September 20, 2005
A WriterOnLine Publication

My dear readers,

It seems that the changes keep rollin’ in here at WOL. I’ve just received word from our publisher that we are adjusting the schedule for the newsletter. Starting on October 5, only one issue of the newsletter will be published a month. I know that many of you, as do I, look forward to your Tuesday mornings, cup of coffee in hand, and pen at the ready to jot down some writing tips or contacts. Now, you’ll have to wait until the first Wednesday of the month to get your fill of WOL.

Honestly, I am looking forward to this opportunity. I feel that our writers and editors will have more time to put together a quality issue for you. We continue to strive to provide you with the most up-to-date information and writing skills. Now, for all of us procrastinators—myself probably the worst of all—we will be ready to keep improving and advancing the newsletter for you, our readers.

Now, to introduce a new voice to WOL, we welcome Stacy Colombo, our Memoir Editor. Stacy comes to us with a strong background in creative non-fiction and poetry, particularly in the field of memoir. She was the co-editor of The Angle at St. John Fisher college, and her poem, "Fluid Motion" will appear in Eternal Portraits, coming out this fall. Stacy is a solid addition to our writing staff and I truly hope that you enjoy her current and upcoming contributions to WOL.

One rather familiar voice making her way back to us is Mary Anne Donovan, Assistant Publisher. Mary Anne is heading up a Digital Writing Column that introduces writers to the world of technology, which continues to rapidly grow around us. Please make sure you read her articles in this issue and upcoming issues.

As it is getting late and my cat, Sophie, continues to chase the cursor on the computer screen with her eight-toed paw, I will bid you adieu. And, until next time, write well, write often, and most importantly, keep writing.

My warm regards,
Jodi L. Rowland

IN THIS ISSUE

 

Looking to spruce up your writing skills or make new contacts within the “writing world?” Regina Allen provides a review of this years “World Horror Convention.” Maybe you’ll make it next year!

In need of a good book to read? Nick DiChario found one that you just might love. Read The Write Book Buzz column to get a glimpse of Tuesdays with Morrie. Please visit The Write Book & Gift Shop online, where you can find a copy of this great work.

Something we can all relate too . . . the stresses of life. Pamela Beers finds gratitude for her life amidst the chaos in “Writing and Stress: A Plethora of Hats or is it Grumble and Gripe?”

“As you venture off to your favorite writing space, keep in mind that what you write may not only be words on a page but a reflection of the person you are, the person you want to be, the different courses of your life and the rewards and consequences that come along with it.” . . . meet our newest member of WOL, Stacy Colombo, Memoir Editor. Read more in her article “Discovering The Person Within: A Look At Memoir Writing.”

Lend a hand . . . reaching out to those in need. Read News by Shelley Bueche to see how you can help the victims of Katrina.

For all you technical gurus out there, and for those dappling in the tech age, Mary Anne Donovan, our Assistant Publisher shares her experiences in the digital realm in the “Digital Writing Column.”

Rhetoric on the Web? Read Mary Anne Donovan’s “Digital Rhetoric of SEO” to find out more.

Hanging onto the last thread of summer . . . read our contest winner from our 8/23 issue, “Summer Swing” by Keisha Poiro.

Another grammar puzzle for you grammar lovers out there. This word search, Grammar, Grammar Everywhere should quench your thirst.

Writing can be an excellent stress reliever. You have a chance to prove this in this issue’s contest, Poetic Battles With Stress.

 

DIGITAL WRITING

By Mary Anne Donovan

Greetings fellow writers!

Since I have left you as chief Editor of WriterOnline, I have been working in the new and emerging field of search engine optimization and digital writing.

What in the world am I talking about, some of you may ask.

Well, it’s like this. The world, it is a’changing. As you’ll see in the article below, we have left the Information Age behind and are now in the Attention Age. The information hasn’t gone away. In fact, there’s more now than ever and it is truly overwhelming. Therefore, as more and more information goes onto the World Wide Web, the challenge is to get and keep the attention of readers and visitors. And when Google has over 7 billion pages indexed, you can see how difficult that might be!

So what’s the next step in a logical progression regarding getting this attention? It’s writing – good writing, persuasive writing, writing that jumps off the screen and compels the reader, keeping his attention, preventing him from clicking off to surf on other, more interesting information waves.

Starting with this issue, WOL brings you tips and information you can use to explore new opportunities in the field of digital writing. We’ll tell you how to write copy that encourages search engines to rank a web site highly, how to work with web designers to present search engine friendly designs, and how to develop effective keywords using a step-by-step process.

So join us and enter this new world of digital writing. Check out our web site on search engine optimization, and consider adding a new and extremely valuable skill to your writing repertoire.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wanted: Contest and Puzzle Editor

WOL is looking for an editor for our contest and puzzle sections of our newsletter.  This is an excellent opportunity to show your crafty and/or witty skills.  Contest and Puzzle Editor is responsible for writing contests and puzzles for each issue and for selecting winners for both contests and puzzles.  If interested, please contact editor@writer-on-line.com

 Contest

 

Poetic Battles With Stress

As a lover of poetry, I enjoy reading others’ works. So, for this contest, please write a poem about stress in your life. How does stress effect you?Read more

Puzzle

 

Grammar, Grammar Everywhere

Below is a word search, where eleven grammar related words are hidden. Read more

News

By Shelley Bueche

Cup of Joe to Relieve Your Morning Stress (and keep those eyelids from shutting)?

Quick—Change Your Travel Plans for the Holidays!

Lend a Hand!