Featured in The Essence Ezine - November 2003


In my cyber travels as an aspiring writer I have come across a lot of helpful resource sites. Some offer practical techniques and sensible tips, while others allow you inside the “head” of successful wordsmiths. One of the most invaluable sites, in my opinion, that has helped to shed some light on the often mystifying literary world for me has been Fiction Factor.

The combined brainchild of writers Lee Masterson, Tina Morgan and Ciara Grey, Fiction Factor offers some of the essential elements necessary to boost your writing career. Articles that cover every aspect of the progress from querying to character development, useful writing site links, market listings… they’re all there in a neat little package that’s pleasing to the eye and soul, designed with the fiction writer in mind.

“Tina, Ciara and I began Fiction Factor in a time when there were no ezines dedicated solely to the craft of fiction,” shares Masterson. “Almost all the other writing ezines and magazines try to cater to writers across quite a broad spectrum. We simply wanted to cater to the fiction writing niche and be able to help new writers learn about the world of publishing while improving their writing at the same time.”

Lee has also found that as Fiction Factor grows so does her notoriety as a writer. An extra added bonus for her labor of love.

With that idea in mind the trio set out on a journey to build upon that vision. This first called for setting aside several months just to plan the Website’s format, followed by a crash course in HTML and constant research. Deciding what their readers wanted, what type of content and topics would best be of interest to the writer’s accessing their site were also important factors.

“Where possible, we try hard to make sure our articles are suited for all fiction writers – from beginner to professional.”

The success of Fiction Factor can be attributed to the trio’s dedication and team effort. Tina and Lee maintain the site in their spare time, Ciara helps with supplying content. The contribution of each creator makes sure Fiction Factor remains worth the effort for everyone involved.

“We are quite selective about the content we accept for our readers. We try hard to focus on information that is helpful and pertinent to the problems and obstacles writers face.”

Topic ideas occasionally come from questions Lee receives from her readers and at times has not only proven instrumental for Fiction Factor readers. Lee, Tina and Ciara’s personal writing careers have benefited as well.

“The more we research, the more small errors in our own work starts to stand out. We are learning at the same time so it becomes a compulsion to find even more information.”

But even with its purpose intact and favorable readership, operating Fiction Factor is not without it’s obstacles. As the site grows so do its hosting needs and expenses and finding ways to keep the ezine free to readers can become a serious issue. Another obstacle is time. With all three creators still holding down “day jobs” it takes great balance to devote the right amount of time that keeps Fiction Factor running like a well oiled literary machine. Somehow they find that balance and the end result is always spectacular.

For writers wishing to start their own literary ezine, Lee offers this bit of advice:

“Plan everything before you implement anything! It is much easier to fix a mistake on one page than it is to correct something that has been wrongly displayed on four hundred pages.

“Have plenty of back-up content for those weeks when time is not on your side.

“Make sure you know where the responsibilities lie for each person involved with the site. And lastly, have fun!”

Thank you ladies so much for allowing The Essence Ezine the opportunity to spotlight you and your wonderful ezine. Much success to you now and in the future!