Resources for Writers


Feature Writer: Sarah Turner
Sarah K Turner, Dave Jones

Hello writers!

Do you aspire to be the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling? Tired of stacks of unpublished manuscripts, rejection letters, and the blank page?

For inspiration, we've got writing prompts to help cure your writer's block. Check out our author biographies and interviews with writers to see how others found success.

Ready for publication? We've got contest listings, tips on submitting to journals and magazines, writing a cover letter, and finding an agent.

We'll also have reviews of writing books and websites and ideas on writing craft and technique. Whether you're a fiction writer or a poet, a freelance writer or a closet playwright, this is the place for you.

Don't forget to check out the Resources for Writers blog too!

Feel free to contact me at resourcesforwriters@suite101.com.

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Where writing often ends up, http://us.inmagine.com/168nwm/creatas/cr15213/cr15
feature articles
Sarah Turner

Avoid Writing Contest Scams

In: Resources for Writers (general)

With the hundreds of writings contests out there, how can you spot a contest scam? Asking these questions will help you spot the fake competitions. more...

The Joy of Writing Sex

In: Resources for Writers (general)

In "The Joy of Writing Sex," Elizabeth Benedict reminds us that writing a good sex scene isn't about the mechanics of the act. It's about the characters involved in it. more...

How to Make a Chapbook

In: Resources for Writers (general)

If you want to see your writing in print, why not create a chapbook? These lovely, creative handmade books are becoming increasingly popular in literary communities. more...

Finding Writing Courses in B.C.

In: Resources for Writers (general)

Canada's West Coast offers a wealth of opportunities for writers hoping to study, from the beginner's fiction course to the graduate level. What are you looking for? more...

Creating a Writer's Resume

In: Resources for Writers (general)

A writer's resume is an integral part of a writer's portfolio. If your CV is professional and well-written, it should help you get a writing job. more...

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Sarah Turner

Jun 29, 2008

Write a Novel in Under 28 Days?

Most web offers that promise instant writing success seem too good to be true. Is Nick Daws' book on the 28 day novel one of them?


One of the most seemingly far-fetched ads I've seen is Nick Daws' “How to Write Any Book in Just 28 Days...or Less!”

I have to admit, the concept intrigues me. What writer doesn't want shortcut through the slog of writing? Who doesn't wish for easy formulas that would guarantee a successful end product?

Daws website promises a number of things, including where to buy bestselling plots for only 50 cents. What a great idea! Unfortunately, publishers say that it is much harder to predict what books will be bestsellers than it is to predict which movies will be blockbusters.

To its credit, the “How to Write Any Book in Just 28 Days” website has a long list of testimonials from writers who have supposedly used Daws' methods and published books. I've never heard of any of the authors or their books, but that doesn't mean they aren't successful.

What intrigues me most about this web offer is the “100% guarantee” offered. Working for 28 days, one hour a day, he guarantees that I can write a novel. It sounds too good to be true.

If you do the calculations, anyone typing 50 words per minute continuously for one hour for 28 days can get 84,000 words on a page. Since the average book manuscript is about 50,000 words I guess this technically counts as a novel. But is it any good?

I can't bring myself to shell out the $49.95 to test Daw's 100% guarantee. But if anyone out there has tried it, let me know what you found out.

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