A study in Common Errors and Their Quick Fixes.

Verb and Subject

Incorrect:

"I bet you two had a fine time," said Ben.

When using tags, it's unusual to have verb before subject. The general rule of thumb is to use this construction sparingly, as a rare change in pace or flow. In addition, many editors are asking this construction not appear at all in a manuscript.

Correct:

"I bet you two had a fine time," Ben said.

The Comma and As

Incorrect:

"Do you kiss toads often? Or are you just a little weird?" Betty asked, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

"I often find little green guys cute. You should try it sometime," Bertha said as she giggled.

In both instances, comma after asked, and ‘as' after said, indicate dialogue tag isn't necessary. Each is greatly improved by removing tag and allowing following sentence to stand on its own.

Correct:

"Do you kiss toads often? Or are you just a little weird?" Betty wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"I often find little green guys cute. You should try it sometime." Bertha giggled.

Unnecessary Tags

Incorrect:

Mary scoffed at idea. "I don't think you want me at your party," she replied.

Since we are firmly in Mary's head at point of her dialogue, it can be assumed it is her reply. If you use a tag like this, ask yourself if it's really necessary. Is it obvious this is her reply? Then you don't need it. New writer's struggle with idea that every bit of dialogue needs to be accredited to a character, otherwise reader will be confused. The idea is to write so well from one character's perspective, that reader will immediately tell who's dialogue it is.

Correct:

Mary scoffed at idea. "I don't think you want me at your party."

Over Explaining Tag

Incorrect:

"I don't care if you kiss all frogs in world, you aren't bringing that toad to my party," Shelly warned, her voice rising.

Ask yourself these questions when you find yourself hunting for words to explain dialogue in tag:

Is Shelly's dialogue showing her warning?

Is it clear from what Shelly says that her voice is rising?

What am I trying to show Shelly feeling with this tag?

Use in opt-in publications, or on Web sites, but please include resource box.

Please send me a copy, if possible. Many thanks.

**

Summary: If you want to be a successful freelancer, you need to learn art of bio.

Category: Writing, Small Business

Words: 1100

Maximizing The Effect Of Your Freelancer's Bio

Copyright (c) 2003 by Angela Booth

Your freelancer's bio is a vital job-hunting tool.

While traditional job hunters have CVs and resumes, independent writers and other independent professionals have biographies, because as an independent, you're working *with* your clients as a consultant, rather than working *for* them as an employee.

Yes, bios, plural. You need at least four bios of various lengths: 200 words, 100, 50 and 25. Over time, you'll create dozens of bios, as you emphasize your various strengths to suit a situation.

Many writers find it excruciating to write about themselves. If you feel this way, don't despair. You will get over this shyness in time. Until you do, force yourself to write at least three bios. I promise, after you've created your fourth and fifth, writing a bio will be a breeze.

=>It's not about you, it's about them

Self-interest rules. So before you write a word, ask yourself about client and client's needs. You must approach your bio from your client's perspective.

If you're answering a job ad, this is easy. You know what client wants, because she's told you. Make sure that you slant your bio towards requirements expressed in ad.

Usually you'll introduce yourself to businesses without a job ad to guide you. The most effective way to do this is with a mini- proposal. You send a mini-proposal, because you should never, ever send out a naked bio; you must have a reason, other than self-interest, for contacting a business. (More on naked bios below.)

A mini-proposal is a single page, with:

* a description of a problem (or need) you perceive business has;

* an outline of solution;

* why you're person to solve this problem --- what skills you have (your bio).

Mini-proposals are easy to write, and once you've written a few, you should be able to write two an hour.

And because your mini-proposal is focused on your prospect, it will be kept by business you send it to. I often receive calls from companies I sent a mini-proposal to three or more years ago.

Did you notice how mini-proposal focused on client and client's needs? After saying who you are, you talk about client, not about you.

That said, you should start your letter or email message with a very quick statement of who you are. Like this:

Dear Mr Jones

I'm Cindy Cooper, of Cooper Copywriting. I write for business. I found your Web site, and ... (here's where you describe problem or need you think Mr Jones has that you could solve).

After this super-fast introduction, bulk of letter/ email message will be taken up with your outlines of need business has, and your proposed solution. KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE CLIENT.

Finally, after presenting this information, comes your bio, and your bio should be no longer than a quarter of length of entire letter. So let's say that your need/ solution outline takes 200 words; in this case your bio will be no longer than 50 words.