When JK Rowling was a little girl, the magical talents she seemed to possess amazed her. In order to learn to correctly use her interesting new skills, she enrolled in a school for those like herself. During her years at her magical school, she went through many adventures, and that led her to being the wonderful writer she is today.

Or not.

You see, Rowling didn't have to experience witches and wizards and magical schools in order to make up a world full of them. She wasn't born with the knowledge of how different muggles are from  wizards, or how the game of Quidditch is played. She made it up, and so can you.

Write What You Know?

Ask any writer and one of the first pieces of advice they may give you is to write what you know. While that may be good, solid advice, it can also be very limiting. What do you know? Chances are, while you may know quite a bit, there is still so much more you could be writing about.

Grab a sheet of paper and quickly jot down your ideas for stories and/or articles based simply on what you now know. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, write down all the possible ideas you could have based on what you don't actually know, such as anything you've ever imagined writing about, or anything you're curious about. Now compare the two lists; is your Don't Know list  longer? It probably is, because no matter how much we know there will always be much more we don't. And if we don't branch out into the unknown, we will find our writing becomes stifled.

Use Your Imagination

We're all born with imagination, and the younger we are, the more vivid our imagination. Writers don't have to know everything in order to write well. In fact, the more writers use their own imagination, the better their writing can be. This is one reason why there is so much encouragement for young writers, for you, because this is the best time to use imagination to the fullest.  Young minds are not cluttered with the stresses and worries that adults often face.

If we can make it up in our minds, we are using our imagination. If we can dream it, we are using our imagination. And when it's time to write, there is simply no better time to let imagination loose. Exercises for the mind include the ever-popular free-writing, where writers simply let the pen free on paper,
writing whatever comes to mind. We can weave worlds unlike any ever heard of; create people that readers will love or hate; and make things happen that might never actually be possible. But with imagination still comes the responsibility of making the made up ring true.

Research It

So what happens when you want or need to write about something real, something you don't know about? These are the times that making it all up  just won't do. If you don't know anything about the subject you have to write about, it's time to research.

In this day and age, research has never been easier. One quick Internet search can bring up hundreds of pages for whatever you need to learn more about. There are books written on almost every  subject, and your local library will have them available for your immediate use. Long story short, if you don't know much about what you want to write about, your lack of knowledge should not stop you. A little research goes a long way.

Sometimes there will be topics you won't enjoy researching, as they may be a little more difficult to find information for, especially when trying to bring truth to fiction, but the best thing about learning anything new is that you don't just use it once. Research for one story or article can be used again and
again. And nothing makes a story better for readers than for it to appear as though the writer knows what he or she is talking about.

The bottom line is this: The writers who keep on writing year after year, story after story, are the ones who know you can't just stick to writing what you know. They've coupled their imagination with research, and can successfully write about all they did not know before. The good news is you can, too.

Angela lives in Georgia with her family and has been writing what she doesn't know since she was a child. She and her son manage The Writing Child, found online at www.TheWritingChild.com

BUT I HAVEN'T GOT THE TIME . . ., By Jessica Wright

The difference between an amateur writer and a professional is that the professional finds time to write. 
 
Finding time to write is all about self-discipline.  While the amateur procrastinates, the professional writes.
 
That’s not to say that if you procrastinate you can’t be a writer.  Most writer’s procrastinate – I’m guilty of several thousand games of solitaire – I always play ‘just one more game’.  However, to become a professional, you must overcome procrastination.  This article will show you how to break out of the endless cycle of ‘just one more . . .’ so that you can finally do what you wanted to do all along – write.
 
Homework
One of the main interruptions in a young writer’s life is homework.  The best advice I can give you for that is to just do it.  Don’t sit around thinking about doing it.  Don’t watch the television at the same time.  Just sit down and get it done.  It can be surprisingly quick when you face it head on.  If you’re desperate for time then you can always use lunch times, and learning homework can be done on the way to school.
 
Television
Don’t let it rule your life.  Every time you sit down to watch something, think of what you aren’t writing, and decide which is more important.  Limit yourself to a certain number of hours per day/week, and stick to it. 
 
Telephone
What about the phone? You’re just about to start writing when the phone rings.  It’s your best friend, wanting to chat.  What do you do? Hang up? Leave your writing? Does your phone have an answer machine?  If so, then leave it on and listen to who is calling before you answer. 
 
Social Life
So, you’re the life and soul of every party.  You’re so busy out enjoying yourself, you don’t have time to write.  This, again, is a question of self-discipline.  Set at least one day a week aside for your writing.  When somebody asks you to a party on that particular day, just think, which is more important – a party or your writing?
 
Chores
Chores.  We all hate them.  Writer’s especially.  You know the feeling – you’re just getting into a story, reaching the climax, you’re under the skin of your character, when there’s a knock at your bedroom door.  “The grass needs mowing.”
 
“Just one more minute!” you beg, but there is no mercy, “Now!”
 
In this case, you should do the chore immediately.  Do not waste precious writing time arguing, just go mow the grass and get it over with.  While you’re there, write the scene in your head.  Talk to your characters. 
 
One method of avoiding this has worked for me many times: before you start to write, ask if any chores need doing.  Wash up without being asked.  Sweep the floor.  Tidy the kitchen.  Hopefully your parents/guardians will be so pleased with you they’ll forget to give you more work.
 
So, now to actually write.  And has anyone else noticed that Solitaire is possibly the most boring game ever invented?

Jessica Wright is a student in England.  She has several published clips on and offline and was recently a winner of the "Biff's Boards Short Story Contest".

INTERVIEW WITH AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR KAREN WIESNER

RDCP-Hi Karen.  Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. You've just had the first book in the MAKING GOOD CHOICES SERIES (children's interactive picture book) released.  Can tell us what or who inspired you to write the series?

KW-What...*who* you would expect-my son.  Though I've been a writer for almost 25 years in other genres, I only began writing children's fiction a few years ago, when my son was a toddler. My son loves books as much as I do and I wanted to be able to read something *I'd* written to him. The funny thing is, when I read him my newly released children's book, he became upset because the book is about making good choices or not so good choices and he's the feature character in the first 2 stories. He kept insisting he wouldn't make the bad choices his character counterpart in the first story did.  : ) The best part of writing stories for Cody is when he says "Read it again, Mom!"

RDCP-What prompted you to make it interactive?

KW-I wanted to find a fun way to teach basic, decision-making skills for young children without preaching.  I think parents are seeking ways to teach their children important concepts without saying "No!" all the time and without having to pull their own hair out.  The Making Good Choices Series is specifically designed to be used on a computer, almost like a game for children.  They read the example stories provided and make interactive choices about whether the characters in each story made good or not so good choices.  Children and parents can get a sneak peek at how this works from this page: http://www.writers-exchange.com/epublishing/excerpts/karen-excerpts1.htm

RDCP-The interactive nature of the book works well in the electronic format; do you think it will have the same affect in the print version?

KW-Though the series is designed to be read on the computer, there will also be a print edition, coming soon, which will follow a "Choose Your Own  Adventure" format.  Basically, how this will work is that when the child comes to a decision-making aspect, they'll be directed to flip to the back of the book, where they can find out whether they made a good or not so good choice.  This "Choose Your Own Adventure" format used to be popular when I was a kid, but it's not done so often anymore.  That's a shame because I remember how much I loved the interactive quality of "Choose Your Own Adventure" books.

RDCP-Was it more difficult to write this series for children and the parents than the traditional book for children?

KW-I also have other, more traditional children's books coming out soon, but I'd have to say my stories don't really fit any mold.  The most difficult part of writing this interactive set of stories was trying to figure out a way to make it work.  I had to find a way to make some pretty complex ideas understandable to preschool-aged children.  That was quite a challenge.  My first two drafts of the story had to be thrown out before I figured it out.  In addition, the interactive qualities, by nature, made it a complicated undertaking.  Then there were the illustrations.  I went through about 3 or 4 illustrators before Robert Beers joined the Making Good Choices team.  His amazing illustrations really brought the book to life.  But a part of me didn't really believe this project could succeed until I saw the test copy my publisher sent me.  Realizing what had seemed like an impossible idea was really going to work was incredibly rewarding.

RDCP-You've published books in multiple genres.  Is there one you prefer over the other?

KW-I have no real preference in my writing, just as I have no real preference for what genre I prefer to read.  I love to read horror/thriller, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, gothic, paranormal, children's books/YA, action/adventure/suspense, classic literature...I read in pretty much every genre.  Currently I write: romance, mystery, action/adventure/suspense, paranormal, children's books, nonfiction, poetry. I have plans in the future to branch out into horror, gothic, science fiction and YA.  I don't like to limit my options. There are worlds to discover in every genre, both in reading and writing.  It's certainly helped that every genre I've written in so far has won me rave reviews, awards and/or nominations.

RDCP-Many of the RDCP readers are pursuing publication for the first time; can you share your first published experience with them?

KW-In 1998, I'd been writing for almost 20 years and I'd received so many rejections in my career, I made the decision to stop writing for anything except my own enjoyment.  I was tired of getting rejections, especially since most of them weren't based on the quality of my material. (These are what I've dubbed the most annoying rejection of all--"good rejections".)  Less than 2 weeks after I
made that pivotal, self-destructive decision, I received my first contract from a small press electronic publisher. 16 released books and 15 upcoming releases later, I'm so glad my decision didn't remain final the way I thought it would at the time! For the last year or so, I've also been trying to break into mass market publishing with a new mystery series (more information about the Falcon's Bend Series is at http://www.angelfire.com/super2/spindler/efalcon1.html) and an action/adventure series similar to La Femme Nikita and Mission Impossible.  I'm finding myself back at the beginning again, yet my resume is now extremely impressive to all editors, so I don't expect to fail.  I've never allowed myself to believe I would fail in anything I pursued.  If I can't get
something by taking the direct route, then I'll find another road to it.

RDCP-What advice can you offer the young writers and parents about writing for publication? And rejection letters?

KW-Young writers and adults seeking publication should spend many *years* writing for the pure enjoyment of it and for honing their craft-this before ever attempting to become published.  Once you're ready to make the step into seeking a publisher, explore all of your options, including traditional publishing, small press and electronic publishers, self-publishing (i.e. publishing a book yourself).  Remember, also, that the single best way of progressing in this field is by making connections, meaning you should get on-line, find other writers, attend conferences and basically hobknob with anyone who will talk to you about writing and publishing.

I try to think of rejections as another corner to turn before I come face to face with my dreams.  I also use my rejections as incentives to apply myself once more.  That way I never have to say it didn't happen because I didn't work hard enough to make it happen.

RDCP-Besides the MAKING GOOD CHOICES SERIES, do you have any other projects in the works? Where can the RDCP readers find them?

KW-Expect the 2nd book in the Making Good Choices Series later this year. Three more books will follow after that. You can find the first book here:
http://www.writers-exchange.com/epublishing/karen-book1.htm with an excerpt from it.

In early 2003, I also have another children's book coming out, called CODY KNOWS. It's illustrated wonderfully by Candace Hardy. Naturally, it was written for my son, who's had a quirky outlook on life since he was born. The book takes place all in one day, which makes it even more fun.  CODY
KNOWS II (2004) continues Cody's adventures, again in the all-in-one-day format.

Also, later in 2003, I'll have a book called TREE OF LIFE {Hard Questions for Kids Series) released. The book is kind of a mini Bible study for 5th graders, designed for both individual and Sunday School use.

All of these books are/will be published by Writer's Exchange E-Publishing
http://ebooks.writers-exchange.com in electronic and print formats.

I also have releases in the other genres I write in, and you can find out more information about my
work at my website:  www.karenwiesner.com.  Just pick the genre you're interested in and you're on
your way!

RDCP-Any additional advice or comments for the RDCP readers?

KW-I enthusiastically welcome letters from my fans. Write to me at kwiesner@cuttingedge.net or by writing to PO Box 118, Black River Falls, WI 54615. Send your snail mail address to receive a free excerpt disk. If you would like to receive my free e-mail newsletter, Karen's Quill, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KarensQuill or send a blank message to KarensQuill-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

RDCP-Karen, thank you for taking the time to talk with RDCP. We wish you much success with the series.

KW-Thank you!

HAIKU ANYONE? , By Lynne Remick

How about a nice game of catch? Don't have a ball and glove-don't worry! You can play catch with words, it's just as much fun. It's called Haiku--a poetry form that captures seasonal moments of time.

Haiku might have originated in Japan, but it's a sport that can be played right here, anywhere, anytime. All you have to do is string together enough words to create a "one breath" poem-three lines of 17 syllables, with Line One having five syllables, Line Two having seven syllables and Line Three having five syllables. Haiku can be viewed like a poetic scene or snapshot, meant to capture the happening of a moment in nature, like a bear coming out of hibernation in the spring, a frog sunning on a lily pad in summer, leaves changing to fall colors or birds flying south for the winter.

Writing haiku can prove a fun, but challenging task, like solving a puzzle or a word game.  There is a method to writing haiku. You capture a brief scene, where you start with a "flash" (something catches your eye), then "recognition" (you see/focus on something), which leads you to have an "afterthought" (you think something about what you saw).

[Flash] bees swarm everywhere-
[Recognition] buzzing, bustling in the breeze
[Afterthought] a spring symphony!

First, try writing a few haiku according to the flash/recognition/afterthought method. Have fun with this. When it's time to
revise, you can take your haiku one step further and make sure the poems follow common guidelines, like:

1. Use concrete images (things you can actually see, hear, feel, touch, taste);
2. Do not capitalize words;
3. Avoid adjectives (words that describe nouns, or people, places and things);
4. Avoid adverbs (words that describe verbs, or actions);
5. Do not pass judgment on the moment (i.e., say that an object is pretty or ugly);
6. Limit use of pronouns (me, he, she, it, they, you all, etc.);
7. Uses a "kijo" or "season word" (a word gives a clue as to the time of year)
8. Do not use punctuation; and
9. Do not title the poems.

[Flash] piglet takes a nap [no capitals/punctuation/adjectives/adverbs]
[Recognition] mud cooks beneath summer sun [necessary adjective/season word]
[Afterthought] pig in a blanket! [no capitals/punctuation/adjectives/adverbs]

Be aware that many variations of haiku exist. There is much dispute about which one is the "correct" form. You can start out with the above form. Once you learn to write haiku according to this method, you may wish to visit your local library or search on-line for an Internet tutorial for information on variations.

[Flash] thunder cracks and booms
[Recognition] lightning flashes from the ground
[afterthought] mother nature's mad

Writing haiku can be difficult and takes a lot of practice. Don't worry if it takes you a while to get it right. You don't have to show your experiments to anyone but yourself. You can learn something new and have fun playing, too!

Lynne Remick resides in New York with her beloved son Kevin, a darling Schipperke named Dante and Sahara-a feral cat, along with a spoiled Hedgehog named Willow and her three babies, Winken, Blinken and Nod. In the midst of this zoo, Lynne studies children's literature, reviews children's books and writes stories and poems for children.

Kidnapped Inspiration, By Krista J. Monson

Help! my inspiration was kidnapped! Ever felt this way? Then this is the article for you.

I was sitting at my computer with these ideas just running rampant thru my brain then the phone rang. It was, of course, my mother. I talked to her for a few moments then hung up. When I went back to write I found my inspiration had gone missing. “Oh no,” I thought! My ideas they were all gone. The only explanation-My inspiration had been kidnapped!

I searched everywhere trying to figure out who had taken it and why? Why would someone steal another person's inspiration? I sat and stared at the blank computer screen for awhile before deciding to do something else.

I went and started doing dishes and dusting. Still no inspiration. I was getting very frustrated. I went shopping, hoping that I would find something to help me write, but when I got home there was still no inspiration. I continued to clean this and that, things that did not need to be cleaned. I dusted again and rearranged my kitchen, much to my husband dismay as he tried to find the glasses. Still no inspiration.

My mother called again to tell me that her inspiration had gone missing too. I knew then that her inspiration (being the playful thing it was) had kidnapped my inspiration. Now what was I supposed to do? I could not just wait for them to return, nor could I try to find them. I had already tried that.

“What to do?” I thought about it for a long time. I thought maybe just writing anything would help. But to no avail. I could not write anything.

I decided to wait a day and then see what happened. After one day of being completely frustrated and wanting to write, but with no inspiration I had nothing to write. I sat down at my computer and waited for my inspiration to return to me. I received no such thing. All I found was just more frustration.

So, I continued on with every other thing I had to do. Then I got an idea and ran to my computer and quickly wrote what I could. It was then I realized that my inspiration was starting to return. I was ecstatic! I wrote and wrote until my hands would not allow me to write anymore. Then I took a break and went back to it. It was then that I realized I had no control over what I was writing. It was writing itself. This was the best day in so long.

I found my inspiration by doing nothing. When I was frustrated it eluded me, but when I relaxed it came back to me full blaze. So, in the future, if my mother’s inspiration kidnaps mine then I will know that I just have to relax and let it come back to me.

So when your inspiration is kidnapped or leaves for a while just let it go. Just like we need a break on occasion, so does our inspiration. Let it come back to you when it is ready, not before. It will come back better then ever.

There it was back in full swing, I should have been so happy. But I was not. I was writing a terrific story but could not get into just writing this one story. I had deadlines to meet and other chores that had to get done. So I saved the story and opened a new document and tried to write the article on how to get your child to eat green vegetables. It just did not work, every time I went back to read what I had written I found it was just a continuation of the story that I had been writing. Realizing that if I did not get it done then I would never get anything else done I continued.

Hours later my husband came home and found me totally oblivious to the world surrounding me. I had gotten into the story and not even realized it. My inspiration had once again taken control of the words I put down on paper.

Smiling I made dinner and cleaned the kitchen got the kids bathed and into bed. I went back to work on the story and found my self strangely drawn to write the article that was due the next morning. I wrote it and it turned out to be one of my better pieces. I also got the story written.

I will never again underestimate my inspiration or my capabilities again.

You should do the same. Always thanks you inspiration when you write something terrific and never put it down or get frustrated with it. Your inspiration knows what you need to write and when you need to write it. I had been so busy trying to meet deadlines I had forgotten to enjoy my talent. My inspiration decided I needed to be reminded of why I write. It is not the money, it is not the fame it is because I am good at it and it is something I enjoy. Do what comes naturally never push it!

I have to continue to remind my self of this when I start getting too many deadlines. When this happens I just sit back and let my inspiration do the writing for me. I have never been disappointed by the end product thus far, so why not just enjoy it?

Hopefully my mother's inspiration will not decide to take a joy ride off to nowhere land with my inspiration again.

Having said that I would like to say: Thank you inspiration for being there when I need you the most and knowing exactly what I need and when I need it. Unlike most men, I know you won't ever let me down.

DIAL E FOR EDITOR, By Melanie Bowden
   
I have a confession to make.  No matter how many articles I sell I still have times where I feel nervous when I have to call an editor.  I'm not shy and I love talking on the phone, so what's the problem?  I think that more than most jobs writing is putting your heart and soul out there and, let's face it, that's scary.

I've also had some pretty unpleasant phone calls with editors.  You know the
ones where you finally get the nerve to call about the article submission you made months ago, only to find out it's been rejected.  One magazine even told me, "If you don't hear from us, it's a rejection."  What are all of those SASEs for then?  Or how about the one where I called to inquire about a two months late payment on an article to have an editor tell me, "It's been a bad few months for us."  Funny those months were good enough to publish my article!

The other thing is that old adage that editors don't like to be called. Well, then they should respond to postal mail or email more promptly.  It's so refreshing when an editor actually gets back to you within the response time stated on their writer's guidelines.  Unfortunately, most editors are too swamped to even keep track of stuff like that.

So I figure it's my job to help them out and remind them that, "I will not be ignored" - i.e. Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction."  I've learned that when I'm most hesitant to call, it's probably way past time.  I've also found some ways to insure these conversations are productive:

1) Write out the questions you have for the editor beforehand.  If you get rattled, having the words on the paper in front of you will save you.

2) Have a statement ready to leave on their voicemail if the editor is not in.  Again, write this one out.  There's nothing more embarrassing than leaving a floundering message.

3) Be sure you have your facts correct.  Example: "On June 1st I sent you a message via email regarding my article.  Maybe you never received it. Here's what I need to know: ..."

4) Be careful if you are discussing terms for a piece.  You don't have to agree to the first price they offer.  I'm guilty of making this mistake more times than I can say, but I'm learning.  Simply say, "That's a little lower than I'd like, but I'm excited about the prospect of working for you."  Then be quiet - that's the hard part!  The editor will have to say something and you can negotiate from there.

5) Prep your kids before you make the call.  My daughters know that when I
say I'm making a business call they can only interrupt me if the house catches fire or worse.  Luckily most editors are very sympathetic to the kids' interruptions, especially if you're calling the editor at a parenting magazine.

6) Be sure to take a breath and go over the results of the conversation before you hang up.  What I try to do is read back a summary of the important points of our conversation.  This may seem like you're wasting an editor's time, but you don't want to get off of the phone and then realize you misunderstood something and have to call back.  Summarizing your conversation shows that you are a professional - calling back to clarify could label you a nuisance.

So don't worry if calling editors makes you a little jumpy.  Writers everywhere feel the same way.  As a last resort you can always imagine the editor in their underwear - at least you'll hang up smiling.

Melanie Bowden is a freelance writer, postpartum doula, and mother of two
based in Davis, California.  Contact : melaniebowden@earthlink.net