In October, we asked you to write a humorous obituary about a fictional character. Here is the winning entry by Mary Cook.

Deceased: Count Dracula IV

Report by: Mary Cook, UK

The Count is out for the Count now that the death of Count Dracula IV has (finally) been announced. He is reported to have died in 1325, 1543 and again in1847. His latest death came about as a result of tripping over a curb, knocking out his famous fangs, reportedly insured for $2million, in October 2006.

He was able to prolong his life for several days after the accident by sipping pulverised road-kill through a straw. But his inability to imbibe fresh human blood took its toll and he passed away peacefully in his luxury gothic castle in Transylvania. Numerous beautiful young women were at his bedside, all proudly bearing his mark on their necks.

The funeral will take place on October 31 in a forest clearing near his home at midnight in order to accommodate his many relatives who share a congenital sensitivity to daylight.

Mary Cook is a UK-based freelance writer and former newspaper reporter. Her articles, short stories and poems have appeared in numerous publications.

In September, your challenge was to view a photo and write what your character was thinking. It was a picture of a sunset taken by my son through his rearview mirror.

FREEWAY OF LIFE

We are born and then thrust into this thing called life. And from the very start we vie for position, status, fame and fortune. God help us, why are you in front of me during rush hour! But as often as we enter the freeway, we seldom look behind us to take stock of what we’re leaving or how fast it can all be taken way. A sunset is a beautiful thing when savored appropriately. Who am I kidding? If I look behind me on the freeway during rush hour, I lose my position and I’m cut off by the idiot on the phone or the career lady applying her war paint. I can’t do it, there is too much at stake. If the promotion goes through, I’m no longer a road warrior, I get the corner office. Can you believe it? I get to catch the train or work from home. Check my rearview mirror and it’s as if I’ve blinked at the ‘road hogs’ and freeway freaks. They will eat me alive and send my remains to the evening news to gloat just a little while longer. The mantra when driving on the freeway is pass or be passed, no prisoners taken and why would I let you go in front of me, are you crazy?

My name is Ernie L. Douglas and I've been writing secretly for some 10 yrs. Like most writers I tend to suffer in silence. But for me the 'Freeway of Life' was moral imperative and welcomed surprise.

Before you should decide whether or not taking part in a writing workshop is right for you and your writing you should first understand just what a writing workshop is.

A workshop is an educational format where an expert shares information on a focused topic over a short period of time. Some workshops are intended to be simply informative while others involve more hands-on activities. Today there are many options for enjoying a workshop: you can attend workshops in person, view them on television or tape, or participate in an online workshop.

So now that you know what a workshop is you can see how this format can readily be adapted for writers. Writing workshops can cover the basics of writing, writing challenges, topics related to publication and careers in writing, or specific research subjects. Some of these programs are featured as part of larger events, such as conferences, while some groups or individuals offer them as one-time events. Some organizations, institutes and educational programs offer workshops to their students or members while others open those workshops to the community at large.

Why would a writer want to attend a workshop? What benefit could it be? Join the writing community. One of the strongest benefits you can receive from attending such a gathering is getting to know other writers. Writing is a solitary profession and can be very lonely. Enjoying the company of other writers and talking about writing with people who really understand your joys and worries can be wonderfully energizing to you personally as well as your writing. You can also make contacts that may lead to support and growth of your writing or perhaps even professional advancement. You never know when the friend you make today might be in a position to recommend you to an editor or publisher down the road.

Learn something new. No matter what level your writing career there are always lessons to be learned from other writers. Sometimes there are research strategies and shortcuts or perhaps it is a method for dealing with writer's block. You can learn market news and contacts as well as important information about reviewing contracts. Workshops are generally geared toward a specific genre or market niche and offer a wealth of specialized information depending on whether you write about crime or food.

Improve your craft. Generating new work or revising existing pieces is often a large part of attending a workshop. Sometimes you must bring something with you, create a project as part of the workshop or are inspired by the gathering itself. Sometimes talking with others or listening to the presenters causes you to suddenly rethink a stalled project or inspires a new one. Whatever the impetus there is definitely an increase in production after attending a workshop and that is the surest way to improve your word craft.

If you have not taken part in a writing workshop in the past then perhaps you might consider doing so in the near future so you can join the writing community, learn something new, and improve your craft.

About the Author: Deanna Mascle shares more writing tips and writing resources with her online Writing Workshop at www.WordCraftOnline.com as well as her free Writing Workshop ebook.

Novelist Cynthia Polansky announces the sale of Remote Control to Echelon Press for release in November 2007. Winner of the 2006 Fresh Voices Award for unpublished manuscripts, the commercial novel tells the story of a 31-year-old Jewish control freak who dies in a medical mishap and calls on her supernatural status to "rescue" her widowed husband from the sexy clutches of their thrill-seeking, gold-digging blonde accountant, with disastrous results.

Join the mailing list and journey with the author along the road to publication!

Visit Cynthia on the web:www.cynthiapolansky and www.cynthiapgallagher

Congratulations Cynthia!

Here's a cool novel writing software program you should check out: "From first idea, to final manuscript, WriteItNow will organize and inspire your writing. Try a free demo today!" WriteItNow - Novel Writing Software www.ravensheadservices.com

I love Court TV and just found out about an awesome contest they're holding. The deadline is November 27, but you still have time to be The Next Great Crime Writer. You can check out the rules by going to: Court TV Contest

Check out MoKa House. MoKa House is a company which provides freelance writing services to businesses and individuals. They're always interested in networking with new writers. For more information go to www.mokahousewriters.com

Since I've submitted my partial to an agent, I've been reading a lot of agent blogs. These blogs provide a wealth of information.

Miss Snark - www.misssnark.blogpsot.com

The Knight Agency - www.knightagency.blogpsot.com

Bookends, LLC - www.bookendslitagency.blogspot.com

The Rejecter - www.rejecter.blogspot.com

Dystel & Goderich Literary Management - www.dglm.blogspot.com

These agent links are for informational purposes only. I read them for knowledge and fun. I can't personally offer any other information on the agents or their agencies. Be sure to check out www.agentquery.com if you want to learn more about agents and how to submit. This is an awesome site!

Bobbie Christmas is the "Book Doctor" and Author of Write In Style, a triple-award-winning textbook for writers of fiction and nonfiction, available wherever books are sold.

Bobbie loves to receive questions from writers and offer her expert advice. If you have any questions you need answered, please e-mail her at: Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. For the latest Q&A with Bobbie, go to AskTheBookDoctor on the CS4W site.

If you have an announcement you would like to share, please send it to: sandy@coolstuff4writers.com Thank you all very much! Please feel free to write with anything that's on your mind! I always love to hear from you!

email: sandy@coolstuff4writers.com

phone: 732-364-3993

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