http://www.yourwritelife.com writing resources - publishing how-to’s - inspiration - memoir, personal essays, short stories, your biz books Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:26:19 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en What is a Short Story? Short stories are a glorious art form. Now that I have that out of the way, let's start talking about them behind their back.  I've been asked on occasion what defines a short story, and what do all short stories have in common.  The answer to that ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/blog/what-is-a-short-story/ No doubt, every writing instructor has their favorite books to recommend. My own bookshelf of writing related books sags from the weight of books I love. Every one of them holds a significant message for the writer and her craft, but few capture a set of basics as ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/books/video-how-stories-work/ I believe I’ve mentioned Writer’s Digest/F + W Media Publisher & Editorial Director Jane Friedman’s blog to readers before.  Jane eats, breathes, and focuses almost all her waking hours on the publishing industry.  She attends conferences, talks to agents, meets with authors, teaches classes, reads prolifically.  She’s sitting in a ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/blog/secrets-to-publishing-success/ When it comes to this writing tool, I'm a rabid proponent that EVERY writer MUST have the J.I. Rodale Synonym Finder on his or her bookshelf. You'll see why when you watch this video. Don't wait another minute to add this book to your Writer's Essential Bookshelf. Frankly, I don't know ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/books/24-video-my-fave-book-for-writers/ The days are getting shorter as summer wanes.  Have you noticed it? I like the new angles the sunlight displays as it moves back northward. Each day is a new day as I open the blind in my office. The sun casts its presence across my desk in significantly different ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/blog/capture-the-season-fall/ Patti Stafford's article A Writer’s Expressions: Word Play and Language Usage offers a reminder and simplification of figurative language terms: - simile - metaphor - personification Using figurative language is like writing poetry.  It’s not always something that flows out easily, but takes time ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/writing/writing-tips/use-figurative-language-to-add-layers-of-art-to-your-writing/ 85 Million People Can’t Be Wrong! Imagine this: If you had a video posted on YouTube last month, your potential audience was 85 Million viewers! Online Video is hot right now and it’s only getting hotter. YouTube is now the 4th most visited site on the Internet, and the 2nd most popular search engine behind ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/blog/do-you-know-how-to-use-online-video-yet/ How old is your dictionary? Do you even HAVE a good dictionary? Is it the one you used in college or before? Make sure you have up-to-date writing resources on your Writer's Essential Bookshelf. http://www.yourwritelife.com/books/video-post-essential-bookshelf-dictionary/ [caption id="attachment_732" align="alignleft" width="70" caption="Frank McCourt in 2007 at Housing Works bookstore in New York City (photo courtesy David Shankbone)"][/caption] Things are a little grayer all over the world today with the passing of author Frank McCourt, on Sunday, July 19, 2009.  Angela’s Ashes, published in 1996, and the first in ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/blog/teachers-brush-with-the-teacher-man/ Here's another writing tool I use all the time.  I borrowed this idea from my days as a time management consultant when I used the DBNF file for prospects who weren't quite ready to buy. The DBNF file is the perfect solution for those times when you need to kill your ... http://www.yourwritelife.com/writing/writing-tips/essential-writing-tool-dbnf/