Commentary - The Stomach Needed for Writing

In the news: "Persecution of Christians and Jews spreading; Israel battles Hamas terror organization; Detroit without drinking water; US border discord; migrant children dispersed without family; laws shown weak for lack of attention to consequences; citizens risk law violations to feed neglected poor, rush to judgment endangers or costs lives..."

Do you have the stomach (guts) to become a published writer of articles, news columns, editorials, or information-laden books about people in need, both sides of a critical news story, or societies' "failures"? The only way that I know for any of us to find out is to enter the professional arena, which must include much reading, research, editorial feedback, and analysis.

As much as any time in history, I believe, Christian writers can continue to convey ideas and stories to show understanding and to uplift, to put a check on bitter or knee-jerk reactions to news and social events, to shine new light on human life. You and I can aim lift some of the heaviness of others, I believe, through reminders of Jesus by way of genuine actions, time, and prayers portrayed in ideas.  

Tonight, I watched The Book Thief movie, a moving and provocative story that I hope to see again. It reminds me that the telescopes of history do enrich our perspectives. The story reinforces the message of the power of words.

I have re-posted on LinkedIn today the Opine Publishing cover of the book by Mogama. Refugee Was My Name, which is his story of terror years in Liberia. As I worked with the photo links and files, I reminded myself why I hope that others will to take a look at this beautiful book. Mogama had courage and encouragement from others to help him write his story and see it come to life.

     We need good true stories to remind us that people continue, around the world, to overcome disasters, including wars and terrorist inroads. Neither is a good situation, yet even recently we learned of a woman giving birth in prison because she would not reject Christ or her Christian faith. The more we can hear the good news,the words, directly from such new heroes the better our understanding and our moral adjustments will be. We can readjust ourselves to move, continually, out of the ubiquitous comfort zones that tempt us.

  

I believe that writers like you have the desire to develop the tougher inner strength needed to be evaluated by editors, to be engaged by readers, to endure rejection or critique. There is spiritual, as well as intellectual and emotional, armor to help each of us try again, again, and again.

The privilege is mine to know, firsthand, writers willing to put themselves and their work forward. Many writers, I believe, even now are re-dedicating themselves to be more engaged than ever, no matter how many rejections, to build their skills and awareness. Maybe you are one of them. Thereby, the writers' voices of faith are more likely to be heard through their written words.

What is your decision? Have you already settled it, come what may? I encourage you at whatever your writing life may be now to continue to grow your fiction and nonfiction skills and to keep submitting your works for publication.

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Writer, Ride Down an Elevator and Propose

Elephant in the St. Louis Zoo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

St. Louis Review carried Jennifer Brinker's (jbrinker@archstl.org) report about a writers conference focusing on proposals...for books. The adviser, a publicist, presented a visual picture that, as an editor, I know travels well:

 "Think of a ride down an elevator," Mary Brockgreitens said,

"You have about 10 seconds to tell people

what you do."

If you can imagine feeling like an elephant caught in an elevator, then you can imagine ( if you don't already know) what it feels like to see frustration in the eyes of those around you as you try to describe your book without preparing what to say in as few, dynamic  words as possible. It takes on seconds for pressure to build. And this is true whether the listener is a friend, family member, neighbor, or book editor. 

     If you cannot say it in ten seconds or less, then...you're caught, pinched, in trouble with no clear way, or possible way, back...out.

This is why writing it down and memorizing it, being able to say it in your sleep, are essential for authors wanting to create the beginning interest for their book, whether oral presentation for the work or written, as in a book proposal. 

"What's your book about?"

Are you ready to answer well and interestingly in the next 10 seconds?

Short Story Editing_THE VISITOR

Short Story Writing Workshop (Photo credit: MadLabUK) Flickr

Jean Purcell

The third and final part of my first short story, in draft, is posted on Opinari Writers now. I hope short story lovers and writers will comment. Be as forthright or blunt with critique as you need to be. Be specific, please. No general comments that do not give me any good feedback I can use. 

Thanks!

The next phase for me is to give some tough editing after I join the three parts as a story draft. Rewriting will happen as part of tough editing.

I'm thinking of trying to shorten the story (in draft it's over 5,000 words). 

Word count for a short story can be anywhere from 500 to 9,000 words, according to general rules. There is no clear cut rule limit, but a very long short story becomes a novella. 

I'd like The Visitor to be about 3,000 words or less. 

You can bet I have no idea yet if that's a do-able goal for me...without taking too much from the story. 

I hope the two main characters, the mother of Elizabeth and the young professional woman, Catherine, will keep your interest. Other characters include Elizabeth, her brothers and their families. In the discussion are Catherine's family as well, by way of some background and information.

I'll update when the next draft, or the final, is ready.

Meanwhile, would you read and comment, briefly or at length? Or, pass it along to someone who might critique/comment? 

I'm determined to keep working at this genre of writing!

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Being Edited: Quote from Bestselling Suspense Writer, Philip Margolin

Image by OZinOH via Flickr - U. S. Supreme Court Bldg.I don't know about other authors, but I need a good editor to take my first draft and make it into a book that can be published. 

     Sally Kim did an excellent job cleaning up my mess. Thanks also to Maya Ziv, her assistant... - 

A quote from book by Philip Margolin, New York Times bestselling author 

Source: Acknowledgments (page 311), Supreme Justice, suspense novel. Copyright 2010 by Philip M. Margolin. HarperCollins Publishers, New York. Brief quotes permitted.

Professional and Entrepreneur Networking for Writers and Authors

Image by johnscotthaydon via Flickr

Facebook and Traffic

by Jean Purcell
editor@opinebooks.com
Follow on Twitter @opinaripeople

Writers should think of themselves as professionals. I urge this, and also urge published writers to think of themselves as entrepreneurs or business people. Writing and publishing are professional areas that mix for every author. Most authors today need to be more than skilled, artistic, literary, knowledgeable, and creative. Conceptualizing, planning, and writing (full of multiple layers of skills) are followed by interpersonal matters, like dealing with editors, publishers, and...the public.
     Many if not most writers not only love but prefer communication via written and/or taped or videoed words. Shy or introverted writers tend to deliver the best flow and ease with words and thoughts on paper, screen/monitor, or behind a video camera...at home, of course, or in the privacy of an office...or a public podium. 
     As a mentor and publisher, I have met many interesting and talented writers through this digital world we inhabit. E-mails were the beginning, and an e-mail-delivered newsletter I started for writers and for Opine Publishing, Opinari Newsletter now known as Opinari Quarterly. Now, add blogs and text messages. 
     Writers have contacted me about works in progress, and their personalities and talents have amazed, pleased, challenged, entertained, and informed me. Their backgrounds cover a broad spectrum from parents full time, to nursing, teaching, and even astro-science (I don't even know the correct terms for those who work on U. S. space projects!). Each person leaves an indelible place in my memory, all good. It is a way to continue learning, even while helping or consulting. I love this work!

     Here are some ideas for those of you ready to think "business" regarding your book or books, whether already published or under publishers' consideration. I placed years by each, and I think all have good ideas to choose from, or at least experiment with, for your professional networking:  

Twitter.com - Sign up or add names you intend to follow; publish blog post links on Twitter


12 Ways to Use Facebook Professionally (2007)


How To: Use Facebook for Professional Networking (2009)

32 Ways to Use Facebook for Business (2009)

How to Use Facebook Professionally and for Marketing (2010)

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Personal and Professional-the Edited Author

Opine authors: outstanding and edited

Not every author is edited, and when no editing happens, it shows. The work that editors are supposed to do to help and improve a book's design, development, and writing adds up to significant improvement for the author, and also can help the author's next book. So, when editing is missing, it shows, often glaringly.

     On the other hand...when editing happens and yet is not well-done, that shows, too. I cringe for the publisher when I read outstanding book reviewers, such as Jonathan Yardley for example, opine, in effect: "This book and author would have benefited from better editing."

     A good editing process includes the author's focus and mission, and assesses the writing's faithfulness to that focus and its reading audience. Clarity includes exceptional use of language. However, ten-dollar and more expensive words will not add value, if used carelessly or to impress. Most readers appreciate readability, interesting style and flow, and an approachable writing voice. These interests are guarded, along with basic book requirements, by good editing. 

     Perhaps you've read academic or scientific works, including research summaries, full of technical terms not familiar to the general public. Use of such terms fails if it spills over into general market books. The general market reader recognizes when a writer is trying more to impress than to inform, explain, or enlighten. 

At a book distributor's sales conference, I heard a German publisher (children's books in English for the U. S. market) gave a good example of what makes books popular with readers: Even experts in publishing are never sure. His company's first book of a series was expected to sell a few thousand copies; instead, it quickly sold tens of thousands...and in the especially tough market that is children's books.

     Trends and interests can shift overnight, changing the climate away from one publishing focus to another. What was expected to be a big seller can lag behind a title not expected to make much impact, in numbers of sales. Good editing cannot ensure success. It is a must, however, for getting a book into the market with a favorable chance. 

QUICK POST-Do you have a self-publishing Fall 2011 book release?

Image by nancydowd via Flickr

QUICK POST SELF-PUBLISHING TIP:  Are You Planning to self-publish a book on a date between September and November 2011? 

Now is the time to finish your personal book proposal, finish your editing, and tune up your marketing plan. Your marketing plan should implementation six months before your release date. Writer's Bag Books: Editing, Self-Publishing, Book Proposals, Marketing...and more.

Do it right!
QUICK TIP Source: Writer's Bag blog post on this topic

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