July 2008

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.

Purchase this Issue
Features
Diana Gabaldon 'worms' her way to success
By Jessica Page Morrell
The popular 'time traveler' writes in bits and pieces in the wee hours until the shape of a novel emerges
pg. 18
Archive: How to live with a hero
By John D. MacDonald
A well-respected suspense novelist described the long journey of getting to know what would become his popular series character, Travis McGee
pg. 22
Step by Step: Create a sleuth for the long haul
By William G. Tapply
The author of the long-running Brady Coyne mysteries offers savvy tips about developing a series character
pg. 24
Find a new perspective
By Michele Acker
Get out of your rut with fresh angles, images and experiences
pg. 28
Set your characters in their time & place
By Anne Perry
Bestselling novelist Anne Perry offers a wealth of advice on how to give your fiction the feel of daily life
pg. 30
Maintain the conference high
By Candy Arrington
Here are some tips on not letting good opportunities slide
pg. 34
Step by Step: How to write an arts profile
By Shaun Smith
Skillfully juggle the needs of your editor, interviewee and reader to compose an objective, entertaining piece
pg. 35
What Toastmasters can do for writers
By John K. Borchardt
Improving your speaking skills may boost your success
pg. 37
5 ways to maximize your freelance potential
By Ty Treadwell
Why the best-paying article might not be right, how to use 'the entire buffalo,' and other practical tips
pg. 38
Departments
Letters
Story-contest winners
pg. 7
Take Note
Celebrity culture influences the publishing arena, too
By Chuck Leddy, others
pg. 8
Get started
Tips on writing your first play
By Jonathan Dorf
pg. 13
Breakthrough
A musical memoir finds its rhythm
By Robin Meloy Goldsby
pg. 14
Off the cuff
'Ethnic' writing for a broad audience
By Shobhan Bantwal
How an author learned to balance explanations of her characters' motivations with the action of her story for readers unfamiliar with Indian culture
pg. 15
Freelance Success
When to use letters of introduction
By Kelly James-Enger
A query is not always the best tactic to break into a new market; our author shows you a proven alternative
pg. 41
WriteStuff
A classroom of her own
By Erika Dreifus, Stephen Delaney, Stephanie Dickison, Chuck Leddy
Reviews of 'The Virginia Woolf Writers' Workshop: Seven Lessons to Inspire Great Writing' by Danell Jones; 'The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot' by Charles Baxter; 'Your Writing Coach: From Concept to Character, From Pitch to Publication' by Jurgen Wolff; and 'The Birds and Bees of Words: A Guide to the Most Common Errors in Usage, Spelling, and Grammar' by Mary Embree
pg. 43
Market focus
Begin writing for Internet markets
By Dee Power
Make as much as $100 a day creating content for the Web
pg. 46
Literary spotlight
Crab Orchard Review
By Melissa Hart
A courteous collaboration between editors and writers
pg. 48
Market listings
Hobbies, crafts and games; humor; literary magazines; writing and publishing markets
By Compiled by Martha Lundin
pg. 49
How I write
Jerry Spinelli
By Beth Bakkum
pg. 58
Free Newsletter
Get our free newsletter