Writers, are you reading this summer? Reading is a "must do" for any writer, experienced or aspiring.  Reading expands your thinking, expands your vocabulary, exposes you to new ideas and styles of writing and helps your own writing improve by all these means.  One of the points in the writing class I teach is "Read to Write." Summer is a great time to do some serious reading, at least in my life.  Actually, so if fall, winter and spring for that matter!  So far this summer, I have read: The Devil in Pew Number Seven  by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo with Bob DeMoss       I couldn't put this book down!  It was a fantastic story of how far some people have the potential to go when controlled by their ego. Memiors of a Holocaust Survivor, Icek Kuperberg   by Icek Kuperberg      I read Holocaust survivor books annually, several times throughout the year, actually.  While some parts are very hard to read because I can't ...

I love a blank piece of paper.  I love a blank computer screen.  The blankness is enticing to me because it's a clean slate, representing a new beginning each and every time I sit down to write.  For me, it goes something like this: 1. As I go about my day, I'm constantly thinking. 2. This thinking leads to ideas. 3. These ideas lead to my desire to voice them. 4. My desire to voice them leads me to my paper or computer. 5. The paper or computer screen are blank......which is, to me, an invitation to write. 6. An invitation to write brings on an avalanche of writing, much of which I never even print or publish! Thus, you can see why a blank paper or computer screen is so enticing to me.  My days are busy with my large family and that means there are days when finding time to write is challenging. What about you? Does a blank paper or screen excite or intimidate you?  Do you feel overwhelmed by it or eager to get started? Think about your writing sty...

I just finished one of the most fascinating books I've ever read.  It was on the "new book" shelf at my local library and I was intrigued by the title, Letters from Leaders .   Letters from Leader s is a compilation of letters the author, Henry O. Dormann, Chairman and Editor in Chief, LEADERS Magazine, requested from world leaders in politics, religion, business and philanthropy. Some of the letters, themselves, were hand-written by the people approached, on their company letterhead.  These letterheads were folded within the pages of the book, included with the print. As I read this book, I could not help but see a strong pattern emerge.  I want to share my observations of this pattern, in hopes that you, as a writer, can sense what would make your pursuits in writing more successful. My observations of the overriding keys to success from the leaders in this book: 1. Integrity 2. Ethics 3. Dreams 4. Respect for others - ALL others 5. Everyone needs lead...

I t's a well-known fact that no one can fully edit their own work.  As I teach writing and advise my students, I always recommend hiring an independent editor, especially if not working with a publishing house.  Many of my students have chosen e-publishing and independent editors are a must for any e-publisher.   But, many people avoid hiring independent editors due to the cost involved. Their work, along with their credibility as a writer, suffers as a result. PAY ATTENTION But, there are some ways you can save money on editing.  The number one way is to pay attention to your word processor.  Modern word processing programs all have built-in grammar and spelling alerts. Paying attention to them and using them will save you money on editing costs.  Why pay an editor to do what a word processor will do automatically?  All you have to do is pay attention.  For example, when Word puts a green squiggly line under a word or sentence, pay attentio...