The Writer December 2009

Get Started: Stay on track with 6 types of journals
Regular journaling offers a great writing exercise, but it is also a fine tool for harnessing the raw material of living for writing. A variety of journals have served this writer well. ANN EDWARDS CANNON

Breakthrough: Writer leaves comfort zone, finds niche at Random House
A book related to technology and parenting seemed far outside the writer's interests and background, but she was in for some pleasant surprises. SHARON CINDRICH

Off the Cuff: A case for plot
How one author learned to open up her characters to conflict and action in order to tell a compelling story. MARY MILLER

Poet to Poet: Dare you and another poet collaborate?
Sure, collaborative poems aften fail, but our writer is forced to admit that they're pretty darn fun. She offers some praiseworthy examples, too. MARILYN TAYLOR

INTERVIEW
Building from ideas, details and honesty
For Janet Burroway, co-author of one of the most popular writing textbooks and author of critically praised fiction, essays and plays, writing is a vital quest for discovery. ELFRIEDA ABBE

Archive: 10 habits for a successful writing practice
A writing teacher and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist reflects on the behaviors that separate those who want to write from those who do. DONALD M. MURRAY

New words = new articles
Web sites and other sources that actively track new language can offer, well, a "metric buttload" of ideas for writers. MARK PETERS

Step by Step: Through a child's eyes
Whether you wish to compose a story in a child's voice, or simply to improve the dialogue and portrayal of children in your writing, here are some tips on how to write from the unique perspective of a youngster. BETTY WILSON BEAMGUARD

COVER STORY
Apply a book doctor's eye to your own fiction
Here, from a veteran independent book editor and author of a number of popular writing books, is a concise self-editing checklist for key issues of characterization, story and plot. Why not spot a problem before an editor or literary agent does? ELIZABETH LYON

Manage the writing/parenting challenge
Being an effective juggler is an eternal challenge for writing parents. Here are five principles to help guide you and get the most out of your talent. KAREN M. RIDER

Give them something to talk about
For realistic dialogue, allow your characters to indulge in rumor and speculation--and they'll reveal something about their own nature to readers. KAREN HEULER

Technology: When you yearn to smash your computer
Here are 10 common technical problems writers might face--and some suggested solutions. TRIONA GUIDRY

Freelance Success: Gear up with writing goals
A new year is a good time for goal-setting. Our writer describes how to blend outcome and performance objectives to create a road map for success. KELLY JAMES-ENGER

Market Focus: The spirit of Christian fiction today
Publishers are looking for the next blockbuster in this successful niche market. RANDY RUDDER

Literary Spotlight: Hobart
This month's spotlight is on the literary journal Hobart, describing its tone, preferences and contributors. MELISSA HART

The Writer, 2009, December