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Inklings Issue 5.24
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i n k l i n g s
Inkspot's newsletter for Writers on the Net
http://www.inkspot.com
Issue 5.24 * Over 45,000 subscribers! * Dec. 8, 1999
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<http://www.inkspot.com/inklings/issues/ink0524.html>
This issue features subscriber "Writers' Wish List" suggestions
as well as an article by Joseph Hayes about software for writers.
This issue sponsored by:
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XLIBRIS exists to help authors publish. Promptly, permanently. You
retain control. We make it happen: your book in beautiful hard
cover and trade paperback editions, available on-demand, forever.
Call for a free information pack: 1-888-7XLIBRIS, email
info@xlibris.com or visit us online: http://www.xlibris.com/ink/
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New Publishing Web Site Coming Soon!
** Reach Millions of Readers
** FREE, unedited publishing of articles, ideas and information
We'd like your insight. http://www.oscartech.com/authors
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ISSN 1205-6413. Copyright 1995-1999 Debbie Ridpath Ohi. See end
of issue for copyright/contact info. http://www.inkspot.com
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CONTENTS THIS ISSUE:
From The Editor's Desk
Fresh Ink and Market Information
Writer's Wish List
Software For Writers
Writers' Classifieds
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FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK:
-----------------------
I'd like to welcome Amanda Foubister to the Inkspot staff; Amanda
is Inkspot's first "in office" employee at 67 Mowat and will be
working as an editorial assistant. Amanda is also the catalogue
coordinator at the University of Toronto Press and lives with
Cory Doctorow, a Toronto-area journalist and sf writer (see
http://www.craphound.com). Starting in January, I will be doing
mini-profiles of Inkspot helpers...for a full list of those
behind the scenes at Inkspot, please see our masthead page at:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/contact.html
Many thanks to those who have sent in suggestions for a writer's
holiday wish list...I've received nearly 600 ideas so far! I've
been listing these in my Editor Ink column every weekday (see
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/intro.html) and have also compiled
some of them in this issue of Inklings. All those sending in
suggestions will be entered in a special WRITER'S WISH LIST
GIVEAWAY. Several new prizes have been added since the last
issue, including:
- WRITE WELL AND SELL: GREETING CARDS by Sandra
Miller-Louden
- two copies each of the following Writer's Digest Books:
THE INSIDER'S GUIDE TO GETTING AN AGENT by Lori Perkins
I'D RATHER BE WRITING by Marcia Golub
YOUR NOVEL PROPOSAL FROM CREATION TO CONTRACT by Blythe
Camenson and Marshall J. Cook
YOU CAN WRITE A MYSTERY by Gillian Roberts
YOU CAN WRITE A ROMANCE by Rita Clay Estrada and Rita Gallagher
- WRITERS' & ARTISTS' YEARBOOK 1999 (donated by Moira Allen)
For a full list of current prizes and details on how to enter,
please see:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway1999.html
Next week: free Global Writers' Ink issue
-----------------------------------------
As a special end-of-the-year gift, all Inklings subscribers will
receive next week's issue of Global Writers' Ink (marketing
newsletter for writers) for free. Current GWI subscribers will
not be charged for this special issue. Next week's issue of GWI
will include an article by Huw Francis on international news
reporting and tips from Moira Allen on handling your writing
business overseas. For more information about Global Writers'
Ink, please see:
http://www.inkspot.com/global/
Tonight's author chat
---------------------
Wed., Dec. 8th @ 9 pm Eastern, 8 pm Central. KAREN McCULLOUGH is
the author of several novels and short stories in mystery,
suspense, sf, fantasy, and romance. She recently published
two of her novels electronically. If you'd like to receive
updates about our upcoming author chats, send a blank email
to icc-subscribe@topica.com. More info at:
http://www.inkspot.com/ss/iwcc/
- Debbie
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FRESH INK
---------
PRIZE GIVEAWAYS: THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK 1999
-------------------------------------------
Editor: Barry Turner (Macmillan, 1999). 12th edition of the
best-selling guide to creative writing markets. Over 5,000 entries
of opportunities in book and magazine publishing, newspapers,
poetry, radio, theatre, TV, video and film, and other resources.
Thanks to Moira Allen for donating this book.
Deadline: Dec. 19, 1999. For more info about this book and how
to enter, see:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway.html
RECENT PRIZEWINNERS:
Patricia Spork - I'D RATHER BE WRITING by Marcia Golub
(Writer's Digest Books, 1999)
Publishing resources
--------------------
Maintained by Wendy Butler, part of the About.com site.
Includes info on e-publishing.
http://publishing.miningco.com/business/publishing/
The Fiction Writer's Page
-------------------------
Articles by Crawford Kilian. Topics include: story elements,
style, plot, synopsis, genre, voice, dialogue, character,
publishers, and agents.
http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/magic/cmns/fwp.html
Free Writers' Classifieds
-------------------------
Post your listing for free. Contests, writers' events, jobs
for writers, markets, promotion, services, wanted, writers
for hire, writers' chats.
http://www.inkspot.com/classifieds
What is Copyright?
------------------
The issue of copyright has always been a confusing one. How do
you copyright a work? What is intellectual property? What do
you do if someone plagiarizes your work? Find the answers to
these and many more questions at this great site. (GH)
http://whatiscopyright.org/
Articles recently added to Inkspot
----------------------------------
"Good News For Canadian Writers" - by Julie Ferguson
"Make Your Characters Insecure" - by Crawford Kilian
"Spec Screenplay Sale Strategies" - by Susan Davis
See: http://www.inkspot.com/feature/
Markets For Writers
-------------------
Compiled by the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia. Also
includes links to articles about basic manuscript submission.
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Culture/WFNS/markets.html
GH: Gail Heinsohn. Others by Debbie.
** Please send suggestions for Fresh Ink to freshink@inkspot.com
*****************************************************************
GOTHAM WRITERS' WORKSHOP: Creative writing classes in Fiction,
Nonfiction, Screenwriting, Poetry, Children's Books, more. 10-wk &
1-day classes in NYC and online for adults and teens. For free
catalog, call 212-WRITERS or visit http://www.WritingClasses.com
*****************************************************************
Advertise here! Send email to sales@inkspot.com for details.
*****************************************************************
MARKET INFORMATION
------------------
Please get current, detailed guidelines before submitting to
publications if possible. Don't submit to email addresses unless
specifically stated. Include a SASE for surface mail replies.
More market info at: http://www.inkspot.com/market/.
**-----------------------------------------------------**
"FNASR": First North American Serial Rights, "SASE":
self-addressed, stamped envelope, "simsubs": simultaneous
submissions, "mss" or "ms": manuscript, "RT": response time,
"GL": guidelines.
Markets Editor: Sal Towse (ST). Research assistants: Shane Stacks
(SS), Margaret Shauers (MS), Kathie Meyer (KM), Jan Edwards (JE).
KUNG FU ONLINE
--------------
Kung Fu Online. PO Box 330, Helena, AL, 35080. FAX: 530-884-
4653. Editor: Steve Creel. Electronic-only publication
promoting and preserving the arts of the traditional Chinese
martial systems. CIRC: 800K unique hits per month. FREQ:
Continuous. NEEDS: Articles, book reviews, columns, essays,
fillers, and interviews related to Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and the
Martial Arts. Also accepting fitness, health, and entertainment
articles related to martial arts. LENGTH: Features- 10K wds max;
Reviews and News Items- 1.5k wds max. GL: Query or submit ms via
email. Queries should state qualifications, provide a clear
outline of intended article, and state whether illustrations are
available. For submissions, cut and paste directly into email and
send in ASCII format (only photos and illustrations should be
sent as attachments). RIGHTS: First World Rights and Reprint
Rights. PAYS: $25/page and up (query for more info). Pays on
publication. RT: Approximately 48 hours. TIP: "KUNG FU ONLINE is
accessible to persons of varied backgrounds, ages, and
occupations. For this reason, articles are written in a clear
style for those who may not be totally familiar with the subject
and its particular vocabulary." (SS)
URL: http://www.kungfuonline.com/
GL: http://www.kungfuonline.com/guidelines.html
Email: editor@kungfuonline.com
BACK BRAIN RECLUSE
------------------
Back Brain Recluse. P.O. Box 625, Sheffield, S1 3GY, United
Kingdom. Speculative Fiction magazine publishing stories ranging
from experimental speculative to avant-garde literary fiction.
Editor: Chris Reed. FREQ: "Depends how quickly [each] issue fills
up: we'd rather publish consistently high quality less
frequently than lower our standards just to keep to a particular
schedule." CIRC: 1K. Needs: Short fiction that "ignores genre
pigeonholes" of open length. GL: Submit complete ms in standard
format; include SASE (with IRCs if outside UK) or email
address for response (disposable ms recommended for submissions
from outside the UK). Email submissions are not considered. No
multiple submissions or simsubs; previously published material
"may [be considered] if there's no overlap of readership with the
previous publication." RIGHTS: First English Language Rights.
Pays: L10(pounds sterling)/$15 per 1K wds. RT: 2 months. TIP(S):
"Three common mistakes when approaching BBR: * Explaining your
story. * Praising my magazine but addressing me as 'Dear
Sir/Madam' or 'Dear Editor' - if you're familiar with BBR, then
you'll know my name. * Sending your full list of credits - it's
your story I'm buying, not your reputation." (SS)
URL: http://www.bbr-online.com/magazine/index.html
GL: http://www.bbr-online.com/magazine/guidelines.html
Email: magazine@bbr-online.com
APOGEE PHOTO MAGAZINE
---------------------
Apogee Photo Magazine. Editor: Susan Harris. Apogee Photo, P.O.
Box 730, Conifer, CO 80433-0730. PHONE: 303-838-8713. FAX:
303-838-8713 (Agreements and queries can be sent by fax. An email
address is required for response. Do not send manuscripts via
fax). Apogee Photo Magazine is America's oldest online
photography magazine. The editors are interested in providing an
electronic forum for high quality work from photographic writers
and photographers. FREQ: monthly. CIRC: 100,000. AUDIENCE:
beginning to advanced photographers. NEEDS: "We will accept
articles up to 2500 words on any photographic subject. Articles
must have at least two photographs accompanying them. You must
hold the copyright, and you must have signed model releases for
any identifiable person or persons which appear in your
photographs." Articles needed on digital photography (using
Photoshop, color management, printing, and cameras) as well as
the standard technical articles on composition, exposure, etc.
Also needed are product reviews (up to 1,000 words) and articles
about the business end of photography (selling, marketing,
etc.) No travel articles are needed. SUBMISSIONS: Initial query
strongly suggested. Send query to mfulks@apogeephoto.com or by
surface mail to above address. Include a SASE, or don't expect the
return of unsolicited material. Send photos no bigger than 8x10,
packed with protective cardboard inserts. Slides should be marked
"duplicate" on the slide mount. Send hard copy and disk (PC or
High Density MAC) via surface mail along with photos to above
address. Simsubs OK. RT: 1 month. RTS: FNASR; however, please
note, "The author and/or photographer agrees to grant Apogee
Photo a royalty free non-exclusive license to electronically
publish the article and/or photograph(s) in Apogee Photo Online
Magazine; to archive back issues of Apogee Photo Online Magazine
containing the article and/or photographs(s) and to publish such
back issues on the World Wide Web; and to reduce back issues of
Apogee Photo Online Magazine containing the article and/or
photographs(s) onto a fixed electronic medium such as CD-ROM or
diskette for distribution to readers. PAY: On publication;
$.10/wd for previously unpublished works (up to $150), $.03/wd
for reprints. This amount includes usage of any photographs
accompanying the article. ADDITIONAL TIPS: "Please read our needs
list on site. Articles on digital photography and the digital
darkroom are most welcome. Keep it simple. Remember 30% of our
readers speak English as a second language. Keep in mind that we
have an international readership. We also target teenage readers,
so articles with them in mind and how they can use and enjoy
photography are also welcome. In this respect, if you have ideas
for teachers who teach this age group, this is also very welcome.
Don't forget to illustrate your article!" (KM)
URL: http://www.apogeephoto.com/
GL: http://www.apogeephoto.com/mag1-3/guidelines.html
Email: info@apogeephoto.com
THEMA
-----
THEMA. Box 8747, Metairie, LA 70011-8747. PHONE: 504-887-1263.
Editor: Virginia Howard. Poetry Editor: Gail Howard. Literary
magazine covering a different theme for each issue. "THEMA has
three goals. One is to provide a stimulating forum for
established and emerging literary artists. The second is to serve
as source material and inspiration for teachers of creative
writing. The third is to provide readers with a unique and
entertaining collection of stories and poems." FREQ: Published 3
times a year. CIRC: 10,000+. SIZE: Usually around 160-180 pages;
5-1/2 inches by 8-1/2 inches. AUDIENCE: general readers, writers,
teachers. NEEDS: Short stories, poems and art related to a
specified premise. Past themes have included "On the road to the
villa," "The Wrong Cart," "Toby came today." The theme for the
March 1, 2000 deadline is "Addie hasn't been the same..." July 1,
2000, deadline: "Safety in Numbers." November 1, 2000, deadline:
"What Sarah [or Edward] remembered." Short stories may be
traditional or experimental. All types of poetic form are
welcome. Art: black and white illustrations only (pen and ink,
computer-generated, black and white photographs). Guidelines and
samples are included on the web site. LENGTH: No more than 20
dbl-spaced pages. No more than 3 poems per theme. RTS: One-time
rights; may accept reprints if work corresponds to current theme.
PAY: Pays on acceptance. Short story $25, short short (up to 1000
words) $10, poem $10, artwork $10. RT: 3 months after premise
deadline. COMMENTS: "Just be sure that your submission actually
relates to one of the upcoming themes--and TELL US which theme
you are targeting." SAMPLE COPIES: Sample copies, single issues,
and back issues are available for $8.00 each. SUBMISSIONS:
Electronic submissions are NOT accepted. Indicate premise on
title page. Since manuscripts are evaluated in blind review, do
not include author's name on any page beyond page 1. BE SURE to
indicate target theme in cover letter or on first page of
manuscript. Send mss with a SASE as follows: for short stories
and artwork: Virginia Howard, Editor, Box 8747, Metairie, LA
70011-8747. Be sure to indicate premise and include SASE. For
poetry: Gail Howard, Poetry Editor [same address as above].
Include SASE and indicate premise. SASE must be included for
return or reply. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: THEMA looks for
carefully constructed plots, good character development, and
clever plot twists. THEMA does not accept submissions using
profanity, erotica, or off-color humor. ADDITIONAL TIPS FROM
EDITOR: The premise should be an integral part of the plot; it
doesn't have to be the central theme, but should not be merely
incidental. (JE)
URL: http://www.litline.org/html/thema.html
GL: http://www.litline.org/html/themasubmit.html
Email: bothomos@juno.com or thema@mindspring.com
FLESH AND BLOOD: QUIET TALES OF DARK FANTASY & HORROR
-----------------------------------------------------
Flesh and Blood: Quiet Tales of Dark Fantasy & Horror. 121
Joseph Street, Bayville, NJ 08721. Editor: Jack Fisher. Horror,
dark fantasy fiction, interview(s), and occasional non-fiction
articles. FREQ: Triannual. CIRC: 500. SIZE: 44-52 pps/digest-size
magazine. AUDIENCE: Readers of horror, magic realism, dark
fantasy, light fantasy. NEEDS: Fiction, poetry. LENGTH: Fiction
up to 4,000 words; poetry must not exceed one page in length
unless exceptionally good. RTS: FNASR. PAY: On acceptance. 1/2-1
cent/wd for unsolicited fiction/poetry, plus one contributor's
copy of the issue in which the work will appear. Note: Anything
under 1000 wds will be paid by means of two contributor's copies.
Poetry- $5 per accepted poem, plus one contributor's copy. RT:
Usually 3-21 days. Publication wait is about 10-15 months at
present. SAMPLE COPIES: Sample copies are available for $4.00 each.
SUBMISSIONS: Flesh and Blood will be open to fiction submissions
in late December or early 2000. Electronic submissions are
accepted. Send via email with the submission in the body of an
email or as a .txt formatted file. Send mss with a SASE to: Jack
Fisher, Editor-in-chief, c/o Flesh and Blood: Quiet Tales of Dark
Fantasy & Horror, 121 Joseph Street, Bayville, NJ 08721. Include
a SASE and cover letter listing previous publication credits and
exact word count of your submission. Simultaneous submissions are
not accepted. Reprints will be considered as long as work has
not been printed in any more than one other publication. Name
of publication must be included in cover letter. Multiple
submissions accepted, no more than three stories and five poems
at a time. Please see the guidelines on the Web site for more
details. Write or email editor with other questions. COMMENTS:
"I don't want to see dime-a-dozen stories with the same old
storytelling, plot, ending, etc. Vampires and witches are all
fine just as long as they're done differently--NO cliches. 99% of
what I publish has some sort of powerful supernatural element in
it. I publish NO splatterpunk, gothic, blood-and-guts work. The
fantastic, surreal, bizarre, and strange are a must!" ADDITIONAL
TIPS FROM EDITOR: "We do not want to see stories of the
following: stories with insane characters, stories about obese
people who eat others or who are evil, or stories with a setting
not in the modern day. We also do not want to see garden-variety
work, work about evil Gods and their followers, or stories based
solely on monsters. We publish subtle, magic realism, bizarre,
eccentric, avant-garde work of any mix thereof...no gory, murder
or revenge stories. We now accept fantasy work, which means
elves, fairies, and the like are all acceptable, but wizards,
unicorns, sword & sorcery type fantasy is not. WE MAINLY BUY
STORIES WITH SOME SORT OF SUPERNATURAL COMPONENT." (JE)
URL: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/3459/fnb.html
GL: http://www.angelfire.com/hi/zxcv/blood.html
Email: ahhh@webtv.net
MARKET UPDATES:
ZOETROPE: ALL-STORY is moving as of Tuesday 12/7/99. Our new
address is: Zoetrope: All-Story, 1350 Avenue of the Americas --
24th Floor, New York City, NY 10019. PHONE: 212-708-0400 FAX:
212-708-0475. (SS)
Please send market news to Sal Towse, towse@inkspot.com.
*****************************************************************
Ask The Experts
---------------
*** Please put "inklings question" in the subject header. ***
Judith Bowen (ROMANCE WRITER) JudithBowen@poboxes.com
David Breeden (POET) dbreeden@schreiner.edu
Charles Deemer (SCREENWRITER) charlesd@inkspot.com
Ken Jenks (ELECTRONIC PUBLISHER) MindsEye@tale.com
Ginger Knowlton (AGENT) agent@inkspot.com
Michelle Sagara (SF/FANTASY WRITER) Michelle.Sagara@sff.net
Lee Wardlaw (CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITER) lee@inkspot.com
Marcia Yudkin (FREELANCE WRITER) yudkin@inkspot.com
Columnists may be unable to reply privately to every message,
but will answer selected questions in future issues of Inklings.
Please keep your question BRIEF and send it to *one* columnist.
*****************************************************************
Ask The Experts will return next issue.
*****************************************************************
SOFTWARE FOR WRITERS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
By Joseph Hayes <jrh@jrhayes.net>
According to UK company Way Ahead, "30% of the population
secretly yearn to be writers." That yearning must be a siren call
to software companies because there are more writing software
packages every day -- from idea banks to programs that, in the
words of one, free you "from Writer's Block & Many of Those
Endless Rewrites and Rejections!"
Can these programs make you a writer? Unlikely. Can you learn the
basics and get a jump start on momentarily frozen creative
batteries? Depending on your own progress, it might be worth a
try. All programs are Windows-compatible unless otherwise noted.
BASIC PLOTTING
--------------
Freeware. An outlining tool, it offers choices of themes,
surprises, desires, locations, sacrifices, and traits from
drop-down menu choices. Free is good.
http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000S21
COLLABORATOR
------------
$109.95. No demo. Mac System 7, $129.95. "Launch your writing
career NOW!!!" the web site says. Many of the secretly yearning
believe that writing just "happens," and unfortunately software
creators perpetuate the myth. Collaborator outlines plot points,
settings, and character profiles and claims an "Artificial
Intelligence Engine based on Aristotle's Six Elements of Drama."
http://www.collaborator.com/
COMEDY WRITER FOR WINDOWS
-------------------------
$64.95. Demo available. Comedy Writer gives you fill-in-the-blank
scenes as well as situations and snippets from popular culture and
history. As the blurb says, it "mimics the thought processes and
interactions of substitution, surprise, understatement, and
play on words," peppering your prose with witty lines like:
Q: What is the capital of Zaire?
A: Djibouti?
Q: No, did you?
A: Huh?
Take my computer, please.
http://members.aol.com/ideascapes/comedy.htm
WRITER'S DREAMKIT
-----------------
$99.95. Limited feature demo. Windows, Mac. The stripped-down
version of Dramatica, a $300 "program of choice" for many
writers, the DreamKit includes a Story Engine that tracks
dramatic relationships and plot, Story Reports, an On-line Theory
Reference, Story Worksheet, and Story Elements Chart. It uses a
Q&A; format to create the backbone of the story.
http://www.dramatica.com/
FICTION MAGICIAN
----------------
$45; $29 via download. Another character and plot generator, the
Magician lays down a framework upon which to build your story. It
also includes (I love this part) the "Psychostimulatron", using
"cerebral word injection to spark your imagination and reach into
your subconscious." If they used the FM to write that, I am all
for it.
http://www.newhmw.com/ficmagic98.htm
IDEAFISHER
----------
$109.95. No demo. Windows, Mac. A "kick start" program,
IdeaFisher uses a database to supply concept associations
along with a thesaurus of words and phrases. For $53.90 each,
you can add on modules for Creative Writing, Conflict
Resolution, and more, or just pony up $528.00 for the whole
package.
http://www.ideafisher.com/
WRITER'S EDGE
-------------
$65.95. Writer's Edge is the database portion of IdeaFisher (see
above), broken out as a separate program. 65,000 ideas, words,
adages, sayings, historic events, and titles. Look up a word or
concept, and other related topics appear on your screen.
http://www.ideafisher.com/
PLOTS UNLIMITED
---------------
$199.00. Demo. DOS, Mac. Created by mystery and TV writer Tom
Sawyer, who says, "There are no new stories or plots; they were
all used up by the time Shakespeare packed it in." This is a
moveable feast of used plot devices to which you plug in
characters. It's been around forever and can either help a
struggling, talented beginner or create complete works with only
the slightest input from "the writer."
http://www.ashleywilde.com/
STORYBUILDER
------------
$129.95. Slide-show demo. Fill-in-the-blank templates and
on-screen help promise to help you create characters
and plotlines. The software gives suggestions as you type or can
be asked questions along the way.
http://www.svsoft.com/svsoft/
STORYCRAFT
----------
$85; $79 download. Online demo page. Guiding by using teaching
models based on "the ideas of Aristotle, Kipling, and Joseph
Campbell," StoryCraft works while you write, giving examples of
different approaches. You're asked what kind of story you want to
write and are tutored on concept, plot, and genre detail.
http://www.writerspage.com/
WORGAN 2
--------
Shareware. This one is interesting. Written by a group of
Canadian D&D; role-players to develop characters, it is a
well thought out, easy to use program that does what it says --
collecting "scraps of characters, plots, locations, scenes, and
ideas in one place" and letting you brainstorm every combination.
It even comes with a submissions log. The company seems to be out
of business, so it looks like the program is free. Try it.
http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info.html?fcode=000SR8
WRITE PRO
---------
First 4 lessons, $79.95; all eight lessons, $149.95. Lesson 1,
free download. DOS, Windows, Mac. Writer/teacher Sol Stein has
been selling a version of this software "lesson" package
for ages, and many established writers swear by his methods. A
writing tutorial program, it works interactively by accepting
input of your questions, then suggesting how a seasoned writer
would do it. Opening Scene, Dialogue Doctor, Love Scenes, and
Character Development are all part of this package, as is a
built-in word processor.
http://www.writepro.com/
Also from Sol Stein:
FICTION MASTER
--------------
$179.00. DOS, Mac. The software uses Actors' Studio methods and
says it is designed to help produce drama in scenes, successful
plotting, and dialog. Transfer your work into the program, run
it through Sol's guidelines, and transfer it back.
http://www.writepro.com/
WRITERS SOFTWARE COMPANION
--------------------------
$79.95. Features disabled demo. Developed by writer Nancy Kress,
it is more of a writing tutorial than a development tool. WSC
asks questions about your work, interests, and habits and tailors
itself to teach you skills. Also included are synopses of writing
topics taken from Kress's column in Writers Digest and advice on
conflict, plot, and point of view.
http://www.novalearn.com/title.htm
WRITE A BLOCKBUSTER
-------------------
$295. Windows, Mac. Basically John Truby's award-winning
Screenwriting Course on your computer, this is a multi-level
story organization and instructional program that many people use
as a fiction generator. Thirteen optional Genre Libraries,
at $99 each, connect to the package.
http://www.truby.com/software.html
As I said, there is a lot of software out there, and the above
list doesn't even include programs that name characters, find
cliches, or add templates to word processing programs. If you keep
in mind that good writing is hard work that comes from you, not a
CD-ROM, one of these might give you a push in the right direction.
**-----------------------------------------------**
Joseph Hayes (http://www.jrhayes.net) writes for a living, with
feature pieces in print and online for Orlando Magazine, January
Magazine, The Orlando Sentinel, Inklings and others. He is
co-owner of The Burry Man Writers Center (http://www.burryman.com).
Copyright (c) 1999 Joseph Hayes.
*****************************************************************
WRITERS' WISH LIST
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Compiled by Debbie Ridpath Ohi <editor@inkspot.com>
A few issues ago, I invited subscribers to send in gift ideas for
writers. I'm listing a few of these suggestions below; if you
have more gift ideas, please do send them! I'll be listing some
every weekday in Editor Ink, and all suggestions will be entered
in a prize draw. Deadline: Dec. 15. For a list of prizes and
details on where to send your gift ideas, see:
http://www.inkspot.com/admin/giveaway1999.html
The most commonly suggested gifts were office supplies, a
microcassette recorder, and certificates that involved giving a
writer more time to write (e.g. gift certificates for babysitting
and housecleaning).
MOST POPULAR GIFT SUGGESTIONS:
BIRD BY BIRD - by Annie Lamott
WRITING DOWN THE BONES - Natalie Goldberg
Amazon.com gift certificate
high quality typing/printer paper
subscription to a writer's magazine or genre-specific market list
gift certificate for an office supplies store
year's supply of ink cartridges for one's printer
ergonomic chair
roll of stamps
INK LINK manuscript tracking software
(http://www.inklinksoftware.com)
Canadian Writer's Calendar
(http://www.storytellermagazine.com/resources.html)
The Writer's Market 2000 with CD/ROM (Writer's Digest Books)
certificate for TIME (e.g. babysitting, doing chores, etc.)
ELEMENTS OF STYLE by Strunk & White
WRITERS IN THE KITCHEN compiled by Tricia Gardella
character-naming software
(http://www.dfcreations.com/)
a mentor or a mentoring session re: writing
wall-sized monthly desk organizer
laptop computer
paid trip to a writers' conference or retreat
gel wrist rest
magnetic poetry
filing cabinet
gift certificate for a bookstore
THE COURAGE TO WRITE by Ralph Keyes
THE OBSERVATION DECK by Naomi Epel
membership in writers' organizations
voice recognition software
favorite teas
blank journal with nice cover
access to the Internet for a year
FINAL DRAFT screenwriting software
Palm Pilot
light pen
OTHER SUGGESTIONS:
"A really great gift for any writer would be a high quality
dictating recorder with a supply of tiny little tapes. Operable
with one hand, you can dictate an idea, a phrase, story line, etc.
while driving, cooking dinner, or any number of activities that
might make it difficult or impossible to grab your notebook and
pen." - Linda Whitlow
"When I'm cramming my writing between the twin bookends of my
husband and son and forcing it into the tiny spaces left by
trips to Gymboree and the grocery store, what I long for is a day
-- not a room, but a day -- of my very own. Give me that, and my
heart is yours." - Lain Ehmann
"A good service as a Christmas present for a writer would be a
year's worth of line editing, so that we don't have to look for
the missed word, or the homonym, or the other little bits that
often escape our notice, or that we find just after the
manuscript hits the bottom of the mailbox." - Bev Cooke
"No matter what genre in which a writer is working, he or she can
never have enough notebooks for capturing the odd idea or poetic
phrase, wherever and whenever the muse chooses to place it in
their heads. Therefore, a basic selection of note-taking
equipment would make a great gift basket. This includes a
notepad that attaches to the car dash board; a pocket-sized or
purse-sized notebook; a wide-ruled, easy-to-find-in-the-dark
notebook and small flashlight for bedside use; and a difficult-
to-find-but-very-worthwhile waterproof notepad to use
in the shower or bath tub. Empty journals for 'free' writing and
other writing exercises are a nice bonus to the basket. So might
a lap desk (with or without storage compartment for writing
materials) to help writers use those odd moments in waiting
rooms, or automobiles for development of their resultant
stories, poems, songs, screenplays, etc." - Dianne Ochiltree
"One great gift for a writer -- a manicure. After all, we never
see our faces, hair, or bodies, but those hands are in plain view
all day long!" - Megan Kopp
"Since writers spend so much time in front of their computer/
typewriter/notepad, a massage or dinner out would be a
perfect gift for recharging." - Jeannie Bench
"An ergonomically friendly mouse. All that chronic clicking has
made my arm somewhat wonky. To date I've had no need to be right
there on the cutting edge of technology, but the minute someone
comes up with a truly gentle mouse that can be used by both the
right and left hands, I'll be standing in line for one. No eeks,
ands or buts." - Trudy Duivenvoorden Mitic
"One present that should not be overlooked for a Writer's wish
list is a once-a-week house cleaning service. Aaah, think of the
writing time saved if one were to receive such a magnificent
gift!" - Holly Karr
"My indispensable gift for writers who research. I love to
research, but I don't love to carry a lot of stuff. So I made a
small index card briefcase. I started with of those zip-up book
totes/covers. It has a side pocket perfect for pens, markers,
paper clips. In the book compartment I carry index cards (either
4x6 or 3x5) and matching sized blank index card guides to be
labeled with my topics. I zip up and buzz off to the library for
research, research, research. Book totes/covers are available at
any bookstore. Index cards live at any superstore, office store,
drug store, or grocery store. Blank index guides are hard to
find, but are delivered next day from Staples.com." - Kath Marsh
"Good gifts for a writer:
-- A sketch pad and colored pencil set. I find that
some of my best writing occurs after I've been
doodling thoughts (even though my visual art skills
leave much to be desired!).
-- For the younger, "starving artist"-type writer in
your life, a gift of bus passes, subway tokens,
grocery gift certificates, etc. is always
appreciated." - Lynne Durham
"A set of ear muffs, blinders, and a supply of carrot sticks
would make a great gift for the easily distracted writer." - Ruth
Kohut
"I think the best gift for *any* writer is to buy copies of that
writer's current release for all the people on your Christmas
list. Not only does it help the writer's sales, but also it
introduces their work to a whole new set of readers!" - Elizabeth
Delisi
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INKSPOT WRITERS' COMMUNITY CENTER
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KAREN McCULLOUGH. See FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK for details or
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