Angela Booth's Writing Blog

Weekly Writers' Journal Prompts: Secrets

Everyone loves a secret. Newspapers and magazines thrive on revealing secrets.

In this week's journal prompt, you'll discover some secrets - your own, and those of your story characters. If you're writing nonfiction, you'll uncover a secret in your current project.

Your own biggest secret

Write 250 words. Complete this sentence: "My biggest secret that I keep from myself is ____________ "

Fiction - your primary character's biggest secret

Discover your story character's biggest secret. Write 250 words, beginning with: "X's biggest secret is __________"

Your nonfiction project's biggest secret

Everything and everyone has secrets. Your nonfiction project has secrets it can reveal. Uncover the secrets, and you'll make your editor very happy. You may need to interview an expert on your nonfiction project's topic if you're not an expert yourself.

Do the research, then write 250 words, beginning with the phrase: "Topic X's biggest secret is _______".

Technorati Tags: journal

End writing procrastination: find time to write when you have no time

If you're a born procrastinator it's easy to convince yourself that you have no time to write. You'll write when the baby gets older, when you can quit your second job, when you can get a job with a shorter commute...

Everyone has time; you have more time than you think

Everyone has the same amount of time. If you want to write, you'll find the time to write. If time is really short: as when you're working two jobs for example, this may mean giving up things like sleep. :-)

I've found it useful to divide my writing time into prospecting, drafting and writing periods, because each takes a different amount of concentration. It makes it seem as if I have more time. :-)

This system may work for you too.

Prospecting: a lot of dirt, a little gold

When prospecting, I'm collecting ideas. I mind map, make lists, and generally noodle. I can do this anytime, anywhere. I always do it in supermarket checkout lines for example, or whenever I'm waiting for something (on the phone, for a meeting to start etc), and when I'm walking my dog.

You can easily do your own prospecting when you're doing something else, because it doesn't take much concentration. In fact, if your mind and body are primarily occupied with something else, prospecting works better.

There's only one rule for prospecting: KNOW WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, and write it down on an index card. The "writing down" part is vital. You're saying to your subconscious mind (or Muse, Holly Lisle's great term): "Hey, when you have a moment, send me something I can use about this topic/ answer this question".

Drafting: generating text

Drafting is taking your mind maps, lists and other data and turning it into a rough draft. Your rough draft doesn't need to make sense. This is not finished writing. A draft can consist of expanded lists, half sentences, and questions.

When you're drafting, you're just playing, seeing where your thoughts take you.

Try to make drafting fun for yourself. It doesn't need much concentration. You can listen to music (I like listening to old comedy shows like Yes, Prime Minister) while you draft. You can draft while you're cooking dinner, and on your commute, and in the bath - make drafting FUN. Don't think of it as "writing." You're just generating text.

Writing: making sense of it all

After prospecting and drafting, you can write. However, don't write before you're ready. For me, writing a final or semi-final draft takes concentration, so I do it first thing in the morning, when I'm most wide awake and creative. Early mornings are my best writing time, but you may be a night owl; I used to do my best writing late at night, and perhaps you do too.

Wait to write your final draft until your Muse gives you a nudge. This is inspiration, and it's the goal of prospecting and drafting. Your Muse saying "Yoo hoo! I've got some great stuff here! Write it down NOW!"

Try dividing your writing time into prospecting, drafting and writing. You can prospect and draft anywhere. I hope the process works for you.

There's more on ending procrastination in "Top 70 Writing Tips To Help You To Write More".

Technorati Tags: 100 ways to be more creative

Stealth publishing: getting your book the attention it deserves

You've written a book proposal.

You've done all the heavy lifting: you know that there's a market for your book. You've shown how your book slots into a niche in the marketplace, and you've described how you will market your book.

Excellent. Your proposal is now making its way around the offices of publishing houses and agents. Slowly. Very slowly.

What if you could gee up the process a bit?

There's a sneaky way of both making money from your book before it's published a couple of years from now (traditional publishing takes a LONG time) - and of attracting attention to your book proposal.

Here's the way: create an ebook version of your book, and sell it online. Not only can you make some money while your book proposal does the rounds, you may get an offer on the basis of an intriguing ebook.

I'm writing about self-publishing as a "stealth" process this week in Fab Freelance Writing Ezine.

Your writing workflow: does it make you more creative?

The secret of writing creativity and productivity is to have a workflow which makes you more creative.

Creativity is a process of connection and association. My aim is to build that connection/ association into my workflow as much as possible. My two favorite computer tools for that are Scrivener and Curio. They’re both Mac tools.

I also use index cards. I love them on the computer too, Scrivener has a Corkboard with virtual index cards. Since I’ve started writing another novel, I’m finding the Corkboard is fantastic.

A Pile Of Index Cards has a system for using paper index cards for journaling. Currently it doesn’t suit my workflow, because I carry index cards around and then enter them into either Scrivener or Tinderbox, depending on whether a card refers to a current project, or is just an idea for reference or for further development. However, the site may give you some ideas you can use for your own workflow.

Scrivener seems to be sneaking into more of my workflows. Although I’ve been using the program for a while for longer projects, like manuals and ebooks, and now a new novel, I’ve also started using Scrivener for article writing.

I write articles for my Web sites and blogs, and for clients, usually in PLR packages. Tracking all those articles means that I’ve got hundreds of articles in folders on my Mac. This is fine, I can import the articles into DevonThink Pro when I want to get an overview on what I’ve written on a particular topic.

But I’ve now got a Scrivener file just for articles - I want to see whether having lots of articles together will enhance my creativity because I can more easily see connections. I suspect that it will.

What’s your writing workflow? Please share in the Comments to this post.

You’ll find lots of ideas on developing workflows to enhance your creativity in "Top 70 Writing Tips To Help You To Write More".

Around my writing blogs this week: new Web writing network and more

This week I've covered aspects of blogging and freelance writing, and I've started a new Web writing network.

Here's a roundup:

* New Web writing network - if you're interested in Web writing, this network can be your home on the Web. Not only do you get a free page on which you can promote your Web writing, you get a free blog too;

* Five easy ways to market your blogging services  for bloggers for hire. If you want to get blogging gigs, this post will help you;

* How do you get started freelance writing? I'm often asked this question; here's the answer;

* The latest issue of Fab Freelance Writing Ezine is up on the archives site - get motivated to write. This technique is unusual and highly effective;

* Extend your copywriting services to the Web on the new Terapad copywriting blog.

Technorati Tags: freelance writing

Fiction secrets: getting to know your characters

Characters are at the heart of your short story or novel. You need to understand them to bring them to life.

I admit I've rarely bothered to develop characters for my novels before I start a first draft. The "what color eyes/ education/ hobbies/ clothing" character sheets bore me witless. I start my stories knowing what the character's challenge is, and his history. That's all. I develop characters as I write.

Although this works sometimes, I often end up with characters I don't  understand. They're shadows living in a ghostly world. I journal about them, and write their diaries, but I rarely feel that I'm getting under a character's skin: getting to understand what makes a character tick.

But there's this woman...

I've had this character and her story skittering around in my imagination for weeks. This woman won't leave. She's constantly at the back of my mind, and I can't stop thinking about her.

Great, yes? Obviously I'm meant to write this woman's story. But I don't want to. I've got quite enough writing to do. The thought of investing months in a story which withers and dies scares me.

Well, praise the lord and pass the ammunition, when I downloaded Holly Lisle's Create A Character Clinic I found the solution. The book's amazing. I've only been working with it for a few hours, but I can see that it will help me to write my  skittering-woman's story. I now know something of who she is - and how to discover more about her life and her world before I start the first draft.

I've admired Holly's work and her commitment to it for years, and "Holly Lisle’s Create A  Character Clinic: A Step-By-Step Course for the Fiction Writer" goes far beyond what I expected. I never considered that Maslow's hierarchy of needs could be helpful in developing characters. Holly shows you exactly how to use them, and much more.

Thank you Holly, great stuff.

Technorati Tags: fiction

Guilty writing pleasures... Violette Pensee

What's your guilty writing pleasure?

I've just been browsing delicious Swisher Pens (there's a new color in Pelikans!), and realized that I'm almost out of J. Herbin's Violette Pensee fountain pen ink.

Yes, it's purple. So sue me.

I love this purple ink. It's my guilty writing pleasure.

Share your guilty writing pleasures in the comments.

Technorati Tags: fountain pens

Get motivated to write - relax, and write more

The latest issue of Fab Freelance Writing Ezine is online at the archives site. This week's article is: "Get Motivated To Write - Eliminate Procrastination, Have Fun And Become A Better Writer".

Here's an excerpt:

"Writer's motivation" sounds grim. Get motivated, achieve, write! Unfortunately, placing this kind of stress on yourself doesn't work. You can't force yourself to write using your willpower. If you try, you will decrease your motivation to write.

I've discovered that forcing yourself to write doesn't work: it can't work, because when you're under stress, you're choking off your creativity. Forcing yourself to write leads to procrastination and to writers' block.

The more you can relax about your writing, the more motivated you'll be, because you want to write. This desire to write is a gift.

Read the complete article.

Fab Freelance Writing Ezine is brought to you completely free in fabulous, easy to read and print PDF.

Subscribe to receive each issue - and the occasional bonus issue, which is for subscribers only.

Technorati Tags: freelance writing, Motivation

Giggle of the Day: Nice, but does he get half the advance?

News of another blook deal.

From "British 'household rant' blogger scores book deal":

... a 44-year-old British woman who gained cult fame for operating a blog called "My Boyfriend is a Twat," has recently cashed in on her significant other's tics and quirks. McCarthy, according to the U.K.'s Observer, has received about a $10,000 advance from Web-to-print publisher The Friday Project to turn her blog into a book. Not quite a Harry Potter-worthy figure, but nothing to scoff at, either.

Technorati Tags: blogging, blogs, books

Get motivated: know what you want from your writing

Apropos of the motivation focus in the ezine this week, I found this great remark from Jeff Rivera, a novelist, in his interview with John Kremer:

A: I would go to the Self-Publisher's Hall of Fame webpage on your site and I would visualize myself as one of those people who got picked up by a major publisher. I typed in my name on that list and printed it out because I wanted it to happen so bad.

Do you know what you want from your writing?

Do you want it badly enough?

Technorati Tags: Motivation

New network for Web writers

Visit Web-writing

Web writing is a completely new writing field. I've just set up a new network so we can discuss Web writing and publishing, make contacts, and discover new opportunities. Join us.

BTW, if you're on Facebook, feel free to add me as a friend.

Motivation secrets: get motivated to write

A couple of days ago we talked about procrastination. From discussions with my copywriting students, I know that procrastination is something many writers beat themselves up over.

Procrastination leads to a lack of motivation. (Of course, this is a chicken and egg challenge - it's debatable which comes first, procrastination or a lack of motivation.)

This week I'll be discussing motivation secrets on Fab Freelance Writing Ezine. Discover the secrets to boosting YOUR motivation.

Technorati Tags: Motivation

Brainstorming your writing: generating a mass of ideas

Yesterday we discussed procrastination and how to end it.

Today, let's talk about brainstorming and idea generation. Brainstorming can be lots of fun in any writing project, AND it stops you procrastinating.

Beyond having fun, brainstorming is an important skill; it's necessary in every project, and even at every stage of a project. If you develop the habit of brainstorming, you won't procrastinate. Get comfortable with it.

Many writers have challenges with brainstorming; they just don't like it.

Common complaints:

"My ideas are silly."

"It's a waste of time."

"I never come up with anything good."

"I get confused..."

You become negative because you're stuck in your left brain, brainstorming is a right-brain activity, and because you don't have a goal.

You've got to have a goal for a brainstorming session, and you must write down your goal.

Let's see how brainstorming works.

1. Ask yourself a question: you must have a GOAL for your brainstorming session

For example, if you're plotting a novel, ask yourself questions starting with WHY, WHAT, WHEN, and WHO. Only choose one of these questions per brainstorming session.

2. Brainstorm 20 answers/ ideas

The more answers you can come up with the better - don't worry if some or all of them seem silly. You're after quantity, not quality.

List your answers, or create a mind map.

I like to take a few minutes to clear my mind after a brainstorming session. I'll have a cup of coffee or I'll take Honey, my Jack Russell, outside for a stroll.

3. Choose an answer for your question

Finally, choose the best answer you've come up with in the session.

So there you go - discover brainstorming for yourself: ask yourself a question about a writing project. Happy brainstorming. :-)

Technorati Tags: 100 ways to be more creative, creativity

End your writing procrastination: become a prolific writer TODAY

I've had several questions this week about writing more. Procrastination is a perennial challenge for writers. Whatever you're writing, whether it's an article, a book, or copy for a copywriting client, you procrastinate.

Procrastinating can make you feel as if you're not meant to be a writer.

I know what it's like; I used to be a master procrastinator. Then I decided that enough was enough; I didn't need to sweat blood to write.

End your procrastination for good

Are you procrastinating? If so, you're feeling frustrated and guilty. You know you can write, and you know you should be writing, but you can't.

Now you can. You can end writing procrastination for good. Discover how you can become the prolific writer you were born to be with my bestselling ebook "Top 70 Writing Tips To Help You To Write More."

You'll discover 70 ways in which you can write more, no matter who you are, or what your level of writing experience.

The 70 tips will help you to plan your writing time, stick to a writing schedule, and get more energy, so that writing is a pleasure for you.

End procrastination for good today, with "Top 70 Writing Tips To Help You To Write More" - you can make writing easy and fun.

Technorati Tags: be more productive, procrastination, productivity, write more

Giggle of the Day: wonderfully purple prose

I'm a huge fan of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, and the site's Sticks & Stones page.

If you're having a bad writing day, there's nothing like a little schadenfreude to make you feel better.

Some gems on Sticks & Stones:

"She wore a dress the same color as her eyes her father brought her from San Francisco."

"He spun round in the doorway with a violence that was tangible, surveying her bitterly with hard, blazing eyes before banging the door so savagely that the whole room shuddered and whimpered before sinking into an unearthly silence."

"With a desperate effort I wrenched my eyes from the hypnotic glare of the snake. I rolled them toward the door. I dared move no further."

Technorati Tags: fun