Writers are simply people with something to say. Do you have something to say? Learn to say it well and you will see success. While some people have more talent than others, good writing does not just magically happen. If that were the case, we would never need editors. Good writing is a skill which can be learned by anyone with something to say. A few tips for "good writing" include: *Pay attention to grammar. It matters *Pay attention to punctuation. It matters. *Never write sarcasm. It comes across ugly and makes you look small. Sarcasm does not work for the written word unless it's used to develop a character. *Less is enough. There is no need to embellish your writing. What you have to say is enough, so keep it simple and direct. *Be real. Readers recognize a fraud instantly, so it's vitally important to keep your writing real and honest. If your writings are fraudulent, or any part of your self-presentation is fraudulent, readers simply won't com...

Writing is a process. Depending on what you're writing, the process can be long or short. A process requires patience, endurance, focus, determination and fortitude. Once you have your book idea, whether you're writing a novel or your own personal memoir, the actual writing is a process. Preparing for the process is key to having the patience and endurance to see it through to the end. In order to prepare for the process, it helps to know and understand the process.  The process has specific steps which include: Prewriting Drafting Revising  Editing Prewriting = Anything you do before you actually write a draft of your project. This includes, but is not limited to: Thinking Getting the idea Talking to others Brainstorming Taking notes Outlining Gathering information All these things count toward the writing process. If you're thinking about writing a novel, you have already started the process! It starts with a thought. This part o...

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 ...

" Ascend  has ascended!"  Her newest book is here in the US, in bookstores today. I recommend Ascend   even if it's not in your genre of interest because it is selling and if you want to write for publication, you need to pay attention to what's selling.  This does not mean you have to abandon your own genre and write out of your comfort zone, it simply means further education for you, keeping on top of the market and learning from another writer. Amanda was just like the rest of us, taking a writing class to see what she could learn about writing, overcoming obstacles to getting published and e-publishing.  You, too, can see success with your writing.  Even if buying her book is not in your budget, head to the bookstore and browse through a copy. Way to go, Amanda! ~Tricia

I teach my writing students to get to know other writers of all genres.  This is great advice, just as getting to know other small business owners will benefit a small business owner.  Based on this advice, and the requests of several of my students, I am starting a writer's group!  I am very excited to be a part of this idea and am happy to organize our meetings. Benefits of a writer's group: Helps writers expand their experience by talking with other writers Helps us learn the processes that other writers go through in their efforts and learn new techniques Helps us meet really awesome people with a common interest Gives us a new focus by allowing our work to be viewed by new eyes Motivates us to stay on focus Gives us valuable opportunities to receive criticism from others, as well as opportunity to stretch our thinking through critiquing others I suppose I could go on and on with benefits of a writer's group, but I'll keep this short.  A few of my perso...

The English language is funny.  Just when we think we have it mastered, new words are introduced and we have to expand our vocabulary.  This happened in the cooking world when Rachael Ray coined the term EVOO for Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Suddenly, EVOO made the dictionary and people had to start adding that to their cookbooks in order to reach and relate to a new generation of cooks.  How cool is that?  I mean, seriously, being able to influence the dictionary writers through frequently-used changes in language is mind-blowing!  Kudos to Rachael Ray! Knowing the lingo of the writing world is equally as important as knowing the lingo when you're cooking. If you don't know the lingo, your recipes won't turn out like they should. If you don't know the writing lingo, your targeted market will not be hit.  Here are a few commonly-used terms to get you started. This is not a comprehensive list by any means; it is only a jump-start for you to search deeper:...