Writing Excuses #11: The Business of Writing

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Writing Excuses #11: The Business of Writing

from http://www.writingexcuses.com/

There will be several podcasts about the business of writing, this one is an introduction to being a business person as a writer.
( The details . . .  )

Final Words: What advice do you have for someone going from artist to pro?

1. Talk it over with your spouse or significant other.
2. Chase your passion.
3. Learn the business. It is not just an art.

And that's #11. Next up, a real live editor joins the panel!

Writing Excuses #12: Submitting to the Editors Part 1

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Writing Excuses #12: Submitting to the Editors Part 1

From

http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/04/27/writing-excuses-episode-12-submitting-to-editors-part-1/

Stacy Whitman, Not Howard
( Lots of little stuff )

Just before the break, someone (Dan?) said: Know the rules before you break them.

The second part of this will be in Writing Excuses #13.

Writing Excuses #13: Submitting to the Editors Part 2

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Writing Excuses #13: Submitting to the Editors Part 2

from http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/05/04/writing-excuses-episode-13-submitting-to-editors-part-2/
( small stuff )

And that's it for this episode. Next week, back with Howard.

Writing Excuses Episode 14: Magic Systems and Their Rules

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Writing Excuses Episode 14: Magic Systems and Their Rules
http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/05/12/writing-excuses-episode-14-magic-systems-and-their-rules/
( little points, all in a line . . . )

The quick-and-dirty summary? Magic without rules may be impressive and awesome, but you can't let your characters do much with it. Magic with rules, on the other hand, let's your characters be clever in applying the rules that you have nicely laid out for them to work through. So think about what you want your viewpoint characters to do - be dazzled by the background of magic or actually use it in resolving their problems?

Writing Excuses Episode 15: Costs and Ramifications of Magic

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Writing Excuses Episode 15: Costs and Ramifications of Magic

http://www.writingexcuses.com/2008/05/18/writing-excuses-episode-15-costs-and-ramifications-of-magic/

The quick version: make sure that you consider consequences, ramifications, and limitations of magic in your story. Cost provides conflict between using the magic and paying for it. Consequences and ramifications make the magic a part of the world, not some special white box effect outside of it. And don't forget the donkey - using magic should be more difficult than letting the donkey do it.
( More words . . . and Schrödinger's Wizard Donkey )