If you are a writer, you have to open yourself up to criticism. You have to “put yourself out there.” Not all critics are worth listening to. Sometimes people will tell you something is good when it isn’t, and other people will tell you something is bad when it isn’t. The most important thing to…
Read moreFree Web Writing and Editing
My old man used to tell me there is no such thing as a free lunch. Well I sure showed him when I literally won a free turkey lunch in elementary school. Even the contest was free, so it didn’t cost me anything to enter. Although not as free as a turkey lunch, for a…
Read moreFather’s Day
The cool thing about father’s day is not giving or receiving gifts. The cool thing is having great people to celebrate with. My dad and I don’t have a great relationship, but he did help me with my love for writing. Thank you dad and thank you to my wonderful wife and children for what…
Read moreWriting Tests
I’m in the middle of applying to a few different writing sites. Although many will take your portfolio into account, most of them give simple writing tests. The great thing about a writing test is that if you actually write well but don’t have a great deal of experience, you can get some good paying…
Read moreExperience Tea
This piece was originally a writing test that I did to show my ability to write a positive review. This was not written for Teavana. Teavana is more than bulk loose leaves; it’s where tea lovers go to experience a cup of comfort, brewed to perfection. Teavana’s sommeliers of the tea world have a welcoming…
Read moreExperience Life
Once in a while you can watch TV or read a good book, and you’ll get some ideas about writing style. Most of the time though, the only way to write well is to go out and live your life.To stand out as a writer, you can’t be the next Stephen King. You have to…
Read moreWrite Better by Learning a Second Language
It makes the ears perk up a bit and the head turn to the side when I suggest that learning French, Spanish or any other language is going to help your English writing skills. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll understand that a second or even third language opens up a reality that wasn’t there…
Read moreKiller Deadlines
Deadlines happen, and they’re good at causing stress and crushing creativity. Deadlines are important, but your work is always more important. If you’re working towards a writing deadline, start early and finish early. I don’t recommend handing your work in early because it gives time for editors to ask for rewrites and other things that…
Read moreExploring The Culture And World Of Books
Beginning Friday, May 17 at 10 PM ET, RLTV, the only cable network and online destination for adults 50+, premieres Bookmark, a fast-paced weekly series that explores the culture surrounding books in America today. Hosted by author, columnist and former CNN anchor Daryn Kagan , Bookmark presents intriguing book-centric features that include stories on how…
Read moreAlliance to Benefit Authors
A new alliance between two award-winning companies, DocUmeant Publishing (www.documeantpublishing.com) and EMSI Public Relations, aims to make sure authors aren’t left floundering on their own once their books are published, say pioneering businesswomen Ginger Marks and Marsha Friedman. “This relationship streamlines the next step for my clients when my job as a publisher is complete,”…
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