Post NaNoWriMo Blues

How to handle the blues after the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

New Technical Writer - Use The Persona To Create The Most Useful Section Of Your User Document

A good User Document includes sections on how to set up, use, and care for the product. However, to create a great User Document, the technical writer should use the Persona, generated in the analysis of the User/Reader, to create the topics for the most useful section of the User Document. This article describes this procedure.

Eulogy on the Sonnet

There is just something simply elegant about packing a ton of meaning into a fourteen line poem, which we know as the sonnet. I came to write sonnets as a result of having been asked by a student, whom I was tutoring over the internet via email, to help her with an English assignment. This task involved writing a sonnet. Having been a big fan of the Sonnets of William Shakespeare (having memorized at one time at least twenty-five or so, and having written a short book on the subject), I delighted in the task. The result was that I became an avid writer of this famous English poem.

The Art of Interviewing

For me, the heart of research has always been the ability to elicit information from others. For years, it never occurred to me to go to the library or rummage through magazines or official documents. If I wanted to know about something, I found experts on that subject and tried to crawl inside their minds. Little by little, I learned the art of interviewing; and, over the years, the ability to do it well has proved to be one of my most valuable strengths.

Mind Like a Macintosh (or How to Be an Organized Writer)

I hope Windows users will not take offense at this; but, in truth, it was Macintosh that invented double-clicking on little folders to retrieve files and documents. Before that creative breakthrough, maneuvering around computer directories was (in my view) a nightmare. I was rarely in the right directory; and, if, by chance I was, I couldn’t remember the name of the file. The Mac, on the other hand, seemed so logical, so user friendly, and so organized. To me, it was and remains a metaphor for how a writer must be able to quickly put her hands on exactly what she needs, when she needs it -- be that a file, an invoice, a scrap of paper with a phone number on it, a business card, a memo, or draft #2 of something that is now in its fifth incarnation. Alone or with help, you can bring order to chaos. Here is what you have to do.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Between The Magic Flight and the Crossing of the Return

Between the Magic Flight and the Crossing of the Return Threshold, a hell of a lot happens that is, incredibly, rarely given mention. Here the Hero and his (or her) allies, again, enter a new domain which is represented in many ways. In Robocop (1987), the cops declare a strike.

Why Become A Writer Or Author

You know one of the best parts of writing is to see how it can change people's lives. You can do a lot of great things through writing. It is much akin to skipping rocks in a pond and watching the ripple affect and pondering your place in the world. It has been a fun philosophy lesson for me in fact? I have very much enjoyed this experiment of mine, as I have now written 11,111 articles and put them online.

Real-Life Drama Writing

Writing drama stories can be difficult at times. There are days, even weeks, when our lives are mundane or down right boring. It can really put a crimp in your writing flow. Yet, drama is all around us. It is hiding just beneath the surface, waiting to spring out and grab us.

188 Stage Hero's Journey - Monomyth - Allies and Enemies

The Hero often has Allies in his Ordinary World that will accompany him on his Journey (often these are developed or more are encountered in the First Threshold). In Lord of the Rings (2001), Frodo has Sam and Pippin et al. It is these Allies' Challenges that form the basis of the subplot.

188 Stage Hero's Journey - Monomyth - Usefulness Of The Loop

Often the loop is closed once the Hero has completed his (or her) Journey and returns to his or her Ordinary World. In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Frodo et al return to the idyllic (and now safe) Shire. In The Great Escape (1963), Hilts and some of the other prisoners return to the camp.

Trust The Creative Writing Process

Creativity is a mysterious process. When I first began to write, the miracle of starting with nothing and ending up with pages of coherent copy were a mystery to me. I knew only that, when I sat down at my little electric portable, something magical happened; but I didn't know where the magic came from. Eventually, however, I was able to break it down into five critical steps.

Writing Your Book--How to Find the Time to Write

Let's face a couple of facts: 1. Writing a book will take a chunk of time and energy. 2. Your life is already full, and you have no extra time. Given these two facts, how can you make the time to write the book you have inside your head, the book that’s been calling to you to write for months or even years?

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Rebirth Characteristics

Surviving the Near Death Experience triggers a Rebirth, which is demonstrated in a number of ways. Physical Expressions of Joy. In Star Wars (1977), Luke et al rejoice at surviving the garbage compactor. Celebrations. In Dances with Wolves (1990), the tribe celebrates.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Final Conflict, Inner Resolve

Post the birth of the New Self, a reward is received. Remaining Challenges are conquered. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie and Clyde finally have sex. Bonnie has an orgasm.

Writing -- Use Gender Neutral English and Write With All Your 5-Senses Engaged

Whenever possible, use gender-neutral words and expressions to prevent offending any of your readers. And write with Your Five Senses Engaged to Increase Web Site Traffic.