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For many reenactors, military and civilian, one of the pleasures of a weekend spent in the field is that elusive moment when everything works. I’ve heard the sensation called “the bubble,” or simply “the magic.” There’s no way to predict exactly when it will happen. The feeling may last only seconds. But once you’ve experienced a moment that suddenly looks, smells, sounds, and feels so real that you completely forget your modern existence, you’ll be hungry for more.

I know I am. After a decade of reenacting, I’m not able to participate much any more. Instead I read, disappearing into the magic of good historical novels. And I write historical fiction as well, a hobby-turned-career that lets me spend time in imaginary scenes of my own creation. My most recent novel, Hearts of Stone, grew out of a Civil War refugee camp scenario at an event in Tennessee. And one of those “bubble” moments provided the kernel of raw inspiration.

Is there a novel in your future? If, like a number of reenactors I know, you’re interested in trying your hand at fiction, why wait until someday?

Reenactors are well poised to write historical fiction&ndashmuch more so than many of the beginning writers I meet when I teach general workshops on the genre. As a serious reenactor, you’re already steeped in the history and social fabric of your chosen period. You know a lot about material culture and historical process. You’re experienced at traditional research, and you conduct experiential research every time you participate in a new event or try your hand at a new activity. And you probably have an innate sense of story. The things that you find most interesting about your hobby would likely make a strong foundation for a novel.

If you are ready to get to work, here are a few suggestions.

1. Develop a fresh story idea. If you want to write a children’s book about the Civil War, see how many stories about drummer boys exist before writing one of your own.

2. Once you’ve settled on your idea, focus first on writing your story, not publishing your novel. Enjoy the process. Take a class. Learn your craft. Let the marketing stuff come later.

3. Create a compelling, memorable main character. The best fiction is character-driven, so spend a lot of time thinking about the people you’ll be writing about. Develop a complete history for them. All the information won’t make it into the story, but it will help you present a complex, believable, consistent character.

4. Once you have a strong sense of your character, shape your plot. Think in terms of having your character struggle to achieve something. Short stories and books for young children may have one clear plotline. More complex novels have multiple plotlines. I like to think in terms of “outer” and “inner” struggles. In Hearts of Stone, my main character Hannah’s outer plot involves struggling to keep her family together after she and her younger siblings become orphaned and homeless during the Civil War. Her inner plot focuses on her emotional struggle to accept both her father’s decision to fight for the Union Army and her best friend’s support of the Confederacy.

5. Some writers outline their novels in advance; some don’t. Choose whatever approach works for you. I don’t outline, but I do build a graphic organizer as I go. I create a table with four headings across the top: Chapter, Date, Scenes, Historical Events. That helps me keep track of what my characters are doing, and how their actions fit into the actual timeline of events that form the backdrop for my story.

6. Research, of course, is essential and ongoing. The historical details we love can also bog down a novel’s pace. If you fall in love with some fact or process, don’t just describe it in your fiction. Use that information to help reveal something new about your character, or to advance your plot.

7. Also, decide in advance where you are going to draw the line on historical accuracy. Are you willing to fictionalize weather details, or to make up business names for the merchants in a particular town? Reenactors are often fanatical about getting the details right. At some point, you’ll have to say: Enough. I’m done.

8. Keep a journal when you are at events. With a well-chosen pencil and notebook, you can even make it part of your impression. Make a point of recording specific, sensory details. Those details will bring your fiction to life, and will signal to readers that you are a trustworthy narrator.

9. Read as many different primary accounts as possible. Becoming steeped in period literature of all kinds will help you impart the flavor of period-appropriate speech in your fiction. (Note I said “flavor.” You don’t want to overwhelm readers with period-perfect but hard-to-understand speech.)

10. Join a professional writers’ organization. Membership can be an excellent way to learn more about both writing and publishing. The groups’ informative newsletters are often worth the price of membership. Most groups also hold regular conferences, which let pre-published authors meet other writers, agents and editors. The Historical Novel Society is an umbrella group for all historical fiction writers. Genre-specific groups like the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Mystery Writers of America, and Romance Writers of America may help you find professional success.

Once your story is as good as you can make it, you have options for publishing. If your top priority is creating a book that your family and friends can enjoy, sooner than later, you may want to self-publish. If your only dream is a book contract from a major publisher, hunker down for the long haul. Learn everything you can about the industry. Read what’s being published and make note of what different presses are looking for.

Having a book published is an amazing experience. Still, if someone told me that I’d never be published again, I wouldn’t stop writing. The process of researching, imagining, and writing my stories brings its own rewards. I hope you can find that magic as well.

Think it’s hard to get a novel published? For most writers, it is - but it’s certainly not impossible. I’ve had two hit the shelves-in 10 countries, and with book club and movie rights picked up. People often ask me how I did it, and the truth is simple. All it takes is, 1) talent, and 2) actually writing the thing.

As much as I hate to admit it, the second is the more important factor.

Fact is, plenty of great novels go unfinished. The statistics are staggering: of those who start writing a novel, only about 3% will finish. And unless you’re the child of a rock star or Shakespeare’s long-lost descendent, no agent or publisher will look at your novel unless it’s complete. Only in rare instances will a publisher make an offer to a newbie novelist based on a partial manuscript.

On my first novel, Flip-Flopped, I actually did have interest from an editor at a major publishing house before I was finished. I’d been taking a writing class, and the teacher passed along a short description of my book to an editor acquaintance of hers, who professed interest. I’d written about 100 pages at the time and was elated - that is, until my teacher added, “Of course, she doesn’t want to see it until it’s done.”

It may seem unfair. If your novel starts with a bang, why can’t you just give a few chapters and an outline? Surely that’s enough to prove your mettle. But publishers want evidence of more than writing skills. They need to see you can go the distance. In the world of writing, a novel is the marathon. A finished manuscript is the only way to show you can cross the finish line in the same sort of shape you started.

It took me two years to write my first novel. Even with an editor waiting - and knowing she wouldn’t wait forever - I nearly gave up many times along the way. A single mom with a full-time job, my only writing time was in the early hours before work and during my son’s naptime on weekends. I not only had to learn novel basics like how to plot and create strong characters, I had to learn how to stick with it.

If you’re struggling with finishing your novel, these tips may help:

1. Tell yourself a little white lie: that you have a real deadline. One of the main reasons writers give up is because they begin to question whether anyone really cares. Pretend there’s an editor or agent waiting, drumming his or her fingers, eager for that completed manuscript to arrive.

2. Set a daily goal. I set a minimum of two hours a day, every day. You may prefer to designate a certain number of pages, such as three to five. Writing is a lot like dieting: people who approach it reasonably on a daily basis are more likely to meet with success than those who try a crash program.

3. Don’t write a novel - write a first draft. A first draft can be imperfect - and in fact, it will be. That’s okay. Just get the pages down. You can fix it on the second draft.

4. Be careful whom you show it to. It can be helpful to get feedback as you go, but choose your readers carefully. Giving your precious pages to someone who is frustrated at their own inability to write a novel is like handing them a gun … pointed right at you.

5. Spend more time writing than you spend planning. It can be helpful to have an outline and some basic research, but typically writers who mire themselves in creating lengthy drafts of what they’re going to write rarely get around to actually writing.

6. Feel the joy. Remind yourself why you’re writing a novel. Few people if any set out to write a first novel because they have to. They do it because they have something to say…a passion for the written word…a dream of seeing their name on a shelf next to writers they admire. Hard work may be the backbone of a writing career, but it’s the joy of creating something amazing that keeps us going.

So keep going!

Freelance writing can be one of the most profitable and enjoyable ways to earn a living from the comfort of your home. With thousands of business owners and online sites calling for content, there is a great need for independent contract writers who have the skill and time to create relevant copy. Whether you are a parent who desires to stay home with children or someone who simply wants the freedom the work from home profession provides, the benefits of freelance writing from home are abundant.

This type of home job allows you the liberty to work any time that works best with your personal schedule. No more clocking-in or fighting rush hour traffic. If you are a night owl, you can write at 2 a.m. If you have small children, write at nap time. Work in your pajamas, robe or favorite sweat pants. If you want a two-week vacation, you simply take a two-week vacation. As a freelance writer, you are in charge of the who, what, where and whens.

Although a background in writing is helpful, it is not necessary to break into the field of freelance writing. Often a potential employer who needs a writer will want to view samples of work. The experienced writer can use pieces from a portfolio, while an inexperienced writer can quickly create a few samples of writing to display his or her abilities.

Many professional freelance writers offer sites to display sections of their work. Peruse these sites, study the types of writing they are creating, and then write your own samples based on your personal style and interests. By having a group of sample articles ready to go, you will be able to respond immediately to people looking for writers when you come across the opportunity.

Seeking out these writer openings may seem overwhelming at first. However, by visiting writers’ job forums and websites hosted by writers’ magazines, you pick up on new opportunities to get in the game.

Once you have a few writing jobs under your belt, it will be even easier to obtain new work, and soon you will likely find yourself being able to pick and choose jobs to find the areas that interest you most. If you enjoy researching and writing and possess the skills to write well, you may discover you are in love with a new career path that offers significantly more freedom and creativity than any 9 to 5 office job.

Freelance job sites are filled with work. If you want to work for pay today, it is possible that you can do so. You might even be able to write as many articles as you want to write.

“$1.00 Per Article - As Much Work As You Want”

Yes, you too could be on the road to a very lucrative career if you could write a few hundred articles a day.

Let’s see, if it takes me 45 minutes to write an article because I know something about the subject already then I could do 32 articles in a day - if I don’t sleep. It just might work if I can be guaranteed no interruption.

And at the end of a marathon day of writing I might have earned $1.33 per hour, which is well below the poverty level.

You many wonder who would possibly agree to work for these wages.

Most of these jobs go to either new freelance writers who don’t know any better or to writers from developing countries who find this wage to be better than what they may be capable of earning in their own country.

Many webmasters are willing to accept this work and either retool it or use it as is.

The problem for many website visitors is that the English often used is not “Americanized” English and is often filled with mistakes.

Reputable websites refuse to cut corners and are anxious to find qualified and dependable writers who can take care of their writing needs. In most cases websites are willing to pay well for a writer who can provide a good fit for their needs.

Some of the most experiences freelance writers can earn $250 or more per hour. However, in these cases it is important to note that they are full-time and have factored what they believe to be the actual number of hours per year they will actually be able to bill clients for their work and set their hourly fee accordingly.

The fee these writers receive from clients help offset those hours when they have no writing work.

Most freelance writers do have a day job and any writing they do for clients provides a supplemental income. In these cases clients find a lower price for the work, but may not find a delivery time that is as quick as a full-time freelancer.

For a client that plans well, this is rarely an issue. Most qualified freelancers find they have plenty of work and at a price that they set and can live with.

How Important are Job Resumes in Securing the Perfect Job?

The function of outstanding job resumes is to get the attention of your potential employer. More than simply a listing of your accomplishments, education, skills and experience; a job resume is the first point of contact you have with the company with whom you are seeking employment. No matter what skill set you bring to the table, if your resume isn’t effectively presented, you may find it difficult to locate work. In the reverse, if you haven’t had a lot of experience, a polished resume that presents the talents and ambitions you do possess can secure you a job with unlimited potential for growth. Before setting out to look for a new job, make sure your resume presents the skills you have to offer in the best possible light. Many employers will not even offer an interview to prospective employees with lackluster job resumes.

Types of Job Resumes

Job resumes may be structured in several different ways to focus on your best qualities, while downplaying your limitations. Today’s employers are looking for innovative employees that will bring value to their business. Submitting a standout resume is one way to express your individual abilities and ambition. Different types of job resumes include:

* Reverse Chronological Resumes &ndash These job resumes focus on your employment history by listing your previous employment starting with your latest position. Chronological resumes detail your growth as an employee and are best suited for people who have a strong employment background and documented experience. Educational information and additional skills are typically noted at the bottom of these job resumes.

* Functional Resumes &ndash The functional resume gives less resonance to experience and highlights, instead, the skills that you have to offer. Functional resumes generally list your stellar qualifications at the top of the page, while providing some details of how the skills were obtained&ndashincluding school and work experience&ndashtowards the latter half of the page. Skill-based resumes are the best choice for workers that are new to the job market, or have not worked in quite some time.

* Combination Resumes &ndash A combination resume takes the focus on skills from the Functional resume and merges it with the employment history, for a complete package of your qualifications. These job resumes present the most well rounded details and can be used by almost anyone to effectively gain employment.

Seeking Professional Help for Writing Job Resumes

If you’re not certain of the resume choice that’s right for your qualifications, or if you just want the best possible resume, you might want to seek the help of a professional resume writing service. For a minimal fee, professional writers can formulate top quality job resumes that can be used to market your skills. A resume writing service will present your personal employment history and qualifications in a manner that will stand out to potential employers. It’s really a small investment to make for a profitable future at your new job.

For more information please visit .resume-writing-tips.org

Sleepless in Seattle brings on new meaning when staying up all night has nothing to do with another person but rather the shameless addiction of the written word. I would love to be a day person at some point, maybe when I grow up because I do miss that late morning air however, the night dawns so quickly thus my day begins.

Like a ghost I prowl the halls and corners at night searching myself for that next article or some great witty words that will stand out among the thousands. The right word that will make a difference in someone’s life between crossing the line or playing it safe. The article that will either entice the customer to read more or to move on.

Writing at night leads to solitude and serenity which delivers to the hand the thought processes that fills the mind from happenings during the day. Every now and then you have to take a stroll to get the oxygen flowing from the brain. Like a vampire sucking every word that I can pen; writers block is not pretty. As I wake a family member while roaming the badlands they wonder what is wrong with me. As my family watches by day I keep guard over them at night; sounds pretty safe to me.

Writing is not for everyone. You either have it or you don’t. You can train someone who has it to be better however for those that just don’t get it, should not try this at home. You have nights where the words just flow but then you have long sleepless nights trying to figure out what to put down. It has to come natural, like being a musician, you hit the notes or you don’t. You drive your family nuts with what is your first love as they continue to urge you to get some sleep.

What am I going to do in the day that I can’t do at night? Become a part of the early birds, in which society thinks of as “normal.” Yeah I’ve heard all the aphorisms, early bird gets the worm. Can’t soar with the eagles if you hoot with the owls at night. Tell me who says that hooting with owls is a bad thing? Do you ever think I can change from being like a ghost, a vampire, a night watchman or a scribe? Probably not so for now, I’m on the nightshift.