The Dog Ate My Library Book!

If you lived in San Francisco, you could use you mad writing skills to get out of a library fine. The city's library system recently allowed borrowers with overdue books to bring them back without paying fines - which max out at $5 per book - with the caveat that they had to tell the library why they were tardy.

• A group of second-graders said they were too busy rescuing marine mammals.
• One woman said she just couldn't part with a beautiful early 20th century book with good-feeling paper and plate illustrations. It looked so posh on her shelf.
• Another blamed his sister. After they had a falling out, she "accidentally" left a copy of the movie Babe that she had checked out in his name, tucked into his stack of DVDs.

Whatever the reason, the Library saw a record 29,228 items returned - compared to 5,000 returned books the last time they waived fines in 2001.

That's $55,165 in fines that were excused.

What would your excuse be?

$1 deals from Staples through 6/20/09

One way to keep your writing profits is to save on office supplies. Here are some great dollar deals from Staples good through June 20, 2009:

-Crayola Crayons (24-Pack)

-Pentel RSVP Ballpoint Pens

-Sharpie Major Accent Highlighters

-Staples Accel 5 ½" x 4 ¼" Fat Book (200 Sheets)

-Staples Photo Plus 4" x 6" Paper (60-Pack)

-Swingline 8" Bent Handle Scissors

Subscription Contest

Every writer needs a great notebook to pen down their great works, novels in progress, or notes to self. Now is your chance to win this Moleskine notebook valued at $17.95. According to the website:

MOLESKINE is the legendary notebook that has held the inspirations and ideas of everyone from Van Gogh, Picasso and Hemingway to famed author, Bruce Chatwin. Artists, authors, and geniuses of all variety have long appreciated the simplicity and superior functionality of these notebooks.

All members of Profitable Writers yahoo group are eligible to win! If you are not already a member, you can join here:

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Writing Prompt

Open your dictionary and choose three words. Any words will do. Write 150 words, including those three words.

Write quickly, don't stop and think about what you're writing, just write whatever comes to mind.

Writing A Checklist

Some of the most popular (and easy to write) articles are "list aticles". Here are some pointers for writing a list article.

1. Start the article with a 1 or 2 paragraph opening that explains what and why the list exists.

2. Include the right number of items in your list. If you have too many the reader might not continue reading, too few, and your article will not have enough "meat". 8 to 12 items is ideal.

3. Conclude the article with a final paragraph reiterating why the reader benefits from the list you have provided.

Examples of list articles include"

1. The top ten ....

2. Eight types of ...

3. Twelve ways to save...

Can you see the possibilities? :)

Writing Thoughts

"Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don't see any."

~ Orson Scott Card

Steal From The Best Contest

Hazel Street Productions has rounded up some of their favorite lines from famous movies for their newest writing contest. The prizes are:

First place: $750,

Second place $150,

Third place $75,

(17) Fourth places $25 each

Each submission must contain one of the seven phrases below. Pick one per submission.

1. “I didn’t know the meaning of fear until I kissed Becky.”

2. “Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh... everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?”

3. “Don't say that you're more sorry than I am, because I'm capable of being just as sorry as you are…”

4.“Murderers are the best I think; they’re so polite.”

5.“Just forget you ever saw it. It's better that way.”

6. “I'm going to rest my eyes for a moment. But go on. I am listening...”

7. “I hate it when someone gives away the ending.”

*Each submission must be between 800 and 2500 words long.

*Fees: $10.00 for up to two submissions per person. $15.00 for 3 to 5 submissions per person.

Entries may be submitted via their website here

Deadline: March 15th, 2008