January 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.

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Features
A great story-and a gripping morality tale, too
By Sarah Anne Johnson
For Thomas Mullen, creating a moral dilemma around the horrific flu epidemic of 1918 became the germ of a critically praised first novel
pg. 18
Archive: Use your 'creative memory'
By Jane Yolen
The prolific author explains her collage approach of piecing together bits of personal history to write authentic stories
pg. 22
Letter to a naïve MFA student
By Joshua Henkin
A novelist and instructor offers his view of where developing writers of literary fiction are going wrong and hurting their chances of success
pg. 24
Step by Step: We have ways of making you talk
By Lois J. Peterson
Interrogation techniques to help unearth your characters' stories
pg. 28
Step by Step: Get your characters through doors without stumbling
By Michael Kurland
The art of transitions is a subtle but important one for good storytelling
pg. 31
Tips on getting unstuck
By Gail Godwin
A veteran novelist offers some personal history and advice on what to do when your fiction project grinds to a halt
pg. 34
Freelancing: Simply irresistible
By Nancie Hudson
5 techniques for writing inviting leads
pg. 38
Enchanted Granite
By Andra Payne
2007 Sylvia K. Burack Award winner
pg. 40
IRS opens a new door for home office
By Howard Scott
New tax rules mean you might want to take a second look at this option
pg. 42
Departments
Editor's Notes
A Big Apple invasion
By Jeff Reich
pg. 6
Letters
Likable characters
pg. 7
Take Note
Loot vs. literature: Genre and literary fiction; and other stories
By Chuck Leddy, others
pg. 8
Get Started
In speechwriting, know your speaker and audience
By Jerry Slaske
pg. 13
Breakthrough
Unique story angle separated her novel in the slush pile
By JoMarie Grinkiewicz
pg. 14
Off the Cuff
How a writerly attitude led to success
By Hervie Haufler
When the young author learned to embrace new experiences, he found his calling
pg. 15
Writer at Work
And then this happened
By Quinn Dalton
Turning summary into scene became the key to publication
pg. 44
Freelance Success
The virtues of being a generalist
By Jonathan Bender
Don't carve a niche, says this writer, who offers an alternative to specializing
pg. 46
WriteStuff
Well-known writers discuss the craft
By Chuck Leddy, Erika Dreifus
Reviews of The Paris Review Interviews, Vol. II, edited by Philip Gourevitch, and The New Writer's Handbook 2007: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft and Career, edited by Philip Martin
pg. 49
Market Focus
Writing to inspire
By Carolyn Campbell
In the inspirational market, editors seek stories of hope featuring everyday people
pg. 52
Literary Spotlight
Tin House
By Gregg Rosenblum
High-quality magazine lures novices, veterans alike
pg. 54
Markets
Agriculture/rural life, environment, health, science
pg. 55
How I Write
Stuart M. Kaminsky
By Mary Ellen Collins
pg. 66
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