week. Anyway, as I’ve stated numerous times, I want to have a well-rounded blogroll. I want my writer’s blogroll to be the definitive writer’s blogroll. I decided it was high time to add a good go-to blog for the times when we’re not really in the mood to write; when we just want to explore the work of other writers. With that I’d like to announce my week 19 add:

Bluestalking Reader: Weblog of Lisa Guidarini - Book Critic, Library Grad Student, Avid Photographer and Editor-at-Large of her own life.

Here’s a post Lisa did on a recent blogument she found herself in.

Shazam!

It's been one of those weeks. Early in the week I engaged in a fairly public argument over on the NBCC blog with a disgruntled self-published writer with some very strong opinions on the subjects of publishing and bookselling. After a couple rounds I realized if you put that episode in perspective it's truly the proverbial tempest in a teapot. Like there aren't a few hundred thousand disgruntled writers out there looking for a scapegoat. Phooey.

Hardly worth the time and aggravation, though the opinions expressed are definitely ones held near and dear to me. I guess I should really thank the woman for helping me sort those out. It was some very cheap therapy. Considering the fact I saw how it impacted her, I think I also got off fairly easily. One more example of me blowing off steam and coming out of it okay.

Phew.

You're a sassy one Lisa! Not to mention witty, charming, and skilled in serving up good topical information for writers—what more could you ask for in a blogger. (That was a rhetorical statement—don’t try to engage me in a blogument.)

Lisa, I appoint you the official book critic of my blogroll. Every good blogroll needs a resident critic.

Have a great holiday everyone!

Keep Writing,
Maria
P.S. check out my cute staff, below. : )

blogs and online writing | publishing news and views | the writing life | Writer's Digest news

12/21/2007 7:19:10 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [2]

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Seasons Greetings!
Posted by maria

Wishing you Peace and Joy this Holiday Season

-From the Writer's Digest magazine family (Art Director, Kathleen DeZarn; Editor, Maria Schneider; Managing Editor, Kara Gebhart Uhl; Online Managing Editor, Brian A. Klems).

Writer's Digest news

12/19/2007 5:01:04 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [4]

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

And the Winners are…
Posted by maria

Hi Writers,
All good writing starts with a goal, either modest or lofty. I issued a challenge last week on this blog—to post your writing goals for 2008.

80 writers answered my goal call. With the help of my editors, I’ve picked 10 of those lists to highlight. The following 10 writers win a Writer’s Digest subscription! And their 2008 goals follow:

My Writing Goals for 2008:
PUBLISH SOMETHING.
That sounds very simplistic. Like I could step out the door and throw pages into the wind and have them show up at Barnes & Noble printed and bound. I have the stories written, now I need to keep myself in the chair to edit them. Then, terror of all terrors, I have to let go of my babies and let someone else take them, first an agent then an editor. Discipline is the key, it's time to buckle on the armor and toughen my resolve. A good friend told me the other day that I have to play to win. I think she meant the lottery but the statement goes along with writing. So my goals are as follows.
1. Edit
2. Submission
3. Move to the next story.
4. Rinse and repeat.
-Terri Kleinberg

My writing goals for 2008 are:
1. To write like there's no "tomorrow" or "sometime" or "later"
2. To recognize that a writer living in her comfort zone is not experiencing new things and has little or nothing to write about
3. To FINISH the myriad projects that are written, planned or hiding in my desk drawer or imagination
4. To take the advice of my brilliant daughter, whose birthday message to me was, "If you don't write your story, no one will ever read it".
5. To be courageous in the face of my Internal Editor (that picky, over-critical bitch) and write because I cannot not write
-Sandre Moore

My goal to 2008 is to write something non-academic. I've been working on my MLIS for over a year and all I ever seem to write is term paper after term paper. I have 1 1/2 more years to go and wonder if I'll ever write creatively again. I want to find my creative voice that disappeared deep inside somewhere. When I find some free time I love to pick up a WD issue and dream about writing like I used to. I'd like to write poetry again and start a play I have been working on in my head. I love that WD offers writing prompts...If only homework didn't have to come first.
-Kalyn Shubnell

My goals:
1. Finish what I've started! I've let 20+ years of procrastination, another load of laundry, a research question to answer draw me away from my writing. I can't let another 20 years drift. I'm on chapter 7 of my romance novel and oh by gosh, by golly...it's time for mistletoe, holly and me to type THE END.
2. Stop thinking that because I've done research or bought a new journal or picked up the latest How to write book that I've written! It's fun buying that new journal and following research leads, but baby...got write!
3. Keep up my confidence level. I am good. I am good! I have something to say in a unique way!
4. I've asked Santa for a Writer's Digest subscription—winning one would be a great surprise!
Thanks! Happy Holidays!
-Trish Glavin

My goals are more about attitude. I'm already on board with discipline, so I vow not to give materials away or write for free any longer—there must be some quid pro quo with whatever I do.
1. To not be obnoxious with marketing and promotion (I can't stand those pushy authors,) so, be circumspect about self-promotion and use it with the utmost taste whether that is at conferences, online or in e-list groups.
2. Network more but with the intention of making true relationships. I do this now, but this year I will really listen instead of poised waiting my turn to speak.
3. Edit my student's (I teach e-courses) work kindly, by always providing a plus before I stress the minuses and needed corrections.
4. Lower the bitching quotient around my husband and up the "good things" comments about this career. He's making more sacrifices than I am.
-Andrea Campbell

Goals for 2008:
1. Find ten minutes every day to daydream. No pen or paper allowed.
2. Take myself out on a date every Tuesday night. Agenda: explore my creativity in new, interesting and solitary ways.
3. Subscribe to and support the literary magazines I like best, and who I hope will support me.
4. Read every story in the Best American Short Stories of the Century.
5. Begin, fearlessly, to write my novel.
6. Write more letters to friends and family.
7. Call my Gran whenever I think about her, and ask her to tell me her stories.
8. Be mindful of my physical health, and treat my body like the instrument it is: if I feel like crap, I probably won't be writing.
9. When there is a social engagement I *really* don't want to go to, I'll go anyways, and take a pocket size moleskin and a pencil stub with me.
10. Show up at my writing desk every day, keep my eyes open, and try to be useful.
-Christie VanLaningham

My modest goals:
1. Win a Nobel Prize for Literature (for my unpublished works that the Nobel Committee hears about and requests to see)
2. Top the New York Times Bestseller List for the last six months of the year (need to get the book rushed to publication for its brilliance in the first six)
3. Chat with Oprah about how much she loves my book
4. Build my custom-designed writing retreat in Colorado overlooking the mountains.
5. Get a law passed that flays alive anyone who thinks it's okay not to pay writers, claiming they should work for free to get "quality clips." Later amend law to pouring lemon juice on them after flaying.
6. Hire someone to talk to all the people introvert me does not deign to speak to now that I have much moolah from #2. I vant to be alone to create art my dahlings.
7. Pull a J.D. Salinger at the end of the year and refuse all interviews. I need no stinkin' publicity.
8. Allow myself to be coaxed out of Salingerhood to do another interview with Oprah.
-Tricia D. Grissom

Whenever I was depressed in 2007, I would go to the library and pick up Writer’s Digest. Getting a subscription would be a monthly gift of hope for my dream of becoming a writer. My writing goals for 2008 are in two categories, SAFE- writing I know how to do, and RISKS—writing that makes me sigh and scares me.
SAFE:
1. Start a monthly newsletter for my company.
2. Write and Field Test a new curriculum to train direct support staff.
RISKS:
1. Read two bestsellers every month by different authors. Then analyse each for overall plot, character development, surprises, twists, complexity of the storyline, voice (written in first, third person...), dialogue, beginning and closing chapters....
2. Stop rewriting the first chapter of my current novel and either throw it out and start something new, or finish at least chapter two by February 1st and the entire book by May 1st.
3. Lose 50 pounds. Don't laugh! This is a writing goal because I will write for one hour and then actively walk and process for the next hour. Two hours on actively working toward my goals will definitely be therapy for my body and soul.
4. I will actively market my work.
-Mary Ulrich

1. Write regularly.
2. Revise ruthlessly.
3. Release repeatedly (i.e., submit for publication).
-Sherrie Lorance

My writing goal before the curtain closes on 2008 is a rejection letter. Just one simple, beautiful rejection letter and my year will be a complete success. How? That letter would have been made possible by a series of events that started with my organization (finally) of all those seemingly random bits of story and unformed characters in my “Ideas” folder and ended with a completed work of fiction in my hands.

A work of fiction that formed during the course of the year because of a disciplined adherence to a daily writing routine, regular input from fellow writers, and constant revision. A work of fiction that finally appeared “good enough” to send out into the wide world like a kindergartener walking to the bus stop on the first day of school. And like so many hopeful school children making their inaugural school bus rides only to run afoul of the class bully, my work of fiction would have its lunch money stolen and receive its first official black eye.

Then I’ll rework it and put it right back on the bus. And that will be a great success, indeed.
-Karen O'Brien

Feel free to keep posting. And remember to stay true to your writing goals in 2008!
Keep Writing,
Maria
"To thine own self be true" -William Shakespeare

the writing life | Writer's Digest news

12/18/2007 2:46:21 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [9]

Friday, December 14, 2007

PROJECT 20/20: BUILD MY BLOGROLL WEEK 18 ADD!
Posted by maria

Hi Writers,
It's been energizing reading all of your writing goals for 2008 as they're rolling in. Keep them coming, I'm going to announce the 10 winners and post their goals here next Tuesday.

In the meantime, it's Friday, and that means it's again time to add another writer's blog to my blogroll. I'm up to 18 now—only 2 more weeks, 2 more blogs to go! You can find all the details and blogs nominated on the Project 20/20 thread in the left navigation here.

And with that, I'd like to announce my week 18 blogroll add:

Release Your Writing
by Helen Gallagher

On "Release Your Writing" (which is also the title of her book; smart move), Helen offers lots of great newsy items as well as practical advice for the working writer, including some really solid information for writers who are interested in self-publishing.

I adore the title of this recent post she did: "Pajama Marketing" and not just because I wish I were in my PJs right now.

Did you know you can buy a mailing list of U.S. independent book stores from a reliable source (NewPages.com). The cost for over 1,400 book store names and addresses is $75, but they also list the addresses on their site, where you can snag them for free. You could copy and paste the addresses for the shops in your area into a word processing document, do a mail-merge to print labels or letters, and let your work fly! New Pages also has lists of public and academic libraries at the above link.

What would you send to stores? That's up to you: The book synopsis, colorful postcard, media sheet, telling them how to order from your publisher, and stating the handsome 35 or 40 percent discount you'll offer. Include customer comments from your Amazon page and other testimonials from readers. No need to include sales figures - they have easy access to that information.

Welcome Helen. Stop by often and you're welcome to visit in your pajamas. Gotta love the Internet!

Keep Writing,
Maria

blogs and online writing | publishing news and views | the writing life

12/14/2007 3:59:43 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [2]

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Win a Writer's Digest subscription!
Posted by maria

Hi Writers,
I know it's a crazy time of year, and you probably have your writing career set in neutral at the moment, but it's time to put the credit card away for a few minutes and start thinking about what your goals are for 2008 (just 20 days away—eek!).

To get the creative wheels turning forward, I want to make you an offer you simply cannot refuse.
I have 10 Writer's Digest magazine subscriptions to give away over the next two weeks, and here's what I decided to do to motivate you.

Post your 2008 writing goals here in my comments section. I'm going to choose my favorite 10 and post them here on "The Writer's Perspective." So not only do you have a good chance of winning a one-year subscription to Writer's Digest, you get me, the Writer's Digest editor, digitally nudging (okay, bugging) you to make sure you're accountable to your own writing goals next year.

So writers—let the goals begin!

Keep Writing,
Maria
"The world is always ready to receive talent with open arms."
-my favorite quote from a fortune cookie

blogs and online writing | the writing life | Writer's Digest news

12/11/2007 10:40:39 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [80]

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