Writing: EVERYBODY'S GOT ONE

EVERYBODY'S GOT ONE

Written by Arleen M. Kaptur

Continued from page 1
out what that special “thing” is that made their books last for generations. When repparttar

sun finally comes, there it is. It brings that certain smile to our faces, and our heads are held high by this “thing.” We know we can do it again and we have now left our mark on repparttar 129559

literary world. Ego takes us by repparttar 129560

hand and pushes us down in front of that computer whenever there’s a spare moment and even Holidays are not immune from this taskmaster. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Ego. If you are a published writer, or an aspiring writer, accept repparttar 129561

fact that there is this one common imp all writers have. It will never harm you if you treat it well, however, it does have a twin. This twin is called “Have arrived.” Sorry, no writer worth their salt will ever feel they have written enough or that people will accept anything they put out. This evil twin has destroyed many a promising career and repparttar 129562

perpetrator stands there in shame as repparttar 129563

“good twin” takes another author down a lifelong path of devotion and dedication.

Treat your ego with repparttar 129564 respect it deserves. Know it has no limits and it can be repparttar 129565 most beneficial drive in your entire writing quest. Never allow repparttar 129566 thought or worse yet, repparttar 129567 very words “Have arrived” to ever cross your lips. It’s when we feel we have arrived that we stumble and fall. We are tripped by repparttar 129568 very thing that brought us to endure repparttar 129569 long hours and hard work of sharing our hearts and souls with people we probably will never meet or have repparttar 129570 pleasure to know. These unknown individuals will read us, judge us, and pay hard-earned money to own what we created. They will always have repparttar 129571 last word - ©Arleen M.Kaptur 2002

Arleen Kaptur has written numerous articles, cookbooks, and the novel: SEARCHING FOR AUSTIN JAMES Websites: http://www.arleenssite.com http://www.Arleens-RusticLiving.com http://www.webspawner.com/users/rusticliving http://topica.com/lists.simpleliving

Don't Fall Into the Query Letter Quandary

Written by Shery Ma Belle Arrieta

Continued from page 1

3. Don't offer an article on spec.

4. Never apologize or give a lame reason for wanting to write your article.

5. Don't even think about querying by phone.

And If You're An Amateur, Don't Give Yourself Away! ---------------------------------------------------

If you've never been published before, Wood warns you shouldn't mention it in your query letter.

"You must never give repparttar appearance that you are a beginner or an amateur," he says. "If you present yourself in a professional manner, repparttar 129557 editor can only assume you're a pro and will treat you like one.

"I have given many assignments over repparttar 129558 years to writers who I thought were seasoned pros and then found out later that they were just starting out," he continues. "That's fine. But once you let repparttar 129559 cat out of repparttar 129560 bag and make a slip of repparttar 129561 pen ('This is my first query to a magazine'), it's an automatic rejection. Few editors will knowingly work with beginners.

"If you have been published before, but only to small newsletters or church flyers or local newspapers, do not mention this or attach such clips," he adds.

The Query-able Stuff --------------------

You don't need to query every idea you think is publishable.

"The only articles that do not and should not require a query are humor, essays, poems, short fiction, and puzzles/games. These particular types of pieces are subjective and cannot be assigned; you simply have to write them and send them in," Wood says.

Shotgun Querying and repparttar 129562 Waiting Game -------------------------------------

So, is it acceptable to send multiple queries on repparttar 129563 same subject? Wood says yes.

"Shotgun repparttar 129564 sucker to as many editors as you can. You're repparttar 129565 writer; you're repparttar 129566 one who has to pay your bills while waiting (sometimes for months) to hear back from each publication," Wood explains. "Editors are notorious for not replying at all--even if you include an SASE. The obvious exception would be an idea that is focused to a particular magazine; in that case you should only send it to that place. But that doesn't mean you couldn't rewrite it and refocus repparttar 129567 same general idea to several different similar magazines and send them all out at repparttar 129568 same time.

"One lesson I've learned: Do not mention that your query is a simultaneous submission," John advises. He once thought it was necessary until one editor got offended and rejected his query. That editor, according to Wood, only wanted articles "specifically tailored to my magazine."

"My idea was a unique travel idea that was certainly appropriate to his publication, but to many others as well," Wood explains.

After shotgunning your idea to as many editors as possible, it's time for you to wait it out.

"Wait about a month, then follow-up by e-mail," he advises. "Never phone unless you've worked with repparttar 129569 editor before. If still no response, assume it's a reject and move on."

10 Specific Advice to Help You Get Your Query Letter Accepted (and Make You a Published Author Eventually) -------------------------------------------------------------

Wood sums it up:

1. Be professional. Make sure every letter is error-free, is addressed to repparttar 129570 right editor, and includes a SASE.

2. Be new. Offer a fresh idea and set it off with a centered, boldfaced head and subhead.

3. Be provocative. Pull repparttar 129571 reader in with a stunning lead.

4. Be creative. Lay out your letter in a unique way and show your writing style. Don't write formally! Write repparttar 129572 way you talk, write in your own voice. You have only one chance to impress repparttar 129573 editor. If you go down, go down in flames, baby.

5. Be focused. Narrow your story angle as much as you can. 6. Be customized. Slant your idea to each individual publication as much as you can.

7. Be multifaceted. Give each editor more than one reason to say yes: Offer more than one place for your article, more than one thing to peg it to, more than one way to structure it, and more than one element to accompany it.

8. Be realistic. Instill confidence that you're reliable and your project is doable.

9. Be qualified. Include appropriate clips, credits, and qualifications.

10. Be passionate. Show enthusiasm for your project.

In April/May 2000, Shery established The e-Writer's Place, a comprehensive site for writers of all ages & levels. This May, this multi-awarded Web site enters its third year on the Web. Visit http://ewritersplace.com/anniversarysale.html for a 2-for-1 sale on e-books and special reports for writers.

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