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December 2009 |
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 Get Started: Stay on track with 6 types of journals By
Ann Edwards Cannon Regular journaling offers a great writing exercise, but it is also a fine tool for harnessing the raw material of living for writing. A variety of journals have served this writer well. |
pg. 13 |
Breakthrough: Writer leaves comfort zone, finds niche at Random House By
Sharon Miller Cindrich A book related to technology and parenting seemed far outside the writer's interests and background, but she was in for some pleasant surprises. |
pg. 14 |
Off the Cuff: A case for plot By
Mary Miller How one author learned to open up her characters to conflict and action in order to tell a compelling story. |
pg. 15 |
Poet to Poet: Dare you and another poet collaborate? By
Marilyn Taylor Sure, collaborative poems aften fail, but our writer is forced to admit that they're pretty darn fun. She offers some praiseworthy examples, too. |
pg. 17 |
Building from ideas, details and honesty By
Elfrieda Abbe For Janet Burroway, co-author of one of the most popular writing textbooks and author of critically praised fiction, essays and plays, writing is a vital quest for discovery. |
pg. 20 |
Archive: 10 habits for a successful writing practice By
Donald M. Murray A writing teacher and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist reflects on the behaviors that separate those who want to write from those who do. |
pg. 24 |
New words = new articles By
Mark Peters Web sites and other sources that actively track new language can offer, well, a "metric buttload" of ideas for writers. |
pg. 26 |
Step by Step: Through a child's eyes By
Betty Wilson Beamguard Whether you wish to compose a story in a child's voice, or simply to improve the dialogue and portrayal of children in your writing, here are some tips on how to write from the unique perspective of a youngster. |
pg. 28 |
Apply a book doctor's eye to your own fiction By
Elizabeth Lyon Here, from a veteran independent book editor and author of a number of popular writing books, is a concise self-editing checklist for key issues of characterization, story and plot. Why not spot a problem before an editor or literary agent does? |
pg. 30 |
Manage the writing/parenting challenge By
Karen M. Rider Being an effective juggler is an eternal challenge for writing parents. Here are five principles to help guide you and get the most out of your talent. |
pg. 34 |
Give them something to talk about By
Karen Heuler For realistic dialogue, allow your characters to indulge in rumor and speculation--and they'll reveal something about their own nature to readers. |
pg. 36 |
Technology: When you yearn to smash your computer By
Triona Guidry Here are 10 common technical problems writers might face--and some suggested solutions. |
pg. 38 |
Freelance Success: Gear up with writing goals By
Kelly James-Enger A new year is a good time for goal-setting. Our writer describes how to blend outcome and performance objectives to create a road map for success. |
pg. 40 |
Market Focus: The spirit of Christian fiction today By
Randy Rudder Publishers are looking for the next blockbuster in this successful niche market. |
pg. 46 |
Literary Spotlight: Hobart By
Melissa Hart This month's spotlight is on the literary journal Hobart, describing its tone, preferences and contributors. |
pg. 48 |
Departments Letters Take Note Connecting with editors on social-media sites By
Cathleen McCarthy |
pg. 8 |
WriteStuff Legendary interviews of great writers By
Chuck Leddy, Steve Weinberg, Amy Wallen Reviews of "The Paris Review Interviews, Vol. IV," edited by Philip Gourevitch; "The Best Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 3," edited by Lee Gutkind; and "The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction: Tips from Editors, Teachers, and Writers in the Field," edited by Tara L. Masih. |
pg. 42 |
Market listings Lifestyle, literary, New Age/spiritual; and religious magazines By
Compiled by Martha Lundin |
pg. 49 |
How I write Kim Barnes By
Buddy Levy For Pulitzer Prize finalist Kim Barnes, the process of writing fills her with "a deep sense of wonder and purpose." |
pg. 58 |
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