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Writing Etc./Filbert Publishing News – December 15, 2010
ISSN: 1545-5580
Make Your Writing Sparkle. Write Killer Queries, Get Published.
Join the brightest, most ambitious, and talented group of writers on the ‘net.
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To subscr*ibe to Writing Etc. and receive the fr*e e-book, “Power Queries,” surf here:
http://filbertpublishing.com
Forward Writing Etc. to all your friends! They’ll be glad you did.
You can easily manage your subscription to Writing Etc. by clicking the links at the end of this e-mail.
If you want to read this online, surf here: http://filbertpublishing.com/current.html. Otherwise, just
keep reading, it's all in this e-mail. Enjoy!
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Notes from Minnesota
Hey Freelancer!
Well, I'm not sure if you noticed, but you did not receive the December 1 issue of Writing Etc. I took the day
off. I haven't taken a day off in nearly a decade, but I actually took a day off.
That's because I was in Tennessee attending a chef training school. Yup. As I write this, I'm officially a vegan
chef.
I'm seriously proud of that accomplishment and profoundly excited as to where this path is leading.
Eight years ago this month, my husband suffered a big-time heart attack. In this past near-decade, we've learned
how to totally control his blood numbers using a whole-food, plant based approach to eating. For example, his
cholesterol went from 259 to 131, no drugs whatsoever. I've lost just about 90 pounds in the process. It's been
amazing. And to master the creation of FABULOUS food in the process? It's just icing on the cake. :)
Anyway, I'm back in Minnesota and am raring to get to work. So... let's get to it, eh?
Enjoy today's issue of Writing Etc.! I've got some great stuff for you today. :)
Beth :)
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Do You Keep a Journal?
Beth Ann Erickson
Confession time. I hate journaling. I really do.
I wish I were the kind of writer who relished in awaking in the deep dark night to pour profound thoughts onto
the page, but I'm not. Instead of writing in the wee hours of the morning, I'm in bed, warm, enjoying a restful
sleep. To wake up would mean leaving my warm cocoon and entering the frigid world of reality. I'm not doing
that.
Besides, I can never figure out what I'd say in my journal entries. “I made a kick-butt date loaf today!” just
doesn't seem particularly important in the grand scheme of things. I know. I could use prompts and mine my mind for
diamonds, but seriously... I just don't think they're there.
However, I know many writers keep journals. From what I hear, there are wonderful benefits to training the mind
to create on demand, to enter the world of imagination without agenda, to document everything from the mundane to
the exciting.
But I'm just not like that. And it's OK.
Each of us is unique, and we writers need to recognize that. Just because our creative processes are as unique
as we are, doesn't mean one method is right, another is wrong.
So... if you're on the fence concerning keeping a journal, let's discuss the technicalities of keeping one
starting with how (and why) you should you keep a journal, plus an alternative to keeping one. Here are my
ideas:
* You can use a journal to record thoughts that you can later mine for “nuggets,” information you could
otherwise forget, but may be useful in an article or story.
* You can use it as an inspirational tool, a way to recognize how life always seems to “work out” despite
difficult circumstances.
* You can write in a fancy diary-style book, a cheap notebook, napkin shards. Doesn't matter. What matters is
that you record your thoughts.
* I just said I don't keep a journal. I don't. I do, however, write ideas on recipe cards... the kind I can nab
at the dollar store. In one fell swoop, I get 100 cards and I'm good to go. I get an idea, I write it on the card,
then file it in a recipe box I purchased at Good Will. For me, it works. For other writers, it may suck.
My point? Do what works for you.
If you've got any thoughts, don't hesitate to share them on my blog. Here's the link:
http://BethAnnErickson.com
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On the blog this week...
Symphony of Science!
Tennessee Thoughts
Journaling :)
Check it out here: http://BethAnnErickson.com
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Readers say:
Billie,
I've only read a portion as it's late and my eyes are weary but it sounds so "spicy". I love your analogies
to the spices and so far I am determined to make my book as creative and interesting by doing as much research
as you apparently have. I love the choices you made to reveal what a good beginning or "first
line" looks like. Think I may have to sit in bed and read the rest tonight in spite of the hour.
M. H.
There's nothing worse than bland-as-oatmeal writing that doesn't evoke passion, laughter, anger, love... some
kind of emotion from your reader. Prolific writer and author Billie A. Williams pulls out all the stops in her
book, “Spice Up Your Writing: Write to Entice.”
It's easy (and fun) to read, a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to... well... spice up their writing.
Check it out here:
http://filbertbooks.com/Spice.html
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~~ Your Questions Answered ~~
A while ago (OK, quite a while ago) I asked you to send me your most vexing freelance questions.
Well... Writing Etc. is continually evolving and I FINALLY figured out a way to make room for this new column.
Let me know how you like it! I'll also be answering your questions on my blog. So here goes... the first vexing
freelance question:
Back next time, I just got back from Tennessee and have a LOT of catching up to do! Happy holidays!
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Outlining Options
Beth Ann Erickson
You don't have much time, and you've got an article to crank out ASAP. What do you do? You write fast.
A key to writing fast is to have effective organizational tools at your fingertips, and one such tool is the
outline. Here are some quick ways to organize nearly anything:
* Organize your article chronologically. If your information lends itself to presenting the information in a
sequence of ideas or events, select this organizational tool: this happened first, this happened next, etc.
* Organize your article by space. Spatial order is good for using in descriptive or informational articles. If
you're explaining a scene, place, person, or object, this organizational method works well.
* Topic order works if you need to cover main points. You simply select the point you want to present first,
then second, then third, and boom... you're done. You can refine this by going from general information to more
specific; most important to least important; any order you decide.
* You can organize your article by problem/solution. Here, you present a problem, then conclude with your
solution. Very simple, very effective.
Want a fun exercise? Take one topic and write one article using each of the organizational methods. You'll
really sharpen your writing chops if you do this. Plus, it's fun. :)
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You can use any of these articles free of charge on your own website or zine. Just don’t make any changes and be
sure to include this byline:
This article is courtesy of Filbert Publishing. Make your writing sparkle, write killer queries, get published.
Subscribe to Writing Etc., the free e-mag for freelancers and receive the e-book “Power Queries.” http://filbertpublishing.com
Enjoy!
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