Sunday Surf: Introducing Writing Tidbits

As with my Sunday Surfs at Hobo Mama, I thought I'd bring you a taste over here. I've been collecting somewhat extravagantly all the writing-relevant links I use and enjoy in a new Tumblr commonplace book: Writing Tidbits: Shared Items on Blogging & Writing.

I often will follow blogging tutorials or use writing resources and then later struggle to remember just where or just what it all was. This is my new attempt at keeping them all cataloged, and searchable by tags.

And here I will disseminate them for you, so far. You might be able to guess the themes of this week's research: securing my passwords and backing up my email, writing a novel synopsis for NaNoProgMo, and, well, figuring out Tumblr!

Famous Authors' Harshest Rejection Letters - Romy Oltuski - Entertainment - The Atlantic

Here — this’ll make us feel better.

10 SECONDS AGO

novel submissions novel writing writing rejections

When Does a Writer Become a Writer? - Betsy Morais - Entertainment - The Atlantic

I remember how decadent and sheepish I felt the first time I answered someone’s question of “What do you do?” with “I’m a writer.” I go back and forth with identifying myself that way — you?

5 MINUTES AGO

writing identity

Query Samples

Sample query letters for romance novels that won agents or editors.

23 HOURS AGO

query novel writing writing novel submissions

Synopsis Samples

Several sample synopses of novels that sold, I believe all romance.

23 HOURS AGO

synopsis novel writing writing novel submissions

Writing a Synopsis

Lots and lots of links on the subject of novel synopses.

23 HOURS AGO

synopsis novel writing writing novel submissions

Format Novel Synopsis

Sample synopsis format. There are a lot of possibilities for formatting, I’ve discovered, but something similar to this seems promising.

23 HOURS AGO

synopsis novel writing writing novel submissions formatting

Synopsis Project

Several selling romance novel synopses.

23 HOURS AGO

synopsis novel writing writing novel submissions

Long Ridge Writers Group

Tips and an example of a mystery novel synopsis (one that sold the book in question). Recommendation of losing subplots when writing the synopsis.

23 HOURS AGO

synopsis writing novel writing novel submissions

Making tags visible when using a Tumblr theme that doesn't show them - Web Applications

I wanted to keep my Tumblr theme but noticed it wasn’t showing tags. This was an easy fix.

I want to use tags to keep track of related tips and articles. This seems like the best type of blog to have such a search function.

2 DAYS AGO

html tags tumblr blogging

IMAP - Gmail Help

Continuing my hacker-proof backup plan, I’ve decided to set up IMAP using Apple Mail 4 in hopes it will sync nicely with my online inbox. (I’ll have to let you know if that’s a big fail.) My fear, see, is that 90% of the email I get is crap and I don’t need it saved in perpetuity. I’d like deletions to be recognized in both my offline and online inbox versions.

If you’d rather do POP, it’s here: http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=12103

2 DAYS AGO

gmail google email backups

Signing in using application-specific passwords - Accounts Help

You might also need this help, particularly if you decide to back up Gmail with a POP or IMAP mail account or use Gmail on your phone. You have to generate a specific, one-use password for some apps and clients.

2 DAYS AGO

backups gmail google email

Getting started with 2-step verification

I’m trying out 2-step verification to help protect my Gmail from hackers. If they hack your account, they’ll delete ALL your email and contacts. Gone. Gmail can retrieve it — maybe, eventually. But if you’re anything like me, your LIFE is in your inbox.

Two-step verification means that whenever you (or anyone) tries to log into your Gmail on an unrecognized computer, Gmail will send a login code to the phone number you put in, either text message or voice call. I’m going to see if it’s annoying. So far, it’s ok, but it’s been only the one day.

(Source: maydela.blogspot.com)

2 DAYS AGO

backups gmail google email

Hacked! - Magazine - The Atlantic

Shannon of Pineapples & Artichokes shared this article with us and the new Gmail 2-step verification process to help stop it from happening.

2 DAYS AGO

gmail backups google

Backups | Backupify

I’m in the process of backing up my “cloud” accounts (Gmail, Blogger, Flickr, etc.) from potential hacking or other data loss. Backupify is a service that lets you back up 3 accounts (I chose Twitter, Facebook fan page, and Google Docs) for free, more for a monthly fee (two tiers). I’ll try it out to see if it’s worth doing more. I’d love to add Blogger, for instance, but I already have some Blogger backup systems in place.

2 DAYS AGO

blogger backups blogging twitter gmail google google docs

How to Write a Synopsis for Your Mystery Novel: Special Guest Blogger | Uphill Writing

Helpful tips for creating the dreaded novel synopsis, and I like that it’s particular to mysteries since that’s what I’m struggling with!.

2 DAYS AGO

synopsis novel writing writing

Writers and Financial Woes: What’s Going On – Whatever

Interesting overview of why it’s tough financially to be a (fiction) writer (or artist in general).

6 DAYS AGO