CAN YOU GUESS WHAT'S INSIDE THIS BUILDING?

This was in a group of photos my friend Ira sent me. They were all amazing, but what could be more perfect for a library than a facade composed of huge books? It is a great reminder that books still exist in other forms than the electronic ones.


Kansas City Library, Kansas City, Missouri

FINDING THE RIGHT NICHE

 Writers' Tricks of the Trade: Finding your niche

Morgan St. James

Las Vegas Writing Examiner

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There is nothing sweeter to a writer than when “the great idea” hits.
The problem is, sometimes the great idea is a hard one to convert to a complete novel because it’s too limited or difficult to rein in. Maybe there is too much to include for a single novel.
Have you ever heard someone describe their work in progress as being a romantic, sci-fi mystery with historical roots, humor, steamy sex and—oh yes, they’ve thought about introducing some vampires, need to figure out how to still use the sex but qualify it for the young adult market as well as appealing to the adult market and last, but not least, they’re toying with the idea of bringing in a psychic and a few rock stars. Wow. All of that in one novel? This might sound exaggerated, but I’ve heard descriptions strangely like that.
And, of course, this author knows it will be a best seller because it is bound to hit readers in just about every genre, isn’t it? READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE

Spotlight: The Digital Author Conference

Morgan St. James

LA Writing Examiner  + Subscribe

The Digital Author Conference is offered by West Coast Writers Conferences (WC2). With a commitment to provide writers of all genres and levels with information, education and consultation relative to the craft and business of writing, all of their events feature educators, industry professionals, agents, publishers and experts in one or more disciplines.

A little about the speaker/instructors
The speaker/instructors are industry professionals, presidents of companies, educators and a respected literary agent, all experienced in one or more aspects of digital publishing. They will be traveling from around the country for this event.

How can it be so affordable? READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE

Writers' Tricks of the Trade, the book, named to New Book Review top books for writers

I’m so excited. Carolyn Howard-Johnson, that wonderful author of the How to Do it Frugally series, has named my book, Writers’ Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About theABCs of Writing Fiction to the New Book Review list of Best Books for Writers to Read in 2012. Since there are 8 books on her list, I’m particularly honored that my book was included as one of them. Check it out for yourself and mega thanks to Carolyn for this recognition. The book is available in paperback and eBook on most online booksellers or can be ordered from your favorite local bookstore.

 http://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-books-for-writers-to-read-in-2012.html

Pardon my cliche!

Cliches are everywhere. On TV, in movies, on the web, in our daily conversation, in the classroom...you name it and you will find it. However, writers are constantly cautioned not to use them. Diehards say don't use them EVER. Is it necessary to take such a hard line? A path never to be deviated from? What is it about these tired, overused phrases that are all around us?

Morgan St. James, LA Writing Examiner

January 6, 2012 - Like this? Subscribe to get instant updates.

Cliche: A phrase or expression that is so overused it becomes annoying.
How ironic that many clichés start out as very clever expressions—a funny way to convey a distinct message. In the beginning they sound so clever and engaging, people repeat them...and repeat them...and repeat them ad infinitum until they become corny or annoying.
As they evolve, cliches are perceived as a lazy way to convey something people already know. Perhaps effective, but devoid of imagination.
See if you recognize these:
READ FULL ARTICLE

DEADLINE FOR READER BRAGS DRAWING NEAR

REMINDER: The deadline for submitting reader brags to the December issue of the Writers' Tricks of the Trade newsletter is drawing near.

The newsletter publishes on the 15th of each month and the deadline for submission of brags or requests to write an article for future issues is the 5th.

Thanks to all of my readers, as the popularity has been growing steadily as evidenced by the traffic counts, but the number of blog followers has not increased much. This is probably because I always send out notices to those on my list. If you enjoy the blog and newsletter, please become a follower. As many of you know, I plan to transition the Writers' Tricks of the Trade newsletter to a small online magazine by mid-2012.

There is still time to order a copy of Writers' Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About the ABCs of Writing Fiction as a holiday gift to yourself or the aspiring and published writers on your list. Check Amazon, B&N and most online booksellers or order from your favorite local bookstore.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Excerpt from LA   Examiner.com

November 18, 2011- Like this? Subscribe to get instant updates

Morgan St. James, LA Writing Examiner

Writers’ Tricks of the Trade: Believe in yourself

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Why this is so important
Today’s column is not a how-to tip unique to writing, but is very important to every author and writer.

It is about believing in yourself.

Believing in yourself probably comes under the heading of Success 101, because it is so important in every facet of life. If you don’t have unwavering belief in yourself, how can you expect others to? Writing the book, story, columns, screenplay, poetry or other creative form of putting words together and making them work in a way readers like is only one part of it. What really counts heavily is everything that comes next, and belief is high on the list.

Just as good writers’ groups can be found in Los Angeles, through a simple internet search or asking a writer friend, you can usually find a local group in your city or town. Writers’ groups are a wonderful reinforcement for an author’s belief system. In addition to offering encouragement, they help you realize you are not alone.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Writers’ Tricks of the Trade: Believe in yourself - Los Angeles Writing | Examiner.com

Contributors for November newsletter cover a variety of topics

November will be another great month for the newsletter. Our contributors for the upcoming month have lots to share and of course the conference listings and brags will be updated. This will be the first edition with an international guest writer so be sure to upload your issue on November 15. Just visit this site or my personal website, www.morganstjames-author.com for the link.

Many readers have commented that they like the new magazine-style format and I'm happy to say that it will be the format from now on.

Do you have suggestions for future articles or topics you would like to see? Have a brag you want to share or website you want to recommend? This is your newsletter so feel free to submit suggestions.

I also invite you to link to this blog and to add comments.

That's all for today.

MORGAN

By the way, if you received an email last week saying I was stranded in Barcelona and needed money, it was just a hacker doing what they do...breaking into emails and Facebook accounts and harrassing everyone.

I lost my last Facebook account, all of the photos I'd posted and all of the friends I'd added over about two years, so I'm starting from scratch.

I LOVED SPEAKING TO PARTNERS IN CRIME IN SYDNEY

Yesterday was actually the official launch of Writers' Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About the ABCs of Writing Fiction. When I started writing this handy reference book, I never dreamed that the first writers to buy signed copies would live down under in Sydney, Australia.

I was given a very warm welcome by this chapter of Sisters in Crime, and I'm sure that all of the members who bought the book will keep it handy on their bookshelves. It was a first in two directions---their first speaker from the United States and my first international presentation. It is funny how things happen. I shared some of the "tricks" in my talk and used passages from the just-released Silver Sisters Mystery, Vanishing Act in Vegas, to illustrate some of the techniques.

This is a short post because today we are off to the Blue Mountains which are known to be one of the most beautiful spots in Australia, and will be there for 2  1/2 days.

USING THE RIGHT FORM OF A WORD

Something I saw on the news yesterday was so appropriate to the "You Don't Say" presentation I will be making for Sisters in Crime Los Angeles on October 9 that I had to write this.

My presentation is all about navigating the English language--a language peppered with bloopers just waiting for you to commit them.

Even editors aren't exempt. You see using the wrong form of a word, if taken literally, totally changes the intent of the sentence or phrase and is a terrible booby trap.

What I saw yesterday was a commentary on the deplorable state of our economy. It was part of a feature I like to watch called The Rant. They always put the written comment up on the screen. This one spoke about a "waist of money."

My first thought was why didn't someone catch that, which was rapidly followed by a giggle because I pictured the implications of a waist of money. Things like "pulling in your belt" led to imagining all these politicians parading around the House and Senate with money belts cinching in their waists --- or would that be wastes?

You can really have some fun with the wrong form of the right word. Take for example using "slight of hand" instead of "sleight of hand."

"Do you need to master SLIGHT OF HAND to be a good magician?" Hmmm. Don’t know that the size of the magician’s hands has anything to do with it. Although, with bigger hands, he could probably hold more cards."

SLIGHT is an interesting word. As an adjective, it means having a slim or delicate build or structure; as a transitive verb it means to treat with disdain or indifference, and as a noun it generally would be a humiliating discourtesy.

YOU DON'T SAY!

Morgan St. James

www.morganstjames-author.com

Important Information if you're designing your own blog or website

Wow! Did I learn something today and I want to share it. If you're designing your own website with a do-it-yourself template or setting up your own blog, be sure to look at it or better yet design it in MOZILLA FIREFOX. It may look absolutely fine on EXPLORER, but that doesn't mean it will look good on Firefox.

I found out the hard way and spent hours redoing certain things. This header had no problems in Explorer, but when I opened it in Firefox a big chunk of the right side was cut off. Back to the drawing board...and back...and back! I wasn't going to give up and finally made it fit correctly. It seems that if it looks good on Firefox, you're home free.

Many of us are setting up our own sites now with easy to use software, so take the little bit of extra time and check your sites on both browsers.

It is getting exciting. We now have several wonderful contributors ready to share their knowledge in the Writers' Tricks of the Trade WRITE ON newsletter launching April 15 and many will also write posts for the blog. New posts can be delivered to a choice of the sites you may use by simply clicking SUBSCRIBE in the right column and choosing the one(s) you want from the dropdown box. I'm having mine delivered to My Yahoo for easy access.

That's all for tonight.

July 22 Writers Tricks of the Trade in the Los Angeles edition of Examiner.com -

It's all about how important proofreading is. All of us have picked up books or read posts filled with errors that should have been caught---and weren't. The eye sees what it THINKS it sees. Read the column: http://exm.nr/proof-LA

Why I set up this blog

As if I haven't heaped enough on my plate, I decided to add one more tidbit. Here is your first peek at the cool cover designed by the brilliant British illustrator Scott Garrett. I can't even begin to thank him enough for capturing the lighthearted but educational value of Writers' Tricks of the Trade. But then, why should I be surprised? One look at his website, www.garrettworld.co.uk will show you how immensely talented he is.

The book will be coming out very soon now and I wanted to launch a blog/discussion forum for many of the topics that plague , confound and delight writers. I've acquired a great many friends in this crazy pursuit, and never cease to be amazed at how much knowledge is out there.

Another reason I wanted to have a forum type blog is because this won't be the only book I write about writing. There are so many more things I have to share and to learn that I definitely see more in the future.

So my friends,  I want to hear from you, too. Visit often and share your thoughts.