Q&A for Writers, Editors and Publishers - Thoughts from Your Peers on Life and Work, Part One

Written by David Geer


Continued from page 1

I love state [of the] art commission/council websites. They are chocked full of new announcements, competitions, grants, as well as instructional ideas and meetings for writers and artists. These groups are underutilized in my opinion.”

Teresa Acosta, editor & publisher, The Romance Rag www.romancerag.com –

“Writer's Market Online; About Romance, Gila.”

-- Question # Three - What style manuals do you use and recommend and why? --

Tiffany Owens -

“I've only used AP style in my various positions -- seemsrepparttar most easily accessible and widely used of all.”

Jenny Kasza –

“I consult with my AP Stylebook.”

Dana Cassell –

“I preferrepparttar 128661 AP Stylebook because it is easier to use. I also frequently refer to "One Word, Two Words, Hyphenated?" By Mary Louise Gilman.”

Page Five

Tudor Hampton –

“Regarding style, we should letrepparttar 128662 academics debaterepparttar 128663 rules. Inrepparttar 128664 professional world, good style is something not found in any manual, although every writer should own a worn-out copy of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style.

Mechanically speaking, writers should be familiar with all mainstream styles but not get too hung up on them. Telling a good story is paramount.”

Lori Widmer -

“AP Style Guide--absolute must for some ofrepparttar 128665 publications I write for.

Also, a good grammar and sentence-structure primer is essential. I userepparttar 128666 Harbrace College Handbook. It answers those nagging questions about where my commas should be.

I would recommend that every writer have a working knowledge (orrepparttar 128667 appropriate manual sitting on his/her desk) of both AP and Chicago styles.

Depending onrepparttar 128668 industry you write for, you should also haverepparttar 128669 APA style orrepparttar 128670 AMA style down pat, as well. I don't, but that's next on my list.”

Teresa Acosta –

“Chicago Manual of Style; The Elements of Style (Strunk and White); The Elements of Editing (Arthur Plotnik).”

Page Six

-- Question # Four - How do you deal withrepparttar 128671 stress of your kind of work in particular? --

Jenny Kasza –

“How do I deal with stress? Editing can be stressful, as there is always a deadline. To alleviate stress, I try to take a lunch break where I just sit inrepparttar 128672 car, read a book, or get out and walk.”

Dana Cassell –

“I thinkrepparttar 128673 stress of impending deadlines stimulates bothrepparttar 128674 creative side ofrepparttar 128675 brain andrepparttar 128676 drive to get at it. Withoutrepparttar 128677 stress of those deadlines, I don't think we would get nearly as much accomplished, so it's not necessarily a bad thing.”

Lori Widmer -

“By being in constant motion. If I'm idle, then I noticerepparttar 128678 stress.

Oddly, if I'm busy, it calms me down. I finish one project while farming out for two or three others. I keep in contact with my contacts in my part ofrepparttar 128679 industry.

For instance, yesterday a fellow freelancer let me know that a former boss of mine had offered her a story she's not able to do. I sent him a quick email "Hey, how are you--need anything?" and scored an easy assignment.

It's putting your name (and sometimes your face) in front of potential customers that keepsrepparttar 128680 "happy stress" going and wards offrepparttar 128681 "bad stress".”

Page Seven

C. Hope Clark -

“I control my schedule. I rarely get stressed in relation to my work because I love it so much.

The biggest stress I face is when I can't deliver a product (i.e., newsletter) to my membership on time. That's happened only twice in 3 1/2 years with a weekly newsletter. Other than that, my stress is limited.”

Teresa Acosta –

“Take short breaks, preferably outside and try to stretch and drink water every hour.”

-- Question # Five - What are your favorite time savers? --

Tudor Hampton –

“"Just Ask" is my mantra. If you have a question and don't knowrepparttar 128682 answer, reliable resources are more likely to help you before you can do it on your own.

Technology can waste a lot of time, too. In my experience, it's faster, not but easier, to make a phone call than to write an email. And without question, people are more important thanrepparttar 128683 Internet.”

Jenny Kasza –

“Don't be afraid to delegate to people. When people ask if you need help with anything, say yes, and give them a project to do.”

Page Eight

Lori Widmer -

“Email! My gawd, it's changed my life. Folks who would normally avoidrepparttar 128684 phone usually respond much faster to an email (if they're going to respond at all, that is).

Also, I've made templates of my own personal invoice so I only need to pop inrepparttar 128685 info and not reinventrepparttar 128686 wheel each time I send out my invoices.

I'm also a list-maker. I have my Outlook calendar littered with notes telling me what I should work on for that day if I want to remain on schedule.”

Dana Cassell -

“I have several utility software programs that save time with copying, pasting in frequently used text and passwords, filing, remembering, and backing up -- such as ClipMate, TypeItIn, Second Copy -- all of which I would not like to be without.”

C. Hope Clark -

“Skipping house work, skipping cooking dinner, and never watching television. My work is from home, and that's where I gather my free time.

I also exercise every morning which makesrepparttar 128687 rest of my day feel better and makes me more efficient.”

Look for Part Two Here at GoArticles.

About the Author David Geer is chief technology writer, technical journalist and owner of Geer Communications, which helps print and elecontric publications meet their content needs. E-mail him at David@GeerCom.com, call him at 440-964-9832, or check out the Geer Communications Website at www.GeerCom.com.


Promoting Your Online Writing Portfolio

Written by The StoryMaster


Continued from page 1

Teachers, co-workers, editors, publishers and other associates are also great people to refer!

Tip #4: Create business cards with your online writing portfolio URL and hand them to friends, associates and other people you may meet who are interested in reading or writing.

Anyone can create their own business cards. The least expensive route is to purchase ready-to-print business card paper sold at stores such as Staples, OfficeMax, Walmart and others. The paper is heavy cover stock and is perferated which makes each business card clean and easy to separate! If you'd likerepparttar whole thing done for you, Staples, Kinkos and others business shops offer complete and inexpensive business card creation services.

When you design your own cards to hand out, include basic information about your portfolio. Your Portfolio URL and email address are two things that everyone should include. You might also include a 'tag line' about your writing style or favorite genres. For example: "Specializing in Horror and Science Fiction" or "Writing Romance and Mystery Novels of Young Adults" or "Featuringrepparttar 128658 action packed adventures of 'Jack Rubble'".

Tip #5: Include your Portfolio URL when posting in relevant newsgroups, groups or discussion forums.

Posting your Public Portfolio URL on non-Writing.Com message boards, clubs and newsgroups can bring tremendous amounts of interest. There are countless online gathering places that focus on specific genres such as romance, sci-fi, fanfiction... or more general writing such as poetry or short stories.

Remember: Internet etiquette states that you should not post in a newsgroup or forum unless your post can stay on topic. Bulk emailing and other "spam" like tactics are NOT acceptable and will not be tolerated by most websites and webmasters!

Otherwise... Good luck and have fun promoting your writing portfolio!

~~ The StoryMaster http://StoryMaster.Writing.Com/ http://www.Writing.Com/

The StoryMaster is WebMaster @ Writing.Com ( http://www.Writing.Com/ ). Established in 2000, Writing.Com is the online community for readers and writers of all ages and interests. Whether you're a casual reader searching for a good story or a creative writer looking for the perfect place to improve your skills, Writing.Com is the site for you!


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