Best Websites to Find Writing Jobs

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A while ago I wrote a post about finding freelance work online. Since then, however, I've realized just how much of writing work is really "feast or famine." In other words, sometimes it's easy to find writing work. There seems to be no end of listings and jobs that you qualify for. Other times (like now), you can't seem to find anything reputable or engaging.

Guess what: you can still find work even in the toughest times. How?

By utilizing one of these fantastic websites:

• MediaBistro. The very best site for writers and other creative types. Seriously, go now.


• LinkedIn. If you don't have a LinkedIn account yet, shame on you. It's one of the best tools for the modern professional. LinkedIn functions primarily as a networking site that allows you to apply for jobs while utilizing connections with people you may know in the industry or organization you're interested in. Check it out.


• Indeed. This basic job search site has writing positions, too! Simply type "writer," "editor," or what have you into the search bar and see what comes up. Indeed is fantastic because it pulls listings from several different websites, including Craigslist.


• Levo League. Although geared mainly toward women, this sophisticated site is a great place to find jobs and internships for every industry, including writing. Most of the applications featured here allow you to connect your LinkedIn profile or apply using a resume, making the process a breeze. Besides job listings, Levo also has tools such as articles and mentors to help you land the job of your dreams.

Armed with these sites, an up-to-date resume, and a polished cover letter, you'll be on your way to landing a new job in no time at all. Bookmark these websites and be sure to share them with anyone who might need them. Good luck!

Have you utilized any of these websites? What other sites do you recommend for job hunting?

Click to tweet: The best sites for finding writing jobs, via @thecollegenov. http://wp.me/p2FPLe-Eo

How Daily Writing Can Unleash Your Creativity

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As writers, it’s important to write every day. Understanding this concept is one thing; putting it into practice, another altogether… especially when you’re struggling to come up with new ideas and push forward with your project

So you might be wondering, how do you come up with new ideas every day?

In The Writer’s Idea Book, Jack Heffron writes:

Fact is, there is no magic elixir we can brew to conjure ideas from the air, and though we’ve been told we’re ‘so creative’ since we were sucking on Tinker Toys, we often don’t feel creative at all. Our ideas seem stale. Or we feel stuck, unable to get a pleasing voice on the page. Or we feel blocked on a particular project. If only there were a real center for ideas in Schenectady. Oh, frabjous day—we’d write every morning and evening, pouring forth words of divine beauty.

Heffron makes an excellent observation. Given that there is no “magic elixir we can brew to conjure ideas from the air,” however, what can we do to keep our content fresh and our creativity flowing?

The first step is showing up. Create a routine. Come to your writing space no matter what, and sit down at the same time each and every day. This part is the most difficult. If you can show up every day, you've nearly won the battle. Granted, you don't have to write in your spot, but wouldn't you feel silly doing anything else?

By writing for a set time in a set location every day, you're training your mind to be more creative. It's only natural that you'll learn to generate new ideas. Try this one little technique and I promise: you'll start seeing some results.

How do you generate new ideas?

Click to tweet: Try this one simple tip to generate ideas according to @thecollegenov. http://wp.me/p2FPLe-Ej

In Defense of Rereading

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Recently I spoke to someone who doesn't believe in rereading books. "It won't be any different from the first time I read it," she said. "The material is the same. I don't get the purpose."

This sentiment, though shocking, is one I've heard echoed in previous conversations by a variety of people. The general consensus seems to be that once you've read a book, you shouldn't read it again.

This idea is nonsense.

When I think about the stories I've experienced in my life, it amazes me how some of them have changed with the passage of time. One of my favorite books, for example, is George Orwell's dystopian classic Nineteen Eighty-Four. I shudder to think what might've happened had I only read it once.

The first time I read the novel, I was thirteen. That's too young to fully grasp most of what happens in the book, primarily the political overtones and the implications of the society Orwell has crafted. The sex scenes and manifesto went right over my head. What can I say? I was naive.

Every time I read Nineteen Eighty-Four, I notice something new. I've read this book at least a dozen times and still I learn more with each reading. The material isn't changing (that much is obvious), but I certainly am. As I continue to change I'm sure I'll continue to get different things out of the novel.

If you've read something once, there's no reason you shouldn't sit down and reread it. If it's a book like Nineteen Eighty-Four, it should withstand the test of time. Whether it's The Great Gatsby, Harry Potter, or Crime and Punishment, there's something new to discover when you dip back into the pages.

Don't believe me? Well, there's only one way to find out.

How do you feel about rereading books? What books have you enjoyed rereading?

Software Review: Scrivener for PC

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I've always been an MS Word girl when it comes to writing. As long as I've had Word, I've never needed another program. It's easy to use, and after years of working with it, I feel an odd sort of attachment to it. As the saying goes, why fix what isn't broken?

But I kept hearing people rave about it, and curiosity got the best of me.

After winning NaNoWriMo this past September, I received a coupon code for half off the famed writing software Scrivener. I had heard nothing but good things about it. Although skeptical of its success, I purchased it immediately.

The program, at first glance, looks complicated. There are folders, files, templates, and so much more.  I wasn't sure where to get started. Luckily, Scrivener understands the learning curve. Upon opening the software, you can utilize the project wizard, which will set you up to write a novel, short story, or what have you.

As a self-proclaimed organization junkie, I love Scrivener. I can use the cork board function to outline my whole novel at once. The character and setting sketches help me get a feel for the world of the story. Similarly, I can click between scenes and chapters and move things around if I'm unhappy with the order.

Scrivener is awesome. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's necessary when writing a novel (because it isn't), but it certainly helps speed the process along. I understand if you're committed to Microsoft Word. That is understandable. But Word's organization capabilities are pretty limited. If you're anything like me, you should at least do the free trial. After all, you haven't got anything to lose.

What do you think of Scrivener? How do you use it? What other writing programs would you like to see reviewed?

Click to tweet: Should you try Scrivener? @thecollegenov weighs in

Lovely Links 03.02.14 - 03.08.14

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It's the first week of a new month, which means it's time for another round of useful writing links! Let's take a look at what I found over the past month or so:

• The Five Best Pieces of Writing Advice I Didn't Get in School. Sometimes Cracked surprises me by posting practical content. Worth reading no matter what kind of writing you do.


• How to Kill Writer’s Block and Become a Master Copywriter in Only 3 Hours a Day. This post blew my mind. Check it out.


• Six Strategies that Have Quickly Improved My Writing. I love Lifehacker.


• What It Is to Write. A thought-provoking post from Thought Catalog. Gave me the best kind of chills.


• How to Write Down Story Ideas so You Can Remember Why They Were Brilliant. Oh, yes.

That's it for this month. Keep your eyes peeled for a new post of links at the beginning of April! In the meantime, check these out, bookmark them, and share them with your loved ones.

What do you think of these lovely links?

Click to tweet: Check out these lovely links for some great writing tips! http://ctt.ec/15S5q+

Avoiding Genre Fixation

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Although most institutions of higher learning teach students to write literary fiction, there is no denying the appeal of genre fiction writing.

I used to write genre fiction all the time. Somewhere along the way, I felt trapped by the constraints and stopped writing myself into a corner. Sometimes I miss it.

What do I mean by constraints? When writing fiction for a particular genre, you might feel the need to alter your ideas to fit the mold. For example, if you have a historical fiction novel that you want to revise into a fantasy novel, you might want to add elves, dragons, or magic. As a result, your second draft would bear little to no resemblance to your first draft.

Where's the fun in that?

I'm telling you to avoid genre fixation. Write what you want to write without worrying about genre. That way, you can write without fear of not quite fitting into the mold. Writing isn't just about following the rules.

At the end of the day, it's the story that counts.

How do you feel about genre fiction?

Click to tweet: Break free of genre constraints! http://ctt.ec/1f1di+

Finding Time to Write

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As a full-time student and part-time tutor, I understand how difficult it can be to carve out time to write in your daily routine.There's no denying that everyday writing is essential to improving your craft. Practice makes perfect, after all.

Sometimes it seems as though they're aren't enough hours in the day to get everything finished. It may feel like there's no time left to dedicate to art.

Let me tell you a secret: you always have time.


Even when it feels like the walls are closing in on you, you can make the time to write.

The key is learning to write in small sips as well as big swallows. 

Most people don't have a solid hour or two to dedicate solely to writing. And that's okay. It's perfectly fine.

But if we can make time to catch up on social media, television shows, and video games, surely we should be able to save some room for our writing.

When it comes to working on a project, everything counts. Whether you spend five minutes on your piece or five hours, celebrate daily progress. Reward yourself for reaching milestones. Go easy on yourself.

Where do you find time in your schedule to write? How could you make more time for writing?

Click to tweet: Think you don't have time to write? Think again. http://ctt.ec/57Nt5+

Lovely Links 02.02.14 - 02.08.14

The first post of every month is going to be dedicated to extraordinary links I’ve gathered from various places on the Internet. Most of the links will have but one thing in common: they will be related to reading or writing. Other than that, who knows? Here’s what we’ve got this week:

• 7 Ways to Craft a Killer Opening Line for Your Novel. Similar to this article, but still very much worth reading.


• Why a Break from Writing Will Kill Your Spirit. A little dramatic, but yeah, I agree.


• How to Start A Novel. Another great post from Write to Done that will help you with your manuscript.


• Make the Most of Your Writing Time. IMPORTANT.


• 5 Steps to Get from Freelance Writer to Published Author. Surprisingly useful advice via Cracked. Bookmark this one.

What do you think about these links? Let me know in the comments and follow this blog for more great writing tips, tricks, and resources!

You Might Be an English Major If...

Author's note: The following post was taken from my other, more personal blog, Life After My Bachelor's. If you like random bouts of insanity fueled by caffeine, yoga, and an unhealthy addiction to cheese, feel free to click over and follow me. On with the post!

"Yes, I'm an English major. "

"Yes, I enjoy it."

"No, I haven't been published."

"No, I don't want to teach."

Sound familiar? If you got your bachelor's degree in English, creative writing, or literature, it most definitely should. I get some pretty strange questions on a regular basis. Granted some of them come with the territory, but that doesn't excuse the ignorance I come across at times. Troublesome questions about the future, your career, and inevitable poverty that every writer is damned to experience are a telltale sign that you might be an English major.

What are some of the others?

Well, you might be an English major if...

• you've had a crush on a literary character (GATSBY) or long-dead author (heyyyyy Fitzgerald)


• you've written fanfiction for Jane Eyre, The Age of Innocence, or Nineteen Eighty-Four


• the coffee shop or library is your home away from home


• you think Coleridge's story about "Kubla Khan" is crap


• you've contemplated getting a book quote tattoo


• you love rereading books


• you read classics for your own personal enjoyment


• you have a Goodreads account


• you're skeptical of Sparknotes


• you understand Moby Dick but still somehow hate it


• your blood is 80% caffeine and 20% alcohol


• deadlines are the best inspiration


• procrastination


• procrastination


• procrastination


• you've taken a trip to a dead writer's house


• you love smelling old books

I could go on with this list for forever. If anyone's interested, I might write more in another post down the road.

What do you think? Would you say these are accurate?

P.S. Dibs on Hemingway. Find someone else.

Where to Find Character Names

A few years ago I walked into Goodwill with the intention of purchasing a gently-used sweater. I walked out with a baby name book that made my mother raise an eyebrow.

"Is there anything we need to talk about?" she asked.

I laughed and explained to her that I was going to use it to find names for my characters. She wasn't the only one I needed to explain my purchase to. Any time I whipped out the book, my friends, coworkers, and loved ones all wanted to know what use I had for it. If you're a writer, you need several resources for character names. While a baby name book is one example, there are several other options.

A close second to the baby name book is the baby name website. The internet is full of these; they're cropping up all over the place! Some of my favorites include Behind the Name, Baby Name Voyager, and Baby Names. These sites contain lists of popular names as well as the meaning, history, and origin of them. If you don't want to go out and purchase a book, you should utilize these free resources.

Here's a tip for names that I bet you've never heard: the next time you watch a television show or a movie, pay attention to the credits. Pick a first name and combine it with a different last name. Congratulations! You've named your character!

Another great method is to take a stroll through a cemetery and pick some names off headstones. If you don't feel comfortable using names that have belonged to people, mix them up like you did with the movie credits exercise.

One of the most difficult things about being a writer is knowing what to name your characters. Hopefully these free resources can help. Happy naming!

Put Your Butt in the Chair and Keep It There

Writing is equal parts torture and pleasure. On some days, my fingers fly over the keys with a speed that surprises me. On others, it's all I can do to open my word processor, let alone put something down on the page.

Writer's block happens. It strikes without warning.

The good news is that you can do something about it.

The next time you find yourself at your wit's end, mucking about trying to find your next line, follow my advice:

Put your butt in the chair and keep it there.

No, that's it.

You heard me correctly.

The secret to writing even when you don't feel like writing is to put your butt in the chair and keep it there until you've gotten something written. You'd be surprised how inspired you become when you can't pee, eat, or go out with your friends until you've met your allotted goal.

When it comes to writing, the hardest part is getting the words from your brain to your fingers and onto the page.

Keep your butt in the chair and see what happens.

Book Review: Morning Glory by Allison Blanchard

Having read Allison Blanchard's debut novel Forget Me Not, I was thrilled to have the chance to read and review the sequel. Morning Glory continues the story of Adeline, a high school girl whose ordinary life is turned upside down when she encounters a boy named Cole and his native traditions. Blanchard's new novel is the perfect blend of depth, drama, and romance. Her stellar cast of characters, dedication to narrative, and attention to detail make Morning Glory an even greater success than Forget Me Not. This book is fantastic.

Fans of the first novel's protagonist Adeline will not be disappointed by her portrayal in this sequel. Blanchard stays true to Adeline's character throughout this novel, and I had a difficult time finding anything that did not feel true to character. My other two favorites, Cole and Emma, are given an equally respectful treatment. The relationships established in the first novel are deepened and explored further in this sequel. Because fiction is about people, I loved Blanchard's depth of characters and exploration of family, friendly, and romantic relationships throughout her new book.

Another quality that makes this sequel worth reading is Blanchard's dedication to the established narrative. Blanchard reminds the reader of the legend established in Forget Me Not while adding details that enhance the realism of the mythology. She also does an excellent job of keeping up with her characters' histories and backstories (I'd like to know how she does it because I could use a few pointers).

With a whole mythology to look after, it's impressive that Blanchard does not slack off when it comes to her attention to detail. As with the backstories, Blanchard makes certain that every part of the legend exists for a reason--that is, every seemingly-insignificant detail coincides with something that happens in the story. Nothing happens unless it needs to. This level of attention is something that I have the utmost respect for.

My only complaint about the novel? At times, it seemed that there was too much convenience. Certain events felt contrived rather than inevitable. Without giving too much away, I had a hard time believing the identity of the man who pulled Adeline from the river. Even then, Blanchard did her very best to convince me, which is why I am reluctant to list this single grievance.

This sequel is as good as, if not better than, its predecessor. I enjoyed every second of the book and found it difficult to put down. If you loved Forget Me Not, or if you're in the market for a new kind of paranormal romance, you need to check out Blanchard's work.

You can purchase Blanchard's debut novel on Amazon. She also has a blog that you can view here.

Want me to review your book? Comment or send me an email! I'd love to get in touch with you.

Lovely Links 12.29.13 - 01.04.14

The first post of every month is going to be dedicated to extraordinary links I've gathered from various places on the Internet. Most of the links will have but one thing in common: they will be related to reading or writing. Other than that, who knows? Here's what we've got this week:

• How to Write the Perfect First Page. This The Write Practice post is a must-read for any writer. While you're at it, follow them! This blog is ah-mazing.


• Beyond the Pencil (Skirt): Selby McRae, Random House. Though I suppose this article doesn't directly relate to reading or writing, the Levo League conducted a fantastic interview with one of the brilliant women behind Random House Publishing. You need to check it out.


• Into vs. In to. Just because.


• 7 Keys to Write the Perfect First Line of a Novel. Start your perfect first page with a perfect first line.


• Write a House. The city of Detroit is giving free houses to writers.


• An Evening with Ray Bradbury. This man could do no wrong. This talk alone is worth more than a year of writing classes.


• What is a book with a relatively "meh" title that ended up being pretty damn good? Find your next read here.


• Book Hive Teaser Trailer. I may or may not be drooling

Guest Post by Matt Thompson: Hacks Are Immortal

A few weeks ago I was asked by the esteemed owner of this blog if I’d like to do an interview to help promote my new book. As an independent author it was an opportunity I readily accepted. It’s not the first interview I’ve done, but I realized that I felt differently about this one. I was excited about it because I knew I had something to say, something that I felt (and feel) strongly about. I found myself hoping to be asked a specific question. I was not disappointed.

What I wanted to be asked about was e-books. *Audible groan. E-books are a point of contention in the writing world, and I find myself uncomfortably straddling the chasm between the two sides. What I said in the interview is essentially this: e-books get an unfair rap. It is often assumed that all e-books are amateurish vampire romance or s&m stories with terrible covers and worse grammar. A basic interview isn’t the time to go into extensive detail (although I was perhaps a bit wordy) but now that I have a more appropriate forum I’d like to more clearly explain where I stand.

More than fifty years ago Gore Vidal wrote an essay entitled “The Hacks of Academe” which I read for the first time almost exactly one year ago. As I reread the essay in preparation for this post I noticed something I didn’t before, something quite relevant to the e-book controversy. On top of airing out his grievances with John Barth, Vidal bemoans the state of fiction in America. He is concerned that the serious American novel is dying, and it is because of its most ardent supporters: academics. What I never caught in my first reading is that Vidal is not as concerned with the quality of the serious American novel, (he had some reasonable qualms with Barth’s willfully obtuse writing) but with the exclusivity of it. He fears that serious novels are only being written by academics, for academics in a vicious cycle that ends with the pool of serious readers and writers painfully dwindling down to zero.

Vidal is spot on, and it persists today. But even worse, it has spread to e-book enthusiasts as well. This cliquishness cannot continue in the best interest of the novel. Academics are as unwilling to accept as ever. Wander onto any college campus in  America and attempt to speak to an English professor about a great novel you read, a kindle exclusive. Stonewall. Universities continue to perpetuate an increasingly narrow view of what is worth reading. The arrival of the e-book has only made them close ranks more than ever before. This is nothing new, but there has been another adverse reaction.

The e-book enthusiasts have responded to rejection by academics by closing their own ranks. They’ve created their own cult of exclusivity, but instead of literary novels, it is genre and proud. Literary novels published in e-book form are routinely ignored by e-book blogs. Most e-book blogs (believe me I’ve checked) don’t even have “literary” listed as an option. Some will gladly review paranormal vampire futuristic dystopian books, but not any considered literary. My point is not to disparage paranormal vampire futuristic dystopian books, but only to point out that literary books are being specifically left out.

Both sides of the debate are entrenched and have no desire to change their position. Exclusivity reigns. It is absurd that the “death” of the serious American novel has occurred simultaneously with the meteoric rise of the e-book. While literary critics continue to rant about the lack of serious readers, more people than ever have access to books. E-books and the serious novel could be a match made in heaven. They could be the power couple that restores serious fiction to relevance in contemporary culture. And yet...it hasn’t happened.

It is especially frustrating for someone like myself. I am seeking my second university degree in English and I write literary fiction. I am also an independent author who publishes via the Kindle format. I am in both camps. So I stand here, straddling the chasm, beset on all sides by yelling and disagreement, begging for quiet, asking: why can’t we be friends?

Matt Thompson is the author of two novels and numerous short stories. His work has been featured in apt. magazine.
www.amazon.com/author/shutupcabbage
mthompsonwriting@gmail.com

Book Review: Oleanders in Alaska by Matt Thompson

I’ve read and reviewed plenty of books in my time. Some of these books have been written by individuals that I have not known personally (the vast majority. in fact). However, some of these books have been written by friends or colleagues with whom I am well-acquainted. When reviewing these books, I have to be careful to stay objective. I usually pretend that the book I’m reviewing was written by someone else entirely, someone that I don’t know, in order to give the review the emotional distance it deserves.

And if the book is bad (oh, God forbid it), then I lie. When my friend or neighbor or loved one asks me what I thought about the book, I spit half-truths through gritted teeth. This approach takes a great deal of energy and usually results in me feeling exhausted and unfulfilled by the conversation.

When it comes to Oleanders in Alaska by Matt Thompson, though, I’m happy to say that I do not have to lie. This book is fantastic. Let’s talk about it.

Here’s the book description from Amazon.com: “Not all lives seem connected, but when a storm hits in St. Laurent’s, Alaska, the lives of many are thrown together. They find that their lives weren’t really so far apart to begin with, but quite the opposite.”

Throughout the novel, the people of St. Laurent's, Alaska interact and develop relationships with one another. Thompson handles their backstories with a masterful touch, revealing details only when they are relevant to the present action. Although the novel is short, it contains a great deal of emotional and psychological depth and character growth. The prose in and of itself is an absolute delight.

Thompson's latest novel is a treat. Oleanders in Alaska presents the struggles, triumphs, and journeys of the citizens of a small Alaskan town. It is a pleasure to read and even more so to review. If you love literary fiction, you should consider this novel your next must-read.

Want me to review your book? Email me or leave a comment!