creative writing and journaling Tips
Read these 30 creative writing and journaling Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Inspiration tips and hundreds of other topics.
A Poet Born
Welcome to your one stop poetry spot! Win CASH & PRIZES by entering your original masterpiece in our Contest, pick up a cool Accessory to your passion, learn how to host your own "A Poet Born Poetry Group", and be sure to visit our Teacher's Corner, where we will host valuable lessons in poetry by Teachers, published Poets, Editors and more! It changes often so click in Frequently! Watch for our listing in the Poet's Market! Enjoy!
Free Guestbooks!
If you have an Inspirational web site you can spruce it up and give readers the opportunity to leave you comments by adding a guestbook.
It's easy to do and their are many resources offering free guestbooks.
If you can use a guestbook for your site, then take a look at Christian Unite.
http://guestbooks.christiansunite.com/
They offer FREE Christian Guestbooks at the link above!
Create Your Own Free Writers Website!
One way to showcase your inspirational articles and/or poetry is by creating a free website.
There are many places on the Internet where you can obtain and create your own writer's website with little experience.
My favorite resource is at angelfire.com. There free sites are easy to design using their basic resources. I found that I could link my articles at themestream and other online writing sites.
Then I promoted my site at several search engines and writers group to receive more reads, build up my readership and receive feedback from other authors.
You can even add graphics or links to any affiliate programs you belong to and earn a few extra dollars.
If you have an inspirational website you can also trade links with other similar sites and place ads in inspirational ezines.
Inspiration-Tips is eager to link to inspirational sites and articles, so if you have a website that compliments any of the categories on this site please send me an email and I'll be happy to review your site and add it to Inspiration-Tips!
For an example of a completed website at Angelfire visit my poetry corner, "Inspired By His Love" at http://www.angelfire.com/journal/articles/index.html.
The Rhymezone
The RhymeZone.com is an online tool that aspires to be the best and fastest way for writers to find words.
You can use it to help write poetry, song lyrics, greeting cards, term papers, and more. You can use it to explore relationships between words. You can use it to find the correct spelling of a word you're not quite sure of. You can use it as a springboard for finding pictures, documents, and other multimedia items related to a particular concept that you're writing about. Finally, you can use it to see how your word is used in the context of famous quotes, poems, and plays.
To use RhymeZone, type a word into the search box, select a function in the dropdown list next to the box, and then hit "Go get it!" to view the results. Here are the different functions that you can select from that dropdown list:
Find rhymes: This function will return words that rhyme with the word you typed in.
Find synonyms: This function will return words that are the same or similar in meaning to the word you typed in.
Find anonyms: This function will return words that can mean the opposite of what you typed in.
Find definition: This function will search for definitions of the word you typed in. It will also allow you to submit your query to other online dictionaries on the Web.
Find homophones: This function will return words that have exactly the same pronunciation as what you typed in but are spelled differently.
Find similar sounding words: This function will return words that have a pronunciation that's similar, but not necessarily the same, as what you typed in.
Match consonants: This option will return words that have the same pattern of consonant sounds. Phonetic, for example, will return fanatic.
Find related words: This option will return words that are related in some important way to what you typed in.
Find similar spellings: This option will return words in the dictionary that are spelled similarly to what you typed in. Use this feature to spell-check a word that you aren't sure of.
Find phrases: This option will return words and phrases that contain the letters you type in.
Search for pictures: This function will search for kids-friendly pictures on the Web related to the word you typed in.
Search in Shakespeare: This function will search all of Shakespeare's plays and poems for your word.
Free 3D Graphics
For the use of over 12,000 original animations for web pages and email, (personal use only) you can't beat "The Animation Factory" at, "http://www.animfactory.com".
It's a great way to spice up your writers website.
I love this site! It's free and easy to use.
All graphics have been 3D rendered.This site also offers other online tools to assist you in building a fantastic site.
Graphics are divided in categories such as...
Alphabets
Animals
Buildings
Children
Computers
And much, much more
You can even sign up to receive "The Animation of The Day", delivered via email 5 days a week in HTML format.
It's fun, free and a great place to visit!
Filling up Space for Jesus
Filling up Space for Christ is an e-magazine devoted to Christian fellowship and ministry to believers, non-believers, and skeptics alike. They publish articles, testimonies, stories, poems, and other creative works dedicated to glorifying God. The site is broken up into five categories.
the WAY - This section relates to Faith.
the WORD - The Holy Bible is the focus of this section, dealing with scriptures, people, and history of the Word.
the WALK - This section is directed toward different groups of people and their walks with God. Material is focused at men, women, relationships, college age, kids, marriage, parents, etc.
the WORLD - This is a broad topic for all topics related to the world in which we live.
the WEB - resources and links on the Internet where one may find other opinions, views, and resources.
Currently Filling up Space for Christ, is unable to pay writers, however this is a good way to share your love of Christ with others as an inspirational writer.
Visit this site @ http://www.fillingupspace.com
The Word Helper
No matter what sort of printed material you are publishing, make sure it
goes out mistake-free! Experienced proofreader, Cindy Kalinoski, helps you
convey the message you want "without the distraction of inconsistent
formatting and layout, typos, repeated material, incorrect grammar or
missing text." Online proofreading available!
http://www.thewordhelper.com
Job Postings at Sun Oasis
SUN OASIS is another great website for writers with job links for freelance writers all over the world.
These links include:
Job Listings
• Current Job Postings, New Job Links, Telecommute Jobs, Online Jobs, Freelance Opportunities, Technical Writing Jobs, Regional Job Listings, International Jobs
Plus Resources in the areas of Media, Freelance, Career Development, Internships/Low-Paying Venues, How to find Writing Jobs on the Net
Just go to http://www.sunoasis.com
Getting Started as a Christian Writer
Do you have a passion for writing but don't know where to begin? Try starting with your church. Talk to your pastor, ask if you could write a synopsis of his weekly sermon and put it in the bulletin for the following week. Most people today attend about 3 services a month, which means people occasionally miss a service. Actually more often than your pastor desires. A weekly review of the previous week's message is a great writing opportunity and a terrific service to pastors. This is how I rediscovered my passion for writing a few years ago. If your pastor agrees then go for it! It's a great way to start.
Writing tips
· Be there. This may seem obvious but attend service and take lots of notes. Listen for the main points and build your writing around them.
· Be accurate. Basically, you're writing a news report. It's not a creative writing exercise so use the speaker's words and expressions, not your own. This is a mistake I made and it created temporary tension between my writing and the speaker. I learned to write what was said and not what I got from the message.
· Be clear, simple and brief. Bulletin space is limited so keep your article short and sweet. An article less than one hundred words is ideal. It's a challenge but you can do it! Hint: most sermons are built around three major points.
· Be early. Quickly submit your article to the person in charge of the bulletin. Church bulletin space fills up rapidly after Tuesday. With most bulletins it's first come, first served.
What's in it for you?
Oh, I know, as a Christian you aren't supposed to ask that kind of question. Just in case you're wondering though, here a few benefits you receive from writing for a church bulletin.
· You will have money, fame and prestige. Not! Sorry, but you probably won't receive pay, by-lines, or recognition. The important thing is you are writing and gaining valuable experience. This is priceless.
· Your writing passion is visible. You become known as someone with a passion for writing. This opens doors of opportunity for you that you never thought were possible.
· You discover deep fulfillment. When you use your writing gift to serve others you will feel fulfilled. This is the best part and what keeps you writing.
Please feel free to print this article and give it to your pastor as part of your proposal to write his weekly sermons.
Copyright 2001 Glenn White
How to PROMOTE your writers website...
Here are a few tips on promoting your writers website.
You can place a free classified ad at the following places inviting readers to your website:
Free 30 day ad at http://www.vitaltools.com/cgi-bin/class/classifieds.cgi
America Free Classifieds http://www.aaa.com.au/world/america/top_class.shtml
Search engines are a great source for receiving more traffic to your site. Here's a page that will assist you in subbmitting your URL to over 2000 search engines and FFA pages for free.
1 Second - http://www.1second.com/freelinks.htm
Keep track of which sites you place your URL at and renew your URL submission every month.
Free Promote is another good service offering many ways to promote your website. http://www.freepromote.com/
Webstars is another such service. http://www.webstars2000.com/?hop=stevebxl/mmyers
Big Value offers free promo tools and links to other sites. http://www.webstars2000.com/?hop=stevebxl/mmyers
As well as, FreeYellow http://jwgc.freeyellow.com/Submission.html
Submit Plus http://www.submitplus.com/bestmain.htm
Free Website Promotion
http://www.affiliate-programs-directory.com/FreeWebsitePromotion.htm
And Hits 4 Me
http://www.hits4me.com/?AID=342333&PID=54219
The following FREE SITES offer a variety of promotional tool, ideas and links. Check out...
A Plus Free Stuff http://aplusfreestuff.com/promotion.html
Yours for Free
http://www.yours4free.net/
And Freevault
http://www.freevault.com/webmasters/index.html
Good luck!
Are You a Technical Writer?
At Dice.com, you can find mega jobs for the Technical Writer.
Just go to their website at http://www.dice.com/jobsearch/index.html, and begin exploring their search field by entering "technical writer" in the search box.
I found an unbelievable 14103 matches in this category across the United States.
You can easily narrow your search by entering information such as location, experience, salary etc…
Dice provides you with information on each match such as:
Skills Required
Location
Pay Rate & Benefits
Full-time and Part-time employment
And more….
I think this is a great site to assist technical writers in their search for employment.
Secrets of the Vine
Bruce Wilkinson's, best-selling author of The Prayer of Jabez, has written another great book, Secrets of the Vine. From John 15 he writes about fruitfulness in the Christian life using three words; Discipline, prune and abide. These same three words are useful also to you as a writer.
Discipline:
Write everyday and try writing at the same time and the same place. Set a goal for each session. If it's only one word, one sentence, one paragraph, or one page then write to hit your goal everyday with a weekly Sabbath rest. Your writing bears fruit when you have a writing discipline. Set a small goal then increase it over time and you will see your writing become more fruitful than ever. This daily discipline will produce the short stories, poems, articles, and books you've always wanted to write.
Writing exercise: Write down the first word that pops into your head. Now write as much as you can about your one word.
- Prune
After you write your article, story, or book then it's time to prune. Bruce Wilkinson says that the secret to fruitfulness is not growth but pruning. Writers call the pruning process rewriting, revising and editing. Your original writing is what is called a first draft. After you write your first draft then it's time to prune. Don't worry; most every writer's first draft is full of dry twigs and dead wood. Pruning is where you'll find fruitfulness. Prune your first draft awhile, set it aside a couple of days, and then prune some more. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the fruit your writing will yield when you cut out the dead wood.
Writing exercise: Reread your first exercise and cut out all adverbs (-ly words) adjectives, that, passive verbs, and anything you think will improve your writing.
- Abide
The secret to fruitful Christian writing is abiding in the presence of God. Yes, you can abide in God's presence at a computer keyboard. This doesn't mean you'll write “God”, “Lord”, or “Jesus” with every other word. This only means you're aware God is near no matter when, where, or what you write. You have a message and a gift. How that message and gift manifests is really between you and God. You may write travel articles, sports columns, or cookbooks but your writing will bear fruit when you abide in God's presence.
Writing exercise: Talk to God for a minute and become aware of His presence. Then read your one word article and ask Him how it could bear more fruit.
Discipline, prune, abide and you'll discover more fruitfulness. As a bonus, you will also find personal growth as Christian and a writer.
Copyright 2001 Glenn White
Let's Inspire Your P.C.!
If you are anything like me, you are probably spending hours at your computer, sending emails, surfing websites and learning about various topics.
So, why not inspire your P.C. by adding inspirational webtools, graphics and software?
In this category you'll find information and links to all sorts of inspiration for your computer. Many places offer inspirational freebies such as clipart, screen savers and wallaper that inspire.
Check out the links and come back often to see what's new in the world of inspirational computer resources!
www.writers.com
Writers.com has online writing classes in all genres. Their instructors are published authors who are experienced in teaching as well as writing. They offer numerous resources including; one-to-one tutoring and writing instruction via e-mail, free writers groups, and a free monthly newsletter of interest to writers. This web site includes writing tips, information on contests and an online bookstore.
Pay a visit @ http://www.writers.com/
Writing World
Writing World is a great resource for a variety of writing tips covering many topics.
The Editor, Moira Anderson Allen (moira@writing-world.com) has been writing professionally for more than 20 years. A former magazine editor (and the former managing editor of Inkspot and Inklings), she has contributed to such publications as Writer's Digest, The Writer, Byline, British Heritage, Cats, Entrepreneur, Romantic Homes, Dogs Today, and many others. She is the author of Writing.Com: Creative Internet Strategies to Advance Your Writing Career; her new book, The Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches and Proposals, will be available this summer from Allworth Press. Allen is also a columnist for The Writer.
Visit this site to explore its many resources and links at http://www.writing-world.com/
Promote Your Inspirational Writer's Website!
There are several ways to promote your website.
I found several resources to assist in promoting my site at the following:
SUBMIT EXPRESS enables you to submit your website to 40 Search Engines for free.
Visit @ http://www.submitexpress.com
CYBER PROFITS can assist you in promoting your website through their free banner exchange program. You can have your banner on thousands of websites for free.
Visit them @ http://www.cyberprofitstoday.com
WRITERS DIGEST
WRITERS DIGEST has been voted the #1 online magazine for writers.
This site is chock full of information for writers.
There URL is http://www.writersdigest.com
Journalism Jobs
You can find resources to dozens of journalism jobs at the IRE Job Center, http://ire.org/jobs/look.html
This site offers contacts to journalism jobs, mostly in the newspaper industry.
There are listings for:
News Reporters
Editors
Producers
Researchers
And MoreĀ…
IRE lists information on each employer such as:
Positions Available
Organization
City/Location
And Date Posted
It's worth checking out!
For more links to job opportunities for writers visit my new "Write On!" website @ http://writeon.ipfox.com
Guidelines
I found a wonderful website for writers that contains lists of publications accepting submissions.
What is wonderful is this site also offers the writers guidelines for each of the publications listed.
This site saves alot of time for writers by providing all the facts in advance.
Submissions are more likely to be accepted if the writer follows the guidelines.
Take a look @ http://www.awoc.com/Guidelines.cfm
Link Exchange for Christian Writers
Are you a writer who has your own Christian website?
How would you like to receive more traffic absolutely free?
Christians Online (http://conline.net/network/linkexchange.mv) offers a link exchange program where you can take part in an exclusive traffic sharing program. It's quite simple. Help them out by promoting Christians Online on your website, and they'll reciprocate by promoting your website on Christians Online. If you take a look at the right hand side of every page on Christians Online, you'll see a Link Exchange box. This box simply shows the top websites in their Link Exchange program.
Visit them at http://conline.net/network/linkexchange.mv
to check out this offer and to promote your inspirational site for free.
Stained Glass Words/ Christian Vocabulary
A friend of mine refers to the Christian vocabulary as “stained glass words.” Others call it “Christianese.” These are the words you pick up when you're in church for a while. Sanctification, eschatology, soteriology, hermeneutics and homiletics are a few of the lighter ones from seminary-trained people. Then there are more common Christian vocabulary words like holiness, righteousness, salvation, glorification and exaltation. I don't know about you but my brain goes into a rolling blackout when I hear them. Can you tell I'm writing this in California?
Righteous?
There is nothing wrong with these words until you write for the unchurched. For example, as a teenager if someone said “righteous” then the next word I thought of was “brothers” as in Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield, “The Righteous Brothers.” Okay, I've dated myself a little, maybe a lot, but I hope you understand my point.
Vampires?
Avoid using stained glass words when you're writing to connect with unchurched people because these words can mean something entirely different to your readers. You see, if you write, “You can be covered by the blood,” then unchurched people may misunderstand and think you're talking about being attacked by a vampire or something weirder yet. I know this may seem extreme or humorous but it's awfully close to the truth in our unchurched culture.
Build your own thesaurus
A good writing practice is to take stained glass words and put them in every day words so everyone understands. Build your own thesaurus of stained glass words; then use your words when you write. You'll find your writing is more effective than ever. I know I did.
Write to the heart
God still speaks and He speaks to people's hearts. Yes, you can write stories that echo His voice and you can write to the heart without using stained glass words.
May God inspire your heart as you write. I believe God will as you write to inspire.
Copyright 2001 Glenn White
Write To Inspire: An Interview with Glenn White
This weeks interview for inspirational writers is with Glenn White from Write To Inspire @ http://www.WriteToInspire.com
Inspirational Guru: Hi Glenn! Welcome to Inspiration-Tips. As a writer I found your site both inspiring and interesting. What prompted you to create this website?
Glenn White: I was prompted to create this site because I saw a need for a place where inspirational and Christian writers could safely access resources and tips.
InspirationGuru: Can you tell us what you feel is unique about the site?
Glenn White: This site is exclusively designed to provide resources and tips for Christian writers and how to write for the churched and unchurched in print and on the web.
InspirationGuru: Do you have any future plans or updates you will be adding to the site?
Glenn White: As a new site we are always adding new articles, new tips, new resource recommendations, and new books. We are adding new stuff daily. One feature that we add to almost daily is "News to Use". This section is where we post news articles about writing especially articles that pertain to writing for the web. I believe that Christian web writers are on the cutting edge in communicating the good news of Jesus Christ in culturally relevant stories.
InspirationGuru: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Glenn White: I would like to encourage every Christian writer to pursue their passion for writing. The wave of the internet is here and Christian writers are needed more than ever. The contemporary Christian writer has an unprecedented, wonderful opportunity to share the stories God places in his or her heart to the whole world.
InspirationGuru: As a struggling inspirational writer myself, your encouragement is much appreciated. Can you offer a few departing words of INSPIRATION?
Glenn White: The word King James version of the Bible uses the word "inspiration" when referring to scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16. The word means "God-breathed". A writer can access inspiration from the most inspired book in the world! It may not be a story idea or a plot outline the writer will receive from reading the Bible. But any writer who maintains a daily devotional life in scripture can expect inspiration from the only book ever written with the breath of God in it. Inspired writers need to read inspired books and what better book than the Bible? Try implementing a daily Bible reading in your life and I guarantee you and your writing will be inspired more than ever before.
InspirationGuru: Well said. Thanks again Glenn and God be with you in your ministry.
You can visit Write To Inspire @ http://www.WriteToInspire.com for multiple tips and resources for the inspirational writer!
BEGINNINGS
BEGINNINGS is the perfect name for this magazine. It truly is a venue searching for and supportive of the beginning writer. It doesn't stop there. Many newcomers have used Beginnings as a springboard to being published in other venues. Dozens of authors, highly skilled and already published, frequent here to enjoy the fresh new voices and offer sage advice.
Submissions are read by three editors: Jenine Boisits, Freada Dillon, and Jenine Graschuk. There are no form letters here and work is often kindly critiqued.
Hundreds of non-published authors have seen their work in print for the first time in Beginnings. The Message Board is always hopping with activity by members encouraging one another. This is a safe haven for the new and sensitive writer as well as for the comfortable old shoe who has ventured out into the competitive world of publishing.
So, if you are brand new, moderately successful, or already famous, come home again for the first time to Beginnings. http://www.scbeginnings.com/index.htm
Promote!
Once you have established yourself as an inspirational writer, either by showcasing your articles at online resources and/or by creating your own website, you will want to gain readership to share your works.
There are numerous resources for doing so on the Internet. Many of the links in this category will lead you to different sources of promoting yourself.
Search engines offer free listings for people searching for information on a specific topic. You can submit your link for free at many of these sites.
Joining writing groups to post links to your articles for other writers to view and give feedback is another great source for promoting your works. Yahoo offers mega groups in many categories and you will find many links in the ,purple recommended by me,"Link" icon on the Inspiration-tips homepage.
Subscribing to various ezines in the inspirational category will also be a great asset. Most ezines will allow subscribers to place a free ad promoting their website or post links to inspirational articles.
Link exchanges and banner ads can also assist you in promoting readership.
Inspiration-Tips and other like sites may invite you to submit your URL to be reviewed and added to their database. I am continually seeking links to compliment the categories at Inspiration-tips and welcome all inspirational writers to send me an email with your site or article URL, name of author and title of site or URL. So, please don't hesitate to promote for free at Inspiration-tips!
THE AMATEUR POETRY JOURNAL/THE POETS PLACE
I love to write poetry and have found a few websites with oodles of resources for Poets.
THE AMATEUR POETRY JOURNAL-For the poets...tips, contests, classifieds, workshops and more...
Just go to http://www.amateurpoetry.com
THE POETS PLACE offers multiple resources for poets.
Visit them @ http://www.thecybercenter.com/Resources/Poetry/poetry.html
ChristPages.NET Search Engine
Christpages has been linking the Christian Web since 1997. This search engine is a great way to promote your Inspirational website containing your online articles.
Submit your URL @http://www.christpages.net
Write What and Who You Know
Okay, let's say you're a Christian writer or at least starting to feel like a Christian writer. The problem is that you don't know what to write about. When you first start writing there is this nagging fear that you may not have anything to write about. There is advice to writers that says, “Write what you know.” This is good advice so this is where you can start.
- Write about your daily family life. You may be thinking, “Write what I know? I really don't have a terrific education, after high school I had kids, got a job, and haven't had time to think much about anything.” Well, you can start there. Start writing what's it like to be a working mom or dad and your daily experiences. Get a notebook and write the funny things your kids or other family members do and say.
For example, my daughter was nine-years-old and talking with her friend at dinner. Their conversation drifted to their goals and dreams. “What are you gonna be when you grow up?” her friend asked.
My daughter replied, “I'm gonna be a veternarian.”
With an astonished look her friend asked, “You mean you're never gonna eat meat?”
You see what I mean? That's the kind of stuff you, and only you, can write about. Write what you know.
- Write about your daily work life. If you work forty hours a week you spend over 40% of your time every week on your job. That doesn't count your commute time. This is a rich resource of material for writing. What do you do in your vocation? Write about what you do and you'll discover stories, articles, devotional ideas, and even some humor.
Years ago I worked in a camera store that sold photography equipment and supplies. One day a nervous teenage boy came in and told me his mother sent him to buy a specific type of film.
I said, “Okay, what kind of film does your mother need?”
My tense young customer said, “Black and white.”
Reaching behind me to the film shelf I said, “No problem. Here you go,” and handed him one roll of black and white film.
He looked at the film box and said, “That's not what my mother wants. She said to get black and white film. I need one roll of black film and one roll of white film.”
Only stories like that can come from your daily work life. Like the kids game it is a good writing habit to…Stop, look and listen. There are stories in your workplace and just waiting for you to write them. This is another way you can write what you know.
- Write about your daily spiritual life. This should be the foundation for every Christian writer. Please allow me to emphasize that the best place to start is by doing a daily Bible reading. Then write your interaction with God and your reading in a journal.
During a time in my life when I was experiencing depression, which was unfamiliar to me, I read a verse of scripture in my daily Bible reading that took on new meaning for me.
“Then Solomon said, ‘The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud' …” Kings 8:12.
This verse gave me the confidence that God was with me even when the dark cloud of depression settled on my soul. I wrote in my journal a few lines how God is with me during those moments of depression and all I needed to do was look for him. I wrote what I knew.
If you're like me, however, God seems to pop up in my daily life outside of my devotional times. Sometimes he shows up in quite unusual times and places in my day. You can also write about those times. Whatever you do, write what you know. Better yet, write about your relationship with God and write who you know.
Copyright 2001 Glenn White
Writing Tips in the Bible?/ Heavenly Writing
Yes, there are writing tips in the Bible! The biggest challenge for any writer is not putting words in an article, story, or poem but taking them out. The most beautiful phrase in the world of literature does not mean anything unless it means something. The problem with every writer is sometimes they want to add a beautiful phrase where it doesn't belong. I do, did, and done this.
When I write that special, exquisite, and glorious passage I am transported into a euphoric state where I imagine myself as one of the world's great literary geniuses. I arrive in literary heaven where it seems even God reads and takes notes from what I've written.
Falling from heaven:
My heavenly experience comes crashing down the next week when I re-read my wondrous lines. Yikes! I realize I've put a string of nice but inappropriate images in a story where they don't belong. Not only that, the story is more bloated than I am after a potluck. What's the solution? I cut out, trim down, and re-write the passage until it is lean and clean. I put my words on a diet! Just like I do with my swollen belly after a potluck.
Resources:
There are a few books on the market that show you how to write tight. One of them is titled amazingly, “Write Tight,” by William Brohough and is one of my favorites. By the way, writing tight is a perfect style when you write for the web. A word of caution; please don't use this article as a flawless model of tight writing. I'm still working on that one.
“Okay,” you say, “you've made your point, but I thought this article had a tip from the Bible?” You're right! Here is the writing tip from Bible.
More can mean less
“The more the words, the less the meaning; how does that profit anyone?” Ecclesiastes 6:11 (NIV)
You can take this to extremes, but this is a verse I burned in my heart and my head as a writer. After all, this is advice from the wisest man in the history of world, King Solomon. Not a bad source to quote from when you think about it. Write tight and I think when you do then you will write to inspire.
Copyright 2001 Glenn White
Writer's Dreamkit 4.0
If you're looking for a writing package that provides guidance but isn't overbearing, the Writer's DreamKit package from Dramatica is a great solution. This package is targeted at beginning to intermediate writers, and attempts to get you involved in working out the mechanics of your story before you even begin writing it.You'll get started with the StoryGuide: the central location for establishing your "storyform" and structure. You can work with the StoryGuide either directly or by creating scenes, but either way, the creative work done in this portion will be tracked and available in all other parts of the application. For the fastest route, you can start with one of three structure templates: novel, screenplay, or short story. In these templates, the essential characters are already created. Using these in conjunction with the StoryGuide gives a writer both efficiency and flexibility.
One of the strongest features of the StoryGuide, however, is the Dramatica Query System. This system offers a question and answer approach to storyforming, and allows you to focus on one element, relationship, or idea at a time. In the DQS, the questions may be very straightforward or somewhat indirect; regardless, newer writers will appreciate the help buttons that
appear for each question, offering an explanation, the theory behind the question, usage, illustrations, definitions, context, and story examples.
If a question and answer bombardment or too much structure is not your thing, you can find relief in the Story Engine, which offers a more holistic and freeform approach to identifying your storyform. The Story Engine does lack help, which makes it more suitable for experienced users, and also looks somewhat daunting on the first few uses. However, it also is the quickest way to get to your underlying structure.
While the Writer's DreamKit is somewhat linear in progression, there are many opportunities to diverge from the standard path. You can create characters, one of the most enjoyable parts of the creative process, at any time. You'll do more than just assign a name and a few stock attributes: you'll build your people from scratch (or from a template) and instill in them the complex characteristics that will guide them through your story.
If you've never taken a creative writing class or are looking to refresh your skills, the Writer's DreamKit definitely offers a great foundation for structuring your story. However, it's still up to you to write your great American novel or the next box office hit. --Emilie Dirks
| Guru Spotlight |
| Sheri Ann Richerson |
