SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

WRITING FASTER

We all crave to write faster. Become more efficient to ultimately make more income. Some of us write fiction better than nonfiction, or vice versa, which means you need to focus on your slow moments and see how to crank up the speed.

Some may argue that writing faster ruins quality. If you slap stuff down without rhyme or reason, of course you're being sloppy, and your story will show it. However, there are other ways to economize your output, and over the next two weeks the feature stories will feature two different angles on how to get those stories out of your head and on paper a lot quicker.

I am a slow writer - at least when it comes to fiction. The story plays out on paper, not in my head. Until my fingers hit the keyboard and give it an outlet, the story rambles in my mind. One day I'll cave to detailed outlining to speed up the process, but right now I rather enjoy learning the story as my protagonist does. However, that also means I'm accepting the fact I am a slow creator. 

I am a fast writer - when it comes to journalism, nonfiction, or commercial material. Tell me to write a feature on how to manage the grass in a cemetery, and I'm all over the research, outlining, then throwing that puppy together. What takes me three hours to write as fiction, comes out in a half hour in nonfiction. Why? Because I tend to have more of a left brain mental process. I just wrote 30 guest blogs in 10 days.

However, now that I know my handicap, why don't I self-correct? Hmmm, I have no real answer for that . . . other than I might consider practicing the guidelines in this week's and next week's feature stories and see where that takes me. Sometimes we fall into ruts, feeling a little too cozy to leave. Maybe it's time to exit the warm and fuzzy, put on a coat, and step out. I might find a better warm and cozy place to write!







UPGRADE TO OUR PAID SUBSCRIPTION:



TOTAL FundsforWriters - biweekly containing 65+ grants, contests, markets, publishers, agents, and jobs for the serious and the wannabe writer. See a free sample here.

$18.75 for 26 biweekly issues - chocked full of opportunity. Read more here and consider the investment in your writing career. 



PREVIOUS FAVORITE POSTS:

• Press Releases: A Blast from the Past
• The Ins and Outs of Corporate Ghostwriting
• Grants and Artist-in-Residencies are Awesome Opportunities
• Enter to Win a Pass to the Nonfiction Writers Association Conference
• Reach More Customers By Sending an Email Newsletter
• How to Connect with Book Clubs
• Making Six Figures as an Indie Author
• The Worth of Naysayers
• Publishing and Crowdfunding with Publishizer
• Tracking Your Goals for Success
• How I Funded My Mission, Wrote My Book, and Made Bulk Book Sales with Grants
• How Do I Find Money to Write a Book?

 

WORDS OF SUCCESS

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them."

~George Bernard Shaw~
 

SUccess Story

Hi, Hope,

Just thought I'd let you know, I have published my first mainstream book — "The Alice '65" — in hardcover and in ebook. It's a romantic-comedy-drama and is much lighter than my earlier works. Your bright and optimistic newsletter helped keep me in the proper frame of mind to work on it.

Here's a link to my FaceBook page for it, so you can see if it's something you'd like.
https://www.facebook.com/The-Alice-65-434388066653659/

Just wanted to thank you. I so enjoy your newsletter.

Best regards,

Kyle Michel Sullivan

 

Featured article

Clients Want Longer Articles — Here’s How to Write Them Quickly

By Colleen M. Story  

When I first started writing blogs for my clients, everyone thought shorter was better. Then a few years ago, things changed. 

In their analysis of one million Google search results in September 2016, SEO top resource Backlinko discovered that longer, more comprehensive content significantly outperformed shallow content. “Writing comprehensive, in-depth content can help you rank higher in Google,” they concluded.

Some of my clients got wise to this fact, and started asking me to make their typical 500-word posts a little longer. I also landed a couple of new clients who wanted posts that were 1,500 –2,000 words or even 3,000+. (I found these companies wanting regular blog posts on ProBlogger and Freelance Writing Jobs.)

The good news is that a freelance writer can earn much more with these longer articles, as clients are willing to pay more. The bad news is, if it takes you too long to write them, you won’t increase your earning power. 

So how do you push these things out quickly without sacrificing quality?

5 Tips to Write Longer Articles, Faster

First, realize that you can’t just add more fluff and make it work. You have to add some real meat to these articles, and that usually means research. It’s the research that can get you into trouble, as it tends to take longer than the actual writing. 

Try the following five tips to help you get the article done in a profitable time.

1.    Drill down on what the client wants. If the client asks for 10 ways to do X, realize that the bulk of your article needs to be about those 10 ways. Don’t make the mistake of spending too long on your intro or on any explanations. Zero in on exactly what the client needs, and don’t waste time on any extraneous information. 

2.    Save the intro for last. This tip really helps me. I don’t write the intro until the article is done. That way, I get right to the information the client really wants, and I don’t waste time on an intro that is usually expendable anyway. 

3.    Outline before you start. I’m not talking about an extensive outline here. Usually I scroll to about mid-page and create a down-and-dirty outline, something like, “Intro, What Is X?, 10 Ways (listing each solution), and Conclusion.” Do some preliminary skimming research to find support for the meat of your article, and list those in the outline before you start writing. It will help you move faster. 

4.    Break it into three. Let’s say the blog post isn’t a list, but a post about a certain topic, like Alzheimer’s disease in women. Decide the main point of the article—how the disease acts differently in women than in men, for example. Then break the article into three parts: a) what is Alzheimer’s?, b) 3-5 ways it differs in women, c) and future research. Add an intro and conclusion and you’re good to go. The rule of three most always works to keep you efficient in your research.

5.    Give yourself limited time. It’s amazing how this works—if you give yourself three hours to write a 2,500-word article, it will take you three hours. So challenge yourself. Give yourself two hours, or ninety minutes, and see if you can do it. In general, the more time you allow, the more time it takes. A challenging deadline helps you focus and work faster. 

Using these five tips, you can increase your efficiency and productivity with longer blog posts or articles, and become invaluable to your clients, which is great for your bottom line.

Sources
Brian Dean, “We Analyzed 1 Million Google Search Results. Here’s What We Learned About SEO,” Backlinko, September 2, 2016, https://backlinko.com/search-engine-ranking.

BIO - Colleen M. Story is the author of Overwhelmed Writer Rescue: Boost Productivity, Improve Time Management, and Replenish the Creator Within—a motivational read full of practical, personalized solutions to help writers escape the tyranny of the to-do list and nurture the genius within. (Get your free chapter here!) She’s worked in the creative writing industry for over twenty years, and is the founder of Writing and Wellness. For more information, please see her author website, or follow her on Twitter (@colleen_m_story).


    

COmpetitions

SPRING TRAVEL WRITING CONTEST
http://nowheremag.com/contests/
$20 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 31, 2018. We are looking for young, old, novice and veteran writers to send us stories that possess a powerful sense of place. Stories can be fiction, nonfiction or essay, but please indicate which genre at the top of your manuscript. Entries should be between 800 and 5,000 words and must not have been previously chosen as a winner in another contest. The winner will receive $1,000, with publication in Nowhere granted under First North American Serial Rights (FNASR). Up to ten finalists also will be published. 



THE #GUNS AND PEOPLE ESSAY CONTEST
https://memoirmag.com/contests-and-prizes/guns-people-essay-contest/
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 30, 2018. Memoir Magazine reads and publishes fine Memoir all year. We are now accepting submissions of 3,000 words or less to our special #Gun Memoir Award. Were you shot or did you witness a shooting? Did a gun wielding person save your life? Whether you or someone you know has had a positive or negative experience with guns we want to hear your story about how a gun (or guns) impacted your life. $350 in prizes and all submissions considered for publication. Limit 3,000 words. 



HEROES' VOICES NATIONAL VETERANS POETRY CONTEST
http://heroesvoices.org/contest/
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline April 20, 2018. Theme: The Soldiers’ Journey: Poems about the experience of being in the armed services and/or being a veteran. Winning submissions and other selected poetry will be featured in public readings in San Francisco, California and at George Mason University in Virginia in the spring of 2018. This contest is open to all veterans who have served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States of America. First prize $1,000. Second prize $500. Third prize $250. Fourth prize $100. 



RAYMOND CARVER SHORT STORY CONTEST
https://www.carvezine.com/raymond-carver-contest/
$17 ENTRY FEE. Deadline May 15, 2018. Prizes: $1,500 (1st), $500 (2nd), $250 (3rd), and two $125 (Editor's Choice). Winning stories will be read by three literary agents: Nat Sobel from Sobel-Weber Associates, Erin Harris from Folio Literary Management, and Catherine Cho from Curtis Brown UK. Limit 10,000 words. 

 

GRANTS

NORMAN MAILER CENTER SCHOLARSHIPS
https://nmcenter.org/2018-workshops/
The Center and the Colony offers workshops that explore what Mailer called “the spooky art of writing” and the unique ways writers apply their art to their own creative narratives. Scholarships to these workshops are based on need, and other resources for writing. Food, travel and housing to and from the workshop’s location are not included. Our summer creative writing workshops will be held on the Wilkes University Campus in Wilkes-Barre, PA. These weeklong classes will run from July 29 to August 3 for week one, and from August 4 to August 10 for week two. 



NBC UNIVERSAL WRITERS ON THE VERGE
http://www.nbcunitips.com/writers-on-the-verge/
Apply May 1-31, 2018. Writers on the Verge is a program focused on polishing writers and readying them for a staff writer position on a television series. We are looking for writers who are “almost there” but need that final bit of preparation with their writing and personal presentation skills. We particularly encourage writers of diverse backgrounds to apply. The program will consist of weekly evening classes at NBCUniversal in Universal City, CA. Once accepted, students must attend all classes and turn in all written assignments. Submitted specs must be written for a show on our Accepted Shows List. We do not accept all shows. Please ensure that your spec is included on our list.



HEDGEBROOK SCREENWRITERS LAB
http://www.hedgebrook.org/screenwriters-lab/
$40 APPLICATION FEE. Deadline June 2, 2018. Hedgebrook’s Screenwriters Lab supports five screenwriters in developing their projects over a weeklong residency, with two mentors from the film industry, at our retreat on Whidbey Island, Washington. Participating writers will come into the workshop with a draft of the screenplay they’ll be working on. We welcome scripts on all topics and across all genres of narrative fiction (drama, comedy, horror, action, thriller, science fiction, animation, musical, etc.). No TV scripts, shorts or documentaries.



WARNER BROTHERS TELEVISION WORKSHOP
https://televisionworkshop.warnerbros.com/writers-workshop/
Deadline May 1-31, 2018. Every year, the Workshop selects up to eight participants out of more than 2,500 submissions and exposes them to Warner Bros. Television’s top writers and executives, all with the ultimate goal of earning them a staff position on a Warner Bros.-produced television show. The 2018-2019 Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop will run October 2018 – April 2019, with meetings on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California, one evening a week from 7 p.m. to10 p.m. Full participation is mandatory.

 

FREELANCE MARKETS

SKILLED SURVIVAL
http://www.skilledsurvival.com/write-for-us/
We’re only looking for articles you’ve written for the survival niche and you believe it’s your best work. We currently pay a very competitive per word rate, but that is because we are paying for top notch quality work. We also accept the occasionally accept guest posts but again, only if it’s going to be top-notch quality material. 



FOLKS STORIES on MEDIUM
https://medium.com/@folksstories/come-write-for-us-we-pay-2c9915324287
Are you a writer either living with a health condition or who has otherwise been personally touched by one? If so, Folks wants to publish you. Folks is an daily online magazine dedicated to telling the stories of remarkable people who refuse to be defined by their health issues. By sharing the experiences of these individuals, we hope to change people’s notions about what it means to be "normal." We pay $400 for the exclusive publishing rights to your essay for a one-year period.



THE CHANGE AGENT
https://changeagent.nelrc.org/write-for-us/
Deadline May 3, 2018. The Change Agent features writing by adult learners. All submissions must be received by the deadline to be considered for publication. Suggested length is 200-1,000 words. We pay $50 stipends to adult education students whose work is accepted for publication.



STORY TERRACE
https://storyterrace.com/become-a-writer/
A website that matches people who want their biography written to freelance writers. Now seeking writers. 


 

JOBS

COPY EDITOR/WRITER - Indianapolis, IN
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=9c571dc97ce8a49b
Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Will be responsible for: Writing BCSP’s copy with input from content experts and maintaining BCSP's editorial style; reviewing all written documents including publications, brochures, self-assessments, blueprints, and references in final draft form to ensure copy is free of errors; coordinating website and social media posts and creating/contributing to all internal/external communications; assisting the Marketing Department on goal-oriented projects and assisting in achieving accreditation and recognition as a certifying body. Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communication, Marketing, or a closely related field. 



SEO WRITER AND EDITOR - Gainesville, FL
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=8c1748e459e631e6
Jumpem LLC is a full-service website design and Internet marketing agency. We design, optimize and build websites, mobile solutions, and provide strategic Internet marketing services. We are looking for a talented, professional, self-motivated person to fill our available full-time Content Writer & SEO Editor position at our Gainesville, FL-based company. 



CONTENT WRITER - Erie, PA
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=483c025575478956
Ethos Copywriting is a content marketing agency based in Erie, PA. We write copy for blogs, brochures, grants, screenplays, web pages, and just about anything else in need of the written word. This position will require the chosen candidate to write on a variety of subjects ranging from finance and technology to marketing and manufacturing. As a content writer, you should have stellar research skills and a strong desire to learn.



COPY EDITOR/WRITER - Waltham, MA
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=7afadffd2dda99f8
Brandeis University seeks to hire a Copyeditor/ Writer to support the Office of Communications. Copyedit, edit and write content for a variety of clients and audiences on projects including campaign collateral, web, social media and print materials produced by the Creative Services team within the Office of Communications. Copyedit all materials for grammar, style and accuracy.
 

Publishers/agents

HALLMARK PUBLISHING
http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/hallmark-publishing/write-for-us
Hallmark Publishing is open to submissions of wholesome romance and cozy mystery novels. If your book seems like a Hallmark movie or TV series, it might be right for us! We’re looking for wholesome or “sweet” romance novels and cozy mystery novels of around 65,000 – 85,000 words in length. We love romances and mysteries that also celebrate friendship, family, and/or community ties. All stories must have happy endings.



UNION LITERARY
https://www.unionliterary.com/about/
Union Literary is a full-service boutique agency specializing in literary fiction, popular fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, social history, business and general big idea books, popular science, cookbooks and food writing. We excel at project development, hands-on editing and placing our projects with domestic and foreign publishers, film and television companies.



THE ROBIN BECKER CHAPBOOK CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
https://sevenkitchenspress.com/series-guidelines/guidelines-the-robin-becker-chapbook-prize/
Deadline May 15, 2018. Seeks original, unpublished poetry manuscripts in English by L/G/B/T/Q writers. Submit a paginated manuscript of 16-24 pages of poems with no more than one poem per page. Two manuscripts, one by a writer with, and one by a writer without, previous book or chapbook publication, are sought for publication. Each chapbook will be printed in a limited edition of 100 copies, with the option of successive printings. The chapbooks will be designed, printed, and hand-assembled by Seven Kitchens Press. The authors will receive 25 copies. Additionally, the publisher will distribute ten review copies to reviewers, libraries, and organizations at the author’s recommendation.



HUB CITY PRESS
https://hubcity.submittable.com/submit
Deadline April 30, 2018. Hub City Press publishes books of literary fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. Hub City is a small press, publishing five to eight titles per year. In general, our publication schedule operates at least 12-18 months in advance of release. If you would like us to consider your work, please send us a one-page query letter about your manuscript. Submissions are open in March/April and in September/October. At specific times we may be open to specific genres for extra time. 


 

SPONSORS

Joan Dempsey is an award-winning author and writing teacher dedicated to helping serious creative writers master the craft and business of writing. And she swears that writing great dialogue is the fastest, most powerful way to improve your manuscript.

In this free online class, you will develop a deep understanding of what dialogue is (and what it isn't), and get a rock-solid handle on the five functions of dialogue.

The class is now open! And it's FREE.

You're welcome to participate whenever you wish, at your own pace—nothing is on a set schedule. Joan will be with you every step of the way.

NOTE: I took the free class, and also as a teacher of dialogue, I can attest this is spot on solid material. You'll walk away enlightened.  ~Hope








The 8^th Annual Nonfiction Writers’ Conference
May 2-4, 2018
Featuring Opening Speaker: Gretchen Rubin

We are thrilled that our opening session for NFWC 2018 features New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and The Four Tendencies.

Gretchen will share her perspectives on Happiness, Habits and Productivity for Authors. She will also explain what it was like to find out that her book was on the New York Times bestseller list, how that has impacted her career, and what is was like to get the call that Oprah wanted to interview her for Super Soul Sunday! As an attorney, writer, and podcast host, Gretchen has much to share with our nonfiction writer community. Learn more about Gretchen Rubin.

The Nonfiction Writers Conference is VIRTUAL
Attend from Anywhere!

Since 2010, the Nonfiction Writers’ Conference has taken the concept of the traditional in-person writers’ conference and turned it into a one-of-a-kind ONLINE experience. Featuring 15 speakers over three days, all sessions are conducted via teleseminar, which means attendees from around the globe participate via phone or Skype–NO TRAVEL REQUIRED!

Local phone numbers available across the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Sessions run May 2nd, 3rd and 4th from 9am PDT / 12pm EDT through 3pm PDT / 6pm EDT each day. 

Read more...and sign up....here.

Use FUNDSFORWRITERS35 and get 35% off the cost of the event. 

GET WEBSITES THAT ROCK, BOOK COVERS THAT SIZZLE

Shaila Abdullah has designed websites, book designs, marketing materials, and email campaigns for over 60 authors, writers and speakers. Being an award-winning author herself, she understands the industry, and will provide you with designs that reflect your unique style, genre, and personality. 

MENTION THIS AD AND GET 10% OFF (NEW CLIENTS ONLY)
EXISTING CLIENTS EARN 8% REFERRAL FEE FOR SENDING IN NEW CLIENTS 

E-mail Shaila: info@myhouseofdesign.com 
View portfolio: http://myhouseofdesign.com/author-portfolio/
Services for authors: http://myhouseofdesign.com/services-for-authors/

A few testimonials from happy clients:

"Superb work, excellent customer service. Just marvelous overall.” —C. Hope Clark, author, founder of FundsforWriters, http://www.fundsforwriters.com

"The site captures my spirit and passion, and it honors my dream since childhood." —Lyn Fairchild Hawks, author, http://lynhawks.com/

"Shaila is a terrific designer, highly professional and extremely creative and delivers amazing results. Her sense of humor and positive spirit has made the whole process of developing and launching my web site a pleasure. –James Hutchison, playwright, http://jameshutchison.ca/

"When I first saw Shaila’s work, I was struck by the fact that her designs are not only beautiful but also perfectly reflect the personality of the business it represents. Her suggestions, insight, and artistic talent made the final product much better than what I’d envisioned on my own.” —Jacqueline Adams, writer, http://jacqueline-adams.com/

Other websites:
http://bapsisidhwa.com/
http://wagnerjulia.com/
http://lisakwinkler.com/
http://kbhyde.com/
http://meredithwargo.com/

FINE PRINT

Please forward the newsletter in its entirety. To reprint any editorials, contact hope@fundsforwriters.com for permission. Please do not assume that acknowledgements listed in your publication is considered a valid right to publish.

C. Hope Clark
E-mail: hope@fundsforwriters.com
140-A Amicks Ferry Road #4
Chapin, SC 29036
http://www.fundsforwriters.com

Copyright 2000-2018, C. Hope Clark
ISSN: 1533-1326

**Note that FundsforWriters.com places paid advertising in this newsletter, ALL ads being related to writers and the business of writing, screened by FundsforWriters to make sure the information is suitable for writers and their endeavors to improve their careers. But the mailing list is not sold to third parties. You will not receive this newsletter without your permission. It's physically impossible since recipients must opt-in, giving us permission to send the newsletter. If at any time you no longer with to receive the newsletter, click the UNSUBSCRIBE link at the bottom of each newsletter. We want you to enjoy this newsletter at your pleasure, not be forced to read anything you do not wish to receive. The website is not advertised using unsolicited messages by Aweber, affiliates or other third parties. Direct any complaints, suggestions, and accolades to Hope Clark at hope@fundsforwriters.com. We are an anti-spam site.