Writing Tips - Handling Rejection

By Michael Russell

As a writer, you're going to be submitting a lot of material to a lot of publishers and agents. It could be weeks, months, maybe even years before you get your written work accepted, which means many, many rejection letters. Unless you can learn to handle this rejection your writing career is going to be very short.

The truth is, many writers, once they reach the point where they actually start submitting material and start getting rejected, end up changing careers faster than the Giants moved from New York to San Francisco. Many promising careers were probably cut short because of the inability to handle rejection. Hopefully the following tips will make that rejection easier to deal with and help turn it into a positive.

Before you even start submitting your material to publishers and agents, get a little practice getting some feedback from others. Don't give your work to friends to read. For starters, they're probably not interested and depending on the kind of friends you have, will either tell you what you want to hear or rip your work to shreds just for the fun of it. Give it to somebody who has some knowledge of the material like one of your old college professors or high school teachers if you can find them. If you can join a local workshop to get feedback, that's always a good thing too. Get as much feedback as you can from as many sources as you can. Most likely some of it won't be glowing, especially if you tell them to be honest because you are thinking of submitting the work to a publisher.

Every time somebody says something negative about your work, think about how you feel about the comment. If it hurts, deal with it. Come to terms with it. Tell yourself that you're not going to let a few bad comments get to you. After you do this for a while you will start to find that you develop what is called a thick skin. Suddenly, the comments don't hurt as much. When that day comes, you are probably ready to start submitting to publishers.

When you submit to publishers, keep a list. Make a game of it. In marketing, you only make sales to 3% of your prospects. So if you send out 100 copies of your manuscript most likely you will only get 3 positive responses. As you start getting your rejection letters back, don't just tack them up on the wall or throw them in the trash. The really good publishers will give you a reason for the rejection. Make a note of their comments. Maybe they spotted something in your work that you didn't see. Maybe there's room for improvement. If you take each criticism as the person actually trying to make your work better you will be on your way to turning that work into something that will sell.

The part of tacking the rejection letter on the wall was no joke. Do it. Make a game of it. See how many you can get. See if you get enough of them to wall paper your bedroom. See how many it takes before you get your first acceptance. That's right. Think positive. Tell yourself under no uncertain terms that you WILL get your work accepted. Attitude is everything.

The above is not a magic formula. Sure, you're going to feel rejected when you get one of those letters. But if you turn it into a positive it will help you get through the number of rejections that are surely to come.

Just remember to tell yourself one thing. If you give up, you have no chance. As long as you keep trying there is always hope.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Writing Tips

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Key Tips For Resume Writing

By Colin Cherry

As someone who was involved in Human Resources for several years, I must have waded through thousands of resumes,(or Curriculum Vitae as the are called in Europe), and sad to say most of them ended up in the trash without hardly a glance just because their authors failed to follow a few basic rules in presentation. Cut the chances of your resume going the same way by following the few basic tips below.

Tip 1 - Put yourself in the reader's position. A busy manager of a Human Resources Department of a large corporation just does not have the time to go through each resume with a fine tooth comb. So he will just ignore those that are badly written.

Tip 2 - Think Positive! Before you start think about what your resume really is. It is an advert for you. It is your one shot to persuade a complete stranger that you deserve an interview. So it is very important that when you write your resume that you are in a positive frame of mind. Tell yourself " I can do that job" and " I can contribute to that company" and use the resume to persuade your reader of that.

Tip 3 - Don't be Verbose. The last thing a Human Resources Manager wants to see is a resume as thick as a novel. He will not will not have time to read it and it will just get binned. The ideal length is one page but two or even three pages is ok if necessary.

Tip 4 - Be Neat. Quite often I used to receive resumes that had coffee stains on them. These were trashed immediately as were the ones that were obviously prepared on scraps of paper that happened to be lying around. Do not sell yourself short. Get some nice grade office paper to print your resume and covering letter on and a matching envelope. It's not going to cost you that much, but it will keep your resume from ending up in the trash.

Tip 5 - Print Your Resume. The resume should be printed, not hand written. Keep the font size fairly large (12 point is standard) and easy to read. Only use bold lettering for your name. Remember to check for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. While you don't have to have a degree in English to send in a proper resume, you will want to run that spell check program and read through the sentences a few times to be sure that you aren't missing words and saying something that you don't mean.

Tip 6 - Type of Resume. There are several styles of resume you can use depending upon the type of job you are applying for but a fairly safe bet is to use the chronological style. This lists your work experience, starting with your present job, any job-specific training, your educational background, and finally something about yourself which can include hobbies, activities and charity work.

Tip 7 - Covering Letter. A covering letter is a must. You use it to state what job you are applying for and why you think you would be suitable for it. There is some debate as to whether the letter should be hand written or printed. I would suggest that unless the job advertisement states that it should be hand written then you should print it. Keep the typeface the same as you used for your resume.

Colin Cherry writes articles on a broad range of subjects. For more tips and resources on resumes visit http://www.bestemploymenttips.com/tips/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colin_Cherry

Top Ten Tips for Writing a Professional Overview or Biography

By Tara Kachaturoff

A professional biography or overview, showcasing your background, experience and expertise, is a necessity for every business owner. This often overlooked marketing tool is an excellent way to introduce you and your business to potential clients and possible strategic business partners. Potentially, it might open up opportunities for speaking engagements, radio or television interviews, or a feature print article. While any information about you and your business is helpful, information that is presented in a professional, well-polished manner can make all the difference in how others perceive you. Consider these important points as you craft your own professional biography.

1. One page wonder.

Your professional biography should be a few paragraphs and kept to one page or less. One page is perfect for copying on the reverse side of a handout or flyer. Several paragraphs, left justified make it easier to read and skim.

2. First, second, or third person?

Always write your biography in the third person. That is, refer to yourself by your name or she/he as appropriate. It sounds more professional as it appears that a third party wrote the text. For example, “Alexandra has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, Newsweek, and Time magazines.”

3. Business in brief.

Not only do readers want to know what you do, but also they want to know who you work with – because they might want to work with you! A professional biography should include a sentence or two about your business niche (or niches) as well as the types of clients you serve. A modified version of your 30-second elevator pitch might be perfect.

4. And the winner is….

Make sure that you include a list of awards that you have received. Readers are interested in knowing about your talents and the organizations that recognize you for them.

5. Organizations.

Include names of the organizations, clubs, or associations to which you belong. A reader’s interest might be highlighted at seeing that you belong to the same alumni association or professional business group. Again, these connections might possibly lead to some interesting and exciting business opportunities.

6. Certifications and designations.

Include any professional certifications or designations you hold. Make sure you write out their names in full, rather than use abbreviations. Not everyone might know that CMA stands for Certified Management Accountant. And, perhaps, in a different discipline, it might represent something else – like a Certified Materials Analyst. If you no longer hold a particular designation, but it has played a major role in who you are and what you do, don’t hesitate to make a reference to it. For example, “Ann is a former Certified Data Processor and spent the last decade as an adjunct faculty member teaching higher mathematics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.” Don’t include abbreviations of college degrees, like MBAs as it looks unprofessional. The only exception to this would be for a Ph.D. designation.

7. Published?

Have you written any articles, books, e-courses or e-books? Self-published or not, your works add to your level of professionalism and credibility. Showcase them in your biography and you might earn additional royalties in terms of new clients or other opportunities.
8. Did I mention the media?

Have you been a guest on talk radio or television? Were you or your business featured or even mentioned in a newspaper article? If so, readers want to know. Again, these types of “mentions” add to your credibility and presence.

9. Call me any time.

People who want to know about you will read your biography for just that reason. And, if its compelling, rich, and includes the information they’re interested, in, they’ll want to contact you. Include complete contact information like your title (if any), name, address, telephone, fax, email, and website address. Make it easy to find this information by including it in the last paragraph of your professional overview.

10. Write, rewrite, and do it again.

After you have written your biography, edit, edit, and edit again. You may need to do a dozen or so revisions before you get it just right. Eliminate extra words, use descriptive words, keep the sentences short but varied in length, and write in the third person. Ask some friends to provide input as well. Make sure to revise your biography regularly to keep it up-to-date and refreshed.

Copyright 2004 by Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff.

Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff is a business consultant, writer, speaker, Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and producer/host of Michigan Entrepreneur Television. Drawing on over 15 years of corporate experience, she coaches executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs on business and lifestyle issues and has been featured in print, radio and television. Her websites include http://www.virtualleverage.com, http://www.tarakachaturoff.com, and http://www.michiganentrepreneurtv.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tara_Kachaturoff

Top 10 Tips to Writing Great Candle Lighting Ceremony Poems

By Jill Starishevsky

10. Get inspired.

Think about an anecdote or personal trait that makes this person special to you and write it down.

Example: For a bar mitzvah boy's grandfather who passed away very recently, the notes one could write about him are as follows:

He was Irish, Catholic, not Jewish. He was so proud of the man that David is becoming. He lived in Florida and he made David feel safe in Florida by telling him that his home was really David's Florida home, so David was never homesick in Florida. He was a baker, he used to make bread on the kitchen table without a bowl, he made a lake in the middle of the flour. There needs to be something about David remembering him making bread with the lake on the table. The candle will be lit by Grandpa's brother Uncle Frank and Aunt Marianne. This is the first family get together without him.

With a little work you can turn it into this:

My grandfather who I love so dear

Passed away recently, but I know he is near

His was my second home in Florida, of this I know

He told me how proud he was as he watched me grow

Grandpa was a baker and bread he would always make

With flour on the table, in the center he made a lake

This candle is to honor him, that has been my plan

Please come up to light it with me, Uncle Frank & Aunt Marianne

9. Make poems that are 4-8 lines.

Too few will be hard to convey your message and too many might bore your audience.

8. Try to keep each poem the same length.

You don't want Grandma to be upset that she got 4 lines when Uncle Bill got 8.

7. If you are having trouble finding a word to rhyme with another word, you can either pick a different word (like choosing "great" instead of "good" or "sweet" instead of "nice") or try going to http://www.rhymezone.com/

It is a great rhyming dictionary on-line that comes in handy for those tough to rhyme words.

6. Try to make the first line rhyme with the second line and the third line should rhyme with the fourth line.

It's an AABBCCDD pattern that makes it simpler to read and find a rhyming word.

5. If you know who you want to call up to light the candle, find a word that rhymes with their name

With you guys as family I am never alone... (and end the line with) Come on up Uncle Bill and Aunt Joan.

4. An easy method to use is to find a last line that rhymes with the number you are on.

For example:

Grandma's cooking always tastes like heaven,

So come on up to light candle number eleven.

3. There are a few catch phrases that you can use for any poem such as:

...I love you ...

Come light candle number two.

And...

"To my aunt and uncle whom I truly adore,

Please come up to light candle number four."

Here is an example of how you turn the notes you jot down into a poem. For Grandma & PopPop: Michael is their first and only grandchild, he has slept there every Friday the first 2 years of his life, and still sleeps over at times. They took him skiing for the first time when he was 4, they take him to movies, play cards, you name it, they do it for him!

Turn that into:

There are two special people here who I just love and adore

They introduced me to skiing when I was a boy of four

I have learned so much from both of them about being a good friend

Whether it's at the movies or playing cards, there's laughter without end

When I was little I stayed with them almost every Friday night

Grandma & PopPop it's number twelve, I'd love your help to light

2. If there is someone on the list that your family knows, but you don't know so well, be sure to speak to your family and get some insight into who they are and why they are special.

Example:

For a very dear friend of Mom and Dad's - JoAnn. Steven's mom has known JoAnn since they were 6 and of course JoAnn knows Steven since his birth. She helped the family a great deal when Mom and Dad were going through a divorce. She helped move them from Staten Island to NJ, she stayed there for 2 weeks to help them settle in. Always there for Mom, serious or fun...she is a lot of fun to be around.

Turn that into:

This next candle is for a family friend who's always there in a fix
She's known me since my birth and known Mom since they were six
From Staten Island to New Jersey, she helped us with our move
Two weeks she kept us company, till we got into a groove
Always fun to be around, that's why I'm such a fan
Please come up for candle eleven, mom's dear friend JoAnn

1. When in doubt, go to a professional who will write the poems for you and allow you to concentrate on all the other things you have to do when becoming a bar or bat mitzvah. Visit me at www.thepoemlady.com or email heymannyc@yahoo.com. I'll write candle lighting poems for you based on the information you provide. I also help pick out the songs and make the whole thing effort free. The poems are sweet and funny. You can even print them out and roll them up in a scroll and hand them to the candle-lighters as they come up so they can take their personalized poem home with them.

Most important, just remember to have fun and enjoy your special day
jill - the poem lady
http://www.thepoemlady.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jill_Starishevsky

Tips on Improving Your Writing Skills

By Nicole Powell

Writing can be described as an art; some people will master it, while others struggle to put a well structured sentence together. However, with the right mindset and practice you can certainly improve your writing. There are many ways in which you can progress; we will examine three (3) of the most important aspects of writing.

In order for you to write professionally you will have to ensure that you read a lot. Reading is more than just recognizing or calling words. A good reader will read widely; to expand both knowledge and skill. Reading does not take place until you comprehend what you have read.

Therefore it is very important for you to pay attention to new words and also to find out their meanings. You must never pass a word without looking up its meaning. Reading widely will certainly improve spelling, vocabulary and grammar.

Another crucial factor to take into consideration is the use of English. For you to become a fine writer your grammar must be excellent. In addition you must know the eight parts of speech and also the role each play in the formation of sentences. Further, the proper use of punctuation marks is also necessary in creating clear and grammatically correct sentences. Always remember to make the most of your grammar check software when working from your computers.

Strive to present your readers with rich, fresh and quality content. It is also critical to bear in mind the purpose for writing, your content must be appropriate and appeal to your target group. From time to time you should remind your self of "why" and "who" you are writing for. It is also necessary for you to proof read your work, or have someone re-read it.

You cannot be lazy, if you are going to master the art of writing, you have to practice. Your aim should be to write something everyday, and overtime you will see improvements in your writing.

Nicole Powell, www.english-bizniz.com

For more information on how to fine tune your writing go to http://www.english-bizniz.com

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Tips For Writing Effective Business Correspondence

By Stephen Thomson

Writing a correspondence in business is like shooting at a target. You may possibly hit a target by chance, but it is more apt to be hit if accurate aim has been taken. The main idea of a written communication is to express your thought, and the further idea may be to have the thought produce action. But the action depends predominately on how well the thought is conveyed.

A business letter or correspondence always has a purpose, so if you set out the exact object of the letter, memo or circulars, you cannot go wrong in writing any sort of correspondence. Following points can be used to make your business correspondence an effective tool of communication.

Avoid use of dull and monotonous language while writing a business correspondence:

In general, you glance through the first paragraph of any letter you open. If it grabs your attention by a point in which you are interested, or by a clever allusion or a striking headline or some unconventional style, it is likely you will read at least the next section or two. But if these paragraphs do not keep up your interest the letter will be passed by unfinished. If you fail to give the letter a full reading, the writer has only himself to blame. He has not taken benefit of his opportunity to carry your interest along until he has driven his message properly, point by point.

Keep your sentences short in written businesses communication:

Readers are normally likely to be put off or confused by long sentences. Sometimes, the reader loses the beginning by the time he comes to the end of the long sentence, so keep sentences short in your business correspondences.

Positive language:

You should try, as far as possible, to use positive and affirmative language in business letters..

Give importance to the reader:

While writing a business letter to your customer, you should avoid self-centered focusing on your own concerns or your business and focus on the recipient's needs, interests, or purposes. This "you attitude" or recipient oriented style is very beneficial in winning new consumers and keeping old ones. It does not mean that you must use more of "you" in your business letters, but you should make recipient the primary focus of the letter. However, you should be careful not to overdo anything in your communication to avoid feel of deception, superficiality or ambiguity.

Sincerity of a purpose:

Sincerity means your readers should consider what you want to say. Genuineness of purpose becomes all the more essential in any business correspondence, where primary purpose is to build up the relations with consumers or clients and earn business. Although, the business letter has a materialistic purpose but it also has the personal touch.

Advantage of written business communication:

The communication, if clearly written, will never misrepresent your proposition, plans or any offers and it will reach the prospect just as it left your desk, with the same amount of enthusiasm and freshness. The business letter or any correspondence, once it lies open before the man to whom you wish to talk, is your counterpart, speaking in your words just as you would talk to him if you were in his office.

The idea of any business correspondence is to convey your thought that will set off some kind of action - instantly or remotely. There are two important points for writing effective communication. The first is, you should know what you want to say and the second is, say it. And the saying is a matter of putting one word after another. Writing softwares with text enrichment tools can be used for writing and proofreading business correspondence, emails and letters. More information is available at www.writingeditingsoftware.com on various writing softwares for effective written business communication.

For details on softwares for writing, please visit Writing and editing Software or Writing software for business correspondence website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Thomson

Tips on Writing Successful Papers

By Courtney Pinkerton

Students required to write papers in academia places to demonstrate and articulate their education progress. The typical flavors of papers include: course works that cover various questions about your course or subject; essays - you have to interpret or analyze a literary or visual work from your own viewpoint ; term papers which usually reflect your knowledge on a certain subject and thus must have thorough and concise structure; and research papers, where you have to find different sources to illustrate your understanding of a specific topic. In writing any of these papers, there are following general rules to consider.

A thorough research on a given topic or subject that you selected is essential. Before you begin the paper, you should brainstorm ideas that you can use in the work - perhaps, by putting your thoughts in a bullet point form or outline. This will help you organize your points properly, making it easier to write a paper. This is because all you have to do is following your bullet points or outline and elaborating on it. Also, make sure that you know the objective of your paper. Most of the time, this will guide and help you to narrow down the broad and diverse information that you have at hand.

Remember to stick to these general rules when writing a paper. Your paper should be composed of an introduction, main body and conclusion. The introduction should contain a thesis statement, which gives a general idea of what you will talk about for the rest of the paper. It also informs the reader about your stance on the issue.

The main body is usually divided into three paragraphs, which further expounds on the topic. Each paragraph in the main body should start with a topic sentence, which is usually the first sentence in the paragraph. This is used to indicate the flow of the paper - in short, it conveys the main idea of your paper. Finally, the conclusion gives an overall summary of the topic. Also, this is where you can state your opinion and provide your solution for the points you have raised; the latter should be done only if it is applicable.

Limit each paragraph in your paper to four or five sentences. If it is more than that, start a new paragraph. Make sure that you are explaining terms and concepts clearly; you should write a paper assuming that the reader is unfamiliar with the topic. Also, keep in mind that you should properly cite sources in either your course work, essay, term paper or research paper. If you fail to do this, your paper will be considered as plagiarized. Inclusion of your own opinion and analysis cannot be underestimated. Finally, you should ask someone to proofread your paper before you submit it - this would help battling the grammatical errors and punctuation mistakes you might have skipped.

Once you incorporate these general rules whenever you write a paper, usingthemwill become a habit, with paper writing getting increasingly fast and easy. It will also ensure your successfull pass because paper-writing usually makes significant percentage of your final grade.

Courtney D. Pinkerton is a leading editor at http://www.rushessay.com for over 10 years. She also conducts essay writing courses at International Academy of Writers.

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Women Magazine Writers - Breaking Into the Game

By chris Robertson

As women, we have an edge over men when it comes to our abilities to listen and to communicate. When we combine those qualities with strong writing skills, we can become topnotch news and feature writers for magazines. But, as anyone who has tried to make a name in magazine writing knows, it's not always easy to break into and stay in the game. Here are some tips to give you an edge.

Build a Portfolio

If you want to be a magazine writer, you're going to need a portfolio of published work. If you haven't been published, start writing for the Web - it's the easiest place to get published these days. If you can't get a paid writing gig, then write for free - but make sure that the pieces you write have your byline. You can also write for your own website or blog; just make sure that you're impeccable with your writing style and grammar, and avoid ranting about controversial topics.

Whether you have a fistful of clippings or only have a few links, it's important to get your portfolio online. Keep in mind that content on the Web is constantly changing, so don't rely on links to your articles. If you have Web content in your portfolio, take a screen shot of your piece and turn it into a PDF file. The same holds true for your print articles. Editors don't want to receive a stack of copied clippings; they want to be able to see your work with a few mouse clicks. So turn your portfolio into a set of PDFs and put them on your website.

Find Your Niche

If you're a good writer, you can most likely write about almost any topic. Nevertheless, in order to market yourself, it's best to find your niche. Maybe you excel in delving into medical journals and writing about health topics. Perhaps you're an ace interviewer and can write exceptional profiles. It could be that you have a depth and breadth of knowledge about a very specific topic, such as women's infertility. Or, maybe you have a natural ability to write for a teenage readership. Understanding your niche will help you pitch the right topics to the right magazines.

Be Pitch Perfect

Most magazine editors receive pitches from dozens of freelancers every week. In order to get noticed, your pitch has to be fantastic. Start by doing your research, and only pitch to magazines that fit your niche. Don't overlook local or regional magazines; in fact, savvy writers can turn their regional writing into syndicated pieces that they can sell over and over again.

It's also important to make your pitch specific. If you're going to pitch an article about women's infertility, for example, tell the editor the angle you're going to use and why it's fresh, the experts you're going to interview, and what her readers will get out of the article. Suggest sidebars and, if you can provide artwork, include that as well.

Underpromise and Overdeliver

Once you get the gig, make sure you're every editor's dream-come-true. Submit your article early, provide the names and contact information of your sources so they can be fact-checked, and don't whine if you need to do a revision or two. Once your piece is published, drop the editor a thank you note and let her know that you'd love to work with her again. That way, you're sure to be at the top of her list the next time she's handing out assignments, and you'll be a bone fide women's magazine writer!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Women Magazine Writers or Majon's Books and Magazines directory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

Is Writing Enough?

By Hope Wilbanks

Have you ever reached a point where you felt like you couldn't write another word? That's where I've been for about 2-3 weeks now. I've barely written at all. Every word I do write is painstakingly squeaked out, after which I almost run away and hide from the laptop.

As a writer, this isn't good. Writing is my life. And yet, I feel like it's eluding me at this very moment.

I network and chat with enough writers to know that I'm not alone in this. Some writers call this writer's block. I've always preferred not to call it a "block" because that seems so cold and bleak. But that's precisely how I feel right now, so perhaps "block" is the best word after all.

So what is a writer to do at this point? Some writers really do run away from writing altogether. They throw away their notebooks and pens and swear off writing forever. This isn't the answer.

Is writing enough? Only you can answer that question. Maybe you've reached a pivotal point in your life where writing isn't enough. Maybe it's time to step up and reach out for another life dream. But if writing is enough for you, and you just need a break, then take one.

I just had a thought. If you know writing is enough for you, but you feel drained and can't write, romance the writing again. Here are some ideas for you to try:

Read a book in a genre you wouldn't normally choose. I love self-help books. If you see me in the library or a bookstore, you'll most likely find me perusing the self-help section. When I was younger, I read contemporary Christian romance books. I would devour a book in as little as two hours, uninterrupted.

Reading from the same genre all the time almost makes you zone out until every book begins to read the same to you. Pick up a book in a genre totally opposite of what you'd normally read. If you like mysteries, try a book on self-improvement. If you enjoy motivational books, read a historical fiction.

Only write in your journal. If you don't already keep a journal by hand, you don't know what you're missing. Writing on the computer makes writing fast, which is why you should keep an offline journal. Writing by hands slows you down. It slows down your hand, but it also slows down your mind and thought process. Try writing just three pages a day, by hand.

Ask yourself this question: Why do I write? Sometimes you get lost in the words until you lose sight of the core reason for the writing. What was it that drew you to writing in the beginning? Why did you enjoy writing? How did it make you feel? Why was it so meaningful? Get back to the basics and remember how you used to feel about writing.

Ask yourself this question: What will happen if I don't write anymore. Close your eyes and imagine your world a place where writing is no more. Maybe you'd pursue another dream career. Perhaps you'd spend more time with your family. Maybe the stress that constantly nags at you would suddenly be removed. Imagine your life without writing. If you imagine it to be a better place, then maybe you should listen to your heart and say good-bye to writing. But if you feel a deep, empty spot where the writing once was, you probably just need a break for a bit.

You can get more writing tips at http://www.hopewrites.com Don't forget to subscribe to the free newsletter: http://www.hopewrites.com/free-newsletter/ to get even more terrific blogging and writing tips from Hope.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hope_Wilbanks

About Writing a Biography

By Hans Bool

The "unauthorized" biography of Steven Spielberg starts like this:

The power of the popular American culture is in the straightness of the message, simple and limited in significance and scope ... Steven inherited that tradition. It is a biography by John Baxter and there is no other visible structure in the book than the 19 chapters.

Writing a biography is a process. You start writing or gathering information in a chronicle way. That is the easiest way to start. But a biography has to add something to this timeline. Like a character in a novel you could ask where did he change? Or, did he at all?

The Biography of George Soros also unauthorized and written by Michael T. Kaufman, is structured like this:

Roots
Make money
Donate money

The added value of this structure is that it outlines the main ingredients like a summery. This serves as a guide for the reader. The disadvantage is that you could decide not to read the book, because you know the summery. But you will miss important details like in this case about the role of philosophy in his life.

The biography of Bill Gates isn't structured either and the book finishes with: the process of the century. We all know about this process. This biography is written in a chronological way.

If you think about your own life you come up with all kind of geographical information. Where have you been, Where have you lived, What environmental factors have influenced your life? Besides these contextual influences the family life is a main force behind someone's biography. The "Roots" of George came from Erzebet and Tivadar. You could extent this with the family life when growing up. In case of Henry VIII it could offer a presentation of the eight women in his life.

More information that comes up from someone's biography should fit somewhere in the final work. As it is a process, the last of the work is the real understanding. What kind of woman or man was he or she?

A new biography of Bill Gates could fit in the same structure of that of George: Roots, Make money and Donate money. But at the same time this structure will not really fit. Soros was a financial investor, Gates an Entrepreneur. The safest way is to offer no structure at all. It would be a pity if structure of your choice doesn't fit the character you have described...

© 2008 Hans Bool

Hans Bool writes articles about management, culture and change. If you are interested to read or experience more about these topics have a look at: Astor White.

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Guidelines For Reviewing Writing

By Nisha Garg

Writing detailed reviews is time well spent.

1. Reviewing itself is a writing exercise. At Writing.Com, creating detailed feedback for a fellow writer is one of the best tools available for improving your own writing. That said, if you're going to spend the time to do it, helping the author is important. There is a better chance for the ideas in a review to get through to an author if they are well presented.

Key Characteristics For Reviews

* Reviews should be honest. Helping writers improve their craft should be the mission of any reviewer. Honest opinions are what help writers improve. Giving false feedback doesn't help anyone and can lead an author down a long road to bitter disappointment.

* Reviews should be encouraging. Everyone at every level should be encouraged to continue writing! Encouraging reviews are more likely to be used by an author which means the time creating the review was well spent. Whether the author decides to use the reviewer's honest suggestions or not, the review should be motivating and encourage the author to keep writing.

* Reviews should be respectful. Regardless of an author's level of skill or talent, a reviewer should always respect that the author is an individual person. A reviewer flaunting that they are better than the author they're reviewing is not respectful and is counterproductive.

* Reviews should be well rounded. While honesty is very important, a review that points out only flaws without any mention of an item's positive points is not nearly as helpful to an author as a well rounded review with both positive and negative remarks. Don't forget, the same goes for reviews that only point out positives! Even the greatest pieces of writing have room for suggestions and opinions.

* The rating should reflect the review. If you're sending a review full of corrections, it's important to consider that with your star rating selection. 5.0's shouldn't need any corrections. On the other extreme, a 1.0 should have endless errors and you couldn't possibly list them all. Offering to return and rerate the item after a round of updates makes it more likely your suggestions will be considered.

* Reviews should make good use of color, bold and italics. When reviewing, presentation is very important! Color can be used to make corrections stand out or quote small portions of the work. Emoticons can highlight important points in the review and can be creatively used to make the review feel friendlier.

The Content Of A Review

Keeping in mind the six (6) points highlighted above, a review should contain your opinion. While grammatical, typographical and other errors can be included within a review, don't forget to tell the author how the piece made you feel. Give them your thoughts about the inside of their writing, not just the outside.

Some example questions you may ask yourself about the piece to help you get your opinion across are as follows: Did the plot interest you? Were the characters believable? Did the story fit the time, place and other setting characteristics? Is there anything you would change within the story?

Incorporating these thoughts within your reviews will expand your own analytical skills allowing you to better analyze your own writing. Whether the author agrees with any of your suggestions or ideas is not relevant. You have given them another perspective on their work they would not have otherwise had. They may hear the same thoughts from a number of different people which may give them a better understanding of their readers as a whole.

Use "copied and pasted" portions of the item you are reviewing as little as possible. Posting sections of an item within your review leads to "review bloating" and takes away from the impact your comments and suggestions will have on the author.

Your Own Review Format

Developing your own format for reviewing can be a great asset. Determine what aspects of writings you like to focus on most, create a short outline to follow and start reviewing. Following this process will help keep your reviews honest and consistent. As your experience grows, you'll find ways to improve your format and your skills.

Get into the good habit of using a custom tag-line of encouragement within your reviews. Including a "Keep Writing!" or something unique and individual within your reviews goes a long way to motivating an author. We know you mean it, so don't forget to say it!

Make Reviewing a Daily Creative Writing Exercise

Remember, reviewing grows your own writing skills unlike any other writing tool. Critically analyzing and reviewing others' writings makes a writer stop and think about what works and what doesn't. Putting that into words and communicating that to another writer, ultimately helps the reviewer to improve his or her own writing skills, as well. So it's about helping others, but it's a valuable way to help ourselves!

For More Free Resources visit www.allfreereports.com

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Tips for Writing with a Professional Writer

By Kristi Patrice Carter

Have you considered hiring a professional writer so that you can outsource some of your work? This is a great idea, as a professional writer can help you on many fronts. They are efficient in creating fast, excellent articles and in search engine optimization. They can help you come up with new and interesting angles for your articles, press releases or whatever kind of work that you need done. It is truly a great investment that can earn you a large ROI. Here are some tips for writing with a professional writer.

Give Specific Details

You know what you want and no one can read your mind, not even a professional writer. Be very clear about what you want in your article or piece of work. One way you can do this is find existing articles on the internet that you really like and that is on the same topic as your desired article. You can show this to your professional writer and explain that you really like the layout, angle, style, etc. This will help your writer get a better idea of what you are looking for. Also, include any sort of details that you would really like to have placed in the article. When you're completely clear with your writer about what you want, things will be done more efficiently and you will not have to waste time fixing things or adding things. Be clear and let your writer know what you want.

Give Adequate Resources

Another way you can save time and money is to provide them with resources to use for the article. Writers often come across subject matter that they have not studied and are not familiar with. They must research the topic in order to get enough information to include with the article. If you do not provide resources, many writers will charge you more in order to cover the time they spend researching. If you include some links that you consider to be reliable resources for the subject matter, it will help the writer immensely. This way, they do not have to spend all of their time researching the topic. This may save you time and extra money because you will not have to compensate the writer for a ton of research!

Have Realistic Expectations

You will see it on bidding sites all the time. People want to hire writers for a dollar an article and they want a hundred articles done in a day! While there are many writers on these websites who are from different countries and are happy to take a dollar for the work, it often comes out poorly and has to be rewritten. Writers in the US cannot afford to write for a dollar an article or even for three dollars an article. If you want a quality product, expect to pay a fair amount. Also, give your writer adequate time to complete a request. This will ensure the quality of your article and your writer can keep his or her sanity!

Keep these tips in mind when you hire a professional writer and you will keep your writer happy. This, in turn will result in better articles which will be far more useful to you!

Are you a freelance writer who is tired of others profiting from your hard work and effort? Do you want to maximize your online income and secure financial freedom for you and your family? Now you can! Combine your writing talents with the power of Internet Marketing and watch your income soar! Visit http://www.internetmarketingwriter.com and join the new revolution of financially secure and joyous freelance writers.

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Tips for Writing with a Professional WriterBy Kristi Patrice CarterTips for Writing with a Professional WriterBy Kristi Patrice CarterBottom of Form

7 Book Writing Secrets that Make Your Book Sales Soar

By Earma Brown

Does your writing lack pizzazz? Does it lack the power to draw your readers in for more? Does it inspire confidence in you as an author? Does it stand up to your competition and hold its own?

If you answered no to any of the questions above you may be interested in the tips below. Discover how to write compelling copy that makes your book sales soar:

1. Put your reader first. Most of us tend to write selfishly. I mean we write what we want. Go against the natural grain; give your readers what they want. Write to their benefit. Write a solution to their problems.

2. Start well. Create a sizzling beginning. Hook your readers through emotion. Slant your book or introduction with a question or an amazing statistic. Share the top benefits of your book early. Aim for the 'You' in every reader.

3. Break your writing into short sections. Write your book in chunks, chapters, sections and parts. Use headings, bulleted lists, pull quotes and other easy reading tools. Don't make your chapters too long. Create easy transitions to the next chapter or section. Keep each section short and easy to read.

4. Use short sentences. Slash your sentences to under 15-17 words. Don't bog your readers with complex sentences. Remember multiple phrases slow your reader's comprehension. Make it easy. Get to the point fast.

5. Use simple words. Write for the 7-10 grade level. The shortest, most well known words are best. The more syllables in a word, the less compelling it becomes. Cut all unnecessary adjectives. Clear, easy to understand copy makes your reader want to read your piece to the end. Fill your writing with what's in it for them. They'll come back for more and tell all their friends.

6. Avoid technical jargon. Unless you are writing a technical manual where most everyone will understand the technical language, don't use technical jargon. It will become techno mumbo jumbo to your readers; they will find something better to do besides figure out what you're saying.

7. Be specific. Avoid generalities. Engage your reader's emotion with specifics. Let them experience color, size and shape. Instead of, "Complete your degree online fast to increase your income." Say, "Complete your master degree online fast so you can upgrade your lifestyle, get vacations, health insurance and other corporate benefits." Specific benefits create a stronger pull than the general benefit of increased income.

8. Slash adverbs. Go through and cut words like openly, suddenly, very that tell the reader instead of show the reader. Circle all the (ly) and (very) words. Pull out your thesaurus and replace them with power words that show emotion or describe.

9. Check the flow of information. Check your paragraphs for good harmonic flow and understanding. Meaning, make sure you don't drop off suddenly and change the subject. Clear writing creates compelling copy. Compelling copy leads to more book sales.

10. Slash passive structures. Passive sentences slow and dull your writing. Get rid of the passive voice sentences. Give your sentences a clear subject and a verb to avoid the passive voice. "The writer found fame and fortune through marketing her books online." instead of "The writer's books were instrumental in leading her to fame and fortune." Avoid connecting verbs like 'was', 'is', 'had', and 'seemed'. Replace passive voice verbs with active verbs.

Are you ready to write sizzling copy that your readers find hard to put down? Remember to put your reader first, develop a sizzling start, break your writing into short sections, shorten sentences, use simple words, avoid technical language and be specific. Implement these seven tips to begin writing for more profits! Now go; write a successful book and make us all proud!

Earma Brown, 13 year author and book coachGet a Free Book Writing Kit when you take the Write a Book Challenge. Send any email to wabc@bookwritinghelp.com for 7 lesson mini-course "Win with the Writer Inside" or visit her at How to Write a Book for more resources and tips.

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3 Easy Marketing Tips for Writers

ByJinger Jarrett

As a writer, I'll be the first to admit that sometimes I really hate marketing. If I weren't a writer who writes about internet marketing, I would probably avoid it like the plague. After all, marketing is not really my passion; writing is. So, I'd rather spend my time writing.

However, if you want to go from being a hobby writer, i.e. someone who does it nights and weekends, and still has to work a J.O.B., to someone who makes a living writing, then I would highly recommend that you learn how to market. It can mean the difference between being a hobbyist and a professional who earns his/her money writing.

As writers, it's very easy for us to market too. Since we like to write, and some of the best, and free, internet marketing techniques include writing, then we're already one step closer to our marketing goals.

Here are three easy techniques you can do to get started:

1. Submit your site to the search engines.

Although search engine optimization might sound really hard, it's not. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes I made early in my online career was to not learn search engine optimization.

By optimizing your website for the search engines, and then submitting to the top search engines, it's a very easy way to get organic traffic. This is free, targeted traffic. Targeted traffic means others are looking for what you have to offer.

When optimizing, don't forget to include your name in your keywords. After all, don't you search for your favorite authors by name? I do.

2. Build a blog and build relationships.

Blogs are one of the easiest websites to build. When you first start off, you can always build one on the free sites like Blogger or Wordpress. Once you've built your blog, then you can always import it to your own platform.

The beauty of a blog is that it allows your personality to shine through and build a relationship with your readers. Blogs are also easy to optimize for the search engines because you can use tags. You can also join blog communities and connect with other bloggers, as well as writers.

3. Write an article to promote your site or blog.

There's some disagreement on whether or not you should use articles to promote your writing. The problem a lot of writers have with this is that you aren't getting paid. However, had you rather earn a few thousand dollars over time from an article you wrote for promotion, or just a few bucks when you submit it for publication?

Why not do both? You can write for pay, but you can also write to promote. It's an easy, and a very lucrative way to make more money from your writing without a whole lot more effort.

Want more tips on how to make more money from your writing? Then check out Marketing for Writers Learn how to earn $100 a day or more writing articles: 101 Articles.

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