Writer's Digest - Writer's Digest August 2006

Writer's Digest August 2006

Item No. #WD0806

InkWell

Do men read?
TV and screenwriting books
the winner of WD 's inaugural poetry contest
book signing from home
e-distractions
successful habits of debut authors
debut short-story contest

WRITE BETTER
Beyond Basic Blunders
by Jerry B. Jenkins
Exclusive advice on avoiding the not-so-obvious errors that plague many stories.

Killer Personalities
by Charles Atkins
A former psychiatrist and published novelist breaks down four psychological profiles worth mining when creating your next villain.

What's My Line?
by Michael J. Vaughn
How to choose the right occupations for your fictional characters.

Book Buzz
by Maria Schneider
Sarah Dunant puts the story in history with our latest selection, the novel In the Company of the Courtesan .

Fiction Essentials
by Nancy Kress
Reshape your story so the essential prose shines through.

Writing Clinic
by Gloria Kempton
Just like any compelling piece of writing, a personal essay needs to convey a conflict and a resolution.

GET PUBLISHED
Your Passport to Travel Writing
by Tom Connor
Editors from the biggest travel magazines talk about what they're looking for from freelance writers. PLUS: Ethics in travel writing.

Just Add Writer
by Tim Waggoner
Here's how to break in to media-related tie-in novels and why there's a lot more room for creativity than you might think.

Freelancer's Workshop
by David A. Fryxell
Avoid these nine common grammatical errors to make your submission stand out from the crowd.

WORK SMARTER
The 2006 WD Guide to Writing Software
by Jack Clemens
Our intrepid writer/reporter puts writing software to the test. Which programs are worth your money?

The Truth About Writing Contests
by Amy Cook
Here's the inside scoop on writing contests--including how to know if you're entering one you can trust. PLUS: Spotting suspicious contest and resources to find good ones.

This Writer's Life
by Kevin Alexander
Our writer learns that building solid relationships with editors can sustain his writing career.

Questions & Quandaries
by Brian A. Klems
Answers to your questions on pseudonyms and using hyphens.

Mind Your Business
by Tom Connor
Be a cheerleader for your book so you're not forced to rely solely on your publisher to do the promoting.

STAY INSPIRED
Supercharge Your Creativity
by Joe Ortiz
Try these ingenious games to get your right brain ready to write--in five minutes or fewer.

Spilling Secrets
by Sandra Hurtes
Revealing dark, personal secrets can be cathartic for an author and inspiring for readers, as these authors have proved.

The WD Popular Fiction Awards
Good Grace
by Chuck Sambuchino
Meet the winner of our first-ever popular fiction competition and read her chilling story. PLUS: A list of the first-place winners and honorable mentions in each category.

A Match Made in Maui
by Kristin D. Godsey
Popular romance writer Jennifer Crusie met thriller/
sci-fi author Bob Mayer at a writing conference, and the two promptly decided a collaboration was in order. The duo talk about genre-bending, collaborating across time zones and writing with the opposite sex. PLUS: An excerpt from their first book, Don't Look Down .

Inspiration Points
by Jeannie Greeley
When a wide-eyed young writer comes to you for advice, how can you be encouraging--but still honest? Here's how. PLUS: Quick pick-me-ups.

Kids Teach the Darndest Things
by I.J. Schecter
A fun--and surprisingly informative--essay on learning about writing from toddlers.

The WD Fiction Interview:Jay Mcinerney
City Scribe
by Maria Schneider
This literary bad boy grew up with his novels and found himself with a new take on New York and a new approach to his fiction. PLUS: An excerpt from his latest book, The Good Life .

The WD Nonfiction Interview:Gay Talese
A Writer of Uncommon Character
by Maria Schneider
One of the founding fathers of literary nonfiction talks about the distinct line between fiction and nonfiction. PLUS: Excerpts from his latest book, A Writer's Life .

The Last Word
by Jack Clemens
Even as a member of a distinctive literary club, Virginia Woolf broke new ground all by herself.

PLUS . . .
Editor's Letter
Reader Mail
The Markets: 26 listings for consumer and trade magazines, book publishers, agents and contests.
Breaking In: Writing advertorials can be a good way to boost your career--and your bank account.
5 Questions for: Karen Zarker, head of the new PopMatters Books Imprint.