S.L. Viehl's Blog, page 221

Free E-book

I'm still off somewhere writing and editing, but I thought I'd post a heads-up The Wicked House of Rohan by Anne Stuart*, a short story prequel to her upcoming historical trilogy that her publisher is offering for free in various formats for a limited time here.

There is some hoop-jumping involved; to get the e-book you have to register for an account with the publisher, put the e-book in your cart and then check out like you're making a purchase. I tried it out and they don't ask for financi...

Off to Write

First, I have to share this comment, which was left on the blog a few minutes ago (the bleep on line one is mine):

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Freeware & Online Tools for Writers":

Hey you! All this stuff is so [bleep:] great for writers around the universe. THANKS A LOT. I would retweet it, but... HOW? NEITHER YOU'VE A TWITTER OR FACEBOOK PROFILE. Gwt one, to get more people coming around you.

and my response:

Dear Anonymous:

Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad you thought...

Collage It

I've been looking for a way to make some photo collages from my digital collections, and in the process found a simple-to-use freeware that produces fabulous results.

When Collage It says you can make photo collages in minutes with just as few clicks, they aren't exaggerating. I downloaded the freeware, watched a brief tutorial that auto played after the download -- and I recommend if you give this a try you do the same, because it runs you through what to do in just a couple minutes -- and th...

Font Ten

Ten Things About Fonts
(Inspired by this article over at Cracked.com)

Freeware caution: always scan free downloads of anything for bugs and other threats before dumping the programs into your hard drive.

Download 17 different handwriting fonts here.

For those who want to create their own typeface, check out Chank's online tutorial guide to How to Make Your Own Fonts.

Chank also has a video on YouTube here showing a live workshop on making a font with M&Ms.

Laura McCanna's page with tips on How to C...

Hands-On Writer Tools

I often see inspirational and how-to writers' kits at the book store, and occasionally I'll pick up one to play with and see if it does anything for me. Most are good for sparking an idea here and there but rarely go the distance.

My latest acquisition is The Writer's Toolbox by Jamie Cat Callan, published by Chronicle Books. At $24.95 list price it's a bit expensive, but B&N.com has it new for $19.98 and used for less than ten bucks. One thing I did like was seeing a photo of the box's conten...

Winner

I liked reading all the comments for my giveaway this week; you guys were really upfront about the things you'd like to start doing, stop doing and/or change for the better. You've definitely inspired me to take a closer look at how I want to spend my time this summer, too.

We revved up the magic hat, and the winner of the Volitional Ten giveaway is:

Stacy McKitrick

Stacy, when you have a chance please send your ship-to address to LynnViehl@aol.com so I can get your books and surprise out t...

Free from Authors

Simply subscribe to author Doug Clegg's e-mail newsletter and get a chance at winning a free Kindle or Nook; details and newsletter sign-up are at his web site.

Did you know that author Larissa Ione posts free reads on her web site? The latest is a free short story featuring characters from her Demonica series.

For you Kindle users, author John Kao has his nonfic guide Clearing the Mind for Creativity up for free download on Amazon here.

Author Rudy Rucker has posted free .pdf and .rtf versions...

Volitional Ten

Ten Things I've Resolved to Do

I will stop comparing Publishing to the Matrix. It was only funny the first couple hundred times.

I will not e-mail my agent about something that I know I cannot accept and that I also know she cannot change. Such paradoxes always give us both a migraine.

I will cease waffling, make a decision about the edits for chapter five scene one, and fix the damn thing, once and for all, so help me God. Or maybe . . .

I will not e-mail the editor of a prominent publication to...

3-18-03

Sometimes I have to play writer pong between my work and internets computers, especially when someone uses the guest room, where I keep the work computer. I don't mind relocating upstairs to work on the internet computer, although it is older, not as fast and doesn't like the Dragon as much. It's that or get behind on my edits.

Tonight I forgot to bring a blank CD with me for backups, so rather than go downstairs I rummaged around in the desk to see if I'd left any up here the last time I pl...

Story Art

The other day Charlene and I were talking about our respective summer art projects, and she got me thinking about how often our stories also inspire us to create other types of art. Not every writer is an artist, but many of us have hobbies or sidelines that incorporate writing into another art form. I combine my love of art and writing in my art journals every week, and I've made a number of quilted pieces like this one based on elements and characters from my stories and books.

I also like l...