Writing Headlines that catch readers by surprise

Hello again. All of a sudden the idea of headlines for writing services and articles popped up in my mind. Catchy, attention grabbing headlines aren't always easy to produce. I've noticed several though that caught my attention. One such headline was about learning how to write erotica, which read, "So you want to become a porn reader, do you? The one keyword here that lures people in is porn. This isn't to say that everyone is interested in this subject yet they're at least curious. After reading this headline on another writing site I thought it was funny because I'd never seen such a outrageous tag line before.

Humor can work well in a headline, but making blunders to describe a serious event or topic can instead sound inappropriate or silly. For example, an error in an headline could be like,"Man is saved by Lap Dance" instead of "Man is saved by Lap Dog." These mistakes are prominent and should be corrected in editing process. Making sure there are no spelling errors is important too.

Every now and then you'll spot a funny headline in the newspaper that are mistakes. Writing a strong opening for any purpose whether it's for a service, event, book, or article will draw readers' attention if it hits the target audience. Copywriters seem to make a good living from writing headlines and short content for publications. I'd like to gain the experience in this area and one day offer my expertise to potential clients. Reading tons of headlines will only makes a writer's skills better.

Hello and welcome to my writing page. I'm still ediitng my baseball novel, which will take longer than I expected. Keeping a daily writing regimen is very challenging. Working your schedule around it requires sacrifice, which means giving up free time for other interests or endeavors. Right now, it would be nice to have my book published, but realistically this won't happen until the summer if not later. There is just too much work left for me to do.

In between my current main project I've been further exploring the blogging world. I didn't realize there were such an abundance on the Web until I visited Blog Explosion. Blogging has really taken off. There are blogs for almost every imaginable subject from writing to rock climbing. Most of the web hosts provide a free service to create blogs.

Here are some websites which offer services for this ever growing, popular trend:

www.link2blogs.com

www.bloghub.com

www.blogsubmission.com

www.blogcrowd.com

I'm going to try to surf some members blogs on these sites. I could always use link partners or those who just like to share similar interests. Receiving feedback from others gives ideas or hints for improvement.

Completing My First Novel

Welcome!

Keeping this blog updated every week is a challenge for me. Since I have 3 other blogs (sports, humor) I keep active my writing here has been limited. Anyway I'm working on a second full edit of my baseball novel, Rookie Sensation. Currently stopped on page 55 which means I'm half way finished. While reading through chapters I've noticed the story needs to be restructured a little bit and still have some kinks worked out. Since I wish to have it published I need the scenes to flow together nicely, be in chronological order, and more importantly entertain readers.

I understood that there would much work involved in writing and producing a final draft for a book, but it's almost overwhelming. Information though I've gathered online has reassured me that they are numerous ways to promote a book and find the right outlets to market it. The tricky part is actually finding a publisher. The idea of self-publishing is okay, but it requires an inital investment which most writers can't afford. The option of print-on-demand interests me. Has anyone out there gone this route and found it to be successful for your book? I'm looking at testing the market first really. Since my novel caters primarily to young male adults and I'm a new author, releasing my book in a local or regional market could be a good way to experiment.

It will give me an idea of how the target market responds and what's appealing or not to them. Then if there was a rapid spur of interest or desire promotional efforts could be altered. Time is another factor in publishing too. A seasonal sport like baseball is best published in the early Spring before the start of the season or in mid-summer. That's why now I need to continue sending out query letters and notices about my novel to as many prospective publishers as possible. Weeding through all the unsuitable places and forwarded declines to read the manuscript may take a while. Despite that, I won't stop my pursuit to get published.

Learning How To Sell Yourself

Becoming a published writer with a portfolio of credentials is a always a challenge. Struggling for years to find a bidder and place for manuscripts makes a career seem bleak. With a boost of confidence and a positive attitude things can change. That's why in the publishing world it's so important to market and promote yourself. Anyone who doesn't has a far less chance of being published.

Through the help of mass media and ever advancing technology writers can get the word out about themselves and their work. You don't have to be the most outspoken person or great public speaker to reach writing success. Too many writers are discouraged because they don't like the spotlight. It's smart though to at least know someone in public relations within the industry to get your name out there. Getting involved in book signings, workshops, book fairs, and online writers forums or groups can help tremendously.

Investing time is marketing is well worth the effort in order to gain much needed exposure. The committment will pay off in the long run. Seeing your name appear on the front of a book cover or any published work has to make a writer feel good inside. You also know that you've achieved a top goal which looked to be out of your reach.

Greetings to all!

The past two weeks I've been working on an idea for a TV sitcom. Writing a script for television can be hit or miss as with a screenplay. I think there is more flexibility with a TV show script since you can create several different episodes for a starting point. That way you have choices to pick from in establishing a opening situation. All great stories or concepts need to hook an audiences.

Some writers prefer creating stories for TV since it takes less time than than a movie script. Plus usually a chain of writers work together, which maximizes the effort. My favorite TV show growing up was Married With Children. The writers had so many humorous ideas for family situations that drew viewers' common interests. Everyone could relate to the situations. I've also enjoyed the variety shows too like Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, and Mad TV.

To get started with an idea for a show it's smart to examine the following elements closely:

1. plot- should have a purpose, drive the characters to take actions or strive towards a goal.

2. characters- main characters need to have an ever lasting effect on audience, incite an emotion or interest, be memorable, and have an impact on the story.

3. setting- Environment must be realistic or fit well with main characters.

4. conflict- Something must happen to bring on a problem or issue. Otherwise the story is flat and becomes meaningless.

5. resolution- An effort to solve a problem is necessary. Characters have desires to reach accomplishments so their active involvement in handling or fixing a situation keeps the story moving, maintaining an audiences' interest.

The creative ideas for TV shows are endless. Not all are good at first, but with enough work and restructuring they can be profitable in the right market. Finding that market is the real challenge. I'll continue working on my ideas and try to make them evolve into valued material which maybe I can sell one day.