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Do you like to write letters to those who have meant something to you? Do people like receiving your letters? Have others said they always look forward to your letters?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions you could be an Epistolary Novelist.

This novel approach to fiction writing is unique in that the entire novel is composed with letters written between main characters or a solitary writer.

One of the classic Epistolary Novels in Christian fiction is the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. In this work two demons are conversing by letter to learn ways to frustrate Christians. These letters provided unique insight into the lives of Christians and how we respond to the world around us and the frustration we sometimes feel when dealing with other Christians.

One element that is totally removed from an Epistolary Novel is the narrator. Each chapter is composes specifically of a letter from of the novel’s main characters and presents a perspective unique to that author. There is no tool to lead the reader in any particular direction; they are influenced only by the words of your fictional character.

Another benefit of an Epistolary Novel is that you can present many unique points of view because each letter contains a prospective unique to the fictional author.

It may be difficult to think about how to manage a series of letters, you must learn how to take your plot and direction through the use of one or more voices. You have to work at keeping the characters and voices separated so each letter (chapter) bears the unique stamp of the character you have developed.

It is possible to develop an Epistolary Novel using only one character. In this scenario the novel may read much like a journal with an entire series of events being passed along in a time stamped dateline.

You will find there are several issues in the story that may not be resolved in subsequent letters. It may be several letters before an issue addressed in one letter is finally clarified. The intent is to present a realistic representation of the manner in which letter writing takes place.

A few authors have used the Epistolary Novel approach using email correspondence instead of standard form letters, but the truth is you can set your work of fiction in virtually any time period you choose.

The point of view in any story is important because it provides a guide to manage the execution of your story. Most works of fiction use one point of view although a second perspective can be brought into the story for a short period of time.

Third Person Perspective is the most common method of conveying a work of fiction. This method allows the narrator to have at least limited omniscience. The narrator has limited access to the knowledge and feelings of the characters in the story and can take the reader from one character setting to another easily. There is no questioning of how the narrator knows so much about each individual; it is a premise that is simply accepted by most readers.

Unlike first person perspective that conveys the story from the perspective of a cast member, third person perspective narration does not allow the narrator to actually participate in the action. They are simply the mechanism that operates outside the story to bring the various story threads together.

If a writer were to give the narrator full access to all feelings and thoughts of the cast of characters the story would be a little flat because nothing would be left to the imagination.

Third person narratives can be spotted by the predominate us of words such as they, he, she and it. The narrator talks about others - never about himself.

The least common perspective is Second Person Perspective. Very few novels can utilize this approach throughout an entire work.

This type of fiction relies on words like you and you’re. The use of this type of perspective either assumes you will connect with the story as if it is written to you or that you will understand you are reading a private story written to and about someone else. It is rare to find a full manuscript that uses this perspective although an Epistolary Novel such the C.S. Lewis masterpiece “Screwtape Letters” may likely be considered second person perspective in its entirety.

The trouble many writers get into is an unintentional shift in perspective. This can be used effectively under certain circumstances, however the shift in perspective needs a breaking point to allow the reader to gain some understanding that a shift has taken place. Without a break to qualify the shift in point of view the story becomes confusing because the reader has to work hard at discovering who is actually telling the story.

Like most creative professions the question of a qualified success in writing is not easy to concentrate into one definitive answer.

Just as there are a multitude of writing styles, so too are there many examples of writing success.

Examples

1. “If I can just finish my first story, I will have success.”

2. “If I can just work up the courage to submit this to a publisher, I will have success.”

3. “If I can actually receive a check in the mail for a magazine article, I will have success.”

4. “If I can just publish my first book, I will have success.”

5. “If I can just have my book published by a major publisher, I will have success.”

6. “If I can just get my book in the bestseller list, I will have success.”

7. “If I can just keep up with all the writing work I have been commissioned to do, I will have success.”

8. “If I can only be thought of in the same way as other literary giants, I will have success.”

“The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what you have, and to be able to lose all desire for things beyond your reach.” Lin Yu-t’ang

There is a difference between contentment and complacency. In the first case, we learn to be happy in the circumstances we find ourselves in. In the second case, you simply settle for where you are without an interest in doing something more.

“A man will never be content with what he wants until he is content with what he has.” - Bill Gothard

As writers we should always reach for our best. It is a good idea to set a small attainable goal for the short term with perhaps a one and six year plan in place for where we would like to be. This goal can be readjusted annually.

The problem many writers have is they set their goals so high they may not be able to reach them, or they make the goal sacrosanct they miss out on life in pursuit of the goal. Should they actually reach the goal, the effect of reaching the pinnacle often serves as a pin to pop an inflated balloon. For some, the ultimate goal they have chosen leaves them feeling hollow because they never understood the need for contentment. Once the ‘ultimate goal’ is realized the author has nothing more to look forward to and they struggle through issues related to their overall motivation.

By learning the fine art of contentment while refusing to be complacent will serve you well as you wrestle with issues of personal writing success.

It may be the hope of all who have ever put pen to paper that they might be able to write on a full-time basis. The romantic notion of a writer’s life is compelling enough to many to find them seeking ways to make a living by crafting the written word.

David Boles is the publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Go Inside Magazine. Boles indicates his day starts at 8:00 a.m. and he rarely finishes writing until midnight. Boles has additional words of wisdom for new writers.

1. You will not get rich overnight

Some of Boles’ advice runs counter to the idealistic notion of what a writer’s life is supposed to be, “The best thing you can do to prepare yourself for the life of a writer is to make certain you have a steady form of income that will cover your monthly nut.”

2. Creativity may be overrated

Boles also indicates creativity is less about devising something altogether new and more about a willingness to find new ingredients for an old recipe, “There’s nothing new in the world and good writing is simply reinventing what has come before you in a new and delightful way.”

3. Muse cooperation is not optional

While many writers feel that creative inspiration is required if you are to write anything of meaning, Boles has a more pragmatic approach to writing, “Making yourself sit down and create is more important than the desire to write.”

4. An understanding spouse is worth their weight in gold

When you sit in front of your word processor for hours on end it may be difficult for others to see how what you are doing has much meaning, but Boles indicates if you are called to write you should, “Find someone who understands your need to write — for writing is a lonesome life and sharing that isolation with someone who unconditionally accepts your Calling is paramount to protecting your sanity and career.”

5. Writer’s Block

Boles has some very straightforward advice for those who may feel they are experiencing a season of writer’s block, “Write. Just write. There is nothing else.”

It should be clear that the life of a writer is not a pristine existence where creative thoughts are ever-present and publishers are always willing to publish your material. A writer’s life is hard work and rarely filled with instant gratification. However, for those who have experienced the call to write it is difficult to imagine a life lived any other way.

There just never seems to be enough time in the day for all of the things we must accomplish. Unfortunately education sometimes takes a back seat to the every day challenges of living. A copywriting course you can do in the privacy of your own home may be just what you need to help your writing skills. There is a growing job market for copywriters and with a little instruction and practice you can write professionally.

A copywriting course can be found in many different places and in many different instructional formats. Some courses can be found online whereas others may be taught from videos and personal one-on-one interactions.

If you decide to enroll in a copywriting course, consider what you want to write. Web copywriting aims more towards online advertising whereas SEO articles are designed for companies that rely on internet search engines such as Google or Yahoo. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization or Optimized. They are articles that have keywords or phrases written into the article. If you were to search for the terms “red dog leash collars” it would turn up specific ads or articles that contained those exact words.

When you find the specific copywriting course that suits your needs, check the course work. It should include instructions on how to write persuasive copy. Copywriting is exactly that: writing meant to draw the reader or watcher’s attention to whatever the business or company is promoting. Copywriting courses can also teach the fine art of dissuading articles. An example of these would be the anti-smoking ads that we read about in magazines, watch on television and even receive mailers on in our mailbox.

A good copywriting course offers the student the ability to interact with the instructors. This is very important. If you purchased an eBook or program, there should be a way to email or otherwise contact the author of the course. Often there are questions that cannot be answered just by reading the material. The point is not memorization, but gaining knowledge from the coursework so that it benefits you in practical application.

Advertising copywriting or SEO copywriting are always looking for fresh talent and an influx of new writers. A copywriting course can help you on your way to a new career path or simply help you refine your skills in your old career. The possibilities are endless for good copywriters. Companies need writers that can bring in new customers as well as maintain existing customers.

There are at least sixty different types of rhetorical devices in English literature. The English language is an odd mixture of truth and symbolism and most often exhibits this propensity in the form of various figures of speech. Of all the types of symbolic or rhetorical devices used, hyperbole is the most common. The use of hyperbole may remind you of William Shatner and his propensity to overact.

Worsley Online School asked visitors to come up with examples of hyperbole. Here are a few of the best examples from school-aged children. (Source: .worsleyschool.net)

“My sister uses so much makeup when she smiles her cheeks fall off.” Ed

“My Teacher’s so old she’s mentioned in the Old Testament.” Kaysie

“My dog is so ugly the fire hydrants disguise themselves!” Cara

“My city is so isolated it takes three days just to get to the grocery store!” Ashley

“Your sister is so dumb, she walked by the YMCA and thought they spelled MACY’S wrong” Alicia

“My history teacher’s so old, he lived through everything we’ve learned about ancient Greece” Ryan

“Saskatchewan is so flat, you can see your dog run away for 4 days!” Jenna

“It was so cold, even the polar bears were wearing jackets.” Elizabeth

The opposite demonstration of this rhetorical device is called ‘Understatement’.

This method draws the reader in by providing a statement that does not seem to fully appreciate the impact of event or situation.

Situation: The temperature outside is 10 below zero.

Hyperbole: It is so cold outside your words freeze. No one can hear you until the spring thaw..

Understatement: It might get a little cool today.

Situation: A chef prepares a wonderful dinner.

Hyperbole: The food was so good it got time off for behavior.

Understatement: The food was tolerable.

Situation: Viewing a NASCAR race.

Hyperbole: The car was so fast I heard a sonic boom.

Understatement: The cars drove at a fair clip.

Authors use hyperbole and understatement in both fiction and non-fiction writing, however it is safe to say that the use of hyperbole is much more widely used. Hyperbole is often used excessively and may not be as clever for the reader as we imagined when we devised the hyperbolic line.

As with almost everything in life the use of hyperbole and understatement are best used in moderation. The use of hyperbole may help define a character in a storyline but there is a significant amount of hyperbole that has been relegated to colloquialism and often becomes clich

I rarely suffer from what writer’s complain about the most and that is: writer’s block. Oh, sure, if I must write on a subject that I am not familiar with, then a certain amount of trepidation and the occasional blankness will set in. Still, if I accept a project I do so believing that I know enough about the topic to produce a compelling piece. Writing isn’t difficult for most accomplished writers, but you must get started. Here are some things that help get me going:

If I am stuck, I write some sort of outline. Okay, maybe not a formal outline but something containing a topic sentence; 2, 3, or 4 main points; followed by a conclusion. As you can read there are three parts to any article: an introduction, the body, and a conclusion. Sometimes certain parts of the article I have more to write about than others. For example, I may have my main points for the body, but I don’t have the introductory part down just yet. No matter, I keep working on my outline until I get something solid.

Once I have all three pieces together, I start to write. Okay, I start to “type” as almost all of my writings are created from scratch via Microsoft Word. There was a time when I had to write on legal sized lined paper and then move it over to a word processor. No more. Today, I rarely “write” anything as I have gotten so accustomed to my laptop computer. Thanks, Dell!

When I am done writing, I check my work to see if it makes sense. Sometimes nothing I write is all that sensible, so I delete what I write and start over again. This is a rare occurrence, but it does happen.

After I come up with a reasonable draft, I scour it to check for misspellings, grammar usage, prose, etc. Many times I have the “bones” of the article, but it lacks “meat” or substance. In these particular cases I “flesh out” the article which usually involves refining sentence structure, clarifying a thought, swapping out words, or inserting or deleting entire sentences or paragraphs.

If I feel reasonably certain about what I wrote, I will do a final run through it to make sure it sits well with me. Occasionally, I put an article to the side and go do something else or I “sleep on it” and take a fresh look at the article the next day.

So, if you are having difficulty writing, simply get started. At least if you start your writing assignment you will have less to do later and you will no longer feel as if your undone article is some sort of albatross around your neck.

Now get started.

Companies are beginning to outsource many of their tasks and jobs to outside companies as a way to save money on overhead. One area in which there has been a growth of freelance jobs is with copywriting services. As more companies outsource their writing and marketing divisions, more jobs are created. There are great benefits to all parties. Copywriting attracts new customers and garners attention through the use of marketing techniques. The business profits and those profits trickle down to the freelance writers.

The idea of copywriting is to attract customers to whatever service or product the business is offering. Perhaps it is best to think of it in terms of advertising. We flip through a magazine and find an ad that draws our attention. Maybe it is a new comb or hair care products. The wording catches our eye and we stop to read the ad. This is good advertising copywriting.

Copywriting services are not limited to just advertising. There are copywriters who write nothing but articles. The articles can be for magazines, publications, or websites. Web copywriting is usually in the form of Search Engine Optimized (SEO) articles. An SEO copywriter offers copywriting services that are specifically written to search engines such as Google or Yahoo. When an individual types in words for a search, it will produce articles or advertisements that contain those specific words, sometimes in the exact order.

Copywriting services need new writers to help put out new ideas and writing. There are many places that offer writing jobs. These places range from an internet bulletin board for writers or may be at a job fair.

As our world expands and businesses turn to the internet more for their customer base, so too will the need for copywriting services. Companies must stay well informed of the market and do what they can in order to persuade or influence consumer purchasing. A good copywriting service offers solid work and a dependable staff to meet those needs.

I had an engaging conversation recently with a friend who writes for a living as I do. One question that came up from my friend to me was, “How do you write so often and so well?” Naturally, I appreciated his question and considered it to be a compliment. Goodness knows there have been times after I wrapped up a project that I wasn’t too confident about what I had written. But, that wasn’t his question. He also wanted to know how I write so prolifically. Read on and I will share some secrets with you.

When I write articles, I try to keep in mind that some person some where will likely snag my article and repost it elsewhere. I submit my articles to select submission sites knowing that I stand the best chance of seeing my articles peppered on web sites across the World Wide Web. With that in mind, I write with all of my heart by pouring passion into every single word that I write. I also know that what I write will be critiqued by future paying customers, so no junk is acceptable by me.

Clearly, writing prolifically means sticking with the topics I am most familiar with. Fortunately, as I glide through middle age [yeah, right] I have gained a much broader selection of topics to write about. I have worked in the nonprofit sector, retail, restaurant, and aviation environments. I have worked with men and women from what seems to be every tongue, tribe, and nation on earth. I have lived side by side and attended church with people from varying financial backgrounds. What I have really gained is a rich melting pot experience which has influenced my subject reach.

Once I find something I want to write about, I simply start writing. I don’t even write out an outline as much anymore as I usually have the topic sentence, body, and the conclusion already in my head. It is simply a matter of taking each part of the article and fleshing it out. Quickly and deliberately I usually come away with something that is concise, informative, and persuasive. Typically, I only need to partially rewrite any article once, making slight grammatical corrections and changing words or sentence structure as needed. No dilly dallying…I get right to the point.

Because I am regularly in the mood to write, this means I do my writing on a consistent basis. Because I write on a consistent basis, I gain consistently good results. Like a pianist, if I do not practice, practice, practice I will lose my edge and, thus, my delivery. Better to keep at something all the time then to rest too long and lose my spark. Consistent writing is profitable to me as it is to my clients who benefit the most from all of my hard work.

Have you ever had anyone criticize your writing? Maybe they were just having a bad day. After all some people just can’t seem to say anything nice.

Not everyone is comfortable with criticism, but there may be times when it provides just what you need to move forward in your writing.

There is a man that’s been called the “Simon Cowell of Christian Publishing”. A few quotes from Chip MacGregor might allow you to see that he’s far from being the touchy-feely type. The following quotes were part of a July 2006 interview with Chip MacGregor who is the Associate Publisher with Hachette Book Group USA. The quotes are part of a lengthy interview conducted by the staff at Novel Journey.

“The reason most wannabe authors remain unpublished is because they just aren’t willing to put in the time, to do the hard work and become better at the craft of writing. In other words, laziness will keep you from being a great writer.” &ndash Chip MacGregor

“Some people (many people) seem to be fans, and send me nice notes on occasion, like when they’ve gone off their meds or had too much to drink. Others clearly do NOT like me. Especially nice church ladies who can’t understand why I’d say that a book is bad or a writer has done a terrible job.” &ndash Chip MacGregor

“The only way I could finish the stupid thing was to tear out the pages I’d read and light them on fire, in hopes that occasionally sticking my hand into the flames would keep me awake. Mourn the trees that died so this tome could see print.” &ndash Chip MacGregor

“I’d suggest that many of the Old Testament prophets helped the culture make strides not by being nice, but being honest &ndash even blunt. Ditto Paul. Ditto Jesus, for that matter (take a peek at his criticisms of the upstanding church leadership of His day).” &ndash Chip MacGregor

“So what’s the harm in being honest? Even brutally honest? Can’t we all admit we’ve got stuff to learn?” &ndash Chip MacGregor.

“90% of the stuff I reject is rejected for one reason: it isn’t good enough.” &ndash Chip MacGregor

MacGregor does have advice for writers that may make them cringe a bit less, “I think writer’s conferences are a great way for newbies to get educated in the process of writing. Hanging around a bunch of experienced people in your chosen field is ALWAYS an excellent idea… It’s nice to find somebody a bit further down the path.”

It is safe to say that the thrust of MacGregors ‘honesty’ it to try to challenge writers to be the absolute best they can be. This often means forcing ourselves to work harder at our craft and refusing to use a specific genre as a crutch for mediocre writing.