Finding a Mentor

When someone mentors a mentor they think motivation and encouragement. I've been asked plenty of times to be a mentor or be of guidance to someone to help them in their literary career. Having a mentor is a great plus through out your career.


A mentor is someone that's been there done that and is wise on the subject you are into. They can guide you and give you first hand advice on the subject because they've experienced it.


A mentor doesn't costs a thing. The person is only offering their time, advice and care to help you. I believe having a mentor in the writing business is helpful.


If you are someone that is looking to get into publishing, like me-I'm looking to start my own publishing company, finding someone that is already established in the field can help you. Find someone that you know is willing to help. Someone that you know you can rely on and won't get upset at all the questions.


Most importantly, you need to know how to take advice and criticism. Remember this person had been there done that. They know how things work. You need to have a good listening ear and absorb all that you can.


Before we end today's blog...
Advertise your business with From A Writers POV. We offer a package that allows business owners to advertise their business on our site for 3 months. http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/advertiseyourservice.htm


Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

Where can I get ideas for my book?

When it comes time to get a story together for a new book, writers tend to think about where they can go to get a story line or who they can speak to to get info about what to write about. Some things to consider when forming a storyline are:


1. TV-The TV can always help with storylines. Drama surrounds the shows we watch everyday so use the TV as a resource.


2. Use your life as a stepping stone. You don't have to go into details about what you've been through but some things in your life can help get an idea.


3. Use those around you. Talk to people around you. You can particularly speak to people that are in a professional field that can help your book. You never know what you can get out of someone to help your book. *If you use other's people's life stories, be sure you get there consent.


4. Browse the internet.


5. Go to a public place and observe the atmosphere.


Just a short list to get your juices flowing!


Before we end today's blog...
Submit your poetry into our Open Poetry Cafe': http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/apps/blog/



Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

This Month's Featured Author: The Author's Corner

This months featured Author is Tracy L Darity. We did an interview and ad on her and her book "He Loves Me He Loves Me Not". Get to know this author: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/theauthorscorner.htm



If you are interested in getting a spot in "The Author's Corner" please be aware that we are booked until February 2010. When authors find an open spot that take it immediately.



We are taking submissions for "The Author's Corner" so if you have a book coming out some time after February now is the time to reserve a spot. You can do so here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/onebookadvertisement.htm



Before we end today's blog...

"When you have a new book coming out, most of the hard work is put into marketing and selling the book. So don't think the job is done once the book is published. It's a whole new ball game when it comes to marketing. Check out what a guest speaker had to say about marketing": http://povlounge.blogspot.com/2009/07/guest-speaker-latosha-johnson-on.html



Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Question of the Week

We've had so many people on The POV Lounge that have talked about blogging. Why it's important to have it on your site and business.



Give me your personal opinion on blogging. Not just on your website but on your social networks. How does this feature and twitter work for you?



Post your comment below and tune in next wednesday for a new question.


Signing Off,
Dominique Watson

Featured Article Carletter Ritter: Get your Resume in Order

This month we had a featured article. "Get your Resume in Order" with Carlette Ritter. This is an unusual topic for the POV Lounge but it's definitely important. People are seeking jobs daily and this can help in anyone's career.



We spoke to her about her article and asked a few additional questions. Read the interview below.



Dominique Watson (DW): What is your area of expertise?
Carletter Ritter (CR): I have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Relations (a combined discipline of psychology and sociology), a minor in Spanish and a M.S.A. in Organizational Development. I have been writing since I could hold a piece of chalk in my hand and draw a hopscotch map! I began working as a “beta” reader for one of my best friends about 4 years ago on a novel she was writing. After each chapter was written, she would email it to me and I would proofread and edit it. Then I would hash out plot development issues, continuity problems and work with her on characterization. I learned very quickly that I was doing what I loved. So I decided to start my business out slowly and work with the one thing that I knew a LOT about and saw a need for – RESUMES! I had always helped friends with resumes, stayed on top of the latest resumes trends and I had a LOT of practice. I’d been laid off 3 times since September 11, 2001.


DW: How long have you been in the business?
CR: Well, that’s difficult to answer. I’d say I completed my first stand alone fiction novel in 1997. I also worked on several short stories based on a character I’d developed named Robin Chase. Robin is a black female private detective. I also wrote erotica for an online magazine from 1997 – 2008. I officially formed Text Tailors LLC in January 2009, when I’d finally had enough of corporate America and quit my job. I put up a sign in my front yard, put ads on Craigslist and the local Pennysaver and was shocked when the phone started ringing!


DW: What is the number one mistake people make on their resumes?
CR: Not taking the resume seriously enough! People fail to understand that a resume is their one and ONLY shot to impress an employer. In this market, you have to be serious and your resume has to be tight. There is no room for arrogance or over-confidence in this highly competitive job market.



DW: How do you try to help those that came to you for advice on getting their resume in order?
CR: I shoot straight from the hip. If people can’t take honesty, then I won’t work with them. A person cannot apply for a job that they are not qualified for – period – and I won’t lie for them on a resume. The first thing I like to do is “interview” the person and learn a lot about their background (previous work). I am very good at making people feel comfortable and opening up. Because of my Psychology background, I know how to ask questions to get the right information out of people. I usually discover talents and skills they didn’t even realize they had or that they never considered would be relevant on a resume.


DW: Is it wise to include organizations you've been a part of that are non profit?
CR: Absolutely. Anywhere you have worked whether it’s been at a non-profit, volunteer work, internship, classes, seminars, and workshops – whatever! That participation could be counted as experience. Those are the types of things I learn about during an interview. I have a client who told me he didn’t have much experience but want a particular job. By the time I finished with him, his resume was 2 full pages! Things he didn’t consider important or relevant were certainly things that needed to be on his resume.


DW: Explain what a GS-15 position with the federal government is to the readers.
CR: GS stands for General Schedule. This is the pay system which most Federal employees fall under. Government jobs are ranked and classified by grades and steps, therefore, the higher the grade, the higher the status of the position which translates to more responsibilities and more money. The lowest grade in the government is about a GS-1-3 which pays the lowest money. A GS-15 position generally pays around $100,000 per year (to start). Of course, this can be higher or lower, depending on the hiring agency – that’s just an estimate. The responsibilities of a GS-15 are usually at the Director level.


DW: How much would it cost someone to hire a person to look over their resume?
DR: So people charge for a consultation, but I don’t. It doesn’t cost anything for me to evaluate a resume. If a person does not have a resume at all, that usually costs around $75.



I would encourage any job seeker to:
Take your resume seriously! Your resume is an impression of who you are. Don’t give an employer any reason to dismiss or discriminate against you before they even meet you!
Format your resume! Most companies scan resumes now so make sure your resume is formatted correctly for scanning.


Have multiple versions of your resume handy. Have several chronological versions made and several functional resumes made. Also have an educational resume! The concentration of your resume could mean the difference between you getting the job and someone else!


No one can guarantee your employment however, we can equip you with the strongest resume possible!



To read Carlette's full article on this topic, please refer to this link: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/featuredarticle.htm Be sure to leave a comment if you have any additional questions.



Before we end today's blog...

Get your article on our magazine to be featured: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/guestarticleform.htm



Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Is it necessary to have a Character Profile?

Someone asked me a question, "Is it necessary to have a Character Profile.?" If anyone has sat and talked to me they will know that I always suggest creating a character profile. The main reason is because that when we are writing a book that contains people we are creating characters. We are creating people who are supposed to have lives and live in a certain manner.



Throughout the book we are learning about the people. How they react. How they see other people. How things affect them. In order for a writer to correctly and professionally write a book, they need to create these people in an organized fashion. Write out what these people will experience. How they will react to the situation. It's important to write out these details so you know how a person is supposed to be or how they are supposed to change.



My advice is that it's important to create a character profile. If you are interested in me emailing you the document, send me a personal email: publisher.ceo.povmagazine@gmail.com



Signing Off,

Dominique Watson

Author/Writer Event: The Risque Cafe

This month, FromA Writers POV is advertising an Author/Writer Event for The Rsique Cafe. They are celebrating their anniversary. This event will have a few guest author and will be held on August 15th.



They are expecting to have prizes and giveaways. It will be two events in one. From A Writers POV interviewed them about the event. Check out the details here: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/thismonthsevents.htm



Before we end today's blog...

Advertise your event with an ad and interview: http://fromawriterspov.webs.com/authorswritersevents.htm



Signing Off,

Dominique Watson