About the blog

Enter here for a giveaway!

11 January 2011

Who doesn’t like something free? I’m offering five free downloads (ebooks) of either of my novels. (Winners to choose one per person). You will be automatically entered if you–

a. Follow my blog http://shelleystout.librifiles.com/

b. Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/sstoutwriter

c. Follow me on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shelley-Stout/116887518693?ref=mf#!/pages/Shelley-Stout/116887518693

or

4. Bring a friend to any of these places!

Note–If you bring a friend, you will both be entered into the drawing!

Email me at creativeprose @ gmail.com or leave a comment here with your email address so I can notify the winners.

Winners to be chosen at random on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011. Best of luck to all!

Free writing critiques: my way of giving back

29 August 2010

When I was first beginning to write, I thought each and every word was solid gold, assuring me I was one step closer to a Pulitzer Prize. These days, I realize I’m about average for a published author, but even so, I have something to offer those who are just starting to write.

As a new writer, I remember how important it was to have others read and enjoy what I’d written. I soon found online writing critique groups, where my sample chapter or short story was posted for all to see and crit, while I sat back and cringed, waiting for the inevitable (bad) news. I have something slightly different to offer.

If you are a new, unpublished writer, unsure whether your writing is ready for prime time, and you’re simply looking for some validation, please feel free to post a paragraph or two of your writing as a comment on this blog post. I will keep it hidden unless you state otherwise, and I will offer you some feedback in the form of a ranking– sort of a beginner, intermediate, expert ranking. I will not go into a tremendous amount of detail, but just let you know where I think you stand.

A beginner might be someone who has recently begun writing, and perhaps would benefit from joining an online writing group or attending some workshops. This does not mean you should give up writing. It simply means you will improve over time.

Intermediate might be someone who has a moderate amount of talent which shows through in their writing, but still needs to work on their technique.

An expert would be someone who was born to write. They are ready to be published! (Sadly, at first, I fell into the “beginner” ranking).

Note: if the writing does not appeal to me in any way, (ie too violent, too graphic, etc.), I will not give a ranking or publish the comment on my blog.

My opinions are simply that– OPINIONS. Generally, I won’t be able to give a full critique. This will be only for beginning, unpublished writers who would like a little feedback. Just my way of giving back to the ever-growing writing community.

Future plans for this blog

5 July 2010

I always knew if I ever created a blog, I would use it to describe two things:

1. How I got published,
and
2. My marketing and promotion methods.

In the upcoming weeks, I intend to do just that in a series of blog posts. As always, I welcome questions from aspiring authors and hope to learn from all of you!

Welcome to my blog!

2 July 2010


Here’s a little about me:

I’m originally from a suburb of Washington, D.C. called Annandale, VA. Currently, I live in Charlotte, NC where I am an outside sales rep by day, and a writer by night. Being a writer includes online book promotion, setting up book signings, and working on new novels/articles. Whew, I’m already exhausted.