A Pen In Each Hand 2010

Adagio
By Beaver

  1. Start a daily creativity project. Maybe it is taking one photo. Maybe it is completing one sketch. Maybe it is writing 100 words. Maybe it is composing a haiku. Whatever you choose, make your daily project concrete and keep it small. It should be something that does not take a lot of time, that is not stressful to do each day, that you can incorporate into your daily routine. Create a space for your project—a Flickr album, a notebook, a blog, a hashtag on Twitter—a place where you are able to look at the body of work as a whole. Not only will this enable you see how quickly just a little bit of creative work each day accumulates, but it will illuminate the problems and ideas you keep returning to in your work and allow you to apply what you learn to your other writing projects.
  2. Begin a new book-length project. Fiction, non-fiction, it's up to you. Maybe right now you just have a shred of an idea. That's ok. In fact, that's perfect. Begin with the conviction that you will complete the work eventually, and deflect any pressure to rush to the end. This is the project you will work on at your own pace, whatever that is. The only rule is that you must actually work on it. It isn't about procrastinating or planning to write a book "some day." This about allowing yourself time to sponge up inspiration, to meander, to go in unexpected directions, to write the best book you can. Set yourself a daily, weekly, or monthly time goal for actively working (this would include brainstorming, researching, outlining, etc., as well as writing) on the project.

Scene Analysis
By Bellman

Analyze a scene (book, TV, or movie) that you particularly like. What goals do each of the characters in the scene have? What are the conflicts and disasters? How do the different sets of goals and conflicts interact with each other?

Get to Know the Editors
By Beaver

Market listings are great for finding potential markets for your writing—but they don't tell you a lot about the personality of the editors. Once you've found a few likely publications, start reading them on a regular basis (making sure not to skip the editorials!). As well, many editors now blog and/or tweet. Subscribing to their blog feeds or following them on Twitter is an easy way to get to know editors better—so when it comes time to submit, you not only know to which publication it would be best to submit your work, but exactly how to personalize your cover letter.

Write a Unique Selling Proposition for Your Non-Fiction Book Idea
By fmwrites

Begin with a "10-Second Elevator Speech." This is the term I use for how you would give a brief summary covering your book's main content in an interest-grabbing way that sets your book apart from all others. As if you had an elevator ride to do so. (Not easy!)

Then, write bullet points on what the reader (consumer) will get, specifically, from reading your book (the reader's take-aways, or the solution to the reader's problem).

Finally, write a couple bullet points on how that will be done (what features of the book will provide those reader benefits). This USP will serve as a wonderfully concise platform for building your or query letter, or book proposal, or marketing plan, or business plan, or grant application… as you can tell, a USP is a powerful tool!

Exercises for Teen Writers
By Baker

  1. Create a physical book or zine. If you want to make a book that looks like it belongs in a bookstore, try Magcloud.com, Lulu.com, CreateSpace, Café Press and/or your local printing shops or office supply stores, etc. Look at the inside covers of books to learn where/how they're printed, particularly in the "local interest" section of bookstores. Read our article about "print on demand" to learn about publishing terms and consult an adult if/when contracts or other agreements are involved.
  2. Write a short story or poem and share it with a relative or friend. Don't ask for feedback or critique unless you feel you're ready for it. Read our article on accepting critiques.
  3. Write something secret, just for you to read.
  4. Visit age-appropriate online writing forums to see how feedback is given, what it means, how writers interact, etc. Toasted Cheese is appropriate for writers 13 and over. If in doubt, have an adult visit writing communities with you.
  5. Create your own writing group and meet to share your writing and talk about writing. Your local bookstores or libraries might be willing to help you create a writing group or to provide a meeting place. Begin with friends and people you trust, not only for your personal safety but for a comfortable sharing environment.
  6. Search for images that inspire you. Do a Google image search for specific words, artists, photographers, etc. and write a story or poem based on what you find.

Analyze an Antagonist
By Beaver

As a writer, undoubtedly you've lovingly crafted your protagonist. But how much time have you spent on your antagonist? Does your villain have a past, motivation, and a flaw? Your antagonist should be just as much a fully-realized character as your protagonist is, so spend some time fleshing him or her out. Make sure he or she is a worthy adversary for your protagonist!

Template
By Beaver

Compose a cover letter that you can use as a template for your future submissions to literary journals.

Choose Your Own Reality
By Billiard

Try writing a story or scene targeted at middle-grade or young-adult readers. Start with something that happened to you (or someone you know) in middle school or high school, but don't worry about sticking too rigidly to reality. Have fun!

Like the Title? Write the Story!
By Bellman

Defictionalize a fictional title mentioned in a book, movie or TV show by writing the story yourself. For example, you could write one of Richard Castle's Derrick Storm mysteries.

Define the Function of Your Non-Fiction Book (or Article)
By fmwrites

With fiction, we think of determining the theme, the crisis, the resolution, but the function isn't really necessary to define. The function of fiction is to entertain and enlighten. With non-fiction, a book needs a factual reason to exist. Try defining function for your non-fiction book idea by answering these questions:

  1. How will my book be used?
  2. Where will it be used?
  3. When, and in what context will it be used?
  4. What problem does my book solve or solution does my book enable?

If you're stumped by this exercise, well then, you might have an reference article on your hands, instead of a book. That's okay; we need reference articles too, to teach us and inspire us.

Enter a Steampunk Contest
By Boots

Feeling the need to try a little steampunk? How about a flash fiction contest? Entries are accepted until November 28, 2010 at The Bookkeeper. Prizes are awarded! Missed the deadline? Click here to find more steampunk writing contests.

Four Exercises
By Baker

  1. At Chasms and Crags, suggest topics or terms you would like to see in a future Writer's Glossary article.
  2. If you don't have a "beta reader," find one. If you're shy about asking friends for feedback, join a writing community (like ours) and establish yourself. Become a reader for other writers and your constructive feedback will not only bring you invitations to become a beta reader but also offers like "Is there something I could look at for you?"
  3. Visit the remainder table at your local bookstore with a budget in mind. Take a chance on one or two books that look interesting. Give yourself a New Year's gift!
  4. Resolve to finish that story or novel in 2011. When it's done, send it for publication, begin sending queries to agents or investigate print on demand options.

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