Write Right

“Historic” or “Historical”

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:50:00 +0000

When should one use “historic” and when “historical”?

These two adjectives are often confused. Many think they are interchangeable. But they are distinctly different.

“Historic” refers to something monumental, noteworthy, such as an epic event that promises to go down in history. “Historical” means anything that's past, regardless of significance. “Historic election”: a very important election that will go down in history. “Historical records”: past records, not necessarily important.

Photojournalism

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:10:00 +0000

"If you can see though the lens, you’re a photographer. If you can see beyond the lens, you’re a photojournalist."

Three Words of Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:33:00 +0000

I just finished editing another book and there are three things that stand out. Do these and your writing will be better.

1. Use fewer words. Most writing is loaded with redundancies. Chop it out.

2. Write shorter sentences. Even when you have cut your word count, prefer two or three short sentences to one long, convoluted sentence. As much as you admire the apostle Paul, don't try to write like him.

3. Take it easy on exclamation points! If you use too many of them, they lose their meaning when you really need to use them!!!!!!

Effect or Affect?

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:29:00 +0000

Which to use: effect or affect? As a general rule, effect is a noun and affect is a verb. There are exceptions but the general rule should serve most of the time.

The Words That Will Get Your Manuscript Rejected

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:14:00 +0000

The words that will get your manuscript rejected: "And according to Wikipedia, ..."

I received (and rejected) a manuscript this morning with these words. Why? See my earlier posts on the subject:

Make Sure Your Sources Are Accurate

Get It Right

Quote Well

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:58:00 +0000

"One must be a wise reader to quote wisely and well." —Amos Bronson Alcott

Reading feeds writing. That means writers need to be reading good material. It is good to read. But not everything is worth reading. Not everything will help your writing. Read good, well-written books. And never read a book without being prepared to take notes. I always read with three things at hand—a marker, a pen, and a pad.

Often I have come across just the right quote to stimulate a column, or to complete an article. Some great quotes wait patiently for me for years after I write them down. Then, suddenly, there is the ideal piece in which to use them.

As a writer who uses pull quotes in our weekly magazine, I've had enough experience to naturally see these great quotes tucked into the narrative. Train yourself to look for repeatable nuggets as you turn pages. And write them down!

Deadlines

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:36:00 +0000

As publisher of a weekly magazine and a number of books annually, I know the importance of deadlines. There are many for any given piece of writing. But there are writers who just don't get it. They don't realize the importance of meeting deadlines. A day late on a deadline can paralyze a publishing team. When an assignment is accepted, or an agreement is made, part of that agreement includes a pledge by the writer to meet all deadlines. That means not one day late.

I read this recently from prolific author Dennis Hensley (who is also a great speaker/teacher). It may seem over the top but it really makes the point.

“On my office wall at the university where I direct a professional writing program, I have a large sign. It reads: ‘Deadline is a literal, not a figurative term. It means, “Go past this line, and you are dead.”’ I don’t allow papers to be turned in late for any reason. I don’t allow students to show up late for class. (I literally lock the door to the classroom.) The sooner students learn to revere deadlines, the sooner they will be on the road to becoming professional writers.” (“How to Hit Deadlines” by Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, Christian Communicator, April 2010, p. 3.)

I have a quiet way of dealing with writers who don't make deadlines and thus increase our work burden—I don't give them any more assignments.

If you are lucky enough to get an assignment, don't throw away a possible career by being dilatory. Good writing starts with meeting deadlines.

More From Twain

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:46:00 +0000

"Anybody can have ideas—the difficulty is to express them without squandering a quire of paper on an idea that ought to be reduced to one glittering paragraph.  I never write 'metropolis' for seven cents when I can write 'city' and get paid the same.  As to the adjective, when in doubt, strike it out."  —Mark Twain

Short Speech

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:41:00 +0000

"Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in a few words." —The  Apocrypha

Though the  Apocrypha is not inspired, it does carry some good advice.

Hard Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:37:00 +0000

Hard writing makes easy reading.  —adage

Writing isn't easy for most of us, including me. But our effort is well worth it for the reader—and for your opportunity to sell manuscripts.

Jefferson on Brevity

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 20:31:00 +0000

"The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do."

— Thomas Jefferson

A historical source weighs in on the necessity to write tight.

Show, Don't Tell

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:06:00 +0000

It is axiomatic that in writing you should show rather than tell. This means fewer adjectives and more concrete words. Mark Twain notwithstanding, there are good adjectives and bad adjectives. Bad ones are opinions: ugly, terrible, gorgeous. Instead, describe objectively and let the reader make the conclusion. Show that something is ugly, terrible, gorgeous with a clever description. If your description can't lead the reader to your desired conclusion, it's not well written.

When an adjective is called for, make it a concrete, evocative one: jagged, icy, billowy, wrinkled, oily, bright.

The job of the writer is to put the reader in his story. That means fewer adjectives, and, when an adjective is called for, stronger, concrete ones.

Blogging is a two-edged sword

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:03:00 +0000

I have several blogs. Anybody can get published now. If you have something to say, you should blog.

But the immediacy of blogging leads to lower standards for factual accuracy, grammatical accuracy and writing style.

I must admit, I do not perfect my blog posts as I do my writing. But it’s OK; people understand what a blog is (a lot of it is stream of consciousness). But DO NOT let your blogging lower the quality of your writing for publication.

Translation Bloopers

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:19:00 +0000

My prodigious blooper file surfaces in most of my writing seminars. Actually, it is probably the most popular part of my sessions. (Not sure what that says.) I have a collection of very funny bloopers from other countries I have been in. Signs and restaurant menus are great sources for humor when you are overseas. I recently found this great source of hilarious photos in other countries. Attempted translations.

Would you drink this?

(North Korea)

Do Your Background Work for Interviews

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:47:00 +0000

"Study to show yourself approved" (2 Tim. 2:15) is not just for pastors. It's a really good idea, too, for writers. (I know, the context of the verse is Bible study but I'm taking some creative license here.)

This is especially important for interviews. It takes more than just asking a few questions to conduct a decent interview. You have to be familiar enough with your topic to ask intelligent follow-up questions and not miss opportunities that a good follow-up question would bring.

Many moons ago a writer had been assigned a phone interview with a Christian football player. I had no idea he knew zip about football. That is until I happened to overhear him ask this question fairly deep into his interview: "So, what does a linebacker do?"

Ouch.

You've got to know basic background for any interview. In this case, the player's promo identified him as an All-Pro linebacker. You don't waste your interviewee's time with questions like that. Look it up before the interview.

Practice What You Preach (Write)

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:01:00 +0000

Adlai Stevenson said, "It's always easier to fight for your principles than to live up to them."

If you are going to put bold opinions or exhortations into your writing, make sure you are living up to the principles you espouse. When strong writing goes into print, people can (and will) check your life against it.

Words, Thoughts, Ink

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:05:00 +0000

"Words are things, and a small drop of ink falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." – Sir Aubrey De Vere

Write Every Day

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:27:00 +0000

If you are serious about being a writer, write something every day ... no exceptions. By this I do not mean a blog or something you're unlikely to use. Write something for publication. It doesn't need to be perfect, but it does need to be viable. make progress every day as a writer.

I have dozens of columns and several articles in various stages of completion that are not yet scheduled. Write daily, and keep what you write. Add to your pieces or revise them occasionally. Some day they may see publication.

Use New Words

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:57:00 +0000

Writing can be spiced up by the addition of interesting recently coined words ... within reason. A recent example:

Greenwashing

Apparently a combination of "green" and "brainwashing" it is used to describe false or misleading claims about a "green" (pro-environment) practice or product.

An Editor Should Be a Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:22:00 +0000

I do both. In fact, all the editors on my staff also write. I believe that all editors should also be writers.

Not everyone agrees with me—mostly editors who don't write. I've seen many good pieces ruined by editors who understood vocabulary, grammar, and syntax but not writing. Being edited by someone who doesn't also write professionally can lead to wooden, uninteresting writing.

A copyeditor or proofreader is something different. That level of editing doesn't require writing abilities. But if the editor has any authority to change the content, you had better make sure he or she understands writing—not by reading it, but by writing it.

Throw That Controversial Line Away

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Many authors of otherwise good articles risk losing their audience when they are tempted to use their platform to make a controversial point not necessary or helpful for the article.

Ask yourself, Is this really worth it?

Is it worth it to lose readers just to feel good about making your point? The answer is no.

Lose that controversial line if it's not needed for the article. Your goal is for people to read your article, not for you to feel self-satisfied. You can make your point in another venue.

Make Sure Your Sources Are Accurate

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:18:00 +0000

As the editor of a national magazine, I have long had a rule for our reporters and writers: Never use Wikipedia ... and by extension, use only credible sources.

The Internet can be deceiving. Do a Google search and much of the time the first result out of the box will be Wikipedia. Yes, Wikipedia is big, popular, maybe the most-used reference site on the Web. But it is not reliable.

Reuters distributed this article today:

Student's Wikipedia Hoax Fools Newspapers

"When I die there will be a final waltz playing in my head," Oscar-winning French composer Maurice Jarre once said, according to several newspapers reporting his death in March.

However, the quotation was invented by an Irish student who posted it on the Wikipedia website in a hoax designed to show the dangers of relying too heavily on the Internet for information.

Shane Fitzgerald made up quotes and entered them on Wikipedia — an encyclopedia edited by users — immediately after Jarre's death was first reported on March 30.

Read the entire article.

Don't accept Internet proclamations without serious evaluation of sources. Never use Wikipedia (or like sources) in writing. Anyone can add or edit content, so how reliable can it be? Make sure your sources are always credible.

(Read my earlier post on Wikipedia.)

More Headlines That Could Have Used Some Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:24:00 +0000

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

War Dims Hope for Peace

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Give Your Titles Some Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:29:00 +0000

Especially if you are writing news. Always look for ambiguities and potential double meanings.

The following are actual newspaper headlines:

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

Prostitutes Appeal to Pope

Red Tape Holds up New Bridges

Collegians Are Turning to Vegetables

Miners Refuse to Work After Death

Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Ax

Obesity Study Seeks Larger Test Group

Practice Sampling

noreply@blogger.com (Ken Horn) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:09:00 +0000

I do what I call "sampling" on a regular basis. This can be done any time for a brief period of time, and it is profitable to you.

Look through a book or Web site you are interested in, or some notes you have taken, and find a good illustration or bit of information. Then write it out in your own words, in a form you can plug into an appropriate piece later.

Be sure to keep track of these. It keeps you writing, even when you don't have a lot of time, and provides you a ready source to augment future articles. I do this a lot!