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Coffee Break for Writers Monthly E-zine |
In This Issue: • Straight Talk From the Editor • Feature: "Goal Setting for Writers: The Five P's" • Book Review: "The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book" by Patricia Fry (Second Edition) • Article: "Pare a Phrase to Paraphrase" • Paying Markets for Writers • Review of a New Web site for Writers: Authors on the Net • Writing and Publishing News • Writing Exercise • Café Fun • Answers to Last Month's "Cafe Fun" • Legal Information • Advertising Information • Suggestions • Feedback • Brewing for February 2008 Straight Talk From the Editor Happy New Year! Our feature article this month focuses on setting goals. Since it's the start of another new year, you should already have your writing goals planned or should be planning them as we speak. However, if you're having a hard time setting your writing goals for 2008, then Beth Morrissey's article should give you the jump start you need. As a writer myself, I found her article to be both inspiring and helpful! Even though I already had my New Year's writing goals planned in advance, I found myself re-evaluating them after I read through Morrissey's "Goal Setting for Writers: The Five P's." I usually have one article per issue, but since it's the start of a new year, I decided to treat you to two great articles this month. The second article should help you with your research. In "Pare a Phrase to Paraphrase," Misti Wolanski will show you how to paraphrase without stealing a fellow writer's words. I hope you enjoy this edition of Coffee Break for Writers — our first issue of 2008! By the time you finish this month's issue, you should have your writing goals complete as well as a better understanding of paraphrasing, something many writers struggle with. I look forward to helping you succeed in 2008 with upcoming editions of Coffee Break for Writers. By the way, if you've enjoyed all the issues of Coffee Break for Writers thus far, please tell me about it. I love hearing how all of my hard work and time has helped you! Never give up on your dreams — work toward them, Misti Sandefur Goal Setting for Writers: The Five P's By Beth Morrissey One of the biggest perks of being a writer is the flexibility. For the most part you can write about what you want, how you want, when you want and from where you want. On the surface this flexibility may seem idyllic, but unfortunately it is often a double-edged sword. While you may enjoy not having someone looking over your shoulder, the fact of the matter is that you have no one looking over your shoulder. No one to make sure that you finish your novel. No one to check that you really send in those queries. No one to see to it that you stick to your own deadlines. And certainly no one to hold your hand when it all starts to go wrong. If any of this sounds even vaguely familiar, chances are you need to sit down and figure out your writing goals. It can be daunting to think about goals, particularly because a lot of writers start out thinking qualitatively. Wanting to be a "good" writer or to be published "a lot" or even to find "some" new markets is not particularly helpful. These are shady destinations that may ultimately have you running — or writing — in circles. Think of goals as your writing road maps, there to help lift you out of confusion. Your long-term goals will show you where you ultimately want to go, and your short-term goals will show you how to get there. To make the most of these handy helpers, be sure to follow the five P's and hone your goals until they are Positive, Possible, Pertinent, Precise and a Priority. Positive Goals Harping on what you can't do or won't do serves no purpose other than to invite negativity to your writing. Instead, think of your goals in terms of positive statements. Rather than writing "I'd like to avoid querying defunct markets," think "I will query current, viable markets." The power of positive thinking is strong, so let it infuse your goals and your writing. Possible Goals Of course, you can be as positive as you want but if you set impossible goals it won't really matter, you'll end up falling short and feeling miserable anyway. Avoid this scenario by subjecting your goals to a rigorous vetting procedure. Before accepting a goal, ask yourself: • Do I have the skills and/or knowledge to do this? • Do I have the resources (time, money, etc.) that will be needed for this? • Will I have sources of assistance if I need them (writers' group, editor, etc.)? • Will I need to, and/or be able to, make sacrifices for this (time, money, etc.)? Pertinent Goals Once you've crafted a positive goal and made sure that it's possible, you'll want to analyze whether or not it is pertinent. Just because you truly could write three haikus a day doesn't mean that doing so will help you towards your long-term goal of finishing your cookbook manuscript. If you're in any doubt about your goals, simply ask yourself, "How will this help me attain my long term goal?" If the answer is long and/or meandering, tweak the goal until your answer is clear and succinct. Precise Goals Now for the painful bit: It's all very good to craft perfect theoretical goals, but unless your goals are precise, you'll probably never get around to actually working on them. Make sure that you make your goals measurable so that you can easily judge if you are making headway, and totally within your control so that the onus is on you to make them a success. Many writers like to set their goals in terms of output. For example, you might decide that you will: • Write for a certain number of hours per day/week/month. • Write a certain number of words per day/week/month. • Write a certain number of pages per day/week/month. • Write a certain number of queries per day/week/month. • Complete a certain number of projects per day/week/month. • Land a certain number of new clients per week/month/year. • Attend a certain number of courses or seminars per week/month/year. • Attend a certain number of networking events per week/month/year. Priority Goals Making your writing goals a priority over other areas of your life can be hard (who wouldn't like a few extra hours of sleep each week?), but it can be even harder to prioritize your writing goals against each other. Often it can feel like turning your back on a loved one when you have to let go of a writing goal, but being clear about what is most important to you from the start will help you if that time comes. Things pop up all the time in everyday life, so your writing goals must remain flexible. Maybe you're offered a lucrative project that means your query letters will have to hold. Maybe you're offered a book tour that will set back work on your short story collection for a little while. Maybe you land a full time copywriting gig that cuts back on the number of hours that you can freelance. Whatever the reason, your goals are your own so only you will know on which you are willing to compromise. Just make sure that you do know this. Often goal setting for writers is viewed as just another way of putting off "real" work. This might be true if you've already spent three weeks perfecting your goals, but if you are currently writing without any real goals then this process will likely give you both the direction and motivation you need to make your writing sparkle and your career become coherent. And if you find that you have a taste for goal setting, feel free to pull out your goals every now and then and spruce them up as necessary. Just remember to keep pushing yourself, and to reward yourself when a new goal is met. Go on — you deserve it! Beth Morrissey is a freelance writer and writing coach from Dublin, Ireland. She
has published over 350 articles in international print and online publications,
and firmly believes that this has only been possible due to setting her writing
goals early each year. To contact Beth, visit her Web site at www.bethmorrissey.com. Book Review: "The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell your Book (Second Edition)" Veteran writer Patricia L. Fry will assist you on your path to writing, publishing and selling your book through the second edition of her book, "The Write Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book." Like the first edition, she covers publishing, book proposals, query letters, cover letters, book promotion, book organization and more, but several of those topics have been revised. In addition, Fry has added new sections: "Five Authors' Mistakes," "Steps to Selecting a Perfect Title," "What's Your Platform," "Build Your Platform," "Your Book Trailer," "Blog for Exposure and Sales," and many more. The first edition of "The Write Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book" mainly covers non-fiction, but in this revised edition, Fry provides a little more information on fiction with sections such as "Titles for Fiction Books," Your Target Audience for Fiction" and "But I Write Fiction." However, I was hoping to learn how to write proposals and query letters for fiction, but found those sections going back to the non-fiction niche. Although the second edition still seems to focus mainly on non-fiction, I can honestly say I learned quite a bit from it, and as I just said, she does cover fiction a bit more this time, but not as much as I would have liked. As a writer myself, I found "Book Promotion - Reach Out Beyond the Bookstore" and "Book Promotion - Get Creative" to be very helpful. Moreover, I learned about some new marketing techniques, which I plan to carry out in my own marketing campaigns — present and future. Overall, I was completely satisfied and recommend "The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book" to all writers. You will learn how to write, publish and sell your book, and yes, her book truly will be "Your Complete Guide to Successful Authorship!" Note: When you buy "The Write Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book," I also recommend that you pay a few more dollars for "The Author's Workbook." "The Author's Workbook" will help you when you start a marketing plan for your book. The workbook includes many templates to help you evaluate your book, build a platform, build a book proposal, choose a publisher and much more. Pare a Phrase to Paraphrase By Misti Wolanski "Drat!" echoes in your mind. You've found superb sources for what you're writing, chock-full of information you would absolutely love to use. How do you paraphrase the information? First, why should you paraphrase? If you use someone's information and its wording as if it is your own, it is plagiarism. If you use someone else's unique information and do not credit it, it is plagiarism. Plagiarism is illegal. It also tends to have nasty side effects on your reputation, be it for work or school. A paraphrase pulls another person's information into the writer's own words. For unique information (like, for example, a survey), a source should still be named, but much writing involves research for facts the writer didn't already know, and those facts must be presented in a different way than the writer found them. As a common rule of thumb, four uncredited words in a row from someone else are too many. Paraphrases can also clarify something. For example, someone who understands medical jargon might paraphrase the results of a medical study so the average non-technical person can understand it. A paraphrase doesn't necessarily simplify language, but it often can. To paraphrase, take a source's information and express the core concepts you want to use in your own way. Just think of what you do when you're telling someone you know about something you've read or heard — that's often a paraphrase. Sometimes, particularly on a bit of information that is difficult to find, paraphrasing can be difficult. The precise words we've read impress themselves on our retinas, and our minds get stuck thinking along those lines. There are a few ways to pull out of this rut, and there's one technique to help avoid it entirely. Skimming helps the most to avoid plagiarism. Keep track of which sources have the best information for you, but make sure you only skim them. Skim at least four sources, including some that are shallow on the information. If you're a visual learner from words and remember what you just read a bit over well, wait a few minutes before trying to write. Listening to a song with attention to the lyrics might help at this point, to make the information a bit foggy in your mind. Now, write! You won't remember the little details of information, true, but don't worry about it. That's why you previously kept track of your good sources. Write what you can without going back for the details, and if necessary add notes to yourself to go back and add in certain details. Once you have the basic thing written, go back to your sources and fill in the details. All right, that might work if you haven't researched already, but what if you're already stuck? Several techniques can be used to help unstick you. You might find one works best, or perhaps you may sometimes find that you need them all. Stop reading the sources your mind's trying to plagiarize. It's already stuck in your brain — don't add any more glue to the binding. Also, have a new computer document or a pen and paper handy, whatever works best for you for note taking. Consider the information you're using. What are the most important details that you want to include? Jot those down in as few keywords as possible. Read over the list, then rewrite it to cut more words. Is there a way to reorder or restructure the information? Try to find your own method of organizing the data, even if it's not as good as the sources. You can restructure it later after you're out of the plagiarism rut. Pick some detail near the end of the information you want to use; is there a way to incorporate it into the beginning? That might spur you into reorganization — and the rewording. If your mind is still quoting those precise phrases, take the first active verb involved in your mental quote and find a synonym. Where you get it doesn't matter. Tweak the sentence to add that synonym. If you don't need to adjust anything when you add the synonym, find another one for that verb or a nearby, important word until you do have to tweak the sentence. Start tweaking, and you might find yourself suddenly free to redo the entire thing. There's always the possibility that you'll still be stuck at this point. Go and find other sources that are even partially pertinent. If you can't find any other pertinent sources, read some of the same type, preferably by a different author. Read other sources until the original ones become a bit foggy in your memory. (You may also find listening to a favorite song's lyrics helpful in producing that fog.) Now, you should be able to write. Some details will be forgotten, but resist the temptation to fill them in as you go. Finish the writing, then go back and fill in the details. If you must review something, look at your previously made keyword list. Congratulations! You've pared the phrases down to a paraphrase. Misti Wolanski is a United States born and bred full-time college student who freelances
on the side. She loves writing and its technicalities — on lazy days Misti
is as apt to curl up with a grammar handbook as she is with a fantasy novel. Paying Markets for Writers Send your paying market to Coffee Break for Writers, and we'll post it in our February 2008 issue. There is only one requirement: you MUST pay writers at a rate of $.10 or more per word or a flat rate of $25 or more. It won't cost you a dime to have your call for writers placed in Coffee Break for Writers. At the time of this publication, all of the paying markets below stated that they pay writers upon acceptance. Faith Today "Faith Today is a national magazine that connects, equips and informs evangelical Christians across Canada." Seeking: How-to articles, essay features, feature articles and profiles of Canadian individuals and ministries of interest to the evangelical community. Payment information: $.15 up to $.25 per word (Canadian dollars). Family Fun "Family Fun gives parents the information and inspiration they need to create unforgettable family moments. We are the trusted experts on food, sports, games, vacations, parties, holiday, crafts and learning — all the essentials that enrich the precious time families share." Seeking: Entertaining articles for families that focus on cooking, crafts, vacations, parties, holiday celebrations, family challenges, home decorating and organizing, learning, and etc. Payment information: Varies depending on what is written, but they pay very well. FunTripsLive.com "FunTripsLive.com is an interactive travel series. The destinations we cover may or may not be well known, but the stories we tell are about having a different kind of experience. For example, when you think of San Francisco, do you think of visiting an oyster farm or a mammal hospital or taking a walk in thick woods with no car in sight?" Seeking: Travel-related articles on their featured area. See their Web site for more information about the featured areas. Payment information: Pays $.10 per word. Light & Life Magazine "Our goal is to offer the evangelical Christian community an energetic magazine that encourages honest, biblical reflection on contemporary topics and Christian living. We want to help develop thinking Christians who enjoy a victorious Christian life and to provide well-written, thought-provoking content that is readable, desirable and usable — articles and pullout materials that will equip and excite maturing Christians seeking to live holy lives." Seeking: Articles on current events and cultural issues, Christian living and growth, trends, personal testimonials, and etc. Payment information: $.15 per word as well as three complimentary copies. Parade "Parade consistently provides its readers with quality stories. That quality itself is defined by three elements: clarity, authority and substance. Each article must be clear in design and content and well researched and written with a voice of authority. It must also have substance, telling readers something they didn’t know before and giving them an opportunity to effect change." Seeking: Stories on news, social issues, common health concerns, sports, community problem-solving and extraordinary achievements of ordinary people. Payment information: Pay is a minimum of $2500. Review of a New Web site for Writers: Authors on the Net By Misti Sandefur I would like to recommend Authors on the Net, a new and very informative Web site for authors. Through this new Web site for authors you will learn how to publish, distribute and promote your books. Since their recent launch a month ago, Authors on the Net already has over 100 members, and I'm one of them! Member registration is free and will give you access to a variety of helpful information. Some things I discovered after subscribing were videos and audio tools, as well as tons of information on how to conduct a virtual book tour, how to use Amazon correctly, how to research your target audience, how to promote your book using the Internet, how to plan and invent a strategy for your book and much more. The thing I like best about Authors on the Net is they keep their information updated and current. Authors on the Net is not only a place for learning, but it is also a place to network with other authors. You can "cross promote" with other authors, communicate via the Authors on the Net forums and so much more. What are you waiting for? Check out Authors on the Net today! You have nothing to lose except time, but if you're short on that, you can always go back to learn more later! Writing and Publishing News For this month's writing and publishing news we're going to do a Year in Review by taking a look back at some of the editorial comings and goings in 2007 as well as what some of the new magazines were. We won't list all of the editorial comings and goings or new magazines that we mentioned in 2007, but we will cover some of them. Have you launched a new e-zine, newsletter, magazine, blog or Web site for writers? Has your publication made editorial changes? Are you currently running a contest for writers that doesn't require an entry fee? Will you be hosting an event for writers, or do you know of an upcoming event for writers? Send us your press release and your news could appear in the next edition of Coffee Break for Writers! Enjoy our Year in Review! Editorial Comings and Goings in 2007: • Robert Pollock became the new features editor for Wall Street Journal. • Elle named Candice Rainey as their new articles editor. • Entertainment Weekly named Karen Leigh as their new editorial assistant. • Star gained a new editor-in-chief: Candace Trunzo. • Brian Kightlinger became publisher of Midwest Living. • Ann Shoket took over as editor-in-chief for Seventeen. • Martha Stewart Living name Michael Boodro as Editor. • Jim Kaminsky became editor of the Men's Journal. Then, just recently, the Men's Journal named Charles Coxe as their new articles editor. • Deborah Herd became editor of Fit Pregnancy. • Thami Ngubeni took over as editor for O, The Oprah Magazine. • Glamour name Ashley Baker as their new fashion features editor. • Doug Crichton became the executive editor of the Better Homes and Garen Web site. • Wow! Women on Writing welcomed two new editors: Jean Lauzier and Sue Donckels. New Magazines in 2007: • Impression • Trailhead • MyMidwest • Grey's Anatomy: The Official Magazine • Babble • Women's Edge • Reccec • Superior Outdoors • True Wealth: Your Guide to Starting a Profitable Home Business • Kiki • Organize • Collegepreneur • Trump Magazine Writing Exercise Was 2007 a successful year for your writing career? Was it your most successful? Write a personal essay about it and submit it to your favorite writing-related publications? Another exercise: Did you meet over half of your 2007 writing goals? Write a personal essay about it. In that essay, reveal how you were able to meet over half of your 2007 writing goals. Café Fun Café fun will return next month. Answers to Last Month's "Café Fun" 1. Free Verse 2. Limericks 3. Syllabic Verse 4. Syllables 5. Haiku Legal Information Coffee Break for Writers has made every effort to be factual with regard to the content and information provided in this e-zine; however, your results may vary. Coffee Break for Writers accepts no liability of any kind for any losses or damages caused or alleged to be caused — either directly or indirectly — from the use of the information generated within this e-zine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form — either whole or in part — without the written permission of the copyright owner. Violations of this copyright notice will be enforced to the fullest extent of the law. If you're interested in any article published in this e-zine, you must contact the editor of Coffee Break for Writers. When inquiring about an article, make sure to mention the title and author of the article. Upon receipt of your inquiry, Coffee Break for Writers will forward your request to the copyright owner of the article or articles. Advertising Information Coffee Break for Writers e-zine is an advertisement-free publication. Therefore, we do not place any advertise- ments in this section of our Website. However, we will accept advertisements on other sections of this Web site as long as they relate to the writing or publishing industry. We offer advertising at an affordable rate. To find out more about our advertising, visit Affordable Advertising. Once there, you will also find our demographics. Suggestions If you have any suggestions at all for future issues of Coffee Break for Writers, send them our way. It can be suggestions for articles, new columns or etc. Feedback We also welcome your comments on anything in this issue, past issues or future issues. Don't be shy, send your letter to the editor. We value every word. Brewing for February 2008: • An article by Pam White on how to write and sell recipes. • Publications that pay for recipes. • More Café Fun. • ... and much more! |