Web Content Writing and Article Writing

December 22nd, 2011 Comments Off

Web Content Writing

When you want content created for your website or blog, and you don’t have time to write it yourself, then you might want to think about hiring a web content writer. The web is vastly different today than it was years ago. Today’s social world communications depend upon new content. New content attracts more visitors, and when the content converts into sales, then you’ll be glad you hired a writer.

What does it cost to hire someone to do the writing for your web content?

If you can provide the keywords or the sub-titles that you want for your site, then the flat rate is $50.00 per page with a maximum word count of 1,000 words. Add $25.00 if you want me to do the keyword research.

Writing Web Content for Meta Tags

This ties in with what’s known as on-page optimization. What that means is once the content has been written for a web page, you need to have a targeted and keyword rich title, keywords, and a compelling description. These elements are the text that’s written and included in the meta tags. Meta tags are invisible to site visitors, but they are visible to the search engines.

Why are meta tags important?

Meta tags are what the search engines read when they visit your site. Yes, your content is responsible for attracting visitors, but meta tags tell the search engines what your page is all about. Therefore, when someone types a keyword phrase into a search engine, it’s more likely that your website will get displayed if you offer what the web searcher is looking for; the more targeted content you have, along with correct meta tags are what make your site rank higher. That’s how you get more visitors.

Article Writing

Article writing is similar to web content in that you can put articles on your website that are informative to anyone looking for solutions within your niche market.

Articles can also be submitted to article directories with a link back to your website or blog.

In addition to using articles on your own website, or submitting them to article directories, you can use the articles I’m writing for you in the following ways:

  • Combine articles and turn it into an ebook that you can sell or give away
  • Use one article as a free report that you give away at your website
  • Break the article up into sub-headings and use the content for your newsletter
  • Use a portion of the article as an informative bit of content that you can add to your autoresponder messages.
  • Use a portion of an article for writing a press release
  • Use a portion of an article in a classified ad to promote your product or service.

How Much Does it Cost for Article Writing Services?

For a typical niche market article that averages between 400-500 words, my price range is $20.00-$30.00 per article. You can be sure that the content is original and it will pass CopyScape‘s algorithms to show you that the articles I write are 100% unique, and the content does not appear anywhere else on the Internet, worldwide.

SEO Writing Factors

SEO is an acronym for search engine optimization. When content is written for the web, it’s not like writing a little story that no one will see. Without being obvious and so in-your-face, SEO writing provides valuable information, but it also uses keywords and keyword phrases that someone would type into a search engine to find that information.

For example, if you have a website that’s dedicated to book editing and writing services, you most likely wouldn’t focus a lot of your writing on topics like dog training, how to buy a camera, or how to unclog a drain. Why? Because that’s not what your website is all about.

As a final note on this subject, just make sure that if you decide to hire someone other than me to write your web content or articles that you discuss this topic with the writer in advance of submitting your payment. Not many web writers understand SEO writing and how important it is for getting more visitors to your website.

When you’re ready to have me do the writing for your articles and web content, just contact me and we can set up a phone appointment.

 

Web content writing and article writing

Article Directory Submission Service

 

After your articles are written, and you’ve placed them on your website or blog, the next step in the process is to submit your articles to article directories. What this means is that you create an account at each article directory site, and then according to their guidelines, you submit one or more articles you want them to list on their site.

The beauty of article directory sites is that if they approve of your article, you get to include an author bio and a link back to your own website. This is called a back link and brings more authority to your site.

I have three, fixed price fees regarding article submissions:

  1. I charge $50 to submit one of your articles to 50 article directories. That means that you will receive 50 back links to your site, and your article’s content, keywords and SEO writing will add perceived value to your web visitors.
  2. I charge a one-time fee of $25 to set up an account for you at ezinearticles.com, which is the largest article directory in the world. But there’s more to just creating an account and submitting an article. I create everything that meets their submission guidelines, including your author photo, three bio boxes, summaries, and more. Then, I GUARANTEE that your article WILL get approved.
  3. If you already have an established account at EzineArticles, then my fee to submit each article is $10.00. I will write the summary, choose relevant keywords, create your bio, submit your article and monitor its progress until it is approved. I will then send you notification when each article has been approved and is live on their site.

To order web content writing, or my article writing and submission services, please contact me, and let me know when is a good time to visit with you by phone.

 

 

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Editing Services and Proofreading

December 22nd, 2011 Comments Off

Editing Services and Proofreading

After you’re written your book and your web content, you might be asking yourself, “What’s next?”

Proofreading book manuscripts and web contentFrom a seasoned published author and writing mentor, the honest answer is to have your document professionally edited and proofread. As a writer, you’re so close to what you’ve written, that it’s almost sure that you’ll have errors in your text that you just won’t see because you’ve written the words, edited the words, and maybe even given your text a final proofread, and you think you’re ready to publish it.

Did you know that even professional published authors have someone else edit their stories, books, and content? The reason is because a fresh set of eyes will uncover formatting errors, grammatical errors, and even typos that you totally missed.

The Cost to Proofread Your Book or Web Content

Sign up for proofreading services here.

I charge by the word to proofread your content. Proofreading is not editing. It’s making sure that the way your text appears is correct—no spelling errors, correct punctuation and formatting.

I charge $0.015 per word to proofread your document.

When you ask someone to proofread your work, it should already have gone through a thorough and professional editing cycle. This is the last step before publishing your work.

Click here to contact me to schedule proofreading services for your work. I’ll give you instructions for sending me your document. Then I’ll tell you the total cost, when the proofreading will be completed, and we’ll discuss payment plan options, if that’s your desire. It’s easy, simple, and professional. Why wait? Contact me today.

The Costs for Editing Your Book or Web ContentComprehensive editing versus Copyediting

There are several types of editing processes that determine the costs for editing your book or web content.

The Comprehensive Editing Process – (Sign up for this Process Here)

This type of edit goes beyond proofreading and looking for typos and grammatical errors. Also known as a developmental edit, this is the most costly form of editing. What does it involve? It requires the editor to work with the author to rewrite text and sometimes to move it from one chapter to another, all the while ensuring that the “new” text helps to better communicate the author’s original ideas.

I charge $0.05 cents per word to get your writing to the top professional level achievable.

A comprehensive edit includes many of the following elements, but this is not an exhaustive list:

  • Adding and deleting headings in a document
  • Adding styles to headings to create a Table of Contents
  • Making the content more readable
  • Displaying and verifying that the information is accurate in one or more places within the text
  • Formulating the writing structure so that it delivers what the target audience expects
  • Rearranging content so that all the information about a specific subject is contained in one chapter, rather than many (nonfiction books and web content)
  • Organizational structure of topics
  • Retaining the author’s tone and voice while creating easy-to-understand sentences and paragraphs.
  • Making sure that the flow of the work engages the reader
  • Marks those places in the manuscript or web content that are too slow-paced and uninteresting
  • Makes suggestions for improving the text
  • Asks questions that only the author can answer about specific portions of text that are confusing or that require more information
  • Focuses on the marketing aspects that make a good book great!

The Clarification Editing Process – (Sign up for this process here)

Clarification editing is the most common type of editing service that you’ll find in the marketplace. It’s more than proofreading for typos, and it’s less time demanding than a comprehensive edit. Editing for clarification is almost self-explanatory, but what it gives your book or web content is an overall professional edge that most published work doesn’t have. It improves the flow and orgaization of your content, flags any problems or lack of transitions from one topic to another, makes suggestions and gives examples of how to improve sections of content by naturally bumping up the excitement factor that makes readers want to keep reading. The clarification edit also is not just a one-step process. It’s a two- or three-step process that engages both the editor and the author until the problem or text is satisfactory to the author.

I charge $0.02 cents per word for web content and nonfiction.

I charge $0.03 cents per word for novels, children’s books, and all types of fiction. The reason for the higher fee is that fiction writing requires another set of editing rules that are more strict regarding dialogue and formatting.

What is Copyediting? (Sign up for copyediting)

Copyediting is the most basic type of editing service that you’ll find listed on most websites. The professional editor looks at and corrects the content’s presentation, paying attention to grammar rules and style guidelines according to The Chicago Manual of Style, which is the bible in the publishing world for web content, fiction, and nonfiction. If for some reason, your content doesn’t communicate clearly with the reader, a copyeditor will put a little comment in the margin that states something like: confusing, what happened to the character who appeared three  chapters ealier, etc.

A brief list of copyediting elements would include all the items in clarification editing, plus:

  • Calling out incorrect or over-the-top writing
  • Subject and verb agreement
  • Word usage errors, such as alright for all right or your Mom for your mom
  • Punctuation and grammar rules
  • Consist use of capitalization, spelling of people, places or things, and numbers
  • Incorrect placement and usage of references or citations
  • Missing elements such as a Table of Contents, Bibliography, or Chapter Titles
  • Bulleted lists
  • Labeling of figures or photos

 What’s Next?

If all this talk about proofreading and editing has you confused as to which type of editing would be best for your book or web content, then contact me and we’ll set up a short, 15-minute phone call. You’re under no obligation to sign up for my editing services, but at the very least, you’ll understand how to begin choosing the type of professional editing service that’s perfect for you!

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Journey of a Struggling Writer

July 27th, 2011 Comments Off

Do you struggle as a writer?

Putting words on paper that reflect how you feel about a topic or character while maintaining structure and story flow, is a huge challenge.

If you have ever struggled with rewriting that first chapter or scene to make it “perfect,” you know what I’m talking about.

As a writer you know that writing means rewriting

struggling writer

Are you a struggling writer?

So you give your manuscript or screenplay to your best friend or spouse and ask for feedback. Most of the time he or she provides gentle comments, but you’re still not sure if you have a piece of work that will sell. Or in other scenarios, that same friend or loving spouse, not truly understanding the heart of a writer, tells you that your storyline or writing is awful. This is earth-shattering to a writer, believe me.

Maybe you join a critique group, or find a writing partner, or buy more books about writing. You’re always in search of that golden nugget of knowledge that can zing into your heart and convince you that your story is ready to market.

Or perhaps you took a writing class out of desperation to validate that you ARE a writer. Deep in your heart you’ve always wanted the world to read your story.

Every writer needs a writing mentor!

However, through your writing journeys you most likely never had a writing mentor who was there for you throughout the entire writing process–someone who could honestly tell you what was missing or ask you the right questions that would send you back to the keyboard with a renewed passion for your story.

That’s where The Writer’s Mentor comes in. My passion is helping writers achieve their dream of writing and publishing a book, selling an article, or selling a screenplay. I can help you get the words on paper, take out the kinks, encourage your writing muse and help you create a work that sells. I’ve been doing this for over twenty years. I’m good at it, I love it, and you will profit from my hard-learned experiences in the publishing and screenwriting industries.

When you’re ready to begin, please register for one of my personalized coaching packages. Or if you still have concerns about your writing and are wondering if my writing courses or services can help you, contact me. I will respond ASAP.

Are you a struggling writer?

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When You Don’t Know What to Write, Write Something

July 24th, 2011 Comments Off

Write Something

Have you ever had one of those days when you don’t know what to write, yet you have deadlines and you have to write something?

Perhaps you are a freelance web writer, and your contract says you have to write something, like five articles a day. But maybe you’re sitting there staring at the screen and saying to yourself, “I just can’t think of a single thing to say.” Then before you know it, you get distracted with email, looking at offers, and maybe even reading other writers’ blog posts.

Write something, anything for no writer's block

Write something

Sound familiar?

No! Oh, get real! We’ve all experienced this phenomenon when we absolutely have to write something, particularly on deadline. I’m talking about…uh, I can’t think of what the word is; oh, yes, it’s on the tip of my tongue. It’s…

Procrastination to write something!

Shhh! Some negative folks might call it  WRITER’S BLOCK!

Whew! I feel better just getting that out of my head and onto the page!

 

Writer’s Block Happens When You Know Your Supposed to
Write Something on Deadline!

Writer’s block is the patron demon of the blank page. You may think you know EXACTLY what you’re going to write, but as soon as that evil white screen appears before you, your mind suddenly goes completely blank. I’m not talking about Zen meditation stare-at-the-wall-until-enlightenment-hits kind of blank.

 Why Can’t I Write Something?

The more you think about writing, the more you end up looking at the clock. As the minutes and then hours fly by, your writing deadline looms bigger and becomes more real by each passing second.

Let me say that another way. “The tighter the deadline, the worse the anguish of writer’s block gets.” Now, can you figure out what might possibly be causing this horrible plunge into speechlessness?

The answer for why you can’t write something is obvious: FEAR!

Most likely you’re terrified that what you’re going to write isn’t good enough, or the piece won’t be long enough. Or perhaps you think people will judge you and criticize your writing.

It doesn’t necessarily matter if you’ve done a decade of research and all you have to do is string sentences you can repeat in your sleep together into coherent paragraphs. Writer’s block can strike anyone at any time. Based in fear, it raises our doubts about our own self-worth, but it’s sneaky.

It’s writer’s block, after all, so it doesn’t just come and let you know that. No, it makes you feel like an idiot who just had your frontal lobes removed through your sinuses. If you dared to put forth words into the greater world, they would surely come out as gibberish!

Get rational and write something…anything!

Let’s try and be rational with this irrational demon. Let’s make a list of what might possibly be beneath this terrible and terrifying condition.

1. Perfectionism. You must absolutely produce a masterpiece of literature straight off in the first draft. Otherwise, you qualify as a complete failure.

2. Editing instead of composing. There’s your monkey-mind sitting on your shoulder, yelling as soon as you type, “I was born?” No, not that, that’s wrong! That’s stupid! Correct, correct, correct, correct?

3. Self-consciousness. How can you think, let alone write, when all you can manage to do is pry the fingers of writer’s block away from your throat enough so you can gasp in a few shallow breaths? You’re not focusing on what you’re trying to write. You’re focusing on those gnarly fingers around your windpipe.

4. Can’t get started. It’s always the first sentence that’s the hardest. As writers, we all know how EXTREMELY important the first sentence is. It must be brilliant! It must be unique! It must hook your reader from the start! There’s no way we can get into writing the piece until we get past theimpossible first sentence.

5. Shattered concentration. Your cat is sick. You suspect your friend’s mate is cheating on her. Your electricity might be turned off any second. You have a crush on the local UPS deliveryman. You have a dinner party planned for your in-laws. You . . . Need I say more? How can you possibly concentrate with all this mental clutter?

6. Procrastination. It’s your favorite hobby. It’s your soul mate. It’s the reason you’ve knitted 60 argyle sweaters or made 300 bookcases in your garage workshop. It’s the reason you never run out of Brie.

In all honesty, one of the ideas getting tossed around in your head is the reason you have writer’s block and you think you can’t write something!

How to Overcome Writer’s Block

 

Okay. I can hear that herd of you running away from this article as fast as you can. Absurd! you huff. Never in a million years, you fume. Writer’s block is absolutely, undeniably, scientifically proven to be impossible to overcome.

 

Oh, just get over it! Well, I guess it’s not that easy. So try to sit down for just a few minutes and listen. All you have to do is listen. You don’t have to actually write a single word.

 

Ah, there you all are again. I am beginning to make you out now that the cloud of dust is settling.

 

I am here to tell you that WRITER’S BLOCK CAN BE OVERCOME.

 

Please, remain seated.

 

There are ways to trick this nasty demon. Pick one, pick several, and give them a try. Soon, before you even have a chance for your heartbeat to accelerate, guess what? You’re writing.

 

Here are some tried and true methods of overcoming writer’s block:

 

1. Be prepared. The only thing to fear is fear itself. (I know, that’s a cliché but as soon as you start writing, feel free to improve on it.) If you spend some time mulling over your project before you actually sit down to write, you may be able to circumvent the worst of the crippling panic.

 

2. Forget perfectionism. No one ever writes a masterpiece in the first draft. Don’t put any expectations on your writing at all! In fact, tell yourself you’re going to write absolute garbage, and then give yourself permission to happily stink up your writing room.

 

Write something when an idea pops into your head

Enjoy that light bulb moment

3. Compose instead of editing. Never, never write your first draft with your monkey-mind sitting on your shoulder, making snide editorial comments. Composing is a magical process. It surpasses the conscious mind by galaxies. It’s even incomprehensible to the conscious, editorial, monkey-mind. So prepare an ambush. Sit down at your computer or your desk. Take a deep breath and blow out all your thoughts. Let your finger hover over your keyboard or pick up your pen. And then pull a fake: appear to be about to begin to write, but instead, using your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, flick that little annoying ugly monkey back into the barrel of laughs it came from. Then jump in ? quickly! Write, scribble, scream, howl, let everything loose, as long as you write something with a pen or your computer keyboard.

4. Forget the first sentence. You can sweat over that all-important one-liner when you’ve finished your piece. Skip it! Go for the middle or even the end. Start wherever you can. Chances are, when you read it over, the first line will be blinking its little neon lights right at you from the depths of your composition.

5. Concentration. This is a hard one. Life throws us so many curve balls. How about thinking about your writing time as a little vacation from all those annoying worries. Banish them! Create a space, perhaps even a physical one, where nothing exists except the single present moment. If one of those irritating worries gets by you, stomp on it like you would an ugly bug!

6. Stop procrastinating. Write an outline. Keep your research notes within sight. Use someone else’s writing to get going. Babble incoherently on paper or on the computer if you have to.

Tack up anything that could possibly help you to get going: notes, outlines, pictures of your grandmother. Put the cookie you will be allowed to eat when you finish your first draft within sight, but out of reach. Then pick up the same type of writing that you need to write, and read it. Then read it again. Soon, trust me, the fear will slowly fade away. As soon as it does, grab your keyboard, and write something!

 

 

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Are you a pivotal character in your own destiny?

June 13th, 2011 2 Comments

Pivotal Character. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing a novel, a memoir, a how-to book, a play, or a screenplay, your must first understand the meaning of a pivotal chracter.

A Pivotal Character – Real or Imaginary?

A pivotal character, according to any dictionary or reference source in the writing arena is defined as someone who takes the lead in any movement or cause. Further, a pivotal character is the one person who creates conflict and makes any story or life situation move forward.

Is there a pivotal character in your life?

Do you know anyone in your life who creates conflict? You might not be laughing at that question, but there are two types of people in the real world who are also in the “book” or “movie” world…those who KNOW what they want, and those who don’t know what they want. The pivotal character is definitely someone who knows what he wants, and he will stop at nothing to get it!

In the world of writing, if the author doesn’t introduce a pivotal character, there’s no story!

pivotal character male

Male pivotal character

The goal of a pivotal character…in a book and in true life

Read this next sentence, and then read it again. It contains the secret to publishing success and to success in your own life and destiny. Here it comes. Ready?

Every person (pivotal character) must always want something more than anything else in life. That pivotal character must have something that is extremely vital at stake that he strives to conquer or overcome to get what he wants.

Pivotal Characters Know What They Want and Will Stop at Nothing To Get It

Are you a pivotal character, or do you let others dominate your life? If your fear is greater than your desire, or if you’ve lost your passion somewhere due to a person you allowed to be your dream killer, or your nature doesn’t permit you to oppose anyone who challenges your patience, then you’re most likely not a pivotal character.

A further description of a pivotal character

Even though this next statement of mine could possibly resemble a true-life scenario, in the world of writing, you can always count on a pivotal character being purposefully aggressive, uncompromising, and sometimes ruthless…especially if you stand in the path of that person’s goal or success.

Female pivotal character

Pivotal female character

In college, I remember that we had to read, analyze and dissect the book, A Doll’s House. In that story, Krogstad insisted on his family’s rehabilitation, which almost drove Nora to suicide. Without waving any flags and sounding the trumpets, he, indeed, was the pivotal character in that novel.

In conclusion, you are responsible for your own destiny. When writing a book, you are responsible for creating a pivotal character. In life, a pivotal character is the driving force toward achieving the goal. Push forward andyou will succeed. Do nothing and you will soon become a negative factor in blaming others for your defeat.

My question to you is: What kind of character are you, and what kind of character have you created in your book? Let’s talk about your pivotal character!

 

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Memorial Day in the United States – Honor and Glory!

May 29th, 2011 2 Comments
Memorial Day Military protecting the USA
Memorial Day Observance for Military protecting us

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for all the male and female military souls who protect our country and go to foreign lands to fight for our freedom!

Memorial Day – Active & Inactive Soliders

I’m so grateful for the willing soldiers who give up their life here and their families to fight for freedom and stand up for what we believe in!

 

Memorial Day Blessings

Do you have a loved one who is in the military? Let’s honor them and send our blessings out to them. They have so much courage. When you sit at home watching TV, or you go to church (because you can), or you walk along the ocean front watching the sun make glittering stars hit the water…who do you thank for that freedom to walk without worry or threat that bullets and other deadly weapons could be used against you?

 

Memorial Day is like Thanksgiving!

I’m thankful that young men and women join the military so that I can honor them and be proud of them. Some come home and some don’t.Let’s give thanks this Memorial Day weekend for all those who fight and train to protect us and our country! Don’t take them for granted.

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5 Reasons Why You Need A Writing Mentor and a Muse!

May 14th, 2011 1 Comment

A Writing Mentor…what’s that?

Maybe you weren’t even born when Sharon Stone made the movie, The Muse. Ha! Maybe you don’t even know who Sharon Stone is…well, here is the secret. Everyone who has ever published a book, written a screenplay, or become an overnight millionaire through Internet Marketing has one secret they hold close to their heart. What is it? They had a mentor and a muse!

Sharon Stone the writing mentor and muse

The Muse and Writing Mentor

The Muse with Sharon Stone

 

Is a writing mentor like a muse?

Have you ever known a successful rock star or successful athlete? If you’re in their inner circle of confidants, then you know that they have or have had a coach or a mentor who jettisoned them to success. Do you agree?

As someone who has been in the writing and mentoring business since 1985, I thought you might want to know the 5 reasons why you need a writing mentor and muse. (This post is for authors as well as business owners who have a website or blog.)

Isn’t the goal of your efforts to get more customers buying your books and products? If your answer is no, then you might as well just leave this discussion for those who want to succeed, because apparently you have more customers, sales, and worldwide exposure than the average bear. :-)

If you’re still reading this post, then I invite you to read my “5 reasons why you need a writing mentor and muse.”

Please feel free to add your comments. Why? Maybe you have one or more reasons that someone would need a writing mentor. Hey, I’m transparent, and this is your opportunity to share what you know. After all, it’s for the better good of everyone, don’t you agree?

What could you tell an author or business owner about the advantages of having a writing mentor?

Here is my short list of 5 reasons why you need a writing mentor and a muse.

  1. A writing mentor has made all the mistakes and through that experience, she can tell you what to do so YOU don’t have to repeat the same mistakes every beginning author makes.
  2. A muse will pull ideas, dreams, and supernatural thoughts out of you that no one else can.
  3. A writing mentor and muse believes in *your* dreams and helps you to bring those dreams into reality through your writing.
  4. Famous authors and business people HATE sharing the secrets of how they got to be so famous; the reality, however, is that they had a MENTOR and a MUSE who guided them, instructed them, taught them, believed in them, never gave up on them, promoted them, encouraged them, and helped them create the BEST writing possible.
  5. A writing mentor and muse provides a shortcut to success. Why would anyone want to waste 1 year, 3 years, or even 5 years trying to do it themselves when a professional writing mentor and muse can “get ‘er done” in less than two months? You tell me.

Question: If a sincere and dedicated writing mentor and muse could shave FIVE YEARS off your efforts of becoming a successful author or gaining the #1 position on a top search engine, would you reject the offer or jump on it?

Hiring a writing mentor is your bridge to success!

So? What are you really going to do about your success? Will you keep telling your family and friends that one day you’re going to write and publish a book, or you’re going to launch a website with stellar content?

 

 

 

 

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Fiction Writing: Finding the Conflict in a Story

May 9th, 2011 2 Comments

Novels and Children’s Books Must Contain Conflict

It doesn’t matter if you’re writing a romance novel, a thriller, a sweet innocense story or a children’s book. Every book that gets categorized as fiction must contain conflict among the characters. Just as it is in everyday life, so it is in books—conflict is everywhere.

Books without conflict are boring!

conflict in your story

Conflict and a scared girl character

But, if you forget to add it to your story, your book will be boring. A few friends and family members might buy it to support your efforts, but if you want to sell lots of books, you need to find the conflict in your story. If it doesn’t have any, then let’s look at how you can create it.

Help has arrived!

5 Types of Conflict Situations to Spice Up Your Writing

Let’s look at five types of conflict situations that you can add to any of your stories.

Social Conflict

This type of conflict normally occurs between one person and a group of people in a social setting (online or offline). Basically, the social conflict pits one person against a social system or way of life.

Inner Conflict

This one is fairly obvious since as writers, or the characters we’re creating, the character or person can’t get out of their own way, and their inner conflict creates problems. When someone is unsure of themselves or an intended emotion or action, they can be in conflict and make wrong choices.

Relational Conflict

Relational conflict focuses on exclusive goals that are shared by two people; in a novel or children’s book, those people are called the protagonist and the antagonist (for something and against something).

Cosmic Conflict

You might think this sounds like it would apply only to a science fiction type of story, but actually, this involves a conflict between your main character and some sort of supernatural force. For your readers to understand how the conflict unfolds, they must understand through your words that the character is willingly projecting his problem with some sort of invisible force onto another person who, unfortunately, happens to be in the way of the character’s goal.

Situational Conflicts

This conflict category feels more like what would happen in a reality TV show. The main character and the “good guys” have to somehow survive a challenge that results in great conflicts. For example, if your heroine had to scale the side of a mountain in order to escape from the villains, and she hated heights, then that would become a situational conflict for her, since it takes her out of her comfort zone.

Summary

Read through your chapter and add conflict to your scenes. If you haven’t written your chapter yet, then choose a conflict category and write the scene. Believe me, your story will shout, “This is what’s at stake. Will she conquer this conflict?



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Writer’s Mentor Coaching Services

August 15th, 2010 Comments Off

Coaching and Mentoring Services

Candace Sinclair, writing coach and mentor, offers private telephone consultations to answer all your  questions and to keep you accountable so you can complete your writing project. I’m in the dream business; I like helping authors realize their dreams of writing and publishing books.

Getting Started

To get started with Candace as your writing coach, you can arrange a free phone consultation. Just contact me, tell me a little about your writing dreams, and we’ll set up an initial no-charge and no-obligation appointment. Plan to spend 20-30 minutes with me on the phone when it’s convenient for you not to be interrupted.

What’s This Going to Cost?

My mentoring fee is $125.00 per hour, and is payable before we begin the mentoring and coaching phone call. You can purchase up to four coaching calls a month, and if you have remaining minutes at the end of the month, they’ll roll over to the next month. Coaching sessions must be utilized within 60 days, to be fair to other clients who would like to schedule time with me.

If you have a family emergency that will prohibit you from attending our coaching call with me after you’ve submitted your payment, we can make personal time adjustments, according to your circumstances. If possible, I like to have 24-hour notice for all cancellations. However, the 60-day rule is still in effect, so if you aren’t sure about your schedule, then just use a pay-as-you-go system.

If I decide to sign up for your mentoring sessions, what can I expect?Woman mentoring male author at computer

During our initial no-cost, no-obligation phone conversation, we’ll establish what will help you the most to jump-start your writing efforts. Then I’ll create a custom plan and timeline for you, according to when you’d like to finish your book or writing project.

Below I’ve listed examples of how I’ve helped writers and business owners.

  • Brainstorm a book idea
  • Create chapter titles for the book’s outline
  • Coach-client status update on progress and where you’re getting stuck in the process
  • How to turn boring content into best-seller pages
  • Showing you where to begin
  • Talking about the marketing strategies before writing your first page
  • Going from a working title to a title that sells books
  • Creating an author bio
  • Increase book sales by having your own website
  • Doing keyword research and creating an attention-grabbing book title
  • Creating web content that converts to sales
  • Ranking your website to become #1 in the search engine results

Every Famous Author Had a Mentoring Coach

Just like every athelete has a coach, and every Olympic Gold Medalist has a coach, the same is true for writers who have a dream of becoming a publishing author.

Sure, millions of people WANT to write a book, but how many will actually do it? If it’s truly your dream of wanting to write and publish a book, then you have to start somewhere, but you don’t have to do it alone!

 Do you procrastinate about hiring a mentoring coach because you think you don’t have the time?

Mentoring takes one hour a week or four hours a month as a time investment. And you don’t have to drive anywhere or change out of your comfy clothes. You just pick up your phone, call me at the appointed time, and take notes while we talk. At the end of our call, you’ll have a clear plan for what you need to do next. It really is that simple.

Are you ready to get started with your first mentoring session?

Just click this link which will take you to my Contact page. Fill in your contact information, and tell me a little about your wrting project. Then tell me the best days and times that we can chat (free consultation). I’ll send you a return email with a couple of times when I’m available, and then we’ll book the call.

At the end of our brief 20-30 minute orientation chat, I’ll ask you if you’d like to set up your first official mentoring session to get you moving forward with your book. If you’re not ready to proceed, then at least you have information that you can use in the future. But I’d really like to help you get started. I promise that you’ll come away with more information and enthusiasm in one hour than you’d get from months and maybe years trying to get the same information and motivation by yourself.

I’m waiting to hear from you. Contact me right now. You have nothing to lose. There’s no cost for our “get-to-know-each-other” phone conversation. Really.

Make today the day that you begin the first steps in writing your book! You won’t be sorry for learning about the mentoring process.

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