September 2010

10 Guaranteed Ways to Alienate Your Reader

September 30, 2010

Here is a list of errors—or perpetrations, if you’d rather—guaranteed to cut away a significant portion of your reading audience.
1. Center every line in your prose story.
2. Capitalize Every Damn Word In Each Sentence.  What’s That About, Anyway? 
3. WRITE IN ALL CAPS.  PEOPLE LOVE THIS.  IT MAKES READING YOUR WORK SO MUCH EASIER!
4. B kre8ive n [...]

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Raconteur: Word of the Day

September 30, 2010

Raconteur, n.
A person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly.
Samuel Clemens was considered both a writer and a man who could deliver stories before a group, a true raconteur.
How will you use raconteur in a sentence today?
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A Real Editor is Hard to Find

September 30, 2010

As a writer for any length of time, when showing  your work around to people, you will have noticed a couple of interesting phenomena.
1. Everybody you show your work to knows that they, too,  could write, if they only took the time to do so.  “I should write about my life.  People would be thrilled [...]

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Importune: Word of the Day

September 29, 2010

Importune, v.
To press or urge with frequent persistence.
Twelve-year-old Janey took every opportunity to importune her mother about attending the concert.
How will you use importune in a sentence today?
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How to Create a Main Character For Your Next Novel

September 29, 2010

One of the most challenging things to do when beginning a novel project is the creating of your main character.
Actually, the creation of all of your main-line characters should be done with care, but the “lead” in your story needs… no, demands a high level of care and detail.
First, about your characters in general.  They need [...]

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How (and Why) to Create Your Writer's Network

September 28, 2010

Everybody is talking about networks.  Work networks.  Social networks.  Blogging networks  It seems you can put just about any word in front of “networks” and you’re off to the races.  Interestingly enough, we all pretty much agree that networking is a good thing.
Swell.  How about a writer‘s network?
Yeah.  That’s the ticket.  But, what would it [...]

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Cognate: Word of the Day

September 28, 2010

Cognate, adj.
Allied or similar in nature or quality.
Certain languages, French and Spanish, for instance, or Laotian and Thai, are considered cognates of each other.
How will you use cognate in a sentence today?
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How to Get Ready For NaNoWriMo

September 28, 2010

 
Yes, friends, NaNoWriMo is right around the corner.  It is just a bit over a month away as of today. 
People ask, “can I work on my current novel for NaNoWriMo?”  Of course the answer is nobody looks over your shoulder while you do this 30-day challenge.  That said, starting with new, clean prose does several [...]

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The Daily "Huh?" – Unspelled

September 27, 2010

Image: Guilty as Charged

Unspelled
Nobody does it better,
and nothing stays the same,
no one knows how to stop it;
and nothing stays the change.
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A Musical Note: Donovan – Hurdy Gurdy Man

September 27, 2010

We’ve heard from Donovan before on our Musical Note segment. 
Today I want to get into what was perhaps Donovan Leitch’s most ”hard rock” (and psychedelic)  song, “Hurdy Gurdy Man”.  The song was written and recorded in 1968.
Take a listen.  I think you’ll enjoy Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan.
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