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July 2015 Newsletter

Our monthly newsletters are back, better than ever. After a year hiatus, we're excited to present our new design, featuring website news and the best content on WritingForums.org. 

Use the table of contents below to jump to different sections of the newsletter.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Announcements
     Staff Appointments
     Forum Changes

Summer Writing Contest
Interviews Featured Software
Supporter Membership
Blog Spotlight

Announcing the Development Blog
Bi-Weekly Contest Winners
     Recent Winners
     Current Contests
     Open Voting

Featured Threads
Miscellaneous 
     Follow Us on Social Media
     Share This Newsletter
     Contact WritingForums.org Staff
     Unsubscribe

Announcements

 
Staff Appointments
Summer Writing Contest

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Exactly

We are pleased to announce our new Summer Writing Contest. This contest is sponsored and run by our senior staff. In this contest, the theme is an image prompt, and entries must be exactly 1000 words. No more, no less. No genre restrictions.



This photograph is provided by Obsindian_cicatrix

This contest is available to members who were registered by July 9th, 2015. Submissions are open until July 31st, 2015. The winner of the Summer Contest will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card, and the runner-up will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card.


Official Announcement & Contest Details
 

Interviews

Secret by Kate SherwoodInterview with Bayview

Bayview, who writes under the name Kate Sherwood, was interviewed at the end of last March. Bayview's published works include Sacrati and Mark of Cain. Learn more about Kate Sherwood and view all books by Kate Sherwood on Amazon.com

Read the full interview here.

Terry Ervin

Interview with Terry Ervin

Read the interview of published fantasy writer Terry Ervin. Terry Ervin is a long-time member, posting under the username TWErvin2. This interview focuses on fantasy and characters. Learn more about Terry Ervin and find Terry Ervin on Amazon.com.

Read the full interview here.
 

Are You Published on Amazon?


Did you know that WritingForums.org offers opportunities to showcase your published work, for free? You can display your work in the our directory, in the Success Stories forum, and in our Amazon Bookstore. All items purchased through our Amazon store have the benefit of supporting the site. Learn how to add your writing to our Bookstore.

Featured Articles

Getting Story Ideas - Writing Inside the Box
written by Lamkin
When designing a story to really grab a reader's attention, the phrases, “writing what you know” and “using your imagination” can sometimes be misleading and unhelpful. I find that they're often far more useful with guidance.
Story Fire & Faction
written by qwertyportne
"Story Fire" sets the stage for "Faction" by reminding writers that stories, though fiction, have the power to change lives. "Faction" can help writers put meat on the bones of their characters and get blood flowing in their veins by fleshing them out in a specific, realistic context.
written by peachalulu
Theme for me is the backbone of my story. The sum of what it's all about. It can be something as vague as revenge to something more exact like learning to trust and accept offers of friendship. A good theme can also be wrapped up in an idea.
4 Popular Misconceptions About Plagiarism
written by Alexx121
For most of you, the idea of plagiarism is shrouded in secrecy. Not everyone knows what is plagiarism, what it is not, who usually commits plagiarism or what does copyright law include. That is why I've decided to disprove 4 popular misconceptions about plagiarism.
How to get the critique luvin'! by Wreybies

So, you've fulfilled your requirements and waited the two weeks, posted here and there in the forum, chatted, made friends, given your two requisite critiques and now you're ready to post your own work. Exciting and slightly scary. You hope for good, positive, constructive feedback. You post your thread. There it is. It's in public view. 

 How to Glean Writing Tips from your Favorite Books by peachalulu

The good thing about gathering tips from your favorite authors or books is that they’re more significant and personal to you than a how-to novel which may not quote anything you like or even anything that resonants which makes the information ( no matter how helpful ) harder to absorb, hold, or even understand. By researching writers you like it’s a little like creating your own how-to guide formatted to fit your needs.

 My First Attempt at Self Publishing by peachalulu

A few months ago I decided I would try self publishing. I was curious about the process. How is it done? Is it as easy as everyone says? What does the final product look like? I didn’t have a novel to put up but other fellow writer’s that I knew were posting short stories and I decided that I would post a short too.

 

Featured Resources

WriteItNow 

WriteItNow v5WriteItNow is an application that has many tools to assist in the structuring, creation, and organization of a novel-length work. It has a variety of downloadable extras like historical data, "prompts" to coach you in structuring Acts in a 3-Act work, provide inspiration, etc.

FocusWriter

Focus WriterFocusWriter is a simple, distraction-free writing environment. It utilizes a hide-away interface that you access by moving your mouse to the edges of the screen, allowing the program to have a familiar look and feel to it while still getting out of the way so that you can immerse yourself in your work. It’s available for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, and has been translated into many different languages.

yWriter

yWriter 5
yWriter is a word processor which breaks your novel into chapters and scenes, helping you keep track of your work while leaving your mind free to create. It will not write your novel for you, suggest plot ideas or perform creative tasks of any kind. yWriter was designed by an author, not a salesman!
 

Scrivener 

Scrivener
Scrivener is a word processor and project management tool that stays with you from that first, unformed idea all the way through to the final draft. Outline and structure your ideas, take notes, view research alongside your writing and compose the constituent pieces of your text in isolation or in context. Scrivener won't tell you how to write—it just makes all the tools you have scattered around your desk available in one application.
 

View All Resources | Add a Resource | Discuss Writing Software

Supporter Membership

WritingForums.org does not presently cover 100% of it's costs through advertising revenue. Our premium Supporter Membership helps cover the server bills.

Supporters receive a number of benefits, including: advertisement-free browsing, a private forum, dedicated usergroup, and can by-pass the 20 post/14 day Workshop requirements (though you still need to review to post). There are a number of other benefits and we will consider suggestions on how to improve our Supporter Membership.

Discount Codes:

25% off ANY Membership Purchase: q5Cz2rVN
50% off ANY Membership Purchase: CvkLUM2PMnit775eVFtoaQB1 [One Use Only]

Click here to make a Supporter subscription or purchase. Gift subscriptions are available.

 
View Membership Options

Blog Spotlight

On song and a mood by TheSerpantofNar

On atmosphere and menace in horror by TheSerpantofNar

Introducing "After Adults" by Ockham

The inexistence of proper master-apprentiece language tuition by Hwaigon

 
A Look Back at My First Novel by peachalulu

Writing Conundrum: stories to inform VS. stories to entertain. by Stuxxy

The improper insanity of intellect and the quest for a soul by Boger

Journey Into Writing Part 1: My Influences by Charles Whitfield

 Announcing the Development Blog


We recently announced the new WritingForums.org Development Blog. We have ambitious long-term plans for the development and growth of WF. Over the next several months and coming years, we aim to add value to all members by enabling them to become better writers and successful authors.

This purpose of this blogging area is to provide previews of planned improvements and upcoming features, gather feedback on options we're considering, and to engage the community in the forum's short-term and long-term growth. This blog is intended to act as a roadmap, a teaser, an accountability mechanism, and insurance that our future plans are in line with the community. This blog may also feature announcements, feature tutorials, information on behind-the-scene operations, staff Q&As, and policy change explanations.

WF already has a small development team that proposes, discusses, and implements new ideas. In part, the development blog is an extension of this process. It is an opportunity to share you voice and play a real role in developing WritingForums.org. 

Read the first blog post for some minor teasers. Follow the blog here for new post updates. Think you have something to offer the development team? Message Daniel or the Staff Account. The next post is coming within the next few days!

Bi-Weekly Contest Winners

 

Recent Winners


Recent Short Story Contest Winners:
174: The Scout by Spencer Rose
173: Inheritance by Lancie
172: The Tooth Fairy by Lancie
171: Dinner for Two by Sethypoo98

Recent Poetry Contest Winners:
263: Her Ghost by LOliver
262: The Conversation by Chinspinner
261: "Take my hand." With a smile I'll call
260: Ruffle by lustrousonion

Recent Flash Fiction Contest Winners:
23: "Devoured" by Megalith & "Curtain A or What's in the Box" by edamame
22: Hatching Day by edamame
21: What's The Time, Mr Wolf? by NigeTheHat
20: Thief by -oz

Voting & Open Contests


Bi-Weekly Short Story Information
Current Contest: #177 Announcement
Theme: Afterlife
Word Limit: 500-3000 words
Deadline: Sunday, July 19th, 2015 1600 (4:00 pm US Pacific)

Open Voting: Voting for #176 "Into the Woods"
Deadline: Sunday, July 19th, 5:30 Pacific Time

Bi-Weekly Poetry Information
Current Contest: Poetry Contest #266 Announcement
Theme: Heat
Deadline: Saturday, July 11th, 11:59 PM EST

Open Voting: Voting for #265 "Bucket"
Deadline: 07/11/2015

Flash Fiction
Open Voting: Voting for #24 Bread

Deadline: July 25th, 6:00 p.m. EST

Featured Threads

Publishing

  1. Which is it, free or pay?
  2. Profit and Loss in Publishing
  3. What the New Generation of Agents Thinks
     Self-Publishing
  1. Studying the Traits of Successful Authors
  2. Independent Authors and Publishing
  3. Font Recommendations
     Electronic Publishing
  1. Publishing on iBooks
  2. The value of professional editing?
  3. How much can you realistically make e-publishing?
     Marketing
  1. Creating websites for books
  2. Concerns in Independent Marketing
  3. Does Kickstarter work?

Insights & Inspiration

  1. Is It Literary or Entertainment?
  2. How do we attack discouragement?
  3. I just found out why my creativity is gone (this could help you as well)

The Art of Critique

  1. Struggling to write a Critique
  2. Just had my worst ever review
  3. Author freaking out over one star review

Software

  1. Windows 10 For Free
  2. Anyone use the Hemmingway app?
  3. What is the best word processor

Success Stories

  1. Yay! New Book Out!
  2. I Have A Publisher For My First Novel!
  3. Top 100 paid (if only briefly)

Book Discussion

  1. Famous books you never cared for/understood the appeal of?
  2. Any Short Stories That Have Stuck With You?
  3. Your Top 3 Fantasy Series?

Writing Prompts

  1. Job Title Euphemism Game
  2. Explain a book (badly)
  3. Create bad poetry
Character Development
  1. This feels wrong to me. Opinions?
  2. Writing Homosexual Characters/Romance
  3. When Characters Affect the Author.
Plot Development
  1. Avoiding obvious plot lines?
  2. Does this make enough sense as a plot turn, or is it to over the top?
  3. Do these count as plot holes?
Setting Development
  1. Beast men using no weapons
  2. Potential need for lavish descriptions
  3. How long do you spend world building?
Word Mechanics
  1. Past perfect tense
  2. Silence
  3. Questions in dialogues
General Writing
  1. Anyone here do copywriting?
  2. What happens when you don't get published?
  3. How "Original" is your work?
  4. Pushing through
By-The-Genre
  1. Is Magical Realism a genre?
  2. Writing Western Novel
  3. YA or Not YA?
  4. What is Appropriate romance for young adults?
       Erotica
  1. Sample Chapter of Erotica
  2. What Are Your Thoughts On Erotica?
  3. Website Hosting Woes! - Writer's Erotica Website
       Fantasy
  1. White Characters Dominating Fantasy Worlds
  2. Creating a Magic system
      Science Fiction
  1. What are you tired of seeing in Sci-Fi movies?
  2. Why Couldn't Spaceships be Rectangles?
  3. What is SciFi exactly?
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Thank you,
Daniel
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