Notes in the Margin

by Nancy Callahan

Goals can compel you to write faster, write better, and submit more often — but they need to be specific, quantitative and not overbearing if they’re going to work. So what sort of writing goals are best for you?

If you’ve always aspired to write, but have never been able to squeeze time for writing into your busy schedule, Time-Based Goals will assist you in establishing a fixed writing routine. With time-based goals, the emphasis isn’t necessarily on the quality of your writing but on simply making writing a priority in your life. Here are a few examples: “I aim to write for a total of 5 hours per week.” “I am going to write for at least 30 minutes right after I wake up every morning.” “I will write for three hours straight every Sunday afternoon.” (more…)

by Joe Giunta

Great Sales Letters Focus on Readers Not Sales

How many times have you opened a direct mail letter and thrown it out after reading the first sentence? If you have discarded enough paper to recycle the Rainforest, you may feel that sales letters are a waste of time, money, and trees. Well, think again.

Good sales letters can generate leads, sell products and services, and increase charitable donations. They do it by focusing on the needs of readers rather than the needs of sellers. Here is how to write a sales letter that will get the results you want. (more…)

by N. Powell

One of the key elements in maintaining and growing a business is attracting good clientele. Businesses design and coordinate their efforts to project a professional image that defines their services to the client. Businesses are under tight deadlines and every minute is critical to a company’s earning power. While emphasizing “time is money,” businesses can sometimes ignore the time-honored adage “the customer knows best.”

In the rush to make sure a project meets deadlines, businesses forget that what is said in print reflects a client’s belief of the values the company possesses. Taking the time to make customers happy is time well spent in maintaining customer loyalty.

In the rush to get a message out, executives often rely on subordinates to draft and release memos they have produced. Common sense dictates that the articles be proofread and checked prior to release; however, these items are released without a second glance. Sometimes, this can lead to embarrassing situations.

To avoid any embarrassing or comprising situations, read and edit the works before any public display. Does the correspondence reflect the company’s mission statement? Do the words sound appropriate and understandable to the customer base?

Below are some writing tips to enhance a company’s writing style. (more…)

by Suzan L. Wiener

Have you hurt a writer’s feelings inadvertently by saying something when you only meant to be helpful? Here are five tips to avoid that problem.

• Always start off your critique by saying something positive about the work. No matter how poorly you might think of the writing, there is a way of writing an encouraging remark, such as “I can see that you have given thought to your story, but…” This way, the writer won’t feel defensive.
• When you write a critique, read it as if you were receiving it instead of you writing it. This way, you will see where you can improve the tone of something you have written. Even if you feel it is an honest assessment of the writing, you can word it in such a way as to not attack the writer personally.
• Don’t be afraid to give your honest opinion of the piece. Keeping it to yourself won’t be of any help if he/she wants to improve their writing, which most serious writers want to do. No one should be afraid of frankness. In fact, they should welcome it. You can always be tactful, even if you’re saying something less than positive.
• Be specific in your feedback. Saying “This stinks” is meaningless. Of course, the writer will know you don’t like the piece, but it won’t make him stop and think about why you don’t like it and he won’t be able to make the right changes without knowing what the problem is.
• If you think the work has no redeeming value whatsoever, it might be a better idea not to give it a critique. Trashing it completely isn’t the right thing to do. You won’t feel good about it and neither will the writer. Remember, the fact that the author bothered to take the time to write, makes him/her worthy of respect.
• Don’t feel that the first critique you do has to be an epic. One paragraph is plenty to start with, and then you can build it up as you gain more experience in critiquing.

For more tips on critiquing, check out these resources:

• How to Deal With Critiquing, by Rich Hamper
• Critiquing: A Gift You Can Give, by Angie Dixon
• Share Your Work at Absolute Write Water Cooler

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Suzan L. Wiener has had numerous articles on writing, stories and shorter pieces published by many major publications such as Canadian Writer’s Journal, MetroSeven, The Writer’s Ezine, Verses, Complete Woman, Mature Living, Mature Years, Reader’s Digest, and the Saturday Evening Post.

Although this article was published by Kristen King, the original author retains all copyright and should be contacted for reprint requests.

by Sarah E. White

Freelance writers can operate from anywhere in the world, and because of the Internet, we can work with editors and write for publications that might not be in the same country, or even on the same continent, as we are. But when you send that perfect story idea overseas, how do you find sources in another part of the world on deadline? Head for the ’Net, of course.

If you have time to spare, you can go to any of a number of Web sites for writers from all over the world that offer “reader request” sections, where a writer can explain his story and request people who would like to be interviewed to contact him. These “interviews” can be conducted entirely online; you hardly have to make contact with the respondents (you should thank everyone who responds, however, even if you don’t use their response).

But if you’re looking for sources on the fly with a deadline looming, you need to look a little more broadly. The Internet can help with that, too. There are numerous Web sites full of sources for writers, such as http://www.sources.com, which lists Canadian experts, and http://www.experts.com, which offers keyword-searchable databases of sources from around the world. Other sites for sources include http://www.researchconnect.com, http://www.expertsearch.co.uk (especially for expert witnesses in the UK, analogous to http://www.expertwitnesses.com.au/ in Australia), and http://www.journalismnet.com/experts. You can find an expert on one of these sites and contact him or her directly to see if they would like to be a source for your story.

The most popular and one of the biggest of these sites is ProfNet, which claims to allow writers access to 11,000 sources from government, small business, public relations firms, and other institutions around the world.

Registration for ProfNet is quick, simple, and free. Almost immediately after signing up, you can post a request, which requires contact information, publication name, a description of the type of information you need, and what your deadline is.

I tried the system recently when I was working on a story about reducing meat in people’s diets. I had written the shell of the story, but it needed some expert sources to jazz it up. So on a Friday morning I signed up on ProfNet and posted my query. In a matter of hours, I had three sources contact me. I “talked to” a dietician, an expert in internal medicine and a health researcher who had just published a book on the topic.

The best part was, I never had to pick up the phone. This type of interviewing is great for those of us who are shy because only those people who are interested in talking are on these types of lists, and you can conduct all your interviews by e-mail if you like.

Although not every interview can or should be conducted by e-mail, if you’re working with sources on the other side of the planet it is much easier to use e-mail because you don’t have to worry about time zones or international phone rates. You can get great quotes quickly, easily, and inexpensively any time of the day or night to make your story perfect.

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Sarah E. White is a freelance writer and editor living in Arkansas. Her home on the Web is http://www.sarahewhite.com.

by Kumudha Venkatesan

After days of researching and interviewing, you’ve completed your article. The next step is submitting the manuscript. Follow these easy steps to ensure a pain-free online submissions.

1. READ THE WRITERS GUIDELINES Make sure you read the writers’ guidelines a couple of times. If they asked for an 800-word article, make sure your word count is in the right neighborhood. If you are writing business material for a company or an individual, make sure you ask any questions you have regarding the project well in advance of the deadline.

2. SEND IT THE RIGHT WAY It seems obvious, but it still needs to be said: Follow the submission instructions to the letter. If they ask for the manuscript by e-mail, send it by e-mail only. If they ask for snail mail, to send it by snail mail. If they want it handwritten in blue pencil on wide-ruled loose-leaf paper, get yourself to the school-supplies aisle at Wal-Mart.

3. FORMAT THE FILE CORRECTLY When submitting electronically, be sure to send your file in the appropriate format. Rich-Text Files (RTFs) work with most word processing programs, but many editors prefer MS WORD. Some editors prefer to receive the manuscript in body of the e-mail. Don’t send an attachment unless the guidelines specifically ask for it, because many spam blockers and virus programs direct e-mail with attachments directly to the trash.

4. MAKE YOUR SUBJECT LINE SING The subject line is an editor’s first glimpse of your submission, so make sure the subject is meaningful and clear, such as “Submitting Manuscript – Article Title Here”. If you are submitting an article about medicines and the subject is “About Pills,” you may be diverted directly to the spam folder. You can be creative, but make sure the contents of the e-mail are obvious from the subject line.

5. FOLLOW UP The writers’ guidelines will generally offer a response time. Be sure to keep track of your submission date so you can follow up on time. If the response time is 3 weeks, don’t start sending e-mails or calling the editor about your submission until at least 4 weeks have passed. However, do follow up by e-mail if you do not get any response after the specified amount of time.

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Kumudha Venkatesan is a Detroit-based freelancer who writes for e-zines and magazines. You can reach Kumudha at kumudha_1998@yahoo.com.

Although this article was published by Kristen King, the original author retains all copyright and should be contacted for reprint requests.

by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

So you’re a writer. You’ve scribbled since childhood, you’ve gained a few bylines, and now you’re serious about writing—but no one else cares. It’s vital to establish yourself as a writer in both self and community image, and it’s not as difficult as it seems.

First, believe that you’re a writer. Whether you’re writing full time or writing when you can, it’s important to believe in yourself. Remember that a writer writes, so do so as often as possible. Set up a daily time for writing, and set goals. Try to write a specific number of words or pages each day or week. Don’t stop with just writing—submit your work. The more credits you gain, the more solid your foundation as a writer becomes.

Next, spread the word. Many new writers are bashful about telling others that they write. Don’t be. When asked about your occupation, mention the day job, but add the fact that you’re also a writer. The obvious question many people will ask is, “Well, what have you written?” so answer it with the truth. If you have a few clips, mention them. If you’re working on your version of the Great American Novel, say so.

Seek out other writers. Look for writers clubs or groups in your area and attend a meeting. If no groups exist, consider starting one. Find a meeting place—such as the local library, college campus, or bookstore—and get permission to hold the first meeting. Spread the word far and wide. If you have enough clips, look for professional writers groups and join. Whenever possible, attend writers’ workshops and conferences close to home. These meetings can provide a wealth of information, as well as contacts that may help you market your work.

Establish your space. If you lack a spare room to convert into an office, set aside an alcove or corner of another room as a writing place.

Be professional. Whether you’re earning any money isn’t the issue—writers at all levels should be professional. Follow guidelines, obey industry standards, and have perfect grammar and spelling. Any submissions should be the best you can produce.

Protect your writing time. That means not allowing relatives, friends, neighbors, or others to interrupt that precious creative period. Explain that you write for that hour or block of time. Stay-at-home parents who write should establish boundaries. When the PTO calls to ask for volunteers, don’t be afraid to say no if the suggested activity cuts into your writing time. Never let others browbeat you into donating time because they think you have huge amounts of idle time to fill.

Gather the tools of the trade. A good, working computer with up-to-date software is vital today. Make sure you have an excellent printer that produces clean, clear copy. Invest in writers’ marketing guides, how-to-books, and other research materials. Don’t forget that a good dictionary and thesaurus can be a writer’s best friend. If your grammar skills need some brushing up, pick up a used grammar book and keep it close.

One of the best ways to establish an identity as a writer is to find a local or regional writing gig. Don’t be shy about approaching newspapers in your community about writing a column or book review or freelance articles on a regular basis. The more people who see a byline with your name, the more people who know that you’re a writer.

If you want to be taken seriously as a writer, you must be serious about the craft. If you view yourself as a professional, the image will project to others and you’ll gain the recognition and respect that fuel self-esteem. A solid attitude and firm belief that you are a writer can help ease the sting of rejections and encourage you to continue to strive toward the ultimate goal of becoming a successful writer!

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Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy writes full time from a rocky ridge in the Missouri Ozarks. As a member of both Missouri Writers Guild and Ozark Writers League, she has publication credits dating back more than 20 years. Visit her online at Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy.

Although this article was published by Kristen King, the original author retains all copyright and should be contacted for reprint requests.