Articles by William Meikle on ArticleSnatch.com

Pole Shift - A Disaster Waiting to Happen

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500

An impending magnetic, or pole, reversal was one of the hot topics of the 80's when the book "Pole Shift" by John White was a best seller and it was thought that it might happen any time now. As with most prophesies around the end of the twentieth century, the sense of impending doom has lessened and the pole shift "warning" has been downgraded to a pole shift "watch." But this is one of those things that are very probably going to happen at some point "soon" in the earth's history....it's just that mankind has a very small view of the overall earth clock, and to the earth, "soon" could mean anytime in the next 100,000 years, so don't hold your breath. Scientists currently tell us that pole shifts occur, on average, once every 500,000 years. The last pole shift was 780,000 years ago so we are overdue for one (just as we are overdue for a big asteroid strike, and for a super volcano eruption....just hope they don't all happen at once! **End Summary** Topics: pole shift]]> disaster]]> cataclysm]]> catastrophism]]> end of the world]]> apocalypse]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is a Scottish writer, with seven novels published in the States. He is available for all freelance writing work. Contact him and read some free fiction at his web site http://www.williammeikle.com

How Editors Know You're An Amateur

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Are you happy being an amateur writer? Do you want to stay in that happy state? Then just follow these tips in all your submissions. Don't address the editor by name. After all, there may be many editorial staff at the publication just waiting to jump at the chance to read your work, and you don't want them to miss out do you? Don't use double spacing. You never see articles or stories published in double space do you? So why should you bother double spacing your work, when someone is just going to have to convert it to single spacing later? Don't bother checking your spelling or grammar. That's the editor's job isn't it? Don't send return postage. Why should you assume they'll return your work? That's defeatism. If they want to publish it, they can write you a letter - surely they can afford that? And as you've paid to send it to them, surely they can pay to return it? Don't put your name on the manuscript. They're bound to keep your manuscript and the cover letter together aren't they. No one would ever file correspondence and submissions in different places. **End Summary** Topics: writer]]> writing]]> amateur]]> tips]]> hep]]> advice]]> writing tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> I failed to follow my own advice and have seven novels published in the States. I am available for all freelance writing work. Contact me and read some free fiction at my web site http://www.williammeikle.com

How Did JK Rowling Do It

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Fantasy fiction is big business, and many authors are trying hard to break in. The burning question on all their lips is, "How did JK Rowling do it?" And the answer to that is pretty simple. She gave the readers what they wanted. 1. Kids like chaos... but only a bit of it. The Hogwarts school set up in the Harry Potter books is perfect. Kids love the idea of being away from the comfort of home, but are also deeply attracted to a sense of stability and find too much chaos too scary to contemplate. Being in a school situation is something they can relate to, and adding the -magic- element adds the necessary frisson of excitement that takes it just far enough out of the ordinary. The fact that the magic school is a cliche long used and abused in fantasy fiction, and lampooned succesfully by Terry Pratchett, goes straight over the heads of the bulk of HP readers, purely because the target audience is too young to recognise the antecedents. 2. Kids like adults to be larger than life... but not all the time And there's no bigger than Hagrid! **End Summary** Topics: writer]]> writing]]> fantasy]]> fiction]]> JK Rowling]]> Scottish]]> Harry Potter]]> Quidditch]]> Hagrid]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle, a Scot, has been trying to understand this. In his latest book, Generations, he has eccentric adults, brave friends and, his addition to the ideas, giant bugs. See how he did at http://www.williammeikle.com

The Meaning of Life - Ask a Philosopher

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

If you do a search on "meaning of life" on Google, you'll find more theories than I've had hot dinners... and that's a lot! There will be different definitions depending on whether you : - are questioning the meaning of life because you've been unhappy - want to know the meaning of life because you feel useless - want to see their answer so that you can prove your intellectual prowess by poking holes in it - don't understand why bad things happen to good people - think that most of the rest of the world seems completely insane - wonder why there is so much hatred in the world. - wonder why there is so much violence in our society - really don't care about the meaning of life, you're just surfing On the other hand you could ask a philosopher (A philospher can best be thought of as someone who thinks a lot so you don't have to.) - For Erich Fromm, man makes his life meaningful by living productively, and by using his powers of love and reason to their fullest capacity. **End Summary** Topics: meaning of life]]> god]]> philosophy]]> writing]]> writer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> And of course, my writing will live on. Contact me on my guestbook, tell me what YOUR meaning of life is, and read some free fiction at http://www.williammeikle.com

Gauge or Caliber: Getting Your Research Right

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Writers often need to know just what kind of weaponry their protagonists are using. Here's a useful primer as to the different terms and what they mean. CALIBER (or calibre) is "usually" a numerical term, without the decimal point, in a cartridge's name to indicate the bullet diameter. Alternatively it can be a measurement of the diameter of the gun’s barrel. It is described in most glossaries as: "The internal diameter of a gun's barrel." This can be measured either in English units or in metric. The measurement can be taken in a rifled arm either land to land or groove to groove. E.g., in most US .30-caliber rifles, the diameter of the bore land to land is .300 inches, while groove to groove it is .308 inches ( Land is the raised portion of rifling in the barrel, groove is the recessed portion of rifling) In the US the measurement is usually expressed in hundreds of an inch; in Great Britain in thousandths; in Europe and elsewhere in millimetres. That's why you see the calibre of handguns often expressed in different units. **End Summary** Topics: writing]]> writer]]> calibre]]> caliber]]> guage]]> guns]]> weapons]]> rifles]]> rifling]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is a Scottish writer, with seven novels published in the States. He is available for all freelance writing work. Contact him and read some free fiction at his web site http://www.williammeikle.com

Writing Tips - Adding Complexity To Your Narrative

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Complex narrative structure is used by authors to add interest by complicating the story. There are several authorial methods of achieving this. It can occur when the author uses causally unrelated narratives to work together to build thematic unity. This usually involves two or three or more clearly defined narratives each with their own sets of characters. There is often little or no intermingling of characters or narrative events, simply two or three narratives existing alongside each other. One of the problems this causes authors involves not letting the reader lose track of what's going on. Since there are so many stories happening at once, a lot more reader activity is required to keep track of the various narratives. Therefore time and place are usually clearly defined: events often occur within a very specific time frame in a specific locale to keep the reader focussed. In order to achieve a form of formal closure, there is usually an event at the end of the story that brings all characters to one location or at least affects them all in some way. **End Summary** Topics: writer]]> writing]]> narrative]]> fiction]]> complexity]]> help]]> advice]]> tips]]> Don Quixote]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is a Scottish writer, with seven novels published in the States. He is available for all freelance writing work. Contact him and read some free fiction at his web site williammeikle.com

Getting Published - A Stairway to Heaven

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Hi, I'm Willie, and I'm an author. If that sounds like an AA introduction, it might be more apt than you think. Writing is an addiction, and I'm hooked. I started nearly ten years ago now. Since then I've had over 150 short stories published in the horror and fantasy genre press, I've slowly changed career so that I work as a technical author for a living, and I've recently sold my first novel. In this article I'm going to share what I've learned so far, but remember, I'm still on the steps as well, just a bit higher up. Step 1: Get an Idea For me, they come visually, like photographs of a particular scene. I look closely at the scene, and the participants start to move and talk. The story forms from there. Whichever way the idea comes, hold on to it. Don't let it go. Ideas are precious and there are only so many new ones to go around. I carry a notebook at all times in which I jot them down. **End Summary** Topics: writing]]> publishing]]> writer]]> published]]> fiction]]> advice]]> help]]> tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is a Scottish writer, with seven novels published in the States. He is available for all freelance writing work. Contact him and read some free fiction at his web site http://www.williammeikle.com

Fantasy Writing - Six Cliches to Avoid

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Fantasy fiction is doing good business at the moment, but there are certain situations that have been overplayed. So much so, that they have become genre clichés, and everybody knows what to expect next. If you're a writer in the fantasy genre, here are 6 clichés you should try to avoid in your stories. 1. Receiving tutoring from the old wise man. The 'Merlin' gambit, as used in Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Dragonslayer and innumerable King Arthur clones. A stable boy or other similar seemingly low-born type is taken under the wing of the local eccentric. There's usually a beard involved, and a pair of blue eyes piercing from beneath some spectacularly bushy eyebrows. He'll say things like: 'All of nature is one', 'Use the force' and 'You have a great destiny, my boy.' Try not to give him a grey cloak and an elven sword. Maybe you could try having the youth tutoring the old man for a change? Or, more radical, how about having the teacher as an old woman? 2. Learning to fight. The 'Galahad' gambit. **End Summary** Topics: fantasy writing]]> fantasy stories]]> writer]]> writing]]> writing tips]]> tips]]> advice]]> help]]> cliche]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is a Scottish writer, with seven fantasy and horror novels published in the States. He is available for all freelance writing work. Contact him and read some free fiction at his web site http://www.williammeikle.com

Fifty Creative Ways to Get Her To Say Yes

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Many young men get into a twist when considering how to propose to their intended. This list is meant to offer some lighthearted support, and get their creativity sparkling like the diamond they are handing over. 1. Write it in lemon juice on paper. It disappears until warmed. You can say "Look, there's something written here"....heat it over a candle and "Presto", instant proposal 2. Do it at half-time, on-field, at a sporting event/theatre 3. In disguise wearing a costume that means something to you both 4. Get her to find the ring embedded in a favourite meal 5. Have the ring delivered by an express mail service at your table in a restaurant. 6. Have the ring delivered by her favourite celeb (might be costly, but most celebs are up for a photo opportunity ) 7. If you have enough advance warning, get an author to write your proposal cunningly into a book you can buy, and be beside her as she reads it. 8. In weightless conditions 9. Record yourself proposing on video and get it spliced into the latest blockbuster movie on video/DVD, then snuggle up together to watch. 10. **End Summary** Topics: marriage]]> engagement]]> proposing]]> proposal]]> tips]]> how to]]> advice]]> writing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is a Scottish writer who successfully used one of these tips. Read more articles at his website at http://www.williammeikle.com

Short Story Writing - Ten Endings to Avoid

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

A logical, satisfying ending is always required in a short story, but how do you ensure that yours is fresh and new? One of the ways is to avoid the obvious. Here are some common endings seen by editors: use them at your peril. And then I woke up. The 'Dallas' gambit. This approach is nothing more than a cop-out for people with no imagination. Stories should reach a logical conclusion that satisfies the reader and resolves any conflicts. This method does neither. And then I died. The 'Weird Tales' gambit. This one turned up regularly in horror tales during the early part of last century, until it was overplayed by HP Lovecraft, among others. A diary which ends in a string of nonsense words as a crawling terror from beyond comes for the author was fine the first time out, but most editors have seen it too many times. And I found out I'd been dead all along. The 'Sixth Sense' gambit. This is an old one, which is why people who were well read in the genre spotted the twist very early in M Night Shyamalan's film. **End Summary** Topics: short story]]> short stories]]> writing]]> writer]]> genre]]> fiction]]> story writing]]> help]]> advice]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> I have a confession. I've used some of these endings myself, and even successfully sold the stories. Read some of my short stories for free at http://www.williammeikle.com

Writing Tips - Planning Your Writing

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

A lot of beginners go off the rails when they've got a nice clean sheet of paper or a blank screen in front of them and they've got to fill it with words - meaningful words. The way to avoid the cold feeling of panic is to have a plan of action. The type of plan that works best for you depends on your personality. Some of you will make structured lists, with every small detail itemized and all T's crossed. Or you may have a vague set of instructions, sometimes little more than remembering to have a beginning, middle and end. Others of you will find that the best way to work is just to start writing and see where it takes you. The way to find what will work for you is to plan out some example pieces of work. You might never write them, but the practice will benefit you. For example, how would you go about writing an episode of your favourite TV show, or an article on a local photography exhibition, or a review of a best-seller? **End Summary** Topics: writer]]> writing]]> planning]]> getting started]]> hook]]> tips]]> help]]> advice]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is currently planning his ninth novel. Read more articles at his website at http://www.williammeikle.com

Ten Ways to Give Up Smoking, And One That Works

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Over the years I've tried many times to give up smoking. Along the way I've subjected myself to some of the 'recommended' methods. If you are thinking about giving up, here are some ways not to go about it. Try to cut down This is the cowards way out - and you know it. "I'll just have one now, and no more till twelve o clock" you'll say. Then you'll hit a stress situation at ten-thirty and have two cigarettes to calm you down. But they don't count do they? Use patches These are just an excuse to flash your body at people. You'll all do it - lifting up your shirt or blouse to show off your "battle bandage". And you'll still need something to do with your hands, so you'll have a cigarette. Use nicotine gum You'll need to masticate constantly to get any kind of buzz. Your gums will hurt, your jaw will ache, your mouth will taste like a stale ashtray and you'll look like a cow. You'll be better off having a cigarette. Use hypnosis Do you really want to stand on your head every time somebody says "cigarette"? **End Summary** Topics: smoking]]> smoker]]> quit]]> quitting]]> humor]]> giving up]]> advice]]> help]]> tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Willie Meikle gave up smoking years ago and now does something productive with his hands. Check out his novels at http://www.williammeikle.com

Writing Tips - Five Ways to Immediately Improve

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

As a writer it is all too easy to concentrate on the mechanics of submitting work to editors and to forget that the writing itself is of primary importance. We should all be constantly seeking to improve. If we do that, editorial approval will become that much easier. To that end, here are five things you can start doing today that will immediately improve your writing, and with it your chances of getting published. Improve your vocabulary Buy a good dictionary, and learn a word every day. Play around with it, using it in sentences, in dialogue and description. As you go along, make a list of the words you've learned. At the end of the month, try to write down a definition beside each word. If you can't remember what the word means, look it up again, play with it again, and leave it on the list for another month. I guarantee your vocabulary will grow in leaps and bounds. Read more You can't come up with an original idea unless you know what isn't original. So read as widely as you can, both within your chosen area and beyond. **End Summary** Topics: writing]]> writer]]> tips]]> help]]> advice]]> improvement]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is still improving after seven published novels. Read his latest novel, Generations, and see dragons battle giant bugs in a YA Fantasy now available at Amazon, or visit his site at http://www.williammeikle.com

Science Fiction Writing - Ten Cliches to Avoid

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Science Fiction has become so much part of our culture that icons from it are all around us, in film, TV, computer games and music. Adoption into the mainstream makes science fiction both easy to sell, and hard to write without seeming tired and cliched. Here are ten situations you should steer away from, and some variations to consider if you're determined to proceed. The Never-Ending Spacecraft Flying Overhead It starts with just a small piece of hardware coming into view. Then it expands as the ship fills the whole screen, gun ports bristling. Still it comes, sound building all the time, until the tail engines, glowing yellow, pass overhead. Star Wars started this one, and it's been used ad-nauseam ever since, giving the model makers a chance to show off. Try a new approach. Why not have the spaceship roll overhead then pan back to find its only inches long? Or how about an alien that can travel through space without a ship? Saucers Over the White House The silver saucer hovers overhead while various military types run around saying things like "Now we know we are not alone." and "Hit them with everything you've got. **End Summary** Topics: Science Fiction]]> SF]]> Sci-Fi]]> writing]]> writer]]> Science Fiction Writer]]> Science Fiction writing]]> help]]> advice]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle tries to subvert cliches by mixing genres. See dragons battle giant bugs in his latest novel, Generations, out now on Amazon, or see details at his site http://www.williammeikle.com

Horror Writing - Ten Cliches to Avoid

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

For anyone thinking about writing in the horror genre, there are certain situations that, over the years, have been done so often that the audience knows exactly what to expect. Using any of these is fine if you're being post-modern and ironic as in the Scream series, because you can get the audience laughing as they jump. But if you're trying for the big scare, here are some situations to avoid, and alternative scenarios to consider. The woman alone in the old dark house She's usually blonde, big breasted and not very bright. She shouts things like "Who's there?" or "Is that you Joe?" Then she goes into dark rooms to see what's in them. Tippi Hedren plays a fine example in The Birds, as does Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween. This scene has been so successfully lampooned by the Scream series that its going to be hard for anyone to do it again; but if you must, you'll need to find a new way of raising the tension. Making the woman blind has been done, as has having a man being stalked by a woman. **End Summary** Topics: horror]]> writing]]> writer]]> horror writing]]> horror story]]> advice]]> tips]]> help]]> horror writer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is a Scottish writer, with seven novels published in the States. He is available for all freelance writing work. Contact him and read some free fiction at his web site http://www.williammeikle.com

Crime Writing - Ten Cliches to Avoid

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Crime fiction is big business at the moment, but there are certain situations that have been overplayed so much that they have become genre cliches and everybody knows what to expect next. Here are ten cliches you should try to avoid and thoughts on how to subvert the cliches if you do decide to use them. Cops and Doctors You can find this perennial favourite in both crime and historical fiction. You'll see it in ER, NYPD Blue and in cross -genre shows like the X Files. The doctor says "OK but only for a minute" or "It's touch and go. The next few hours will be crucial" or "It could be minutes, it could be days... you never know with coma cases" The policemen usually say nothing. They just stand around and chew the scenery in frustration. Mulder and Scully actually spend a lot of their time hanging around in hospitals but you don't notice so much because the patients aren't your run of the mill criminals or witnesses. And that's the way to get around this one. Get a new twist and add some tension. Maybe the patient is related to either the cop or the doctor. **End Summary** Topics: crime fiction]]> crime writing]]> fiction]]> writing]]> writer]]> help]]> advice]]> tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> William Meikle is a Scottish writer, with seven novels published in the States. He is available for all freelance writing work. Contact him and read some free fiction at his web site http://www.williammeikle.com