New Technical Writer - The Four Dimensions of Your User-Reader

To create an effective User Document, the writer must know who he-she is writing for. This article presents four dimensions (Skills, Attitude, Knowledge and Experience) for describing the User of your product (your Documentation Reader), and how to build a Persona that turns your generic User into an almost-real person. The article stresses the need to actually USE this information when structuring and writing your User Document.

Real-Life Drama Writing

Writing drama stories can be difficult at times. There are days, even weeks, when our lives are mundane or down right boring. It can really put a crimp in your writing flow. Yet, drama is all around us. It is hiding just beneath the surface, waiting to spring out and grab us.

188 Stage Hero's Journey - Monomyth - Importance Of Time Pressure

Antagonism Strikes. Often, an Antagonism will increase the urgency of the Journey and resolution. In The Matrix (1999), Neo is pursued by the agents, interrogated and implanted. In Lord of the Rings (2001), the demon army are born.

188 Stage Hero's Journey Monomyth - First Catharsis

The Hero has no need to kill the Antagonist (Gods need not kill) and lets him live or hesitates. The Antagonist is after all, a shadow of the Hero's Own Self. In Return of the Jedi (1983), Luke critically wounds Vader, he does not kill him.

Writing a Book - Passion is Key

Writing a book would be a major complement and an add-on to your existing business. Likewise, it will mean a supplemental source of income contributing to your company's bottom line. I'd be willing to count that you have imagined composing your own book at some period in your career. Virtually every single individual has. Your passion is key.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Dharma and Destiny

It is worth making explicit that the Hero has a Dharma, that is, he (or she) has a destiny that he (or she) must follow.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) - Rebirth through Death

The Night Sea Journey leads the Hero towards the Rebirth Experience. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis recounts the death he saw as a kid.

Now Is Not The Time To be Caught Without Grammar

So you've started your own business, now's the time to brush up on your grammar or face letting the world see what you didn't learn at school.

Interview with Author David Keck, Part Three

I interviewed David Keck, author of In the Eye of Heaven. He gives wonderful advice on writing and a look at the publishing process. This is part 3 of 3, addressing the publication process.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 11)

In writing my novel, I learnt a lot of things the hard way so I just wanted to put this series out there for would be writers to help them on their path to writing their own book.

Write Your Novel Step By Step (Part 10)

In writing my novel I learnt a lot of things the hard way so I just wanted to put this series out there for would be writers to help them on their path to writing their own book.

Curiosity & Imagination - Essential Writers' Tools

It's hard to imagine how or why one might choose to be a writer, especially a freelance writer, without this trait. What would be the incentive, if not to absorb information and reconfigure it in a way that others can enjoy and absorb it as well? Without it, this chosen way of life becomes merely a job - a way to earn a living - and for most of us that's not what it's about.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Catharsis 2

The detective hero's deceit causes the antagonist(s) to reveal the femme fatale's part in the crime. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), the Fat Man reveals how O'Shaugnessey was involved.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth) Hero's Journey - Apotheosis

The detective hero realises the true nature and value of the treasure. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Fat Man tells Sam all about the Falcon.

188 Stage Hero's Journey (Monomyth)- Femme Fatale

One day a very attractive, moneyed female client walks into the detective hero's office. She is every man's dream and knows it; she leaves all competitors in her wake, including the secretary, who may (later on in the story) ask the hero whether he will marry her. She and the secretary may bond or not. In The Maltese Falcon (1939), Precious tells Sam she's a knockout.