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Bad Writing Contest Anyone can write poorly, but can you write worse than thousands of other people? If so, you may want to enter the annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest. All you have to do is write one sentence -- a sentence that pretends to be the opening of a bad novel. This contest has been run since 1982, and, if your stomach for atrocious writing is strong, you can peruse the winners by visiting this Web site. The contest is named for a Victorian historical novelist, Edward George Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873), who wrote a story that begins: "It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents -- except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the house-tops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness..." Web: Copy Editing Copy editing is a process in which text is checked for mistakes. Every writer, no matter how good, needs a copy editor for two reasons: first, copy editors are specialists, trained to recognize and correct written mistakes, and second, it is difficult for a writer to notice his or her own mistakes. Having a second person read the text makes a big difference. In general, copy editors are overworked, underpaid and under-appreciated. This is a shame, because copy editing is a necessary part of the writing process and some copy editors demonstrate a dedication to their craft and a degree of professionalism that would be difficult to overpraise. Web:
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Freelance Writing Does the romance of uncertain work, low remuneration, no benefits and a complete lack of guarantees sound appealing to you? Good. You're ready to be a freelance writer. As a freelancer, you will have to find your own work and negotiate your fees and conditions, so here's some information to get you going. Once you do, you'll be able to set your own hours, work at home, live without a boss hanging over your head, and generally be the captain of your own ship. Now, doesn't that sound better? Web:
Literary Agents A literary agent is a person who represents you and your work. The main job of an agent is to sell what you create, along with subsidiary rights. You pay an agent commission on the money you receive for the work he or she sells -- most agents charge 15 percent. All money is sent to the agent, who deducts the commission and then sends the remainder to you. (Agents are not fools.) Do you need an agent? There is no easy answer. Within some genres, such as computer book publishing, using an agent is optional. In other areas, such as screenwriting, it is difficult to get a movie studio to even look at you if you are not represented professionally. Remember, though, agents are not managers; all they do is sell. It is up to you to build your career. If you need an agent, these resources will help you find one. To get you started, I have some tips. One, when you sign a publishing agreement, everything is negotiable, even -- as Isaac Asimov once pointed out -- your name and the date. Two, and this is very important, pay a lawyer who is familiar with the publishing industry to read every contract before you sign it. Does this apply to the contract a literary agency wants you to sign when you hire them? Yes, yes and yes. Three, everything is negotiable. Four, do not ever pay anyone to "read" your work. Five, everything is negotiable. Six, avoid agents who try to steer you toward a particular commercial editing service. Seven, everything is negotiable. Eight, beware of agents who collect a 15 percent commission and then try to charge you for extras, such as phone calls, faxes and photocopying. Nine, everything is negotiable. Web:
Mystery and Crime Writing Are you a mystery writer? Would you like to be one? These Web sites have lots of useful information for mystery and crime writers. On Usenet, the rec.arts.mystery group is the place to discuss mystery plays, books and films. The other groups are where people talk about actual and imaginary crimes. These are good places to visit when you need inspiration or information. Web:
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Prose These bite-sized morsels of prose make the perfect afternoon brain snack. No matter what tickles your fancy, the variety of stories will have something for you. Read or share, it's up to you: just remember, if you don't use it, you'll lose it. Usenet:
Publishers Looking for a publisher or for information about a specific publisher? Here's the information you need to find the company that is good enough to publish your work. You'll also find information about online publishers who can sell your books electronically over the Net. Hint: Once your book comes out, check your publisher's Web site to make sure your work is given the prominence it deserves. Web:
Query Letters You write a query letter to an editor when you have an idea you are trying to sell. Sometimes you will already have a completed manuscript, and you will want to send part of it (say, the first chapter) along with your query. In this case, the query letter is also a cover letter. It is important that you learn how to write such letters well: after all, you are a professional writer, and you will be judged on all your writing, letters included. My advice is to put the editorial process in perspective. What are editors? They are just poor saps whose job it is to find writers. Without you and me, they have no reason to exist. So the better you write your letter, the easier it is for them to pay you money, and the faster we can all get back to work. Web:
Romance Writing Do you want to be a romance writer? Good, because a lot of people need you. Romance novels are popular for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is that men simply do not pay enough attention to women. If you happen to have a husband or boyfriend who reads Harley Hahn books, you know that your man is intelligent, sensitive, emotional (in a good way) and altogether desirable. However, many women find that their mates do not quite measure up, and an escape into romantic fantasy is a welcome relief. Thus, if you are a romance writer or aspiring romance writer, you are fulfilling an important function in our society and your responsibilities are great. Remember, the Net is always there to help you stay in touch with your colleagues and do your research. Web:
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Science Fiction Writing Allow yourself to linger on the words, your eyes playing gently back and forth across the pages of your latest sci-fi, fantasy or horror novel. That's right: your novel (or your story or screenplay). Would you like to be a writer in one of these genres? Here are some resources to help. (And here's the secret of being a writer. If you want to be a writer, you have to write every day, and you will probably have to write for at least several years just to learn your trade. So start now. Right now. Today. No excuses.) Web:
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Screenplay Archives If you are working on a screenplay, you definitely need something to do when you are not writing. The Net is always available with plenty of relevant distractions, and the best possible distraction is to read someone else's screenplay. There are lots of great screenplays available online. Even if they don't help you pay the bills, at least you will have something to read between now and the time your electricity is shut off. Web:
Screenwriters and Playwrights Do you have dreams of becoming a successful screenwriter or playwright? Here are some resources that will help: information for screenwriters and playwrights as well as some general writing resources. The Usenet group is for the discussion of writing screenplays and other related topics. The mailing list is for writers, agents, producers and other people who are interested in screenwriting. Web:
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Speechwriting You know, of course, that when you listen to an Important Person make a speech, he or she did not write the words. Important People have speechwriters: skilled and imaginative writers who make a living telling other, less skilled and imaginative people what to say. If writing speeches appeals to you, visit these Web sites for a lot of useful information. One of the sites also has a great collection of speeches in history. Web:
Technical Writing Technical writers create exposition, words that explain. A technical writer must be able to master a complex subject, and then describe it for a casual reader who needs to understand the relevant facts and ideas. This mailing list is for discussion of all aspects of technical writing. The Usenet group is the same as the list, so you only need to read one of them. Web:
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Writer's Block Magazine When you need a break from typing, spend some time browsing through the latest copy of this online writers' magazine. The articles are for professional writers and editors. You will find essays, reports on technology, book reviews, interviews, and more. Web: Writers' Resources When you're not writing, you might as well be cruising the Net looking at writers' resources. These Web sites will help you find a huge variety of writing information. So much that you will be exploring for hours and hours, and the best part is it all counts as work. Web:
Writers Talk and General Discussion Being a writer is great way to live, because you get to sleep in and work in your pajamas all day. Writers tend to be solitary people, either from personal inclination or circumstance. Spending a large number of hours slaving over a hot computer makes it difficult for people like us to find time to go outside and meet people. That's why these discussion forums are so wonderful. You can check in, read the new messages and post some of your own, all without leaving the house. This means that, as writers, we can fulfill our social needs without having to actually meet anyone in person. Wow. Now, if I could only figure out how to download some cold spaghetti for breakfast. Web:
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Writing for Children A lot of people want to write for children. If you are going to be successful, you must be persistent, skillful, knowledgeable, experienced, talented and lucky. When it comes to information, the Net can help. These Web sites have lots of resources including answers to frequently asked questions, a glossary of common terms, and information about agents and submissions. The Usenet group is a good place to visit. It's where real writers hang out, and if you spend some time there, you will definitely learn something. Web:
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Writing Jobs A lot of companies and organizations need writers. And why not? Writers are among the most useful, talented, valuable people in the world. If you are one of these lucky people, check and see what's available. Remember, if they could write, they wouldn't need you. Web:
Writing Markets There are a lot of magazines and newspapers that buy articles from freelancers, as you will see when you take a look at these resources. I bet you'll be surprised how big the market really is. Here is a hint if you are not yet an experienced professional. It can be hard to sell your writing when you don't have a track record. However, some of the publications in the writing market lists are looking for free articles. To help you get started, why not spend some time writing for such publications? You'll not only have fun and develop your skills, you'll learn how to deal with magazines and editors. Web:
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