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Subject: The Obsessed Writers Group Newsletter April Issue - April10, 2008



April 2008
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ob-sess (ob-ses'), v.t. to rule the mind of; preoccupy; as, the idea obsessed him.-n. ob-ses'sion.
 
DEEP THOUGHT OF THE MONTH:
 
Would a fly without wings be called a ‘walk’?

Welcome Fellow Obsessed Writer!
 
I am hesitant to say it in case I jinx myself but I think spring has sprung in Ontario, Canada! Today the temperature rose to 62 degrees – it is wonderful especially after that long cold, snowy winter. Unfortunately, the warmer temps will be short lived, the temperature is predicted to drop by the weekend but at least there is hope that summer is around the corner.
 
I am seeing article ideas everywhere; it seems like my brain has awakened after a long slumber. I have to jot my article ideas down because my problem is lack of time to produce the queries and articles. Of course with the warmer weather approaching, my time will further diminished.
 
I have had a busy month sending out queries, and writing the odd article here and there. I am still in my zone to get as many queries circulating as possible. I would be forever grateful if some editors would respond in a timely manner! One query that I submitted in the fall required numerous follow-ups before I was told that the editor already had something similar. Not to be defeated, I responded with another query (am I a glutton for punishment or what?) Bingo – they liked the second idea but told me that their editorial calendar was full and to submit the article in 8 weeks. Eight weeks came this week, I emailed the editor to make sure that she was still interested and she instructed me to send the completed article. Well, so much time had passed, I could not remember what I was going to write despite having my original query and article details right in front of me. I muddled through and produced an article but I am not quite sure if I captured the essence of the original query and still don’t know if the editor will purchase it.
Amount of time wasted: 4 months – Cost of my valuable time: priceless!
 
And how was your month?
 
Happy writing!
 
Christine Cristiano is the founder of Obsessed Writers Group and
author of OBSESSED: DIARY OF A FREELANCE WRITER.

Now available at www.coolstuff4writers.com

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Writing Resource Spotlight
Creative Editing Solutions
Two sets of eyes are better than one!
Creative Editing Solutions gives you two editors for
one reasonable rate. Our award-winning team has
more than a decade and 300 manuscripts of experience.
Don’t settle for a third-world spell checker or English major!
Get a reader’s review.
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The Article Clinic
 
Question: What is a ghostwriter?
 
Answer:  A ghostwriter is a professional writer who will pen a book, story, or article for someone else and is not given credit for the work – someone else claims credit for the writing although they did not write the piece. It is not uncommon for celebrities to hire ghostwriters to write their biographies and autobiographies. Executives and politicians also hire ghostwriters for a multitude of projects.
 
Ghostwriters are also hired by publishers to write under a pseudonym for a specific series of books. For example: The Nancy Drew books were penned by Carolyn Keene however, Ms. Keene did not exist but rather the series was written by various ghostwriters hired by the publishing company to create and expand the series.
 
With the increase in blog writing, some blog owners pay a ghostwriter to keep their blogs updated and fresh with new content.
 
Ghostwriters are used by a multitude of industries including TV, radio, music, politicians, pharmaceutical companies, and university students (although this is not entirely ethical!) A professional experience ghostwriter can expect to be paid $25K-50K or more for a book length manuscript.
 
Stuck on finding a market for a particular article or have a writing-related question. Send me some details and  The Article Clinic will come up with some answers and/or suggestions.  Send your article details to: obsessedwriters@ yahoo.ca
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Writing Resource Spotlight
First Place
Bookcase
FR*EE Book Promotion at the First Place Bookcase
www.firstplacebookcase.com

Home of the GIGANTIC virtual bookcase!
Finally! Something new to see on the internet.
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The Write Soul
 
Graciela West is busy moving into her new place, she will return next month!
 
Paying Personal Essay Markets
 
By Christine Cristiano
 
Do you have the knack for writing on a very personal level and connecting with the reader like an old friend? If so, you may have what it takes to expand your writing repertoire to include personal essays. A personal essay differs from a slice-of-life vignette and an op-ed piece. A slice of life vignette is a short fiction piece centered on an interesting moment or event. An opinion-editorial piece expresses a controversial opinion backed by facts and research and is commonly used in newspapers.
 
A personal essay gets up close and personal. It's based on a personal perspective and a topic that the writer has a strong passion for. The writer uses their own experience and communicates their feelings to the reader. It gives the reader a glimpse into the writer's life and intellect. A personal essay can derive from a number of encounters including news stories, life changing events, tragedy, adversity or joy.
 
The most important advice for a writer contemplating the personal essay is to write from the heart and let your readers feel your emotions. You can't fake a personal essay - it has to come from within. A writer proficient in the creation of personal essays is an observer of life. He observes the world around him and lets his emotions govern his writing.
 
Personal Essay Writing Tips
 
·        Pick a topic you can get intimate with. The topic should be something you feel passionate about, and you should feel comfortable letting your audience know how you feel and where you're coming from. Your topic should stir up some inner emotion inside, whether it be sadness, anger, or joy.
·        Treat your audience like a friend. Tell them your story and make them feel involved in your life.
·        Reveal and analyze your emotions and put them down on paper. Your aim is to divulge your emotions and let the reader benefit from your experience.
·        Keep your writing style simple. Don't be stuffy or overwrite. Your article should read as though you and the reader have shared a private moment over a cup of coffee.
·        The first line of your essay should open with a hook to pique the reader's interest. A good hook can be in the form of a question, quotation, statement or metaphor. Another idea is to take a snap shot of a moment in time and build the essay from there.
·        Personal essays are usually written in the first person. Write your essay with the freedom to write how you feel - there is no right or wrong.
·        Convey your ideas, thoughts and experiences in a sensitive, purposeful manner and you will create a memorable piece.
 
Originally printed by www.writersweekly.com (August 2003)
 
 
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Writing Resource Spotlight

www.CoolStuff4Writers.com
"Stay In Your Write Mind With Our Cool Stuff!"
Books, Articles, Interviews, Monthly Writing Challenges,
Merchandise, and the CoolNewsletter4Writers.

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
To Market, To Market
 
Traveling Mom
Focus: For moms who travel
Needs:  From the website: Personal essays interspersed with travel destinations, personal experience
Pays: $25 - $50
Submit ideas to:  editor@travelingmom.com
 
The Malahat Review
http://web.uvic.ca/malahat/submission_guidelines.html
Focus: Creative non-fiction
Needs:  Fiction, poetry, non-fiction, personally essays, memoirs, cultural criticism, nature writings
Pays: $40 per published printed page plus one complimentary copy
Submissions via regular postal mail. Pls see website for address.
 
Wish
http://www.wish.ca/your-life/regulararticle/138/
Focus: Urban Canadian women
Needs: Articles on fashion, beauty, food, home decor and family
Pays: $1.00/word CDN
Query to:
jane@wish.ca
 
Dred Tales
http://www.dredtales.com/Guidelines.htm
Focus: Fiction
Needs: Dark, character-driven fiction to a max of 4K words
Pays: $25
Send stories to:
dredsubmissions@hotmail.com
 
Broken Pencil
http://www.brokenpencil.com/about/submit.php
Focus: General interest
Needs; Short reports on cultural events, personalities, zine gatherings, indie, alternative culture/lifestyle, fiction,
Pays: $30-$300
See website for appropriate email addresses.
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Style and Grammar Skill Builders & Reference Sites
 
English Grammar 101 Interactive Lessons
 
 
Brag Board
 
Congratulations to subscriber, Lori Meyers, on her recent writing success!
Lori M. Myers had her short story "Ramona" published by Holy
Cuspidor, an online literary journal.
 
Congratulations to subscriber, Carol Costa for her recent writing success!
Under Suspicion a romantic/suspense was just released
by Publish America.
Carol Costa
 
 
More Brags needed! Please send your successes to obsessedwriters@ yahoo.ca
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More Great Writing Resources
 
Pro Word Wizard Writing Services
Professional and very published writer available for writing assignments, newsletters, web content, editing, ghost writing and fact checking,
writer submission research, query and submission service also available. 
Professional, reliable and reasonable rates.
"Proofreading is our specialty!"
 
FundsforWriters
The grant expert for writers. www.fundsforwriters .com
Selected Writers' Digest 101 Best Web Sites for Writers for
seven years in a row - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
Come see why 18,000 writers subscribe to the newsletters.
See ebooks like Just Hit Send for online submissions and Get Paid
to Write Book Reviews. A dozen ebooks in all. Loads of fun!
 
 "Cynthia Brian, Media Coach, Writer, Author, Speaker, TV/Radio
Personality
www.star-style. com
"Be the Star You Are! charity, a 501 (c)(3) empowering families and
youth at risk through literacy and positive
media-www.bethestar youare.org.
 
Dorothea Helm's The Writing Fairy
Writing services include courses, workshops and speaking engagements
"Coaxing closet writers to emerge and make their magic known!"
 
Legal Stuff
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Note: Obsessed Writers Group will not be held liable for any direct or indirect losses or damages originating from the use of any information listed on our website or in our newsletters. By using this site and newsletter you agree to indemnify and hold all owners and representative parties of Obsessed Writers Group harmless from any claim or demand originating out of your use of Obsessed Writers Group website and/or newsletters. Use of our website and newsletters is an indication of your complete understanding and acceptance of these Terms of Service. No part of this newsletter and/or website may be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage or retrieval systems without written permission from the publisher/owner.
©2008 Christine Cristiano
 


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