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Turn Your Recipe Ideas Into A Cookbook

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you enjoy cooking or collecting recipes you may want to consider turning those recipe ideas into a cookbook. No matter what type of recipes you have, chances are there is an audience out there “hungering” for just those kinds of recipes.

Cookbooks can be organized in many different ways and can contain a variety of recipes, tips, photographs and other items. Think of a cookbook you recently bought. What made it great? Why did you buy that one rather than another that you looked through?

Chances are you bought it for one or more of these reasons:
It contained a certain recipe you were interested in preparing.
It contained more than just recipes – perhaps it included cooking tips, menus, photographs of prepared dishes, etc.
The recipes were clear and easy to understand: ingredients were found at the beginning of the recipe; preparation steps were clear and detailed; cooking terms were clearly explained.

When you decide to write a cookbook, keep these ideas in mind. You’ll need some great recipes, but don’t forget to include the “extras” that can make your cookbook the one that people decide to buy and not put back on the shelf.

Blending Fact And Fiction: How To Write Historical Novels

admin — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The story is about the characters and not the history–history is for textbooks. As in any novel, you must have interesting, active characters that want important things, hopefully in opposition to one another, and their pursuit of their desires should tell a compelling story. If you don’t have this, time and place are meaningless. People haven’t changed much over the centuries; they teased each other, wore out-dated clothes, and were embarrassed by their parents even in the time of Shakespeare. All the things you feel and think, human beings have felt and thought since the first human walked upright and probably before; what changes is circumstance.

Pick a year, month and day to set your novel; be specific. Start with a general history researching a life span in each direction. Read literature, letters, newspapers and journals of the time. These will give a good feel for the language. Advertising of any kind, especially catalogues, is great. Images are a wonderful stimulus to the imagination, so study paintings or photographs. Go to a museum and look at artifacts. Don’t get sucked into the black hole of research. Write first, research later. Do enough research to kick-start your imagination and keep writing!

What You Need To Know About Writing For Children

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

One of the most important things you need to know about writing for children, is to know what you write. You have to read tons and tons of books written in the genre of children’s literature to really have a good basis for what you are writing for. Once you have an idea for what is out there and how the flow of the industry is moving, then get your ideas down on paper. Don’t be let down if the current books do not match the main concept of your book at that moment, children’s literature changes very quickly.I found some more information here. Any publisher or agent worth their weight in gold is looking for something new and fresh, so your book might be the next bestseller. Another very important thing to do is edit. I know a lot of people don’t like this part of writing, but it is necessary. Sometimes it is just to fix small grammar errors, other times editing allows you see holes in your storyline or problems with the flow. Don’t be afraid to take things out or to change them. The number one thing to remember when writing for children is hang out with the age group you are writing for, that way you understand their level of comprehension. Ultimately, don’t give up, and keep trying as the world needs more stories!

Get Inspired!

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

No matter how good a writer you are you’re eventually going to hit the wall. Writer’s block is a common phenomenon and it happens to the best of us…here’s what you need to do to break the spell and get back to work – get some inspiration!
Get Online: Whether you’re using DSL or WildBlueDeals.com satellite you’ve got to see what people are talking about. Visit message boards and news channels to see what some of the most pressing issues are being talked about and write around those.
Write the Same Story 10 times: Take a common concept, say, a parent teacher conference and write ten short stories around it. Your creativity juices will surely be flowing and by the time you’re done you may have stumbled upon a direction you want to explore more.
Read: When all else fails, read your favorite books. You’ll remember what themes and styles really attract you and you’ll likely be inspired to put your own twist on the classic literary novel.
There’s no inspiration too big or too small to get a writer writing!

Tips For Writers: How To Create A Novel

admin — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Writing a novel can be daunting, as it’s not just the length but the depth of a novel that makes writing one difficult. What follows are tips to help prepare your novel.

PLOT: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN

The key to a great novel is a strong plot. You can organize your plot with a standard plot arc: exposition (the who, what, where and when of plot), rising action (the events that build to a defining moment), climax (the defining moment), falling action (the aftermath of the climax), and denouement (the resolution).

CHARACTER: THE BUILDING BLOCKS

Regardless of what happens, you need compelling characters to make things happen. Start with simple personality attributes and build from there. Write each character a mini biography. Even though a character’s parents may not matter to the story, how they raised him will influence how he acts.

THEME: THE MESSAGE IS THE MEDIUM

Though you may not intend it, your novel will have a message. That message is your novel’s theme. Crafting strong themes can be as simple as asking yourself, “What do I want to express?” or “What is the purpose of my novel?” Don’t start with a theme; let it develop as you write.

The Top Five Reasons You Should Publish Your Book

admin — Sun, 29 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The publishing market has changed a lot in recent years and this has presented some new challenges, but also opened up a wealth of opportunities. So, why publish now?

5: The ability to self-publish. With the ability to find editors and artists on your own, and many sites willing to link you with willing publishers, there’s nothing holding you back.

4: Increased interest. With so many games, movies, TV shows, and other popular media being based on books, a lot of people are taking a keener interest in books.

3: Wider audience. We truly are becoming a global society, so take advantage of that. With a little advertising, you can be read by anyone who can read the language.

2: Money. With today’s economy in a shaky position, any bit of added income helps.

1: Pride. You get to introduce yourself as an author, not just a writer. Get your friends and family to take your writing seriously. What could possibly trump that?

So, take that first step today! Contact an editor and get the ball rolling today. No more rejection letters, just your name on the front cover. It doesn’t cost you anything to get started, so go ahead.

Publishing Your Work: Ten Steps for Success

admin — Tue, 24 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Have you written something, such as a work of fiction or a book on a topic that interests you and others, and would like to get it published so you can see your name in the periodicals and make yourself wealthy? Getting published is like getting onto a game show: There are many thousands of other people trying to get in to. How do you stand out? Here are ten steps to increase your chances:

(1) Answer basic questions. What genre is this work in? What are the age range and demographics of the intended audience?

(2) Look online or in a book like “Writer’s Digest” for a company whose published works fit your criteria.

(3) Write up a manuscript of your work. Make sure it looks attractive.

(4) Find the company’s submission policy. Some companies will not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

(5) Write a query letter.

(6) If necessary, write a book proposal.

(7) Give a summary of your book.

(8) Make sure spelling and grammar are correct throughout your writing.

(9) If the book is to have broad national appeal, try and find an agent.

(10) Send the above documents to the publisher, along with a self- addressed stamped