Writer In Progress

One more update...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:53:00 +0000

For the last week, I've been feverishly setting up the new blog. Luckily all the content from here transitioned there smoothly, so there's more than enough writing babble to read!

My plan to open the new blog for business on April 1st got a real shot in the arm when I managed to move, update and get everything rolling last night at the new place. I've got enough finished that Monday is the day I'll hang out my open-for-business shingle :)

If you're subscribed via feedburner or a reader, you'll notice the link to this blog no longer works. Since there will only be one or two more posts here (at the max), it doesn't make any sense to keep the reader link for folks to add. There's a super-easy button on the new blog for subscribing, and believe me, you're gonna want to. I've got so much good content lined up you'll not want to miss any of it!

If you're curious or just plain nosy like me, here's where you can find the new blog: www.writer-in-progress.com. Same name minus the blogspot.com addition. Don't get too attached to all of it, and if you're there reading and things suddenly change, don't be shocked. I'm just running around behind the scenes tweaking. I'm awaiting the arrival of a new header, too, but I don't need that to start posting.

As I said, I'll be posting one or two more last hurrah posts here, but for all intents and purposes, new content will be starting over there...soon...as in Monday. Can't wait to see you there!

www.writer-in-progress.com.

Go add me to your reader or via email subscription now! I promise you won't regret it!*

*not a money-back guarantee but you get the idea!

Ok, Ok!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:14:00 +0000

Surprise! It's me! Think I forgot the blog? Or how to blog? Or perhaps got attacked by a wild band of rabid muskrats in the dead of night? (Oh, wait. I'm saving that story for my memoir...).

I'm still here. Still kicking, still (ok, "back to") writing. Have you ever gone through a funk? I just spent about the last two months in one. The weather, stuff in my life, the lack of Vitamin D production from lack of sunlight (no wonder so many terrific vampire story authors live here in Ohio. I don't think it's just coincidence, either!). Long story short, I didn't feel like blogging, writing or, well, anything really.

I don't know what caused the funk and I don't know what brought me out of it. I'm still teetering on the edge, but I'm more myself each day. Sunlight definitely helps as does a new project...which, lucky for you, this time involves you! I'm in the throes of moving the blog to a brand-spankin' new home-on-the-web full of fun stuff and all the seafood you can eat (just kidding). I'm about 70% done with the new site (waiting for some killer graphics and how to set up some terrific resources for ya!). I hope to be done within the next two weeks. Believe me, my big mouth won't stay quiet. Soon as it's ready you'll have a personal invite :)

In the meantime, I promise to stop by over here, keep you updated with the details and do my best to share good stuff. When I kick off the blog, I've already got a series of writing-savvy posts to share with you to make it worth your while (so you can stop losing sleep over my lack of posts LOL). I've also got some really cool news I just found out today, but have to wait a few days for more details of. (I love a good secret!)

So if you wanna find out the secret and want the scoop on the new blog, start coming back. I promise I'll have something for you to read here, even if it is just my shopping list (out of milk? again?!).

How have you all been doing since I've been away? Anyone go through a creative or weather-related funk like me? I can't be the only one...

Cool Word Secret

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:36:00 +0000

I may be showing my true nerdiness in this post but I don't care!

I just finished my 1-K-Words for the day...a funny little short story about an incident from kindergarten. But I got weary of typing like a madwoman then having to use the Word menu to look up my word count. There had to be an easier way...

By mistake, I right-clicked on "Tools" and got a drop-down menu with check-boxes. Curious, I clicked in the "word count" box. To my amazement, a mini-menu bar popped up on my WIP and gave me a count of my words to that point. This mini-bar (oh, I wish LOL) has a "recount" button that will instantly recount my words so that I never need to use the toolbar again. How cool is that?

Check it out. I'm so addicted to those crazy word counts that it made my day. Let me know what you think & I'd love to hear other Word shortcuts you might know. Now...back to the writing!

February's 1K-A-Day Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:49:00 +0000

I read a lot of writing ezines, blogs, websites, books & such, looking for ideas to help my own writing and to share with you :)

Recently I read an author briefly mention that (she? he?) shoots for writing a minimum of 2K words a day. (2K=approximately 8 ds pages in Word). Some days are easier than others, and for some, 2K is just a launching point.

It got me to thinking...how much do I write in a day? I know I write more on the weekends (and snow days, as of late). When I work on a novel, I have days of 4K words and weeks of 500 words. Nonfiction seems to go a bit easier, depending on subject and publication.

Ever in the mode of re-inventing those New Year's goals (which I did not set this year!) I've decided to challenge myself to do 1K-A-Day for the month of February. This might prove to be my downfall--February is one of my busiest (with life) months, despite its brevity.

I have a great word tracker I downloaded from Kresley Cole's website eons ago (I can't find a link for it anywhere on the web or I'd share it) and will pull it out and put it to good use for this. Rather than work by chapter (I'm almost all freelance this month), I'll just set the final goal as 28K and plug in my daily totals as I go along.

Wow, 28K seems like a lot! I'll be spreading it across a series of 6 articles for writers I've got started (brainstorming) and a new nonfiction project for writers.

Anyone want to join me? I'd love to have some company (or comisseration, however you look at it!). You can write whatever you want as long as you're writing. Drop me a note or comment if you like. And don't forget to pick a goal to shoot toward. Those 28K words are a fabulous reward in and of themselves, but give yourself license to pick something fun to get you going. I'm thinking about mine...

Logo Design Insight from FreelanceSwitch.com

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:05:00 +0000

I'll admit it--I'm envious of logos. Not all logos, and let me say that I love my own website logo (that fab purple fountain pen) created by the wonderful Jo Piraneo at GlassSlipperWebDesign.com. But there's something really cool about all types of logos that speak to you with just an image.

Since the only thing I can draw well are, well, nothing, I'm doubly envious of artistic folks who can whip up something pretty with just words. So the post at FreelanceSwitch.com on the logo designing process fascinated me. There's a lot of talk these days in the writing world about establishing a brand and one of the best ways to do that is with a logo or an idea of what you want folks to think of when they think of you.

Even if you're not shopping for a brand or logo, the insight into the creative process of logo-creation is fascinating.

What are your favorite logos?Do share! I'm always up for some good visual candy!

Pop over to FreelanceSwitch.com for a visit and some thoughts on how to create your own logo or refresh your author brand:

Dissecting the Logo Design Creation Process by Angela Ferraro-Fanning at FreelanceSwitch.com

Scared of Author PR? Take this workshop!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:15:00 +0000

Does PR strike fear in the heart of your solitary writer's heart? If so, or if you just want to know more about every aspect of promoting yourself and your books, check out this workshop offered by the Yosemite Romance Writers.

I'm a part of the lineup of absolutely amazing speakers, and all of our speaker fees are being donated to Best Friends Animal Society (http://www.bestfriends.org/), which has the largest no-kill animal shelter in the U.S.

Offered from Feb 2-Feb 27th, the workshop registration deadline is Feb. 1st (Sunday). Sign up now! For $25, you can't get more experts in less square footage.

Here are the details. Check out the registration page here, but you'll have to scroll a bit down the page for the Feb. workshops.
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PR is NOT Four-Letter Word

Instructor: Marcia James and Guests

Registration Deadline: 2/1/09

Self-promotion. Say the word aloud in a room full of authors and watch a fingernails-on-the-blackboard shudder run through the crowd. Promotion can be a scary drain on time and finances. But there are also many entertaining and often free opportunities to get one’s name in front of readers. Marcia James and over 20 PR-savvy guest lecturers—Melissa Alvarez, Dianne Castell, Kate Douglas, Carol Ann Erhardt, Karen Harper, Susan Gee Heino, Donna Hill, Linda Keller, Laurie Kingery, Karen McCullough, Donna MacMeans, Janice Maynard, Beth Morrow, Jenna Petersen, Patricia Sargeant, Barbara Satow, Jenn Stark, Jennifer Stevenson, Kay Stockham, DeNita Tuttle and J.C. Wilder—will present affordable author self-promotion strategies from author branding and press kits to blog/chatroom opportunities and niche markets. The speaker fees will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society (http://www.bestfriends.org/), which has the largest no-kill animal shelter in the U.S.

Workshop Schedule

2/2/09 Monday: INTRODUCTION & WHAT’S YOUR PR PERSONALITY QUIZ -- Marcia James, Berkley/Cerridwen author & workshop presenter

2/3/09 Tuesday: PROMOTION ACCORDING TO DEADLINES, PAYDAYS, AND THE REAL WORLD... – Kate Douglas, Kensington author

2/4/09 Wednesday: PROMOTING YOURSELF BEFORE “THE CALL” – Beth Morrow, Wild Rose Press author & workshop presenter

2/5/09 Thursday: AUTHOR BRANDING – Jenn Stark, Golden Heart winner & workshop presenter

2/6/08 Friday: WEB SITE DESIGN – Karen McCullough, Cerridwen author & Karen’s Web Works designer

2/7/08 Saturday: CHATS & REVIEWS & BANNERS – Marcia James

2/8/09 Sunday: ONLINE & PRINT PRESS KITS – Patricia Sargeant, Kensington/Berkley author

2/9/09 Monday: CO-PROMOTION THROUGH GROUP BLOGS – Donna MacMeans, Berkley author

2/10/09 Tuesday: CO-PROMOTION THROUGH GROUP WORKSHOPS – Dianne Castell, Kensington author

2/11/09 Wednesday: CROSS-PROMOTION – J.C. Wilder/Dominique Adair, Samhain/Ellora’s Cave author

2/12/09 Thursday: AUTHOR PROMOTION SITES – DeNita Tuttle of AuthorIsland.com author promotion site

2/13/09 Friday: ADVERTISING IN RT, RWR, ETC – Janice Maynard, NAL author

2/14/09 Saturday: PRINT & TRINKET PR MATERIALS – Marcia James

2/15/09 Sunday: PUBLIC APPEARANCES/PUBLIC SPEAKING – Karen Harper, MIRA author

2/16/09 Monday: PROMOTING TO ACQUAINTANCES – Laurie Kingery, Steeple Hill/Love Inspired author

2/17/09 Tuesday: NETWORKING I: POWER-SCHMOOZING – Susan Gee Heino, Berkley author

2/18/09 Wednesday: NETWORKING II: MENTORING & THE FARLEYFILE – Jennifer Stevenson, Ballantine author

2/19/09 Thursday: SOCIAL MEDIA SITES – Donna Hill, Arabesque/Indigo/Kimani author

2/20/09 Friday: AUTHOR NEWSLETTERS – Kay Stockham, Harlequin Superromance/Berkley author

2/21/09 Saturday: READERS’ LOOPS – Carol Ann Erhardt, Wild Rose Press author

2/22/09 Sunday: PUBLISHED AUTHOR CONTESTS & YOU – Jenna Petersen/Jess Michaels, Avon author & workshop presenter

2/23/09 Monday: BOOKSELLER PROMOTION & BOOKSIGNINGS – Linda Keller, RWA Bookseller of the Year & Barnes & Noble CMR

2/24/09 Tuesday: INTERVIEWS – Marcia James

2/25/09 Wednesday: BOOK VIDEOS – Barbara Satow, owner of NovelTeaser & PPA author

2/26/09 Thursday: PODCASTS – Melissa Alvarez/Ariana Dupre, Nonfiction/Cerridwen Press author

2/27/09 Friday: THINKING OUTSIDE THE HEART-SHAPED BOX & WRAP-UP – Marcia James

PR Is Not A Four-Letter Word Workshop at Yosemite Romance Writers

Great Character-Building Post at the Plot Whisperer

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:32:00 +0000

Another great exercise from Martha at the Plot Whisperer. Check this one out if you have an issue with your protagonist's past, wants and needs. Fantastic stuff!

===

A Tough Nut To Crack

The only real antagonist is the protagonist herself.

1) Draw a bubble in the middle of a piece of paper. Write the protagonist's deepest held belief, the one that prevents her from having that which she wants more than anything else in the world. Or do this exercise on yourself to determine what's blocking you -- I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough, I don't do enough -- pick one, create one, we've all got them.

2) Spiraling out from the bubble, create other bubbles each with an...

Read Martha's entire post (told you it was great stuff!):

A Tough Nut To Crack at The Plot Whisperer

==
Happpy Writing!

Beth

Free reads at Harlequin...Download Yours Now

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:28:00 +0000

Because good writers are also readers...

To celebrate 60 years of romance, Harlequin has 16 full-length novels for you to download from the spectrum of their lines for free:

http://www.harlequincelebrates.com/

No idea how long it will last, but I'm adding a few to the Kindle tonight!

Thanks to my wonderfully witty friend & fab writer JC Wilder for sharing the link on her blog.

If You Ever Struggle Over Naming Characters...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:57:00 +0000

Maybe it's because I'm a writer or maybe just because I'm an oddball, but I've always had a strange, mystical fascination with names. I play a name game where I combine names of people who, if married, would have unique monikers (i.e. if Brady Quinn married Tom Brady, he'd be Brady Brady) (gender never matters, it's the name). I love the "are you serious?" names (once had a student named Rusty Nail in class) and I truly believe that many people who have the same names have something in common (not making examples for that one public due to possible retaliation).

So imagine how fun this article was for me this morning! Really...your name can determine your criminal potential. Who knew?

Boys With Unpopular Names More Likely To Break Law

I can't help but wonder what Rusty is up to these days. And I'm so glad I named my son Jason!

Great Ideas at CopyBlogger.com

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:33:00 +0000

My favorite idea for updating the blog is to bring you more articles & valuable information. Not that updates on my own writing life aren't valuable (and it fits in a thimble!), but who has time today to read stuff they don't get something out of?

I'm currently working on an article about writers & Twitter (you are Twittering, aren't you? So much fun...) I'm hoping to get this one wrapped up tonight and share with you soon.

In the meantime, I found a really great article on the brainstorming process I know will interest writers, especially freelancers. Don't be misled by the title--Mara's content and ideas apply to any type of nonfiction, informational writing. And don't let the fact that it's on a site for copywriters fool you. As I've been trying to tell ya, good writing is good writing across genres.

Short, easily digestible and very intelligent post. You've gotta read this one for yourself!

SpeedBlogging: How to Write Better Posts in Less Time by Mara Rogers at Copyblogger.com

Even the best-laid plans...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:42:00 +0000

My post last Friday, the one about goals, was supposed to be my own way to kick off my new plan for posting here on the blog. I love my blog and missed posting over the holidays, so I worked out all kinds of post topics, ideas & such so I could make it worth your time to read (after all, who wants to read a boring blog?!).

Unfortunately, life's had another idea in mind. My brother, whom I refer to often as my baby brother (hey, he's 7 years younger...he'll always be the baby!) has been in pretty serious condition for the past three weeks. It started with a bout of pneumonia but has worsened into a host of other, more serious problems. As a result, I've spent a majority of my free time with him and the parents at the hospital and the blog has taken a back seat. I'm still meeting my other deadlines but haven't had a chance to get all my blogging plans in place like I'd hoped...yet.

I've still got the plans, but not the time. I'm grateful you're here to read and hope to get things up and moving again soon, but in the meantime, thanks so much for your patience and positive thoughts (if you're following me from Twitter or Facebook).

In the meantime, get back to the writing :)

Time to come clean...

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:19:00 +0000

oh, wait. Not like soap and bubbles and a nice, warm towel...clean as in "truth time".

If you've read my blogs or even some of my writing articles over the last few years, you'll know I'm a huge believer in setting goals, which naturally makes the New Year one of my favorite reflect & reinvent times. Who doesn't like the notion (even if abstract) of starting fresh and clean, with a new slate and new pocket full of chalk? I know I do.

That's why what I did was such a shock.

I didn't set resolutions.

(hearing collective gasp).

At least not the traditional way I have in the past. Setting goals for me is a fun, thoughtful process, but it has also been an immense source of frustration. I tend to set writing goals like "finish this fiction story by March" and "sell 15 articles in two months...". When March rolls around and I only have six chapters done (instead of 14) or 12 articles sold, it gets me down. Now, I do have to turn the bottle around and see things as half-full, too, but if you know my mind, I still feel the residual effect of not meeting the initial goal I set.

So this year I did it a little different. Instead of concrete, specific, one-line goals, I wrote out all the "things" I want/intend/would like to accomplish by 2010 (now that's scary in and of itself!) and began categorizing. I had well over two pages of life, writing and other random goals, but as I worked, I discovered a pattern to them. They all fit into three broad categories:

--Profit
--Connect
--Downsize

Looking at them now, they look like a business manifesto LOL. But what's neat is that I printed these three simple words on everything I come in contact with each day: the massive 2009 calendar on my wall with all my magazine, speaking and other writing deadlines, my writing day-planner, my daily day-planner, the dry erase board by the door...just short of tattooing them on my arm (there's an idea!), I've put them in high-profile places where I'm bound to see them on a daily basis.

My resolution, then, after discovering these giant categorical connections, was to do at least one thing from each of the three categories...every single day. Yes, that's right.

Every single day I will do something to connect...with editors, family, old friends, people I need to talk with but put off and say "oh, I'll do that later" (I'm also trying to eliminate the phrase "too busy" from my vocab...that's a challenge for sure!)

I am working to profit each day, and not necessarily with cold, hard cash for something I've written or created. An example is that an editor I've worked with in the past and truly enjoyed working with emailed me a week ago as a last resort. She had nothing to fill a slot for her April magazine and needed something fast on short notice. The short notice didn't get me, but the lack of a paying gig did. However, I enjoy her emails and respect her publication--not to mention whipping up an article for her is easy-peasy as I have enough background knowledge on the subject to not have to do one lick of research. My payoff is another credit in a month where I haven't yet gotten the gig I wanted and am in the good graces of an editor who likes my work. Not always about money!

Downsizing...well, that cuts across the span of my life. Downsize as in "get rid of all the garbage in the basement", "purge all the old fiction novels you've started and not finished", "donate all the stuff you don't use anymore to someone less fortunate" and "quit eating garbage so you finally lose that weight you've been yammering about for decades". Maybe the mini-donuts the hub brought home today didn't fit in the downsizing (the body) section but they did fit in the downsizing (the kitchen) section LOL!

I'm still in the training-wheel phase of my goals. I'm trying to remember to do something from all three groups every day. If I do, I pat myself on the back. If I don't, I think about where I could have, and concentrate on what I can do tomorrow.

And when March rolls around and I have 22 new freelance deadlines instead of 24 for the upcoming 12 months, I won't kick myself for not being perfect. I'll think about how excited I am to have those 22 assignments and do a little bit more tomorrow!

How about you? If you could categorize your 2010 resolutions to three groups, what would they be? And what are you doing EVERY SINGLE DAY toward them? I would LOVE to hear what you're up to. Give me inspiration (but not donuts :))

Guest Blogger: Susan Palmquist

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:46:00 +0000

As I get caught up and back into writing, blogging and...umm...real life....here's an interview with author Susan Palmquist for your reading pleasure :) I'll be back to posting next week. In the meantime, enjoy Susan's interview!

Guest Blogger: Author Susan Palmquist
A Sterling Affair, Wild Rose Press

When did you know you were a writer and that writing was what you wanted to do?
I’m ashamed to say it was the lure of money that first attracted me to writing. And yes, if you know anything about the writing business, you’re probably thinking she’s joking, but I’m not. I was staying with one of my mom’s aunts and her next door neighbor was a writer. She just happened to say that she’d just received a royalty check for a book she’d written twenty years ago. I thought, wow, that doesn’t sound like a bad deal, collecting money that long after you’ve done the work. I might have to try that too. I started writing short stories and got rejection after rejection and yes, no money. But by then I was hooked and couldn’t stop writing if someone had paid me to quit. I can honestly say if I won the lottery, I’d still write every day.

What is the best part of being a writer?
I’m the type of person who gets bored very easily, so writing is perfect for me. No two days are ever the same.

What is the worst part of being a writer?
The rejections and cranky editors.

What is your typical writing routine?
As well as writing fiction, I’m a full time freelance writer so I like to keep the two jobs separate. Most of the time I write my non-fiction stuff on the desktop computer and then in the evenings, switch to my laptop for my fiction. And I always write with music playing in the background. Depending on where I’m at with a novel or what genre I’m working on, determines what I listen to. When I’m working on my first draft, I’ll listen to artists like Peter Gabriel, U2, Tears for Fears. When I get to the final edit, then I’ll switch to just instrumental music, some classical, some New Age. And I have a CD that helps with creativity that I often listen too when I’m writing.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?
I’m both. Some books I think about for months before I start writing them and I’ll make notes and plot outlines. But for some books, ideas pop into my head and I start writing and the whole thing takes off from there. A Sterling Affair and The One and Only were both written with me just winging it, while Death Likes Me took more plotting. Maybe the mystery genre requires you to be more of a plotter.

Do you have a secret for busting writer’s block?
I had what I thought was writer’s block for many years. It was after my dad died and I couldn’t get back to my regular writing routine. I thought it would pass but it dragged on and on and I almost considered just quitting. However, one day I realized what the problem really was. When my dad was ill I’d been thrown off my regular writing routine. My advice is get into a regular writing routine and stick with it no matter what. Be tough on yourself. Even if you write for just 30 minutes a day, do it. And don’t be afraid to just write anything and everything that pops into your head. Sometimes that anything and everything turns into a work of art and a published book.

Thanks so much Susan!

The Plot Whisperer is at it again!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:10:00 +0000

The wonderfully generous and insightful Plot Whisperer, aka Martha Alderson, is at it again...this time, posting a daily series of activities and thoughts on plot to help bring your fictional one(s) to life.

Honestly, I really want to know where to find the wellspring of plot knowledge she's tapping for my own selfish benefit :) but for now I'll settle for her helpful posts.

She's got too much stuff over there to condense it down into a line or two. If you haven't read Blockbuster Plots, you need to. Shell out the bucks because I guarantee you'll never read another plot the same way again.

In the meantime, go visit her amazing series of posts at The Plot Whisperer

Happy Plotting (I never really believed in that before Martha!)

Beth

A Fun Character Naming Resource

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:49:00 +0000

I know, I should be writing. Don't worry, I have been. I'm home for the day for an appointment, and have spent a good hour on the story. About to wrap up the end of the first scene in chapter 1...and I realized I don't have a solid character name for my hero. I do have a "working" name that came out during on of the heroine's dialogues with a secondary character, but I'm one of those who absolutely must know the character's name before I can write it.

Mind you, I won't get started with the hero until the last line of chapter one, when the heroine time-travels back to his bed (oooooh...spoiler alert :)) but I need to know it because she's going to be thinking of him in the next two scenes.

So how fun is it when I checked out some babyname places online and found this one? It's from the Social Security Administration (maybe this is where my money is going...LOL) where you can plug in any year after 1879 and get a listing of the 50, 100, or even 500 most popular names that year? Extremely cool, especially if you write historicals. My story is set around the 1860s so it won't be spot-on but a good resource nonetheless. You can get both male and female names.

Go on, check it out. Every writer deserves a little play time :) You can choose by year, by decade, by state and you can search individual names to see how popular they were as well. Oh, yeah...don't forget to get back to the writing!

Popular Baby Names by Birth Year at the Social Security Administration website

Character Development Through Cosmo

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:07:00 +0000

Here's an interesting article courtesy of Cosmo (&Yahoo) on how to interpret male body language. Aside from the general knowledge we chicks need to know, it's also great stuff for when you're trying to figure out how your hero is reacting to your heroine.

Dating 101: Decode His Body Language

Use this cheat sheet to observe couples in public to get a really vivid idea of how to translate it to the page. Good stuff!

Happy writing,
Beth

My Latest Project...Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:55:00 +0000

First Impressions of the Flat Belly Diet at Prevention.com

I know, I should be in bed...4am comes early these days...but I'm so excited I can't sleep (Ok, that's a lie...coming from the person who's fallen asleep on school busses and airplanes before takeoff...).

A few weeks ago I got a note in my inbox from Prevention Magazine. Yeah, that one. It was an invitation to apply to become a blogger and try out their latest, greatest diet--The Flat Belly Diet.

. We know how I feel about blogging :) and I'm a sucker for diets, since I consider myself an expert at them. I think I started my first one in high school and have been reading and researching ever since. I applied and honestly didn't expect to hear back from them. After all, this *is* Prevention Magazine we're talking about.

Interestingly enough, I was one of 80 chosen to get the diet book for free, do the plan and blog about it all the while. When I got the book, I liked what I saw. Portion control and healthy eating...what's not to like? And no kill-yourself-at-the-gym exercise routines? Are you kidding me?!!

Anyway, I devoured the book and stocked up on groceries tonight to officially start tomorrow. Great choice, Beth. On the day teachers bring donuts and your lunch group is going out for Chinese...but really, there's never a good day to start dieting.

My first post is up and running over at the Prevention site...come see what all the buzz is about. My goal is to post every day but there's a queue for posting so it'll go as fast as that process takes.

Who knows? By February I could have a flat belly and less fat. Wouldn't that be a great way to celebrate Spring Break?!

The Flat Belly Diet
BuckeyeBeth's Flat Belly Diet Blog
First Impressions of the Flat Belly Diet

Guest Blogger: Skhye Moncrief

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:11:00 +0000

As promised, another author treat...this time with multi-published Skhye Moncrief. Be sure to check out her work at The Wild Rose Press for your chance at that Sony e-Reader...

When did you know you were a writer/that writing is what you wanted to do? That's all part of my pre-baby blur, a past life of some sort where I can glimpse things but rarely recall anything I'm supposed to. ;)

What is the best part of being a writer? I'm in control of my little worlds.

What is the worst part of being a writer? Other people not liking my little worlds.

What is your typical writing routine? These days after baby, I write when I get the chance. I spend a lot of time catching up with stuff online, revising, submitting, and editing. I'm lucky if I write 25 pages a week when I'm supposed to. I'm currently working on a 50K-word werewolf tale. My goal was to write like there was no tomorrow and whip out 50 pages a week. Right. Right. Now, I'm happy with 25 pages in the same timeframe. What was I thinking?

Are you a pantser or a plotter? I am a combination of both. I don't always write the basic proposal-type synopsis down before typing that first page. However, the ideas are firmly rooted in my mind. I'm a stay-at-home mom who doesn't get a chance to scribble down story points with a 3 year old afoot. I tend to mentally work the story over and over before typing anything. That's the plotting aspect of my writing process. I come up with a few major plot points, work out the associated internal conflict, and jump in to pants the rest. ;) But, I'll be the first to admit that writing the entire synopsis before or while writing the story makes life a heck of a lot easier than after I write THE END.

Do you have a secret to busting writer's block? I'm certifiably geek being formally educated in hard and soft science. On top of that, I have an incredibly fast thought process that often makes my friends dizzy. So, I don't normally get writer's block. I get "stuck" in life and don't get back to writing when I should. But I have found that watching some good documentaries on a subject can really lead me places I hadn't thought of before.

As for my stories, my Time Guardians are kilted heroes wed to their soul-mate Druid wives. Don't get me wrong. You could be one of these Time Guardians. You just haven't realized it yet. Think. Have you ever been drawn to someone? Have you ever clicked with someone? What about those shooting stars you see when that special someone kisses you? Don't you know that there's a reason various cultures think those lights are something special, mystical? Open the door to a new reality where legends become history and destined love defeats timeless evil. ~www.timeguardians.com

Time Guardian titles available:
HE OF THE FIERY SWORD--Once upon a time, King Arthur was a time-traveling shape-shifting dragon. A man must live be for becoming king.
SACRIFICIAL HEARTS--Only the fairies know what the future holds as the Gods send two sacrificial hearts racing toward their destiny.
NAKED ON THE STAIRCASE--She's got a grenade, and she knows how to use it.

I also channel Calliope's stories for The Wild Rose Press in the SONG OF THE MUSES anthology. ;) My tale, ANCIENT MUSINGS, is the opening story in the first series. The Greek muse of writing Calliope challenges Zeus to make her mortal and lands in Hades to confront her end. The soul of a deceased archaeologist is the only person who can outwit Zeus' harpies. Little do they know that they are nothing more than pawns for ANCIENT MUSINGS.

All my stories, including my free read VOW OF SUPERSTITION: DRAGON'S BLOOD, are available at this link:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=232

All of my first chapters are posted here at my website:
http://blog.skhyemoncrief.com/categories/1st%20Chapters.aspx

Thanks for having me, Beth. ~Skhye

My pleasure! Happy Writing :)

www.skhyemoncrief.com
www.timeguardians.com

Under My Skin by Jenny Gilliam

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:35:00 +0000

I just started Jenny Gilliam's THE TRUTH ABOUT ROXY today on my *brandspankingnew* Kindle. So far, it's a fab read. While you visit The Wild Rose Press to check it out, stop by and see her newest release: UNDER MY SKIN.

Even though Jenny's titles aren't in the Sony eReader Giveaway this time around, I asked her the questions I've been asking my feature authors this month. Here are Jenny's thoughts:

When did you know you were a writer/that writing is what you wanted to do?

I was about 10 when I swiped my mom's mini-recorder and began weaving oral tales of love and romance. I wrote all throughout high school, took and breather when I got married, and started up again. Only to quit when I got pregnant, stop, start, stop, start. LOL. Right now is the longest I've been writing and sticking to it! Apparently, that way works.

What is the best part of being a writer?

The best part of being a writer is having the ability to craft stories that make readers laugh, cry, and inspired. The money doesn't mean much to me. Having my name out there--having fans who want to read MY work makes it worthwhile.

What is the worst part of being a writer?

When you have too much to do and too little time to do it in. That and having to sit down at the computer/laptop and come up with the next scene. I've been through both.

What is your typical writing routine?

I've been getting up at 5:30am (before the WeeBeasts to write for a couple of hours, get my daughter off to the bus, play with my son, write some more, go to work, write some more, go home, write until I'm drooling on the couch and my laptop. Trust me, the drool? NOT a good thing.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

Definitely a panster. I have a vague idea of what's happening, but the characters lead the story, surprising me at different turns. I tried planning once and ended up with a half-finished novel I had no desire to finish.

Do you have a secret to busting writer's block?

Write. It's the only thing I can suggest. Having just recovered from a year-long bout of it, I understand. Make weekly goals. I started out at 3-5 pages a week, now I'm up to 10, but writing 30. Keep on truckin'!

UNDER MY SKIN by Jenny Gilliam
BLURB:

When coffee shop owner Rachel Crowe overhears her neighbor being murdered, she doesn't think her life can get any more complicated. But when the detective on the case turns out to be the very man she kicked out of her store the night before, she realizes she's wrong.

From the moment Detective Alex Williams laid eyes on the raven-haired owner of his favorite coffee shop, he's been drawn to her. When she becomes the key witness in his homicide investigation, he takes it upon himself to protect her at all costs.

As the killer closes in on Rachel, the couple are thrown into very intimate and
dangerous situations. Can Alex convince her to trust him before the killer catches
up with them?

EXCERPT:

The pounding on the door startled a scream out of Rachel, who’d just begun to calm down. Realizing it was likely Alex, she grabbed her full wine glass and rushed to the door. With one hand on the Slugger, she checked the peephole.

Rachel slid the locks open. “You didn’t have to come.”

Alex barreled past her into the apartment. She shut the door and locked it, laying the Slugger back against the wall.

“You were coming apart. I had to do something.”

“I was just scared and acted impulsively. I don’t even know why I called you.”
“Because you were scared.”

“Which we’ve established.” She held up her wine and took a deep breath. “I’m fine now.”

“Bullshit.”

“Alex…don’t make this out to be something it’s not. Really, it’s nothing more than the hysterical theatrics of a female. I’m a Pisces. We tend to dramatize everything.”

He blinked. “What?”

“I’m a Pisces.”

“Are you into all that astrology crap?”

“It’s not crap for your information, and yes, I am. My best friend’s an astrologer.”

Alex rolled his eyes. “Let me guess: ‘text 4820 to 825 to receive your latest love match.’”

“Oh, shut up.”

“The aliens obviously forgot to remove your probe when they dropped you back on earth.”

Rachel’s lips twitched despite herself. “Really. I’m fine. Better than fine.”

He looked so innately masculine standing in her feminine apartment. His big, wide shoulders were covered in a black T-shirt that stretched across his muscular, well-defined chest and was tucked into a pair of faded jeans. She wondered if they were the same jeans he’d worn when he’d knocked her on her ass. If so, she wanted him to turn around so she could get a look at his caboose. The man had the finest ass she’d ever seen.

O-kay. Time to sip the wine.

Alex stalked around her tiny apartment like a massive, untamed tiger. He walked to the baker’s rack where her TV and DVD player sat, tested its sturdiness. He eyed her collection of movies; a lot of murder/mystery, episodes of Cold Case Files and Forensic Files, and thrillers with several chick flicks scattered in between. Rachel sipped her wine and watched his big body move with animal grace as he prowled.
Alex stopped at her large book case and scanned the titles. He looked over at her. “Do you have an obsession with death?”

She frowned. “No. I just like forensics and mysteries. Lots of people do.” Mine just started after my husband tried to murder me.

Alex made a noncommittal noise and approached her where she stood against the glass veranda door. She smelled the sandalwood on him and her blood warmed.

He grabbed the wine from her hand and took a sip. “Aren’t you on duty?” she asked.

“Nope.” He sucked wine from the bottom of his lip. Rachel stared at those lips, mesmerized. So mesmerized, she didn’t realize he’d closed in on her until she felt his body heat against her.

“What is it about you, Rachel Crowe?” he whispered.

“What do you mean?”

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since I knocked you off that ladder.”
“Maybe you have brain damage from chasing too many murderers.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He leaned forward, his lips brushing her ear, her neck. “You smell good.”

It had been so long since she’d felt this kind of passion. Too long. Hell, had she ever felt like this? “We shouldn’t be doing this. I’m a witness. And you don’t trust me.”

He placed one large, warm hand on her collarbone. “Trust doesn’t have anything to do with it, Rachel. It rarely does.”

Rachel felt sorry for him even while she wanted to leap into his arms and rip his clothes off. He held such little regard for emotions. Each time she’d seen him, the first time notwithstanding, he’d been as aloof as the lone tiger she’d imagined just moments ago.

His fingers wrapped around the back of her neck and he drew her face to his. “You’re right,” he said, his lips a breath away from hers, “we shouldn’t be doing this.”

Then why did it feel so right? Never had she felt so safe, and she reveled in the sensation. He closed the gap and captured her lips with his own.

Oh, Lord.

BIO:

Jenny began writing at the age of twelve, when she realized the voices talking in her head were characters, not a result of pre-teen induced psychosis. She’s been writing on and off for almost twenty years, but actively pursuing publication for the last three. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. She is the author of four novels.

Jenny loves to hear from her readers. You can visit her at www.jennygilliam.com

character comes to life

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:20:00 +0000

It's been a while since I've worked on a novel. Actually gotten deep into the process of story, digging deep in the dirt of creativity with the purpose of creating something bigger than myself. I've penned a few short stories, several articles and brainstormed probably four or five novels from start to almost finish since I finished my last novel, but haven't started one in quite some time (with the intent of finishing LOL).

I did today. It's been bouncing around in my head for some time--years, really. I don't have the whole story, which is unusual for me, but I feel this compulsive urge to start writing and have the gut feeling the missing pieces will come as I write. I did about a page today, no small feat if you're a perfectionist like me.

What I'd forgotten about writing the novel is how no amount of planning, charting, brainstorming, etc., give you a real feel and breathe life into your characters like writing about them does. Nothing. Nothing. NOTHING! I hear some of you (thinking loudly) who know every minute detail of your characters' lives right down to the type of button on their shirts before writing the first word, and I respect that process. But that's never been me, and even less so now.

Here's what I started with: her name, the fact that she's just found out something important to her is being sold/taken away and that she's a professor venturing out on sabbatical (maybe that last one is my own wishful thinking LOL).

One page later, here's what I know about her: something long ago made her resolve never to cry in public, (which she will do by the end of the novel, I promise), that she drinks the same thing as me at the bar (margaritas on the rocks, but maybe not quite as many as me LOL), that her best friend (a guy) is married, practically a newlywed, and the three of them go out often, and that being unmarried bothers her more than I originally thought. I thought she was more interested in her research but she's really preoccupied with no man in her life. Maybe that's the result of the best friend's recent marriage (that I didn't know about before I started.)

Writing is so amazing like that. So many things we can't possibly know until pen hits paper bubble up once the wheels are in motion. No wonder I love writing so much. OF course, I say that before I have finished a chapter, before I have revised, edited and torn my hair out when a plot point takes its own direction, but for now I'm happily blissful that my characters are coming to life. If only I didn't have the day job...!

Guest Blogger: Liana Laverentz

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:15:00 +0000

You're in for a treat today! In honor of the Sony e-Reader Giveaway at the Wild Rose Press in December, I've lined up some of the participating authors for a writerly gab session to chat here about their writing and their work throughout the month.

Today's guest is Liana Laverentz, author of two Wild Rose Press contemporary titles: Jake's Return and Thin Ice.

Here are Liana's thoughts to my questions...enjoy!
=====

When did you know you were a writer/that writing is what you wanted to do?

In 1988. Up until then I had been an avid reader, and like most writers, I reached a point where I said, “Hey, I can do this!” Five years later, I was published. Wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be . The following year I had my son and ended up taking an unexpected eight-year hiatus. I started writing again in 2002, and Thin Ice was published in 2007.

What is the best part of being a writer?

Spending my time with imaginary people, and getting to wear my PJs while I do so. Being known as the neighborhood eccentric, so I can do what I want, come and go as I please.

What is the worst part of being a writer?

The grunt work of revisions. Not so much the revisions themselves, that’s still being creative, layering nuances into the story, but when you have to sit down at the computer and actually input the revisions (I do mine on hard copy, first) it’s nothing short of tedious. Also, I am very shy in person, so booksignings and public appearances make me uncomfortable, but I do need to get out of the house every now and then and speak to real people .

What is your typical writing routine?

Every day is different for me, but the ideal day would be: Wake up really early in the morning. Write until my son needs to get up for school. Make breakfast, tidy up the house and send him off to school. Write until I need a break. Go to the Y, come home, shower, have lunch. Write until my son comes home. Spend time with him, asking about his day. Answer emails before dinner. Sometimes I take a nap, doze while he uses the computer. Then I get up, make dinner, eat dinner, clean up after dinner. (Sometimes, if I’m on a roll though, I skip this whole nap and dinner thing and tell him he’s on his own…Dinner is from the red box tonight…go to the freezer and pick one. He usually has cereal, though.) Then I do odds and ends on the computer or around the house until eight or so. Watch a DVD with my son to unwind. Bedtime at 10:00 if I haven’t already crashed. Weekends and holidays and summers are a different story. Then it’s catch as catch can. The same goes for errand day. I bundle my errands and run all over town, and don’t plan on getting any writing in on those days.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I have the general idea for a plot, and definitely a theme to maintain the focus of the story, but I make the scenes up as I go along within the framework of that theme and plot, and let the characters tell me what they want to do.

Do you have a secret to busting writer's block?

Work on something else that has nothing to do with what you are stuck on. Invariably it frees up your mind to sort out exactly what you need. Or I read something totally unrelated to what I am working on. It has the same effect. I never try to force myself through it. The sooner I let it go, the sooner the problem is resolved.

Liana Laverentz
Thin Ice (NJRW Golden Leaf and EPPIE Award Winner)
Jake's Return (NJRW Golden Leaf Award Winner)
Now through December 15...
Purchasing one or the other enters you
In a drawing for Sony E-Reader

www.thewildrosepress.com
www.lianalaverentz.com
http://lianalaverentz.blogspot.com/
www.myspace.com/authorlianalaverentz

Beth's Book Club: The Truth About Roxy by Jenny Gilliam

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:44:00 +0000

So I'm no Oprah and folks won't flock to read something new because I recommend it. And your point is...?!

Inside scoop: I love romance fiction with teacher or librarian heroines, most likely because I am one (teacher!). I also love, love, LOVE small town stories, again, because that was my life for my first 18 years.

Jenny Gilliam mixes both together in The Truth About Roxy, a new release from my favorite people, The Wild Rose Press. Check out the blurb, the excerpt and Jenny's bio...then download the book!

Happy Writing (and reading),

Beth

======

The Truth About Roxy by Jenny Gilliam

BLURB:

Roxy Palmer is a walking, breathing cliché. And darned tired of it.
Working as the assistant librarian in her small, Southern home town, Roxy also anonymously pens the local love column, Ask Paula Rockwell—Thorton, Georgia's answer to Dear Abby.

But when the door leading to Roxy's lifetime dream is slammed in her face by one of the good ol' boys, Roxy brings out the big guns--and turns the genteel town upside down with her racier, feminist, home-wrecking new format.

Paula Rockwell is making Sheriff Noah Kennedy's life crazy. He's got angry husbands lined around the block, demanding the cancellation of the column, fights breaking out and women catching their boyfriends' trucks on fire. If he ever gets his hands on that woman…

But he's got his hands full of Roxy at the moment, and if he ever discovers the truth about Roxy, all hell will break loose.

EXCERPT:

As they loaded the heavy bags into the back of the Honda, a shout rent the air. Roxy looked up, her eyes tracking the sound. Next door, Merle Granger stood in his Saturday golfing best, hands on his hips while articles of clothing rained down on him and the lawn.

“Now, Charlene, honey, be reasonable.”

“I’ll show you reasonable, you controlling bastard!” From the second-floor window, a golf club went sailing, missing Merle’s head by mere inches.

“Damnation, woman!” Merle shouted. “That’s my best nine iron!”

“You can take your nine-iron and shove it up your ass!”

“Oh, my,” Mary Lou breathed, coming around the back of the Honda. She stood next to Roxy. “Looks like that rumor is true.”

“What rumor?” Roxy asked, mesmerized by the sight of Charlene Granger tossing a stuffed fish out the window. It bounced off the hood of Merle’s brand new Expedition and caused the banker to spew another litany of curses.

“You know,” Mary Lou said, “that Charlene is Restless in Primrose Valley.”

Oh. That rumor.

At the time, Roxy had written it off as grist for the mill. After all of the publicity her article had generated, she figured any married couple within the city limits had the potential to be used as fodder. But, now, as Charlene sent a package of golf balls raining down the street, Roxy wondered if the universe could really be that kind.

“Is this about that silly little column?” Merle shouted to his wife.

This seemed to throw Charlene into a rage, since items began sailing from the window with increasing speed, each punctuated by fierce words from Mrs. Granger.

“That.” A shoe landed out in the street. “Article.” Here came its mate. “Was.” Antlers. Antlers? “Not.” Picture frame. “Silly.” A vase came crashing down, clipping Merle in the shoulder. He howled in pain. “Or.” A dozen roses rained down. “Little!” This last statement was followed by the obvious coup de grace: the mounted head of a buck.

Roxy didn’t know how Charlene managed to wrestle the large animal’s head out of the window, but apparently rage gave people all kinds of strange powers. Roxy slapped a hand over her mouth as the buck landed on the hood of the Expedition with a crash. The windshield buckled inward from the impact.

“I wonder what the insurance company will have to say about that,” Mary Lou commented.

A crowd had gathered across the street to watch the display. Old men stood next to their wives, whispering behind their hands. Kids in the middle of summer play stopped to stare, awestruck by the screaming and destruction.

In the distance, Roxy heard the sharp song of a police siren. “Uh, oh. Here comes the heat.” She hoped Noah wasn’t the one behind the wheel. One altercation with the police a day was enough for her. “Maybe we should go.”

Mary Lou stared at her like she’d gone batty. “Are you nuts? This is like an episode of Cops.”
As the police cruise pulled up—not Noah, thank goodness—Mary Lou started singing, “Bad boys, bad boys; whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you…”

“You know what you can do with your fancy dinner parties, Merle?” Charlene shouted. “You can stick ‘em! I am done with you! You hear me? I was not put on this earth to play housewife to some man!”

O-kay. She’d just paraphrased the Paula response. Definitely Restless in Primrose Valley. Roxy eyed the mounted head on the hood of the Expedition and the pile of clothes on the front lawn. Well, she’s not restless anymore.

“I’m calling the shots now!” Charlene leaned out the second-story window and did the unthinkable. Well, the unthinkable for a society wife in Thorton, Georgia, that is. She climbed up on the windowsill and dropped her slacks, baring her behind for the world to see. She twisted her head around and yelled, “You can kiss my ass, Merle Granger!”

Who would have known one little article would incite such bedlam?

BIO:

Jenny began writing at the age of twelve, when she realized the voices talking in her head were characters, not a result of pre-teen induced psychosis. She’s been writing on and off for almost twenty years, but actively pursuing publication for the last three. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. She is the author of four novels.

Jenny loves to hear from her readers. You can visit her at www.jennygilliam.com

Jenny Gilliam ~ Spicy Romance with a Dash of Humor

THE TRUTH ABOUT ROXY, Coming November 7, 2008 from The Wild Rose Press!
UNDER MY SKIN, Coming Soon from Amira Press!
LETTING LUCE, Now Available from Amira Press!
THE WEDDING WAR, Now Available in digital AND print from The Wild Rose Press!

Freaked out by Death...the card, not the event

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:28:00 +0000

I'm in this really fun online workshop for using Tarot cards to build my character. If you read my posts this summer, it's the same workshop I took back in August. Arwen is a gifted teacher and her lessons(her blog is: http://tarotbyarwen.com/blog/--cool stuff) did such a good job of drawing out my character's nuances on the former story that I had to jump back in with my new characters to give me insights I would have to struggle to find.

Today I'm catching up on lesson two, and had a fascinating experience. Mind you, my only Tarot "experience" (I'm not a reader but I have always been intrigued and interested in Tarot) previous to this was Arwen's summer class, so I really have little to go on.

I'm working on the Call to Action, you know, the second step in the Hero's Journey to all you good writing students out there. I was to shuffle the deck and choose one card at random which would signify the call to action. Just before I shuffled, I looked through the deck to pick out my card from the previous lesson. I passed the Death card and thought...I hope I draw that card. That's the only way my heroine is going to get involved in the story. It was a completely random thought--I didn't ponder any other card, and I really didn't even know what the heck I was talking about.

From there I shuffled. A good, solid five minutes of shuffling while I concentrated on my heroine and her station in life. I cut the deck three times as instructed, put the top pile on the bottom, bottom on top, and drew the top card.

If I said I drew the Death card, would you be surprised? I have to admit I was pretty shocked but pretty amazed. One thing Arwen said in a lesson that I remember vividly is that when you concentrate, the cards will give you what you need. That's for sure...!

Guest Blogging with Jenny Gilliam

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:46:00 +0000

hey all...

If you've ever suffered the wrath of writer's block and want to know
how I've dealt with it, stop over at Jenny Gilliam's blog for my guest
post today: Name That Block...Dissolving Procrastination Through Writing

Not only that, but I'll be giving away a writing journal at the end of
the week to one lucky commenter. I'll even throw in something special if you come back here and comment on this post--should you be the lucky winner!

And if you've never felt writer's block...send me some of your mojo!

Beth

Pack Rat File #1: Mastering the E-Query

noreply@blogger.com (Beth) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:16:00 +0000

Here's a fabulous little article full of good stuff for you nonfiction magazine query writers out there. I love writing queries myself (sick person, I know) and love giving advice on how to get them done. This article gives some great insight and thoughts on what to include in your e-query regardless of what level of writing you're at.

====

Courtesy of AbsoluteWrite.com's newsletter (sign up for free at: www.absolutewrite.com)

Original Link: http://www.absolutewrite.com/freelance_writing/mastering_the_equery.htm

Mastering the E-query, or How I got in, got out and got the assignment

By Victoria Groves

After years of agonizing over my e-mails to editors, only to rarely hear back one way or the other, I've changed my approach. The subject line, the greeting, and each sentence in the text is purposely placed and this streamlined way of doing business has made my response rate and my freelance income increase over the past year.

An editor's mailbox fills up fast and the click of a mouse is all that separates the acceptance from the rejection. While I still enjoy putting together a query letter to an editor and attaching color copies of my clips in a precise order, I know that I'll hear back much sooner by sending it via e-mail. Most of my clips are available online, and I can easily point an editor to my website for additional information about me and my writing.

I've boiled my e-querying down to a science. In an ideal world, I would break into 10 solid publications and then make a living writing for them over and over again. But when an assignment stream dries up, a magazine folds, or when I just want to add some diversity to my clip stack, I sometimes try to carve out a new relationship with a publication outside my regular realm.

Subject line

Obviously, if you don't come up with a solid subject line, what you write in your e-mail message is irrelevant. With spam filters in place at most publications, it's important to stay away from anything that sounds too sales-y, while still enticing an editor to click and read.

If you're sending a straight query, identify it as such while also giving a hint of what the idea is about:

SUBJECT-- Query: Creating an emergency car kit

If you are responding to a query from an editor needing freelance staff, you'll likely use a subject line that is a bit different:

SUBJECT-- Freelance inquiry
SUBJECT-- Responding to your call for freelancers

If you've been referred to a particular editor by a writer already working for that publication, you're in a great position to name drop. I like to get it right in the subject line so he or she knows that I'm not querying the publication out of the blue.

SUBJECT-- Freelance inquiry, referred to you by Joe Smith

E-mail body

Congratulations! You've passed the first test and convinced an editor to open your e-mail. Now is the time to get them to read through to the end, check out your clips and hopefully give you the assignment.

Here's one approach:

Dear Mr. Freeman:

Every fall, millions of butternut squash come out of the fields of New England, and every fall, almost everyone complains about peeling them.

Now, Richard Smith has come up with the answer: the Smith Automated Butternut Peeler.

After watching area farmers struggling to find efficient ways to peel butternut squash and turnips, Smith, a welder, invented his apparatus, which now has a patent pending.

I propose a 900-word article on this new automated way to peel the squash's outer skin, leaving a thinner peel with more of the vegetable intact.

I am a freelance writer and have most recently been published in Baltimore Magazine, Chesapeake Family Newsmagazine, and the Boston Parents' Paper. I am enclosing clips for your review. Please contact me if you feel this article would be a good addition to Fresh Cut Magazine.

Here's a different approach:

Dear Ms. McIntosh:

As a Washington World reader, I would like to complement you and writer Nadja Najow for the interesting and informative article "The Wonders of Depression Glass" in the February 2003 issue.

I am a freelance writer living outside Washington D.C. and I currently write for Chesapeake Family Newsmagazine and the food department of Baltimore Magazine. I would like to propose a 1000 word article for The Home Page section of your publication called "Dinner Party Basics". The article will include quick and classy recipes and entertaining shortcuts for the Washington area hostess. Organizing a dinner party, whether for business or pleasure, does not have to an all-consuming or stressful experience. I will include interviews with area cooks, as well as a sidebar of hints on foolproof parties.

In addition to my regular assignments for local magazines, I have also been published in Womens ENews, Family Fun Magazine, and Blue Jean Magazine. I am also the writer and editor of the Dollar Diva monthly e-newsletter, a publication that teaches economic independence, entrepreneurship and philanthropy to girls and women.

To view some of my clips, please visit www.victoriagroves.net. Please contact me if you would like to discuss the possible publication of this article or any other potential assignments.

Clips

The last thing to do is to add in a way for an editor to easily access your past clips. Many editors are leery of opening attachments, so unless you don't have copies of your clips any other way, avoid presenting them in this format.

The best way to show off your skills is to direct an editor to your website. Even if you're not a web expert, there are easy and inexpensive options like www.dynamod.com. Another choice is to add links right into the body of your e-mail. But make sure that if you use the same set of links over and over again, that you check them regularly so you don't send a dead one to an editor.

By streamlining your online querying efforts, you will not only get more assignments, but you'll also find that you can send out more queries in less time. That alone should make 2008 a good one for your portfolio and your wallet.

Victoria Groves is a freelance writer living in Boston. She has been published by a variety of regional and national publications and also teaches writing courses on writing for teens and tweens, newslettering, and breaking into newspaper stringing. For more information, visit www.victoriagroves.net.