HOT OFF THE PRESS! We love to share our information with writers, and we’re happy to pass some of our INSIDER’S SECRETS along to you. Feel free to print these posts to use as a reference. Pass the links along to your writer friends. It’s packed with great information this month. DEADLINE-DATED lists of anthologies, theme issues, and contests are included at no charge!

In This Issue:

* * We'll help you clear up confusion with FORMATTING NUMBERS IN CREATIVE WRITING.

* * Use our teaser to get you writing with THIS ISSUE'S WRITING PROMPT.

* * We’re giving away a FREE REPORT that outlines industry-standard Manuscript FORMAT Guidelines when you order our E-book entitled REJOICE IN REJECTION. Go to: http://www.WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Rejoice-in-Rejection-e-book.aspx.

* * LOTS OF HELP for CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHORS—100 CONTACTS and Everything You Need To Know To Submit Your Children’s Book. Click this link to get our insider's tips and tricks: http://www.WritersReliefBlog.com/post/For-Childrens-Book-Authors.aspx.  

* * The utter lack of inspiration. The lack of fire. Read JUMP-STARTING THE MUSE.

* * If you need help PREPARING YOUR MANUSCRIPT (formatting and/or proofreading), you can find out how to get a quote at this link: http://www.WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Manuscript-Proofreading-and-Formatting.aspx. 

* * You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming ANTHOLOGIES, SPECIAL-THEMED JOURNALS, and CONTESTS. Visit: http://WritersReliefBlog.com/post/Anthologies-Contests.aspx.

↓ Scroll Down to Read These Exciting and Useful Articles!! ↓

If you pick up a newspaper and a novel, you'll find that numbers are treated differently in each. A newspaper, for example, uses AP style, while most publishers of creative writing follow The Chicago Manual of Style. And while each publisher has its own modified in-house style guide, there are some basic rules you can safely follow for handling numbers in your text.

Spell out whole numbers from one to ten. I found seven mistakes in your essay.

Use numerals after ten. She noticed 37 spotted deer and 46 squirrels.

Round numbers should be spelled out. This year, twenty thousand people are expected to show up. More than six million people crowded the desert city in 2002.

Spell out the number if it is the first word in a sentence. Twenty-four hours are not enough. Nineteen forty-two was a banner year for the company.

Spell out simple fractions, and use numerals for mixed fractions. Altogether, we walked two-thirds of a mile. Use 3¼ cups of milk.

Always use numerals with a.m. or p.m., but spell them out with "o'clock." It is 6 p.m. They'll arrive at seven o'clock tomorrow.

Use numerals to emphasize exact times of day. Catch the L train at 6:23 sharp.

When time is expressed in hours and minutes, use a hyphen (six-thirty) but not if the minutes must be hyphenated (six forty-five).

Spell out the "percent" symbol in creative copy and use numerals. She found 70 percent of the pieces.

For organizations and products, follow the organization's style. 7-Eleven, Six Flags

Use numerals for decimals. Measure it to .09 inches.

Stay consistent within a sentence unless the numbers are unrelated. I needed 6 new patients, not 60! OR: I needed six new patients, not sixty! I have 60 new patients but only three new nurses.

Some other examples:

SPELLED OUT
a hundred years
the nineties
a hundred dollars

NUMERALS
107 years
'90s or the 1990s
$2.41
Highway 66
3198 Main Street
pages 35-37

We've all felt it. The blank look that creeps across our face as we stare at the computer screen. The utter lack of inspiration. The lack of fire. Sometimes we can't bring forth even a scrap of creative genius, and sometimes a once-inspiring idea suddenly goes stale. It's something that happens to every writer, and everyone has his/her own way of dealing with the problem. We've put together a few ideas we hope will help get the word party started.

Coming up with fresh ideas:

Change of scenery. Yes, we know. You hear this all the time, but if it works, it's worth a try. Jump on a bike, hop a train, pull on the sneakers, and go someplace different. It may be a new coffeehouse down the street, an unexplored neighborhood, even a tropical vacation, but the change of scenery may be just what you need to get a fresh perspective.

Eavesdrop. Blatantly and unabashedly eavesdrop on interesting conversations. Take notes. If nothing develops (and you don't get caught), at least you will have honed your dialogue skills.

Carry a notebook. Sometimes our best ideas strike out of the blue, so be prepared and carry a notebook to capture them. Take notes on things you observe, capture interesting characters you encounter on the subway, or record great one-liners you overhear. Sometimes even one word can evoke an entire scene as you review your notes later.

Read. It can be an author whose style you admire or Gerbils Monthly magazine. Read something that inspires you, or check out something you've never considered reading before. If you've always been too embarrassed to buy a cheesy tabloid, do so now with the confidence of a good excuse: we'll call it research. See what ideas are generated by the outrageous headlines, and get out of your own head for a while.

Take a class. Most writers spend an ungodly amount of time in front of a computer screen. Try taking a class that has nothing to do with writing, such as tai chi or cooking. You may meet some interesting people and develop new ideas from the setting. And you'll be more relaxed as you create the perfect souffle.

Free write. Sometimes the act of writing itself can get things started. Get a blank piece of paper and just start filling it up with whatever comes to mind. Be silly, shocking, or close your eyes and try to connect with the other side. Whatever it takes.

Give yourself a deadline. Generate a false sense of panic and tell yourself you have two hours to (fill in the blank). Sometimes working under pressure creates the best product, even if you know you won't be fired if you miss the deadline.

Revitalizing old ideas:

Take a break. If you've been like a puppy and have worried an idea half to death, take a break and work on something else. If the idea is worth salvaging, it will eventually come back to life. If it doesn't work after several breaks, it might be time to start over with something new.

A new angle. Research your idea from an entirely new perspective. Writing a short story about a farmer's disastrous harvest season? Try approaching it from a new angle, such as a farmer's daughter's joyful wedding in the middle of a disastrous harvest season. Want to write about dogs? Imagine your subject from different perspectives, such as dogs from a vet's point of view versus a child's point of view. Brainstorm all possible angles surrounding your idea, and see what develops. If you're unable to revive your passion for the once-hot idea, it may be time to scrap it, either temporarily or permanently. Our world provides a rich feast of ideas for the creative mind, and when the right concept comes along, you'll know it. And write it.

REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF WRITING CONTESTS and ANTHOLOGIES! You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming anthologies, special-themed journals, and contests. Find it by visiting:
http://www.writersreliefblog.com/post/Anthologies-Contests.aspx