Raul Said:

Does anyone know about how to get grants or about grant writing/writers?

We Answered:

I found a website, which has a Grant Writing Course that is reasonalbe, and once you finish the course you are given an opportunity to take the Grant Writing Course Exam. Given the scenario just stated, if you were to pass the exam, you're given a "Certification," which is how you become registered and known as "A Professional Grant Writer."

Thelma Said:

Writers writing about writers?

We Answered:

Actually I hadn't realized there were so many of these. You pretty much said it yourself, they're writing what they know about, and surely they know about writing?
I think most writers write for the readers, afterall if no one buys the thing there won't be another contract from the editor.
You can write to publishers and complain, they do listen. At the back of each book, mostly, you will find a web site address, on there you should find a spot to contact publishers. Go ahead vent away at them.

Jane Said:

I need a title for a story I'm writing! Writers with imagonation please read this and help!?

We Answered:

it sounds good!
how about:
- popularity
- stereotypical
- fairytale ending
hahaha, i'm not sure. it's really late where i live, and i am half asleep ;p
goodluck, though!

Darryl Said:

What are some good techniques used in writing and for writers block?

We Answered:

Writer's block is simply a symptom of not having prepared yourself to write.

Plot, or outline, your story before you write it, and ask yourself the following questions.

Who is your main character?
What does he/she want?
Why can't he/she have it? What or who is standing in her way?

You should know the answers to those questions before you sit down and write. Then, everything you write should relate to those answers. If it doesn't, you don't need it.

Some good techniques are to keep it simple. Just say what you mean. Trying to be 'writerly' will make your writing seem like overwriting.

Don't talk to the reader. Just tell the story.

There are a gazillion writing tips out there. check out Writers' Digest magazine and The Writer magazine. Writers Digest also has a website.

Check out online groups in the genre you're writing in.

Romance -- go to Romace Writers of America - RWA
Sci-fi/fantasy - go to SFWA - Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers
Childrens Books - SCBWI - Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators.
Mystery - Mystery Writers of AMerica - MWA

There are groups out there for all genres.

Good luck.

Hazel Said:

Question about Writing/Writers?

We Answered:

Writing does take talent and learning the craft of storytelling maximizes that talent. For example, you might be able to draw very well yet you still take art classes to maximize your talent. Unfortunately, there are no storytelling classes anymore (creative writing and other English classes focus on literary criticism instead) but there are sites and books that you can explore to learn how to tell a story.

Finding ideas is often a problem for many writers, even experienced ones. Ideas come at the weirdest times so keep a notebook. But you need to know what to look for. I think if you can learn what makes a story and develop the craft of storytelling, you may discover that you do have a bit of talent to writing.

If I had to recommend only one book, it would be "Story" by Robert McKee. You can get it at your bookstore or on Amazon. It's used at the top film schools to teach how to tell a story (the only place storytelling is still explicitly taught).

Keith Said:

How many hours a day do professional writers spend writing?

We Answered:

It varies. Some treat it like an 8-5 job, go to work every morning, and spend the entire day writing.

Some check into hotel rooms and write write write like mad and never leave the hotel room until the book is done.

Some write in short bursts--maybe 1-2 hours--throughout the day, with a few hours between bursts.

Some work until they've at least met a certain minimum word count (say, 2500-3000 words), or until they've met some other goal (such as writing a certain scene, or finishing a chapter). They might keep on writing after that if things are going well, but they get at least that much done.

Some write for a few hours a day, then read and/or do research the rest of the time.

Some spend weeks or months plotting and outlining a book, doing research, and making notes before they ever sit down to write a word.

In other words, there is no set number of hours they work--it's whatever works for the individual author. But from what I've seen, most of them do some sort of work on their latest project every day, or at least 5 days a week.