Issue 36 -- July 2008
In This IssueStraight Talk From the Editor
Feature: "How do you stop sermonic or preachy writing?"
Paying Markets
Writing and Publishing News
Writing Exercise
Café Fun
Answers to June's Café Fun
Legal Information
Advertising Information
Suggestions and Feedback
Brewing for August 2008Straight Talk From the Editor
Happy summer! Over the 4th of July holiday weekend the kids, hubby and I went camping and fishing. While I enjoyed my short vacation with the kids and hubby, I must admit that after the first night of camping, I missed writing. I took along notebook paper and a pen in case I needed it, but instead of pulling them out to jot down ideas or write, I left them alone and dedicated my time to the family.
We returned from our camping trip Sunday evening and on Monday I returned to my desk to catch up on the writing that I missed. It was nice to be writing again and be back home to a comfy bed instead of the hard ground. I don't know why, but everytime we go camping, I always end sleeping on a rock or stick that some how made its way under the tent. Honestly, when we set up the tent, I make sure there are no rocks and sticks that could end up underneath me, but some way, they mysteriously appear once I crawl into the tent to go to sleep. Oh well, I still love and enjoy the outdoors -- even without my writing.
Best wishes,
Misti Sandefur, editor
How do you stop sermonic or preachy writing?
By W. Terry Whalin
Question:
"I'm a member of a small online editing group. On my last article, our leader wrote, 'preachy' and 'sermonic.' I'm not sure what he means. I asked, but he had trouble defining it exactly."
Answer:
Sermonic or preachy writing creeps into our fiction -- and nonfiction. If the writer has an agenda -- particularly around a controversial issue like abortion or gay marriage, then often that agenda comes across as preachy in the word choice.
I view the solution for this type of writing to return to excellent storytelling and pointed illustrations to get your views across -- not the sort of oral didactic teaching that often happens in a sermon. It's a hard transition for many pastors who have been preaching this way for many years -- to make this important shift in their written communication.
Also this type of writing appears in many beginning writers who don't understand the need to show and not tell. It's a common discussion about this need to show and not tell. It's important to create word pictures through memorable stories instead of standing up with your finger pointing at the reader.
When we talk about show and don't tell to solve sermonic writing, many people wonder, "How do I show?" The best instruction that I've found in this area is from bestselling novelist Sol Stein. He's an amazing teacher (who I have had the privilege of meeting and sitting under his instruction. He has created a software program for writers that I recommend called "Write Pro." His book, "Stein On Writing," by Sol Stein (St. Martin's Press, 1995), is excellent and includes a chapter about this aspect of "How To Show Instead of Tell."
The final paragraph of this chapter has some good advice so I include it here, "I have a small suggestion that carries with it a big reward. In a three-word note to yourself say, SHOW THE STORY. Then hang the note where you will see it whenever you sit down to write. Think of it as an antidote to a lifetime of hearing that a story should be told." (p. 128)
I recommend you take a second (or maybe third) look at your article or book manuscript before you send it out -- and watch for sermonic or preachy language. Has it crept into your work? Then cut it out before you send it to a book editor or magazine editor.
W. Terry Whalin understands both sides of the editorial desk -- as an editor and a writer. He worked as an editor for Decision and In Other Words. His magazine articles have appeared in more than 50 publications, including Writer's Digest and Christianity Today. Terry has written more than 60 nonfiction books and one of his latest is "Book Proposals That Sell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success" (Write Now Publications). See more about Terry at: www.right-writing.com/whalin.html. For more than 12 years Terry has been an ECPA Gold Medallion judge in the fiction category. He has written extensively about Christian fiction and reviewed numerous fiction books in publications such as CBA Marketplace and BookPage. He is the former fiction acquisitions editor for Howard Books and creator of www.right-writing.com. Sign up for Terry's free newsletter, Right Writing News.
Paying Markets
Are you looking for writers? If so, send your information to Coffee Break for Writers. Your information will then be posted in our August 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.
Deadline for sending your information: August 1, 2008.
GreenPrints
"GreenPrints is, as one reader warmly called it, 'a hyacinth for the soul.' We've been sharing the heart and humor of gardening for over 17 years. Only GreenPrints magazine shares the human side: the joy, humor, frustrations, and heart in fine prose and fine art."
Seeking: Entertaining, clever, moving or funny stories related to gardening.
Payment information: Offers up to $200 per story.
Home Education Magazine
"Home Education Magazine is an award-winning publication for homeschooling families, or for anyone who enjoys living and learning. If you're not familiar with homeschooling, please study our publication before submitting. If you are familiar with homeschooling, you might want to study it anyway, as our primary focus is unschooling, and we take an active political stance for empowering families."
Seeking: Articles of interest to homeschoolers.
Payment information: Pays $50 to $100 each for feature articles.
The Village Family
"Since it was founded over a century ago, The Village Family Service Center has helped families throughout all of North Dakota, and in the last decade, in Minnesota."
Seeking: Articles that will educate and encourage families to develop and maintain positive, constructive relationships.
Payment information: Pays $.07 per word for original articles and between $30 and $50 for reprints.
Writing and Publishing News
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 upcoming event for writers? Send us your press release and your news could appear in the next edition of Coffee Break for Writers!
Editorial Changes
Paul Rees, editor of Q magazine, was promoted to editor-in-chief.
New Publications
Looking to break into a new market and/or gain a new client? Send your letter of introduction or query to one or more of these new publications:
Green Retailer: A new magazine for home and furnishing gift store retailers who plan to go green or have already gone green.
RiseUp: A new weekly magazine that deals with race and ethnicity and covers topics such as politics, business, cultural and etc.
Writer Warnings
Writer Beware warned writers of a fake contest that has been advertised on Craigslist. To find out more about the writing contest scam, read Victoria Strauss -- Fake Contest Alert at Writer Beware Blogs.
Writing Exercise
Write a back to school top ten list.
Café Fun
Unscramble the tiles below to reveal an inspirational message.
The answer to this word scramble will be revealed in the August 2008 edition of Coffee Break for Writers.
Answers to June's Café Fun
1. False. Begin query letters with dear Mr./Ms. and their last name.
2. True.
3. True, because amazing is used to describe a noun or pronoun.
4. False, it's written in passive voice. Active voice would be: I sent the query letter to Woman's Day magazine.
5. False, him is an object pronoun, because "him" is the object of a verb.
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 - 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 advertisements in this section of our Web site. However, we do accept advertisements for other sections of this Web site, as long as they relate to the writing or publishing industry. To find out more about our advertising, visit Affordable Advertising. Once there, you'll also find our demographics and advertising rates.
Suggestions and Feedback
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. 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 August 2008
- Free writing contests
- Book review: "Problogger"
- ... and much more
