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Absolute Write
Newsletter
Poets-- Get Published!
January 19, 2008
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In this issue:
·
Mastering the e-query
· New column: "Living Creatively"
· "A Writer's Psalm"
... and more. |
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Writing And
Publishing The Short Stuff (Especially For Moms!)
With Christina Katz,
author of Writer Mama
Finally, a writing workshop that fits into the busy lives of moms!
The focus of Christina Katz's class is on getting you into print sooner, rather than later, and without
pulling all-nighters or paying a fortune in babysitter fees.
Starts February 13!
Click here.
Make Your Website Work
Harder for You!
Laura Wright's
Developing a Web Presence for "Local" Writers and
Optimize Your Web Presence are designed to help you get the most out
of your website and blog! No experience? No problem! Classes start every Monday!
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Naked Writing: The No-Frills Way to Write
Your Novel!
Starts January 19, 2008!
Writing
is hard work-- and there are no shortcuts. When it comes
right down to the nitty gritty, it's just you and that glowing computer screen.
That's when you need to know the basics of writing and finishing your novel.
Learn the no-nonsense, no-frills writing that will
give you the tools to finish that novel and start submitting to publishers.
Click here.
Poetry for the People
With Sage Cohen
Have you always wanted to write a poem but didn’t know how to begin?
Maybe you’re already writing poetry and want to connect with your muse
more often, or brush up on your poetic prowess? Sage Cohen's Poetry for
the People takes poetry off of its academic pedestal, making it
accessible to and enjoyable for everyone.
Starts February 13! Click here.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome,
Absolute Writers!
When I was in
fourth grade, first learning to write papers, the teacher was very
specific about not copying other people's work. She left no doubt in
our forming young minds that copying without giving credit - even if
you paraphrased - was bad, wrong, and would get us in a LOT of
trouble. Her rule of thumb was that if you used more than three
consecutive words, they had to be inside quotation marks, with
credit given - and if you paraphrased, you had to cite where you'd
found the information.
That's why I'm
always so very surprised when the subject of plagiarism among
working writers comes up. And it does come up, invariably, and over
and over again.
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,289112,00.html - the infamous
Janet Dailey/Nora Roberts plagiarism mess
http://www.likesbooks.com/copyright.html - plagiarism mess from
2002
http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/cassie_edwards_extravaganza/
- the current Cassie Edwards mess
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88553 - the
ensuing discussion on the AW forums
On the AW
forums, we've seen an increase in the amount of plagiarism in the
last couple of years, as well. We've banned more than one member
outright for posting work and claiming it, when it turns out to be
someone else's writing. Recently, someone posted almost an entire
Wikipedia article, without bothering to cite it in any way, as if it
was an original response - however didactic - to another member.
When challenged, the offending member's response was (paraphrased)
"I thought it was public domain. Stuff in public domain can't be
plagiarized, anyone can use it."
That member
was quite wrong, of course. Copyright violation and plagiarism
aren't the same offense. Copyright violation, simply put, is posting
someone else's stuff (writing protected under copyright) without
permission. That's illegal.
Plagiarism is
passing off someone else's words as your own. It's not illegal - but
it's darn sure slimy.
Nora Roberts
had this to say back in 2001 when the settlement was a hot topic,
with regard to being plagiarized:
. . . The matter took me over two years to resolve, cost a great
deal of my time, energies and money. I would wish this experience on
no one, and when Gina Wilkins went through a similar experience,
offered her all my support.
"Right now,
Barbara Kingsolver is going through the same difficulties. And she
has made clear, public statements regarding her anger and upset.
She, too, has all my sympathies.
"Plagiarism
may not be considered a criminal offense, but take my word, it is
NOT a victimless crime. Those who would steal another's words,
another's work, call it their own and profit from it are thieves.
There is no excuse, no rationalizing the behavior.
"'Lifting'
intellectual property is a crime--perhaps not a criminal one, but
without question a moral one. If we, as writers and those who value
books, don't take such acts seriously, who will?"
(http://www.likesbooks.com/daileyupdate.html)
It's easier
than ever before to swipe writing, these days, right? Google up what
you need to know, copy and paste, and presto! It's an article (or
part of a book, in Cassie Edwards' case.) I've heard from several
of you, wondering what to do about online articles or blog posts
that you've found, swiped without permission and reposted as if
someone else had written it. Some of you have written because you've
found pieces of this newsletter (or, in one case, the whole thing)
posted elsewhere. Perhaps it's simply an unfortunate outcome of the
nature of the 'net - that people inclined to steal words have a much
easier time of it here, than elsewhere. It's also, however, simpler
than ever to get caught.
If there's a
single thing I can impress on writers, though, it's this: don't do
it. Our own words are what makes us each special and unique. Our own
words are our currency and our product - it's what we each bring to
the table, and no one else can say it the same way. Honor that.
Write hard,
everyone. Write TRUE. And write on.
Best,
Mac
--
MacAllister Stone
Editor in Chief
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PROMPT OF THE WEEK
Imagine you find a note in the attic
of your house from the person who lived in it before you. What might
it say? |
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READER
REQUESTS
This week, writers want
to know about:
*
Dolphins in movies
* Crimes with a
three-month sentence
*
Parents of teen drivers
* Police
communications
* Dressing for stealth
* Financial problems and divorce
* Infidelity
* Running a farm
and more.
To answer a question or
ask one of your own, visit:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=66
Never posted at
the forums before? Start here:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34886
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INTERVIEW
Interview with Scott Mitchell
Interview by Tim
Morgan
Scott Mitchell is a
professional software developer who has authored six books on Microsoft
technologies (ASP and
ASP.NET). Mitchell has also founded the websites
www.4GuysFromRolla.com,
www.ASPFAQs.com, and
www.ASPMessageBoard.com.
Q: To say you're prolific would be an understatement--
you've written six books, over 1000 articles for 4GuysFromRolla, magazine
articles, technical articles for Microsoft, speaking engagements, a blog, and
teaching-- and that doesn't include the consulting work you do! How do you find
the time to write with such a busy schedule?
A: Most people who write technical articles online or for print do so in
addition to a regular full-time job, a family, and a social life. It's these
people whom I admire for being able to juggle writing into their schedules. For
me it is easy because writing, training, and consulting are my career; moreover,
I work from home. So I don't need to shuffle my schedule around to fit in time
to write-- it's just part of my typical work day.
Read more:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/specialty_writing/scott_mitchell.htm |
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Visit the
Absolute Write E-Bookstore!
For a complete list of titles,
click
here!
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ARTICLES
"Poetry Publishing 101"
By Sage Cohen
Writing poetry can be a powerful way to connect with
yourself. Publishing your poetry can be a powerful way to connect with a larger
literary community. If you're ready to take your poetry out of the closet and
into the world, this article can help give you the lay of the poetry publishing
land.
Like so many things in life, taking the first step
toward publishing is often the hardest. Equipped with this simple formula,
you'll have a process you can repeat again and again to find the right home for
your work...
Read more:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/specialty_writing/poetry_publishing_101.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.
Read more:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/freelance_writing/mastering_the_equery.htm
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WRITING NEWS AROUND THE WEB
"PluggedIn:
Web yields deadly tricks for crime writers"
By Gavin Haycock, Reuters, January 17, 2008
http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP-A/idUSN1711718820080118
"Writing for children's TV is not kid stuff"
By Doug Cordell, Marketplace, January 17, 2008
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/01/17/cordell_commentary
"Winner of 3-Day Novel expresses relief, sadness writing was over"
By Rebecca Wigod, Vancouver Sun, January 16,
2008
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story.html?id=e72ab293-8bc7-4e45-9618-b00224866deb
"Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules of Good Writing"
By Elizabeth A. Brown, Christian Science
Monitor, January 15, 2008
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0115/p16s01-bogn.html
"Dmitri's Choice:
Nabokov wanted his final, unfinished work destroyed. Should his son get out
the matches?"
By
Ron Rosenbaum, Slate, January 16, 2008
http://www.slate.com/id/2181859/ |
COLUMNS
New column!
Living Creatively:
Attract Creativity into your Life, "Living Creatively"
By Dawn Allcot
Are you stuck in a
dead-end day job that provides no inspiration, with a boss who fails to offer
positive reinforcement, and co-workers who act like drones, discussing the
latest reality T.V. show as they nibble their Weight Watchers frozen lunches?
You may be stuck in
the grind, sneaking moments to write your novel during coffee breaks and wishing
you had more freedom. But you can still live creatively everyday. Creativity is
more than a talent or a skill. It's a state of mind.
Read more:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/freelance_writing/Allcot/living_creatively.htm
Need an Agent? Try the
FBI, "Not in My Write Mind"
By Chris Joseph
Maybe the most
important decision an aspiring writer can make, besides whether to have a lunch
of Ramen noodles or fresh table scraps from the nearest Dumpster Delight, is the
choice of a literary agent.
After all, a good
agent can make the difference between a writer living a life filled with luxury
cars, penthouse suites, and leaving tips larger than the gross domestic product
of many Third World countries, or, well, having to choose between Ramen noodles
and fresh table scraps from Dumpster Delight.
Read more:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/fun/Joseph/need_an_agent.htm
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Absolute Markets Premium.
Absolutely Essential.
Magazines,
book publishers, international calls for freelance writers plus exclusive interviews
with editors and publishers you won't find anywhere else all in one newsletter
and delivered to your
inbox every other week.
Subscribe for less than $0.58 per issue!
http://www.absolutemarkets.com
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FIRST PERSON
"Writer's Psalm"
By Noelle Sterne
The Word is my shepherd.
I shall not block.
He maketh me to write down on blank
pages.
He leadeth me beside my still journals.
Read more:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/freelance_writing/writers_psalm.htm |
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WRITING EXERCISES AND PROMPTS
January Flash Fiction Contest
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/announcement.php?f=66&a=89
The Valentine's Day Love Sonnet Contest
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/announcement.php?f=2&a=90
The Great Absolute Write Flash Fiction
Challenge
http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2008-1-13&e=324&c=1 |
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BOOK REVIEW
The Dead
Whisper On By T.L. Hines (Bethany House, 2007)
Review by Heather Hunt
T.L. Hines' sophomore effort The Dead Whisper On is to his stellar
debut novel Waking Lazarus what The Empire Strikes Back is to
Star Wars: A New Hope, i.e., a deeper, more complex story that encompasses
the larger community and not only one individual's quest.
Read more:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/novels/dead_whisper_on.htm |
Shop Amazon, support AW!
Our new
Absolute Write Amazon store
means you can shop Amazon's books, DVDs, electronics, software, toys, and
games with us and then check out through Amazon.com to securely complete
your transaction! Click
here to get started! |
Visit the
Absolute Write E-Bookstore!
Sell
The Fun Stuff: Writers' And Artists' Market Guidelines For Greeting
Cards, Posters... by Jenna Glatzer
The Instruction Writer's Guide by Marilyn Haight
The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling Magazine Articles by
Peggy Fielding and Dan Case
For a complete list of titles,
click
here!
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Invest in Your Writing!!
Absolute
Write has affiliated with the Writers
SuperCentres
of America to create the Absolute Software Store. Please check
us out to find the best prices on any type of writing software.
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Write a resume
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- or do almost any
task associated with writing
Visit the software store. |
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WRITERS' GUIDELINES -
updated!
We're always
looking for new interviews, articles, essays, and humor for this
newsletter. We pay $0.02 per published word ($10 minimum) or a
1-year subscription to the Absolute Markets Premium Edition ($15
value, see www.absolutemarkets.com for a free
sample). We're happy to consider reprints, and we ask only for
nonexclusive electronic rights. Got some advice for your fellow
writers? Check out our guidelines here:
Writers' guidelines |
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WATER COOLER
Discussion of the
Week
"Pain writing?" by althrasher:
OK, this might seem completely random,
but it's becoming a big problem. Any time I spend an extended amount
of time on the computer, the spot where my neck sort of meets my
back gets really sore.
Does anyone else have this problem? If so, is there any way I can
fix it?
Join in this
discussion at:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89645
Join in ALL the discussions at:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/
Never posted
at the forums before? Start here:
http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34886 |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rod Serling
Conference Short Feature Scriptwriting Competition
(due February 1, 2008; $20 entry fee;
win $250)
http://www.ithaca.edu/rhp/serling/script.html
ReadingWriters' Killer Thriller
Contest
(due April 15, 2008; no entry fee; win
$100, publication, and autographed copy of Lee Child's Persuader)
http://www.readingwriters.com/contest.htm
The Arts & Letters Prizes for Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Creative
Nonfiction
(due March 17, 2008; $15 entry fee;
win $1,000 and publication)
http://al.gcsu.edu/prizes.htm
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CLASSIFIEDS
Bullyproof Your Child
for Life!
"Ignore the bullies and they'll go away"
just doesn't work. Let Dr. Joel Haber (The Bully Coach) and Absolute
Write's former editor Jenna Glatzer show you what does work. Keep your
kids bully-free for good.
Travel Writers Wanted!
There's great demand for an elite corps of highly skilled,
professional travel writers...a pool of travel writing specialists
that can be relied on to write vivid, lively and interesting
articles.
If you ever dreamed about the romantic life of a
travel writer, here's a very unusual opportunity to actually live
it!
http://www.absolutewrite.com/dt/t/travelawn.php
Inexpensive Exposure for Your Writing
Writers and
Services for Writers: If you have a website, we'll set up your
company or book information in the Absolute Write Writers Directory. The
listing is just $10 and you'll be showcased in the category
of your choice.
http://www.absolutewrite.com/site/writers_directory.htm
E-books For Writers!
Check out the
Absolute Write E-book store at:
http://www.absolutewrite.com/ebookstore/index.htm
All titles are recommended by Absolute Write! |
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AFFILIATES
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-*-
http://www.WritingForDollars.com
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Absolute Write Newsletter ©
2008 Absolute Write |
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