Fiction Writers Now Mash And Make Money At StoryMash

Now, this really got my attention. Probably because I have a flare for fiction. A new social community called StoryMash, for collaboration, constructive criticism and a place to experiment and discover different writing styles is mashing up fiction readers and writers together.

StoryMash is a place where fiction folks start new stories, continue existing stories, or take a story in a different direction by adding a chapter to its middle! All the while earning money for every chapter they publish on StoryMash. If you are a reader, you can vote for your favorite chapters and choose how you want the story to continue. After reading a chapter you can select from among multiple followup chapters. And while reading a chapter if you have a great idea on what should happen next, you can register and submit a followup chapter!

The idea is similar to Helium where writers are paid from $20 to $200 for each article selected by their partner publishers. The difference is that with StoryMash, you pay yourself for each work you publish on StoryMash depending on the number of votes you get from your story.

Here is how it works:

If you're a fiction writer and want the world to know about your work, you will post your story to StoryMash.com. Then, other authors can add follow-up, or even middle chapters to existing chapters written by others. Branching chapters compete with each other based on the vote ranking of registered readers. Eventually, the best storylines will evolve into the most entertaining, and profitable storytelling possible.

The whole idea is a a collaborative system of user generated content where StoryMash provides a fair contract for writers; writers keep their copyright, and grant StoryMash a non-exclusive license so that StoryMash can adapt and possibly resell combined works. Plus, all authors are paid over 50% of all revenue made by the content they publish.

There are also periodic writing contests, and this February, over $500 in prizes will be given away. So start posting on StoryMash by share your creative writing with the world, and earning some cool cash.

Have fun!

Are You Bold Enough To Write A Bestseller?

I recently read an excellent article about 'writing a bestseller' from Creative Writing Blog, and I thought I should share a few more tips on this topic. The article provided 3 things to consider before writing a book that could become a bestseller.

Of course, an author who has previously published several books typically stands a better chance of making the bestsellers list than a new author, but it is important that aspiring writers increase the chances of their novels being bestsellers.

Here are a few tips to consider when writing a book that could become a bestseller:

OUT of your comfort zone

Writing what you already know might be considered as a work of short story. So in order to get out of your comfort zone, write what you don't expect yourself writing. Of course that requires research on your part. For example, Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, an international bestseller was seen as very controversial and that shows that he didn't just write what could be considered as a cliché, but rather an out-of-your-comfort-zone novel.

FORGET the clichés

This might sound a bit unethical to some:), but it is worth mentioning. As an aspiring writer, you should focus on stories that would not seem like a remake of a film. You've got to write something that has probably never been written before. Think! There's got to be something! In my opinion, the reason that some of John Grisham's novels are viewed as international bestsellers, even if some critics might call some of them clichés is because Grisham has already established himself as a the master of legal thrillers. So forget those clichés. Write what you know bestselling authors like John Grisham has never written before and probably will never write about.

TELL your readers more

Yeah, you've got to. Many people or readers know about certain stories, events, happenings, etc, but you have to tell them what they don't know. Of course, a work of fiction is a product of your imagination and creativity, but there are also certain information that your readers should know based on your storyline that could make your novel a bestseller. In Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, he exposes readers to secrets, mysteries and shocking revelations that makes you wonder. And remember, it need not be the real truth. That's why it's called fiction!

Above all, I agree with the author of Creative Writing Blog who advised that you should keep in mind that the reason for your writing a novel is not for it to become a bestseller, rather because you are passionate about the story. Besides, you should be less interested in making money.

So are you bold enough to write a bestseller?

Novel Writing on Mobile Phones Gets Fussy in Japan

Just a few days ago, I wrote a post about the first computer novel to be released in January by Russian Publishing House Astrel SPb. Little did I know that in Japan, half of the top ten best-selling works of fiction in the first six months of 2007 were composed on mobile phones and have sold an average of 400, 000 copies. Yeah, I mean written, not READ like you can on your Amazon's Kindle.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, mobile phone novels (or keitai shousetsu) have become a publishing phenomenon in Japan, “turning middle-of-the-road publishing houses into major concerns and making their authors a small fortune in the process.”

One of such novels, Koizora (Love Sky) by Mika about a high-school girl who is bullied, gang-raped, becomes pregnant and has a miscarriage has sold more than 1.2 million copies since being released in book format last October. In fact, it will soon be made into a movie.

For all we know, these mobile phone novels may be bestsellers in the Eastern front, but would they get attention in the Western terrain and eventually make the NY Times best sellers list?

New York Times Notable Books of The Year 2007

The New York Times has released the 100 Notable Books Of the Year which will run in the Dec. 2 print edition of the Book Review. The list which comprises Fiction & Poetry and Nonfiction books includes J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Graham Robbs' The Discovery of France.

The 10 Best Books of 2007 will be released on the Web on Nov. 28. So watch out for this space! View the 10 Best Books of 2006 here

Do Authors A-u-t-o-B-i-o-G-r-a-p-h in Fiction?

You know, I kind of believe that writers, if not all, have written something about themselves in their books without giving themselves credit for it. From my research, I've seen a link between the past of some authors and their works and as a writer, I wouldn't be surprising myself if I write something about my past in one of my books.

For an author whose works often examine the link between past and present, it's hardly surprising that Elizabeth Hay, author of the novel Late Nights on Air, had a flashback to her childhood when she won The Scotiabank Giller Prize, Canada's premier prize for fiction.

When she was about 5, she won a doll as a prize at a movie theater and the next day wrote her name in big, ballpoint letters around the doll's neck. Now, 51 years later, Hay took to the Giller stage to sign an enlarged copy of her book cover and reminded herself of the time she signed her doll. If only that prize-winning doll knew that her owner now has an award-winning "doll".

A former radio broadcaster, Elizabeth Hay describes the lives of a cast of characters at a small radio station in Yellowknife, in the Northwest Territories in her book which was inspired by Hay's own experiences living in the north when she was a radio broadcaster - all in a way to take her small life and put in fictional use - for something larger.

Hay's works have a distinctive Canadian feel, particularly because of their geographical settings. Her debut novel, A Student of Weather, which was nominated for the Giller in 2000, follows a family from a farm in Saskatchewan to urban Ottawa. Hay also documented her exploration of the country's cultural identity while she lived in New York in the non-fiction work Captivity Tales: Canadians in New York.

Elizabeth Hay's award-winning novel Late Nights on Air was No. 2 on the Globe and Mail newspaper's bestseller list for fiction for the week of November 17, and has been difficult for stores to keep in stock since it won the Giller.

Mommying and Writing at MWLM

Writing is not an easy task! In my experience, I've had to juggle with other activities while keeping up with the research, writing and editing of my book. But how about mommying and writing? No small feat!

Firstly, I'm not a mother! I'm not even a woman:-) But, having read articles and books from mom writers (mothers who are writers), it just makes me respect them more.

As a mother and writer, (mom writer, if you like) Paula Schmitt, founder of Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine has shown remarkable strength in being an editor and publisher. Her award-winning book, Living In a Locker Room: A Mom’s Tale of Survival in a Houseful of Boys is a fast, light and funny tale of the life of motherhood particularly raising boys.

Founded in 2005, Mom Writer’s Literary Magazine is a publication written by moms for moms across the globe who come together to share their stories. The online magazine publishes creative nonfiction essays, fiction, columns, book reviews, profiles about mom writers and visual art.

If you are a mom writer and interested in submitting a material for consideration, click here for guidelines.

Are you America's Next Top Novelist?

In celebration of the National Novel Writing Month (November 1st-30th), The Editorial Department, America's oldest independent book editing company, is hosting a nationwide contest to find and help perfect the next great American novel.

The grand prize winner will win a complete manuscript evaluation and line-editing package from The Editorial Department and have the opportunity to work directly with Renni Browne, co-author of the bestselling Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, and one of publishing house most experienced and highly respected fiction editors.

The contest is limited to completed fiction manuscripts of any genre between 50,000 and 110,000 words. Published and unpublished authors alike are encouraged to enter, but submitted manuscripts must be unpublished and not under contract at time of submission.

Contest participation is on a first-come, first-served basis with a 500-submission limit.

For more contest guidelines and further details, click here

To register for the contest, click here

The Fourth Annual Writing Contest for Study Abroad

The University of New Orleans, the pioneer in writing programs abroad, is pleased to announce the fourth annual writing contest for study-abroad in the summer of 2008. Full fee waivers and transportation costs will be granted to one writer each in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. Partial awards and honorable mentions may also be granted.

Anyone writing in English who has not yet published a book of 45 pages or more in the genre of application, except faculty and administrators employed by the University of New Orleans is eligible to participate.

For more details, visit: http://lowres.uno.edu/contest.cfm

Fingernumb on Day 2 at NaNoWriMo Contest

Today is Day 2 of the NaNoWriMo contest and my fingers are almost getting numb from writing. I've been so cruel to my keyboard the last 2 days that I'm already feeling for the poor thing. If only it knew my own pain.

Well, I just took a little break now to post this blog, busy brain-browsing the next bits of my 'funny' story. This is the probably the most challenging period of my writing career, but I'm enjoying it. It's fun!

Meantime, I've got to take a nap now and knock on later!

See ya soon:-)

Are you D-A-R-E-D enough to participate?

Hey folks! Are you particpating in the National Novel Writing Month Contest? I recently posted an article from Jeri's blog about a writing activity from November 1, which challenges participants to write a 50,000 word novel within a month.

Last night, I wasn't too sure if I would join the challenge, but when I woke up this morning I felt dared and decided to take a hit. Now, I just signed up on the site, and waiting to start writing. I know it'll be challenging for me, but what do I have to loose?

In this blog, I'll be posting gists about my progress in the contest and hopefully will be reading comments from readers and participants. If you are participating, why not aim at 1700 words per day (that should give you 51,000 words by Nov. 30), that way you'll be confident that you'll have over 50,000 by the end of the month.

Stop thinking...Start writing!

All the best, folks

Grisham's next legal thriller - The Appeal

John Grisham's readers would be waiting eagerly for Grisham's next legal thriller (with a political twist) after The Broker coming out January 29, 2008. The book, The Appeal will be Grisham's 20th work of fiction. Here's the storyline:

In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town’s water supply, causing the worst “cancer cluster” in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?

The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice.

The Appeal is a powerful, timely, and shocking story of political and legal intrigue, a story that will leave readers unable to think about our electoral process or judicial system in quite the same way ever again.

Novel November

November is, among other things, National Novel Writing Month. A non profit writing organization, NaNoWriMo, sponsors a group writing activity – the goal of participants is to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. It’s feasible! In 2006, 79,000 people signed up, and 13,000 actually met their 50,000 word goal.

How does it work? Participants sign up on the website, and then they write. A lot. They need to average 1,667 words a day to succeed. They self-report their word count on the website. At the end of the month, they submit a copy of their text through a scrambling filter for word count verification. The submitted text is not read or retained – just counted and discarded. Verified authors “win” – and get a certificate and an icon for their website.

While authors can do prep work, like outlining and research, prior to November, the window for actual writing is Nov 1-30 and starting before that is cheating. If an author’s novel ends up being longer than 50,000 words, the initial 50,000 count as their NaNo entry, but authors can sure keep writing past Nov 30.

Why do people do it? Some want to jump-start their writing career with a focused writing stint. Others feel the deadline pressure makes them more productive. More specifically, many feel the insane deadline keeps them focused on productivity, rather than perfect drafts and constant self-editing. A few feel that the month’s constraints and rapid writing pace actually triggers creativity. Adapted from: Jeri's Blog

Grisham's work inspires me to write

I've been reading John Grisham's novels for some years now and have come to admire his style of writing. On my reading list, I have: The Client (1993), The Street Lawyer (1998), The Brethren (2000) The Summons (2002),and The Last Juror (2004). That's not really bad for a dude who does more of writing than reading:-), even if I wish I could devote more time to reading all of his 20 books to date.

Recently, I started reading The Broker (2005), his most recent legal-thriller. In this book, Grisham tells a story of Joel Backman, a notorious Washington power broker who has spent the last six years in solitary confinement at a Federal Prison. In his power broker days, Backman it seemed, may have obtained secrets that compromise the world’s most sophisticated satellite surveillance system and was seen as dangerous to national security.

With enormous pressure from the CIA, the outgoing President of the United States pardons Backman and within hours he is quietly smuggled out of the country in a military cargo plane, given a new name, a new identity, and a new home in Italy. Eventually, after he has settled into his new life, the CIA leaks his whereabouts to the Israelis, the Russians, the Chinese, and the Saudis.

With it's twists and turns, the book leaves the reader wondering who really will kill Backman. Reading this book has given me an idea of a good story to develop and I've been working my brain for results:-)

A compelling read!