CataUniversity | 2009 February

Archive for February, 2009

Writing For Story

By Alice ⋅ February 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

So Many Books, So Little Time
A column by Dale Ketcham
This is column #2 in a series that resulted from my efforts to thin out my collection of how-to writing books. Before I list each on my favorite used book site, I’m sharing points of wisdom from each book. This month the book is…
WRITING FOR STORY [...]

STORY TIPS #2 – LOGLINES AND STORY CONCEPTS

By Alice ⋅ February 15, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Loglines and Story Concepts: Familiar terms? They are both movie industry terms that, occasionally, make their way into fiction writing books. So, what are they?
My definition: super short synopses.
The words are very often used interchangeably, making it difficult to pin down if there is a difference between them. Perhaps the real distinction lies in their [...]

Four Critical Elements For Writing Like a Professional By Donald Yates

By Alice ⋅ February 14, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Write Like A Professional By Following These Four Rules
I. Plot – No matter the definition, a plot is essentially the storyline, or sequences of events that makes up a story. All plots should include conflict, addressing an internal or external argument that deals with other people or events, either way it must be both original [...]

The 7 P’s of Business Phone Etiquette By Neil Payne

By Alice ⋅ February 13, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Etiquette is in essence about proper conduct and presenting yourself favourably. Demonstrating good etiquette is important if one seeks to be successful. An area in which this is essential is the business phone call.
Millions of business phone calls are made every hour and day. Business people that interact solely over the phone yet never meet [...]

Samples of Thank You Letters of Appreciation – No Need to Struggle With Your Thank Yous By Sabrina Lawton

By Alice ⋅ February 12, 2009 ⋅ 3 comments

Samples of thank you letters of appreciation can help when you’re wanting to write an appreciation letter or a thank you note, and you find it hard to express on paper what you’re feeling inside.
Perhaps your friend, family member, employee, teacher or colleague has achieved a great accomplishment and you would like to let them [...]

5 Key Qualities of a Good Employee By Gail Kenny

By Alice ⋅ February 11, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

What do employers want? This is the maddening question that every job seeker is trying to answer – as a travel recruitment specialist, I see plenty of people scratching their heads when they are applying for travel jobs, trying to figure out what the potential employer really wants from them. Of course, most job adverts [...]

Professionalism – 5 Characteristics That Detract from Professionalism in the Workplace By Lynda Goldman

By Alice ⋅ February 10, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Do you project a professional image? Professionalism in the workplace is based on many factors, including how you dress, how you carry yourself, your attitude, and how you interact with others.
Some characteristics put you at risk of making a negative impression, and this can hurt your career.
Here are 5 key characteristics to watch for, and [...]

Thank You Letter For Your Boss – How to Write It By Julie Edward

By Alice ⋅ February 9, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Often we get so caught up in our hectic schedules and work pressures that we forget to take out a moment to appreciate the people who have helped us and encouraged us at work. Although typically all bosses at work have a stern aura around them, behind this façade, most of them are compassionate mentors [...]

Creative Writer’s Secret to Writing a Professional Query Letter By Deborah Owen

By Alice ⋅ February 3, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Editors know what they are looking for in a query letter. This guide follows the teaching of Noah Lukeman, editor, novelist, literary agent and teacher at Writer’s University. Ten thousand queries cross his desk every year.
The query letter has but one function – to make the editor want to read more.
Do not address your letter [...]

Schedule VS. To-Do List by Lissa Matthews