Refresh your Writing Mind

From A Writers POV has published it's 20th Edition! If you haven't seen our new edition, be sure to check it out here: www.fromawriterspov.webs.com

This month we have a featured article by Barbara Smitherman. Her article is titled "Free-writing Technique" She speaks about a few great tips on writing that I never even thought of. We will feature her interview here tomorrow. In the meantime, read her article here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/featuredarticle.htm and leave a comment.

Today, I want to remind everyone about the importance of reading articles and tips on writing. It's always good to refresh yourself with what you are doing. We can never get to a point where we know everything. We all know that times change. Things don't always stay the same. So it's important to stay in tuned with what's going on. That's with everything. Every job requires someone to go to classes or a school for a little refreshment or training. So anytime you can get your hands on an article with a little information about your writing career, read it and save it!

Tune in all next week to From A Writers POV Ning Network's first Poetry Week Workshop.

All week we will do exercises on poetry writing and give tips. If you are someone who would like a little more knowledge, practice and help on poetry writing, join our group where the workshop will be featured: http://fromawriterspov.ning.com/group/thepovwritersworkshop

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Don't do it for the money

As you all know, I am the owner and publisher of From A Writers POV. I started From A Writers POV because of my love and passion for writing. As I got into writing more as an adult, I looked for places that offered what I was looking for. Resources, a place to connect with other writers, a place that catered to writers and authors even if they never had a best seller. So when I couldn't find that, I started From A Writers POV.

It actually started as just a magazine that featured about seven articles writers. As the years went on by it expanded. The one question I hear the most is how do I do it. Not only do I run From A Writers POV, I also have a Ladies Ministry. I've published three books, ran a jewelry store which I make and sell inspirational jewelry. I'm in school and I'm a mother and wife. So how do I do it?

In order for me to be successful in all that I do is first putting God above everything. Second it's my passion for the things I love. I love writing. I love making jewelry and I love inspiring others. It is my passion to make sure I do these things often. When you have a passion for something, it does not become about the money. It never will because completing what you love to do is fulfillment in itself.

I see a lot of writers who are looking to become best sellers, looking to make a lot of money off their books. I am not saying to settle. You never want to settle. You always want to reach for your best but when writing and publishing becomes about the money, you are not fullfilled. Money only comforts us for a little while. Then what? When I receive emails about what I've done for someone else, how I have inspired them to write more or start a business that fills me up.

From A Writers POV and Ladies of Christ did not come from the need of money. It came from my passion, my love to give to others and inspire them. I may not be known for the books I've written but I will probably be known for being the creator of From A Writers POV or Ladies of Christ. People will remember me because I have a passion to give and once I have helped someone and given them what they need, I am fulfilled.

So my advice to you is even if you are not a writer, do what you do because you love it. I'm not talking about our jobs. Cause in all honesty we have to work to survive. But I mean our hobbies. The things we do that bring pleasure to us. Do it because you love it. Don't do it for the money. Do it for the things that are priceless; fulfillment, excitement, pleasure, contentment. Because at the end of the day, we can't take our money with us. Don't live a life that's filled with the need of money because you will never be happy and our lives are too short for that!

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

The Meaning and Importance of an SASE

The letters SASE spoken of from many publishing companies stands for Self Addressed Stamped Enevlope. When submitting a manuscript to a publishing company, they suggest you should include an SASE so that you can get their response of your work sent back to you. There are not a lot of writers who do this. Some feel it's too confusing and some simply don't include a SASE.

Preparing a SASE is simply putting your name on an enevlope (that's big enough for your manuscript to get back to you) that has your name and address as the recipient. You then go to the post office and pay for postage that will cover the amount of the package that is to be returned to you.

If you are just getting your feet wet in the writing field let me give you a few tips. A lot of advanced writers who have been doing this for a while understand but for those who are just learning the ins and outs of having a book published, I will give you my advice.

It is always smart to include an SASE. Yes it will cost you a dollar or two to include it but it's worth it. Editors and publishers will give their advice on the manuscript. They will not email or call you. They will respond in the order the manuscript was received. If you do not want any advice back on your manuscript then don't include an SASE. But if you are someone who would like to know what the professionals thoughts were, it's smart to include an SASE. This way, when you send it to the next person, you can fix the mistakes you made.

The down side of this is that you will have to spend a dollar or two every time you send a manuscript to a publishing company. You thought writing the book was hard.

Not all publishing companies request that you send a SASE but be prepared to include one. This is popular in Traditional Publishing Houses. POD-Self Publishing Houses do not require this. Some companies only deal with others online so there is no need to send anything through the mail. This option has become more popular with publishing companies who are looking to get things done faster but keep in mind, some companies still request for your info through the mail.

So my advice to anyone is to pay the extra dollar or two to get your work back to you. It will pay off in the long run!

Published Authors! Join our group! http://fromawriterspov.ning.com/group/publishedauthors

Signing Off,

Dominique

Creating a Query Letter

I get a lot of questions about Query Letters. Some want to know how to submit them, how to formate them or who to send them to. Not all publishing houses or agents ask for queries. But many do.

When asked to submit a query letter to a publisher the first thing to do is to go to your local library. Rent out as many books as you can about writing query letters. This well help. These books will explain in detail how to get your query letter together and how to submit it.

A Query letter should consist of:

The Date

The name and address of the recipient

*Do not write, "To whom it may concern" This is VERY impersonal. Find out exactly who this query letter is going to and write their name. Do not write Mrs. or Ms. We do not know that persons marital status. Instead write: "Dear Linda Johnson." Be safe rather than sorry.

In your query letter you need to explain why your work should be considered. Compare it to recent work in that genre and explain how your book will affect, help, encourage etc others.

Explain what your work is about. Do not include a long synopsis. Queries should consists of no more than five small paragraphs. It should be brief and to the point. Keep in mind that publisher, editors and agents get a lot of work. You need something catchy to keep them reading but also something professional.

Be sure to edit and edit and edit some more. There's nothing worse than submitting a query with lots of errors. Use your spellcheck and review your work.

Give brief details on yourself. Please do not give a life story. BRIEF!

End your query professionally and with confidence. Never say. "Thanks for reading this and I HOPE to hear from you soon" You want the person reading your query to feel you are confident and already know they will like your work because it's that good. Don't be arrogant! Be confident!

Now, some publishers will ask for a few chapters up front with the query. If they do, end your last paragraph stating what you are including. Some publishing companies ask for a marketing plan, the first four chapters, a proposal and query. If they do not, simply say, "Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to sending you the full manuscript."

End your letter saying

Sincerely,

(your name)

Seem simple? Probably. But get to your local library and check out a book on queries. There are plenty of books you can buy to help but going to the library is so much more cheaper!

Looking to get more tips on being a published author? Jon our group today: http://fromawriterspov.ning.com/group/publishedauthors

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Using the internet for your writing resources

Throughout my writing career, I've come across a lot of resources on the internet to help with my writing. So I decided to give you a list of websites that can give you resources for your writing career.

The POV in a story. This links helps with those who need help inf differentiating the POV's in a story. http://writing-novels.suite101.com/article.cfm/viewpoints_in_novel_writing

Great Website for Essay writers. http://ksdl.ksbe.edu/writingresource/typeswriting.html

For all of those who speak english well but don't know how to write it. http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/sntstrct.html

This link is for those who are writing a novel with a story line in it that needs knowledge on the law. Take a look. It's very helpful! It also consists of a medical dictionary, financial dictionary and much morehttp://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/

For all the poetry writers: http://www.poetry-online.org/writing-poetry.htm

Tips for writing poetry. http://www.poemofquotes.com/articles/poetry-tips.php

More poetry tips http://www.marilynsinger.net/poetrytips.htm

Writing Short stories. http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/creative/shortstory/

More short story tips. http://www.literature-study-online.com/creativewriting/

Mystery Writers. http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mystery/index.htm

Romance Novel Tips. http://www.helium.com/items/227219-romance-novel-writing-tips

Online Writing Courses. http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-courses/writing-courses.htm?s=ypi

Free online writing courses. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/206057/free_online_writing_courses.html

Alright, so that's more than enough to help with your writing. Remember, the internet its self is a great resource. Need to find something, what do people always say? "Goggle it!"

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

What every writer should have

On a day like today (Memorial Day) it's a good time to sit back and relax. Some are enjoying parties and BBQ's while others are using the day to catch up on work.

If I could have my way, I'd probably be curled up with a good book or my pen and notebook writing. Whatever you are choosing to do today, make the best of it!

So I decided to put together a list of what every writer should have. You can print this list and head to the store to rack up on what your missing or simply enjoy what I came up with and you can add your items if you like.

1. Tons of Pens
2. More than one notebook (Be sure one is small enough to carry with you)
3. Computer or laptop (There aren't too many people who don't have one)
4. Library Card. ???? Yes every writer should have a library card. In this day and age people still check out books. I know I do. So find your closest library and get one.
5. Dictionary and Thesaurus. Yes it's a must. As writers we must know how to spell and we may need to replace a word in our writing that has the same meaning as another. So make sure you get one.
6. Portfolio. To keep all of your writings, rough drafts, interviews etc. A place to keep all that has to do with writing.
7. A work space. It can be your couch, a closet, your bed. But you must have a space dedicated to your writing. (A place where you are most comfortable writing)
8. Writer/Author Website. We talked about this before.
9. Internal/External hard drive. Or some type of disk to save your work on. It's the worst feeling in the world to lose all your work. This is a must!
10. Your creativity and imaginative mind. To keep coming up with great storylines and great writings!

Happy Holidays!

Signing Off,

Dominique

Using Social Networks to display your work

I know a lot of us are on twitter, myspace, ning, facebook and many more. The reasons we join all of these social networks is different for each person. But each writer should know that social networks can help display your work.

On most of these networks, they offer blog space. Use your blog space to post poems, chapters of an upcoming book, news on what you are up to. Make your blog active. Don't just use it every now and then make it active so that people can get used to seeing your name displayed on the new activity section.

You can also invite your friends to view your newest writing. Utilize that space. It can also work for your business; using it for updates and news on your business. Even if you have a blog space on your personal website, using a blog on a social network is a way to bring readers to your personal website. Some networks such as ning, allow you to write things or post things into a space on your page. Use that page to display a chapter from a book that was just released. Then at the bottom, post a link to your website to view more.

Myspace allows you to post bulletin's. Use that space to post info, a poem, or news that you want readers to know. This will get them to your blog and to your website.

Post blurbs on twitter about what's new and make sure that you keep your account on all of these social networks active and up-to-date. Keep yourself involved in what's going on.

This will help you get your name and work out there. Utilize social networks and all they have to offer. You don't have to befriend everyone. Your social networks can be for marketing purposes only. Whatever the reason you choose to be apart of a social network, be sure that it helps you in your writing career and utilize all it has to offer you!

Join From A Writers POV Social Network: www.fromawriterspov.ning.com

Signing Off,

Dominique Watson