As a creative writer, you must feel the mood your are writing about. It is imperative if you want to reach your audience. And how are you supposed to do that? By experiencing the mood.

Let’s suppose you want to write a scene that displays anger. Maybe the story is about abuse, a mom and dad arguing, or sibling rivalry. Maybe it’s about a girl breaking up with her boyfriend because he was playing around on the side. If the scene is intense, you have to get into the mode. I mean red, piping hot angry.

Remember the guy or gal that dumped you 30 years ago? Remember the time you had a bad dream about your mate and you wouldn’t speak to him all day? How about when you got steamed at the boss, or got into a heated argument over politics, world affairs, abortion, women’s rights, etc.? As a writer, you must capture those emotions again and write them into your scenes. It should be so real that you will need to attend anger management classes to get over it.

Do you need to be happy? Then think of some very happy occasions. Sing really crazy! Laugh like an idiot! And when you begin laughing at yourself, it’s time to write that joy into your scene.

Another way to develop the needed emotions is to imagine yourself as the character and write entries in a diary from his/her point of view. Live the make-believe life. Do whatever it takes to crawl into your character’s skin. You can’t write effectively what you don’t know or aren’t in the mood for. (You can, however, write a draft for the scene and come back to build it in a more realistic way later.)

Remember that your protagonist (main character, hero) and antagonist (villain) must be three-dimensional characters. They must have a past and a future; they must have problems in their lives and they must work through those problems like real, live people. Those characters should be real enough to walk off the page in your reader’s mind and sit next to them. If the reader can’t identify with the characters, they aren’t likely to stay with the story.

I remember when my daughter was 16-years old. It was not uncommon for her to sit on the floor Indian style, and bawl her eyes out over a drama TV show. One night I winked at my husband and said, “That actress is playing her part really well, isn’t she?” He picked up on it and we talked back and forth about the actress’ career and wondered out loud what movie they would play in next.

Our daughter turned around, tears dripping off her cheeks, and said, “Quit it, you guys. You’re ruining the show!” But what she really meant was, “I’m into the character. I feel what she is feeling. Don’t move me out of the scene.”

If your characters aren’t three-dimensional, you’ll lose your readers. Put yourself into the mood and into the groove. Live what you write.

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Both the Story Guide and Query System have powerful tools for taking you step by step from concept to completion of your story

Learn how easy it is to create your story’s structure in Dramatica Pro writing software, with its interactive questions.

The Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide. Now you can work for publishers, corporations and a whole range of other clients on a truly global scale. Whether you are in the heart of a big city, or in a remote mountain village, all you need is an Internet connection to run your writing business.
The opportunity is fantastic, and so is the writer’s life that you could enjoy. But where can you find the jobs you need to establish a full-time writing career?
One way to start is through working the Internet job boards. Here aAlso included and listed separately are resources for business and technical writers, editors, journalists, and translators.
Writers’ Resources–General
Absolute Write – freelance writing, screenwriting, playwriting, writing novels, nonfiction, comic book writing, greeting cards, poetry, songwriting. One stop shop
Emily’s Writing for the Web Emily A. Vander Veer gives professional writers the tools needed to promote, publish, and sell work to the largest and fastest-growing market in the world: the Web.
e-Writer’s Place For writing inspirations, motivations and prescriptions.
Freelance Writers is a searchable database of writers from all around the world.
Freelance Writing This is the ultimate job board for freelance writers.
Freelance Writing Organization – Int’l This site hosts one of the largest free writing resource links databases in the world! It offers education, daily news, a writer’s store, creativity advice and forums, to name a few of the resources. Over 2,000 free writing resources in 40+ categories of writing
FundsForWriters – A plethora of sources where freelance writers can find paying jobs
Momwriters A community of professional and new writers … who face the unique challenges of writing with children underfoot.
National Writer’s Union ‘The only U.S. trade union for freelance and contract writers.’ We offer contract advice, grievance resolution, health & dental plans, member education, Job Hotline, and networking. See also: Writers Union Job Hotline
Published! Articles and resources…from Marcia Yudkin, author of eleven books and hundreds of magazine articles, syndicated columnist, public radio commentator, writing coach
Published – The Directory of Independent Writers & Artists. searchable directory of independent Writers & Artists
SharpWriter Grammar. Complete writing resources. Lot of good stuff here but not geared expressly for freelancers
Suite101 This is an online community for writers. Not only is this a great site for work-at-home resources. You can apply to become an editor for them and get paid for your work.
Sunoasis Jobs for Writers, Editors, and Copywriters Employment opportunities for writers, journalists, new-media types on-line off-line in reporting feature writing reviewing editing free-lancing editorial content providing etc. … Recently submitted job offers: Copywriter, Freelance. Monarch Design, a design and advertising agency,
The Burry Man Writers Center freelance job links, resources for fiction and nonfiction writers, working professionals and beginners
with particular support for writing about Scotland
The New Writer – the monthly magazine with the best in fact, fiction and poetry. aimed at all writers: the short story writer, the novelist, the poet, feature writer, anyone with a serious intent to develop their writing to meet the expectations of today’s editors.
The Writers Home A Web Site For Writers, Editors And Lovers Of The Written Word.
TrAce Online Writing Community trAce connects writers and readers around the world … with the focus on creativity, collaboration and training. New media writing, web development
Worldwide Freelance Writer How to sell your writing overseas. Find out where to sell your freelance work. Detailed guidelines for paying writing markets all over the world.
WriteCraft Writers Resource Center Companion to the WriteCraft Critique Group – where writers learn the trade.
writejobs Job Title. Company. Location. Proofreader/editor. Bioedit Ltd. Freelance. Digital Photography Writers …
Writers Unbound Writing resources, Internet resources related to writing, writers, publishing, epublishing, authors and more. Articles and resources related to creative writing.
Writer’s Software SuperCenter Writer’s Software SuperCenter has software for writing books, articles, novels, and screenplays, including Writer’s Blocks software, StyleWriter editing software, StoryCraft, and more!
Writing World – Moira Allen provides writing tips, markets, news, contests and more.
The Writer’s Gazette Writing resource site for writers on freelance and publishing, including articles, job board, contests . Nice, comprehensive list of writers’ job boards.
Business and Technical
Copywriter world Freelance writers bid for writing projects such as resume writing, documents in APA style or MLA style writing, poems, sonnets, research papers, business plans, your biography, free e-books, your business proposal, essays, marketing plans, web content, ghost writing, ad copy, catalogs… virtually any form of writing.
Freelance Online – a professional online service for freelancers in the publishing and advertising fields. Free for employers; freelancers pay $15.00/year for membership.
Freelance Success Freelance Success is a community of professional, nonfiction writers who subscribe to a newsletter that guides them toward well-paying markets and editors. There is not a job board located on this site.
Techwriters Employs technical writers on and off site. The pay is excellent, but you must have a lot of experience with the topics
http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.comProvides local freelance technical writers for projects such as manuals, policies, software documentation, and work flow integration.
Children’s Literature
Institute of Children’s Literature offered the premiere writing course, books, and a newsletter to adults interested in learning how to write and be published for children and teens.
Editing
Manuscript Editing Fiction and Non-fiction; Serving writers, literary agents, and publishers since 1976.
Fiction
Fiction Factor – The Online Magazine for Fiction Writers. NEW!
International markets
Australian Writer’s Marketplace The essential resource for getting published in Australia and New Zealand.
Author Network – resources for writers including links, articles, monthly columns and ePublishing services.
Canadian Writer’s Journal Canada’s Independent Writer’s Magazine.
Freelance Spain – the online Spanish resource for editors and journalists.
http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.comHelping journalists build a presence on the web. The web directory for UK freelance journalists.
http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.comoffers you the complete guide to freelancing for publishers as a copyeditor or proofreader.
New Zealand Writers Website Writing Resources for New Zealand writers
http://www.adsence-dollar-factory.comWritelinkPRO is the content provider for top UK monthly newsletter and website. We pay on acceptance for writing articles, fiction, poetry, reviews. We offer free e-book workshops, free e-book on travel writing, exclusive Members Area.
Journalism
International Federation of Journalists – The world’s largest organization of journalists, representing around 450,000 members in more than 100 countries.
News Jobs Network Journalisms resources and News jobs in US, Canada and Utah.
UK Links 4 Journalists the most useful sites on the web. This is the journalist’s section.
Translation
Pros: Freelance translators, translation services, agencies, jobs and directory …
Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia Fostering creative writing and the profession of writing in Nova Scotia.
Writer find New Zealand Linking New Zealand writers with local and global markets.
Play writers
Writer network. We provide dramatic writers with the tools they need to build better careers and redefine the

The opportunity is fantastic, and so is the writer’s life that you could enjoy. But where can you find the jobs you need to establish a full-time writing career?
One way to start is through working the Internet job boards. Here aAlso included and listed separately are resources for business and technical writers, editors, journalists, and translators.
Writers’ Resources–General
Absolute Write – freelance writing, screenwriting, playwriting, writing novels, nonfiction, comic book writing, greeting cards, poetry, songwriting. One stop shop
Emily’s Writing for the Web Emily A. Vander Veer gives professional writers the tools needed to promote, publish, and sell work to the largest and fastest-growing market in the world: the Web.
e-Writer’s Place For writing inspirations, motivations and prescriptions.
Freelance Writers is a searchable database of writers from all around the world.
Freelance Writing This is the ultimate job board for freelance writers.
Freelance Writing Organization – Int’l This site hosts one of the largest free writing resource links databases in the world! It offers education, daily news, a writer’s store, creativity advice and forums, to name a few of the resources. Over 2,000 free writing resources in 40+ categories of writing
FundsForWriters – A plethora of sources where freelance writers can find paying jobs
Momwriters A community of professional and new writers … who face the unique challenges of writing with children underfoot.
National Writer’s Union ‘The only U.S. trade union for freelance and contract writers.’ We offer contract advice, grievance resolution, health & dental plans, member education, Job Hotline, and networking. See also: Writers Union Job Hotline
Published! Articles and resources…from Marcia Yudkin, author of eleven books and hundreds of magazine articles, syndicated columnist, public radio commentator, writing coach
Published – The Directory of Independent Writers & Artists. searchable directory of independent Writers & Artists
SharpWriter Grammar. Complete writing resources. Lot of good stuff here but not geared expressly for freelancers
Suite101 This is an online community for writers. Not only is this a great site for work-at-home resources. You can apply to become an editor for them and get paid for your work.
Sunoasis Jobs for Writers, Editors, and Copywriters Employment opportunities for writers, journalists, new-media types on-line off-line in reporting feature writing reviewing editing free-lancing editorial content providing etc. … Recently submitted job offers: Copywriter, Freelance. Monarch Design, a design and advertising agency,
The Burry Man Writers Center freelance job links, resources for fiction and nonfiction writers, working professionals and beginners
with particular support for writing about Scotland
The New Writer – the monthly magazine with the best in fact, fiction and poetry. aimed at all writers: the short story writer, the novelist, the poet, feature writer, anyone with a serious intent to develop their writing to meet the expectations of today’s editors.
The Writers Home A Web Site For Writers, Editors And Lovers Of The Written Word.
TrAce Online Writing Community trAce connects writers and readers around the world … with the focus on creativity, collaboration and training. New media writing, web development
Worldwide Freelance Writer How to sell your writing overseas. Find out where to sell your freelance work. Detailed guidelines for paying writing markets all over the world.
WriteCraft Writers Resource Center Companion to the WriteCraft Critique Group – where writers learn the trade.
writejobs Job Title. Company. Location. Proofreader/editor. Bioedit Ltd. Freelance. Digital Photography Writers …
Writers Unbound Writing resources, Internet resources related to writing, writers, publishing, epublishing, authors and more. Articles and resources related to creative writing.
Writer’s Software SuperCenter Writer’s Software SuperCenter has software for writing books, articles, novels, and screenplays, including Writer’s Blocks software, StyleWriter editing software, StoryCraft, and more!
Writing World – Moira Allen provides writing tips, markets, news, contests and more.
The Writer’s Gazette Writing resource site for writers on freelance and publishing, including articles, job board, contests . Nice, comprehensive list of writers’ job boards.
Business and Technical
Copywriter world Freelance writers bid for writing projects such as resume writing, documents in APA style or MLA style writing, poems, sonnets, research papers, business plans, your biography, free e-books, your business proposal, essays, marketing plans, web content, ghost writing, ad copy, catalogs… virtually any form of writing.
Freelance Online – a professional online service for freelancers in the publishing and advertising fields. Free for employers; freelancers pay $15.00/year for membership.
Freelance Success Freelance Success is a community of professional, nonfiction writers who subscribe to a newsletter that guides them toward well-paying markets and editors. There is not a job board located on this site.
Techwriters Employs technical writers on and off site. The pay is excellent, but you must have a lot of experience with the topics
writingassist.com Provides local freelance technical writers for projects such as manuals, policies, software documentation, and work flow integration.
Children’s Literature
Institute of Children’s Literature offered the premiere writing course, books, and a newsletter to adults interested in learning how to write and be published for children and teens.
Editing
Manuscript Editing Fiction and Non-fiction; Serving writers, literary agents, and publishers since 1976.
Fiction
Fiction Factor – The Online Magazine for Fiction Writers. NEW!
International markets
Australian Writer’s Marketplace The essential resource for getting published in Australia and New Zealand.
Author Network – resources for writers including links, articles, monthly columns and ePublishing services.
Canadian Writer’s Journal Canada’s Independent Writer’s Magazine.
Freelance Spain – the online Spanish resource for editors and journalists.
FreelanceJournalist.co.uk Helping journalists build a presence on the web. The web directory for UK freelance journalists.
Freelancers.co.uk offers you the complete guide to freelancing for publishers as a copyeditor or proofreader.
New Zealand Writers Website Writing Resources for New Zealand writers
writelinkpro.co.uk WritelinkPRO is the content provider for top UK monthly newsletter and website. We pay on acceptance for writing articles, fiction, poetry, reviews. We offer free e-book workshops, free e-book on travel writing, exclusive Members Area.
Journalism
International Federation of Journalists – The world’s largest organization of journalists, representing around 450,000 members in more than 100 countries.
News Jobs Network Journalisms resources and News jobs in US, Canada and Utah.
UK Links 4 Journalists the most useful sites on the web. This is the journalist’s section.
Translation
Pros: Freelance translators, translation services, agencies, jobs and directory …
Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia Fostering creative writing and the profession of writing in Nova Scotia.
Writer find New Zealand Linking New Zealand writers with local and global markets.
Play writers
Writer network. We provide dramatic writers with the tools they need to build better careers and redefine the