MOTHER'S DAY SALE - UNTIL MAY 31 - $169

Our thanks to Artist, Luana Spinetti

HURRY!! Privately tutored writing courses for only $169. Sign up at regular price and receive a $31 rebate. You have one year to begin your course. Why wait? As a nonprofit charity, we can offer you a deal you can afford and by signing up, you will be helping cancer patients. Be the writer you've always wanted to be. Give yourself a gift this month. You've earned it! Choose the payment plan if you wish. No interest No fees. Sign up now and start your course tonight, if you wish.

 

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Writing Tips on Dialogue Tags

by Deborah Owen

Dialogue tags are short insertions that identify the speakers in a written conversation. They are quick signposts that keep the reader on the right path. When you change paths to another speaker, it isn’t always necessary to place a tag. Sometimes you can use the character's speech pattern and the natural flow of conversation to identify the change.

When writing tags, identify the speaker first, and then the action. In other words, write “Jason said,” rather than "said Jason." In submissions, little things like this show you’re up on the latest writing trends.

Don't use tags such as "Jack said mysteriously," or "Crystal said wryly." Avoid the use of adverbs that end in –ly because they’re telling something you should be showing. Stick to the same ole, same ole, mundane, "Jack said." The reader's subconscious mind will pass over it without flair.  Readers expect to see tags.

When you endorse conversation into your stories, narration, discovery, and exposition can become dialogue, and with that change will come an exchange of emotion, pace, conflict and actions of characters that move through your theme.

Challenge yourself to give life and energy to speech. To learn good dialogue, quit talking and start listening. Eavesdropping will become your best friend. Restaurant talk is fabulous (and interesting). Take notes. That’s conversation at its best!

 

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Free Writing Evaluation

Learn the truth about your writing skills in this 20-point evaluation. If you don't know what your problems are, how can you correct them?

Directions: Send a 1,000-word short story or article written in past tense, 3rd person (he, she, it). Write EVALUATION in the subject line. Material must be G-rated (no swearing, graphic scenes, or vulgarities). For the fullest evaluation, DO use dialogue.

Submit to our CEO, deborahowen@cwinst.com. Allow two weeks. One evaluation per person, please. Follow directions. That's the first mark of a real writer. See evaluation testimonials below.

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Evaluation Testimonials

Wow and way wow!! I really didn't expect such a complete job. So kind of you. I feel like I owe you big. I know I have some weaknesses but I never could find them. I can go over other's work - I do it all the time in class - but not my own.

I want to communicate my stories to others. I believe it is my one gift that God has given me to share his love. I am a natural storyteller. However, I have always told instead of written. I so appreciate the direction. I have earnestly been praying for this and I feel like this is my first real solid answer. I will be seeking to hone my skills. I will be seeking YOUR HELP in my new mission field. Lavonne C. __________

 

Lynn was very thorough, thoughtful, encouraging, knowledgeable and motivating. The one-on-one class experience is like no other class I've attended. I believe this promotes the desire to learn and helps with follow-through. Lynn gave me such a confidence boost, all the while being candid about my strengths and weaknesses. He was understanding when I had a crazy couple of weeks and allowed flexibility for homework. I so appreciated Lynn's honesty and heart. You said you enjoyed having me as a student, but you have no idea how the whole class and mentoring system helped me. I'll be forever grateful for all that you, Lynn, and Jo have given me. You are all truly unique. Linda C. __________

 

I'm happy to have found your writing site as your cause is dear to me. I am a many-time cancer survivor and love the opportunity you have taken to help cancer patients. At age 23, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer that had metastasized to ten lymph nodes. In 1997 I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I have also had 3 squamous cell and 2 basal cell carcinomas removed. Yet, here I am at age 72, happy, healthy, cancer-free and writing. Anonymous __________