Author: Cherrilynn Bisbano - Managing Editor A3

A3's Managing Editor Host, Genre Chat. Junior Agent for Cyle Young
Winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Published in MTL, Christian Rep and other online Magazines, Cherrilynn strives to write for the Glory of God. Currently, she is working on a series of non-fiction books and a YA mystery novel with her son. She is a Speaker with “WomenSpeakers.com” and “By Design Ministries". Cherrilynn resides in East Greenwich, RI with her husband and 15-year-old son, both named Michael; her M&m's.

Categories
Guest post archive

HIT-AND-RUN: 5 WAYS TO CORRECT A COMMA SPLICE

Of the mechanical misdeeds common to writing, the comma splice may be the most insidious. This sneaky little fugitive hides out in the writing of students and professionals alike, smashing up sentences and taking liberties with punctuation.

The grammatical equivalent of a hit-and-run, this nefarious collision of clauses happens when one sentence crashes right into another one, leaves its mark (a comma) at the scene of the crime, and never once stops to properly address the damage.

And how exactly can writers salvage a sentence from such wreckage and bring this runaway to justice?

First, we must identify just what this mechanical miscreant looks like. Simply described, a comma splice is a kind of run-on sentence that uses a comma to try to separate two (or more) complete sentences.

A run-on sentence—that is, two or more independent clauses connected with no punctuation at all—is more easily identified by many writers. Take the following example of a run-on sentence:

  • Bob overslept Bob was late for work.

Here, the first independent clause (“Bob overslept”) runs right into the second independent clause (“Bob was late for work”) with no dividing punctuation whatsoever. Thus, a run-on sentence. Easy to spot, easy to fix.

Or is it?

Many times writers who spot a run-on sentence will attempt to correct the run-on sentence by just adding a comma, like so…

  • Bob overslept, Bob was late for work.

The problem is that a comma is not strong enough on its own to separate complete sentences.

In this way, by addressing one error (the run-on sentence), the hard-working writer has inadvertently created another (a comma splice)!

So what’s a writer to do?

Happily, a writer need not despair. The sentence can easily be rescued by employing one of the five corrective methods outlined below.

  1. Insert a period to separate 2 independent clauses.
  • Bob overslept. Bob was late for work.

The most simplistic way to correct for a run-on sentence, this method takes little time, little thought, and no restructuring of sentences or paragraphs.

  1. Insert a semi-colon to separate 2 independent clauses.
  • Bob overslept; Bob was late for work.

Much like the first method, this corrective measure simply adds one punctuation mark. However, using a semi-colon between two sentences typically suggests a strong relationship between the sentences, a distinction not necessarily present when just inserting a period.

  1. Insert a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, so, yet, for, nor).
  • Bob overslept, so he was late for work.

Beware: Inserting only a comma creates a comma splice (which is essentially a run-on sentence with extra baggage).

Unlike a period or semi-colon, a comma is not strong enough to separate two sentences on its own, but it can be used with a little help from its fanboys (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Where the use of a semi-colon suggests a relationship between the two sentences being joined, a comma with a coordinating conjunction firmly establishes one.

For example, the use of so in the corrected example indicates a cause-and-effect relationship between the sentences—that is, from the way the sentences have been combined, it is clear that Bob’s oversleeping caused his tardiness.

Where applicable, using sentence construction to outline a clear relationship between sentences is a good idea. It enhances the clarity of the message and adds variety to the structure of the sentences within a paragraph, thereby increasing the readability of the writing as a whole.

  1. Insert a conjunctive adverb with a semi-colon (or period) before and a comma afterwards.
  • Bob overslept; therefore, he was late for work.
  • Bob overslept. Therefore, he was late for work.

While conjunctive adverbs may sound intimidating as a term, we actually use them all of the time, and the most familiar is probably the equivocalhowever.

Other conjunctive adverbs include therefore, thus, nevertheless, consequently, furthermore, meanwhile, likewise, namely, and the phrase on the other hand.

The words themselves may be familiar to us, but many times when we encounter conjunctive adverbs in our writing, we feel a little insecure about how exactly to punctuate them.

Luckily, the steps are quite simple and straightforward.

  1. Insert a period or semi-colon before the conjunctive adverb.
  2. Insert a comma after the conjunctive adverb.

The caveat with this method is to read the sentence carefully and punctuate accordingly: Some of the words that serve as conjunctive adverbs (like instead or while) can also pull down double duty as another part of speech (maybe as a plain old adverb or even a noun).

  1. Rewrite the sentence.
  • Because he overslept, Bob was late for work.
  • Because he overslept, Bob was late for work.

The failsafe method for combatting a comma splice, rewriting a sentence is sometimes the best way a writer can correct the sentence, clarify the meaning of the message, and get out of the mental rut often creating by focusing too much on one single aspect of a written piece.

It would be hard to cover all of the ways to rewrite a sentence to correct for a comma splice, but the two following methods are the most common:

  1. Change one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause to create a complex sentence.
  2. Create a simple sentence with a compound predicate.

Armed with these five strategies for combatting comma splices, a writer should feel confident about confronting this mechanical hit-and-run and bringing it swiftly to justice.

Hilary Brooke Hall lives with her family in North Carolina. Until the day she gets it all together, she is leaning on the Lord (and Dr. Pepper).

She has a B.A. in graphic design from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.A. in English/Creative Writing from North Carolina State University.

She does NOT profess to be a Bible scholar or an expert. In anything. At all.

Hilary Brooke Hall also authors rogueletterie.com, a blog that features original graphic design and writings about about the American South, music, and other sociocultural topics.


Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

John Elder Robison – Living and Writing with Asperger’s

Overcoming a disability concept with a man writing the word Disability on a virtual interface and then crossing through the - Dis - with a red marker pen as a motivational call to overcome adversity.

 

 

The ninth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2017, and April is Autism Awareness Month with the colorful puzzle piece ribbon becoming more familiar as its icon. Each year, autism organizations around the world recognize this day with events to raise funds and increase awareness.

I am pleased that I could ask John Elders Robison writer of articles, short stories, books, and the author of “look me in the eye, my life with asperger’s, and Switched On, A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening” to share information with us about Asperger’s, a form of Autism.

Mr. Robison did not know there was a name for his condition until he was an adult. John maneuvered life before the age of forty knowing he was different, but not knowing why.

In my interview with John this month, I show the realistic view of one person’s experience with Asperger’s, as you will see in my questions and his answers to them.  John speaks frankly, giving us a better understanding of how one Aspergian sees the world. John’s precise informational process gives us a glimpse into how he processes information in his answering the questions as I presented them to him.

John, what is Asperger’s?

Asperger’s is one of the conditions that make up the autism spectrum.  It’s therefore a form of autism.  People with Asperger’s tend to have clear logical speech but be somewhat oblivious to the non-verbal parts of communication – we may miss things like body language or subtle facial expressions.  In the rest of this Q&A I refer to “autistic people” as opposed to Asperger people or Asperger’s because Asperger’s is just one of several words for autism.  One person might be described as autistic, another as having autism, another PDD-NOS. They may all look and act the same and in that sense the different diagnostic labels are interchangeable.

Autism is characterized by language impairment or weak ability to read nonverbal cues or messages; restricted interests, obsessions, or unusual focus; or unusual patterns of speech or expression.  But remember – “unusual” is only in the mind of a non-autistic observer.  To us, we are normal and you typicals are the freaks.  Many autistic people have medical challenges like anxiety, depression, epilepsy, intestinal distress, or sleep troubles.

Autistic people fall at all points on the IQ spectrum.  The combination of autism and intellectual disability is particularly debilitating.

How is living with Asperger’s different than/from a person not living with Asperger’s?

A person not living with Asperger’s is, by definition, dead. That is what “not living” means, and it is a fundamentally different thing from living with Asperger’s.  To the best of my knowledge dead people are indifferent to diagnostic terms we living people think are important.

Do you think living with Asperger’s affects what a person can, or cannot do in life? Why, or why not?

Autism is one of many things that can shape us.  Autism certainly affects what we are good at or not good at, and so it may influence what we can or want to do.  That said, there is no single answer to the question of how an individual may be affected.

Autistic people do lots of things – work with animals, be engineers, work in theatre or the arts, or even teach.  That said, many of us are unemployed or underemployed thanks to disability.  At the same time, some autistic people are extraordinarily successful.

Some people see autism as primarily a disability.  Others (like me) see autism as a mix of disability and exceptionality.  While there are some things I’m not so good at (like reading facial expressions) there are other things I’m exceptionally good at (like photography or automotive engineering) and I attribute both to autism.

What motivates you write despite any emotional challenges you face? Did your emotional challenges become the reason you felt you had to write?

I write articles and stories about cars because that’s what we do for work here.  I tell stories about what we find and do and emotion hasn’t got much to do with it.

When I learned about autism in me, the knowledge was life-changing in a good way, and that inspired me to share my stories with other people, so in that sense I guess you could say the emotional challenges are a big reason why I write about autism and difference.

Can you tell us about your current writing project(s)?

I’ve just started to explore the question of whether some of the Polynesian navigators who helped colonize the Pacific islands over the past 3,000 years were autistic.

I’m also writing a story about the role of autistic people in the establishment of the Anglican church in colonial Virginia.

And our high school students are building a vintage Bentley Continental to race the Carrera Panamericana through Mexico, and I expect to be writing about that.

What’s your best advice for those who wish to write characters with Autism/Asperger’s in their books and stories?

If you are an autistic person yourself or have an autistic family member you should have some insight into the character.  Otherwise, before writing about autism, ask an actual autistic person.  There is a lot of misunderstand and wrong assumptions are the rule, not the exception.

And John’s writing life?

Mostly I write by typing on computer.  As a result, my handwriting has deteriorated.  To address that I bought a diary-type notebook and I’m writing in it often, by hand.  There is a slight improvement but correction of that deficiency may take years, and I will never have penmanship to the standard set by our literate ancestors.

I write books and long articles upstairs in my library at home, or on the computer with the big monitor at my work. I am fortunate to own my workplace so I am free to write on “company time.”

I don’t really have a schedule. Sometimes I don’t do anything for a month and then I might write 20,000 words over a long-concentrated weekend.

Over four books I have generally beat the deadlines set by the publisher and I’ve been faster with my end of the edits than them, and I take that as evidence that the schedule is good enough.

For the past ten years, most of my writing has been done on Mac computers.  I write short stories and such on a laptop but I prefer the big desktop monitor for editing and most other tasks because I can compare things side by side and it’s just bigger and clearer.

Whenever I have a new book released I get a new pen to sign copies for readers.  Doing that is sort of a superstition, like believing your dog might roll over and die if you don’t give his left ear a quick tug on the way out the door.  You can dismiss superstitions if you want, but after three or four dead dogs you start to question the wisdom of that thinking.

There are, of course, some people who don’t even have dogs and don’t care what pen they sign books with but I am not one of them.

For SWITCHED ON I am using an ST Dupont fountain pen, but as I said, the writing instrument changes with some frequency.  As for paper – when you sign books you really see a difference in the quality of papers used in hardcover and paperback books.  Buy hardcovers if you want your books to last!

As for dogs – we have two – an Imperial Chinese War Pug, and a Bull Dog.

What advice can you give to other writers who may have a disability, or a challenge who aren’t sure if they can share their stories, or write a book?

Millions of people have a desire to share their stories.  Very few of those stories end up published by major houses and of those even fewer are widely read.  But not every storyteller seeks a bestseller.  Some write stories for their families.  Some might write for a local autism support group.  Others dream of having their story self-published or printed by a small press.  Others write for their own therapy.

Think about what you want; what is the objective of your writing?  Ask yourself if the story is truly unique, and who would want to read it, and why.  Remember that the writing it what makes or breaks it; a good writer can make a seemingly ordinary story into a page turner.

You just never know what stories will be popular or well received, and which won’t.

My first editor – Rachel Klayman at Random House – once told me publishing is a world of broken dreams and I think that’s true.  Books never sell to publishers for as much as you hope. They don’t get bought by the public in the quantities you or the publisher hopes for.  And often the critics are harsh.  The rewards are few and the criticisms many.  But still people do it.

Writers always seem to want to know how other writer’s write, edit, and rewrite. What is your style of editing your work?

I usually write something, set it aside, and then go back to it and look at it from the remove of a bit of time.  Also, my wife reads what I write, and sometimes other people.  They comment and I make revisions.  My agent reads initial drafts before we turn them in, but once the edit process starts with the publisher it’s just me and them, back and forth through the various steps.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers at AlmostAnAuthor?

Establish yourself in some good and stable line of work that affords you time to write, while also providing a steady living. If you are lucky you will even be able to write about your work one day.

Kathryn M. B. Johnson

I write with, and for, multiple disabilities. I’m working on a novel, and love writing essays. I live amidst the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. I started making squiggles at age three on pieces of paper. I kept my “writing” in grandma’s black snap-top pocketbook. In second-grade, I wrote stories my teacher read at rest time. I’m endeared to No.2 pencils. You can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, or my website at kathrynmbjohnson.com.

 

 

Categories
Copywrite/Advertising

I’m in This Thing for Converts

 

You’re a copywriter. Not a novelist (okay, maybe at night). Not a screenwriter. Not a poet. A copywriter.

What does that mean?

Unlike those other writers, you’re not seeking readers. Not really. At the root of things, you’re seeking buyers.

It’s sort of like a preacher on Sunday. (I’ve been a preacher so I can use this example with impunity.) What does the preacher look for when gazing out across the sanctuary? A bunch of rear ends warming seats? That’s just the start.

One enthusiastic minister blurted it out to me once. “I’m in this thing for converts!”

As a copywriter, so are you.

Our readers aren’t perusing our prose for chuckles and entertainment. They’re after information that will inspire them to buy the right product or give to the right charity. What you want is for your reader to take action.

Whether you are sitting at your keyboard crafting an email campaign for a Christian organization or climbing the town water tower with a can of spray paint and your ex-girlfriend’s number in your jacket pocket, you are writing for the same purpose–results.

Your prose is successful when your reader responds. Sign up for an email list. Follow the company on Twitter. Add a name to the petition. Ultimately, buy the product.

When a web visitor takes action on a site, that’s called conversion. And that’s what you want your prose to do—convert people. If you write for a Christian organization, conversions may be literal conversions. If you write for a company, maybe not.

How does writing for conversion differ from other kinds of writing? Here are three ways:

  1. Essay writers say, “Your writing needs an airtight argument with a beginning that includes a clear thesis sentence followed by three supporting statements and winding up with a defined conclusion that closes the argument’s circle.”

Ad copy editors say, “Your writing is part of a sprawling global conversation that has no beginning and no end. Don’t close the loop.”

If you close the loop, you give away the end of the story. What’s left for your reader to do?

Effective ad copy takes your reader right up to the crisis moment and stops. An irksome feeling that something remains unfinished nudges readers to become buyers. Resist the urge to conclude. Instead, let the reader finish the story by making a purchase or donation.

  1. Traditional writers say, “Good writing is grammatically correct, spell-checked, and proofread.”

Ad copy editors say, “Good writing is interesting.”

The need for written content to be interesting is almost universally acknowledged. But we don’t teach how to be interesting in print. We teach the rules of grammar.

Want evidence that the best writers don’t need to follow the rules? Look at some of today’s most effective advertising copywriters, the Chick-fil-a cows. Those guys are horrible spellers! But nobody cares that the cows can’t spell. They’re interesting. They’re funny. They keep you eating chicken.

Note that most ad copywriting also requires correct grammar and spelling. But those things alone aren’t going to get results.

  1. English teachers say, “I’m assigning you a paper that will be between seven and ten pages long.” And you write ten, even twelve, to prove that you are doing the most work possible.

Ad copy editors say, “Be brief.”

Brief writing is difficult to do, but brevity collects readers. Penelope Trunk says she takes 30 minutes to craft a single tweet. Mind you, a tweet is 140 characters or less. I could pound out 140 characters in no time flat. Perhaps that’s partly why Trunk has 134,000 Twitter followers, and I don’t. It’s hard to pack interesting, quality content into a tiny space, but it often works.

One caveat: there’s some evidence that long-form content gets readership and response better than short-form content does. Fundraising appeals, for instance, often generate more income when they are two or more pages long. The only way to know for sure is to test your readership.

Be brief doesn’t always mean be short. It just means stop talking once your piece concludes the first time.

For copywriters, conversion is key.  How do you convert your readers into buyers? Brief, interesting copy that leaves the reader with unfinished business on his hands is a great start. An inspiring call to action—in which you encourage the reader to convert with a direct statement—can transform some readers into buyers.

What are some things you’ve discovered about writing that converts? Do you have any war stories about web site content, email blasts or fundraising letters that finally pulled those readers off their pews and down front to join the congregation, either literally or metaphorically?

Did someone else’s brilliant copy snag you?

Tell me about it in the comments.

Holland Webb: I love telling the stories that people put down so they go take action. I’m an advertising copywriter by day, an aspiring novelist by night, a parent, a dog-lover, a prison volunteer and a follower of Jesus.

[1] Read more:http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=26-02-018-v#ixzz4WJX3Txy8

Categories
Guest post archive

Guest Post-Symptoms of a Hidden Writer by Chanda Griese

 

Are You Truly a Writer?
I’ve asked myself this question dozens of times. Not long ago, I came across this wonderful quote that both challenged me and set my heart at rest:

“Don’t be a writer if you can get out of it! It’s a solitary job… and it requires relentless self-discipline… But if, like the psalmist, you say, “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned,” then perhaps you will have to write.” 

~Elisabeth Elliot
What can we learn from this wise and gifted woman of faith?
Being a writer requires times of solitude. Have you ever tried to write while someone is talking to you? I have. It doesn’t work. If you want to write something of quality, you have to be alone. With the phone turned off and unless music inspires you, try ditching the earphones, too. Social media outlets are a must for building platform, but many times they become mere entertainment, a distraction, and competition for precious writing time.
Without a consistent, weekly, and better yet, daily time to write, it’s not going to happen. There’s always something that will steal away our attention and our time.

[bctt tweet=”It takes self-discipline to say no, even to good things, and focus solely on writing. ” username=”@chgriese”]

It takes self-discipline to say no, even to good things, and focus solely on writing. Using rituals can help settle the mind for writing, like sharpening pencils, getting a cup of coffee, or spending time in prayer.
Marti Piper, a fellow writer whom I met through Word Weavers International, posted on her blog, to be a successful writer, you must have “rhino skin.” Some writers have to write over a dozen books with one rejection after another before being discovered. It takes tenacity to persevere. Some call it grit. Whatever you want to call it, if you want to be a writer, you cannot give up.

Think of The Turtle and the Rabbit from Aesop’s Fables. The point is not to publish fastest, but to publish no matter how long it takes and share our story with the world. Try posting a mantra above your writing space such as “I do not quit, I persevere!”
Then, you need ideas—something of substance to write. It’s amazing how a small apple seed of a concept can produce a whole bushel-full of spin-off themes. Jot them all down and try to find a way to organize them so that you can refer to them again. I keep a little notebook in my purse to add new ideas when inspiration hits. Others prefer note-taking apps on their phones. Whatever method you use, the point is to capture that brilliant idea to use at a later time.

Good writers are teachable. I once heard it said that mastering the craft takes at least five years and to publish takes even longer. This is where grit comes in. Shoot for the moon and keep on submitting. When our work is rejected, take it as another learning opportunity. Make appropriate changes and try again. Attend critique groups, writer’s workshops, and conferences. Writers must accept that we are life-long learners.
To be a writer, you must be relentlessness or possess a burning drive to write in a way that will impact a person’s view of life. Now that is the hallmark of a true writer. Your writing is an expression of who you are. And, you want to share your passions. You cannot help it.
I keep finding out myself, the more I write, the more I want to write. I don’t think I could ever tire of it.
How about you, are you a hidden writer? If so, how did you know and are you doing something about it?

Married to her high school sweetheart and homeschool mom of four feisty kiddos, this Florida girl has to switch gears daily from preschool to high school with housework in-between. So before anyone else wakes up, she writes. You can find Chanda at www.kidsbooks2grow.com or on Twitter:  @chgriese

 

Image in Public Domain courtesy of Wikipedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:UnderwoodKeyboard.jpg)
Categories
Book Reviews

A3 Book Release-Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace-Leigh Ann Thomas

Open book.

Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace
Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride

Publisher: SonRise Devotionals, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina

(Excerpt)

Wedding Train of Thought

She’s getting married.

Oh my goodness, there’s going to be a wedding.

How do I even know where to start?

I’m going to have a son-in-law.

What do I do with a son-in-law?

What will I wear?

I need to lose some weight.

Should I change my hairstyle?

Will I be involved in the planning?

When will we meet his family?

Is my daughter ready to get married?

Have I prepared her for being a wife?

I hope I have time to lose weight.

My baby is getting married.

Lord, help!

The news is official. Face glowing, eyes shining with love, our daughter stands before Roy and me, her hand intertwined with her beloved. As far as the young couple is concerned, no one else exists. Their future is as bright as a Fourth-of-July sky; their dreams have boarded a rocket ship bound for the moon.

The room vibrates with squeals and laughter. Wow, a wedding! This is going to be fun.

Wow. A wedding.

As the sounds of celebration soar around us, a tiny bit of panic seeps in. Wait. Is this the same little girl who used to burst into the house to share after-school news? The same child who reached for us to bandage a hurting knee or a wounded heart? The same one who promised she would never leave us? That little girl?

We blink. Our daughter stands before us—not the adorable toddler, scrawny preteen, or teenager with braces and bruised knees, but a vibrant, beautiful woman.

From the back cover:

Take a major life transition, infuse it with every imaginable emotion, sprinkle
it with 1,001 must-be-made-now decisions, and what do you have?

A wedding.

You’re walking alongside your daughter as she dreams, plans, and organizes. You laugh and you cry. A lot. As you wade through the chaos, are you tempted to huddle in a corner with a box of chocolates?

This unique season doesn’t have to bring on food binges and panic attacks. With the Lord’s guidance, it can be an opportunity to walk with God in a fresh way.

Through Scripture, prayers, and the personal stories of women who’ve been there, Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace encourages and uplifts the mother of the bride.

With insight and humor, Thomas reveals how God’s peace and love can flow through you to your husband, your daughter, your future son-in-law, and others involved in this beautiful and sacred event.

Bio:

Leigh Ann Thomas is the author of three books, including Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace—Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride releasing March 25, 2017. A columnist for AlmostAnAuthor.com, she has also written for Just18Summers.com, ChristianDevotions.us, and Power for Living. She is a contributing author in ten books and her work is included in two editions of Southern Writers Best Short Stories. You can find Leigh Ann on her front porch daydreaming story plots, or blogging at LeighAThomas.com.

Endorsements:

…Perfect size morsels of goodness for the MOB to digest in an otherwise too-busy-to-eat season of her life. Simply wonderful!

Eva Marie Everson, author of Five Brides, Tyndale Publishers

…Filled with godly wisdom and heart-tugging stories, it’s a beautiful reflection of this special time between a mother and her daughter.

Michelle Cox, author of God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box and Just 18 Summers

…With both humor and sensitivity, author Leigh Ann Thomas walks mothers through the emotional journey of letting go with grace…

Elaine Marie Cooper, author of Saratoga Letters

…Leigh Ann’s writing is tender and encouraging. She lets you know that you’re not going on this journey alone…

Michelle Medlock Adams, Award-winning writer of over 70 books, including Love and Care for the One and Only You

…Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace is a wonderful example of how Leigh Ann can capture a passionate true-to-life story and run your laughter head-on into your tears…

Rev. James Ira Sutton, pastor, retired

Links:

Amazon http://a.co/hMkDY0n

https://leighathomas.com/mother-of-the-bride/

 

 

 

Categories
Flash Fiction-Splickety

The One-Inch Theory

 

In her national bestseller, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, author Anne Lamott divulges the secret weapon that motivates her when she doesn’t know what to write.

A one-inch picture frame.

“It reminds me that all I have to do is write down as much as I can see through a one-inch picture frame. ”

As much detail as possible, as much thought as possible, but as short as possible. Lamott admits she tells herself “to figure out a one-inch piece of my story to tell, one small scene, one memory, one exchange.”

This gets her going, and judging on pure numbers of books published and sold, for Lamott, it works.

One small scene might work for you, too. Especially if what you’re trying to craft is a piece of flash fiction.

At less than a thousand words, flash might be the shortest form of fiction, but it shouldn’t be short on character, plot, and impact. Composing flash fiction is like using the flash on your camera—it’s meant to illuminate one moment in time. One moment that could (if needed) be put in a one-inch picture frame.

Perhaps that moment is…

… a kiss (first, last, or most meaningful)

… a realization that changed lives

… a look that seared your character’s soul

… a savoring of the mundane

… a breath in the chaos

… an instance in battle (not the battle, not the war)

… a gut-splitting laugh

No matter the moment you choose to capture, flash fiction is still story telling and your moment needs…

… strong characters (aim for two or three at the most)

… conflict at the heart of the story (i.e. if your characters are lost, show that, but don’t waste words with lengthy backstory for how they got into this predicament.)

… resolution that doesn’t have to cinch the story closed but does leave your reader satisfied (i.e. do your lost ones need water? Find it.)

 

Focus on the aspects of just that one moment. Show your reader…

… emotions for that scene, that moment

… sensory details for action and dialogue

…setting details that give a sense of place and time but don’t weigh the story down

 

As you write—and edit!—your story, frame it in your mind. Place it inside that one-inch picture frame and fill to capacity.

One small moment. One big impact.

AUTHOR BIO: Award-winning writer, Lindsey P. Brackett just writes life — blogs, columns, articles, and stories — in the midst of motherhood. She’s the Web Content Editor for Splickety Publishing Group and her debut novel will release in 2017. Connect with her at lindseypbrackett.com on Facebook or Twitter.

 

 

Categories
Tour

Blog Tour-David Rawlings

Please tell us about your most Recent Book

As I’m pre-published, the book I’m currently shopping around is The god of reality TV. It was a finalist in the ACFW Genesis competition in 2016 and is currently under consideration by a publishing house.

The god of reality TV is a story where church meets reality TV. Two pastors take part in Pastor Swap, a new reality TV show for the Christian market. Brad Shepherd needs to save his dying church in a forgotten suburb of a large city and Jack Alexander wants to emerge from the shadow of his megachurch pastor father.

Swapping congregations, they take part in the show in order to achieve their own aims. Brad is trying to save his dying church, while Jack has been promised the chance to take over from his soon-to-retire father – a chance that doesn’t seem to be getting any closer. But Randy Stone, the show’s producer and reality TV guru, has plans for how he will portray church on TV, because there is no god bigger than him.

In terms of selling books, I wrote Swimming Upstream years back, which was written for couples having trouble conceiving. It talked about the everyday experience in real language with common sense advice from an IVF counselor and was one of the few books around – in fact, it still is – to provide input about the male perspective on having trouble having kids.

To buy: https://www.amazon.com/Swimming-Upstream-Struggle-David-Rawlings/dp/1921008253

Why do you write what you do?

I want to explore the world I live in from the perspective I’ve picked up over my life.  At their heart, my stories are about how people interact with their modern world, their faith and their God. It’s my calling – I believe I’m led to take my twenty-five years of writing experience and turn it into something that challenges people.

And I also want to write books that I’d want to read.  My stories are modern tales, with nary a cowboy or Amish love interest in sight. They explore work, church, advertising, the media, social media and life. Some authors want to present escapism on the page. I want to also provide a mirror in which the reader may see themselves and their world.

What are you currently working on?

My current WIP is a story also in a competition (so not too many details!).  It’s a book that talks about how some elements of society – particularly celebrity and science – view the concept of God. It’s a novel (my third), and it’s neither a book about apologetics nor is it my response to the Da Vinci Code. All I’ve done is take my experience of debating people about God and turned it into a story.

I’m at the edit stage and I’ve had great fun with it and enjoyed meeting a new set of characters.

How does your work differ from other work in its genre?

In terms of story, I guess I’m writing about modern-day topics that carry an underlying message.  They’re not preachy – far from it – so you won’t read a novel I’ve written and say ‘oh, this is the bit where he goes off on a pseudo-sermon’.  But my hope is you will say ‘that’s so like my workplace/friend/mother-in-law.’

In terms of style, I’m an Australian and our culture is soaked in irreverent humor.  That’s how I write; I can’t help but give convention a subtle prod. It’s not funny as such – humor is so subjective – and satire can be difficult for some cultures to understand, but I have found one of my strengths is to make a point which is cloaked in a tinge of irreverence. It can be a fine line, especially in an age of perpetual and imminent offence, but I enjoy the challenge of coming up with a way to make people think and chuckle at the same time.

How does your writing process work?

I’m a freelance copywriter, so I have a bit more flexibility in terms of writing. I have dedicated times in which I write, but I’ve also developed a number of writing hacks that help me wring the most out of my schedule.  I’ve blogged about a couple of them – writing on the train or using the dead time in traffic to help me keep churning things out.

In terms of story development, I’m a pantser trapped within the body of a plotter. I plot a novel so I can see where the characters are going and because the overall story is important to me. (I have twelve fully-plotted novels on the runway, ready to be fleshed out). I then let the pantser loose to fill in the colors within that framework.

I write on my trusty laptop, sheathed in its BookBook cover, which is my pride and joy. My other tools of the trade are my iPhone, into which I have now dictated parts of two-and-a-half manuscripts, and a team of readers who give me feedback that is both constructive and honest – especially honest.

 

Bio

 

Based in South Australia, David is a writer who reads everything within an arm’s reach.  He has made writing his career and paid the bills with words for twenty-five years – from journalism to corporate copywriting and advertising campaigns.

He has published in the non-fiction arena and is now focused on writing contemporary Christian stories that explore God, people, 21st century church and our modern society.  David is sports-mad (which is compulsory for Australians) and is married with three kids (which isn’t).

 

 

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Two Good Choices to Write Your Magazine Idea

Many different magazine article ideas swirl around in your head. As I recently wrote, magazine ideas are everywhere. How do you select which one to write about?

First ask yourself, does the idea drive you wild? Does the idea motivate  you to begin researching or writing the article? The experience doesn’t always have to be so dramatic. Yet occasionally it is the case. You have to find a piece of paper or get to your computer and write this particular idea.  If you’ve not done much magazine writing (or even if you have done it), it’s perfectly OK to write the entire article—as long as you have several things in mind when you do it:

  • When you write, always keep the reader firmly in your mind. What will they take away from your article?
  • Who is the potential market for the article? Where will you try and get it published? Some publications read full manuscripts while others will only read query letters.
  • The most likely possibilities for magazines are ones that you often read and are intimately familiar with their contents and their readers (since you are one of these readers).
  • Keep in mind the standard length for these target publications. It will not help you to write 3,000 words if the longest article in the magazine is 1,000 words.  In general, magazines are using shorter articles.
  • In general, magazines are planning their content about four to six months ahead of their publication date. For example if you have a Valentine’s Day experience which you want to write, that’s OK. I’d encourage you to write it—but plan on it getting into print in some February 2018 publication.

There are several different basic types of magazine articles.  If you have decided to write the article, often one of the strongest types is the personal experience article. The story is written in first-person and you tell your personal experience—yet in a targeted way so you have a single key point or take-away from the reader.

Other types of magazine articles include service articles (to promote or tell about a new consumer product or service), how-to articles (how to do some activity), personality profile article (often focused on some well-known person or someone who has an interesting life or life experience), “as told to” article (where you write in the first person tense of another person and write their story) and the celebrity interview (often done on assignment).

And what are the two good choices that I started this article? The first choice is to write the full article. Let your enthusiasm for the topic carry you to move ahead and write your idea. You get the words out of your head and on the screen or paper. From my years in this business, writing the article is a good choice. The second good choice is to channel your enthusiasm about the idea into a one page letter called a query letter. I’m going to give the details of how to write a query letter in my next article in this series.

For now,  I would get your magazine ideas down on paper and written.

________________________________________

  1. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor, Whalin has written for more than 50 publications including Christianity Today and Writer’s Digest. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. His latest book is Billy Graham, A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist and the book website is at: http://BillyGrahamBio.com Watch the short book trailer for Billy Graham at: http://bit.ly/BillyGrahamBT His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Follow him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/terrywhalin

 

 

Categories
Fantasy-Sci-Fi

The Many Worlds of Sci-fi and Fantasy

 

In what world does your story live?

Sounds like a strange question, doesn’t it? After all, most bookstores are stocked with tales where the action takes place somewhere on Earth, either in present day, or in a historical setting. Most fiction is based on real-life, so it makes sense that we have no other world in which to experience life, right?

Not for sci-fi and fantasy authors! We are the blessed lot that can choose in which world we want our story to come alive. Chances are, this is one of the main reasons we were drawn to the genre in the first place.

What “worlds” are available to such authors? The most obvious would be the one in which we live. However, just because it’s Earth, doesn’t mean it needs to remain ordinary. Futuristic sci-fi takes place right here on Earth, but much further in the future. Yes, the author is confined to the laws of science regarding our planet, but the world would be greatly different than what we know today. The tale may also take place in the past or present. This kind of story can be found in the “Harry Potter” series, written by J.K. Rowling.

Other “worlds” available to fantasy authors are the ones on planets similar to Earth. The physical characteristics of the land, and many of the setting descriptions may sound analogous to that of a country with which we are familiar, but the location is definitely not Earth itself. An example of this would be “The Lord of the Rings” series that encompasses Middle Earth, written by J.R.R. Tolkien. This kind of fiction would also include stories that may begin in our true “real-world” experience, but where the character travels through a passageway leading them to an imagined world of impossible things. Lucy Pevensie experienced this when she walked through the door of her wardrobe in C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” series and ended up in the land of Narnia.

Finally, there are the places that are very much unlike our planet Earth—those that are inter-galactic or clearly defy all matters of nature to which we are accustomed. This would cover a good portion of the sci-fi genre and space opera. In these worlds, “the sky is the limit” when it comes to imagination. Not only can the magic or force behind these worlds be varied, but the creatures and abilities of humans can take a far greater leap than the average story. These would include novels such as the “Star Wars” Expanded Universe books, written by various authors.

What worlds have your characters visited recently? Whether you like to keep them close to home, or send them to galaxies “far far away”, within the genre of sci-fi and fantasy, the possibilities of where you can take them, are endless.

Laura L. Zimmerman is a homeschooling mom to three daughters, and a doting wife to one husband. Besides writing, she is passionate about loving Jesus, singing, drinking coffee and anything Star Wars. You can connect with her through Facebook and Twitter and at her website, www.lauralzimmerman.com

Categories
Guest post archive

Write For Enjoyment-by Danele J. Rotharmel

There are many reasons why people write books, but I’ve come to believe the best reason of all is writing for one’s own enjoyment. You see, my writing journey has been different than most. I wrote Time Tsunami, Time Trap, Time Search, and the other books in The Time Counselor Chronicles while I was extremely ill and undergoing seven years of quarantine. Quarantine was lonely, and writing became a literal window to the outside world.

When I wrote The Time Counselor Chronicles, I wasn’t trying to please a specific publisher or a certain group of people. In fact, publication wasn’t my goal at all. I was in extreme pain, and I needed a way to distract myself. Because I wasn’t focusing on guidelines or expectations, my imagination had free rein. Because I wasn’t worried about anyone reading my work, I was able to express myself completely. There’s nothing so hampering as worrying about what other people think. When you’re writing simply to please yourself, the chains fall away.

Since I wasn’t worried about people looking over my shoulder, I relaxed and had a blast. I became caught up with my characters, and soon, they became more real to me than actual people. I was so wrapped up in my stories that I’d laugh as I wrote funny scenes and cry at sad ones. I kept antacids by my keyboard and used them while I wrote the scary parts of my novels. I didn’t just write my novels—I lived them with my characters. And when I was through, my books were unfettered creations that made me proud.

Although I didn’t write with publication as my goal, by the time I was finished, I thought my books might be publication-worthy. And by that time, I was so in love with my characters that I didn’t care what other people thought. My stories were mine, and I was proud of them. I think that’s the ultimate key to successful writing—write for yourself. Write what you love, and write with the goal of entertaining only one person—you. If you love your book—chances are that others will too. Be proud of who you are and what you create. You are unique, wonderful, and inspirational—don’t let the fear of others dampen your voice.

On January 13, 2017, my third book, Time Search, was published by Prism Book Group. My life has taken many unexpected turns. When I was ill and in quarantine, I never would have believed that I’d be a published author—but I am. I suppose that’s one of the best things about life—the twists and turns of our journey take us to wonderful, unexpected places. Never forget to let your own voice be heard, and never forget

that[bctt tweet=”A twist in the road may lead you to your destiny” username=””]

Time Search:

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MY7RGFJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484259046&sr=8-1&keywords=danele+rotharmel+time+search

Time Search’s 20-Stop Blog Tour: https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/2017/01/12/time-search-book-launch-20-stop-blog-tour/

Danele Rotharmel’s life took an unexpected turn when a mysterious illness brought her close to death. Eventually, she learned that a carbon monoxide leak from a faulty furnace was poisoning her. This poisoning triggered Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, causing her to be put in quarantine. For seven years, she could only talk to friends and extended family through a windowpane. During this time, she wrote the first six books in The Time Counselor Chronicles.  Although her journey back to health was difficult, it provided her the opportunity to grow closer to God and write her books. For that, she’s forever thankful. To learn more about Danele, visit her blog.

Social Media Links,

Blog: https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/

Danele J. Rotharmel’s Testimony: https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/welcome/

Danele J. Rotharmel’s Books: https://dragonflydanele.wordpress.com/my-books/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14782632.Danele_J_Rotharmel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danele.rotharmel

 

 

 

Categories
Bestsellers

Best Selling Author- Dan Walsh

a3danwalsh

Can you share a little about your recent book –It’s called, Finding Riley, and just released on October 1. It’s the second book in an inspirational series that includes a shelter dog as a main character. Of course, there are plenty of humans in the story and even a nice romantic thread. The first book, Rescuing Finley, came out 11 months ago and is doing very well in both sales and reviews (276 Amazon reviews, Avg 4.8 stars).

This is kind of my bread-and-butter genre (Nicholas Sparks-type books). Thirteen of my 17 novels are in this genre. I also have 2 stand-alone suspense novels, and last year I began the Jack Turner suspense series. It has really taken off. I’m researching the third book in that series now and hope to start writing it on November 1. It will release in the spring.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books? In a sense, I write because I have to. Like a lot of writers, I feel something of an inner compulsion to do this. But I also love writing. I’ve had the good fortune of being totally unfamiliar with “writer’s block.” Since I began writing novels in 2007, the story ideas just keep coming. As for a theme or goal, I write character-driven novels, both contemporary and historical. Several of my books are love stories and family-life dramas…But I also love to write suspense novels. Even when writing inspirational books, I want to keep the pages turning.  My goal, whether writing contemporary or historical, inspirational or suspense, is for my readers to feel satisfied and thoroughly entertained. In short, to feel a strong inner compulsion to go right out and pick up another one of my books.

How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? I began writing novels in earnest during the summer of 2007. After finishing and polishing up that manuscript, a Christmas novel called The Unfinished Gift, I made a list of A-List literary agents to submit a package to (query letter, synopsis and first 50 pages). I sent it off to the first 3 agents on the list. Two of them loved what I sent and got back with me quickly, asking to read the whole book. I signed with one of them a week later. She had a contract with a major publisher two months after that. Things kind of took off pretty quickly after that. I used to hate answering this question, because other writers would tend to hate me since their experience was so much harder.

How long does it take you to write a book? I’ve been writing full-time now since 2010. On average, it takes me about 4-5 months. I was still working full-time during the publishing process for my first 3 novels. Back then, it took more like 9-10 months per book.

What’s your writing work schedule like? I write at least 5 days a week. I do all of my non-creative writing tasks in the morning (social media, marketing, etc.). Then after a short lunch break, I shift gears and work on my current novel for the rest of the afternoon. My goal is to write one keeper-chapter per day.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it? I’m not sure if this qualifies as a quirk, but I don’t actually “write” my books any longer. About 3 years ago, I suffered some significant nerve damage in my forearms and hands, mainly from writing so many novels with poor posture. Since then, I’ve had to use a voice recognition program to write my books (used it for the last 6). I’m using it now to answer these questions. It works very well. I only have to use my hands to correct the 2-3 percent of words it gets wrong.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

  • When a top-shelf literary agent from New York said yes she would represent me.
  • When I signed that first book contract and cashed my first advance check.
  • When I held my first published novel in my hands, and then saw this book on the store shelves for the first time.
  • When I won my first 2 writing awards from a national Fiction Writing organization (for debut novel and also in my genre category).
  • When I signed a multi-book contract worth 6 figures.
  • When, after leaving my traditional publisher, my first indie novel (When Night Comes) came out and began selling just as well as my traditionally published books. It was my first true suspense novel and signaled a new season in my writing (allowed me to write both types of novels from now on, inspirational and suspense).

What has been your darkest moment(s)? During the first 6 months of 2015. It was the first time I was writing without a contract and a generous advance. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to continue writing full-time.

Which of your books is your favorite? Very hard to pick 1 when you have 17 out. Each of them involved a major investment of time and energy. But I suppose I could pick 3:

  1. The Unfinished Gift (because it was my first and launched my writing career).
  2. The Reunion (probably my highest-reviewed book on Amazon and the first one to be adapted for a movie).
  3. When Night Comes (because it was my first indie suspense novel and open the door for me to write more books like this.

 Who is your favorite author to read? Probably the suspense writing duo of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (the Pendergast series).

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too? I don’t mind sharing this, but it actually is advice I took to heart from the very beginning. It comes from a quote by the late NT Times best-selling author, Elmore Leonard. He said, “In your writing, try to leave out the parts readers skip.” That became a guideline for my writing. I want the pages to keep turning for my readers; for them to have the hardest time putting my books down. In some measure, I have succeeded in this. My novels have received over 4,000 reviews on Amazon (avg 4.6 Stars) and this is the #1 remark readers make about my books (even with the inspirational ones).

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you? I only have one rejection letter, which I received at the very beginning. Since then, things have been going relatively well for me in this regard. The only other type of rejection I’ve received is when my publisher turned down some of the book ideas I pitched to them, because they were too suspenseful and not “in my brand.” Now that I’m an indie, I have proved them wrong. I’ve begun to write those books they rejected, and they are doing very well.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books? As I read this question, 17 different characters come to mind and too many scenes to pick out a favorite (one that stands above the rest).

Where do you get your ideas? I’ve been asked this many times before. It’s a hard question to answer, because the stories have come from so many different directions. But it’s fair to say, I’m always on the lookout for new story ideas. Whenever one comes to me, from whatever direction it comes, I usually sit down and write it out so I don’t forget it. I keep a folder for future book ideas.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make? The biggest mistake I see is spending way too much time on things like marketing and social media. These things matter, but writing a great book matters 10 times more.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market? Unfortunately, following the path I took has become an increasingly narrow path in the last few years. The traditional publishing world is in a major upheaval, which has dramatically reduced the total number of slots publishers have available for accepting new authors. At the same time, taking the indie route has never been more promising. I’ve become friends with a good number of now-successful indie authors whose books were constantly being rejected by traditional publishers. They are making more now than I ever did during my traditionally-published years. Of course, the one central theme to their success is that they’re great writers writing novels and readers can’t stop reading their books once they start.

a3findingriely

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of 17 novels including The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery and When Night Comes. He has won 3 Carol Awards (finalist 6 times), 3 Selah Awards and 3 of his books have been finalists for RT Review’s Inspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Word Weavers International, Dan writes fulltime in the Daytona Beach area. He and his wife Cindi have been married 40 years. You can find out more about his books or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads or Pinterest from his website at http://www.danwalshbooks.com.

Finding Riley – Available Now!

Rescuing Finley – 254 Amazon Reviews, 4.8 Star Avg.
Remembering Dresden – Already 168 Reviews, 4.7 Star Avg.
When Night Comes – 383 Amazon Reviews, 4.5 Star Avg.

Categories
Copywrite/Advertising

Say It Like Sayers- How the Queen of Copywriting Introduced the King of Kings to a Nation at War

December 1941. London. The worst of the blitz just ended. A nation at war faced Christmas. The BBC’s charge? Uplift the spirits and strengthen the spines of Britain with a radio drama about Jesus. The whole nation will tune in. Needed: One writer who can tell history’s most powerful story to a people facing unprecedented evil.

Who did the BBC choose to write the play The Man Born to Be King?

A genius.

Was it C.S. Lewis? Nope. It was Dorothy Sayers. And you know how Sayers got her start as a wordsmith?  If you guessed “advertising copywriter,” you nailed it in one. Give yourself a chocolate.

Sayers spent the years 1922-1931 writing ad copy. Her clients included a mustard company and the producers of Guinness beer. She is credited with coining the phrase, “It pays to advertise.”

Dorothy Sayers wasn’t just any old copy hack, and I don’t mean to give the impression that she was. She was one of the first women to attend Oxford University. Her scholarship of Dante is legendary. She was an acclaimed novelist and poet. Her works on theology, feminism, and creativity are cited regularly by writers today. But with all that talent, she spent nine years writing about such riveting topics as mustard and beer. In fact, her first novel was entitled Murder Must Advertise and is about the death of a copywriter in his office at an ad agency.

Some folks might argue that it was Sayers’ theological scholarship or skill as a novelist that earned her the privilege of writing The Man Born to Be King. She was a heavyweight theologian and novelist, for sure, but I believe Sayers alone could write the BBC’s most important religious and political work because she was an ad copywriter at heart. That means everything she wrote, she wrote with her audience in mind. She wrote with a creative eye on those people who would turn on their radios, shush their children and enter into a story world that lit their homes with hope in a time of deep darkness.

            The radio drama, The Man Born to Be King, proved to be among the BBC’s most controversial productions ever. One religious group even claimed the fall of Singapore was proof of God’s disapproval of the program.

Why such a fuss? A passion play is pretty dry fare for church folks these days. Not in 1940s England though! The BBC even had to garner special governmental permission to include Jesus as a character in the production. And what a Jesus he was!

Sayers made her characters speak in the everyday slang, jargon and accents of 1940s Britain. The Biblical characters were just like the hearers’ neighbors, full of conflicting motivations and common human feelings. It was dramatic. Thrilling. Immediate.

Mailboxes at the BBC soon swelled with letters from people telling how the drama had indeed uplifted their spirits, strengthened their resolve, and in many cases, reintroduced them to a life lived in the Spirit of the Man born to be king. C.S. Lewis read the play every Holy Week. In his letter to Sayers, Lewis wrote, “I shed real tears (hot ones) in places.”

Dear Aspiring Novelist, do you want to write a narrative that can bring tears to the eyes of C.S. Lewis and inspire a nation to live its faith in the face of evil’s onslaught?

Start by writing advertising copy.

All the time that Dorothy Sayers wrote about beer and mustard, she was learning how to communicate with the average British buyer of her day. She knew what he spent his money on, so she knew his heart and imagination. Better than any other scholar or novelist, she knew those folks had no time or emotional space for a scholarly, erudite, and high-sounding Jesus. If He was to matter to them, He had to talk like them. His friends and neighbors had to sound like their friends and neighbors.

Where did Sayers learn that? At Oxford? Hardly. She learned it staring at a blank piece of paper, wracking her brain for a way to make mustard meaningful.

I write ad copy for hotel chains, and we call that “guest-centered copy.” When I worked in non-profit communications, we called it “donor-centered copy.”

What does it mean to write with your audience in mind? Three quick things:

  1. Tell them exactly what they want to know. Avoid pure marketing speak. Since the time readers spend on websites can now be measured in nanoseconds, every word has to be informative as well as interesting. As my editor told me, “Don’t just say the hotel is an oasis of comfort. Say what makes it an oasis of comfort.”
  2. Use everyday language. Unless you are writing advertising copy for a swanky brand, stick with plain language. Someone recently said to me, “It’s Dollywood, not Hollywood.”
  3. Imagine the scene from the reader’s or buyer’s perspective. What feeling do they get when they imagine themselves swimming in your hotel’s pool, spreading your mustard on their sandwich, or pouring out a glass of your brand of beverage? Evoke that feeling.

Of Jesus’s passion, Sayers’ wrote, “God was executed by people painfully like us, in a society very similar to our own.”[1] Because she was an advertising copywriter, Sayers got – really got – people “painfully like us.”

Want to write a write a story that’s powerful enough to bring C.S. Lewis to tears? Learn to write buyer-centered ad copy first. You’ll be amazed what it does for your storytelling prowess. Oh, and did I mention that writing ad copy pays?  Yep, it pays to advertise.

About Holland Webb

I love telling the stories that people put down so they go take action. I’m an advertising copywriter by day, an aspiring novelist by night, a parent, a dog-lover, a prison volunteer and a follower of Jesus.

[1] Read more:http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=26-02-018-v#ixzz4WJX3Txy8

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Interview with Ann Pietrangelo-Writing with Multiple Sclerosis

Overcoming a disability concept with a man writing the word Disability on a virtual interface and then crossing through the - Dis - with a red marker pen as a motivational call to overcome adversity.

Ann Pietrangelo is the author of No More Secs! Living, Laughing,  Loving Despite Multiple Sclerosis, and Catch That Look: Living, Laughing & Loving Despite Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Tell us about Multiple Sclerosis. What it is, what it does or can do. 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological condition in which the immune system attacks myelin, the substance that protects nerve fibers in the central nervous system. There are progressive types and relapsing types, but long story short: it causes a communication gap between the brain and other parts of the body.

What makes MS so exasperating and difficult to comprehend is that it’s quite different for each person who has it. Not only that, but symptoms can change dramatically from one day to the next.

Some common symptoms are balance and coordination issues, vision problems, and numbness and tingling. Fatigue associated with MS can be debilitating, but these symptoms are just the tip of the potential iceberg.

You could go hiking one week but be unable to walk across the room the next. One person with MS might be a star athlete while another can’t stand up, but most of us are somewhere in between.

We don’t know the exact cause and there’s no cure for MS. Disease-modifying medications are exorbitantly priced and just one of the reasons people with MS shoulder a lifelong financial burden.

Despite all that, most people with MS manage to lead long, fulfilling lives.

How does having MS affect your writing? Or did you have to change anything about your routine due to MS?

I don’t know if I’d be a writer today if I didn’t have MS. In those first years, my symptoms were severe and disabling. My husband and I had to change everything about our lives. I transitioned to part-time work, which is when I turned to writing.

What started out as a blog experiment quickly morphed into paid writing. I learned how to work around symptoms and adapt to the ups and downs of MS.

A cancer diagnosis in 2010, followed by aggressive treatment, blew things up again. That’s when I decided to ditch the part-time job and devote my days to writing. While I’m not thrilled with how I got here, I’ve never been happier in my work.

 What motivates you to write despite the challenges you face?

Pardon the double negative, but I can’t not write. I rarely turn down assignments because deadlines keep me motivated. There might be a certain element of fear involved, too. You have to do what you can, while you can – or face a world of regret.

My two health-related memoirs (one about MS, one about triple-negative breast cancer) share what it’s like to face major health problems. When readers tell me it mirrors their own experience and helps them feel less alone, I get an indescribable high. To know my words, touch someone else’s life…well, that’s good medicine.

Can you tell us about your current writing project? What are you working on?

I’m writing for several online publications and may soon be ghostwriting a nonfiction book.

Also, I’m pouring my heart into a book of short stories about the fleeting moments of our lives that make us who we are.

How do you write? Where do you write? What is your writing schedule like? What advice can you give to other writers who are facing a disability?

Writing is my full-time job, so I’m at it all day. I share a home office with my husband, Jim, a freelance web developer. I guess you could say our cat is the company mascot.

If I need a change of scenery or positioning, all I have to do is grab the laptop and find a new place to land. Work doesn’t get more convenient and comfy than that.

We work hard, but we also take advantage of the freelance life. That’s what I’d recommend to any freelance writer with a chronic illness or disability. Put your health first. Take off when you need to. Take the nap. Adjust your workload. Keep the house stocked with healthy snacks. Be mindful of your physical needs.

Take control, but be flexible. Sometimes plan A simply won’t work, so be ready with a plan B and a plan C, if that’s what it takes.

If writing is part of who you are, make it a priority. You don’t need a famous name or a fat paycheck or a best-selling novel to call yourself a writer. You can’t be too young or too old or have too many rejection slips. Chronic illness or disability may make it more challenging, but it doesn’t have to stop you.

If you want to be a writer, be one. Pull out your laptop or notepad and pen or voice recorder and get writing.

Do you use any special tools or programs for writing?

Most clients prefer documents in Word, so I use that a lot. Otherwise, I use MacJournal. For a full-length book, I highly recommend Scrivener. It has just about every feature you can imagine, including compiling your manuscript into any format you need. It’s like having your own personal assistant.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? 

Thank you for addressing the topic of writing with disabilities and for the opportunity to contribute my thoughts.

Whatever your disability or illness, it’s only part of who you are. Let the writer within find a voice.

 Kathryn M. B. Johnson

“I write from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. I feel as if I’ve been writing forever. Making squiggles at age three on pieces of paper I kept in one of my grandma’s black snap-top pocketbooks, chubby fingers holding a big fat pencil, I moved to writing stories in second grade for my teacher to read at rest time. I’ve been scribbling ever since.”

Categories
Flash Fiction-Splickety

Gotcha: Remembering the Resolution After the Twist-Andrew Winch

My favorite thing about flash fiction is the artistic freedom it allows. Within its rigidity, skilled writers can find inspiration to experiment and create that would never be possible in less defined mediums. It has a unique ability to blur the lines between prose and poetry, crafting worlds and emotions not elsewhere possible. But with all this potential, beginning writers (and even accomplished veterans) are often intimidated, wondering where to start.

Splickety prides itself as a community that nourishes the art of flash fiction, not only by publishing exquisite stories, but also by instructing and mentoring talented authors in this rapidly growing genre of storytelling. And one foundational principle we encourage all beginning flashers (no, not that kind) to remember is that, even though you’re writing a story that can fit on a single page, it is still a story—one with a beginning, middle, and end. It doesn’t need to use a traditional three-act structure, but it does have to complete an arc in order to leave a reader satisfied. That arc is much quicker than with short stories or novel-length, but it’s still there.

The principles contained within this all-important fact could (and do) fill entire craft books, but I’m going to focus on one specific pitfall I’ve seen lately: the resolution. I’ve spoken many times on the importance of a satisfying climax. The easiest way to accomplish this is with some sort of big reveal or twist (NOT a deus ex machina, for the love of Deus) that ties into the beginning and subtle clues/nuances throughout the story. Of course, that’s not the only way (thank Deus), but it tends to be a great place to start.

The thing is, this type of climax has a major pitfall in flash fiction because authors seldom know where to put the final punctuation mark. Most of the time, they are afraid of writing too much, and thus diluting the impact of their climax (not to mention going over the word limit). So instead, they clip the story off right at the apex. BOOM. The End. Consider the following line:

“Good thing he chambered a single live round with all those treacherous blanks.”

Not bad, huh? But if it was the last line you read after going on a literary journey (no matter how short), it would leave you with a raised eyebrow, like seeing a magician disappearing in a cloud of smoke. It’s a great one-liner, but it leaves the reader feeling a bit cheated. Compare that with the following:

“Good thing he chambered a single live round with all those treacherous blanks.

As he squeezed the trigger, he couldn’t help noticing a pair of red squirrels flitting around in the trees over Sam’s shoulder.”

Take a second to really dissect the structure. In the first example, the fact that there was a live round in the chamber is the huge reveal. It really doesn’t matter what else the story is about. The lethal bullet is the punch line. In the second example, the line about the squirrels could be significant, or not. It could reveal some minor foreshadowing earlier in the story, it could reinforce a theme, or it could be completely ambiguous. It really doesn’t matter, because its job is to give us a half second to digest the climax without taking away from it.

In some ways, this final line may actually be more important than the climax because it gives us a chance to appreciate the big reveal before turning the page. And more importantly, it actually enhances the climax by giving us a poignant scene to weigh it against.

Striking that balance between, “Gotcha!” and, “Blah, blah, blah,” can be a challenging one. Just remember, flash fiction is founded on this principle: give the reader everything they need, and not a word more. It takes practice and patience, but we’re writers. If it were easy, everyone would do it.

 

AUTHOR BIO: Andrew Winch, Splickety’s executive editor, writes backyard adventures with an otherworldly twist. Check out his weekly adventures at raisingsupergirl.com, follow him on Twitter @andrewjwinch, and like him on facebook.com/andrewjameswinch.

Categories
Tour

Blog Tour- Jennifer Anne F. Messing

a3jennifer-anne-messing

 Please tell us about your most Recent Book-My latest book, Everlasting Love: Romantic Vignettes for a Woman’s Heart, is a collection of short fiction, original romantic poetry and inspired quotes. I wrote this book to speak about the incredible beauty, sacredness, enduring romance and joy there is to be found in the life-long commitment between a man and woman in marriage. I’m honored that it’s been awarded a Top Finalist status in three competitions in 2016: the National Indie Excellence Book Awards and Virtue Christian Book Awards ‘Short Stories’ category, and the Beverly Hills Book Awards ‘Romance’ category.  I’m also thankful that it has received numerous five-star reviews and continues to encourage women of all ages, single or married, that faithful, wedded love is truly a gift from God to treasure all of our lives. Author and reviewer Camille Eide wrote, “Whether it’s about the rush of finding new love, or the stirring words and actions shared by a couple whose love has grown over time, the stories in Everlasting Love remind us that no matter our circumstances, there is always hope for love, and that true love is unfailing. What a precious gift!” 

Why do you write what you do?-I write inspirational romantic fiction and poetry because I’ve been touched and transformed forever by God’s everlasting love for me. Through my heartfelt short stories and vignettes, I desire to uplift and encourage women, wives and mothers; remind them of the sacred beauty and blessings God brings into our lives daily through our spouse’s love for us and vice-versa, and the deep contentment and strength we gain from the the abiding commitment of marriage. I also write what I do because there is a need for more uplifting and wholesome romantic short stories and poetry to be circulated in print and on the internet. I believe I can share my Christian worldview and values through the words and actions of the characters in my stories. I desire to entertain readers and whet their appetite, make them long for the kind of peaceful, joy-filled and purpose-filled lives we can have when our faith and trust is in God.

What are you currently working on?-I am presently working on my next book, another collection of short fiction and romantic poetry, entitled, Love’s Faithful Promise: Timeless Romantic Short Stories. I am halfway done with the book and it is tentatively scheduled for publication in print and e-book formats by the fall of 2017.

How does your work differ from other work in its genre?-Every author brings their own unique set of life experiences to their writing. I believe my cross-cultural experiences: being born in the Philippines and having lived half of my childhood years there, and then having resided for the last twenty-five years in Oregon, USA, has given me a unique voice and style that differs from the writing style and diction of an author with a different ethnic background. In addition, the short story collections I write are different than those of other authors because I pen an original poem to enhance and give added insight into the message of each story. There are not a lot of authors who write both short fiction and poetry. Many write either fiction only or poetry only, but usually not both genres and not in the same book. My short story collections are also set apart from ones by other authors in that my books have a “gift book” and “keepsake” feel, because the poetry, love quotes, and Bible verses added to each chapter are ones that readers often desire to re-visit time and again.

How does your writing process work?-With short stories, I usually begin with the lead character in mind and a specific situation they are in, or problem they are facing. My story quickly develops from there as I write out the first scene with description and dialogue. After writing the first scene, other things become more clear and I determine things such as: other biographical facts about my main characters, the city where the story takes place, names of minor characters, names of schools and restaurants, etc. Although I may not know the “end” of my story when I start writing it, I soon figure it out as I write out the next scene, then the next, then the next. The lead characters’ interactions with each other ultimately determine how the story ends.

Poetry, however, is a totally different genre and art form than short fiction, and the way I am inspired and moved to write it is much different. When I write poetry it most often begins with a time of solitude and reflection, and journaling. Many times I have written poems after reading my Bible in the morning and after quieting my heart in God’s presence and listening for His still, small voice. I may sit quietly for fifteen minutes or more, and once an idea comes for a new poem then the ideas usually flow quickly. I start writing them down ― and I do mean WRITE, not type. All of my poems are first written on paper and then later placed on the computer.

After writing a first draft of a story or poem, I return to it several days later to polish and re-write. Sometimes I revise a piece two or three times, reading it aloud, line by line, until I am happy with the way it sounds. Then I present my work to my critique group at our monthly meeting, and I make a few other edits or changes after receiving their critiques, with comments and suggestions.

And lastly, after editing and polishing my work, I always market my short stories and poems. I regularly submit them to editors of print and online magazines, and book compilations. If an editor declines to use my story, I submit it to another editor. By God’s grace, my perseverance in marketing has helped me earn over 200 publishing credits in various magazines.

Jennifer Anne Fabregas Messing is an author, poet, and creative writing teacher who has a bachelor’s degree in Religious Education and Journalism. A past president of the Oregon Christian Writers, she has over 200 articles, short stories, and poems published in 60 magazines, including: Christian Fiction Online, Bible Advocate, Standard, The Wesleyan Advocate, Mocha Memoirs, Flurries of Words, and Oregon Report Online. Her latest books: Everlasting Love: Romantic Vignettes for a Woman’s Heart and Morning’s Promise: Poetic Moments in His Presence (print and e-book formats) are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, and Smashwords.

Originally from the Philippines, Jennifer Anne has been married to the love of her life, Michael Messing, for 25 years. They are the parents of three young adult children and reside in Oregon, USA. More information is on her website:www.JenniferAnneMessing.com.

Facebook: Jennifer Anne F. Messing

www.facebook.com/JenniferAnneMessing.Author

Twitter: @JennyAnnMessing

www.twitter.com/JennyAnnMessing

Amazon: Jennifer Anne F. Messing

https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Anne-F.-Messing/e/B007AKAM6U/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1 

 

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

Ideas for Magazine Articles are Everwhere

Over the last twenty-five years, books have been my passion and the bulk of my writing life. It’s not where I began and I write much more than books.  Please don’t misunderstand. I love books but I continue to believe many writers are missing golden opportunities by not practicing the short form—magazine writing.

In the article format, I’m able to practice many of the techniques I use in my books, yet in a more compressed form.  It’s a sharpening process for my writing life and important. If you’ve strayed into only writing books, then I recommend you return to writing magazine articles. It will build something into your books.

Ideas are one of the most fluid and free-wheeling part of the writing process. I love to have new ideas—and they come constantly. Sometimes the waves of what I want to write spring into my mind so fast, it’s like standing under a waterfall. You can’t possibly catch everything—and like a waterfall,  you can only stand the spray for a tiny bit—before you get washed away.

Conversations with people can stir ideas. You may be taking a break at work and listening to someone’s story and decide a much-changed version of the story could be part of a novel. Or possibly from the conversation, you see your friend struggling with a personal crisis and discovering a unique solution to this crisis or handling it in a different way. You decide that experience could be the beginnings of a how-to article.  I’ve given only two examples of how we can find ideas from our conversations with others.

Other times we read the newspaper and learn about a new product. Because we read magazines and other types of print or internet publications, the idea comes to write about this product. You take this idea and pitch a magazine (more about this aspect for another article) and you snag an assignment to write about the product. Reading stimulates your idea process.  Can you take the idea and twist it in a different fashion and reveal the product or service to a new audience and a different publication?

Years ago, I was reading the Orange County Register and living in Southern California. In the business section, a small news item announced Disney was printing Disney Dollars. I was fascinated with this bit of news and wanted to learn more.  As a part of the experience of being in Disneyland, they have Disney Dollars which are the same quality of regular currency. I pitched a numismatic magazine with the article idea and received an assignment.  In a matter of weeks, I was on the back lot of Disney — where no “guests” are allowed and interviewing one of the Vice Presidents about this new currency.  For me the process began with a small news item in the newspaper. You can find ideas in the same way.

Almost anything can stir ideas—family activities, walking through the mall, visiting a historic monument or _____ (you name it).  I’ve learned to always carry a piece of paper because ideas will strike me at odd times. I have to write it down or it will pass through my mind and be forgotten. (In general, I ignore the ones that come in the middle of the night).

OK, now you have an idea. What do you do with the idea? It will be key to whether you get it published or it disappears.

 

  1. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor, Whalin has written for more than 50 publications including Christianity Today and Writer’s Digest. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. His latest book is Billy Graham, A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist and the book website is at: http://BillyGrahamBio.com Watch the short book trailer for Billy Graham at: http://bit.ly/BillyGrahamBT His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Follow him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/terrywhalin

 

 

Categories
Guest post archive

Guest Post-6 Common Writing Issues Authors Overlook By Pam Lagomarsino

 

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If you are reading this, you are either writing a book or considering the possibility. Writing a book can seem like a tremendous challenge as you try to create a perfect manuscript. I would like to share common writing mistakes to avoid as you write your story or message. I am excited for you as you continue your journey to publishing your book.

You might be wondering when your manuscript is ready to submit to an editor or publisher. Only you can determine when that is. Have you asked beta-readers or critique partners to preview it? Do you have more you wish to say? Did you do a spelling and grammar check? Your book doesn’t have to be perfect when you submit it to your editor. But just in case you prefer to make everything as close to perfect as possible, here are a few tips for you:

1. Avoid as many unnecessary words as possible when you are telling the story. Now, wouldn’t it have been much easier if I had written “Avoid Wordiness” instead? A quick Google search for “lists of wordy phrases” will result in several, but here are a few for you to find and replace:

  • That. Will the sentence make sense without it? Often, when a sentence has “that are” in it, you can eliminate both words. While we are on the subject of “that” – people should be referred to as who as in the boy who…
  • Off of – delete “of”
  • Very ________ … What stronger adjective could you use?
  • In order to. You should delete the “in order”
  • Really can be substituted with truly or genuinely. Better yet, can you delete it?

2. Be consistent with spelling and spacing. Ensure you spelled all your character names and places correctly—especially if you didn’t mention them frequently. One quick way to catch some errors would be to run a spelling/grammar check in Microsoft Word. As you come across the first occurrence of a character’s name or a unique word, click “add to dictionary.” Then if you misspelled that word later, Word will flag it for you. Is your sentence spacing consistent? Many publishers now prefer a single space between sentences. To correct spacing in Microsoft Word: tap the space bar twice in the Navigation search box. If you find several, then click the Home tab on the ribbon, choose Replace to open a new box, then type in one space in the “Replace with” box. Click ok. With one quick click, you have just replaced all the double spacing. Finally, are your quotation marks and apostrophes straight or curly? Are they all the same? If you find the occasional straight quotation marks, you can copy one set into your search bar and replace all of them. You will have to fix apostrophes individually.

3. Confusing word usage issues (check the dictionary if you are unsure). Take the time to search and correct these examples which Word will not always catch:

  • Were, where, we’re
  • There, their, they’re
  • Affect, effect
  • Than, then
  • To, too, two
  • 4. Give credit where credit is due. When do you need to cite a reference? The nutshell answer is if you are quoting a person, website, or book, you need to get permission and note the source. This requirement also includes Bible verses and things considered to be in the Public Domain. If your quote is from a book, provide the title, author’s name, publisher, page number, and copyright date. For a website, give the article title, author, date of the article (if available), and date you found it. You can copy and paste the web address into the document. When quoting a person, provide their name, date, and any title they use. If you have included factual information you found from a website or book, you will need to make a notation. Many authors are surprised to learn they also must provide the specific verse and version when quoting the Bible. You can find proper permission and copyright wording at https://www.biblegateway.com. Creating proper citations or a bibliography can seem overwhelming. But even if you don’t get the periods and commas in the proper place for an endnote, footnote, or reference page, you still need to make a reasonable effort to identify the source. Your editor or publisher can put the material in the correct format. If you are doing everything yourself, you can research proper citation formatting on the internet when you are ready.

 5. Are you noticing words or phrases used repeatedly? Can you find synonyms? It is easy to use the same words frequently. Try this quick spot check: select three random paragraphs in consecutive order. Read through them carefully and see if any one word or phrase comes up often—especially more than once in a paragraph. If so, try to find an appropriate synonym when it is feasible. In nonfiction, it is not always realistic to change words, but you can reduce the frequency. Likewise, in fiction, if a particular character is fond of a phrase, you can’t always remove it.

 6. Marketing begins before you publish your book. Many successful authors will tell you their sales improved because of self-promotion on social media before, during, and after they published their book. Both aspiring authors and well-known authors with a huge following will benefit by joining numerous online writing groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google+. These groups share writing tips and information, cheer one another on, and promote one another’s books. You can tell others about the book you are writing. As you get closer to publication, you can post small teasers on social media to stir excitement.

I would love to be a part of your writing journey to equip you to touch the lives of your readers. For editorial quotes or editing needs, please visit my website at http://www.abovethepages.com/  or email me at abovethepages@gmail.com.

 

 

Categories
Fantasy-Sci-Fi

Recycle, Reuse, Rewrite

“A group of underdogs are united through unusual circumstances and are forced to work together using their individual strengths to beat a dominating force.”

Sounds like a familiar storyline, doesn’t it? In fact one could argue that there are no new stories left to be written. Shakespeare took care of covering all the basics a long time ago. So why are stories still interesting to the world if there’s nothing truly ‘new under the sun’? Ultimately, what sets your story apart from others is what you’ve done to make it different.

The basic foundation of your story may be familiar but the setting could be a mix between futuristic Sci-Fi and old-school Fantasy. Or maybe it’s your main character that adds interest—the antagonist is a vampire while the heroine is a Civil War Southern Belle. The possibilities of how to make your story different are endless.

A great example of this is Joss Whedon’s cult-favorite TV show, Firefly. Although it only lasted a single season on-air, the fan-base made it possible for a movie to be made a few years later, and the call for a resurrection of the series has continued since its original airing fifteen years ago.

The year is 2517. The story follows the adventures of a crew of nine on the spaceship Serenity. They run a covert smuggling operation with great success—as long as the ‘evil’ Alliance doesn’t catch up with them. It may sound like every other Space Opera storyline you’ve run across, however, there is one major difference: It’s also a Western Drama.

Whedon was able to meld the two worlds of futuristic space and old-time West, flawlessly. Everything about the world-building is set in the future—an entire star system of planets colonized, boasting futuristic weapons and every form of space travel imaginable. However, much of the culture is stuck in the ‘wild-west’ of the past. Characters dress and speak like you’d expect in a traditional Western and much of the interactions on the planets are western-based—from saloons with bar-fights, to debutante balls with hoop-style skirts.

This difference is what draws the reader into a story that has otherwise already been told. There are plenty of books about Science Fiction available, many of them specifically in the Space Opera genre. And there are even more stories that tell about a rat-tag group of outsiders that come together and use their skills to evade the bad guy. However, the Firefly series was successful not only because it had a great cast and well developed characters, but because Whedon set it apart from anything that had ever been done before.

What sets your story apart? How can you recycle a story that has already been done before and make it better? Sometimes reusing what you already know can make for an unforgettable tale.

Bio: Laura L. Zimmerman is a homeschooling mom to three daughters, and a doting wife to one husband. Besides writing, she is passionate about loving Jesus, singing, drinking coffee and anything Star Wars. You can connect with her through Facebook and Twitter and at her website, www.lauralzimmerman.com

Categories
Bestsellers

Best Selling Author-Chris Thrall

Can you share a little about your recent book – The Drift, Following the death of his wife and son, Hans Larsson buys a yacht named Future, intending to sail across the Atlantic with his young daughter Jessica. En route they meet Penny, a seasoned English skipper, who joins them as crew, and the larger-than-life Marcel, a Dutch art dealer hiding a secret, along with a stash of drugs on his vintage boat. Battling storms, sharks and pirates, Hans and Jessica experience the adventure of a lifetime, until fate intervenes to leave them fighting for survival on an ocean less perilous than the mind .

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books? I enjoy it. I write from a feminist perspective so that everyone can enjoy my work.

How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? 7 years. 5 months – a publisher heard about my crystal meth memoir ‘Eating Smoke’ and approached me.

How long does it take you to write a book? Approx. 1 year

What’s your writing work schedule like? All day every day of the year including Christmas from 4am until 2030hrs when I stop to eat and watch TV

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it? I love chapter icons.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career? Getting my fiction published

What has been your darkest moment(s)? Too many to name and too many to shame

Which of your books is your favorite? I haven’t written it yet.

Who is your favorite author to read? I don’t really read genre or author – Willard Price has been my lifetime and childhood favorite though.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too? Just write, write, write – get it edited, get it on Kindle, then write another – don’t waste too much time on social media. Keep the price cheap until you’re famous.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you? Once a bookshop wouldn’t stock my fiction – only my memoir. I don’t care – bookshops are not the way to make money any more.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books? Nicole, who saved my life in Hong Kong

Where do you get your ideas? A combination of imagination and life experience – oh, and a lifetime of reading.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make? Not writing enough. Not getting proofread and putting an awful book out there on Amazon. Too high a priced books. Too much time on social media – like Tweeting to 300 people!

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market Write what makes you happy. Approach lots of other (traditionally published) authors as they know the score and can critique your work. Do anything and speak to anybody to get a publishing deal. If all else fails, buy a block of ISBN numbers and make up a company name and publish yourself.

a3drift

Chris Thrall is a former Royal Marines Commando and author of the bestselling memoir Eating Smoke, his experience of crystal meth addiction while working for the Hong Kong triads. A qualified pilot and skydiver, Chris has backpacked throughout all seven continents, worked with street children in Mozambique, driven aid workers from Norway to India and back by coach, and scuba dived with leopard seals in Antarctica. He lives in Plymouth, England, and plans to continue adventuring, charity work and writing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chris-Thrall/e/B004HC7TOW

www.christhrall.com
www.linkedin.com/in/christhrall
www.twitter.com/chris_thrall

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Writing With Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia-

Overcoming a disability concept with a man writing the word Disability on a virtual interface and then crossing through the - Dis - with a red marker pen as a motivational call to overcome adversity.

This month I’m talking to author Cherrilynn Bisbano. Many of you may know her, she is the Associate Editor of Almost an Author. Cherrilynn writes Christian fiction and non-fiction. She has published articles in various Christian publications.

Cherrilynn knows first-hand what it’s like to be a writer with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Fibromyalgia. Cherrilynn also deals with ADHD, and homeschools her son, Michael, who is Autistic.

Cherrilynn didn’t start out wanting to be a writer. She accepted a calling from God to spread His message further using her speaking and teaching abilities and the research and notes collected over time.

Cherrilynn transformed these into written words to produce her first book, True Star Quality– Shine in a Dark World. The book is scheduled to be released Fall 2017.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that can’t be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.

And Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, tender points throughout the body.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It exhausts me.  I try to write early in the morning before I go to the gym. However, today, I didn’t get up until six o’clock. I normally get up at five and I try to write for two hours.  Sometimes if I’m feeling alright I’ll write for an hour in the afternoon, but writing usually exhausts me unless I’m writing scripture–I’m energized when I read and write scripture.

What motivated you to write despite the challenges you face?

Obedience to God. I did not want to write. I asked Him to show me beyond any shadow of a doubt that He wanted me to write. He enabled me to attend four writing conferences in a year’s time. I won a book contract. Since I started writing two years ago, my first book is set to be published by Fall of this year [2017]. I acquired an agent for my next two books. God has made it clear that He wants me to write and encourage other writers in the process. I believe wholeheartedly my position at A3 is to help Cyle Young and encourage all our contributors.  We have some amazing writers at A3. I learn from them daily, they motivate me to write.

Tell us about your current and upcoming writing projects.

True Star Quality – Shine in a Dark World is my first book. I’m a speaker and teacher. People would ask me, “where’s the book?” I’d say, “I’m not a writer.” I transformed my writing notes into a book. The process was difficult.

I speak about what God is teaching me through His word and in life.

One morning I needed an attitude change. I read the verses,  Do everything without grumbling or arguing,  so that you may become blameless and pur,…Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. (Philippians 2:14-15).  The S.T.A.R. Principle developed.  Over the last 20 years of speaking, I found when believers struggle in one or more of these four areas, our light is dimmed 

S-See Yourself As God Sees You

T-Transform Mind With the Word

A-Always Pray

R-Refined to Shine

My prayer is that this book will encourage many.

My next two projects are a devotional titled Defying the Odds – 31 Prophesies Jesus fulfilled

The devotional matches 31 prophecies Jesus fulfilled from the Old Testament, with the NT prophecy.

and a fiction mystery, Accidental Findings:

Shannon’s autistic son, Corban, heals from the loss of his father, her hero. Can she help Corban cope when his new friend, Amanda, goes missing? Will her detective sister find the girl in time? Shannon meets, Mr. Chauvin, a new love interest. He is rich, handsome and loves Corban.  Will he bring stability to her life or be her worse nightmare?  What do Mr. Chauvin and the missing girl have in common? 

How and where do you write? Do you use any special tools for your writing?

I use a laptop to write, and a good office chair! I finally have my own office.

What is your schedule like?

I begin at 5 am and write for about 2 hours. I homeschool my autistic son. He is helping me write my first fiction novel, Accidental Findings.

Has the publishing process from your first book changed your process of writing? Or has your process changed?

It has changed it. I started writing about two years ago.  I’d write at different times of the day. Anxiety would set in if I did not have time to write. I needed to schedule time. Not just say “I gotta do it,” but actually schedule the time to write. I learned from other writers that writing is a job, not a hobby. If I was serious, I would treat writing as a job. Over time I realized that morning was my best time to write. My brain was the clearest.

My writing has improved because I learn from amazing writers like Jerry B Jenkins and Cecil Murphy. I read blogs on writing. I attend writing conferences.  To be a good writer one must continue to learn.

I use my sister Charlene as my writing barometer. My first attempt at a book she said, “I’m sorry, Cherrilynn, this is horrible, I can’t read it. It makes no sense.” She was right. I studied hard.  Two years later my book was edited by Peter Lundell, he also coached me. He was hard on me. I took his advice and did the arduous work to improve the book.  I’m grateful for his honesty, he made me a better writer. Now, my sister can read it and loves the book.

Writers always seem to want to know about the writing habits of other writers. How do you edit and rewrite?

I  get all my ideas on paper and I don’t edit as go along. If a mistake is blatant, I go back and change it. I was taught by other authors to “throw up on the paper and get it all out.” I wait a day or so and go back to read it and edit. I repeat the process until I feel the project is ready.

I pray before I write.  I ask God to help me.  I know I would never think of some of the words God gives me. I praise Him. I often find myself saying,  “whoa, that’s good God, thank you! ” God gets all the credit. I get fearful when I focus on my ability to write, I  think I’m going to fail Him. I know God works in me, using His words, to get His message out with my voice. It’s awesome. I’ve met many Christian writers to have the same experience. As writers, we cannot fail with God on our side.

What advice would you give to aspiring or other writers who live with a disability?

Pace yourself. Schedule time to write. If you cannot write one day, don’t worry. God wants to use you. He will give you the energy, time and ability to get your story out. After all, we write for His glory. Pray over every project. The outcome is in God’s capable hands. My book was ten years in the making. It started as speaking notes.

Is there anything would you give up to become a better writer?

I’m working for a non-profit right now, and I love, love, love the work, but I would give that up to become a full-time writer.  I should stop watching TV and be on my computer, listening to training videos and stuff – that’s what I should give up.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers?

Education is vital. Bestselling authors like Jerry B. Jenkins, Cecil Murphy, Liz Curtis Higgs and others still educate themselves. Read writing blogs or listen to podcasts. Also, give back and encourage your fellow writers. Some of the most successful writers help others. God will use you even if you are a beginner like me.

Trust God with your writing. I never thought I would write let alone be an Associate Editor of a writing website. My number one job here at A3 is to encourage writers. I don’t have to be a best-selling author to do that. I know I have much to learn but God is with me every step of the way.

I admire anyone who has written a book. Congratulations. Writing is hard work. Don’t give up, if you are working on a project right now.  You can do it with God at your side.

What is Cherrilynn’s word for this year?

“Excellence.”  I can be lazy. I could use my disability as an excuse, but I would know deep in my heart that I did not rely on God’s power to achieve the goal.  I can be excellent in all I do for the Lord, even if it’s just writing a page a day. Excellence is not perfection. My son says, Excellence is two steps above good enough.” He is a witty kid.

——————–

One of my favorite quotes about the writing process during this interview with Cherrilynn has to be:

“That’s what [they] writers have taught me,”

and

“You need to be real, like talking to someone and having a cup of coffee with them.”

Indeed, talking with Cherrilynn is exactly like this.

Next time we meet, I’ll be interviewing Ann Pietrangelo, an author with Multiple Sclerosis. In the meantime, please check out all the great writing content on Almost An Author!

 Kathryn M. B. Johnson

“I write from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. I feel as if I’ve been writing forever. Making squiggles at age three on pieces of paper I kept in one of my grandma’s black snap-top pocketbooks, chubby fingers holding a big fat pencil, I moved to writing stories in second grade for my teacher to read at rest time. I’ve been scribbling ever since.”

Categories
Guest post archive

Inauguration Day – A Spirit of Unity

Several days have passed, and I was sure that the excitement I felt when my wife and I attended the 45th Presidential Inauguration would have worn off. Boy, was I wrong.

In fact, the more positive things I see President Trump doing, the more excited I am to be an American.

Angie and I had the wonderful privilege to be in Washington D.C. when Trump took the oath of office. We were motivated by many things he said from the podium in front of millions of supporters.

“We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement. And most importantly, we will be protected by God,” Trump proclaimed.

Wow – those words were refreshing to hear. To me, the United States has sadly put God on the backburner over the past eight years. The military and police have been portrayed as villains and held to an obvious double standard.

We were thrilled to be in the crowd and to hear unifying words such as — “Whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots,” Trump echoed to a thunderous applause.

We were also thrilled to meet wonderful people from all over the nation who shared the same unifying spirit Trump boldly spoke about.

We met two young men, both college students from Cooperstown, N.Y., while standing in line the day before the Inauguration at the Longworth House Building to pick up our tickets to the ceremony. Bobby was a young Republican dressed in the typical blue suit and donning a red “Make America Great Again” cap, while MacGuire was a young Democrat dressed in more casual clothing. MacGuuire told me he was disappointed in the outcome of the election, but he wanted to see the peaceful transfer of power. Both young men were excited to be in Washington D.C.

 

They had the spirit of unity.

While riding the Metro into the city, we made friends with a couple from Michigan who were so proud their son was going to march in the Inaugural Parade. They were going to get up the morning of the Inauguration to be on the train at 4 a.m. to get a good spot on the parade route to see their son, who attends Virginia Military Academy.

They had the spirit of unity.

Also on the train, we talked to a couple of ladies who drove from Colorado for one reason – to pray for President Trump.

They had the spirit of unity.

On Inauguration Day, we met Zan and Emily.  Both ladies were from North Carolina and involved in local politics. We stood with them in our place on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol for about five hours the morning of the ceremony. We got to know each other well during that time. Zan was excited because Melania was going to wear a “Carolina” blue dress.

They had the spirit of unity.

After the ceremony, we walked to Chinatown for a bite to eat and became friends with Mike and Marco – two men from Houston, as well as a young married couple, Jordy and Claire, who were expecting their first child.  They were also from Texas.

Marco got on board the “Trump Train” after his candidate dropped out of the primary, while Claire was on board from day one. She is hopeful President Trump will appoint judges to the U.S. Supreme Court who are pro-life and share her values. “I just cannot imagine aborting a child,” she said.

They had the spirit of unity.

Finally, as we made our way to the Metro to head back to the hotel and relax, we spoke to military and national guardsmen and police who were there simply to protect us. They were all professional and polite, and we thanked them for their service.

They had the spirit of unity.

That spirit was everywhere. We did not give credit to those protesting and mocking the system as the winner. They were not going to put a damper on a thrilling experience. They exercised their right, but they were in the minority.

It’s a shame they did not have the spirit of unity.

The spirit most of us had was so evident throughout the weekend. Reflecting back, I can’t help but become more excited.

Trump’s words were long overdue. He praised our military and created a sense of togetherness by declaring America will be first. He placed a high importance on his need for God. That’s what we found so refreshing.

Trump said toward the end of his rally cry, “the Bible tells us how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity. When America is united, America is unstoppable.”

America has reclaimed the spirit of unity.

 

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer. His work has been published in Sports Spectrum and Portsmouth Metro Magazine. As a sportswriter, he won AP and statewide awards. He has several years of news writing and broadcast experience. Del blogs on his website, freelances and also guest blogs for Almost an Author. He lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife Angie, and they have two adult sons. They attend Rubyville Community Church

Categories
Guest post archive

Crimebake Conference-by Linda Shenton Matchett

I will be attending the New England Crimebake  this year for the tenth time.  The first time I attended Crimebake, I felt like a fraud. I was untrained, uncertain, and unpublished. Scribbling my thoughts and stories in notebooks since I was a child, I had only recently begun to give serious thought to publication. I started numerous novels, but always gave up somewhere in the middle. I subscribed to several magazines and purchased countless books by authors who touted their way as the only path to becoming a published author. Nothing seemed to help me make it to “The End.”

I selected Crimebake because it was located within a two-hour drive of my home and offered at a time of year when I could attend, not because I had designs on becoming the next best-selling mystery writer. Terrified the other attendees find out how much of a novice I was, I approached the registration desk with trepidation. Being greeted with a warm smile and an excited welcome because I was a first-time attendee by none other than Hallie Ephron quelled my nerves.

Rubbing shoulders with Hallie and other well-known authors such as Lisa Scottoline, Roberta Isleib, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and James R. Benn was a heady experience. But just as gratifying was interacting with “The Great Unpublished” or Guppies as SistersinCrime calls not-yet-published authors. We shared successes and pitfalls, and dreams and nightmares, but most of all we shared camaraderie.

ViviLnk

I came away from all the workshops and panels with information I could implement. Granted, at that point in my writing career I was a blank page (pun intended) and was soaking up everything I could, but even the experienced writers indicated there was a wealth of knowledge being conveyed. Practical, how-to advice was coupled with lists of resources. I learned effective ways to research, the difference between showing and telling, how to write realistic dialogue, how to evoke setting through description, and how a little backstory can go a long way. I was taught the snowflake method, the three-act method, and the pyramid method. Most importantly, I learned to try them all and use the one that worked best for me.

Questions were not only welcomed, they were encouraged during workshops, meals, or chance encounters in the hallways. Handouts were plentiful, and my souvenir tote bag was soon filled to the brim. Attendees were urged to participate in the Practice Your Pitch session with agents and editors. I was not brave enough that first year or the second, but I eventually took part, and the experience enabled me to hone my plot lines, create my “elevator pitch,” and the dreaded “one sheet.” An added bonus to attending the workshop has been the network of writers of which I am a part.

There are many ways to write a novel, and for a fledging author that can be overwhelming, but Crimebake effectively breaks the process into bite-sized pieces. For me, I would not be a published author if I hadn’t taken that step in 2006 to attend this first-rate, writing conference.

This mystery writers’ conference is co-hosted by SinCNE and MWA and held at the Dedham Hilton outside of Boston. Held over three days, the conference is affordable and offers a combination of workshops, panel discussions, and presentations that cover a wide range of topics. Manuscript critiques, and agent and editor pitches are also available. For an extra fee, participants may choose to attend one or two Master Classes offered prior to the conference. Timekeepers ensure each session starts and ends on time. Books published by the panel members and presenters are available for purchase.

Crimebake sells out within days of registration opening in early May, so you will want to sign up for email alerts. The website is www.crimebake.org, and this year’s Guest of Honor is suspense writer Lisa Gardner.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda Shenton Matchett has lived in historical places most of her life-from Edison, New Jersey (named for the famed light bulb inventor) and Washington, DC to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (reputed to be the oldest summer resort in America). A varied career has included stints as a crisis counselor, human resources professional, bed and breakfast owner, youth center director, and dining services manager. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. Linda is the author of Love’s Harvest and Love Found in Sherwood Forest. Under Fire, the first book in her trilogy about WWII War Correspondent/amateur sleuth Ruth Brown, will be released in July 2017. Visit Linda at www.lindashentonmatchett.com.

Categories
Writing with a Disability (Different Ability)

Understanding Disabilities-Statistics and Sources for Writers

Overcoming a disability concept with a man writing the word Disability on a virtual interface and then crossing through the - Dis - with a red marker pen as a motivational call to overcome adversity.

Magazines, literary agents, and publishers continue to look for excellent writing in fiction and non-fiction genres which exemplify diversity. The public asks for more inclusion of disabled persons in their reading material, and agents and editors want to grant the desires of their readers.

For writers, research can help you deliver believable content to meet the demand. If you are writing about disability, you need to know some facts, and you need to research.

Writing about disability isn’t new. How we write about disability makes a difference. Disability doesn’t care about your sex, color, race, or religious viewpoint.

This article shares disability statistics and links to additional sources of information so you can write well on this topic. This beginning resource will give you an idea on how to conduct more research based on your writing needs.

Quick Statistics:

  • Approximately 1 in 5 people in the United States currently has a disability.
  • About one-third of 20-year-old workers today will be disabled before they reach retirement.
  • Nearly 15% of the world’s population, have some form of challenge. That’s about a billion people.
  • The number of individuals who have significant difficulties in functioning reaches upward to 190 million.
  • Population numbers, aging, and the increase of chronic health conditions are the primary reasons for these high rates of disabilities. I should mention genetics because many disabilities can occur by being passed down through DNA.

These are staggering statistics. You or a loved one could become one of the disabled. A person in your family may have a disability they were born with, or have one because of accident, injury, or one which evolved over time.

What are these disabilities, and health conditions? While there are too many to list, they fall into several main categories. Disabilities may overlap categories. The descriptions listed here are general.

Categories of Disability:

  • Mobility and Physical Impairments – using a wheelchair, using a cane, limping, visible limb deformities, skin and hair disorders.
  • Head Injuries – Brain Disability – speech, motor coordination, learning disabilities.
  • Vision Disability –blind, wear glasses, use a white cane, a seeing eye dog.
  • Hearing Disability – communicate using sign language, wear a visible cochlear implant, hearing aids.
  • Cognitive or Learning Disabilities – may have behavior problems, difficulty learning to read or write, find learning difficult.
  • Psychological Disorders – may have depression, anxiety, mood disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders.
  • Invisible Disabilities – Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Autoimmune Disorders, Chronic Pain.

The Use of Awareness Ribbons, Days, Weeks, Months

An interesting article written by Erin Blakemore, “A Brief History of Awareness Ribbons” on what may be the origination of the iconic explosion explains where the use of the colored ribbons may have originated. Whether these icons are useful for recognition depends on whom you ask. Since anyone can create them, colors can vary. In recent years, colored ribbons for illnesses, disorders, disabilities, and other causes exploded across social and print media. If you choose to use a colored ribbon in your story, make sure you use the correct color.

Use the same advice for ribbons as when using the associated days, weeks, and months. Their sole purpose conveys awareness for the array of disabilities and chronic illnesses assigned. You can find an extensive list of ribbons and dates of awareness at Disabled World and a similar list on Wikipedia.

More Research Links for Writing About Disability and the Disabled:

 

Kathryn M. B. Johnson lives and writes from Staunton, VA. She writes articles, essays, and blogs, and is compiling a book of essays about her time as a Life Skills Instructor for persons with challenges. She is also working on a memoir on learning through adversity, and mulling ideas for a mystery series. Connect with her at kathrynmbjohnson.com on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

Categories
Tour

Blog Tour- Norma Gail

a3normagail

Please tell us about your most Recent Book

Land of My Dreams – Contemporary Christian Romance

Alone and betrayed, American professor, Bonny Bryant longs for a haven of peace. She accepts a position at a small Christian college in Fort William, Scotland, craving escape from her painful past. The passionate love which develops when she meets fellow professor and sheep farmer, Kieran MacDonell, is something she never anticipated.

Kieran harbors a deep anger toward God in the face of his own devastating grief. When Bonny’s former fiancé reenters her life, Kieran’s loneliness draws him to a former student.

How will Bonny decide between her rivals? Can they set aside the past to make way for a future, or will it drive them apart?

Land of My Dreams spans the distance between New Mexico’s high desert mountains and the misty Scottish Highlands with a timeless story of overwhelming grief, undying love, and compelling faith.

http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Why do you write what you do?

I feel called by God to share about the trials and triumphs of life through fiction. I believe Christian fiction is an avenue to reach people who might not be inclined to pick up a Bible or listen to a gospel presentation. It is also an effective method of discipling Christians and showing them how to work through life’s problems putting God first, and that problems result when we fail to put God first in our lives. Christian fiction to shows God’s love in story form with believable characters that readers find much like themselves.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently finishing on the sequel to Land of My Dreams. The working title is The Dream Disrupted. It is a continuation of the main character’s story from the previous book and the challenges they face as they begin married life on a Scottish sheep farm.

I am working on a contemporary Christian romance novella about a girl who eloped with her favorite rock star only to have him divorce her without explanation after 16 months. He shows up at her door ten years after their wedding wanting to reconcile.

Research is under way for a three-book historical series beginning prior to the Civil War and ending around 1922, following a group of families through the trials of frontier living, based on true stories of my ancestors.

How does your work differ from other work in its genre?

Much of today’s writing is fiction-lite. As a Bible study leader of over 21 years, I love to bring depth to fiction, to create hard struggles and characters who are far from perfect. I want my audience to discover that God is present in every moment of life, especially when things seem the most dark. Readers have said that Land of My Dreams makes them “laugh, cry, worry, sigh, smile.” I love to challenge the image of Christian romance by making it show the moments we would never want anyone to see, the times when believers are at their lowest.

How does your writing process work?

I am most definitely a pantster. I only resort to outlining when I get stuck, which is not often. I love to sit down and let the story and characters flow. My characters often surprise me with the twists and turns they throw me into, but they find their way out with prayer and help from the Lord. I typically write in layers, just getting the story out, then getting to know the characters better, filling in the setting details that make my story world come alive, and then rearranging the order of events if necessary. I get lost in my writing enough to occasionally forget that dinner needs cooked and I am sitting my pajamas.

Author bio:

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. She is a former Bible Study Fellowship discussion leader who established the first weekly women’s Bible studies in her church in 2003 and continues to lead a weekly small group. Her devotionals, poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is a former RN and homeschool/soccer mom who loves family research, history, and Scotland. Norma lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

 

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

Can I Write for This Magazine?

 I love print magazines and I take a number of them as a subscriber. When they arrive, frequently I read them cover to cover. While I enjoy many different types of publications, as a writer, I also take a deeper look to see if there is an opportunity for me to write for the magazine.

In this article, I want to give you some of the benchmarks and resources you can use to evaluate your magazines and see if you have an opportunity to write for this publication. As a former magazine editor, I know every editor begins the issue with a blank magazine filling the pages. These empty pages spell opportunities for freelance writers.

First, look at the age of the publication. If a new magazine, often the editor is open to working with new writers because they haven’t built a stable of contributors. If the magazine has been around for years, notice who writes the articles. Are their names listed on the masthead as “contributing writers?” If so, then the magazine may be mostly staff written and does not use much freelance material.

Next use Google to search for the magazine online. Do they have writer’s guidelines? If so, then they are normally open to freelance submissions. Read and follow their instructions. Does their website list themes for forthcoming issues or have a “themes list?” If you pitch an idea related to these themes, then you will get more interest from the editor.

Go to your local library and use the latest Market Guide. Use the index to look up the  entry for the magazine. What percentage of their magazine is freelance? The higher the percentage the more likely there is opportunity for the writer.  Do they pay on acceptance or publication? As a writer, I prefer publications that pay on acceptance. Magazines that pay on publication may hold your article for many months before publishing (and paying).

As in book publishing, the magazine world is constantly changing. For example, I noticed recently Architectural Digest has a new editor because each month the editor writes a little column in the front of the magazine. Change can spell opportunity for the writer because a new editor may be open to new ideas and new pitches for the publication.

If you want to write for magazines, learn how to write a query letter or one page pitch. Then craft appropriate pitches (from the guidelines) to the editor. Yes you may garner rejection but repeated rejection is not necessarily bad. Maybe your article is rejected because someone else pitched a similar article or the magazine has already purchased a similar article. Yes these situations happen and I’ve seen it as an editor. The repeated pitching of appropriate articles also gets you positive attention from the editor. The editor also assigns articles to freelance writers and you want to be one of those people who gets an assignment. To gain an assignment, you have to be on their radar. As a freelance writer, you get on their radar through professional pitching.

Every magazine is looking for dependable, professional writers who can deliver excellent writing on the editor’s deadline.  You will have to prove yourself but as you deliver quality writing repeatedly, then you will gain the editor’s trust and become someone who is a part of their regular writers. The procedure is a process and begins with studying the publication then pitching appropriate articles.

Opportunity is everywhere. Use these tips to begin writing for publication.

  1. Terry Whalin, a writer and acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, lives in Colorado. A former magazine editor, Whalin has written for more than 50 publications including Christianity Today and Writer’s Digest. He has written more than 60 nonfiction books including Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams. His latest book is Billy Graham, A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist and the book website is at: http://BillyGrahamBio.com Watch the short book trailer for Billy Graham at: http://bit.ly/BillyGrahamBT His website is located at: www.terrywhalin.com. Follow him on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/terrywhalin