TECH: 101 Tips (64)

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting 14 April 2010

Writers' Digest, October 2004, pages 26 to 33, has a collection of short "nuggets of wisdom" related to getting published. Maria Schneider is the author of the compilation. Take a deep breath, and here we go:

"While it's essential for nonfiction markets, a query letter by itself is usually not needed by fiction editors. If you're approaching a magazine to find out if fiction is accepted, a query is fine, but editors looking for short fiction want to see how you write." 2004 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market

That's an interesting point -- a query letter for fiction really isn't as important as the fiction itself. You might be able to write a wonderful query letter, but if the fiction -- the story, the manuscript, what the reader will see -- isn't the best it can be, who cares. So put your effort into the meat.

As that old ad asked, "Where's the beef?" Make sure your story is 100% USDA approved...

TECH: 101 Tips (65)

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting 16 April 2010

Writers' Digest, October 2004, pages 26 to 33, has a collection of short "nuggets of wisdom" related to getting published. Maria Schneider is the author of the compilation. Take a deep breath, and here we go:

"A book proposal is a package sent to a publisher that includes a cover letter and one or more of the following: sample chapters, outline, synopsis, author bio and publications list." 2004 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market

I'm not sure I would call that a nugget of wisdom. Although I suppose if you're not sure where book proposal is, this certainly helps. Most of the submission guidelines have details about exactly what that publisher expects: three chapters and synopsis, whole manuscript, or whatever. And putting together the right package and sending it in the approved method is a key part of the whole process.

Before that, you've got a pile of writing to do...

EXERCISE: Conflicts deluxe?

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting 22 April 2010

Sorry about the silences -- we're somewhere in the process of changing apartments, which involves packing our stuff right now. And for some reason, my wife really thinks I should take care of my own piles... I'm trying yet again to sort through some of it, and just get rid of some bits and pieces. At the end of next week, we move... at which point we get to unpack! There's something odd about moving things into boxes just so that you can move them out again? Anyway...

Somewhere in the piles, I came across a list that I had made of situations with ethical conflict. There is a note to think about the consequences. And since I know that you enjoy writing about things, take a look at the list and pick one that resonates with you:

1. Loyalty versus truth, honesty, integrity. I've written whistle-blowing alongside this, but it's a common problem. Do you stand silent or even lie to support family, friends, colleagues or do you tell the truth and take the consequences?
2. Individual versus community. Do you go along or do you do your own thing?
3. Short-term versus long-term. Do you want one marshmallow now, or two later?
4. Justice versus Mercy -- that old guy stole some bread to feed the orphans? Off with his head!

Conflicts of interest, us versus them, immediate gratification versus long-term gratification, Justice is blind or have a heart? Where do you see conflicts that involve both sides having good arguments? Where do you say, "You're both right, and it's tearing me apart?"

Go ahead and personify the various positions, put them in a setting that highlights the conflict, and then tell us the story of good versus good, of right versus right, or of the right versus the good... what happened? How did they deal with it?

Write!
Later...