May 17 , 2005
A WriterOnLine Publication

My dear readers,

We have lots of exciting things to tell you about in this issue of WriterOnline!

The focus of this issue is Internet resources, and several of our articles deal with that theme. Jodi tells you all about them, and others, below. But as a variation on this theme, I want to talk to you a bit about a pet peeve of mine related to this topic.

I am also an adjunct professor at a local liberal arts college. I teach (surprise) – writing!! In fact, this past semester I taught this really neat course with a solid digital communication bent. The rationale for this approach is that today, most business writing and communication occurs via email and other modes of digital discourse. So in addition to email, we explored the use of instant message, chat rooms, and blogging in business applications, with a focus on comparing these new cyber-modes with traditional communication vehicles. The exercises and discussions really got the students thinking critically about effective writing, communication, and the use of the Internet, which brings me to my point.

My peeve is related to my liberal arts colleagues who instruct their students NOT to use Internet sources in their research. SCREAM!!!! Here are the reasons for my frustration. First, the Internet is not going away, folks, so we must integrate it into our worlds and curricula. Second, allowing Internet sources requires considerable skill from students because they must sort through the rubbish to find good, credible information – a true exercise in discrimination and critical thinking. Third, my colleagues will eventually become outdated dinosaurs because of their reluctance to move forward into the new realm of literacy, and therefore facilitate the doom of the liberal arts forever as a viable course of study.

The thing is, the study of literature does not have to exclude the myriad resources available on the web. In fact, what about new forms of computer-based literature, such as Shelley Jackson's Patchwork Girl? Patchwork Girl blends hypertext format with pieces of text directly from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a particularly interesting device since Patchwork Girl is the female counterpart to Frankenstein. Instead of dealing with linear interpretation, Patchwork Girl demands an ability to think multi-dimensionally, to overlay classic with contemporary, to test the limits of criticality and creativity in thinking. I encourage you all to take a gander at this new genre of literature, and for you adventurous souls to even give your own go at it!

As I ponder the Internet, thanks to our focus in this issue, I wonder perhaps if some of the reluctance to embrace it as a future classic in its own right comes from its ever-elusive nature? It doesn't seem real, we can't touch it, taste it, see it, feel it. It is an outgrowth of Star Trek and Star Wars. It's nothing but games and junk. (Not to say Star Wars and Star Trek are junk, they are true classics in their own right). But it's none of these things and all of these things.

ANNOUNCING: THE CYBER PORTAL: Digital and Traditional Worlds Meet in Writers' Mecca

And now…. enter a portal in cyber space and join us in a true brick and mortar connection! We are so excited to join forces with a real, live, old-fashioned bookstore nestled in the quaint little upstate New York town of Honeoye Falls. From now on, The Write Book and Gift Shop will be the official bookstore for WOL – a melding of digital and traditional worlds into a writers' Mecca! Take a tour of its cozy interior, settle down in front of the fireplace with a cappuccino or cup of tea, and let owner and award-winning author Nick DiChario help you select a book, or order one for you. A new feature in WOL is now, for most of our articles, our authors and writers will recommend a book that compliments or augments their discussions with a direct link to Nick's bookstore!! And listen to this – Nick does not charge postage!! Later on, Nick will have a gift shop with treasures geared just for the discriminating writer's eye – we'll keep you posted as to when that will be available.

NEW COLUMN: RANDOM ACTS OF LANGUAGE

Also in this issue, Nick begins gracing us with his monthly column, Random Acts of Language! You'll love his style and unique outlook on life in general, and we are thrilled to have him on board.

ANNOUNCING: WRITERS' MENTORING SERVICE

With this issue we are also introducing a Writers' Mentoring Service. We call it a mentoring service because we want to help you wherever you're at with your writing, whether it be reading some odds and end notes you've collected and helping you figure out how to proceed with your career, or editing that manuscript before you send it off to an agent or publisher. Read more about it.

SUBSCRIBER INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Here's your chance to get a wonderfully delightful piece by Mark Twain free for recommending subscribers to WOL. Receive a copy of How To Sell a Story and Others when we get a new subscriber who you recommend. Instruct your writing friends, neighbors, and colleagues to send an email to editor@writer-on-line.com requesting to be added to our mailing list. And also tell them to be sure to include your name and email address.

LEARNING CENTER SUMMER SESSION

And one last thing – we are offering some great savings on our Learning Center courses for the months of June, July, and August. Sign up for any one course and save 10%, two courses – 15%, and three courses – 20%! What a way to spend the summer, brushing up on your writing skills or learning to do a kind of writing you've never done before. Go for it!

Phew, a mouthful today, eh?

Read on, my friends, enjoy, and until next issue, keep that ink flowing and those keyboards a'clacking

My warm regards,
Mary Anne Donovan

P. S. Have you seen Writer Online Learning Center lately? Just like here at WOL, the Learning Center has a whole new look, not to mention a new name. We have 25 courses, covering a broad range of interests and subject matter. New to the line up is Fiction Know-How, taught by Deborah Sutton. Check out the course description. Another cool course is Writing Poetry Inspired by Landscape or Place, taught by Jodi Rowland. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, check out Digital Communication Methods and Introduction to Technical Writing taught by yours truly.

IN THIS ISSUE

 

Internet lingo can be pretty dull, and sometimes, down right confusing, for some that is.  Yet, Pamela Beers will have you anticipating your chance to use, or misuse, this terminology in “The Curmudgeon: Net Lingo: Huh!?”

If you have a decent Web site, or just a “work in progress” sign tacked up on the front page of your site, Peter Bowerman offers some stellar tips to having a successful Web site in “THE SIMPLE TRUTH ABOUT WEB SITES: Make Yours Light and “Easy to Swallow” And Eat Well Later!”

With her skillful use of onomatopoeia and other literary devices, Ruth Marks makes us feel present in her words.  By reading her four poems, you will begin to feel, and hear, and see the world that her poems create. 

Get distracted?  According to Aleta George’s experiences, which are shared in “SYMPATHY FOR DISTRACTIONS: An Afternoon with a Poet Laureate” distractions shouldn’t hinder the writing process, but enhance it.  If you’re wondering how this might work, make sure you check out this article. 

If you’re feeling let down lately by your writing or by the rejection of others, or if you’ve experienced this in the past, then you’ll relate to and gain from reading our newest column: “Random Acts,” written by our new editor, Nick DiChario.  This column offers you the opportunity to truly enjoy writing . . . again. 

Now, what you’ve all been waiting for, your own thoughts and opinions shared in this very newsletter!  Take a look at the column “IT'S YOUR TURN,” which shares WOL readers’ viewpoints on “To Sim or Not to Sim,” compiled by Mary Anne Donovan.  Be sure to send in your answers for next issue!

Shelley Bueche “shares the magic” and the out of the ordinary in this issue’s News.

While daydreaming at your desk or at the kitchen sink, steer your thoughts to your hopes and aspirations of being a successful writer.  Now, put those thoughts into writing!  This issue’s contest, Dare to Dream, offers you the chance to share your story.  Also, check out “Hair Today, Hair Tomorrow” by Joy E. Cressler, winner of our last contest, Gimme' a Head With Hair! Long, Beautiful Hair!!

Hope you’re up for a challenge!  This issue’s puzzle might have you reaching for your book self; not for a flower/garden dictionary, but for the titles of the new books you’ve been attempting to read or those classics you haven’t touched from the old college days.  Your DVD collection may point you in the right direction as well.  Good luck!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SAVINGS: LEARNING CENTER SUMMER SESSION

They're back! Those infamous lazy, hazy days when many of us writers tend to languish on our front porches sipping mint juleps and scratching at mosquito bites. Instead, this summer, swat those mosquitoes, switch to iced tea, and hone your writing skills with a course (or two, or three) from the WriterOnline Learning Center. And take advantage of our special Summer Session pricing:

• Take 1 course, save 10%

• Take 2 courses, save 15%

• Take 3 courses save 20%

Decide which courses you want to take, and we'll be back with sign up details in our next issue!

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Let us guide you on your writing path

We have a cadre of wonderful writers and teachers who are available to work with you whatever your writing need or problem. If you need advice on what direction to take your writing, we can help. If you have a manuscript that needs a good edit, we can help. If you need someone to brainstorm article ideas with, we can help. And if you have any other issue with your writing, we can help.

Contact us with a description of your need and desired service. We will then contact you so we can find the person who will best suit your needs. The cost of our service is $35 per hour. For more information email editor@writer-on-line.com

Contest

 

Dare To Dream

As writers, we have always dreamed of becoming the next Stephen King or Mary Higgins Clark. So, here is your chance. Tell us what your life is like now and how “making it big” will change it. What would you do or buy with all that money? What do your friends and family think of your writing career now and what would they think of it when your dream comes true? Will your life change drastically or just slightly? Read more

Puzzle

 

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

It's May, that lusty, gusty, month when flowers are everywhere, leaves burst on trees, and gardens spring to life! For this issue's puzzle, we give you the name of a flower, garden, or tree, and you have to fill in the other blanks to come up with the title of a book or movie. Read more

News

By Shelley Bueche

Exploding Toads?

Shooting Bidets? Lewis Black, the Red Skeleton of his Generation

The Frommer’s Guide to Elective Surgery in Thailand?

Reading is Magic—Creating a Win-Win Situation