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January 2004 |
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 10 basics of strong writing By
Linda George Strong writing is no accident. If you break it down, you can learn a lot about how to improve your work. A prolific author offers a list of 10 easy things to do--or avoid. |
You've got 5 seconds By
Sandy Whelchel Many aspiring writers of commercial fiction are ignoring a critical rule of publication: Grab the reader at the start--or fail. |
How the best writers hook readers By
Arthur Plotnik The opening paragraph in nonfiction carries a heavy burden. Take a look at some great openers that work quickly, and draw some inspiration for your own work. |
Scene One can make or break your screenplay By
Rick Reichman How you open your screenplay is crucial for engaging the reader. Here are some key elements your first scene must have. |
Surviving MFA critiques By
Erika Dreifus Without some preparation, MFA critique sessions can be a bruising experience. Here are some resources to help make it a beneficial experience. |
Jimmy Carter: How a president writes By
Ronald Kovach The very disciplined Jimmy Carter has managed to write 16 books amid his many humanitarian efforts as a "retired" president. Now he's broken into fiction with the first novel ever written by a president. |
3rd annual 'Writers who make a difference' awards By
The Editors We selected six authors who have made a significant contribution to the writing community. |
Departments Off the cuff By
J.A. Jance After 30 books, the author offers some strategies for moving your book from start to finish, and reaching that magical place where all the action reaches critical mass. |
Letters Dear Writer Just because you love a book is no reason to write a screenplay based on it "on spec," advises literary agent and author Noah Lukeman. Miscellany Garrison Keillor on yielding to his characters, Toni Morrison on pesky commas, and other literary notes. Breakthrough By
Therese Heckenkamp On the road to publication, a young writer learned the benefits of writing in the voice that came naturally to her. |
Net//Working By
Moira Allen After crunching some facts and numbers, our columnist concludes that e-books have emerged from their maiden voyage as a respectable publishing option for authors. |
Bottom line By
Kelly James-Enger It's tax time again, and time to remind writers of some key issues and important tasks. |
WriteStuff A review of Joyce Carol Oates' The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art. Market focus Alumni magazines: A hidden market By
Bob Guldin Is is possible--an underqueried article market? Yes, and we'll tell you how to approach it, starting with your own alma mater. |
Market update By
Mary Lynn Editors at running, bicycling and waterskiing magazines tell how to break into their markets with as little sweat as possible. |
Market listings Announcing a Writers' Exchange essay contest on the topic of "breaking the rules," plus general and literary pubs and more. How I write For Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, the "click" means her material is coming together. |
Writers wanted Classified advertising Index of advertisers
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