In January, your challenge was to write 7 ridiculous writing resolutions. Batya Deene sent this winning entry:

My 2008 Writing Resolutions

--Batya Deene © 2008

1. I resolve to become so emotionally committed to my characters that I will date no one else. We will have dinner, go to the movies, even sleep together until the novel is complete. Then, perhaps, I will file for divorce.

2. I resolve to write a minimum of 1667 words every day of the year---to hell with November being special, you silly NaNo-ers.

3. I resolve to personally research every fact in my novels, even if it means traveling to Australia (from Nashville, TN) for a walkabout in the Outback, delving into punk rock music until my blood pulses with the beat (does punk-rock have a beat?), and verifying the acrid taste of tiger-snake venom.

4. I resolve to do all the things a 'real' writer does: drink regularly, stare off into space on a daily basis, underachieve at every non-writing job including pizza delivery, jump naked from the shower to write my most brilliant idea, mumble out loud in public places, steal great dialogue from neighboring tables in restaurants, tear reams of half-filled paper into shreds while raging at my Muse's imperfections, and pretend intellectual depression at parties.

5. I resolve to respond positively, happily, and gratefully to every bit of critique I receive on any and all of my writing endeavors. (I also resolve to stop sending anonymous Gypsy curses to my critiquers.)

6. I resolve to complete every story idea I have ever had, to edit all my first drafts until they are perfectly polished, and to fill in character profiles for every fictional being I have ever created, past, present, or future.

7. I resolve to never again have a jealous feeling or thought when other writers I know (a) win contests, (b) find agents, (c) get published, (d) win the Pulitzer, (e) all of the above. I will only celebrate in sheer, unadulterated joy with them (please refer back to #4, where I drink regularly).

Batya Deene, presently living in Nashville, TN, has been writing since the age of 8, and published sporadically since then. Her genres span murder mysteries, short stories, poetry, nonfiction, Country lyrics, and lists.

There's currently a huge demand for Web writers, so writing blogs and ebooks is a great way to make some extra cash, even if you don't consider yourself a writer.

The big benefit of writing for the Web is that writers have real control over their writing, and the potential to make an unlimited income. They can write their way.

For new writers, the Web offers a fast start to a writing career. Even new writers can get paid to write Web content. For experienced writers, the big benefit of writing for the Web is that you can write your own way.

The dragons of writing style are dead online. You can write as informally as you wish, letting your personality shine through.

Two of the most in-demand forms of Web writing are blogging, and writing reports and ebooks.

Blogging: excellent payment for writing snippets

Blogs are powerful. They enhance a business's visibility online. However since most companies don't have staff with blogging experience, they outsource their blogging to Web writers.

Many Web writers are finding new careers as professional bloggers for a wide variety of different businesses, managing a stable of 20 or so blogs a month.

Professional bloggers are hired on contracts of varying lengths, from three months to a year.

Writing ebooks: high demand - you can build a good clientele

Reports and ebooks are in high demand online. Some Web writers specialize in short reports of from five to 20 pages, others write ebooks of varying lengths.

How long does it take to write an ebook? Jenny writes a two 50-page books a month. She says the ebooks are easy to write, because her teenage son helps her with the research, and she uses speech recognition software. She quit her day job to become a full-time ebook writer a year ago.

Web writing is a great part-time career, with the potential to go full-time very quickly. If you enjoy writing, it's the perfect way to make extra income.

Discover how easy it is to make money as a Web writer with Angela Booth's "Sell Your Writing Online NOW" Training Program at http://sellwritingnow.com/Home/training.html The program is fun and profitable too. There's a full year of lessons and assignments:"Sell Your Writing Online NOW" helps you to earn while you learn, even as a brand new writer.

New to writing? Visit Angela Booth's new Writing Hacker Web site at http://writinghacker.com/ - watch Angela's "Make money Writing: Write and sell Web articles - they're in hot demand" video.

For free weekly writing information, subscribe to Angela's Fab Freelance Writing Ezine at http://fabfreelancewriting.com/ezine/fab-freelance-writing-ezine.html and receive "Write And Sell Your Writing: The Power-Write Report" immediately.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Booth

New Blog Launches!

The Writer Resource & Information Blog will feature weekly updates about websites for writers. Looking for market lists, job opportunities, or writing tips? We'll help you find them. Visit us at: http://writerinfo.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Lisa, for featuring CS4W! I wish you much success!!

---

Tonya L. Fleming is proud to announce the release of her new book, Life Changing Messages with Eternal Dividends

The ISBN # is 1-60474-559-2. The retail price is $12.95, and the special pre-release discount price is $9.95. This book is available online at all book stores, or at www.PublishAmerica.com online book store. Call 1-301-695-1707. You can also walk in any book store and place an order.

Congratulations Tonya!!

---

6th KATHLEEN JULIA BATES WRITING FOR CHILDREN COMPETITION

Open only to Australian Buzz Words subscribers www.buzzwordsmagazine.com this competition is for a picture book text suitable for readers under the age of 8 years. Subject matter is open. The manuscript should NOT have page/text indications but should include a title page with the story title, word count and writer's name and full contact details, including email address. Instructions to illustrator should be kept to a minimum and shown in italics. The competition is open to both published and unpublished writers. No CVs, please. No limit on number of entries.

Short-listed judges will be children's book editors Cathie Tasker (Koala Books), Sue Whiting (Walker Books) and Di Bates (Little Ears). The first prize is $150; the runner-up will receive $50. Publication is not necessarily offered: this is up to the discretion of the judges. All entrants will receive a critique of their work from a panel of 3 published children's authors and/or editor/s, provided a stamped, self-addressed envelope is sent with entry/ies: judges will provide written feedback on the short-listed and winning entries. Competition closes on 1 March 2008

Entry fee is AUD $10 per manuscripts: cash, money order or cheque (payable to Di Bates). Results (and a copy of the winning entry) will be published in the Buzz Words issue of 15 April. Send manuscript, payment and ssae to Di Bates, PO Box 2116, Woonona East NSW 2517.

---

Spring Book Show 2008 Focused Seminar 2

"Preparing Your Book for the Market: Writing the Proposal and Editing the Manuscript"

March 29, 2008-Georgia World Trade Center, Atlanta Georgia

Patricia Fry, president, Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network (SPAWN), speaks on "Preparing a Killer Proposal To Market Your Manuscript to Publishers," and Bobbie Christmas, author of Write In Style, a triple-award-winning textbook on creative writing and owner of Zebra Communications, a book-editing firm based in metro Atlanta, explains how to find ways to make your writing more creative and more marketable.

Details and signup information: www.anvilpub.net/spring_seminar_2.htm

---

Check out this awesome site: www.freelance-zone.com/blog - a buyer's guide and lifestyle blog that features electronics and other gear specifically selected with writers in mind. The site also has information on travel getaways that are perfect for writers and other thoughts, ideas and tips for the freelance writing life.

This great site is packed with information! I want to thank Catherine for mentioning CS4W too!

---

Announcing a Short Story Contest

Here's something new and fun! Create a short-short story (less than 750 words), then browse through our Photo Archive to find a photo that relates to it - OR - pick a photo first from our Photo Archive and then write a short-short story about the photo to win $$$$ at www.yourphotostory.com

YOUR PHOTO STORY DEADLINES

You can submit stories by either the 15th or the last day of the month. Twice a month, judges will choose the best story and we will publish it on the website under the author's name.

Every three months (beginning in May, 2008) the Judges select a quarterly winner who receives a $25 prize.

---

Web Magazine for Women

Check out www.4indianwoman.com - The Ultimate Hangout for Women Where you Express, Write, Get paid!

This web magazine offers writing markets for women, blogs, flash fiction, online serialized novels and much more!

---

Fourth Annual New York Round Table Writers' Conference

This is an amazing conference featuring over 75 publishing industry insiders: editors, agents, publicists, authors, and publishers!

The 2008 conference is being held at the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Library on April 11th and 12th. For more information on the conference and registration, please visit: writersconferencenyc.org

There is an early-bird registration discount until March 15th.

---

The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride

Check out the book trailer for this upcoming novel at: www.steffimcbride.com

Book trailers are becoming a popular way to promote novels. Many of my friends have created trailers for their books and the results have been amazing!

The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride is no exception. Check it out!

---

Dolla S. Merrillees is excited to announce the release of her book, The Woodcutter's Wife: A Stepmother's Tale published by Halstead Press.

The book is available at: www.amazon.com/Woodcutters-Wife-Stepmothers-Tale/dp/1920831460 or you can order your copy from woodcutterswife@bigpond.com specifying number of copies and contact details. Discount available for orders of five or more. Payment accepted by credit card, bank cheque, direct deposit, postal order or PayPal.

"HERE IS A REAL FIND. A story about 21st-century parenting in a "blended" family that is bracingly honest, funny and well-written. The best thing about this book is that it doesn't simply refute the bad press stepmothers have traditionally received. Dolla Merrillees is all too aware of her "inner" wicked stepmother as she recounts her struggle to bond with her partner's son, cope with the boy's off-stage, drug-addicted mother and adjust to the emotional tug-of-war that occurs when her own child is born. Merrillees was in her early 30s, footloose and child phobic when she met Ben. She had no desire to become instant mother to a four-year-old boy. Loving Ben, she quickly discovered, didn't automatically mean loving his son. That came only with hard work. The step-parenting guide books Merrillees read were of limited use. What she wanted - and has subsequently written - was a "warts-and-all stepmother tale". Many readers, I suspect, will be deeply grateful."

Fiona Capp

The Age Newspaper, Melbourne 8/12/07

Congratulations Dolla and best of luck to you!

---

Check out the Central Oregon Writers Guild Blog! To learn more about the COWG and everything they offer, please visit: http://centraloregonwriters.blogspot.com/

---

WRITING FOR CHILDREN COURSE

Now on offer is a course for writers who are interested in breaking into the children's book publishing world. Four modules are offered: An Introduction to Writing for Children; Getting Ideas and Getting Started: Writing a Picture Book Course and Books for Younger Readers and Genre Fiction. Each module comes with a series of exercises to help develop the student's understanding of aspects of writing for children as well as an assessable assignment for which the student will receive a written report. Cost of each module is $75. The course has been designed by well-known teacher and prize-winning author of over 90 books for children, Dianne (Di) Bates www.enterprisingwords.com

Di also compiles online magazine Buzz Words (The Latest Buzz on Children's Books) www.buzzwordsmagazine.com

Payment can be made by money order or cheque (payable to Di Bates) to PO Box 2116, Woonona East 2517 or online (on application to dibates@enterprisingwords.com

Contents of the course are as follows:

AN INTRODUCTION TO WRITING FOR CHILDREN

1. HOW YOU TOO CAN BECOME A WRITING SUCCESS

2. WRITING FOR CHILDREN

3. THE PUBLISHING BUSINESS

4. BECOMING A CHILDREN'S WRITER

5. HOW TO GET BOTH FEET PAST PUBLISHERS' LOCKED DOORS

6. RESOURCES

7. YOUR ASSIGNMENT

GETTING IDEAS & GETTING STARTED

1. HOW TO COME UP WITH BRILLIANT IDEAS

2. OTHER WAYS OF FINDING IDEAS

3. STARTING AN IDEAS' BOOK

4. HOW TO READ AS A WRITER

5. KEEPING NOTEBOOKS

6. GETTING STARTED

7. MARATHON WRITING

8. THE WRITERS' CIRCLE

9. ADVICE FROM WRITERS IN WORKSHOP GROUPS

10. YOUR ASSIGNMENT

WRITING A PICTURE BOOK TEXT

1. WHAT IS A PICTURE BOOK?

2. DO'S AND DON'TS OF WRITING PICTURE BOOK TEXTS

3. TO RHYME OR NOT TO RHYME?

4. CHOICE OF SUBJECT MATTER

5. STYLE AND VIEWPOINT

6. FIRST SENTENCES OF POPULAR CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS

7. PICTURE BOOK STRUCTURES

8. POPULAR PICTURE BOOKS

9. ANALYSING A TEXT 10. SUBMITTING A PICTURE BOOK TEXT

10. AUSTRALIAN TRADE PICTURE BOOK PUBLISHERS

11. YOUR ASSIGNMENT

BOOKS FOR YOUNGER READERS & GENRE FICTION

1. STAGES OF CHILDHOOD AND READING INTERESTS

2. GENERAL FEATURES OF BOOKS FOR YOUNGER READERS

3. EASY READERS

4. BOOK SERIES

5. GENRE FICTION

6. CHAPTER BOOKS

7. JUNIOR NOVEL

8. STARTING A BOOK FOR YOUNG READERS

9. YOUR ASSIGNMENT

---

Bobbie Christmas is the "Book Doctor" and Author of Write In Style, a triple-award-winning textbook for writers of fiction and nonfiction, available wherever books are sold.

Bobbie loves to receive questions from writers and offer her expert advice. If you have any questions you need answered, please e-mail her at: Bobbie@zebraeditor.com

For the latest Q&A with Bobbie, go to AskTheBookDoctor on the CS4W site.

---

If you have an announcement you would like to share with us, please send it to: sandy@coolstuff4writers.com with "Announcement" in the subject line.

I love to hear from you!

Peace,

Sandy

email: sandy@coolstuff4writers.com

phone: 732-364-3993

web: http://www.coolstuff4writers.com