Tips on writing
Write a book for a ready readership Choosing a topic to write a book manuscript that targets a wide readership is perhaps just as daunting as it is to follow one’s subjective notion of a theme’s importance. On the one hand it might seem logical to opt for a topic that you know well or would like to know more about through research. On the other hand if a published work does not yet exist, it makes sense that you should write it. There is of course the risk that many ‘new’ subjects may already be works-in-progress and not yet announced. Concise outline While it is of course necessary to do extensive research to determine what you are up against, it is essential to take the subject in a direction that surpasses, by comparison, similar literature. In other words, the author should consider what message the book will need to convey to be a real game-changer. Without giving away too much, it is wise to present publishers with a brief synopsis of the proposed book; and a list of chapter headings, each with a concise outline what each chapter covers. Topic ideas I’ve toyed with numerous unconventional topics that I believe people in our modern age might be interested in to expand their knowledge, such as developing critical life skills to shape a better future; the pros and cons of emerging technologies; is mankind prepared for an evolutionary leap?; survival in a hostile environment; merging human capital with artificial intelligence; unlocking our DNA; and initiating new “breakthrough” earth-friendly business industries. Writing isn’t easy Most writers agree that the hardest part of writing a manuscript is creating a fairly rigid routine and adopting an attitude of dogged persistence to yield a well-written piece of work. A complete manuscript does not magically appear; it starts with typing the title and the authors’ name, followed by the opening sentence and several paragraphs until an entire chapter has materialized. Structured plan Writing a book manuscript occurs in three critical phases: the beginning, planning ahead to stay motivated to enthrall the reader, and bringing the project to a fantastic close. Before you can start writing you first need to create a framework of various aspects of the topic and sub-areas you want to explore. Knowing what your book is about allows you to focus not only on the word count but also a timeline from start to finish. The length and number of chapters depends on the type of book you plan to write. For instance a white paper has 10 000 words, short eBook comprises 20 000 words, standard nonfiction novella (40 000 to 60 000 words), long novel (60 000 to 100 000 words) and epic-length novel/academic publication/biography (100 000...
Read MoreMust-Read Books about Writing
Books on overcoming the struggles of writing The Writing Life by Annie Dillard The author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek shares words of wisdom in this handy book where she discusses the difficulties of writing. She writes about how hard it is to write and how sometimes it is necessary to destroy paragraphs, phrases and words to re-form them as something even better. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron From time to time, every writer suffers from burnout or writer’s block. Julia Cameron’s book focuses on the craft of writing and training yourself to be even more creative. Word Work: Surviving and Thriving as a Writer by Bruce Holland Rogers Word Work is packed with practical advice for overcoming procrastination, finding happiness in writing and even conquering writer’s block via useful exercises. It also covers how to handle rejection and success. Books on honing your craft On Writing by Stephen King Part memoir, part guidebook, Stephen King’s classic will appeal even to those who avoid King’s renowned horror-packed tales. In this book, King discusses how he came to be the writer we know today. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Bird by Bird is an essential part of any writer’s toolbox. In this work, Lamott shares herself and her craft with readers, including anecdotes that tie the pieces together into all-around great writing. Writer’s Market edited by Robert Lee Brewer Writer’s Market helps aspiring writers become published ones. Its listings contain hundreds of pages of suggested markets for nonfiction writers, as well as those looking to sell short stories, including details for how to pitch your work. On Writing Well by William Zinsser This classic book targets nonfiction writers and includes writing tips, as well as the fundamentals of craft. Zinsser discusses many forms of writing, from interviewing and telling stories about people to writing about travel. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White For years, writing teachers have assigned The Elements of Style to their students. Brushing up on the basics from time to time is critical for continually developing your skills, and this book contains simple truths that every writer needs to know. The Associated Press Stylebook 2017 by the Associated Press AP Style is known by many as the “go-to” writing style for journalists and public relations pros. The 2017 Associated Press Stylebook contains more than 3,000 entries detailing rules on grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviation and word and numeral usage to help you master news writing. How to Write Bestselling Fiction by Dean Koontz While many books on this list are aimed at nonfiction writers, this one is for those who dream up their own stories to tell. If anyone is qualified to tell people how to write bestselling fiction, it’s prolific author Dean Koontz, who’s sold more 450 million copies of his books. This book was written in 1981 and is out of print, but has valuable insight for writers who manage to snag a copy (check the library!). Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg Goldberg’s book examines the craft of writing including how to start brainstorming, the importance of learning how to listen, the vital role verbs play in writing, and even how to find an inspiring place to write. Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell Aimed at fiction writers, this book tackles everything from models to help with story structure to a variety of techniques to help with crafting great stories from start to finish. You’ll even find tips on creating plotting diagrams. and tools to overcome various plot problems that can arise. A Writer’s Guide to Persistence by Jordan Rosenfeld This book focuses on how to be a happy and successful...
Read MoreDo-It-Yourself
There’s no handbook upon becoming an adult, complete with all the rules one needs to memorize and competencies to perfect. I believe important life skills are learned by way of interacting with experts and taking note of constructive advice.
Read More“Personal” space in today’s world
Everyone wants their space; everyone enjoys being alone sometimes and having at the minimum some time to focus on themselves – or at least everyone deserves such a “space”. by Scott Bruce – Guest writer – see his CV here In today’s world “space” isn’t as freely available as it used to be. I’m not talking about physical space-well, not entirely. People are constantly connected today, most people are never in essence “alone”. Perhaps you are home alone – lucky; but thanks to the ever welcome advances in technology, there is a plethora of devices for you to choose from –and a billion friends on the other side of *twilight zone music*. For most people, getting a hold of one of their friends or family members is literally as easy as making a phone call or sending an email message; making things easier yet less special and far too frequent for some. When was the last time you wrote or received a letter? People do not take the time to write letters anymore and I understand why. Letters are tedious – and not everyone has the best penmanship – but everyone’s typing is legible. For some, the personal touches are left out all together. Finding your soulmate or “play mate” (to be serious) is as easy as downloading an application and finding the nearest heart-beat. People have met their soul mates, been dumped by way of a text message, and lost all their dignity through a “sext” scandal – and they didn’t even leave the house. The world is a scary place, and thanks to our own desire to communicate incessantly, we have invited the scary world into our homes – and into ourselves. A recent survey conducted in the US reveals that today’s youth are being bombarded with irrelevant information from their smartphone. The survey revealed that 51% of Millennials cannot go more than three hours without checking their smartphone. Some may even argue that the current generation is addicted to being “always connected”, constantly being able to find the answer to almost any question; sharing every situation and capturing it all on video – this is the world we all live in. Due to the constant use of technology, people are becoming overwhelmed with information, connections and personal files. A photo used to have meaning but today we take thousands of irrelevant photos on a monthly basis, which we “share” with people we do not even know on the Internet for the gratification that people “like” you. We live in a world of constant information; important information has become clouded with trivial bits and pieces of others lives – 50 or so years ago one would receive a letter addressing the important details of someone’s life – however, today we no longer have the “gap” of distance. People update each other on their every movement, like and dislike – constantly. This constant connection subtracts a great deal from the “personal” factor of life. Slowly but surely people are moving along a path of similarity, losing what makes us individuals. We shape our lives based on what is considered appropriate by the rest of the world; peers matter, yet with technology growing at the rate it is, as well as Social Media becoming an integral part of everyday life, your “peers” are no longer your family and friends, but rather the whole world – you’re connected. Constant comparisons are made; we see what others are doing and we strive to do the same – why? – because everything sounds amazing in theory on social...
Read MoreGet published in 2020
Get published in 2017. Contact Theresa for writing, editing and self-publishing services.
Read MorePosture is Key
Since this is a blog post aimed at people who spend much of their time writing for pleasure or as a profession, you are no doubt reading this article while seated in a chair in front of a computer. And like most computer users, you’ve probably been in this sedentary position for quite a while, shoulders rounded and neck forward. Most of us are guilty of abandoning good common sense to balance our work routine with regular physical activity, even if it’s taking a ten minute walk on the treadmill, doing simple stretch exercises like the ones advocated by the Royal Canadian Air Force, or marching on the spot for about ten minutes. A litmus test if your sitting posture is forcing your spine out of alignment is the extent of back and neck pain you encounter at the end of the day. If you are experiencing fatigue and discomfort, and perhaps have difficulty walking without leaning forward, you may have “sitting disease”. Sitting disease is a new buzzword for a sedentary lifestyle that might be putting your health at risk; this syndrome affects people of all ages, including young children. Sitting Disease Maintaining good posture is vital. Humans are not meant to sit in one position for too long, slumped over a keyboard for hours on end. Our sedentary lifestyle often causes us to develop early arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, lethargy, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, cancer and obesity. In addition, curvature of the spine is a major health issue, contributing to a host of aches and pains and health problems, including behavior abnormalities. The skeleton is the framework of support for all the body’s systems, including circulatory, respiratory, and digestive as well as nervous system functions. Prevention is better, and easier, than cure. Today’s “sitting disease” also includes spending hours behind the wheel, sitting long hours at a desk or workstation, relaxing on the couch watching TV, and sleeping on a faulty mattress. For young children the problem of potential postural issues later in life often starts with having to sit in car seats and strollers. Healthy Muscles As a full-time writer and editor I find it frustrating to be constantly aware of the clock, but I’ve discovered it is imperative to take regular short breaks that involve some sort of physical activity. Of course the solution lies in maintaining a good posture at all times. As a teenager I recall my mother regularly admonishing me to sit up straight, but bad habits creep in when one is engrossed in computer work. The best position to sit at a desk is simply to push your hips as far back as they can go in the chair; adjust the seat height so your feet are flat on the floor and your knees equal to or slightly lower than, your hips. Adjust the back of the chair to a 100°-110° reclined angle; also adjust the armrests (if fitted) so that your shoulders are relaxed. It is my nature to get involved in a project and work at it without monitoring the time it takes to deliver a good end-product. Often, if the project necessitates, I follow a 16-hour a day schedule over several days or weeks, which is hazardous to muscle health. It is vital to keep our muscles healthy to be able to walk, run, jump, lift things, play sports; strong muscles also help to keep your joints in good shape. However, of late my daily routines have clashed with my goals and I am forced to re-assess old physical and mental habits. I now work at my computer...
Read MoreAbout Theresa
I’m a published author of four business books and have written a number of self-study tutorials [creative writing; editing and proofreading; business writing; and self-publishing] and an eBook [Workplace Harmony]. I am an experienced writer, editor and publisher. 
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