December 7, 2005
A WriterOnLine Publication

My dear readers,

We’ve got a full issue for you this month.  Maybe it’ll help keep you inside in the warmth during those cold, snowy evenings.  From our usual writers contributing articles about holidays and resolutions to submissions from our readers, this issue has a lot to offer.

With holidays in mind, I’m reminded of the past week or so, spending time with my family over a great Thanksgiving meal, and I look forward to sharing a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s with them as well.  However, it looks like I may have to travel this Christmas to see some of those family members. 

At those times, during the family meals and sharing, I think about why we celebrate these holidays.  Sometimes it is difficult to have holiday cheer when we spend hours in line at stores to buy gift after gift, only to be forgotten by the next holiday.  I wish for you that you may find this same holiday cheer, whether celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, another holiday, or no holiday at all.  May the spirit of this time of year reach you well.  May you count your blessings and enjoy your loved ones.

And, I hope that your holiday cheer may begin with this issue of WOL.  

With Warm Regards,
Jodi L. Rowland

IN THIS ISSUE

Unfortunately we live in a world where people steal, and as writers in the mists of this technological age, it is difficult to keep track of our work.  Don’t let someone plagiarize you.  Find our more in “Beware of Cyber Thieves” by Mary Anne Donovan.

Peter Bowerman offers three more solid tips on writing better in “WRITE BETTER, EARN MORE! (Part 2 of 3): Nine Tips For Instantly Improving Your Marketing Copy.”

Holiday traditions sometimes have unique beginnings, as do relationships. Kelvin Bueckert shares a touching story, full of wonderful images, in “Cookies at Christmas.”

Dance along with Terrie Leigh Relf  in “Come on, Come on, Do the NaNoWriMo With me. …”

The notion of starting over, without a single material item, is daunting.  Our contest winner from the September 6 contest, Robin Ehrlichman Woods shares her experience in “A Brand New Day.”

With the first few snow showers accumulating, it’s easy to think about change.  In this issue’s contest “Seasonal Changing,” you have the opportunity to share a time when you may have changed.

Inspiring young readers may just inspire great writers.  Read Grace Tierney’s article “Writing for Children—Contests to Spark Your Imagination and Theirs” for more information and to find some great contests.

Tired of looking for someone to publish your e-book?  Or looking for a way to publish a book online?  You can publish an e-book yourself.  Find out how by reading “How To Create Your Own E-book For Free” by Colin Galbraith.

Looking for a few handy tips to help make using MS Word a little easier?  Then you should check out Cathy Roger’s article, “HELPFUL HINTS FOR SAVING KEYSTROKES & YOUR SANITY.”

With simplistic, yet elegant images, Mary E. Bone leaves us with a provoking poem, “Jelly fish.”

Offering a recap of the another great conference, Regina Allen shares some experiences in “NECON 25   (Silver Anniversary of the Northeastern Writer’s Conference).”

In “Publish or Perish: It’s Not Only for Academia,” Emily Hanlon offers her perspectives on what it means to be a writer.  Publishing is important, but it’s not everything.

In his column “Random Acts of Language,” Nick DiChario unfolds the controvesry around the genre of Science Fiction: is it a dying art?  Read his article “From the Sublime to the Morose: Is Any Genre Safe?” to find out more.

If reading the “Random Acts of Language” column fires you up and inspires you read some great Sci-fi, then you’ll want to check out Nick DiCharios review in the “Write Book Buzz,” where he explores Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End.

Thomas O’Callaghan, author of Bone Thief, offers some solid advice on publishing your book in “Recipe for Getting Your Book Published: Baste it Now and Again . . . Then Let it Bake for Twelve Years!”

Unlock that darn writer’s block, or take a break from the holiday hubbub with one of Christina Hamlett’s exercises in “SPLAT! HITTING THE WALL WITH WRITER’S BLOCK.”

Gifts from the heart are the most cherished.  Stacy A. Colombo offers a few wonderful holiday gift ideas in “The Gift That Keeps on Giving.”

Using historical events to create an appealing novel is a great way to grad readers’ attention.  In “Weaving Family Stories Into Historical Fiction,” Madonna Dries Christensen explains this in further details.

In this issue’s News, Shelley Bueche encourages us to come up with 10 resolutions for New Year’s, along with other interesting facts.  Make sure you check them out!

Sandra R. Reed reminds us of the benefits of persistence and perseverance when it comes to writing in “Write On!”

Test your talents with words associations with this issue’s puzzle, “Author Hunt.”

And the last but not least - the article from Curmudgeon's Corner. This time Pamela Beers invites you to write a Christmas letter. Read her article "Christmas Letters: Gag Me With A Spoon".

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: GIVE THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE

This holiday season, give someone, yourself included, the gift of knowledge with a course from WriterOnline Learning Center. Awaken your muse with "Creativity: Bringing Out Your Best Stuff," learn the art of writing romance with "Romance, Romance," expand your writing horizons with "Going Global With Your Freelance Career," and many more wonderful choices.

Even better, if you sign up yourself or a loved one (gift certificates provided) for a course between now and December 20, receive a %15 reduction on tuition!

In addition, too, all career-related courses are deductible on your yearly tax return.

So, check out WriterOnline Learning Center for a truly unique and valuable gift for the writers on your shopping list.

 Contest

 

Seasonal Changing

Now that we are pretty deep into the fall season and with winter just on the horizon, write about a time when you experienced a change in your life metaphorically similar to the change of seasons. Read more

Puzzle

 

Author Hunt

Below is a list of word associations. In a group are three words that are somehow related to each other. Read more

News

By Shelley Bueche

 

Books—They’re the New Black!

Start Planning Now, National Fruitcake Day is Just Days Away

New Year’s Resolutions

The Pastafarian Movement

Finally, a Day Created to Embrace Bifocal Sufferers!