Posts
.
Writing is a difficult thing to accomplish at times. Few have the ability to write, fewer still have the ability to write well. Most have to work very hard at writing, but occasionally, a writer comes along who is naturally gifted.
Every now and then, I have a student in my office who is really impressive with his or her writing skills. The shocking thing about some of these unpretentious souls is that they do not realize how well they write. I have to say to them, “You write very well.”
“Thanks,” is the usual response.
“Did you ever think about writing for a magazine?”
“No, not really.”
“Why not?”
Here is where they pause. Some have never thought of writing for money, some have no idea of where to start, others do not realize there are entities out there willing to pay money for good writing. Sometimes the answer is, “I don’t think it would be worth it.” This is where I drag them out of my office and into the hallway to the bulletin board outside my door. I point to an article.
“See this? Two hours worth of research, writing, editing, and re-write. Five hundred bucks.” They look at me a little stunned and then they look again at the 800-word piece.
“Five hundred dollars?”
“Yep.”
“You’re kidding. That’s $250 an hour!”
“Yep.”
Sometimes, but rarely, I can be a man of few words. I fully take pleasure in watching their faces when they make the connection between the work and the pay and then have that wonderful, “Ah-ha!” moment.
“Which would you rather do? Work some menial job for $12 an hour, or attain some form of professional recognition writing at a rate of $50 to $500 an hour?”
I really enjoy watching young people when they “get it.” All of a sudden, their minds open to an array of endless possibilities. Their eyes become so bright, their smiles so wide. They immediately get the connection between being able to communicate in writing and their chosen professional field—whatever their craft might be.
After the initial shock wears off, they start asking questions about how to begin earning money from working as a wordsmith. I tell them the basics about the writing craft, the nuts and bolts of writing for money, and then I tell them about Writer’s Market.
I explain that writersmarket.com is not a free site; then in the same breath, I say it is the best use of $40 for most writers—as well as being tax deductible.
.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Writing Software
.
In the execution of writing, there are many tools from which the writer may choose when it comes to word processing software. One of the most popular is Microsoft's Word.
Word comes in the latest version of 2007 with a previous version of 2003. Both are powerful writing tools no writer should be without.
MS did a fantastic job developing Word. The tools inside the software are many, varied, and extremely useful. There is a built in dictionary, a thesaurus, research tools, and more.
Word, as with any other software application, takes a little time to master. It is complex and has its own language of keyboard shortcuts to use it effectively. At first, someone new to the software may seem inundated with the scope and depth of the commands to learn.
Once mastered, however, every writer will quickly recognize how the tools of Word allow elevation of their writing to a completely new level. Many authors have found the use of Word makes the task of writing much easier.
Word does a great job of helping your writing. For the student still in school trying to get A's in English, Word places a squiggly red line under each misspelled word and a green one underneath improper phrases. You can make corrections as you write, or wait until the piece is complete and run a complete spelling and grammatical check on the whole document.
In addition to writing tools, Word also presents an array of organizational tools. This is the business side of writing and Word is again, phenomenally useful in this area.
These tools include mailing, references, and reviewing options. With Mail Merge, you can create a form letter and individualize it to many recipients without having to type the same letter many times, or inserting different names or phrases multiple times.
The references tab allows a writer to research on the go, while writing in the middle of the article or story. Multiple authors can use the review tab to chance and track revisions to any writing project.
Although this sounds like a commercial for Word, it is not. There are other word processing programs to choose from, this just happens to be the most powerful - in my humble opinion.
.
In the execution of writing, there are many tools from which the writer may choose when it comes to word processing software. One of the most popular is Microsoft's Word.
Word comes in the latest version of 2007 with a previous version of 2003. Both are powerful writing tools no writer should be without.
MS did a fantastic job developing Word. The tools inside the software are many, varied, and extremely useful. There is a built in dictionary, a thesaurus, research tools, and more.
Word, as with any other software application, takes a little time to master. It is complex and has its own language of keyboard shortcuts to use it effectively. At first, someone new to the software may seem inundated with the scope and depth of the commands to learn.
Once mastered, however, every writer will quickly recognize how the tools of Word allow elevation of their writing to a completely new level. Many authors have found the use of Word makes the task of writing much easier.
Word does a great job of helping your writing. For the student still in school trying to get A's in English, Word places a squiggly red line under each misspelled word and a green one underneath improper phrases. You can make corrections as you write, or wait until the piece is complete and run a complete spelling and grammatical check on the whole document.
In addition to writing tools, Word also presents an array of organizational tools. This is the business side of writing and Word is again, phenomenally useful in this area.
These tools include mailing, references, and reviewing options. With Mail Merge, you can create a form letter and individualize it to many recipients without having to type the same letter many times, or inserting different names or phrases multiple times.
The references tab allows a writer to research on the go, while writing in the middle of the article or story. Multiple authors can use the review tab to chance and track revisions to any writing project.
Although this sounds like a commercial for Word, it is not. There are other word processing programs to choose from, this just happens to be the most powerful - in my humble opinion.
.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tools for the Writer
.
What kind of tools do you need to write? At the low end of the scale, nothing more than a few sheets of paper and a couple of pencils. On the high end of the scale, an expensive computer with all kinds of peripheral equipment such as printers, scanners, and more. Between the two, a writer can find exactly what he or she needs to accomplish their writing requirements, as well as fit their budget.
The purists among writers would use the paper and pencils, or maybe a typewriter. The more prolific writers have discovered computers. The difference between the old way and the new is speed. Speed in production that is, writing itself still remains a slow process because of the editing, re-writing, and revisions.
It is in the process of editing and re-writing in which the computer shines. Editing and re-writing using the paper process is more laborious and consumes a lot of paper; on the computer screen, the touch of a key can change the text, rearrange words, or move paragraphs. The writer can change the writing as many times as they wish and when printed, there is little waste of paper.
Another area in which owning and using a computer is beneficial for the writer is in research, communications, and business. For these reasons, a serious writer should invest in a computer. In addition to serving as a writing tool, the computer can also store important papers in electronic format for easier organization; spreadsheets can be used for tracking writing projects, income and expenses, taxes, and deadlines; financial software is useful for banking and online bill-paying; and when you think you have writer's block, you can play a game of chess.
Regarding research, the Internet is a wonderful tool for writers. With the click of a mouse button, a writer can research the electronic files of the Library of Congress from the comfort of their own writing office. Not only can you research the LOC, there are numerous universities which allow public research in their databases.
Email, for communications, is an absolute must for writers. The purists, the old-fashioned writers, they like the feel and smell of paper. They write their query letters very carefully, take great pride in folding the page just right into the perfectly addressed envelope, and apply the stamp. Then they wait for the mailing process to work. Sometimes they wait forever.
More editors and publishers accept electronic query letters. As timeliness becomes critical to magazine articles, rapid communication between editors and writers is essential. Nothing can beat the lightning speed transmission of a well written email. While one writer waits by the mailbox for a response from an editor, the modern-day journalist will query, write, and publish the same article.
If you are one of those people who has no desire to move into the 21st Century and learn how to use computers, think about this: all living species (including writers) must adapt to change or die. Learning to use a computer may be frustrating at first, but after you get the hang of it, you will quickly realize it does indeed, make your job easier.
.
What kind of tools do you need to write? At the low end of the scale, nothing more than a few sheets of paper and a couple of pencils. On the high end of the scale, an expensive computer with all kinds of peripheral equipment such as printers, scanners, and more. Between the two, a writer can find exactly what he or she needs to accomplish their writing requirements, as well as fit their budget.
The purists among writers would use the paper and pencils, or maybe a typewriter. The more prolific writers have discovered computers. The difference between the old way and the new is speed. Speed in production that is, writing itself still remains a slow process because of the editing, re-writing, and revisions.
It is in the process of editing and re-writing in which the computer shines. Editing and re-writing using the paper process is more laborious and consumes a lot of paper; on the computer screen, the touch of a key can change the text, rearrange words, or move paragraphs. The writer can change the writing as many times as they wish and when printed, there is little waste of paper.
Another area in which owning and using a computer is beneficial for the writer is in research, communications, and business. For these reasons, a serious writer should invest in a computer. In addition to serving as a writing tool, the computer can also store important papers in electronic format for easier organization; spreadsheets can be used for tracking writing projects, income and expenses, taxes, and deadlines; financial software is useful for banking and online bill-paying; and when you think you have writer's block, you can play a game of chess.
Regarding research, the Internet is a wonderful tool for writers. With the click of a mouse button, a writer can research the electronic files of the Library of Congress from the comfort of their own writing office. Not only can you research the LOC, there are numerous universities which allow public research in their databases.
Email, for communications, is an absolute must for writers. The purists, the old-fashioned writers, they like the feel and smell of paper. They write their query letters very carefully, take great pride in folding the page just right into the perfectly addressed envelope, and apply the stamp. Then they wait for the mailing process to work. Sometimes they wait forever.
More editors and publishers accept electronic query letters. As timeliness becomes critical to magazine articles, rapid communication between editors and writers is essential. Nothing can beat the lightning speed transmission of a well written email. While one writer waits by the mailbox for a response from an editor, the modern-day journalist will query, write, and publish the same article.
If you are one of those people who has no desire to move into the 21st Century and learn how to use computers, think about this: all living species (including writers) must adapt to change or die. Learning to use a computer may be frustrating at first, but after you get the hang of it, you will quickly realize it does indeed, make your job easier.
.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Reading and Writing
.
If you are going to write, you must read. And if you are a writer who reads, you are going to write – you will write more, and you will find yourself writing well. Reading and writing go hand in hand; you cannot do one without the other.
In his book, On Writing, Stephen King makes the observation that “the Great Commandment” for writers is “read a lot, write a lot.” It is imperative to understand this important concept – if you are going to write, you have to keep your mind sharp and in shape. The best way to do this is by reading.
Often, I have heard that in order to play a great game as a quarterback in the Super Bowl, you have to do a lot of practicing, play a great season, and then practice some more before that special day in February. You just don’t walk out onto the field and win the Super Bowl without all that preparation.
Believe it or not, the same holds true of flying airplanes. If you are going to fly well, you have to fly regularly. This concept is also true when it comes to music, sailing, figure-skating, driving, scuba diving, teaching, and – well – just about everything.
I remember a time when I stopped writing for a while. I was mad at the world, and in particular, every teacher of writing, every editor, and all publishers. I threw my typewriter (yes, that is how long ago this incident happened) into the corner of my bedroom and did not touch it for over a year.
Finally, I realized I had to get on with my life.
I pulled out the typewriter, dusted it off and cleaned it up, changed the ribbon, and began again.
It was an odd feeling, putting words to paper again. It was a slow process, but after a little time passed pecking at the keys, the rhythm returned and the words began to flow.
I realized I should never again let time pass without practicing those things I love to do.
Oh yes, I have never figured skated in my life. In fact, I have been on ice skates only three times in my life: the first time, the last time, and the only time.
Keep writing.
.
If you are going to write, you must read. And if you are a writer who reads, you are going to write – you will write more, and you will find yourself writing well. Reading and writing go hand in hand; you cannot do one without the other.
In his book, On Writing, Stephen King makes the observation that “the Great Commandment” for writers is “read a lot, write a lot.” It is imperative to understand this important concept – if you are going to write, you have to keep your mind sharp and in shape. The best way to do this is by reading.
Often, I have heard that in order to play a great game as a quarterback in the Super Bowl, you have to do a lot of practicing, play a great season, and then practice some more before that special day in February. You just don’t walk out onto the field and win the Super Bowl without all that preparation.
Believe it or not, the same holds true of flying airplanes. If you are going to fly well, you have to fly regularly. This concept is also true when it comes to music, sailing, figure-skating, driving, scuba diving, teaching, and – well – just about everything.
I remember a time when I stopped writing for a while. I was mad at the world, and in particular, every teacher of writing, every editor, and all publishers. I threw my typewriter (yes, that is how long ago this incident happened) into the corner of my bedroom and did not touch it for over a year.
Finally, I realized I had to get on with my life.
I pulled out the typewriter, dusted it off and cleaned it up, changed the ribbon, and began again.
It was an odd feeling, putting words to paper again. It was a slow process, but after a little time passed pecking at the keys, the rhythm returned and the words began to flow.
I realized I should never again let time pass without practicing those things I love to do.
Oh yes, I have never figured skated in my life. In fact, I have been on ice skates only three times in my life: the first time, the last time, and the only time.
Keep writing.
.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Numbers versus Words
.
I majored in journalism for a number of reasons. First and foremost, was my fear of math. Imagine my chagrin when I discovered in order to fly, I still had to understand and deal with numbers…
What is the point of being a writer? Why do we write? Why does a professional writer endure the loneliness and hardships of putting words to paper? What is the reason?
Rest assured there are as many reasons as to why we write, as there are individual scribes.
My reasons are simple. One, I am compelled to leave something behind on this earth after I am gone. Secondly, I have this urge to express myself, educate others, and tell stories. And third, I like to explain things in as simple a way as I can.
For example, there is the lift equation. Pilots use this information every time they fly. Airline passengers find themselves subjected to the equation at the invitation of their pilot and first officer. However, teaching a student pilot how to use the lift equation during a landing – well, now, to quote the Mayor of Oz, “That is a horse of a different color!”
I know everyone understands that L = 1/2 rho V(squared) Cl S right? In other words, lift equals ½ rho where rho is the density of the air times velocity squared times the coefficient of lift (Cl) times the wing area (S) of the airplane. Trust me, most pilots don’t understand this either.
That is why I like to break this down into the simplest form. When I explain lift to my student pilots, I show them this equation and ask, “Can you do anything about the density of the air? The answer is no. Can you change the speed of the aircraft? Yes. What is another word for Cl? The coefficient of lift, or angle of attack on the wing (how much you push or pull on the stick). And can you change the wing area after you have configured the aircraft for landing? No.
This basically breaks down the equation into the simplest form which is much easier for student pilots to understand: lift equals speed times the angle of attack of the wing. At this, most student pilots have their “Aha!” moment.
I think you have to agree, looking at the equation this way makes the equation much easier to understand than its mathematical expression.
Go ahead, make my day! Throw me some more equations and I will also turn them into simple explanations with words.
It is one of the things this writer does…
.
I majored in journalism for a number of reasons. First and foremost, was my fear of math. Imagine my chagrin when I discovered in order to fly, I still had to understand and deal with numbers…
What is the point of being a writer? Why do we write? Why does a professional writer endure the loneliness and hardships of putting words to paper? What is the reason?
Rest assured there are as many reasons as to why we write, as there are individual scribes.
My reasons are simple. One, I am compelled to leave something behind on this earth after I am gone. Secondly, I have this urge to express myself, educate others, and tell stories. And third, I like to explain things in as simple a way as I can.
For example, there is the lift equation. Pilots use this information every time they fly. Airline passengers find themselves subjected to the equation at the invitation of their pilot and first officer. However, teaching a student pilot how to use the lift equation during a landing – well, now, to quote the Mayor of Oz, “That is a horse of a different color!”
I know everyone understands that L = 1/2 rho V(squared) Cl S right? In other words, lift equals ½ rho where rho is the density of the air times velocity squared times the coefficient of lift (Cl) times the wing area (S) of the airplane. Trust me, most pilots don’t understand this either.
That is why I like to break this down into the simplest form. When I explain lift to my student pilots, I show them this equation and ask, “Can you do anything about the density of the air? The answer is no. Can you change the speed of the aircraft? Yes. What is another word for Cl? The coefficient of lift, or angle of attack on the wing (how much you push or pull on the stick). And can you change the wing area after you have configured the aircraft for landing? No.
This basically breaks down the equation into the simplest form which is much easier for student pilots to understand: lift equals speed times the angle of attack of the wing. At this, most student pilots have their “Aha!” moment.
I think you have to agree, looking at the equation this way makes the equation much easier to understand than its mathematical expression.
Go ahead, make my day! Throw me some more equations and I will also turn them into simple explanations with words.
It is one of the things this writer does…
.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
When Writing Letters Requesting Publication
.
It happened again. Another query letter from a writer who would like to have her project published into a book. Unfortunately, several letters of this type arrive in our inbox every week. We reject most before we even open the writing sample.
Why?
Because the author wrote the query letter so poorly, replete with grammatical mistakes, it was not worth our time to read the writing samples. When an author uses words improperly in the letter sent for a publishing request, what sort of an impression does it leave on the editor?
If you are going to request consideration for publication, you have to send your very best writing sample along with your writing project. In other words, the query letter you write to the publisher has to be perfect.
Every editor and publisher I know all agree, if the query letter is a mess, it is a fairly good bet the piece also will be a mess. Each of us in the role of editor or publisher has very little time. The query letter is a quick look into the capabilities of the author as a writer. The writing sample contained in the letter is a big clue as to whether or not we should invest more time in reading the author’s work.
If the author does not know how to use “to,” “too,” “two,” or “2,” this is a problem that needs to be fixed. It is, by the way, a problem the author can repair. As is the problem of learning where to put all those funny little marks, such as periods, commas, semi-colons, quotation marks, and colons.
If you are really serious about becoming the next John Grisham, Stephen King, or Mark Twain, you have to be serious about your craft. You must learn the rules of the road and discipline yourself in using those rules.
Oh yes, and if you are writing fiction, you have to be able to tell a really good story.
.
It happened again. Another query letter from a writer who would like to have her project published into a book. Unfortunately, several letters of this type arrive in our inbox every week. We reject most before we even open the writing sample.
Why?
Because the author wrote the query letter so poorly, replete with grammatical mistakes, it was not worth our time to read the writing samples. When an author uses words improperly in the letter sent for a publishing request, what sort of an impression does it leave on the editor?
If you are going to request consideration for publication, you have to send your very best writing sample along with your writing project. In other words, the query letter you write to the publisher has to be perfect.
Every editor and publisher I know all agree, if the query letter is a mess, it is a fairly good bet the piece also will be a mess. Each of us in the role of editor or publisher has very little time. The query letter is a quick look into the capabilities of the author as a writer. The writing sample contained in the letter is a big clue as to whether or not we should invest more time in reading the author’s work.
If the author does not know how to use “to,” “too,” “two,” or “2,” this is a problem that needs to be fixed. It is, by the way, a problem the author can repair. As is the problem of learning where to put all those funny little marks, such as periods, commas, semi-colons, quotation marks, and colons.
If you are really serious about becoming the next John Grisham, Stephen King, or Mark Twain, you have to be serious about your craft. You must learn the rules of the road and discipline yourself in using those rules.
Oh yes, and if you are writing fiction, you have to be able to tell a really good story.
.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
The Greatest Homework Excuse Ever!
.
Ok, yesterday I made reference to the greatest homework excuse I ever heard – in my life. I was not exaggerating when I made this comment; I have been teaching for a long time and I have heard some really good excuses.
But the excuse that takes first prize is the one I heard from a classmate when I was in the fourth grade. His name has long ago been lost in the far lost corners of my mind, but I remember the story he told like I heard it just yesterday, rather than 47 years ago. In my mind’s eye, I can still see this young lad standing before the teacher explaining why he could not turn in his homework assignment.
“Did you do it?” the teacher asked.
“Yes, ma’am, I did.”
“Well, where is it?”
“Uh, well, um, uh, ohh…” Little beads of sweat began popping out on his forehead. “I don’t have it.”
“Why not,” she asked.
“Well, see, uhm, I was doing my homework in the backseat of my dad’s car… He has a convertible. And he was taking my mom and me over to St. Petersburg. And we were going across the Howard Franklin Bridge. And, uhm, we were right in the middle of the bridge. And there was this guy fishing on the bridge. And he went to cast his hook out. Just as we were passing by. And his hook came into the back seat of my dad’s car. And it snatched my homework. And then he cast my homework out into the bay. And a big fish came up and swallowed it.”
Everyone in the classroom cracked up! There was laughing and guffawing from all corners. I remember looking at the teacher, who had to maintain her professional composure. It was the first time I saw an adult biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud. She could not, however, control the laughter in her eyes. The poor student was embarrassed beyond description.
I swear to you, this story happened exactly as I wrote it. Today, I am sure he has become a best-selling author – with an imagination like that, what else could have happened to this kid?
Or maybe he became a professional fisherman?
.
Ok, yesterday I made reference to the greatest homework excuse I ever heard – in my life. I was not exaggerating when I made this comment; I have been teaching for a long time and I have heard some really good excuses.
But the excuse that takes first prize is the one I heard from a classmate when I was in the fourth grade. His name has long ago been lost in the far lost corners of my mind, but I remember the story he told like I heard it just yesterday, rather than 47 years ago. In my mind’s eye, I can still see this young lad standing before the teacher explaining why he could not turn in his homework assignment.
“Did you do it?” the teacher asked.
“Yes, ma’am, I did.”
“Well, where is it?”
“Uh, well, um, uh, ohh…” Little beads of sweat began popping out on his forehead. “I don’t have it.”
“Why not,” she asked.
“Well, see, uhm, I was doing my homework in the backseat of my dad’s car… He has a convertible. And he was taking my mom and me over to St. Petersburg. And we were going across the Howard Franklin Bridge. And, uhm, we were right in the middle of the bridge. And there was this guy fishing on the bridge. And he went to cast his hook out. Just as we were passing by. And his hook came into the back seat of my dad’s car. And it snatched my homework. And then he cast my homework out into the bay. And a big fish came up and swallowed it.”
Everyone in the classroom cracked up! There was laughing and guffawing from all corners. I remember looking at the teacher, who had to maintain her professional composure. It was the first time I saw an adult biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud. She could not, however, control the laughter in her eyes. The poor student was embarrassed beyond description.
I swear to you, this story happened exactly as I wrote it. Today, I am sure he has become a best-selling author – with an imagination like that, what else could have happened to this kid?
Or maybe he became a professional fisherman?
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)