tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147683572011-07-28T17:34:59.423-07:00OnceWritten.com, a website created for new and emerging authors, actively promotes the works of these authors, through it's online book store, as well as book reviews and book giveaway contests. Those new to the craft of writing can use the website's free writing prompts, articles, and writing contest listings to get started in the world of creative writing.Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.comBlogger1061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-84273624160430839372010-02-19T11:59:00.000-08:002010-02-19T12:02:36.756-08:00

Invisible BoyCornelia ReadGenre: MysteryEnter to Win Invisible Boy NowSamuel Owens: The Pig BoyEdward DurantyGenre: General FictionEnter to Win Samuel Owens: The Pig Boy NowNoelle's ArkAudrey LevyGenre: Motivation / Self HelpEnter to Win Noelle's Ark NowView all titles at the OnceWritten.com Win Free Books page now.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-87454133864082657392009-06-26T13:01:00.000-07:002009-06-26T13:07:50.835-07:00

These are just some of the awesome books we are giving away in our Summer Beach Bag of Books giveaway. SwimsuitJames Patterson, Maxie PaetroJulie & JuliaJulie PowellWhen You Are Engulfed in FlamesDavid SedarisThe Book of LiesBrad MeltzerKill For MeKaren Rose

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-67986955787185247282008-11-06T15:28:00.000-08:002008-11-07T15:29:21.709-08:00

For years, I considered myself a ‘professional tourist’ as my husband’s job took us to the Far East, Europe and the Middle East to live. When he retired, I discovered I had run out of excuses for not following my dream of a writing...More Jane Kennedy Sutton

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-77830457431639403732008-11-05T15:27:00.000-08:002008-11-07T15:27:52.160-08:00

My first published novel was written with a pen and paper. Next, I used the typewriter with a ream of yellow paper, because I was told that the first draft should not be on white paper. Completing the first draft using a typewriter was an art form...More Joe Vojt

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-65520240538629696292008-11-01T11:52:00.000-07:002008-11-07T11:53:49.190-08:00

Divine JusticeDavid BaldacciGenre: Suspense/ThrillerEnter to Win Divine JusticeBobbi Brown Make Up ManualBobbi BrownGenre: Health, Fitness & BeautyEnter to Win Bobbi Brown Make Up ManualNoelle's ArkAudrey LevyGenre: Motivation / Self HelpEnter to Win Noelle's ArkWish You Were HereLani Diane RichGenre: Contemporary RomanceEnter to Win Wish You Were HereThe RideJane Kennedy SuttonGenre:

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-27971068928829362772008-10-24T00:55:00.000-07:002008-10-24T01:00:26.801-07:00

OnceWritten.com is celebrating Halloween in style with its Super Secret, Members Only Halloween Book GiveAway. Five lucky contestants will take home 10 spine-tingling tales of terror.The catch? You must be a registered member of the free OnceWritten.com Writing Sparks newsletter to enter to win.For more info and titles, visit Halloween Books now.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-9728776408759571062008-10-23T15:24:00.000-07:002008-11-07T15:25:19.674-08:00

Actually, I've been published consistently since 1982, so my first-time experience is quite different from that of most people today. Except, let me say, I did manage to get an agent first who sold my book, a historical romance. It has never been...More Karen Harper

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-53661159418708262632008-10-22T15:14:00.000-07:002008-11-07T15:23:03.316-08:00

After reading S.E.Hinton’s OUTSIDERS, I knew I wanted to become a published writer. I finally got my wish in 2005 when I had a film review published. Since then, I have had more than thirty pieces published, including, articles, film reviews, book...More Karina Kantas

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-57677190703302212372008-10-17T15:19:00.000-07:002008-10-17T15:20:18.030-07:00

I am one of those people who crawls out of bed every morning at five to write before reporting to the paid work that supports a family. I've done it for decades, and I know there are thousands of others doing this, my waking sisters and brothers in...More John Addiego

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-69868246011640036882008-10-17T15:18:00.000-07:002008-10-17T18:01:42.865-07:00

I've always been a dreamer, and I've always believed in dreaming BIG. Ever since I was a young girl, my goal was to become the next Stephen King―or 'Stephanie', at least. It's been a long, hard journey, but one well worth it, and now I am...More Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-36713494773639837612008-10-09T10:45:00.000-07:002008-10-10T10:47:27.295-07:00

I titled my book THE HARD WAY. What was I thinking? With all of that advice out there about the laws of attraction I should have known better and titled it EASY STREET or THE SIMPLE WAY. Lesson learned.After I wrote THE HARD WAY in a...More Julie Luongo

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-17464568511137098112008-10-08T10:43:00.000-07:002008-10-10T12:58:16.766-07:00

I've always written. I believe I was born with a pencil in my hand. I remember my grandpa making me create all those little circles consistently while seated at the kitchen table.Inside my soul was definitely a book! Flash forward many...More Terry Miles

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-58861463097250534982008-10-07T15:21:00.000-07:002008-10-17T15:24:04.779-07:00

Every so often I tout the importance of space clearing in order to open ourselves up to new things. The inherent problem in space clearing, of course, is that it suggests we are buying, owning, acquiring things we may not really need to begin with. I'm the worst example, I'm definitely addicted to consumption. (Picture me with cartoon-like rotating eyes say "I must have things. More things!).

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-4504848697082993842008-10-01T09:32:00.000-07:002008-10-10T09:35:11.189-07:00

Life After GeniusM. Ann JacobyGenre: Literary FictionEnter to Win Life After Genius NowThe RideJane Kennedy SuttonGenre: Contemporary RomanceEnter to Win The Ride NowNatural AffnitiesGeorgia O'Keefe, Ansel AdamsGenre: Arts / PhotographyEnter to Win Natural Affnities NowFestivus: The Holiday for the Rest of UsAllen SalkinGenre: Humor / SatireEnter to Win Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-68272332414474008772008-08-15T02:36:00.001-07:002008-08-15T02:37:18.129-07:00

I always knew there was a secret key as to who got published and who didn’t. It obviously wasn’t about good writing or perseverance or who had the best web site. Finally, I learned the answer and decided to live by it...More Diana Holquist

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-71811457971073244112008-08-14T02:35:00.000-07:002008-08-15T02:36:10.142-07:00

Like many authors, writing a novel was always an aspiration. When I finally started the process with SHADES OF DARKNESS, SHADES OF GRACE I had a terrific story that had evolved from real-life events. Completing the process took much longer than I...More Catherine Johnson

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-24322871621626396072008-08-12T15:25:00.000-07:002008-10-17T15:27:05.008-07:00

Summer is slowly creeping to an end and there isn't much time left for enjoying those relaxing "beach reads." If you're looking for a good book to read, or maybe want to step outside your comfort zone and try something you've never read before, you might want to check out the Harvard Bookstore. Their staff has compiled a list of the Top 100 Books. Want to comment on the list? Join our

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-32174557081691691642008-08-08T02:32:00.000-07:002008-08-15T02:34:33.728-07:00

If you're interested in pursuing the idea of clearing your own space, you can do no better than to check out Karen Kingston's book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui.Long-time subscribers of Writing Sparks will probably recall I've mentioned Karen Kingston before. She's is my own personal hero when it comes to Space Clearing. I've had her book for a number of years, and whenever I'm feeling

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-62786850320405770102008-08-05T02:51:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:52:01.116-07:00

Some people think I’m financial analyst who decided to write a novel. I say I’m a writer who, for a short while, masqueraded as a financial analyst.For, ever since fourth grade, I knew I would be a novelist. It was the profession I...More Jasmin Rosemberg

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-23452868422991633362008-08-04T02:50:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:51:20.682-07:00

They call writing a habit…which makes it sound more like chewing your fingernails or checking to make sure the door is locked and the stove is off before you go to bed, rather than an obsession, a have to have…but it’s one of those have to haves I...More Cindy Lynn Speer

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-55785201364722208642008-08-01T01:17:00.000-07:002008-08-05T01:17:40.753-07:00

Murder, Madness & LoveYolanda ReneeGenre: MysteryEnter to Win Murder, Madness & Love NowI Can Fly, But Only at NightTristan MoorhenGenre: Spiritual FictionEnter to Win I Can Fly, But Only at Night NowThe Dark DruidsTim NewmanGenre: Historical FantasyEnter to Win The Dark Druids NowShades of Darkness, Shades of GraceCatherine JohnsonGenre: General FictionEnter to Win Shades of Darkness, Shades of

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-50303728078616649682008-05-28T02:48:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:50:28.679-07:00

I’ve wanted to be a published author pretty much from the time I was published in Brown Middle School’s “Author’s Corner”, and had my short story (painstakingly copied, in pencil, on yellow legal paper) stapled to the wall outside the principal’s...More Jennifer Cody Epstein

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-69083375282709056542008-05-27T02:45:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:50:17.635-07:00

I am a writer, I can tell a story – a good story – actually an excellent story. What I cannot do is grammar. I wrote an essay in 10th grade, and won third place. The essay came back with the words, wonderful story, but atrocious grammar. Things have...More Yolanda Renée

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-74884092414710631262008-05-09T02:43:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:50:04.795-07:00

Joseph Wambaugh, an ex-cop turned #1 New York Times bestselling writer, forged a new kind of literature with his early police procedurals. When asked about two novels that marked the beginning of his legendary career—THE NEW CENTURIONS and THE...More Joseph Wambaugh

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-36936875758636294322008-05-08T02:40:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:42:45.255-07:00

Brick-By-Brick: One author's approach to series writingThe final proof for Cynthia's Attic: Curse of the Bayou, book three in my 'tween fantasy series, was finally ready to be e-mailed to the publisher. The moment I hit...More Mary Cunningham

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-65596957612821525772008-05-01T17:31:00.000-07:002008-05-02T17:35:03.035-07:00

Free Food for MillionairesMin Jin LeeGenre: General FictionEnter to Win Free Food for Millionaires NowSome Glad MorningIrene SteeleGenre: Historical FictionEnter to Win Some Glad Morning NowTainted HeroMichael DavisGenre: MysteryEnter to Win Tainted Hero NowIf I Were an Eagle: Book 1D.L. HaleGenre: Romantic SuspenseEnter to Win If I Were an Eagle: Book 1 NowIf I Were an Eagle: Book 2D.L.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-5307052440100054042008-04-25T15:56:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:58:36.616-07:00

I wrote AFTER HOURS AT THE ALMOST HOME in three days—and spent the next eight years revising it.The novel began as my Masters thesis for the writing program at the University of Colorado—though it wasn’t my original thesis. Two months before the due date, I was working on a collection of short stories. I was also working at two bars—one an upscale martini bar, where I lied to get the job...More

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-42228762612912567932008-04-25T15:51:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:55:37.499-07:00

I remember English Composition 101 well. It was there that I discovered I could write material worth reading. That might not have been so strange if I hadn’t been 41 years old at the time and had not been inside a classroom for twenty years. I owe many thanks to the school superintendent for forcing my return to school.In 1988 the superintendent decided that the nurses working for the school

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-65632777165190677042008-04-25T15:47:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:49:33.202-07:00

Every year Writers Digest Magazine releases a list of the 101 websites that they consider to be the best sites for writers. Categorized by Agent Blogs, Challenges/Creativity, General Resources, Genre/Niche, Protect Yourself, Publishing Resources, and Writing Communities, these sites offer a huge amount of information and resources, no matter where your struggles might be. Check out the best and

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-13644941599557136902008-04-01T15:42:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:46:06.308-07:00

OnceWritten.com April Book GiveAwaysYou can't win if you don't enter. To sign up, visit our Win Free Books page now.Free Food for MillionairesMin Jin LeeGenre: General FictionEnter to Win Free Food for Millionaires NowSome Glad MorningIrene SteeleGenre: Historical FictionEnter to Win Some Glad Morning NowIf I Were an Eagle: Book 1D.L. HaleGenre: Romantic SuspenseEnter to Win If I Were an Eagle:

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-22661011426075444652008-03-28T15:36:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:39:19.584-07:00

My journey to publication is one of persistence. DANCING WITH THE DEVIL was the fourth book I’d written, but the first book I actually believed might have had a chance of being published. Unfortunately for me, none of the publishers I submitted to liked it. It was a paranormal romance, and written at a time when paranormal romance wasn’t the ‘it’ genre. Getting a publisher to take a chance on

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-46124702098301637732008-03-28T15:32:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:35:15.927-07:00

My road to the publication of THE SHAMAN AND THE ROSE was anything but average. The framework of the novel came about from two self-published titles where I explored the depths of Dante’s Inferno. Those first two books were a valuable learning experience. The most important lesson I learned was that as an author, I had a great deal to learn about publishing and writing. I discovered that working

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-45919200181845683612008-03-28T15:30:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:31:08.831-07:00

Somehow another year has passed us by and it's already time to start getting our receipts in order. The tax man cometh whether or not we're ready. Writers receiving "independent contractor" income, reported on a 1099 form, should be using extra care with their record keeping. The high-cost of self-employment taxes means that you'd better be taking all the legal deductions you can.Need extra help?

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-33021167836159991072008-03-14T15:24:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:29:13.073-07:00

I soon realized that they were the wrong type of competitions to enter “The Grandmaster.” They were literary competitions; “The Grandmaster” would normally be considered as a genre work. Specifically, it was a supernatural thriller. . . .More Peter Balaskas

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-45442973538174392792008-03-14T15:21:00.000-07:002008-04-25T15:23:22.990-07:00

Blurb.com takes self-publishing to a new level. If you're looking for a cool way to organize your photos, your blog entries, your recipes, this is a lovely and graphically easy way to put them together. You won't get a listing at Amazon.com, and I couldn't find any mention of an ISBN number, but if you are looking for a unique gift idea for your friends, this is a great way to go about it.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-63102940268708296332008-02-22T23:53:00.000-08:002008-03-20T20:09:29.761-07:00

The summer before I started high school, I filled a loose-leaf notebook with the tale of an overweight girl who wanted to find a prom date, so I guess you could say I always had some book dreams.More Melissa Walker

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-69289292905383685312008-02-22T23:52:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:29:44.011-08:00

Among the first writing I did was a child's letter to Franklin D. Roosevelt while he was president. Already I have given away my ancient age. From childhood, however, I have enjoyed writing and got some in during that period of my long life. However, there were always obstacles inherent with blessings.More Bifford Debs

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-15789712303876562712008-02-22T23:35:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:27:41.819-08:00

The international best-seller Eats, Shoots and Leaves taught us that punctuation really does matter when creating a sentence. (And heck I'm the first to admit that I over-comma everything.) But the correct usage of grammar is equally necessary to writing a good story. What disappoints me with so many of the books I receive for a possible review is how few authors remember how important the

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-78337924179390043322008-02-15T23:53:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:26:24.742-08:00

The funny thing about SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER is that it came about when the title came to me. I didn't have the story, but the title came into my head and it felt "catchy". So that meant I had to brainstorm an actual book. No problem, right? The little thing was I didn't write fiction. Not one bit. I was trained as a journalist, and really the only writing I'd ever done was of the

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-86364455884371954742008-02-15T23:52:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:24:18.678-08:00

It is quite surprising what the age of fifty will do to your motivation levels in actually finishing one of those numerous incomplete manuscripts that have been filed away deep within your hard drive over the years....More Michael Lindley

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-46008227359637492532008-02-15T23:30:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:21:55.242-08:00

I hate paying full price. I'm not cheap, I've been known to spend ridiculous amounts of money on a sushi lunch, but still I always feel challenged to be able to come up with a better deal on the items I purchase. For books, though, I'm covered. In addition to the fabulous discounts at Amazon.com, for those times I just don't want to wait three days for my book, both the major book chains, Borders

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-48499570777921657912008-02-08T23:55:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:20:38.750-08:00

I always wanted to be Indiana Jones when I grew up. After all, he was suave, good-looking, roguish, athletic, and invincible—all the things I was not. That he was also a figment of someone’s imagination didn’t really bother me until I hit the 8th Grade. More specifically, the 8th Grade fiction-writing unit. More John Anderson

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-88991225642021882062008-02-08T23:52:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:19:58.628-08:00

My first book deal might be described as an intentional accident.The year was 1977. All of 24, I was working as a flight attendant and aspiring writer without much writing to show for the aspiration. One day between flights I picked up a Vogue magazine and read a column about a little-known condition called anorexia nervosa. This was the first time I’d heard that phrase, but the list of symptoms

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-15569864166871295522008-02-08T23:30:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:21:17.762-08:00

One of my favorite writerly e-newsletters is Writers Digest Weekly Tips and Updates. I like it because it's succinct (I know, my newsletters could take a lesson from that), but mostly I appreciate the light tone accomplished by newsletter editor Brian Klems. I'd been hearing for a while now that Brian also keeps up a Q&A board, called Questions and Quandaries at Writers Digest.com, so I finally

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-4087601471580206812008-02-01T22:04:00.000-08:002008-02-09T00:14:09.368-08:00

OnceWritten.com February BookGiveAwaysYou can't win if you don't enter. To sign up, visit ourEnter To Win Free Books page now.Too MuchLinda Taylor WestGenre: Children's Picture BookEnter to Win Too Much NowBetween the SheetsRobin WellsGenre: Contemporary RomanceEnter to Win Between the Sheets NowTrail of CrumbsKim SuneeGenre: Biography / MemoirEnter to Win Trail of Crumbs NowMary Magdalene, Her

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-42140378694597735402008-01-25T23:49:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:13:56.131-08:00

My first query and acceptance actually came as a surprise. At the time, I had several novels written and casually started a general discussion with an editor. I will state first that this may strike unease in the hearts of many because it wasn’t a “normal,” venture and this wasn’t just any editor. It was an “ebook editor.”More Laura Wright

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-81517183979386106552008-01-25T23:48:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:13:27.586-08:00

I finished my first novel in 1996; I was twenty-six years old and decided that I’d have a novel published by the time I turned thirty. So I followed all the usual steps everyone tells you to follow: querying agents, going to conferences, networking with other writers. I even got a good agent pretty quickly and figured the rest of the pieces would fall into place like clockwork....More Sara Zarr

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-29431713744402584032008-01-25T00:24:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:13:06.262-08:00

I think I've mentioned this website before, but its worth repeating. Gaping Void has a great list of 30 things to help you become more creative. These aren't the same old "stop and smell the flowers" items either. For example, Number 14. Dying young is overrated. Number 16. The world is changing. Even if you aren't looking to make big creative changes in your life, this is a handy how to list on

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-57977005307147823852008-01-19T23:43:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:02:38.857-08:00

I had never dreamed of being an author, although I had always loved English class in high school. After I became a CNC, Certified Nutritional Consultant, I saw the need for people to become educated in order to get healthy. I started writing a “Healthy Living Tips” column for the work newsletter and I found that people were reading my articles and liking them....More Anne Arsenault

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-62517208766328807622008-01-18T23:39:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:02:19.341-08:00

MIDORI BY MOONLIGHT is my debut book, but is actually the fifth novel I have tried to get published. When I took a job as a technical writer in Silicon Valley in the early 1990s, I found that many of my co-workers wrote fiction on the side....More Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-56384566407593166632008-01-18T00:21:00.000-08:002008-02-23T00:11:39.151-08:00

If you're anything like me you have 5,000 things you want to do, not enough time to get to everything on your to do list, and a pile of books that you "hope" you'll be able to read one day. Since the beginning of the year is usually a time for looking forward, this might be the time to consider writing your own personal mission statement. When you've defined just what is MOST important to you,

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-9772878793627410052007-12-14T00:17:00.000-08:002008-02-09T00:19:57.819-08:00

If that's not true for you, the problem might just be that you don't believe it's true. Many self-help programs tout the importance of using positive affirmations to help you get what you want out of life. If used correctly, affirmations can make dramatic and positive changes in your life. So this year, instead of making a number of resolutions that you'll break by January 2nd, how about trying

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-8384310430800135742007-12-04T00:14:00.000-08:002008-02-09T00:21:23.685-08:00

The people at iVillage.com have a pretty good collection of finance articles in their "Home & Garden" section. For those of you (us), looking for a little extra cash during the holiday season, they offer an article of tips that might just work for you. iVillage.comThis article was posted in the December 4 issue of OnceWritten.com's Writing Sparks newsletter.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-62791477013223727312007-12-01T18:23:00.000-08:002007-12-01T18:25:28.893-08:00

Max and the GatekeeperJames Todd CochraneGenre: Young AdultEnter to Win Max and the Gatekeeper NowThe Mansfield Lighthouse CatsCharlotte BarnesGenre: PoetryEnter to Win The Mansfield Lighthouse Cats NowFamily ActsLouise ShafferGenre: Contemporary RomanceEnter to Win Family Acts NowNeitherworld Book One AkiiwanScott BakerGenre: Science FictionEnter to Win Neitherworld Book One Akiiwan

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-39390957433109549022007-11-01T23:05:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:07:37.207-08:00

Max and the GatekeeperJames Todd CochraneGenre: Young AdultEnter to Win Max and the Gatekeeper NowThe Mansfield Lighthouse CatsCharlotte BarnesGenre: PoetryEnter to Win The Mansfield Lighthouse Cats NowFamily ActsLouise ShafferGenre: Contemporary RomanceEnter to Win Family Acts NowShooting WarAnthony Lappe, Dan GoldmanGenre: Graphic NovelEnter to Win Shooting War NowSilent MoviesPeter KobelGenre:

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-40324202925974180272007-10-26T23:15:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:16:40.082-08:00

Since this is the Halloween issue of the Writing Sparks, I couldn't go without letting you all know what to do in case of a Zombie attack. This fun three-minute video will keep you prepared should you meet a creature of the night. www.commoncraft.com/zombiesThis article was posted in the October 26 issue of OnceWritten.com's Writing Sparks newsletter.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-33983027674073794652007-10-12T23:12:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:16:47.869-08:00

The AIGA (a professional association for design) has released a list of its top book covers for 2007. Because your book cover is so very important in your marketing efforts, I encourage everyone to take a peek at these top-notch designs. www.designarchives.aiga.orgThis article was posted in the October 12 issue of OnceWritten.com's Writing Sparks newsletter.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-60591726234935194132007-09-21T23:09:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:12:10.764-08:00

Take a break from your own excellent writing, to view the world's most terrible opening lines. Every year, the San Jose State University English Department runs the "Bulwer-Lytton" Fiction Contest. This whimsical literary competition challenges entrants to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels.To view this year's fabulous (or not) winners, visit www.sjsu.edu/depts/

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-16493383579906050962007-08-10T03:06:00.000-07:002007-08-10T03:07:47.205-07:00

Are you looking for a new author? You have your favorites but want something just a little bit different to read. As much as that sounds like the slogan for OnceWritten.com, it also is a truism for a site known as The Literature Map. This map only points to the better known authors, so it's not great for discovery the unheard of ones. However, it does offer a fun way to find new authors that have

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-42759344111464173122007-08-03T10:13:00.000-07:002007-08-03T10:16:11.884-07:00

If you're feeling out-of-breath, nervous or stuck, and you just can't seem to move yourself along, you may want to take a second to "vacuum your lungs." This is a technique that helps cure breathlessness and is often used by opera singers before performing. Good too for those that just need to get a nice cleansing breath of fresh air before tackling a particularly troubling task, the technique

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-35950583893840108662007-08-01T10:11:00.000-07:002007-08-03T10:12:29.034-07:00

Dead Boys: StoriesRichard LangeGenre: General FictionEnter to Win Dead Boys: Stories NowKnit TogetherDebbie MacomberGenre: InspirationalEnter to Win Knit Together NowReframe your LifeStephen ArterburnGenre: ReligionEnter to Win Reframe your Life NowBy GeorgeWesley StaceGenre: General FictionEnter to Win By George NowThe Gospel Side of ElvisJoe MoscheoGenre: Biography / MemoirEnter to Win The

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-59615588101807188252007-07-20T10:59:00.001-07:002007-07-20T11:00:25.824-07:00

If you're feeling stuck, or can't quite get the plot or story right, you may want to brainstorm your way out of your block. A paper posted at the University of North Carolina website gives students brainstorming ideas for writing term papers, but the principles apply to fiction writers as well.From looking at similes to clustering/mapping/webbing to free writing, there are a number of great

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-36642601525062321312007-07-06T10:57:00.000-07:002007-07-20T10:58:57.498-07:00

In this week's "Promote Your Book" tip, we talk about the importance of a good looking cover design. Good design can be a tricky thing. People can react very differently to the same images. Bad design, however, is usually pretty easy to pick out. A forum at http://covers.fwis.com/ posts a variety of covers that are considered "good-looking" or at least visually noticeable covers, and then lets

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-71339058625040648832007-07-01T11:01:00.000-07:002007-07-20T11:04:01.356-07:00

Unfinished BusinessElizabeth Lucas TaylorGenre: Mystery/SuspenseEnter to Win Unfinished Business NowMen Cry Too: Poems & ProseWayne L. MisnerGenre: PoetryEnter to Win Men Cry Too: Poems & Prose NowYesterday's FalconTim NewmanGenre: Historical FantasyEnter to Win Yesterday's Falcon NowHer Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham ClintonJeff Gerth, Don Van Natta, Jr.Genre: Biography/

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-49902855417728143802007-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:53:57.745-07:00

When composing your written masterpieces, do you have a favorite font?Okay, I totally stole this week's creativity booster from WritersDigest.com, but when I saw this link, I couldn't resist passing it along to OnceWritten.com subscribers.In their last newsletter, Writers Digest references an article at slate.com, which interviewed prominent writers to see what their favorite font was? If you

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-61620143203039146722007-05-07T12:05:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:46:17.830-07:00

You know that when you write down your plans and goals they have a much better chance of becoming reality. Having them bounce around in your brain, competing with all the other noise that's up there is great, but for dramatically increase results, you have to write it down. It never ceases to amaze me, on my own goal (AKA to do) lists how I'll write down every little thing I can think of, both

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-60564806049319842452007-05-01T12:01:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:04:20.438-07:00

Like most creative types, you are probably trying to accomplish too many thing at once. Wearing the cap of worker, parent, friend, spouse, child, and numerous other labels is often in direct conflict with trying to wear the writer's mantle. Stress becomes a frequent companion when we try to to be perfect or even when we try to do too much. If you are looking for a way to de-stressify (not sure

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-80672298151482417842007-04-11T13:27:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:01:06.904-07:00

Many of the pundits suggest that a great way to become more creative is to do something new every day. While a daily novelty may be a hard schedule to keep, at least once a week try to fire up your creative juices by finding new things to do. If you're having a hard time coming up with new ideas, the Discover Fun website offers 1,200 suggestions (in 30 categories) of "Fun Things to Do." My

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-31986463816797783242007-04-05T11:07:00.000-07:002007-04-05T11:11:59.685-07:00

Okay so maybe you aren't ready yet to start generating real headlines, but still, if you're thinking about your name in lights, you might want to use the news to create a creative visualization for yourself. Write down one of your goals, edit it into one or two short paragraphs, and then post the text at www.getclippings.com/index.php to generate a personalized newspaper clipping for yourself.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-70895244556330590052007-04-01T10:58:00.000-07:002007-04-05T11:12:45.973-07:00

Information Systems 101: A Business Owner's Guide for Staying AfloatC. Oakes TemplemanGenre: BusinessEnter to Win Information Systems 101: A Business Owner's Guide for Staying Afloat NowJim's Bahamas Adventure: Small Boats vs. the Devil's TriangleStephen L. BlainGenre: Action/AdventureEnter to Win Jim's Bahamas Adventure: Small Boats vs. the Devil's Triangle NowQualifying Laps: A Brewster County

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-29663875638666301752007-03-29T21:48:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:45:47.629-07:00

In the spirit of today's "Finding More Time" issue I'm also focusing on procrastination as a time sucker. Secondary to saying "I don't have enough time," procrastinating until we are sure we don't have enough time left is another way of sucking up time and acting as a detriment to your goals. For a fun article on overcoming procrastination, visit www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_96.htm now.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-86672010071764992392007-03-12T09:30:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:53:57.745-07:00

We all know in fiction there is a tendency in fiction to overuse high-profile careers. Enough cops, doctors, lawyers and secret service men already. If you're looking for a cool career for your character, you might want to consider some of the following jobs: economist, environmental scientist, landscape architect, or even a zookeeper. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, (yes, the same people who

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-66642459853742428132007-02-22T21:36:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:44:23.935-07:00

One of my most favorite new websites is www.geniuscatalyst.com, a site that is devoted to helping you get what you want out of life. A great article posted there is entitled "How to Win Games and Influence Dolphins" which gives baby step suggestions on setting up goals to make them attainable. You can find the article at: www.geniuscatalyst.com/public/tipoftheday_s.php.

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1169794650875400862007-01-22T22:57:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:42:20.555-07:00

Last year one of the most popular "Get Past the Block" columns was the one I wrote about clearing out your clutter. So take a look at those new year's resolutions (you are still doing them, right?) and if you had get organized or some variation on your list, visit the LifeOrganizers.com website to learn "20 Little Known Organizing Secrets Used by Professional Organizers."www.lifeorganizers.com.*

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1169794798224470682007-01-04T22:59:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:40:42.356-07:00

ConsolationMichael RedhillGenre: General FictionEnter to Win Consolation NowRed River (Audio Book)Lalita TademyGenre: Historical FictionEnter to Win Red River (Audio Book) NowThe Mormon Way of Doing BusinessJeff BenedictGenre: Business & MoneyEnter to Win The Mormon Way of Doing Business Now

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1166541026731770932006-12-19T07:09:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:55:23.246-07:00

A holiday tradition my family enjoys is that every year our Christmas Eve dinner consists of some type of seafood dish. (Yummy). Seems we aren't the only ones. This 2004 article from the San Francisco Chronicle details people's favorite holiday seafood meals (with recipes.)www.sfgate.com. * * * *Get Past the Block OnceWritten.com offers weekly tips and suggestions to help get you motivated and

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1166087797964700562006-12-14T01:15:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:55:23.246-07:00

TV Land has just listed the top 100 television catch phrases of all times. From "You're Fired," to "Where's the Beef," this is a fun list, with many phrases that will really take you back in time. "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." Before you check the list, try to write down as many of your favorites, and then take a look at which ones made the final list. My favorite catch phrase that

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1166065223207130972006-12-04T18:59:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:55:23.246-07:00

Are you looking to personalize your card giving efforts this year. Maybe you're hoping to save a few pennies on the expensive process known as card giving. The very cool making-greeting-cards.com website has lots of easy ideas for making really cool homemade cards. Most of the cards are easy to make, and you will get some great ideas over there. To check out their selection of holiday cards,

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1166065361821218942006-12-01T19:02:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:51:50.758-07:00

Cold CaseChristopher AshGenre: Science FictionEnter to Win Cold Case NowMichael Mina: The CookbookMichael MinaGenre: EntertainmentEnter to Win Michael Mina: The Cookbook NowHollywood Station (Audio Book)Joseph WambaughGenre: Action/AdventureEnter to Win Hollywood Station (Audio Book) NowRed Carpets and Other Banana SkinsRupert EverettGenre: Biography/MemoirEnter to Win Red Carpets and Other

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1166065080199579482006-11-21T18:56:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:55:05.524-07:00

Managing your to-do lists can be a real headache. If you're like me, you have three legal-size pages of notes, two cocktail napkins scribbled with things you've "just remembered" and don't forget the six phone messages to yourself, reminding you not to forget what you wrote on the cocktail napkin. If you're managing a group project, with more than one person responsible for getting things done,

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1166064867126271642006-11-06T18:53:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:55:51.309-07:00

I live in Hollywood. A place that once was glamorous, then spent the better part of four decades being ratty and gross, and now is dedicating much energy to becoming trendy and glamorous once again. I like the community, because the people reflect this dichotomy. Hipsters live alongside out-of-work actors. What has always seemed odd to me is the huge divide between income and housing costs in my

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1162576575169512152006-10-30T09:53:00.000-08:002007-07-19T12:55:51.309-07:00

Not that much really, except for maybe the website LosAnjealous.com. This site will take random quotes from Nietzsche and combines them with random pictures from the Family Circus cartoon. (You know the round Bill Keane cartoons with the dog Barfy?) Sounds weird, right, but these pictures really do seem to match up quite well with the quotes. And with such quotes like "Hope in reality is the

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1161967427111623962006-10-23T09:42:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:55:51.309-07:00

The fun new book Pick Me Up (September 2006, DK Children) offers a wealth of information on things children and adults should know as well as things they may want to know. After all, does anyone really NEED to know how to make fake movie vomit? From a graphic timeline of how and when dinosaurs ruled the earth to information on the dynamics of color, there's a whole lot of knowledge packed in this

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1160765148279102122006-10-13T11:44:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:56:17.651-07:00

Scott Adams, the very funny writer of the Dilbert comic strip is one of the many individuals that contributes to the blogosphere. Dilbert.blog is updated almost daily with words of advice and humor. Recent posts have included musings that John Mark Karr (the self-confessed killer of Jon Benet Ramsey) should run for congress, as well as knowing when to quit a failing business. Nearly a year ago,

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1160123947859501382006-10-06T01:38:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:57:14.566-07:00

First, my apologies to international readers. I usually like to keep this section more international. But if you are a breathing American (resident) with a television set, you can't help but be over saturated with election commercials. In California the hot-issues are Prop 87--The Clean Energy Bill, and whether Governor Schwarzenegger is too much like President Bush to re-elect. (I'm not

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1160118626300513742006-10-01T00:09:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:51:50.759-07:00

Psychedelic SixPaul SpockGenre: Action/AdventureEnter to Win Psychedelic Six NowWarrior and WitchMarie BrennanGenre: Science FictionEnter to Win Warrior and Witch NowThe Second MouseArcher MayorGenre: Mystery/SuspenseEnter to Win The Second Mouse NowThe Blue TaxiN.S. KöeningsGenre: General FictionEnter to Win The Blue Taxi NowNot Easily BrokenT.D. JakesGenre: Christian FictionEnter to Win Not

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1159387665795285282006-09-27T13:06:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:56:17.652-07:00

First of all, are you crystal clear on what redundancies are redundant? Some things are just useless and unnecessary and by using them we attach together words we don't need. Each and every one of you should check out the brain candy website to see a list of commonly used redundancies. www.corsinet.com/braincandy/twice.html.Get Past the Block OnceWritten.com offers weekly tips and suggestions to

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1158915392943484122006-09-22T01:55:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:56:17.652-07:00

When animals congregate, you may find yourself at a loss when naming their groupings. Sure cattle hang out in a herd, but who knew that more than one monkey makes a barrel, and no, not a wooden one. An army of caterpillars, a wreck of seabirds, even a lounge of lizards. To get a leg up on your next night of Trivial Pursuit, (or to just look really cool at your next dinner party) visit the San

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1158300998175551902006-09-11T23:05:00.000-07:002007-07-19T12:57:02.407-07:00

This is a great quote I found over at gapingvoid.com while searching an article over there entitled "How to be Creative." This article is not so much about getting out and painting nature while chewing on granola, but rather gives advice on the nuts and bolts of living a creative life.It offers a lot of fabulous pieces of wisdom, such as "The most important thing a creative person can learn

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1158301419658268842006-09-04T23:22:00.000-07:002007-07-19T13:00:50.276-07:00

This week we're getting serious about goal setting. I challenge you all to pick ONE thing you REALLY want and set some goal on how to get it. Break the goals down into bite size pieces, and make sure they are do-able in small time increments.Then make sure you do one thing every single day to get you closer to meeting your goal. For writers, this goal often tends to be around the theme of writing

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1158304768264356312006-09-02T00:16:00.000-07:002007-07-19T13:00:23.868-07:00

Death to Fool Boys IncorporatedKenner BischGenre: Mystery/SuspenseEnter to Win Death to Fool Boys Incorporated NowClimb Every ObstacleAnita JeffersonGenre: Motivation/Self-HelpEnter to Win Climb Every Obstacle NowMen are all Murderers and Women are all Whores: A SatireJustin ZazaGenre: General FictionEnter to Win Men are all Murderers and Women are all Whores: A Satire NowThe Devil Comes to

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1158301563172481752006-08-28T23:24:00.000-07:002007-07-19T13:00:50.277-07:00

Last week I mentioned my life plan, and a couple of subscribers asked me about it. I'm a big believer that you can get what you want, as long as you tell the universe (and yourself) that you want it. I've had huge success with writing down my goals, and am often amazed when I look back on old lists. I've often accomplished most of the things on my lists, even the items I forgot I had written

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1158301815556944742006-08-21T23:29:00.000-07:002007-07-19T13:03:52.132-07:00

Okay, even the most productive and prolific among us need a little downtime. And while I'm not a huge fan of the television (I don't even have cable), I admit that every fall I get excited about the potential offered by the new season.As always, there are a few television programs coming next season that have caught my eye. With the first premieres having aired early this week, it's time to start

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1158302021684739612006-08-14T23:33:00.000-07:002007-07-19T13:04:12.738-07:00

I'm often touting the importance of being creative in multiple channels. Writers can benefit from other right-brained activities such as drawing, painting, collage or other low-stress activities. What to do, though, if you are an art Klutz like me? Get a children's book and start from scratch. Seriously. One of my most favorite books on watercolor is the Klutz Watercolor for the Artistically

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1150828637574044352006-06-20T11:35:00.000-07:002006-06-20T11:37:17.586-07:00

Creative Writing Prompt #1Build Character--Cut out 20 images from magazines and write personal profiles for each image you've cut out. Now use some of those profiles in a short story.Creative Writing Prompt #2Story Idea--Write a story or scene about three children who have snuck aboard a private yacht when the owner comes on board.www.oncewritten.com/FreeCreativeWritingPrompts.php

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1149612500538159932006-06-06T09:46:00.000-07:002006-06-06T09:50:23.173-07:00

Creative Writing Prompt #1Story Idea--Write a story about a man who finds $30,000 in the trunk of his wife's car.Creative Writing Prompt #2First Line--With the opening of the twelfth Starbucks in my neighborhood, we'd officially entered the era of urban sameness.www.oncewritten.com/FreeCreativeWritingPrompts.php

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1149583958590900072006-06-06T01:49:00.000-07:002007-07-19T13:00:23.869-07:00

The Magic & the Mundane: A Guide for the Writer's JourneyP. June DiehlGenre: Non-FictionKushiel's ScionJacqueline CareyGenre: Science Fiction/FantasySuperman ReturnsMarv WolfmanGenre: Science Fiction/FantasyAngel with AttitudeMichelle RowenGenre: Romance/Chick-LitHow to Set his Thighs on FireKate WhiteGenre: Non-Fiction: Self HelpA Field of DarknessCornelia ReadGenre: Mystery/SuspenseEnter to Win

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1149016976362966822006-05-30T12:20:00.000-07:002006-05-30T12:22:56.376-07:00

Creative Writing Prompt #1Story Idea--Write a story about two alien space ships who land on earth at the same time and both claim to want to colonize the planet.Creative Writing Prompt #2Build Character--Put your character in a restaurant, waiting for a blind date that never shows up.www.oncewritten.com/FreeCreativeWritingPrompts.php

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1148462761828650112006-05-24T02:24:00.000-07:002006-05-30T12:25:55.636-07:00

Creative Writing Prompt #1Story Idea--Write a scene or story about four brothers who are all attracted to the same woman.Creative Writing Prompt #2First Line--Conversational etiquette eluded Alana. What was wrong, for example, with telling Mrs. Stanivish that her dress did indeed make her look fat?www.oncewritten.com/FreeCreativeWritingPrompts.php

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768357.post-1145994137876724782006-04-25T12:41:00.000-07:002006-05-30T12:25:03.093-07:00

Creative Writing Prompt #1Story Idea--Write a short story from the point of view of an animal. Do your turtles want to escape their tank, does your cat dream of riding the dog? Tell their tale.Creative Writing Prompt #2Build Character--Get into someone else's head. When is the last time you said "I just don't understand people like that?" Maybe it's a grocery clerk who smashed your bread beneath

Monicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11781196219803866563noreply@blogger.com0