Tag Archives: writing guides

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An Editor’s Advice For Writers

editors advice for writersWhat could be more valuable to a writer than a book written from the editor’s perspective aimed right at those they must edit day to day? The Forest For the Trees: An Editor’s Advice For Writers is that book.

Betsy Lerner has a pedigree a mile long–Houghton-Mifflin, Ballantine, Simon & Schuster, and Doubleday, she’s worked for the best and has plenty of war stories to share. These are insider secrets and perspective you owe it to yourself to explore.

Lerner’s excellent advice includes some fun-but-right-on-the-money tips including letting your quirks and bizarre behaviors define you and inform your work. “I’ve come to look at neurotic behavior as a necessary component of a writer’s arsenal.” Lerner says. BRAVO!

She also adds “Too often the neurotic writer who still hasn’t learned to trust his own voice rushes to spill the beans…” Lerner was talking specifically here about story development and letting a piece unfold in its own time, but you get the idea that little aside can inform your work in any number of ways.

This is one book you should make the investment in. The perspective alone is worth a million.

reading

Writing White Papers by Michael Stelzner

writing-white-papers1.jpgWhite papers can be a great source of income for a hungry writer, but this is a type of writing newcomes shouldn’t take on lightly. If you’re scratching your head at the very phrase “white paper” you owe it to yourself to check out this book by Michael Stelzner on the subject.

White paper writing has been described as a cross between promotional and magazine article writing. You need to be able to make a case without the copy reading like a blatant ad for a particular product, service, or combination of the two.

White papers can be used to present a position, encourage a course of action, argue why one set of products, services or solutions should be used, the possibilities are endless. Stelzner’s book outlines a game plan for white papers (no matter what the topic) that can help you get an outline together and make a strong presentation. Newcomers to this type of writing will benefit from Stelzner’s coverage of research, doing interviews, gathering material and all other aspects of the process.

Of course, those not currently writing white papers may scratch their heads and wonder why this could be a valuable addition to a writer’s toolbox. For my money, it’s just like being able to do your own photography–anything that makes you a better sell as writer is a good thing. Expanding your horizons should be a prime consideration if you want to thrive as a writer.

Buy Writing White Papers by Michael Stelzner for $23.07