November 2007

The Writer

The essential resource for writers

Join thousands of successful writers when you subscribe to The Writer magazine. Each month The Writer is full of features you can use to improve your writing, including before-and-after examples of improved writing, more literary markets than ever before, practical solutions for writing problems, selected literary magazine profiles, tips from famous authors and hands-on advice.

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Features
MFAs: The cost-benefit debate
By Sarah Anne Johnson
A panel of 5 accomplished writers debates the pros and cons of this advanced degree in writing
pg. 20
Archive: Make the most of minor characters
By Peter Robinson
Turn a potentially dull, "necessary" scene into one with memorable characters and added drama
pg. 24
10 movies every writer must see
By Darren Miller
They'll not only entertain you, but just might motivate and inspire, too
pg. 26
Which type of writer are you?
By Jill Dearman
A writing coach describes the four main personalities she sees and advises how to overcome what might be holding you back
pg. 28
Step by Step: Intensity, intensity!
By Arthur Plotnik
For maximum impact in fiction and nonfiction storytelling, power up key passages to strike the i-nerve
pg. 30
Freelancing: Painful lessons
By MaryAnna Clemons
Learn from some "rookie mistakes" writers have made
pg. 34
Use podcasts to promote your book
By Nancy Hendrickson
Distributing an audio file is a new tool for personalizing yourself and building an audience
pg. 36
Departments
Editor's Notes
A helping hand
By Jeff Reich
pg. 6
Take Note
New words show a language in transition, and other stories
By Chuck Leddy, others
pg. 8
Get Started
How to begin grant writing
By Kathryn Lemmon
pg. 13
Breakthrough
Mom living overseas truns e-mails into essays
By Donna Scaramastra Gorman
pg. 14
Off the Cuff
Bound to the land
By Kim Barnes
A Pulitzer finalist on how she imbues her writing with a distinct sensibility
pg. 15
Writer at Work
An effective setting for her teen novel was close at hand
By Robin Friedman
Author found that her wacky, nonexotic New Jersey had just the right stuff
pg. 38
Freelance Success
Create a writing specialty
By Kelly James-Enger
Whether you're an experienced freelancer or just starting out, a specialty can help you get published-and earn more money
pg. 40
WriteStuff
Giving back as a writing mentor
By Chuck Leddy
pg. 42
Market Focus
Writing for parenting markets
By Kelly James-Enger
6 strategies to make your work stand out in this popular niche
pg. 44
Literary Spotlight
Ecotone
By Erika Dreifus
A risk-taking, young journal "reimagines place"
pg. 46
Markets
Graduate programs
pg. 48
How I Write
Robert McBrearty
By Jack Smith
pg. 58
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