Posts Tagged ‘articles’

So What’s Your Villain, Or Villainess Like?

October 11, 2009 - 8:58 am

My, my; what a Question, It truly depends on who the villain (ness) is. Are they related to the character? Have they always been around manipulating from the sidelines? Or are they someone who has recently appeared? It also depends on the type of personality they have. Are they outgoing, possibly highly influential or are they

the type that hides and attacks when you back is turned.

Yes you have to give the villain some type of background without going to far, you also to consider are they misguided and will be redeemed in the end, or are they truly going to get what’s coming to them.

Each story has a different Hero/heroine so also each one has a different Villain/villainess as such it is only when the tale unfolds that you truly get to know all the characters involved.

I will always have to deal with evil and all around bad guys for the simple fact I write fantasy, if I ever branch out into other genres I may not even have a villain at all life itself is demanding enough, not too mention most of the hero’s are jerks we have to reform throughout the story.

So do I ever want to whip my bad guys, of course? They wouldn’t be bad guys if we didn’t.

I never really know my characters until they start to come to life on paper and then they surprise the hell out me. But I imagine for those who know what each character is like or at least a rough outline does the same thing for the villain. And some times a secondary character just becomes too nasty not to be the bad guy.

As far as how real we can make them, unless you go inside their minds you have to depend on the other characters to help you build them and tell their story some throughout and explain their actions in the end. While doing all of this you makes them real and believable while telling there past as well.

I am not sure if I answered any questions or just raised a few more. I do know one thing absolute on this subject, if you ask a hundred writers you are going to get a hundred answers, all will be different the only thing the same will be well aren’t villains characters too?

What Does A Ghost Writer Do

October 9, 2009 - 4:23 pm

It’s important to keep in mind, that not all ghost writers are skilled in all kinds of writing. Many times, ghost writers earn a quite a nice salary do something they love, which is writing. Ghost writers are more common than you think. Of course, not all people who use ghost writers are going to create books. Ghost writers are no new phenomenon. Ghost writers are drawn from those vast majority writers who do not have big book contracts of their own. In many countries, academic thesis ghost writers are a major industry, providing a nice income for students writing for senior executives. Anyway, ghost writers are also sometimes useful but what is surprising in this case is why so much of prominence was given to his “point of view”.

What Kinds of People Hire Ghost Writers? Many people hire ghost writers, from owners of businesses, college students and the average joe in the street. They may have fantastic stories to tell, but they don’t have the enormous amount of financial capital available to hire any such expensive ghost writers. I’m sure you already know by now that many big companies obviously hire ghost writers to do the job of their website. You can hire ghost writers on an hourly basis or for a flat fee, depending on the scope of the project. There are many places where you can find ghost writer, Elance is a great resource and so is Rent A Coder. Just hire some ghost writers to do the work of writing for you. One thing to keep in mind is that you don’t know who writes the material you see, many people hire ghost writers and all the time. Another alternative is to hire ghost writers to produce content specifically for you.

Legitimate book doctors, freelance editors, ghost writers and other professionals exist in publishing. You can also use freelance writers as ghost writers. You don’t have to write full-time to be a freelance writer, and most don’t. Ghostwriters exist in every genre to help with polishing a book, article, speech or writing a corporate publication. You can easily find writers that will write good articles for you by doing a search for freelance writers or ghost writers on the internet. The internet is a great place to outsource your online writing workload.

It’s often hard to tell what ghost writer is going to be good or not. Look at some of the jobs the ghostwriter has done to get a feel of what his/her writing style is like. The best ghost writers are wanted to work for super affiliates to help them sustain there businesses. Ghostwriters are very important to businesses; they help without being an employee or needed to pay for benefits. If you are looking for a ghostwriter make sure you check their credentials to be sure they will do the work for you that are needed.

Writer’s Block

September 27, 2009 - 6:17 pm

Writer’s Block &ndash 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.

Causes of Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is primarily caused by lack of inspiration. Of course, if you’re not inspired, it’s so hard to write anything. For example, you’re supposed to write about how ‘good’ the government is. But you know quite well that the government isn’t good. So, you’re not inspired to write about it. It may also be caused by lack of creativity. Let’s just face it. Some people have the talent, and some people simply don’t.

Sometimes, we experience writer’s block because we simply don’t know what to write or how to write it. Some people can put their thoughts into words better than other people. Some people have to struggle with their thoughts before they can put it into words, and these people are usually the ones who suffer writer’s block. Depression can also be a cause. If you’re depressed, you usually have no motivation to do anything. It is also extremely hard to concentrate on what you’re writing if you’re depressed.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Overcoming writer’s block can be hard. But it is not impossible. There are actually a lot of things which you can try so that you can overcome writer’s block.

Nature is the creative soul’s haven. This is why most writers love living near lakes, forests, or beaches. Nature is a great source of inspiration for writers. It can also invigorate the spirit. So, when you’re having writer’s block, you can try taking a walk or a swim.

You can also try to write whatever comes into your mind in a piece of paper. Don’t worry about form, creativity, grammar, or even spelling. Just let your hand and your mind loose. Just write whatever enters your brain. It’s a great way to let your thoughts out.

A story is one of the hardest things to write. Writers often forget what they are supposed to write next. Sometimes, they can veer away from the plot and completely ruin the story. So, it would be helpful if you write an outline of the plot first so that you won’t get sidetracked.

If nothing works, and your writer’s block is still there, don’t fret. Maybe you’re worrying too much and you just need to relax. Don’t force yourself to write. This will only worsen your writer’s block. Take a break. Maybe your brain just needs to rest.

What Inspires You?

September 20, 2009 - 9:01 am

Wow this is a truly hard questions; to start with what gives me the inspiration. I have to say it’s the characters themselves that inspire me. It depends on who they are what’s happening in their life, one heroine may have had tender feelings for the hero for a long time and impending doom could set it in motion or maybe she will never see him again. It all depends on what’s happening to the hero and heroine. Since it is the characters that determine why and how the scene takes place it is also up to them on what will become of it.

I have found inspiration in music, depending on what I am writing at the time, if it’s Celtic and this the music I listened when writing Fay’s Wish, well I have a collection of Celtic music. With La Roe’s it was Creed. It truly depends on the story itself. As far as what I am trying to capture, it has and always will be the beauty of the act of making love and the emotions surrounding it. The caresses, the sweet words, the tender care before and after, it is Love itself I try to portray.

I can say my husband and the love I feel for him, has inspired me a lot. I would not be where I am today without him.

I have said many times before that when I connect with my character I feel as though I am telling their story and as such it is what they need that inspires me the most.

As some of you may know I write in 1 P.O.V. mainly and my focus is always in the heroines point of view, what makes her tick, essentially what truly inspires her. I have noticed when it comes to writing romances that many of todays heroines have as much gusto as the modern day woman making her mark in the world.

Writing and Walking - Beating Writer

September 8, 2009 - 10:36 pm

Writing and walking are a seemingly odd mix of topics for an article, but they go well together. Particularly if you write during breaks in your walk.

Writing Journals

Whether you are writing articles or the great American novel, you will inevitably suffer from writer’s block. A good way to defeat the block is to go for a walk or hike in a park or open local area. Walking gives you a chance to think through things, let your mind wander and clear out the riff raff.

As you walk, your subconscious will be working and kicking out ideas to get you going again. You don’t want to lose these ideas, which can be a problem when you are a few miles from home and your computer. Frankly, nothing is more frustrating than getting an idea and then losing the thread while you hustle home.

I primarily write information articles for web sites. Unlike a novel, the pure volume of articles is problematic. Coming up with hundreds of unique topics can be maddening, particularly if the subject matter is rather dry. Just imagine trying to write 100 articles on tax issues! One tends to end up staring at the wall for hours on end.

I come up with my best ideas while walking on the beach here in San Diego, California. While the beach and tax articles might seem an odd mix, the ghosts of IRS agents apparently congregate on the beach and ideas become plentiful. I’ve tried two methods of keeping track of ideas while walking.

I first tried taking a dictation machine with me, but it didn’t really work out. You would be surprised how loud the ocean is on the recording. I also found it difficult to pick up the thread again when I sat down to listen to my ramblings. Fortunately, writing journals turned out to be a better option.

An author friend of mine that publishes novels suggested taking a writing journal with me on the beach strolls. He apparently had great success working out plot twists for his novels while hiking around Palomar Mountain, a good hiking spot to the east of San Diego. I gave it a try and the rest is history.

I prefer writing journals to dictating for a few reasons. Initially, it is easier to just sit down wherever you are and write out an idea and story lines. I also find it easier to pick up the thread when I plop down in front of my computer to actually start writing.

Writer’s block is a problem for every writer, regardless of the type of writing. If you’re having problems with it, you might try going on a walk and taking a writing journal with you.

What Name Do You Give That Article Or Book?

September 7, 2009 - 7:41 am

The title of my book is as important as the characters themselves. So the name of the book is as important as the characters themselves. You can choose an important event as I did in The title of my book is as important as the characters themselves. In my first I named my book La Roe’s after the Heroine in which the story was told from her POV, Secondly it also describes part of her. La Roe means The Red and her first name Emerald means Green she consequentially has red hair and green eyes. La Roe’s is also about an entire family in which her children will come to play mainly her daughter which according to family tradition will be named La Roe also.

So the name of the book is as important as the characters themselves. You can choose an important event As Fay’s Wish in which the mother a Fay makes a wish for her daughter. Then in Mystic Inn it represents the hotel, and Vampires Revenge represents the revenge our heroine will play on the hero. I think the name should give a clue to the reader of something grand about to take place.

So how to name you MS, well as you right it an important scene, place, person, or thing will stand out and hopefully shout use me. I find that I don’t know the name until that exact moment. It is as hard as naming your Characters themselves, esp. if they represent them.

One thing to remember though never force the name, it will come to you and if you feel the need to name it temporarily then use the heroine’s hero’s or even something such contemporary romance, fantasy, or even pain in butt book 3 or whatever number it is.

Why Should I Submit Articles To An Article Directory

August 16, 2009 - 12:01 pm

Submitting articles to an article directory is a decision more and more people are making everyday. With the great increase in blogging sites and personal websites promoting articles the need for new written material increases by the minute.

Article directories enable website owners’ easy access to hundreds and thousands of articles they can add to their website pages. With new articles comes new viewer interest and reader traffic. These owners are smart and are already using affiliate advertising programs to generate money.

So why should you submit an article to a directory? One might wonder why one would want to submit a writing piece for free; it is after all one’s hard work. But there are many different reasons and surprisingly the outcome can be quite lucrative!

Some of these reasons follow:

1.If you are trying to break into the writing world what better way to get exposure than to submit articles to a directory that is targeted for website owners’ who want traffic to their sites and will use your article as a means to do so. This means your writing will be read and seen by hundreds, maybe even thousands of people. This is one sure way to get your name at least out in the public eye.

2.Sending your articles to directories is also a good idea because you can always add a direct link to your blogging sites and other websites. The more exposure your article experiences, the more hits to your other sites. If you are using affiliate programs on those sites, the money making potential can increase exponentially!

3.Some people choose to submit articles for more personal reasons. For the person who has never felt listened to, this might be a great safe avenue to be “heard” in. This can boost one’s self-confidence especially if many websites decide to use your articles. This boost of confidence can then help lift you up to other possible writing pursuits.

4.Another reason to send your articles to an article directory is simply for the self-gratifying feeling of seeing your name in print. For some people this accomplishment alone is enough.

5.Writing articles can simply be a fun hobby for someone else and they do not need the recognition nor do they need any monetary compensation. They simply want to have something in the world that represents who they are, what they think, and what they believe without having to face the tough, discerning and sometimes rejecting scrutiny of publishers and editors.

6.And, for some it is a great way to practice one’s writing skills. Writing every single day is one of the most beneficial practices for any writer. It is like a basketball player who goes to the court everyday to shoot some hoops and run some court plays. Practice sharpens one’s skill level in any endeavor.

So, as you can see, there are many great reasons why one submitting articles to article directories can not only be a lucrative and self-validating tool, but it can also be a powerful outlet and way to increase one’s intrinsic writing skills!

Plotting Secondary Versus Sub-Plots In Your Next Book.

August 13, 2009 - 10:14 pm

Here’s the question &ndash is it better to have a secondary plot or sub-plots? Here’s another question, which as a reader, and then as a writer do you prefer?

I think you have to have both.

Subplot = A subordinate plot in fiction or drama. In our terms (A relating plot) Basically a hidden plot that some readers miss and writers don’t know they have written, which helps bring the romance to the surface. Also known as twist and turns through out the romance.

A secondary plot is second story happening in the process of the romance. Such as a Mystery Romance, solving the murders.

As a reader I prefer and expect both. As a writer I love the secondary plot and fear the subplot. Not only do you have to worry about coming up with ways for the romance to move foreword and the secondary plot to come to an end but you have to add this hidden tale of the romance. Man what a pain in the ole writers wrist.

What makes a good secondary plot? And what makes a good sub-plot?

Can you give an example? And tell us how you would use those tools to your benefit?

A good Secondary plot has to be strong enough to hold up to the tension of the romance plot, without taking away from it. Basically in my book La Roe’s Finding the murderer and bringing him to justice is the secondary plot.

The subplot was Max teaching Emerald how to love and trust again. This had to happen for Emerald and the real hero Stephan to end up together.

By weaving a good subplot and secondary plot you end up with a gripping romance even if it’s a comedy since all parts play off the main plot, ROMANCE.

Three Article Writing Tips That Can Explode Your Readership And Trrafic.

June 12, 2009 - 10:49 am

Thousands of articles are being churned out everyday but how many of these are ever read. If your articles are not going to be read then you are not going to reap the benefits of writing your articles.

Webmasters and others visit article directories, article banks and article announcement sites mainly for two reasons. Firstly to read articles written by experts to learn from them about business strategies, article writing tips and other useful Tips and Ideas so that can adopt and implement them. Secondly to obtain useful topic related good content for their websites.

Why should the reader choose to read your article in preference to several others?

It is here that these three article writing tips if properly implemented, will have a tremendous impact on the reader and compel him to read your article.

Title:

Visitors to article directories have numerous articles to choose from. They will scroll down, stop and click on the title that grabs their attention. Grabbing the visitors’ attention should be your main goal. If you miss out on this then you have missed your opportunity. It must now be obvious that the Key to open the door to your article is your Title.

Much time and thought should be spent in constructing a Striking, Powerful and Compelling Title that will grab the reader’s attention, stop his scrolling and compel him to click on the link and see how good and useful the article is.

If you succeed in this then you have set the ball rolling. It is very important that the title should never be misleading. The principle to follow should be “Be smart but don’t mislead.” A few misleading titles from you and soon you will be dumped by the readers.

Introduction:

The reader will next want to have a quick glimpse at your introductory passage.

Many authors do not place sufficient emphasis on this aspect. Their perception is that if the article is of quality and educative, people are bound to read them. This is true in the case of articles written by outstanding authors and experts and if their name are displayed alongside. Again how will a newbie ever recognize the names? Hence an impressive paragraph is important. The reader should with the help of these few sentences get a quick glimpse and visualize the quality and what this whole article is about. Here too the author should give a true picture of what is in store for the reader. The introduction should never mislead the reader.

Resource Box:

Having read the article and if the reader is captivated by the content and your expertise, his natural tendency will be to know more about you, your products and possibly read more articles written by you.

To begin with he will go to the Resource Box and gather more information about you. The resource box should display your name, a brief glimpse of your profession or expertise that can attract him and the URL of your website. How well you display your resource box will impress the reader further to click on your URL to visit your website. The main objective of writing articles and attracting maximum readership is to lead the reader to visit your website and promote your business.

Conclusion:

Writing articles with proper keyword placement, optimizing for the search engines and submitting them to article directories is one thing but getting the audience to read the articles is a different kettle of fish altogether. You have got to grab him and get him to read your article. The rest will follow. Successful implementation of these three article writing tips will result in an explosion in your article readership statistics, visitors to your website and increased sales.

Articles For Free Reprint, How Can They Help?

May 14, 2009 - 2:36 pm

When you offer articles for free reprint, you are allowing the person or persons to use the article in emails, websites, and other various forms of publications. The stipulation is of course that they keep your name the author, where the article originated from and follow where you allow the article to be used. Articles for Free Reprint can help small businesses whether on line, on paper, or in person free information to help keep their business motivated, client’s returning, and your business in the Search Engines.

The Pros

There are quite a few Pros to offering Articles for Free Reprint, one being the coverage and exposure for both your website and Articles. Another benefit is the fact that you can find articles on just about anything out there, from writing articles, to web hosting, website design, and many more. Something else to consider is the fact that if you cannot write or do not then I am sure if you look hard enough you will find the article, you are looking for. I could go on about the pros but with every good thought, you have about free, articles, reprint you are covering the Pros of this great method of advertising.

The Cons

There are a few cons when it comes to articles for free reprint, one you have to make sure the entire article is what you are looking for and not just the title. Another is repetitiveness, with so many articles out there and covering all types of subjects, you want your articles to be fresh and not a duplicate of something else.

Summary

How can you summarize something as large as Free Articles for Reprint, I guess to start i should mention that offering free articles for reprint means at no point and time are you allowed to ask for compensation for you work. You are however setting your work up for more exposure, free exposure at that. Another benefit is you can showcase yourself and your work as being both professional and if you do your job right accurate. The professionalism is important it shows you can do the job to their specifications and do it right, the accuracy is equally important if not more so, because then people know you do not do gossip and speculations, but actually write the truth. These two things can make or break you, so be careful, honest, and patient when looking for that next Articles free Reprint.