Mind Like a Macintosh (or How to Be an Organized Writer)

I hope Windows users will not take offense at this; but, in truth, it was Macintosh that invented double-clicking on little folders to retrieve files and documents. Before that creative breakthrough, maneuvering around computer directories was (in my view) a nightmare. I was rarely in the right directory; and, if, by chance I was, I couldn’t remember the name of the file. The Mac, on the other hand, seemed so logical, so user friendly, and so organized. To me, it was and remains a metaphor for how a writer must be able to quickly put her hands on exactly what she needs, when she needs it -- be that a file, an invoice, a scrap of paper with a phone number on it, a business card, a memo, or draft #2 of something that is now in its fifth incarnation. Alone or with help, you can bring order to chaos. Here is what you have to do.

The Art of Interviewing

For me, the heart of research has always been the ability to elicit information from others. For years, it never occurred to me to go to the library or rummage through magazines or official documents. If I wanted to know about something, I found experts on that subject and tried to crawl inside their minds. Little by little, I learned the art of interviewing; and, over the years, the ability to do it well has proved to be one of my most valuable strengths.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Rescue from Without - the World Comes for the Hero

The Hero is pulled away from [the stage that is called No Mans Land]. That is to say, the Hero refuses to return (or cannot return) to the Final Conflict and the world must come and get him. Often the antagonist will force him to pull out of...

Should You Self-Publish Or E-Publish?

What are the advantages/disadvantages between self-publishing and going with an e-publisher? A lot depends on your book, your experience, and what you hope to accomplish.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 18)

In writing my novel I learned a lot of things the hard way so I just wanted to put this series out there for would be writers to help them on their path to writing their own book.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- An Aspect of Letting Go

188 stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about... Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention.

Web Content Writer - Get Started Writing For The Web

Discover the vast new field of Web content writing. You can make a great income, even as a part-time writer. As more advertising dollars move online, the demand for Web content writers is expanding. Get started writing for the Web today.

Writing Prompts - Who Needs This Writing Help?

Whether you are a beginning, experienced, or professional writer you can use writing prompts to help you improve your word craft.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Godfather (1972) Magic Flight

188+ stages of the Hero's Journey (Monomyth) you need to know about... Post the Crossing of the Return Threshold and before the Master of Two Worlds and Selves, a hell of a lot happens that is rarely given mention. The Final Conflict (a metaphor for this stage) follows a distinct process.

What to Look for When Hiring a Freelance Writer

Narrowing down which freelance writer is the best for your business can be tough. Competition is fierce and choosing one writer over another is difficult. Here are some things you should look for when hiring a freelance writer.

Writer's Block

Writer's Block - this is probably the biggest enemy of all the writers in the world. Writer's block is simply a condition wherein you can't put any of your thoughts into words. It's a horrible condition. It comes at the worst possible times like when you have to submit before the due date. They can happen any time. They can happen before you even start, or smack in the middle of your work, or worse, in the ending. Also, it's so hard to get over a writer's block. Some writer's blocks last for only a few minutes but the worst ones last for days, even months. There have even been cases of writer's blocks lasting for decades.

When Writing Isn't A Job

Many writers have done the task for many years as a part of their job or even as their sole income. It can be hard but it can also pay the bills. But what when they retire or move on? Do they still write even if there is little or no income deriving from it?

Writing An Ebook

Writing an e-book isn't just about slapping together some text and selling it off. Here are some considerations when you're planning on writing an e-book.

How To Write Well - Raising Your Level

Raising your level of writing needs you to focus on bigger things, like having your work published for example. This is a surefire way to encourage yourself to go beyond your current limitations and weaknesses as a writer. Taking the step from writing as a hobby towards writing professionally and having an article or a piece published is indeed a big leap for anyone. It needs a long-term commitment, discipline and an almost endless source of inspiration to be able to write constantly and creatively. Not only does it entail having to do intensive research, but it also pushes the writer to find a certain niche from which he can excel.