The Writers Network News, February 2019
The Writers Network News, February 2019
In This Issue
One: From the Editor's Desk: WAKE-UP CALL
Two: Ask the Book Doctor—Commas, Adverbs, and Genres
Three: Subjects of Interest to Writers
Four: Contests, Agents, and Markets
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The Writers Network News
No Rules; Just Write!
Editor: Bobbie Christmas
Contents copyright 2019, Bobbie Christmas
No portion of this newsletter can be used without permission; however, you may forward the newsletter in its entirety to fellow writers.
Newsletter Sponsor
Zebra Communications
Improving books for writers and publishers since 1992
770/924-0528
https://www.zebraeditor.com/
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Meet Fellow Writers
Do you live in or visit metro Atlanta? Sign up for notices of local (but sporadic) meetings today! Send your name and email address to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.
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Some links in this newsletter are shortened with help from www.tinyurl.com, a free service that converts long links to short ones.
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Writer's Quote of the Month
“I have never produced anything good except by a long succession of slight failures.”
—André Gide
André Gide was a French author and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947.
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DON’T MISS AN ISSUE!
If your address changes and our email to you bounces, our system automatically unsubscribes you. If you plan to change your email address, subscribe again with your new address. We cannot add you or change your address, because of our double-opt-in, no-spam policy. Go to https://www.zebraeditor.com/ and sign up with your new address.
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ONE: FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK: WAKE-UP CALL
Dear Fellow Writers:
When I went to the gym for the first time in January, I expected to see a crowded parking lot. I did. Hundreds of people had made a resolution to work out more. I see this phenomenon every January, but by mid-February or so the parking lot and the machines inside are far less populated, as resolutions fall to the wayside.
Although I stopped making New Year’s resolutions years ago, I do always think I should spend more time on my own work and less time on the work of others. I spend most of my days editing books written by people who actually made time to write, while I haven’t done the same thing myself. I think I will make time to write. I tell others to schedule time to write. I mean to schedule time to write, but I don’t always do it. I know that the only way to make time to write is to work it into my schedule. Instead I schedule the work of others and not my own.
Will I be better this year? Who knows? I’ve already filled my January and early February calendars with manuscripts I must edit. I have many stories in my head and many unfinished or as-yet-unpublished books to work on. I am a writer, yet like many writers, I put everything else first, before I sit down and write.
In the 1970s my son was an early teen when he asked me why I subscribed to a particular magazine for writers. I said, “Because I think of myself as a writer.”
He looked at me with the naiveté of a young boy and asked, “Then why don’t you write?”
His comment was my wake-up call. Since that day I’ve written several books, countless personal experience essays, an endless number of poems, hundreds of magazine articles, and more. I didn’t need New Year’s to make me resolve to do better. I needed the observation of an innocent boy.
Many writers don’t start writing until their later years. Some begin early. What was your wake-up call? What made you finally start writing?
Yours in writing,
Bobbie Christmas Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com
Author of two editions of WRITE IN STYLE, owner of Zebra Communications, director of The Writers Network, and coordinator of the Florida Writers Association Editors Helping Writers service
If someone forwarded this newsletter to you, please sign up to get your own subscription. Simply go to https://www.zebraeditor.com/ to subscribe to The Writers Network News. My promise: I never share your address or send out spam.
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TWO: ASK THE BOOK DOCTOR: Commas, Adverbs, and Genres
By Book Doctor Bobbie Christmas
Q: I wonder if you’ve noticed the recent outbreak of unnecessary commas between adjectives in otherwise respectable publications (I’ve even seen it in The New York Times!) It’s especially bad in Kindle books. I even spotted one in a George Sand Kindle book. What could be the cause? Are kids not taught comma use in English class anymore? Do publications still use copy editors? Is there some computer grammar-check app that is responsible?
I was always told that if you can put “and” between the adjectives, a comma is indicated; if not, the first adjective is modifying the phrase and should have no comma after it.
Here’s an example. In a blog, author Nancy Peacock wrote: take care of a sick child or other, practical tasks…
A: In English class, if what we heard actually stuck with us, many of us were taught academic style, which sometimes differs from Chicago style, the style that book publishers follow. Anyway, Section 6.33 of the 16th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style says, “As a general rule, when a noun is preceded by two or more adjectives that could, without affecting the meaning, be joined by ‘and,’ the adjectives are normally separated by commas.” It goes on to say that the coordinate adjectives can also usually be reversed in order and still make sense. “If, on the other hand, the adjectives are not coordinate—that is, if one or more of the adjectives is essential to (i.e. forms a unit with) the noun being modified—no comma is used.”
While some of the commas you have spotted might be called for in Chicago style, the example you give does not quite. In the case of the example, then, the comma may be unnecessary, as you say. Perhaps people get confused about the difference between coordinate adjectives and those that are not coordinate.
All that terminology can be confusing. I like to simplify the process and say that if the adjectives are equal, a comma is warranted.
Because in some cases a comma is needed between adjectives and in others it is not, the issue can be quite confusing to those who are not highly skilled in Chicago style.
Q: I know I’m not supposed to use too many adverbs, and you’ve shown me how to find adverbs that end in “ly,” but not all adverbs end in “ly.” How can I identify adverbs that don’t end in “ly?”
A: My advice: Don’t worry too much about them. The “ly” adverbs are the ones that draw the most attention to themselves and become repetitious. Nevertheless, some of the “hidden” adverbs—adverbs that don’t end in “ly”— include words such as today, yesterday, now, then, and rather. Of that list I see the last three adverbs—now, then, and rather—overused and used unnecessarily most often. Look for those three words and determine if you can delete them and make a sentence tighter without changing the meaning.
Adverbs tell how, where, or when something is done, and sometimes that information is important to a story. We cannot avoid every adverb, but when eliminating an adverb leads to stronger writing, the effort is worth it.
Q: My latest novel is about an abandoned resort hotel that has ghosts. How would you classify such a novel?
A: Marketers of books need to know the genre so they can promote the book to the right market. Bookstores need to know the genre so they can place the book on the right shelf. Writers must therefore know the genre of the books they write.
Because the book has ghosts, it’s paranormal, but the rest of the description depends upon whether it is paranormal romance, paranormal mystery, paranormal thriller, or paranormal something else.
Bobbie Christmas, book editor, author of WRITE IN STYLE: USE YOUR COMPUTER TO IMPROVE YOUR WRITING, and owner of Zebra Communications, will answer your questions, too. Send them to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. Read more “Ask the Book Doctor” questions and answers at https://www.zebraeditor.com/.
For much more information on these subjects and hundreds of others of vital importance to writers, order PURGE YOUR PROSE OF PROBLEMS, a Book Doctor’s Desk Reference Book at http://tinyurl.com/4ptjnr.
Bobbie Christmas’s award-winning second edition of WRITE IN STYLE: How to Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing is available from Amazon at https://tinyurl.com/y7ppcdkd or buy it directly from me at https://tinyurl.com/y7p9xkbb.
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THREE: SUBJECTS OF INTEREST TO WRITERS
MEMBERS WRITE…
Marlene Clark responded to a manuslip that Cyn McGregor encountered and wasn’t sure what the author intended. The original sentence went like this: The man with the weapon’s face showed his impatience.
Marlene said, “Sure was a mysterious sentence.” She gave two suggestions: The man whose face looked like hardened steel showed his impatience or The face of the man who clenched the weapons in his hand showed impatience.
I told her I liked her first recommendation best: The man whose face looked like hardened steel showed his impatience. I added, “Unfortunately it's not the job of an editor to add creative flourishes to a manuscript, only to correct what's wrong and perhaps suggest further improvement. I'm glad the manuslip wasn't in a manuscript I was editing but was in one that my colleague was editing. I dodged a bullet. (Groan. Bad pun intended.)”
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Patti Brady wrote, “Your newsletter has been coming to me for a number of years. It's past time to tell you how much I appreciate all the excellent information I receive free of charge. Of course I have your books, but the grammar reminders and writing techniques on a monthly basis are great refreshers. This month the article about author intrusion was especially pertinent to me. So double thanks to you!”
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MANUSLIPS
In my Manuslips file I keep a list of errors I find that either tickle my fancy or prove a point about clear writing. I use quite a few manuslips in WRITE IN STYLE too.
Here’s one from a manuscript I edited:
He jumped on her and started kissing her neck with his scruffy four-day beard.
Can you see what’s wrong with that sentence? English offers many ways of saying the same thing. How would you recast the sentence to avoid the manuslip?
As for me, I’d rather be kissed with lips than with a beard. I’d recast the sentence this way:
He jumped on her and kissed her neck despite his scruffy four-day beard.
(Did you notice that my recast not only keeps the beard from doing the kissing but also deletes “started kissing” and replaces it with the stronger verb form, “kissed?”)
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TERMS WRITERS SHOULD KNOW
PORTMANTEAU
A portmanteau is a word coined by fusing two or more words. A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg offered the following portmanteaus in its recent posts:
Rurban: (from rural and urban) Having characteristics of both rural and urban life
Squiggle: (from squirm and wiggle) An irregularly curling or looping line, string, etc., to make an irregular line, to scribble
Palimony: (from pal and alimony) Financial support or other compensation given by one member of an unmarried couple to another after separation
To learn more about English and its origins and to expand your vocabulary, subscribe to A.Word.A.Day at https://wordsmith.org/awad/subscribe.html.
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SAVE $$$ ON EDITING
The sixth edition of PURGE YOUR PROSE OF PROBLEMS answers vital questions that arise while you edit your manuscript. It settles disagreements that may arise in your critique circle, as well. Simply look up the subject alphabetically. Order the ebook or printed book here: https://www.zebraeditor.com/bookstore/.
Here are a few of the 700+ issues PURGE YOUR PROSE OF PROBLEMS puts to rest:
Where do the commas belong? Where do they not belong? (page 59)
What’s the difference between “which” and “that?” (page 174)
What is a dangling modifier? How can you repair it? (page 66)
What is right, “towards” or “toward?” (page 180)
When should you write out a number? When should you use the numeral? (page 128)
Which is correct, T-shirt, tee shirt, or t-shirt? (page 171)
Order a printed or PDF copy here: https://www.zebraeditor.com/bookstore/.
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HAPPY ENDINGS MAKE HAPPY READERS AND WRITERS
Harvard Medical School’s Health Story Collaborative put on a recent conference. One of the interesting points made at the conference was that redemptive narratives are psychologically healthy. Yes, stories that involve situations that start out bad but end up good improve not only the health of the reader, but also the health of the writer. No wonder people like stories with satisfying endings!
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EASY ACCESS TO BOBBIE’S BLOGS
Read creative writing tips as well as some of my personal experiences. Access the Write In Style blog here: https://www.zebraeditor.com/blog/
On the other hand:
For my relationship-related blog, see my blog titled “Neurotica: Crazy Stories of Love, Lust, and Letting Go.” If you like to read about disastrous dates and ridiculous relationships, I’ve got a ton of them, and they all happened to me. Some are funny, some are a little sexy, some are sad, and all true. https://neuroticastories.blogspot.com.
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SCAMS AND WRITING METHODS
Author George Weinstein posted an interesting article based on his personal experience and methods. Every author should read it. See http://www.georgeweinstein.com/2019/01/for-writers-pantser-or-planner/
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100 BEST WEBSITES FOR WRITERS 2018
https://thewritelife.com/100-best-websites-for-writers-2018/
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Be my friend on Facebook
Follow my adventures, opinions, and observations: http://www.facebook.com/bobbie.christmas
FOLLOW ZEBRA COMMUNICATIONS ON FACEBOOK
Get news, writing-related cartoons, immediate updates, and other good stuff for writers.
Like and follow Zebra Communications at https://tinyurl.com/ydyn3pcu.
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CMOS ONLINE Q & A
Someone wrote to The Chicago Manual of Style Online asking the following:
Sometimes I have a hard time distinguishing between a predicate adjective and a past-tense verb being used in a passive-voice construction. For example, in “this dish was leftover,” is “leftover” an adjective, or should it be “was left over,” with “left” being a verb and “over” being an adverb?
To get the answer to this question and many more based on Chicago style, go to http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/latest.html.
THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE sets the standard in book publishing for issues such as punctuation, capitalization, and much more. If you write fiction or nonfiction books, you will want to know about Chicago style or be sure to use a professional book editor intimately familiar with Chicago style.
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WRITE IN STYLE: How to Use Your Computer to Improve Your Writing
WRITE IN STYLE teaches writers how to strengthen their writing style and create a fresh voice, one that publishers and readers want to read.
Order your copy today at https://tinyurl.com/y8fp5nym.
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FOUR: CONTESTS, AGENTS, AND MARKETS
A.T. PUBLISHING
23 Lily Lake Rd.
Highland NY 12528
(845)691-2021
Submission E-mail: tjp2@optonline.net
Anthony Prizzia, publisher (education)
This book-publisher publishes trade paperback originals, accepts simultaneous submissions and non-agented submissions. It publishes only one to three titles a year and buys manuscripts outright for between $500 and $1,500. It looks for how-to books on education or recreation. Query with SASE. Submit complete ms. "Audience is people interested in a variety of topics, general. Submit typed manuscript for consideration, including a SASE for return of ms."
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2018 NEW WOMEN’S VOICES CHAPBOOK COMPETITION
Finishing Line Press
P O Box 1626
Georgetown, KY 40324
USA
https://www.finishinglinepress.com/submit/
A prize of $1,000 and publication for a chapbook-length poetry collection in perfect-bound print edition. Open to women who have never before published a full-length poetry collection. Previous chapbook publication does not disqualify. International entries are welcome. Multiple submissions are accepted.
All entries will be considered for publication. The top-ten finalists will be offered publication in the New Women’s Voices Series. Submit 16 to 35 pages of poetry, plus bio, acknowledgments, SASE, and cover letter with a $16 entry fee.
To submit online: https://finishinglinepress.submittable.com/submit/100440/2019-new-womens-voices-chapbook-competition
or mail entry and fee to address above.
Postmark Deadline: April 30, 2019
A self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with the correct postage must accompany all mailed manuscripts. A SASE is needed for any kind of response, even if the writer does not want the material returned.
A good photocopy of the manuscript or a computer printout, rather than the original, should be sent. Finishing Line Press is not responsible for lost manuscripts. Please submit via submittable: http://finishinglinepress.submittable.com/submit
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SEEKS BLOG ENTRIES ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT
Unemploymentville.com is a place for anyone who has felt the sting of being out of work. It is looking for reader contributions to the blog, and we’re willing to pay for them.
What kind of writing do we want?
– Personal stories about being unemployed – Have you used your time away from the workplace to change careers? Walk dogs? Visit friends? Note, not all personal stories have to have happy endings. People need to know they are not alone in their struggles.
– Stories of earning a living (or trying to) by getting gigs rather than a job. Are you landing work through Uber? Fiverr? or other websites that match freelancers of any kind with people who need a task performed, then we’d like to hear how you are doing?
– Advice on dealing with the financial or emotional challenges of being out of work
– Unique job search techniques
Minimum length is 350 words
We pay: $40 – $75. Details in follow-up email
How to Make It Happen:
Email admin@unemploymentville.com with a subject: Reader Contribution – Guest Post. Tell me what you’d like to write about and any writing samples you can provide. I’ll let you know if there is a current opening for your writing.
Minor editing will be done on accepted articles. You are allowed an “About the Author” section, which can contain up to two links and can be up to 10% as long as the article you wrote.
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Do YOU have news for The Writers Network News? Send it in the body of an email to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com or bzebra@aol.com. Deadline: 18th of each month.
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Send a copy of this newsletter to all your writing friends. Tell them to join The Writers Network F-R-E-E by visiting https://www.zebraeditor.com/ and signing up for The Writers Network News.
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With the exception of Zebra Communications, information in this newsletter is not to be construed as an endorsement. Research all information and study every stipulation before you enter a competition, pitch or accept an assignment, spend money, or sell your work.
The Writers Network News: a newsletter for writers everywhere. No Rules; Just Write!
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