How do I go back to taking my fiction writing seriously after a brief, unhappy attempt to define myself by something else? [more inside]
posted by thesmallmachine on Jul 4, 2009 - 11 answers

I am a community college English instructor, and I am working on structuring my Comp I class around the theme of work. Can anyone recommend some thoughtful articles, websites, books (easily excerpted), etc. about work or the workplace? Most of my students have limited reading comprehension skills, so I can’t use anything that is too specialized or advanced. I’m looking for articles on the level of Time or Newsweek. Thanks!
posted by alspeigh on Jul 3, 2009 - 23 answers

Freelance writing: how to indicate that you would like compensation for your work after an article has been accepted? [more inside]
posted by Wavelet on Jul 2, 2009 - 13 answers

Looking for Moleskine notebook accessories. [more inside]
posted by bamassippi on Jun 30, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm trying to construct a digital worksheet that will walk someone through an outlining and drafting process for creating a report. Basically, the user should be able to answer the questions I put forward (either in a textfield, list, or textarea) and what would come out is an outline for a technical paper, grant proposal, etc. Is there software or features of software to support this? Microsoft Office or exportable formats are preferable. [more inside]
posted by miasma on Jun 28, 2009 - 2 answers

People talk about "writing the Great American Novel." What do you think are valid examples of the G.A.N.? What novels, American or otherwise, did you enjoy reading and wish you had written?
posted by Busoni on Jun 20, 2009 - 69 answers

recommend short story collections that would be good short film fodder [more inside]
posted by timsneezed on Jun 17, 2009 - 18 answers

Your tips for freewriting? [more inside]
posted by chrisalbon on Jun 17, 2009 - 16 answers

Why does this happen when I free write? [more inside]
posted by paradoxflow on Jun 16, 2009 - 16 answers

I often have a whole bunch of 500-3000 word articles to read - all reasonably plain English with headings and sub-headings (and occasionally images). Is there any software out there which will take an article (or articles) and write a reasonable one or two paragraph summary of the article, or produce a list of key points?
posted by zaebiz on Jun 16, 2009 - 13 answers

What happens at the intersection of musical notation (written left to right) and languages written right to left? [more inside]
posted by ricochet biscuit on Jun 15, 2009 - 8 answers

Creating my book's own index, crazy or sensible? [more inside]
posted by jessamyn on Jun 10, 2009 - 18 answers

How would you approach this college admissions essay prompt? "Discuss anything you wish you understood better than you do now. " [more inside]
posted by caroljean63 on Jun 9, 2009 - 19 answers

I need to email an announcement about the death of my dog... but I am very emotional about it and do not want people to contact me via telephone with their condolences. I am having trouble drafting a sentence stating this that doesn't sound rude or like it's coming from a robot. Could you possibly help? [more inside]
posted by dobbs on Jun 9, 2009 - 19 answers

Help me understand the writing industry, specifically as it relates to Hollywood, etc. [more inside]
posted by arniec on Jun 5, 2009 - 19 answers

What resources would you recommend for a beginning writer? [more inside]
posted by TheDukeofLancaster on Jun 4, 2009 - 26 answers

Looking for cheap squared paper notebooks, available either online or the UK high street (not Staples or Paperchase, I can't get to these easily and Paperchase sucks up all my money) preferably with tough covers. Moleskines are too small and expensive! [more inside]
posted by mippy on Jun 1, 2009 - 8 answers

How often are the stories of a comic, novel, play, TV series, movie, or song conceived by the writer's friend, relative, acquaintance, neighbor, mailman, dog, etc? [more inside]
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing on May 28, 2009 - 14 answers

Does there exist a culture where sex doesn't result in orgasm? [more inside]
posted by alice ayres on May 22, 2009 - 26 answers

I'm at that point in my PhD where my experiment is (almost) up and running, so I have more free time to do other stuff. I've decided that writing a general introduction to my thesis will be less beneficial than trying to get a review article published. How do I go about writing a review article, from the perspective of an unpublished graduate student? [more inside]
posted by doctor.dan on May 16, 2009 - 12 answers

What would be the best web-based file hosting service to use as a shared "Documents" folder for the various members of my writing workshop? [more inside]
posted by patnasty on May 12, 2009 - 7 answers

I can only write well when I'm inspired, and even then it's only at blog-post length. Any time I set out do something larger, my brain shuts down. [more inside]
posted by pauldonato on May 6, 2009 - 43 answers

I'm interested in writing one history book in my life, over a long period of time. I'm not, and most likely will not be getting, any sort of degree in history. I'm currently pursuing another career, and would like to research this over a long period, on the side. What would I be doing now to make this happen? [more inside]
posted by sully75 on May 3, 2009 - 19 answers

Point me in the direction of your favorite writing(s) about love - you know, the stuff that talks about it in a way that you always wished you'd thought to. [more inside]
posted by jasbet07 on May 1, 2009 - 43 answers

I'm a freelancer who mostly lives by writing web content on a wide variety of topics for very low pay. By doing this for some time, I've learned quite a bit about SEO, social marketing, and so on. I also know a bit about web design and the technical skills required. So, I'm thinking it would be really nice to go into business for myself instead of making a small percentage of the revenue that my content generates...but the one aspect of this that I really don't know anything about is the business aspect. For example, figuring out how likely it is that this plan could be feasible at all, and what my overall strategy should be. [more inside]
posted by lgyre on Apr 30, 2009 - 3 answers

Can you think of any recent writing, or art, about it being somehow intellectually damaging, or spiritually dangerous, or in any other way harmful to constantly be plugged into content, particularly via an ipod or some other mp3 player? [more inside]
posted by Ash3000 on Apr 25, 2009 - 17 answers

Can anyone translate this Arabic calligraphy? [more inside]
posted by FatherDagon on Apr 24, 2009 - 2 answers

Looking for independent news sites and journalists' blogs [more inside]
posted by reenum on Apr 16, 2009 - 8 answers

Why do people say or write "price point" instead of "price?" [more inside]
posted by msbrauer on Apr 14, 2009 - 19 answers

Anyone know any active writing forums they would recommend? [more inside]
posted by Ugh on Apr 12, 2009 - 5 answers

Can you recommend the Writer's Center in Bethesda, Maryland? Or else can you recommend any other creative writing classes/workshops in the DC area? [more inside]
posted by medpt on Apr 12, 2009 - 3 answers

A friend and I write erotic stories together and would like some critique on a couple of them. I've submitted it to LustyLibrary.com but seems they are pretty backlogged and it's going to take a while to get posted. Can you suggest any sites where I can post these stories and get some feedback on them?
posted by Mysticalchick on Apr 10, 2009 - 8 answers

Who are the best magazine and newspaper feature writers, past and present? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Apr 8, 2009 - 19 answers

Tips on sub-contracting to friends? [more inside]
posted by pauldonato on Apr 6, 2009 - 11 answers

Would it be seen as (and is it really) exceptionally tasteless to write a fictional novel about a soldiers' experiences in Iraq? [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on Apr 6, 2009 - 16 answers

I want to write a story in a nationally syndicated magazine about a friend to draw attention to childhood cancer. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by monkeyman82 on Apr 6, 2009 - 6 answers

Two questions about Word 2008, on a Mac. [more inside]
posted by interrobang on Apr 3, 2009 - 4 answers

I'm putting together a writing guide for my undergraduate philosophy course. What information should I put in the guide? [more inside]
posted by philosophygeek on Apr 1, 2009 - 14 answers

Applying for AHRC funding for an Art PhD. Any advice? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Mar 30, 2009 - 0 answers

I've seen a couple people recently with very nice fairly stiff leather journal covers, maybe a little smaller than 8 1/2 by 11, that hold a smaller replaceable floppy journal inside. I want one. I've looked around some, but all I can find are the cheap mass-produced ones. Does the hive mind have a lead on where to get a good-quality leather cover online or in the SF bay area?
posted by devilsbrigade on Mar 28, 2009 - 6 answers

What kind of writing samples would be appropriate to submit with a resume for this job? [more inside]
posted by NeoLeo on Mar 27, 2009 - 5 answers

Is there an effective and easy to use website for writers to post writing samples? [more inside]
posted by SinisterPurpose on Mar 27, 2009 - 5 answers

We all know the story of J.K. Rowling writing most of the first Harry Potter at local coffee shops in London. Where do you go to write? Bonus points for places in Portland, OR
posted by 2oh1 on Mar 25, 2009 - 23 answers

Examples of beautiful, powerful, and great Op-Eds? [more inside]
posted by Spurious on Mar 25, 2009 - 7 answers

I need to write about "how to get a commercial construction loan". How do I find general information about that subject which is not sponsored by a specific lender? [more inside]
posted by EmpressCallipygos on Mar 23, 2009 - 3 answers

How do I improve my writing style? [more inside]
posted by Ziggy500 on Mar 20, 2009 - 16 answers

I'd like to buy a book for my girlfriend to help her structure her ideas in academic writing. My girlfriend is a graduate student in the humanities. She is clever, erudite and rigorous, but her ability to build an argument is poor. She finds it particularly difficult to unpack a complex concept and present its constitutive parts in a logical sequence. The book I'd like to buy helps writers with these specific problems, ideally (but not necessarily) within the context of research in the humanities. [more inside]
posted by limon on Mar 19, 2009 - 25 answers

When creating, would you pursue a simple premise you know you can execute to perfection, or would you pursue a really complex you know might flop? [more inside]
posted by world b free on Mar 19, 2009 - 7 answers

I've seen a list of the most popular websites, and another of the most popular blogs, but for these three categories (literature, newspapers, magazines) I've found a list hard to track down. I'd like it ordered in order of popularity, but a top-ten (or top-hundred) would be fine too. Thanks! [more inside]
posted by omnigut on Mar 19, 2009 - 3 answers

I'm thinking of preparing the DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera, or official Spanish Language Diploma) exam. My spoken Spanish is OK, my listening is fine, and my reading skills are good. What I can't do, because I've never practiced, is write essays in Spanish, and essays are a part of the DELE. [more inside]
posted by Holly on Mar 18, 2009 - 9 answers