Something to write home about

There are times when the Muse takes over, the inspiration strikes or you have that Aha! or Eureka! moment. The following short essay came from one of those moments. I would also like to thank my eldest son for his input and helping me to focus. He was more help than he knows. When you are finished reading, please abide by the wishes in the note at the end.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: This is what it means to me.

R - Responsibility begins at birth. This may seem like a wild claim, but it is nonetheless true. Yes, the parents become responsible to the life of the newborn child. However, there is more. The moment you draw your first breath, you set forth on the road to being responsible for pulling your own weight at some future date, for becoming a contributing member of society and for making the world a better place than when you entered it. You become obligated to be sensitive to the needs of your neighbor and to help him by all reasonable means, in wisdom applied. You become responsible for being a good example to those around you and being an uplifting influence in their lives. Negativity and complaint never solved the problem--only faith and effort.

It is the recognition that with our blessings comes the responsibility, indeed the need, to lift the rest of the world by whatever means we can, helping others ultimately to become self-sustaining and free. We are all children of the same God and it is incumbent upon us, an obligation, to behave as such, if we are to prosper and have true joy.

E - Endurance is the engine by which all great things are accomplished. No journey begun, no task undertaken can be completed without the blessing of endurance to carry it to fruition. History is the result of endurance, whether it be of one person alone or of nations in congregation. We seldom, if ever, talk about those who quit before the task was done. We do not admire the slothful, the indolent. Biographies are never written about those who surrender to discouragement and depression. Heroes and heroines are generally recognized as those who followed through when the challenges and trials were the hardest.

We revere and admire those who fought and endured through freezing winters with little food and clothing and even less reason to hope they could ever build a new nation, but for their faith in God's help--a faith that was ultimately rewarded against all odds. We acknowledge and honor those who blazed the trails across a wild new nation simply because they had a conviction of manifest destiny that led them on. We give silent reverence to the outcast men and women of faith who set across unmeasured miles of inhospitable terrain, losing life and limb to the elements and cowardly demons in the flesh, because they trusted God to build his kingdom within their hearts and minds and communities in a new territory. These were no cowards, nor quitters. These were they who showed their convictions in their actions and endured against each wave of criticism and disbelief. These were the true pioneers of our nation. The enduring few who will never be forgotten.

S - Sacrifice may be the most precious and uncommon commodity in our world today. In a time of the ever resounding, ''what's in it for me?', it is rare indeed to hear of the unselfish soul who will, without reward or praise, step quietly forward to administer necessary aid in times of dire need. All the more sad that so few of these brave individuals yet survive. What substance men may accumulate in life cannot go with them to the next world. What they take will be the praise and honor of those they leave behind, should they be so fortunate as to have earned such respect. Their legacy will be what they did for others while they were in life and able to choose--no more and no less. It would do us well to remember that all that glitters is not celestial in nature. It is also wise to recall that great and marvelous things come about by small means and that first step. What will your legacy be?

P - Patriotism is not unfashionable or a thing of the past. It is just as valid today as when the founders took up arms to defend our then new nation. Patriotism is not barbeques and fireworks. Nor is it blind belief in the infallibility of our nation and leaders. It is acceptance of our frailties and faults, the desire to do better and make amends and it is the heartfelt gratitude that comes from being blessed by God to live in a nation that is still free to a great degree. It is the obligation to elect only good and righteous men and women to lead us. It is the unwavering duty to know and protect the rights of not only ourselves, but of the coming generations, many of whom may not be taught in our schools what their rights are or even that they have them.

Patriotism is the unexplainable, but overwhelming love that one has for the nation of his or her inheritance-- a love that defies words, but is so present as to be almost tangible. A love that brings tears to the eyes of those who feel it when they hear the national anthem or see their flag waving proudly in the breeze. It is the pride one feels when he hears some good news for a change. It is the feeling of satisfaction that comes from being of service and giving to those who have no way of giving back. Patriotism is a state of mind that only those who have it can ever understand.

E - Education is not only for those who plan to be doctors, lawyers and teachers or for those with aspirations to be great leaders in the world. It is also for the quiet, unassuming soul who desires to know more of his world and how to live harmoniously with others and in compliance with the blessings of God. It is for the man or woman that wishes to understand human nature and why it is that some folks get along quite well with one another while others cannot. It is the lifelong thirst for knowing who we are, why we are here and where we ultimately came from--and how we might return to God, who is our home. It is the means to preventing error and heartbreak, when properly applied. It can heal and protect, provide and instruct in turn.It is what separates us from the brute animal and lifts us in our journey to the worlds above.

C - Cooperation is pitching in and helping when asked to do so, but it is so much more. It is helping before being asked, helping when there is no hope for public recognition and helping because it is the right thing to do and feels good in the heart. It is the encouraging word spoken in good season, the critical comment withheld in a spirit of love and compassion and the silent arranging of circumstances into the proper order to aid another in his or her journey through life. Cooperation is an outward evidence of an inward conviction that the world can and ought to be a better, more peaceful place, accomplished one person at a time and close to home. Cooperation at its best is a grateful and cheerful heart, caught in the act of giving back.

T - Traditional values; that which made this country and this people what they are. Right and true principles, trusted and proven for generations. When we wander from that, we risk leaving behind the rich heritage that our founders fought for, in many cases sacrificing their lives and their fortunes. What would they think to know that we had squandered our inheritance in such a fashion? Upon leaving the Constitutional convention, when asked 'What have you wrought?', Benjamin Franklin responded, 'A Republic, if you can keep it.' Those final words ring deep for me--'if you can keep it'. The question is, will we? Will you? How precious is your freedom to you? Thomas Jefferson was reported as having said that 'a Democracy is the worst form of government' and the army training manuals of half a century ago taught that Democracy always ended in anarchy--always. Why? Because it is no more than legitimized mob rule. What the tyrant and dictator will not or cannot take for himself, he can easily get the jealous common man to vote for, so long as he devises a good game of divide and conquer.

In a Republic, law is law, even if 99% of the people wish it were not. So long as we make supreme efforts to elect only righteous, God-fearing men and women to office, this nation will survive. When our elected officials are corrupt, it is merely a reflection of the people as a whole. God cannot and will not protect us in our sins. We will be allowed to destroy ourselves from the inside, if that is what we choose. The enemy is always within. So long as we keep sin and error outside the gates, they cannot overcome. The moment we let them seep in to the least degree, the course is set. No wonder that God says, "I cannot tolerate sin in the least degree." He will not deprive of us our free agency. We must choose either good or evil. And there is no such thing as 'a little evil'.

V - Let me add another letter to the list. Although the letter 'V' is not used in the word 'respect', it is just as important. If we ever expect to be VICTORIOUS over our weaknesses, our trials and our enemies, we must be ever VIGILANT. 'The price of freedom is eternal VIGILANCE.' This is a cliche' because it is true. Freedom is won on a daily basis, not in one past, glorious battle. Don't be fooled--there are those in the world and in our own nation who would deprive you of your freedom. Will you let them? Edmund Burke wisely said that for evil to triumph, all that was required was for good men to do nothing. Are you doing nothing? Are you remaining silent to injustices around you? Do you rationalize that the decisions being made by others do not directly affect you? It is only a matter of time, my friend. If my freedom is lost, so is yours, just as surely.

Human nature is such that if we stop moving forward, we fall behind. Life teaches us nothing if not that. Perhaps it is time to make some resolutions. One need not wait for the first of January to change one's life. If the TV, discouragement and bad habits are holding you back, if your general attitude toward life needs a radical altering, now is the time. We never know when, for us, there may not be a tomorrow. Respect yourself and others, but most of all, respect God and be grateful.

[The letter V represents two people, working together and tied at the roots, but looking outward toward new horizons and better opportunities for both of them.]

--(C) Steven O'Dell

stevengodell@gmail.com

NOTE:

Share this freely with whomever you wish. I only ask that you do not change it, as it was written under divine inspiration and should remain intact. You may add your own comments separately as you pass it on and I encourage you to do so, if moved upon by the Spirit. Thank you.

Test of ScribeFire

I am always looking for things that will make the writing process easier--especially when it comes to blogs lately. I have found another tool which immediately caught my eye--ScribeFire for the FireFox browser, currently in version 3. I have to admit that I have lost my patience with IE7 and its constant crashes and lockups.

This tool works directly from the tray of your browser. It allows you to add Flickr photos, YouTube videos and keeps a list of all your current blogs. This has been easy to set up, as well. I have to confess I like this tool because of the user friendliness and the short learning curve. Not to say that it lacks any essential features for the beginning to accomplished blogger. Only the most advanced bloggers might wish for other features that would usually require special skills and or courses. For them, WriteToMyBlog should fit the bill (see earlier article).

ScribeFire allows you to alter timestamps, trackback URL's and ping sites directly from the user interface. You can even set Categories for your articles. It has a lengthy list of your entries at a glance, making for quick and easy access. You can make notes regarding any of your articles and attach them. These show up only for you, I assume.

You have easy formatting in Rich editing, Source editing and Live Preview of the post, just as in most any other user interface, but I like the fact that they have added the ability to add special characters, as well. Letters can also be made larger or smaller at will. In addition to bold, italic and underline, you also have strikethrough. There are 10 fonts beyond the default font, each a fairly common and very readable font. I would like to see the ability to add a few more unusal ones, for the times that you demand some flair. Perhaps a future incarnation will offer it. I also noticed that you can justify the text and make ordered or unordered lists. What seems to be missing, however, is a spellchecker. Perhaps this was an oversight on the part of the programmers. You have to be confident with your spelling skills or a good proofreader (which you should do anyway).

I have also tested a feature that Blogger sadly lacks--the ability to highlight and cut and paste text. I have never been able to do that in Blogger. If there is a way, it has eluded me. ScribeFire allows this easily and without the slightest complaint. I feel to rejoice!

The Promote tab beckons to me to delve into its mysteries and the Settings tab brings everything to the forefront in a snap, without the need or worry of having to first save the text or lose it in the page switch, as I have in Blogger in the past. As with anything, the proof is in the pudding, as they say; so, here goes....

All in all, a very nice piece of work here. So, if you are reading this, ScribeFire worked and I will likely be using it in the future on a regular basis. Take care and happy writing, everyone.

Creative VADO camera for video-blogging

It is becoming more popular all the time to embed video links in blogs. This is great when you want to share interviews, do product demonstrations, share an experience or just show off a talent or vent your frustrations. It is also great for documenting instances of police abuse, terrorist attacks or candidate faux pax's and campaign promises, so you can hold them accountable on YouTube at a later date. Won't that be fun?

Use it to record classes or what is on the bulletin board, so you can review it another time. Film your fave rock band and share with your friends. Send friends that recording of the family vacation and all the wonderful sites you visited, plus the zoom-in of the route you took. You are limited only by your imagination. However, I would recommend using a higher quality camera to record such important things as baby's birth, first steps and first word, etc. You will always wish you had, if you don't. Other than that, it is a great buy.



CAUTION: It is also quite effective in verifying your own personal I.Q. level. In the few minutes or hours that you take to develop remorse and remove the link, there can be long-lasting consequences from the subsequent downloads and sharing of your file--worldwide!

SPECS:

The VADO camera from Creative is quite an impressive piece of equipment. About the size of a cell phone, it is USB rechargeable, records up to two hours of video (having 2 Gb of built-in flash memory) in 640x480 resolution, on a 2" anti-glare screen, and is great for immediate uploads to your computer, YouTube or PhotoBucket by way of the built-in software, which takes over automatically when you plug into the USB port using the swivel-out USB adapter built into the camera.

The MPEG-4 format allows commonly available editing software to handle the task of cleaning up and polishing before you upload the final rendition to the Net. (See CAUTION above). Other features include a 2X zoom, good low-light performance and one-touch record.



Cost? You can get the device in pink or silver for approximately $100, a carrying case for about $15, extra battery packs for about $15, the charging cradle for $30, and an AV-out cable for around $10. The VADO also happily works with the Mac OS X 10.4.11 or later system and most recent Windows PCs. All in all, this is destined to be one popular camera, I would guess.

Odiogo Text-To-Speech

A new Utility program that allows you to "read aloud" RSS subscriptions and create your own "podcasts" of your blog is called Odiogo (alternately pronounced Oh-dee-oh-go and Odd-ee-oh-go). For a demonstration of the technology, check here: http://blog.odiogo.com/index.php/2008/07/07/how-to-demo-movie-deploying-odiogo-on-a-typepad-blog/.

I am actually quite impressed with the quality and realism of the read-back. The voice sounds very natural and the inflections, etc., are comfortable to listen to. Perhaps future incarnations of this program will allow you to assign male and female voices, upper and lower register adjustments and maybe a five band equalizer or such, to allow closer simulation of the voice of the person posting the blog, the RSS feed, etc. To assign these settings ahead of time wouldn't be that difficult and would certainly be the next logical step in the advancement of this technology. Besides, variety really is the spice of life, is it not?

The company's demo was having an issue or two when I was there, but this could have been because my browswer is having an issue or two. I never got to listen to the demo from their site, but having already heard it in a podcast I had downloaded, I was shocked to find that it was an RSS feed that was being read by a software program. I knew then and there that I had to investigate this further and share the information.
http://www.odiogo.com/demo.php

This is a great technology that I suspect is going to be gaining a lot of popularity as more people find out about it. And maybe a lot more competitors, as well, trying to make those advancements that I suggested above and more. This can only be good for us all, as competition usually leads to improvement.

On trying to install it on this blog, I was defeated for some reason, but that isn't going to keep me from determing the reason and trying again, as I know that some blog hosts are a bit more temperamental about changes to their templates and installation of "foreign" widgets, etc. Also, other things I may have installed--firewalls, anti-viral and anti-trojan-ware--could be at the root of the issue.

Should you want to sign up yourself, go to this link and have a go at it. I would be interested in your experience, so come back and post it, if you will. We all learn by sharing knowledge. Thanks.
http://www.odiogo.com/

Resources For Writers:

http://www.moderoom.com/writers-idea-bank/index.htm
At this link you will find some interesting tools that you can use on your igoogle page, if you use it. There are lots of reasons to be interested in the Writer's Idea Bank, a tool to unblock writer's block. When you get a cramp in the idea department, remove it with some timely suggestions.
Other links on this page may be of interest to you also. If nothing else, they may suggest things on a tangent that may help you in the writing process.

http://www.bubbleguru.com/home.php
Okay, now this one is very interesting and will definitely make your site unique. It will place a bubble in the screen with your animation or video welcome and instruction to your visitors.

http://www.inkygirl.com/freelance-writing-rates-how-much-should-i-charge/
As a freelance writer, here is an excellent resource to answer the question of “How much should I charge and by what method?” I think you will enjoy this one.

http://www.practiline.net/
Word and line count software for translators. Not saying this is the best, but it is a starting place. There may be freeware or shareware that is even better.

http://fabiosalsi.tripod.com/converter/salary_calculator_for_translators.htm
Here is a page that will allow you a user interface for doing the calculating yourself, without purchasing software.

Acrobat or Gymnast?

Anyone who has ever wanted to create PDF files (portable and platform independent) has likely run into the cost of the most useful programs to accomplish the task (Adobe Acrobat, for example). You may have been able to afford the cost by digging into your huge advance from your publisher, the ongoing royalties from past works, etc. (It's hard to laugh with your tongue in your cheek, by the way.)

The answer to those who may be financially-challenged is to go for something more affordable (read: free), Gymnast. You will still need the free Adobe Reader, but you can now create the PDF for no cost, with Gymnast. Enjoy.

TEST of WriteToMyBlog.com

This is just a test. Had this been an actual blog entry, you would have been instructed in some manner with information of value. This has been a test of the writetomyblog.com system.

Fetch! Good boy, BlogRovr.

I like new and useful gadgets and software--no Luddite here. When Blogger for Word was interrupted, my feelings were hurt, because I enjoyed and used it a lot. However, there may still be hope, if talented programmers like the following keep at work on their ideas.

BlogRovr is a new application out for bloggers, or anyone else, that is very interesting. I am just starting to experiment with it and so have yet to be able to sing its praises, but the technology is promising, at the least.

The general idea behind BlogRovr is that you can get related blog write-ups delivered straight to you at the desktop WHILE you are reading another article or page at that instant. Kind of a servant who says, "If you are enjoying this, might I also suggest....?" Rather a novel idea (no pun intended).

My thought was an immediate, "Hey! This could help me keep up more easily on what others are doing in almost ANY field, including authoring." The potential seems immense, does it not? I am anxious to see what happens with this and look forward to your responses, should you also try it out.

http://www.blogrovr.com/

Is There A Great Story Hiding In You Somewhere? Dealing With Writer's Block

(In putting together this new site, I am also closing down the old one and moving what I think may be of interest to readers. This one of those articles.)

Writers' Block. The dreaded authors' disease. Speechless Stupor.
Whatever you may call it, it is not the desired end for a writer. A writer wants the words to flow like a mountain stream, like an artesian well, like Angel Falls--from great and astounding heights to unfathomable depths. Unfortunately that is not always the result of our efforts. Of course, it is not so bad when the block is only temporary. The worst block of all may be the one we do not notice, however.

Is it possible there is a great story hiding in you and you are not even aware of it? "How can that be possible?", you ask. To clarify, it may be the story you have yet to discover. More worrisome is that you may never discover it at all. Is that possible?

Although I cannot remember all the details, I recall hearing the true tale of a woman from Europe who once wrote a famous author and praised his work, commenting that she wished she had such talents as he. His response was to ask what it was that she did each day. She wrote back that she was a washer-woman and she sat on the steps each day after she folded her clothing. He again wrote and asked her what she saw as she sat there. She responded that she sat on the tiles the steps were made from. Back and forth this exchange went. What kind of tiles? Italian hand-made tiles. Describe them to me, etc. She began to be fascinated by the process utilized to manufacture those tiles and she sent him an impressive essay on the subject. Again he asked what else she saw as she sat there each day. She told of the ants that she would watch as they went about their activities around her feet. Another essay took flight and she sent this to him as well. Before the saga was over, she was a recognized expert on the subject of ant colonies and had several articles accepted and published in scientific journals. Other subjects of interest followed and she was just as successful in their pursuit.

Now it is your turn. Ask yourself about the world around you. Who is your neighbor? Did he or she experience some great marvel or survive some great catastrophe? Is their hobby something unusual? Are they an inspiration you have until now been unaware of? Have you done something that few others ever do in their lives? Did you overcome some great trial or obstacle in your life? Is there a great story waiting in that microcosm you call your life?

The moral of this example is fairly plain to see. The great story that seems to elude us may in fact be right under our feet all the time, with us passing it each day, oblivious to its very existence. Perhaps we may need to look up or look down for a change. Or we may be required to look outside of ourselves and our daily world to discover the excitement that was there all along. Then again, we may even need to focus inside ourselves to discover a great story that we have until today taken for granted.

Organized Confusion

It has been far too long since I have posted to this blog. I have all the usual excuses, however, so I am well prepared. A lot has been going on in my life. Researching the best way to publish my trilogy in the SHINING ARMOR series. I am writing a few new books. AIMLESS WANDERINGS will be a humor-based book (which I am still adding a bit to), to be followed up by a sequel, ORGANIZED CONFUSION, also humor-based. AMNESIA is another novel I have in the works and have been unable to spend much time with of late. I am also compiling an electronic work entitled WHO"S FUELING WHOM? AN EXPOSE' OF THE GLOBAL ENERGY CONSPIRACY. This will have a unique approach to proving claims made within the booklet. It won't be a long work, but will be a powerful one nonetheless. Considering writing a book called FAT, LAZY AND STUPID--THE PROBLEMS WITH AMERICA. Don't get me wrong, I love America and what it STOOD for. Problem is, it no longer does.

In addition, I have been involved in the formation of, with two housemates (while stuck here in Arizona), a trio of corporations that will hopefully work in a synergistic manner and accomplish a lot of good for the under-privileged and suffering in the world. There is a lot of prep work involved in this and I am learning by the seat of my pants. Fortunately they know a lot more about it. I trust that God will provide for this work, as long as we continue in His spirit and purpose.

I must assume that your holidays went well. Mine were (are) like the proverbial headless chicken, but have indeed been interesting. Being half the nation away from my family for a time, I had the privilege to spend the holidays with others who took pity on me (or wanted to punish me for some unknown crime) and invited me to join their own families. I miss the family and have made some very pronounced changes. No longer do I have to wear the Bah! Humbug! T-shirt my wife got me some years ago. I now enjoy the season and wish the good cheer could carry over all year. (My wife wants to know who I am and what I have done with her real husband).

On Christmas Eve, I had the distinct and memorable experience of having dinner with Satan and his minions. Not really, but it could as easily have been the same experience if I had. There should be a sign above this family's door that says, 'Abandon Hope, All Who Enter Here'. The whole thing was a real culture shock for me. To lay some foundation for you, I worked with the man for a short time at one job and we seemed to recognize kindred spirits in one another--they say opposites attract and we could not be more opposite than this. I call him my 'evil twin' and he calls me his 'conscience'. We have a lot of the same interests, albeit different manners of applying the knowledge (if you gave me a hammer, I would see what I could build with it--he would try to determine how to conquer the world with it). Mind you, he is brilliant--just terribly twisted in his goals. After consideration, I have decided he may be a science experiment run amok.

Anyway, for one five minute period that seemed much, much longer, they did nothing but shout obscenities and tell one another to shut up. Even the kids talked as you would expect to hear in a bar or locker room. I was very uncomfortable and smilingly asked him not to invite me back next year, whereupon the kids protested and said, 'But you're nice! You have to come back!' Maybe I got through to somebody after all, but that is an experience I would only wish once a year. Next time, if there is one, I will go in fasting and prayer and prepare to cast out the demons from their home. I am not certain if anyone will be left alive if I do, however.

Christmas day I spent with a family that had the young kids enact the Nativity scene and I got to be the angel (my wife should have seen that). The experience was wonderful--no comparison to 'Beelzebub and family' necessary to improve it. I enjoyed the conversation and the influence of good people who love one another. I only wish the other family could have experienced that. Then again, the shock may have killed one or another of the families outright. *sigh*

Free for Your Consideration

As I was growing up, I read a lot of Sci-Fi and adventure stories. I am certain my father was sorry he ever introduced me to some of it, but I learned writing techniques from master writers this way. Much of what I learned was by osmosis, I guess, but can be applied to writing novels, short stories, movies, etc. There are no regrets on my part.

Previously I have posted only portions of my writings on this and other sites. Now, for the first time, I have posted the entire Shining Armor series of three books at CTRstories.com. Along with this are several vignettes, an inspirational short story, a hymn and more to come. Why the change? Call it inspiration, a hunch,…whatever. What’s in it for you? You get to study the techniques I have learned, hopefully enjoy what you consider to be good writing and then ask me questions regarding it (via the email link on the right), if you like. I am also making available the chance to get coaching on a limited basis, but should you want more involved help (such as editing, proofing, ghostwriting, etc.), that might be arranged also.

You see, I love to write. This is my element and what I was meant to do. When you have an aptitude, use it in any way you can. If you do not, you will be miserable and frustrated all your life. Using your God-given talents will bring you joy and enrich not only your life, but the lives of others. So, with my compliments…enjoy my creations thus far. And when they are available to purchase in hard copy (soon, if all goes as planned), please support me to make more.

The Beauty of Words

The following quotes from writers were found at the “lens” site of Angela Harms at Squidoo.com. My thanks to Angela for recognizing the beauty in these words. I have asked her permission to include them here (truth be told, I couldn’t wait and hope she lets me keep them here).


“Write while the heat is in you. The writer who postpones the recording of his thoughts uses an iron which has cooled to burn a hole with. He cannot inflame the minds of his audience.”

—Henry David Thoreau
(Dr. Joe Vitale says the universe likes speed. This would seem to verify that claim.)


“Writing is easy. All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead.”

—Gene Fowler


“The faster I write the better my output. If I'm going slow I'm in trouble. It means I'm pushing the words instead of being pulled by them.”

--Raymond Chandler
(I believe in this principle totally. The faster you write, the more the vision comes to the front. Edit later. Let the separate hemispheres of the brain work alone as much as possible. This clears the mind for the processes to to work optimally.)

“It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous.”

—Robert Benchley


See Angela's personal site and read her sage advice at: http://www.angelaharms.com/

This quote, another good one (and unfortunately accurate, all too often) was posted at BCwriters.com, a federation of writers from British Columbia.

"The writer is odd from day one and in the course of pursuing this maddening profession becomes distinctly odder... It is not unusual for a successful writer -- your favourite, the one you think of as full of sunshine, wisdom and laughter -- to spend great portions of his or her life in a state of fury, hideously disappointed, or even raving mad." -- Paul Theroux

Listen Up! Great advice for free!

Okay, let me take a moment to clarify. This advice is great. It is also free—but only if you follow it. It could cost you quite dearly, if you don’t. Read on.

While surfing the Internet, I found this wonderful article by Constance (Connie) Briscoe, a published author of over 10 years and five fiction books, some of which have hit the most prominent best sellers lists. Here, she not only discusses the ten basic steps she used to get published, but also discusses the pros and cons of seeking representation -- the age old question of “literary agent vs. publisher” (you may presently have the wrong idea which is best).

All in all, Connie is experienced, smart and willing to help you. You would do well to listen and learn, as I have. Enjoy.

How To Get Published

Screenplays and More

The old saying is that if you want advice from a butcher, you don't go to the baker or candlestick maker. The same advice holds true in screenwriting or any other facet of the authoring world. I will be the first to admit I am not an expert in screenwriting. I have never written a screenplay, although I want to learn how and do so. I do know how to find an expert, though. One with very good credentials and years of expert experience can be found here: coverscript.com.

I am quite impressed with what I read here. In addition to some extremely reasonable rates to look over your work, Lynne Pembroke has the wealth of experience and knowledge to help you make it a top quality, prize-winning effort. You may find that writing a screenplay is nowhere near the same as writing the novel you derive it from. They are, admittedly, two separate disciplines and should be respected as such. Therefore, what may have come quickly and easily in your novel may be the hardest thing in the world to put properly into screenplay format. The wise person knows and admits when he is out of his league.

I have looked at screenplays and have remarked to myself that they appeared to be stripped down so far as to be devoid of life and imagery--mere skeletal versions of the story. The expert screenplay writer sees a different side, quite obviously. What that is, I can only guess, but I do know there is an art to it and I am not in the inner circle as to what the rules of the game may be (pardon me for mixing metaphors, but you get the idea).

That is where an expert, like Lynne, comes in. Cut to the chase, as they would say in film. Do you need an expert in your corner? Only you can say. Do you have all the time in the world and you are doing this for your own enjoyment? Then you may not ever need someone to critique and mentor you to perfection. Do you want to be taken seriously by the film industry or TV industry? Then you would do well to cover all bases and get that all-important second opinion from an industry resident expert.

I have to point out that I have never met Lynne Pembroke, spoken with her in any manner and I am certainly not being paid by her to write this regarding her and her profession. To the best of my knowledge, she will never even know that I have written this article. The reason I have done it is simply to point out that there are times when we cannot rely upon our own talents and instincts to carry us through--that time is when we are out of our natural element. Have you ever written a screenplay? You may be a natural, but... why take chances when you have one opportunity to make a first impression? The same advice holds true in all areas of life. You are constantly selling something, but always selling yourself. What kind of product are you? That will determine what others think about your work ethic, your work quality and your dependability. Fail to make a good first impression and the second, no matter how favorable, will only average out.

What you decide to do is entirely up to you. Have fun writing that screenplay, but when you are ready to go to the next level with it, have a good mentor and co-pilot to get you there, okay?

Peek in on these sites.

You don't always have to be in pursuit of that great American novel to be considered an accomplished writer. Today I would like to offer a short list of sites for you that concern freelance writing possibilities and advice. Other avenues of income are always welcome, are they not? And a brief look through my first suggestion will definitely expand your view of the channels through which you might make some extra income as a writer.

As nearly exhaustive as I have ever seen, this first site is definitely worth a close look and further research. You may well decide that you have the talents and qualifications to fit into many of these listed slots. Perhaps there is on this list something you have never before considered yourself capable of. Take chances and do the research. Compare your writing on a particular subject to that of a recognized expert. You may be shocked to find yourself exclaiming, "I could do that!" This is not to say that you will immediately rise to the top, like cream, of course, but the value is in seeing avenues of expansion that you never saw or considered before--if you do something about it afterward, that is.

sohoday.com/FreelanceWritingontheInternet

The next site I would like you to consider also opens up some new frontiers for you, unless you have already done a podcast or audio book. If not, perhaps you should consider doing so. Few people read a book with the same passion as the author of the work. This is your opportunity to bring to life the characters and situations you wrote about--your chance to make them real in the minds of potential readers. The word images you drew can be painted anew in more vivd colors than ever before. Everyone loves a story and it is more riveting to many when they are told the story. So, take a look and consider this--even if it is only an excerpt. Don't worry about lost revenue, as there are still many that prefer to hold a copy themselves--right there in their hot little hands.

podiobooks.com

Not to overload you, but to expand your view of what is out there and awaiting you, I add these links, also. I am not suggesting plagiarism, but you never know where the next great idea is going to come from. It may come from your boredom and surfing the sites of others. These came from entering the phrase "Freelance Writing" into my search engine (I use searchbigdaddy because it pays me points I can use to purchase advertising when I choose to do so. Check it out for yourself.)

freelancewrite.about.com

freelancewriting.com

suite101.com/freelance_writers

writerlance.com

howstuffworks.com/magazine-writing

Authors, get a PDF Power-Brander at no charge!

"Okay", you are saying, "What is a PDF brander?" Well, it is very simple, my friend. If you are a writer (and I assume that either you are or you want to be, or you wouldn't be here right now), you may one day want to make a PDF (a multi-platform text that works on Mac's and PC's alike)--an E-Book of your own. You will probably want to brand it with your name or company name, to ensure that every copy that gets sent abroad on the internet will bear that identification as well. Well, here is where you can get the program that will allow you to do just that--at no charge! I got mine; you get yours.

Get your own PDF Brander

Also, get a PDF creator for free here. You need this to create the eBook to brand.

pdf995 download

I have also heard of a PDF-creating program called Gymnast, that purports to work the same way Adobe Acrobat does. Note that I have not yet had time to look these programs over, so proceed first with a copy of your work--not the ONLY copy.

Have fun and tell me what you think.

The Write Discoveries

When I find sites I feel will be of use to you, I like to share the discovery and list the links in the column at the righthand side of this page (as time permits), so it will always be there when you need it. My intent is to eventually make this a one-stop shop for all of your writing needs. To that end, here are more discoveries you should see. Some are fun, some are nuts-and-bolts serious. All are useful in some way.

WritingFix.com

(Rather intriguing and fun)

Writing.com

(See links at top of page)

Writer's Tools

(A variety of interesting resources)

Please feel free to email me and add more suggestions. I will review them as time permits.

A VERY impressive site from the UK. -- ExploreWriting.

ExploreWriting.co.uk

I received a request to look at this site and include a link to it in the column to the right. It didn't take long to see that this is a quality site and deserving of the attention. Many thanks to Alex Collins for pointing it out to me and best wishes with further development of the site, which is handsomely done and efficiently laid out (I may have to adopt some of their html code implementation, as well). I recommend you look it over thoroughly for the good advice included there. Well worth your time.

Query Letter Example

I thought it might interest to you to see a query letter. I have searched the 'net high and low for an example and come up empty handed. There were many and differing opinions regarding content, but I found none to actually study. I have concluded that even the experts cannot agree and that perhaps I should trust my instincts.

I knew that this query letter would be a calling card, a resume, an introduction and a sales letter. I had one chance and it must be professional and polished. Below is the letter, which I printed on a monogrammed letterhead--very nice indeed. And it seems to have gotten attention. I suggest that you keep to two pages maximum, but you must follow your instincts as well. Any questions? Write to me at pointedwords@gmail.com.com.

[Note that I belatedly asked for the advice of a professional writer and editor in regards to this letter. Although the original draft received a reading and a good response, it was not what I had hoped. Had I requested this friends' expert advice before I sent the letter, it may well have gotten a better response. 'Better late than never,' as they say. Although I am not at liberty to divulge the name of this good person, I certainly appreciate the kind gesture and wish her well personally. My letter has certainly become better because of her attention to it. Below is the revised and improved version.]



(To whom are you addressing it? Include the agency name and address in full.)

The Charlotte Gusay Literary Agency
10532 Blythe, Suite 211
Los Angeles, CA 90064

(What is it that you are pitching? Include this in the upper right hand corner of the letter. This saves guessing for the agent or editor you have sent it to. It may also picque their interest, if you are creative without getting bizarre or gaudy).

Thriller/Romance--modern times
circa 70,000 words

(Whom do you want to read it? Do your research and call for the name of the editor or agent, if you must. People like their name and respond to it better than to their titles.)

Attention: Charlotte Gusay

(Give an exciting and 'visually stimulating' example from the work itself. This tells them you can indeed write and engage an audience. It also tells them this could make a good film.)

The arm shot around her like a python, strangling her already bruised and protesting ribs in its relentless grip. The hand that followed closed powerfully across her mouth to prevent warning screams for the would-be rescuers that were drawing nigh. Denise felt her eyes were large as saucers as she swung the steel point swiftly and surely into the thigh she knew was behind her. Again and again she drove the screwdriver home until the hands that held her relinquished their grip and with a groan of agony, gave her the freedom she demanded. Denise screamed quickly and determinedly to let the others know where she was. There were only seconds to enjoy her sovereignty and she knew Ted stood between her and those who sought her, still too far away to help. He now bellowed like the beast he was and again prepared to charge. In bitter anguish, Denise turned away from her desired goal and fled deeper into the black, dense growth of the forest.
--Excerpt from Shining Armor—The Knight Appears

(Give a brief synopsis of the story to further generate interest. This must be in present tense. Identify characters by name and project a feel for them as people. You want the editor or agent to forget to read as a professional and read as a fan.)

In Shining Armor --The Knight Appears, Ronald Jameson is a man who has suffered the loss of his wife a year or so previously and has become a recluse, kept company in his solitude only by his pain.

While Ron sits peacefully at a diner one morning, a bully (Ted Randall) begins to openly terrorize and abuse a woman (Denise Payton) and her female friend. Concerned for their safety, Ron tries to calmly and quietly defuse the situation, but instead sets into motion a chain of events that threatens him and Denise with the loss of their lives, for Ted Randall is a psychopathic madman, delusional to the point that he will stop at nothing in order to achieve what he wants or to have revenge on those who attempt to impede his will.

The settings for the story range from a modern city to the forested mountain range nearby. Not only must the hero and heroine evade dangers in their daily surroundings, but also their inevitable flight leads them to a cabin retreat, which they hope will prove to be a refuge and safe haven. Instead, their enemy follows and attempts to murder them there. The hardships of the wilderness environment seem trivial when compared with the threat posed by this evil personified.

(Your market and the audience you plan to reach?)

As a crossover genre, shown already to appeal to both men and women, as well as to a wide base of reader interests, this should prove to be a profitable addition to your catalog. The market for suspense and thrillers is huge and, in addition, romance readers are unquestionably among the largest group of book consumers. The current market demand for realism will be advantageous, as well. Based on preliminary reader responses, I am quite confident this will adapt excellently to film, further propelling sales of the book.

(Show that you are a consummate professional in every way and that you do your homework. They also want to know you will get involved in the process before they put their money into it.)

Ms. Gusay, I have studied the techniques of master writers since my teen years and upon completion of my manuscript, I knew a market test was advisable. The best test would be with strangers who owed me nothing but the brutal truth. Logical “experts” would be avid readers of the thriller, suspense and romance genres. Additionally, those not normally fans of these genre would be the acid test. Responses to this testing have been overwhelmingly positive. I include a few samples, excerpted for brevity, but written as received:

(Prove your claims with real and viable examples and testimonials. These must be unbiased--none of the "My Mom loves it" stuff.)

• "I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I love it...I want more…. You have a great way of capturing the reader very quickly. The characters seem so real…. The suspense had my heart racing as I was trying to read faster…"

--Roxane Raley

• "Draws you right in. More like watching a movie than reading a book."

--Mary Harrison

• “I’ve been enjoying it, which really surprised me, being this particular genre.”

--Sarge McClintock

• "I predict great things from you, Steve. ...I really like your book!...you have a great voice and a great story. "

-- --Kerry Lynn Blair--author of This Just In and 6 other novels

• "wow, Wow, WOW!!! I was hooked the moment I started reading ...yours seemed more real, totally believable.... I felt as though I was right there…."

--Katrina Wildeboer

• "Usually it takes at least 10 pages to peak my interest, but I can already tell this is going to be great! Captivating from page one! Quite an accomplishment."

--Maryann Faler

(Show that you value their input and are confident of their interest. Make certain your work has been gone over with a fine-toothed comb first. There may still be faults, but you want them to be minimal in nature and few in number. Mention any other of your works they could be interested in, but be brief and remember these are busy people.)

Please note that, although this novel functions well as a stand-alone, I have also written two sequel novellas: The Evil Returns (presently ca. 28,000 words) and The Rival (presently ca. 35,000 words), with reprise appearances of characters from the original work and introducing new and interesting characters as the adventure continues. These would go well under the same cover as the original or issued together under a separate cover. They might also be expanded, if required. Preliminary response to them has been quite favorable, as well.

(Show genuine and sincere gratitude for the time and attention given you. Again, these are very busy and overworked individuals.)

Ms. Gusay, I thank you, in advance, for your time and attention. I look forward to your response and advice. Please notify me regarding format preference and whether you desire a few chapters or the complete manuscript.

(Sign and include your contact info, which may or may not repeat your letterhead info.)

Steven O’Dell

6464 E. Portia Circle
Mesa, AZ 85215
Cell: 509-855-2939
pointedwords@gmail.com (Because anything else is pointless.)

(A little humor never hurts, when appropriate. It shows you are human and approachable. Besides, there may be days these folks hate their jobs, too. If you make them laugh or smile, they might look more favorably upon you. At least they may remember you more easily the next time you approach them with a project.)

Always remain confident as you write. If you feel it, you will project it as well. Believe in your work, but be prepared for constructive critique and be ready to follow it, if it is valid. You should want your work to be perfect. Ideally, if it is perfect before you send it in, the editor or agent should read as a fan--not an agent or editor. However, should you get constructive criticism, remember this: Stephen King says that if he gets the same suggestions 2-3 times, he takes them seriously. You do the same. You will only benefit from it. The only time I suggest that you resist--and please do so politely--is when the inner muse dictates so strongly that you cannot ignore the impulse. This is not for the sake of foolish pride. It is not because you already think your work is perfect, but because you KNOW that fiddling with it will only harm the story. When you know it, you just know it, even if you cannot explain how you know it. Then, and only then, should you politely resist the critique of a publisher or agent.

It is also advisable to write a thank-you letter upon receipt of a rejection letter. This shows you are mature and can take it. It also is a perfect opportunity to ask politely why it was rejected and what you might do to improve your work. Think of it as another foot in the door. Who knows what may come of it? Best wishes and keep writing.

Finding a Book Publisher

A special thanks to Jenna Glatzer of AbsoluteWrite.com for this great article. Here is a lady with lots of experience and awesome credentials.

Finding a Book Publisher
By Jenna Glatzer

Recently, a few writer-friends on the Absolute Write message boards and I were lamenting the fact that many inexperienced writers get tricked into believing that vanity presses and borderline-vanity presses are traditional publishers. We were talking about the numbers, mostly—how did so many new writers even find these publishers?

It all became shockingly clear: search engines.

We found that new writers often type phrases like “book publisher,” “find a publisher,” “book publishing,” or “novel publishers” into search engines like Google. And what comes up when you do that? Vanity presses all over the first page, with enticing messages like “Publish fast! We want your book!” Many writers don't dig much deeper than that. They find those first few publishers, submit their manuscripts, and take the first "acceptance letter" that comes their way.

See, vanity and fringe presses caught on a lot faster than I did. They figured out what new writers were searching for and they optimized their web pages to make sure that when a writer typed in keywords like “book publisher” or “novel publisher,” their pages would come up first.

Now, I love the Internet. It’s a fabulous tool. But search engines are not the best spot to start your research when you’re a new writer in search of a book publishing contract. They’ll take you to the last-resort places first.

If you’re truly serious about building a career as an author, whether you plan to write novels or nonfiction books, you won’t skimp on the research. Aside from the time you spend actually writing the book, researching your publishing options may be your most valuable effort in the publication process. If you put your heart, your labor, your discipline into this manuscript, doesn’t it deserve the best home you can find for it?

Choosing a publisher is no simple task, and it’s not a decision that should be based on impatience. Yes, the easy way out is to find one of these “we’ll accept anything” publishers, turn in your manuscript, and have your book in your hands in a matter of just a couple of months (maybe even weeks). Unfortunately, it’s the easy way out only until you actually try to sell the darn thing—then it’s about the hardest road you could possibly have taken.

The next simplest way to find a publisher is in the Writer’s Market. I look forward to its publication every year; it helps to keep me up-to-date about thousands of markets for my work. You can search through it in hardcopy or online, and it has a genre index at the back so you can flip to book publishers that match your genre quickly. However, it shouldn’t be your only tool.

You may choose to look for an agent first, or you may choose to go it alone. Agents typically take a 15 percent commission from sale money; legitimate agents do not charge anything up-front. A good agent can help you get read faster, can help you get read in places that are typically closed to unsolicited submissions, and can help you negotiate the best possible deal.

That said, I’ve made more than half of my book deals on my own. I tend to be more proactive about my career than an agent ever could be, and I’m not afraid to negotiate. It’s all a matter of figuring out what works best for you.

If you choose to fly solo, there really are better ways of finding a publisher than doing random searches or reading books of guidelines. Here are my best tips:

1. Read Publishers Lunch (www.publisherslunch.com), which gives a run-down of book deals. It tells you which publishers are buying which types of books, and usually includes the name of the editor who acquired the book and the agent who made the deal.

2. Read Publishers Weekly (www.publishersweekly.com). It’s expensive, but you can probably find it at your local library. This will keep you up-to-date on industry happenings, trends, who’s buying what, and staff changes.

3. Read books! This may be the most obvious, yet most overlooked suggestion. The best way to target your submissions is to find books in your genre or on similar topics at a bookstore or library, then copy down the name of the publisher. Check the acknowledgments section, too, to see if the author mentioned the editor or agent. Then you can hop onto Google and type in the publishers’ name. More often than not, on any publishers’ site, you’ll find a link to submission guidelines. Barring that, there should be a mailing address or e-mail address at the very least. You can cross-reference information with Writer’s Market once you’ve found publishers that interest you, too.

4. Ask around. Let’s say you found a book in your genre that you enjoyed, but you’ve never heard of the publisher. There’s no harm in looking up the author, then sending off a polite e-mail to ask if he or she is having a positive experience with that publisher.

5. Search Amazon. Look up books you’ve read or heard of in your genre or category. Amazon lists the book publisher in each book’s entry. Then look up the publisher in a search engine or guidebook.

Assuming you want to earn a living from your writing, it’s important that your book reaches a large audience. That means it needs adequate distribution. Unfortunately, most print-on-demand publishers can’t achieve decent bookstore distribution because of a number of bookstore-unfriendly policies (no returns allowed, lower-than-average discounts to bookstores, lack of a bar code or price on the back of the book, etc.), not to mention the overall poor quality of vanity-published books due to a lack of editing and lack of editorial standards. This is not the crowd you want to be in if you plan to be a professional writer.

Above all else, you must be patient. There’s much more to book publishing than I could ever share in a short article; luckily, there are plenty of professional authors who are more than willing to share their expertise with you. Don’t rush your manuscript out until you feel secure that you understand the way the industry works. A few good clues: Do you know what a distributor does versus a wholesaler? Do you know which trade magazines’ reviews are important? Do you know why it’s preferable to get royalties on list price instead of net? Do you know why it’s important to have an “out of print” clause and what it should look like?

There’s nothing wrong with not knowing the answers. Everyone starts someplace. The only wrong thing is rushing into the publishing industry before you get those answers. The more naïve you are about the process, the easier it is for unscrupulous people to get hold of you.

A traditional publisher will never pressure you to buy your own books, to pay for editing or cover art or even your own copyright. They’ll cover the expenses. You’ll be expected to pitch in with publicity efforts, but it won’t all fall on your shoulders. With vanity and fringe presses, these standards aren’t there. Those companies make money from authors instead of from readers.

I know the road can seem long and difficult. Most authors receive many rejection letters before that first acceptance letter. But it’s a worthwhile wait. In a case like this, your first “instinct” may not be the best one. The kinds of publishers you probably want to deal with are not the ones who are screaming, “Click here! We’ll publish your book!” They’re the ones who are busy actually selling books instead of concentrating their efforts on luring in new writers.

Keep working at it until you find the right solution. Take as much care in finding a book publisher as you would a marriage partner; get to know the publisher before you commit, and understand what you’re getting into. When you begin walking into bookstores and seeing readers picking up your book, you’ll thank yourself that you took the time to get it right.

Jenna Glatzer is the editor-in-chief of www.AbsoluteWrite.com and the author of many books, including Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer, which comes with a free editors' cheat sheet at www.jennaglatzer.com. Her latest book, Fear is No Longer My Reality, which she co-wrote with Jamie Blyth of The Bachelorette, is hot off the press.

This article may be freely reprinted in any e-zine, newsletter, website, or print publication as long as the bio remains intact.