|
|
Jack of Genre: Newsletter for Writers
Archive
Welcome to Jack of Genre: Newsletter for Writers Archive. Here, you will find past issues of the newsletter, which contain useful and inspiring articles, tips, links, and creative ideas for writers. Read these articles to learn what high school rarely taught us and what college sometimes teaches us about writing and the writing process.
Many writers learn by trial and error, but editor and author Chris Goebel presents the trials learned without your having to make the errors!
Jack of Genre keeps you focused on writing and encourages writers to explore their creativity and begin living like a writer! If you want to be a writer, if you are a writer, then Jack of Genre: Newsletter for Writers saves you time and money. To receive this FREE monthly newsletter and Members Only benefits with monthly passwords to Freebies for Writers webpages and other goodies for writers, click here.
Pen to Paper~
Chris Goebel, author of Jack of Genre,
Editor-in-Chief, Humdinger Literary E-zine |
|
Happy Holidays from Jack of Genre:
Newsletter for Writers!
Everything a Multi-Genre Writer Could Need!
| December |
 |
Welcome to Jack of Genre Newsletter, All kinds of writing for all kinds of writers.
First week of December, 2005
Hello, All:
This December issue of "Jack of Genre" will provide you with presents, teach you the value of writers and poets, provide you with links to great world dictionaries, offer creative marketing advice and links to helpful resources, such as a Comma Page! It's a huge, jam-packed issue that you might dedicate to reading today or with coffee or tea in the afternoon.
Let's start right away with your Christmas/Hannukah presents: links to great things (sans cost) for you or your website! Enjoy!
Happy Holidays!
Pen to Paper~
Chris Goebel
Editor, Humdinger Literary E-zine
www.humdingerzine.com
Editor@humdingerzine.com
Jack of Genre Newsletter provides timely and useful information for writers about writing, simple editing, hot Internet links and outstanding promotional techniques to help you promote yourself and your book.
Sensational writing can be in any genre. Broaden your perspective and explore new styles and experimental writing. This will open the floodgates to your creativity and ultimately result in your literary success.
Links to Your Presents:
The Table of Contents is located below this Special Holiday Edition Present Section.
Chris Goebel's Marketing Page
I've contemplated this long and hard and decided you're worth it. So, I'm opening the door to my marketing page FOR ONE MONTH ONLY to Jack of Genre subscribers. That's right, now you have access to a marketing page that's worth months of research and would normally cost professional fees to find.
Here's the marketing page link, which is password protected. When you access the page, type in the password below. Remember, this is ONLY AVAILABLE FOR ONE MONTH!
Offer Finished on January 2nd. To avoid missing more FREEBIES, subscribe to Jack of Genre by clicking here.
Tons of Trial Software for Writers
I searched for the best website deal for writers and found it at BellaOnline (not what I'd expect, but hey . . . ) You've got to see the trial software for writers they offer. Wow!
http://bellaonline.com/articles/art3479.asp
To Get a Joke Machine for your Website:
http://www.thejokemachine.com
You will have to register for Click Bank, which will require your personal information. For books sold, you get a check. Joke Machine sends a confirmation e-mail with the code for the Joke Machine. It tells jokes and adds humor to your website (the Only reason Humdinger acquired it, as we don't appreciate ugly ads). The sample on the website is the same you'll receive.
Get a Braille Alphabet Card (yes, you can feel it):
If you love all languages, then you can appreciate learning a little Braille. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery:
http://www.afb.org/braillebug/Braille.asp
Article: "Why Poets and Writers Exist" by Chris Goebel
Article: "Where to Find International Vocabulary Words: World Dictionary Lists" by Chris Goebel
Simple Grammar: Comma Usage
Creativity Culture: Original Marketing Ideas for Publsihed and Will-Publish Authors
Excuses for Not Writing Your Book
In Our Next Issue
"Why Poets and Writers Exist" By Chris Goebel
Sometimes, to get inspired, you need to understand the value of your skills and what you have to offer the world. Writers and Poets possess important abilities that the world needs desperately.
Recall your first love. Was there music involved? A favorite love song? Do you remember the words? Lyrics are poems in themselves and why do songs have lyrics, anyway? Why isn't the music sufficient? Well, sometimes it is. Most of the time, music alone fails to garner praise from the community of listeners and there's a fantastic reason: lyrics communicate for listeners the words they often do not have to describe their emotions. Time and again, Poets and Writers (capitalized here because of the significance they have in this article) express what they feel in such a way that those not skilled in our area use our words so that they can speak their own. In some cases, people had no idea what they felt about someone until they heard it expressed in a song.
Let's explore another genre (and be patient with me if it's not your primary genre): romance. Don't worry, we've more genres to briefly explore. In the case of romance, which has fueled the interest of wives, mothers and daughters, the art of romance-even seduction-is explored. On a deeper level, romance readers learn romantic methods of communication. They learn the vocabulary of love.
What about the value of Science Fiction? What is affectionately called Sci-Fi is also called Speculative Fiction, which is perhaps a more appropriate name. Why? Because it speculates about the future. If we can write it, then it can become. Since movies come from screenplays, discussing movies for this topic is just as appropriate as the novels, though of course, the book is almost always better, isn't it? For example, Star Wars speculates about future technology and worlds. From that type of speculation comes important dreams, plans, ideas, concepts for technology, etc. I've always wanted a landspeeder because of Star Wars. If I get one, it'll likely be because someone who watched or read Star Wars made it come to life. This can go much further, of course, to concepts portrayed in such movies as Independence Day and War of the Worlds, in which Earth must defend itself. By predicting possible future complications now in our literature, we create future solutions today.
Virtually every novel, poem and article or essay depicts some aspect of human history. If you've ever read memoirs of deceased family members, then you know the value of every comment about past life. I think Jose Marti advised us to have a son, plant a tree and write a book so that we could attain immortality. Books can outlive them all. What we write today could well exist hundreds of years from now. I remember seeing a book written by Christopher Columbus and not caring what he wrote, just that something so full of life from the past stood in a glass case in front of me. When you start that negative talk-you know what I'm talking about-remember too that you have your abilities for a reason. The world needs you to do what you're made to do. If you're made to write, then do it.
Pen to Paper (and I always mean it)~
Chris Goebel
Editor, Humdinger Literary E-zine
www.humdingerzine.com
You can subscribe to Chris Goebel's newsletter, Jack of Genre: Newsletter for Writers, at:
http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Jack-of-Genre.html
Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website? Just include the author's blurb (above) with the article.
Do you find articles in Jack of Genre useful and inspiring? Forward it to a friend!
Looking for inspiration?
Visit Humdinger Literary E-zine's website and enter our writing contests for an exciting challenge! *Check our NEW More Writing Contests page.
http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Writing-Contest.html
OR
http://www.humdingerzine.com
"Where to Find International Vocabulary Words: World Dictionary Lists" by Chris Goebel
Before I explain how useful online dictionaries are, let me tell the whole truth: I must have several ancient dictionaries around me at home. For one, they are sometimes faster and offer the background story and language of many words. Also, they contain archaic vocabulary words. I love dying vocabulary words. When I picked Humdinger as the name of my e-zine, it was with the thought that the word Humdinger is in danger of becoming archaic. I thought that in some way, I might preserve at least one word. Back to dictionaries though. Writers need access to multiple resources for vocabulary. If you write often, then you know this; if you don't, you'll learn soon. What I'd like to do is provide you with some great resources to check and bookmark if you find them useful.
Do you write freelance articles about surprising topics? Need specific words for a certain country, cuisine or culture? Try this website, which provides pages of links to very unusual dictionaries and glossaries:
Glossarist World Glossaries and World Dictionaries at:
http://www.glossarist.com/glossaries/world-regions-countries-travel/
Do you need to know how to pronounce that odious word you copied from a dictionary and now have to read aloud for an audience?
MSN Encarta (claims to have 100,000 entries)
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/dictionaryhome.aspx
Would you like to access dictionaries to Spanish, French and Italian?
WordReference.com
http://www.wordreference.com/
Do you need to translate whole portions of text from one language to another (without having to hire someone to do it)?
Try one of my all-time favorites, AltaVista's Babelfish:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/
At Babelfish, you can copy and paste up to 150 words at a time. What a wonderful tool! Mind you, this isn't for perfect translations, but it will provide enough for you to understand the meaning of the document in question or communicate something important. Incidentally, if you want to provide others with the opportunity to translate your site into multiple languages, Babelfish offers that too at:
http://www.altavista.com/help/free/free_searchbox_transl
Way to go!
Now that I've given you so many great resources, let's add one more unusual one: a slang dictionary list website. Now you can find words people really wish you didn't know. How authentic you can make your characters sound!
The Alternative Dictionaries
http://www.notam02.no/~hcholm/altlang/
Note: Some of the slang dictionaries at the above site are pdf. files and some aren't. Each dictionary varies in size, but the first language listed, Acadian, is not a great example of all the language available there. Keep in mind, though, that the slang provided is of the most colorful variety (not for the innocent).
Good luck word hunting!
Pen to Paper~
Chris Goebel
Editor, Humdinger Literary E-zine
www.humdingerzine.com
You can subscribe to Chris Goebel's newsletter, Jack of Genre: Newsletter for Writers, at:
http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Jack-of-Genre.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website? Just include the author's blurb (above) with the article.
Do you find articles in Jack of Genre useful and inspiring? Forward it to a friend!
Simple Grammar: COMMA USAGE
I think teachers scared students away from using commas, because they mentioned over and over that we should not commit the sin of making comma splices. There's some point in it, because sometimes, we add commas where we stop to think and not where we intend the reader to pause. As an editor, I face the opposite: modern writers under use commas. Thankfully, I don't have to re-invent the wheel to teach you about commas. Let me send you to a page that is literally raining commas and will also simply teach you when to use commas. Print out that page and you'll be set!
http://freewebs.com/ashk4007/
Creative Culture:
Original Marketing Ideas
For Published and Will-Publish Authors
A writer (who will remain nameless) told me that he/she wrote the name of his/her website on dollar bills. They researched it and found it that it's not illegal. I guess not, since we've all been to stores that marked right across our 20's and 100's (more of those, right?). In any case, this is clearly a case of ORIGINAL MARKETING.
How can you market your book or writing skills? Authors have sold books out of the back of their cars. Some provide E-books, sans cost, to get exposure; others offer first chapters, etc. You can create bookmarks, postcards, have pens, pencils, keychains, rulers, T-shirts and any number of things created to promote your book or website. Is that original, though? Not quite. Let's take it a step farther.
You're Irish and you wrote a book. Shouldn't you be at Irish bars on St. Patrick's Day, signing away copies of your oh-so-Irish book? What if you wrote a non-fiction book about lighthouses? Can you sell copies of it at local or even distant lighthouses? I'll bet you could launch balloons or any number of things to promote your book in unusual ways. Think beyond flyers, though, unless those flyers have something magical about them (mini-books attached, perhaps?).
Where there's a will, there's a way. Build up your will and think of ways to market your book today!
In our next issue:
5 Things to Do to Get Published
10 New Years Resolutions for Writers
Top 10 List of Things that are Not Inspiring
Link to Humdinger Literary E-zine:
<A HREF="http://user98512.websitewizard.com/">Click Here to visit Humdinger Literary E-zine: All types of Writing for all types of Readers</A>
Excuses for Not Writing that Book:
Excuse #71: I'm having too many clown nightmares.
Thanks for sharing Jack of Genre with us. In each issue, take advantage of our surprisingly simple and successful writing tips, useful links and energizing creativity activities.
If you have suggestions for articles or possible submissions for Jack of Genre Newsletter, e-mail me at:
Editor@humdingerzine.com
If you get homesick, come visit Humdinger's website at: www.humdingerzine.com
Chris Goebel
Editor of Humdinger Literary E-zine
Unforgettable Fiction and Poetry
Keep up with Chris' most recent escapades at The Eclectic Editor's Blog:
http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Eclectic-Editor-Blog
Make sure that you list our address with your Internet provider so that our next issue is not sent into your bulk mail folder.
If you wish to Unsubscribe, please send an email with Unsubscribe typed in the body of the document:
Editor@humdingerzine.com
|
|
|
|
All Kinds of Writing for All Kinds of Writers |
|
Jack of Genre Newsletter for Writers
Welcome to Jack of Genre Newsletter, All kinds of writing for all kinds of writers.
First week of November, 2005
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update on Humdinger Literary E-zine
The Perfect Christmas Present for Children
Article: "Planning Great New Worlds: World Creation Strategies for Authors of Fantasy, Science Fiction and Even Mainstream Novels" by Chris Goebel
Article: "Marketing a Children's Book, or Any Other Book, for That Matter," by Chris Goebel
Simple Grammar: The SAT Prepositional Phrase Secret-Something We Need to Know
Links: Website Wizard
In Our Next Issue
Creativity Culture: How Finding a Problem Sometimes Provides a Solution
Excuses for Not Writing Your Book
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Note: You may find it beneficial to print this newsletter and refer to it later as needed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Update on Humdinger Literary E-zine
Hello, All. I hope you are excitedly anticipating the holidays and enjoying the building compassionate mood in the air. Here is an update on our parent, Humdinger Literary E-zine:
Humdinger's November E-zine is up and it the largest literary magazine I've seen lately. Exciting! We don't have a specified size and I hope to keep it that way so we can publish as much as we wish. This may change when we go into print (yes, there's talk of that already!), but we'll see. In November's issue, we have a special guest, Middlepoet, who is Jersey City, New Jersey's Poet Laureate (2004). Middlepoet is a performance poet and this month shares his poetry and an article he wrote for Humdinger on how to perform poetry. If you're not a poet, never fear, plenty of hilarious stories and a combination of experiences, emotions and plots to fill a weekend afternoon. Grab a latte, jasmine tea, beer or brandy and chill with Humdinger's November issue.
The Perfect Christmas Present for Children
I spent part of this afternoon talking with the author of The Boy, the King, and the Chihuahua, Salvador SeBasco. During that time, he read part of this delightful book to me. Had I not been in public and surrounded by others, I would have cried. Why? It inspires the imagination of children! The premise is that a king promises to reward one of his Chihuahuas to whoever can climb the castle wall and be taller than he is. Only a little boy comes up with the unexpected solution. The book grows with children, as it has two additional sections for children to grow into and understand. 80+ pages. A delightful, heartwarming and inspiring gift I wholeheartedly recommend. You can see The Boy, the King, and the Chihuahua for yourself or order one (I bought two today) at:
www.iJustRead.com
For five additional dollars (to cover shipping costs to the author and back to you), Salvador will sign your copy.
I hope you have some special children in your life you can purchase this book for, because it will provide the inspirational flames for their creative genius. A rare gift indeed . . .
Have fun! Pen to Paper~
Chris Goebel
Editor, Humdinger Literary E-zine
www.humdingerzine.com
Editor@humdingerzine.com
Jack of Genre Newsletter provides timely and useful information for writers about writing, simple editing, hot Internet links and outstanding promotional techniques to help you promote yourself and your book.
Sensational writing can be in any genre. Broaden your perspective and explore new styles and experimental writing. This will open the floodgates to your creativity and ultimately result in your literary success.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Planning Great New Worlds: World Creation Strategies for Authors of Fantasy, Science Fiction and Even Mainstream Novels
By Chris Goebel, Editor of Humdinger Literary E-zine
Please learn this now. If you learn it later, it will be much, much later and you will wish to turn your legs backwards so you can kick yourself for not listening. BEFORE you write that awesome Fantasy, Science Fiction or even Mainstream novel, build that world first. What in the heck am I talking about? World Mapping.
A picture should come to mind of any number of books, such as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, which provides maps of his world for the reader. Tolkien likely did not construct those maps with you in mind. No, if you're writing about a new world, you must be able to visualize it! This goes for any type of fiction, as many modern writers in all genres create their own worlds or cities instead of using our world or familiar cities. In fact, you can write about your city or town, but rename it ;-)
YOU CAN LEARN THE HARD WAY
I learned the brick wall hard way-wham! Several chapters into a Fantasy novel I was writing, I stopped. Couldn't go a step farther. I had several protagonists traveling to various parts of this new world. But how could I indicate their directions or have them meet one another if I didn't have a clear map of where everything was situated? As my father says, "How are you going to get there if you don't know where you're going?" Of course, I stopped and drew a world map.
IT'S SO EASY THAT LITTLE KIDS CAN DO THIS
Take something round, such as a small plate. Put it on a piece of paper. Trace around it. Now, you've got a circle. There's your world. Decide the shape of countries, provinces, cities, bodies of water, mountain ranges, etc. Draw them on the map. Who cares if the maps look perfect? This is for YOU. If you make the world map part of your novel, that's great. We live in a visual world.
WHAT TO DO AFTER THE WORLD MAP
Keep your world map visible while you write and refer back to it as needed. Now, when characters travel, you know which direction to have them going or coming. This lends depth to the narration.
IS THERE MORE?
I developed many strategies to world build, not just using world maps. And while other authors have constructed world maps, I didn't know the strategy existed; I developed the concept out of necessity. For example, also in my new world were new creatures and plants, new physics, species-even language. As your imagination stretches, it's difficult to remember everything that you just "met" for the first time. This leads to next month's strategy . . . Creating World Dictionaries.
For right now, practice drawing a world map, either to assist you with a current writing project, or to inspire you to draft a fresh one. Enjoy the process and have fun with writing, because that's the way it's supposed to be!
Pen to Paper~
Chris Goebel
Author, Jack of Genre Newsletter
Editor, Humdinger Literary E-zine, a multi-genre electronic magazine
To subscribe to my newsletter for writers, Jack of Genre, go to:
http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Jack-of-Genre-Registration.html
www.humdingerzine.com
E-mail: Editor@humdingerzine.com
Like this article? You can reprint it in your own newsletter or on your website-just include my advertising blurb above. That's all I ask.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marketing a Children's Book, or Any Other Book, for That Matter
By Chris Goebel
During a conversation I had today with the children's book author, Salvador SeBasco (_The Boy, The King, and The Chihuahua_, available at www.iJustRead.com), our conversation recalled a massive store of ideas about book promotion I had, plus added more ideas that Salvador is developing. Most of these ideas would work for any book, though children's books have a special audience that needs to be considered-little consumers.
BOOK SIGNINGS
Book signings create fans. My parents will meet an author who is holding a book signing and purchase books by that author, just to have them sign. If the author's one my parents regularly read-watch out!-they will beat you down in line to get their books signed (My father will buy the authors coffee too, another incentive to have book signings). Book collectors were once readers, after all, and became aficionados. A signed book's worth more than one not signed, so there's the point. You may have to ask around to find a bookseller that can purchase your books, depending on whether you're self-published or published through conventional means. You may have to purchase some of your own books to have at the event, such as at a book festival (keep in mind that arrangements for book festivals need to be made well ahead of time).
ADVERTISE FOR THE BOOK SIGNING
You'd think this is common sense, but you've also heard: "Common sense ain't common or we'd all have it." Advertising comes in many forms, so here are some ideas. Have placards developed (something larger than the advertisements you find on tables at restaurants). These can be placed next to cash registers, on tables, or on top of bookshelves. You can also create hanging posters (be sure to print them two-sided, as Salvador SeBasco did). Kinko's and local print shops will do these for a reasonable fee.
Invitations are a personal touch. You can invite co-workers, fellow church members, members of an organization you belong to, shoppers at a store related to your book, etc. Place a graphic on your invitation to draw attention to what you're advertising. Having invited guests draws a crowd that others will hustle in to see.
Often with the gift of a book, radio stations will promote a new author. Ditto for newspapers. In fact, they'd probably do it for nothing, but a copy of your book offers another opportunity to promote your book through word of mouth.
You can also advertise a drawing for books. Be as creative with promoting your book as you were when writing it!
BOOK SHARE
This is valuable for any book, but priceless for children's books. You can read your book at local libraries, though the most profitable reading you can do will be at book festivals and bookstores, where you can sell those books. Here is where a children's book can be marketed differently. For one, children love props and costumes. Why not create a portable set-up to accompany your reading and a costume, if applicable?
Salvador has book stickers that kids can place on their foreheads-isn't that a funny idea?-and return back to Mom and Dad with a quite obvious indication of what Junior or Juniorette wants. Finally, I suggest bringing something to leave with each child, regardless of whether he or she purchases your book. Let's not forget the feeling we had when we were little and someone big read to us; how exciting and huge they appeared in our world! A slip of paper with an inspirational message, a small plastic item, signed pictures you ran off from your own computer, little cards that advertise your website, etc.
THE WEBSITE
For online sales, having a website is most useful. Customers can purchase your book, learn more about you, play games related to your book, sign up for your newsletter, etc. The more interactive, the better. Naturally, you can pay a service to create a website for you. However, you might know a friend or family member with advanced computer skills who can do this for less. If you're not into several hundred dollars for that investment up front, you can create your own website, even if you're technologically challenged, as I happen to be. I suggest trying Website Wizard at: . You should still be able to try it for free to see if you like it. They have several levels of website, going up to the level where you can run your own store.
SUMMING IT UP
Of course, there are more ways to promote your book and I'm not discussing them all here. For the near future, consider Book Signings (for which you invited many and set up signs); Book Shares at libraries, bookstores and book festivals; and Creating an Interactive Website.
May your book hit the top of the charts!
Pen to Paper~
Chris Goebel
Author, Jack of Genre Newsletter
Editor, Humdinger Literary E-zine, a multi-genre electronic magazine
To subscribe to my newsletter for writers, Jack of Genre, go to:
http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Jack-of-Genre-Registration.html
www.humdingerzine.com
E-mail: Editor@humdingerzine.com
Like this article? Reprint it in your own newsletter or on your website-just include my advertising blurb above. That's all I ask.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking for Inspiration?
Visit Humdinger Literary E-zine's website and enter our writing contests for an exciting challenge! Right now, we have contests for the following December submissions (due by November 20th): Short Story, The Second Best Christmas Present; Comic Adventure, hilarious torture for kidnappers; Poetry, A Christmas Narrative poem.
*http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Writing-Contest.html
*Check our NEW More Writing Contests page.
http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Writing-Contest.html
OR
http://www.humdingerzine.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Simple Grammar: The SAT Prepositional Phrase Secret (something we need to know)
On the SAT, some of the trickiest questions concern verbs and prepositional phrases. Remember some of the prepositions, such as of, to, with, in, on, etc.? A prepositional phrase includes a preposition and subject, such as in the water, or to the school. Here comes the TRICKY PART. When determining the verb tense of a sentence, in most cases, the prepositional phrase DOES NOT COUNT.
Example:
Students with a low GPA earns less credit. WRONG.
Students (cross out with a low GPA because it's a prepositional phrase) earn less credit.
Try this one:
Books of this type lines the walls.
Yes, it should be Books line the walls.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Links:
If you want to make your own website and you need to keep it simple, this is for you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In our next issue:
Why Writers and Poets Exist
World Dictionaries
Unusual Advertising for Your Book
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Creativity Culture:
How Finding a Problem Sometimes Provides a Solution
By Chris Goebel
Make a list of problems in the world that particularly bother you. Go ahead, I'll wait here while you humor me and write your list . . .
Look over your list. These things affect you and would help you write well. Either you hate these problems and your anger would fuel the fire for a blazing literary work that would light up the world's dark minds, or you wish to end these terrible problems and can provide a solution in your novel. In fact, authors have birthed many new ideas, fueled revolutions and inspired social change. You could heal yourself and others temporarily by creating a world where these problems don't exist! Now you see, finding a problem isn't always a problem-sometimes it's a solution!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excuses for Not Writing that Book:
Excuse #71: I spilled coffee on my parchment paper.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for sharing Jack of Genre with us. In each issue, take advantage of our surprisingly simple and successful writing tips, useful links and energizing creativity activities.
If you have suggestions for articles or possible submissions for Jack of Genre Newsletter, e-mail me at:
Editor@humdingerzine.com
If you get homesick, come visit Humdinger's website at www.humdingerzine.com
Often, I share more creative writing ideas on my blog, The Eclectic Editor.
Chris Goebel
Editor of Humdinger Literary E-zine
Unforgettable Fiction and Poetry
Please make sure that you list our address with your Internet provider so that our next issue is not sent into your bulk mail folder.
If you wish to Unsubscribe, please send an email with Unsubscribe typed in the body of the document:
Editor@humdingerzine.com
|
|
|
September, 2005 #2
Welcome to "Jack of Genre" Newsletter for Writers, All kinds of writing
for all kinds of writers.
Second week of September, 2005
"Jack of Genre" Newsletter provides timely and useful information for
writers about writing, simple editing, hot Internet links and
outstanding promotional techniques to help you promote yourself and your book.
Additionally, we throw in bonus weird topics and unusual genres to
inspire and encourage your creativity. Broaden your perspective and open
your mind to new styles and experimental writing that will open the
floodgates to your creativity and result in your literary success.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Article: "You're 30 Pages Away from Writing that Book!" by Chris Goebel
Article: "Run Your Business From Home? Here's 10 Ways to Be More
Productive" by Alexandria K. Brown
Links: Copyright Laws, _Making a Literary Life_ by Carolyn See, Website
Wizard
In Our Next Issue: Storyboarding
Creativity Culture: Reading to get ideas.
Excuses for Not Writing Your Book: A Humorous Jab at Writers' Excuses
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You're 30 Pages Away from Writing Your Book!
Chris Goebel
Years ago, I read great advice in a _Writer's Digest_ article. If you
want to be a writer, write a book. The author of the article didn't have
patience with people who had ideas for books--with good reason. Until
you write that book, you won't be a novelist or best-selling author. As
with many things, wanting something doesn't make it happen. You make it
happen.
Maybe you are where I was in 1998. I hated my job and every other
aspect of my life. For two years, I had a great idea, actually two, for
books. During the drive to college, I had listened to the same songs over
and over, seeing scenes of the novels before my eyes. Not that it
happened on paper. Nothing happened on paper because I didn't make it happen.
In 1992, I went to a book fair, which is great inspiration for writers,
where I met Carolyn See, author of _Making a Literary Life_. She told
me to write my book, in its entirety, and then attend book fairs and
writers' conferences to meet editors in person and ask them to review my
book. At that point, I realized that I had to get those ideas on paper.
At first, I admit sitting in front of the computer was not easy going.
I had a million reasons not to stop and write. We all have those other
things that keep us too busy to do what matters the most. Finally, with
Carolyn See's advice in mind, I forced myself to write.
I'm sure I went about it the wrong way. My first novel (not counting
the handwritten mystery novela that I didn't seek to publish) was a
Science Fiction/Fantasy novel. Generally, that type of novel benefits from
storyboard graphic planning, where you map out the world you're writing
about and other details that are foreign to our world. Not knowing what
I should have been doing, I just dove into it.
The first week trudged along; sometimes, I wrote a page or two, maybe
four. One day, I stopped counting the pages and the story flew. I
stopped writing only when I had to and raced back to the computer as soon as
I could. What would my characters say next? All of the details on the
way amazed me. Falling in love with your own writing thrills you like
eating popcorn at a newly released horror film on opening night. There
are oodles of ways to get high on life, but nothing beats that legal
thrill of undertaking and completing a monumental accomplishment and
enjoying the process.
Incidentally, and I've found this to be true twice, it took about 30
pages for my story to take over from me. At that point, the characters
began living their parts and I was no longer the puppeteer in control; I
was merely a spectator who knew the ending.
Think of it. You are 30 pages away from an unstoppable novel or book.
Just 30 pages. Right now, or should I say, "Write now," you are probably
seated at your computer, not even inches away from accomplishing your
dreams. What's stopping you? I can't think of a thing!
Go ahead, be a Jack of Genre. Write it all!
Chris Goebel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking for inspiration?
Visit_Humdinger_ Literary E-zine's website and enter our writing
contests for an exciting challenge!
www.humdingerzine.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editor's Note: Alexandria's article has seeming errors, but they aren't
really, as you read in her note...
Run Your Business From Home? Here's 10 Ways to Be More Productive
by Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen"
[NOTE: Some words in this article have been disguised to avoid
triggering sp^m filters.]
Ah, w0rking at h0me... Visions of leisurely days, conference calls in
comfy sweatpants, increased productivity with fewer interruptions. But
the distinctions between work life and home life soon blur. You really
should throw some laundry in the wash before you write that proposal.
You have an hour before a meeting: Should you balance your books or clean
the kitchen? And remember to call that client back right after you
empty the cat box.
Welcome to the real world of w0rking at h0me: unforeseen distractions,
a lack of structured time, and sometimes a perceived loss of identity.
But don't give up the dream just yet! By putting into place a few
simple ideas, you can reap more of the rewards of w0rking at h0me. Based on
my experiences and those of my clients, here are 10 simple ways to help
you stay on track.
1. Separate Your Space.
Keep a separate, distinct work area in your home. Very important. (This
is especially difficult if you're living and working in a shoebox
apartment, like I was when I started my business in New York City!) If you
don't have a separate room, at least define an area, and know that when
you're in it, you're in "work mode."
2. Structure Your Time.
As your business and personal time mesh, it's more important than ever
to structure your day. For example, if you regularly take a walk or go
to the gym, try to do it every day at the same time. Value that
personal appointment with yourself -- even when you're very busy. It will
actually help you keep your business on track! I like to get up early and
work until 1 pm, then I take a few hours off to enjoy lunch and go to
the gym or jog on the beach. Then I'm back at my desk at 5:00 until who
knows when!
3. Outsource All You Can.
When I began my business, I made the mistake of doing all my own
administrative work. Whenever you start thinking, "Well I can just do that
myself," STOP. Streamline your business, making everything as automatic
as possible. Use outside services to stay focused on your *real work*.
Get accounts with an overnight delivery service, messenger service,
bookkeeper, etc. Save your energy for your brilliant ideas! (Learn more
about hiring a virtual assistant (VA) at
www.ezinequeen.com/assistanttele.htm)
4. Use Technology to Your Advantage.
In-person meetings are very valuable when appropriate, but schedule
them sparingly. Try to do most of your business via phone, fax, and e-mail
using the best equipment you can afford. For most h0me-b^sed
entrepreneurs, when you're out of the office, you're NOT m^king m0ney. So it's
important that you can communicate flawlessly from where you are. PLEASE
do us all a favor and get separate lines/services for your phone, fax,
and Internet! No one likes getting a busy signal.
Get separate phone numbers for business calls and personal calls, or
ask your phone company about getting "distinctive ring". Also, voicemail
is better than an answering machine, because if you're on an important
call and don't want to be disturbed, other callers can still leave you
a message.
5. Group Your Errands.
Try to group your meetings and errands together to minimize your
out-of-office time. Make a list in the morning of all the outside tasks you
need done for the day, and attempt to complete them in one fell swoop.
Even better, do what I do and designate just one day a week as your
"blitz" day for errands and meetings. Plus, then you only need to get
dressed up one day a week! : )
6. Stay Focused.
Make your workspace off-limits to other roommates or family members
when you're working. For you animal lovers, this may go for pets as well.
(My cat Francine gets jealous when I'm not giving her complete
attention!) Keep all personal paperwork such as bills, magazines, and to-do
lists out of sight, so they won't distract you from your projects.
7. Beware of Yappers.
Many of your friends and family will be immediately delighted when they
learn that you're w0rking at h0me. They picture you lounging on the
couch, eating potato chips, and waiting for their calls. When they call
you simply to chat, politely remind them that you're working, and ask
them if you can call them back after your day is over. It may take them a
while, but they'll eventually get the idea.
8. Work With Your Moods.
Keep track of your moods and productivity compared with the time of
day. For example, if you find you're more alert in the morning, use this
time to make important calls and do your creative work. Take advantage
of your natural cycles. If you feel better after an afternoon nap, go
for it! (I'm a BIG proponent of the catnap. In fact, I may start a
support group.)
9. Suit Yourself.
To bring out your best work, make your environment perfect for YOU. How
do you work best? With plenty of breaks, or with no interruptions? In
silence, or with some light music in the background? On a cushy couch
and coffee table, or at a business desk in an ergonomic chair? (My
friends thought I was nuts when I spent $750 on my Herman Miller Aeron chair,
but they quickly understood why once they sat in it! And my spine
thanks me every day.)
Also, find some places you can do work when you need a change of
scenery. How about the library, the park, or your neighborhood coffee shop?
When I need to do serious reading, thinking, or editing, I take my work
outside to the pool or the beach. The sea air, sunshine, and soothing
waves help me think much more clearly.
10. Break for People.
Feeling sluggish, lonely, or moody? Arrange for at least one social
break during the week. (I aim for two or three.) Schedule breakfast,
lunch, dinner, or even just coffee with a client, vendor, or friend. Join a
business networking group, or sign-up for social activities such as
dance class or recreational sports league. Don't go into hermit mode -- it
can be self-destructive!
© 1999-2005 Alexandria K. Brown
Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is creator
of the award-winning home study course, 'Boost Business With Your Own
E-zine.' To learn more about this step-by-step program, and to sign up
for FR*EE how-to articles and teleclasses, visit www.EzineQueen.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Links:
Try an Awesome Website Maker!
If you go to www.humdingerzine.com and read the Eclectic Editor's Blog,
you'll discover that I'm not just a technology newbie-I'm a technology
nitwit. Even I could make a website with Website Wizard. Not just web
pages, but forms, links, anchors, surveys-everything was simple to
prepare and what I didn't know, Website Wizard's customer service could
answer the next day.
Try it for yourself.
www.websitewizard.com
Who Owns Your Writing? You Might be Surprised.
Learn about the intricacies of intellectual property and ownership.
Basically, you own the right to your writing as soon as your write it.
What happens though, when your article is published in a magazine? (It
depends on whether you got paid or not.) What happens if someone else says
they wrote your book? (Rare, but possible.) Don't plead ignorance
later. Learn now.
www.copyright.gov
Carolyn See's _Making a Literary Life_
Want to meet Carolyn See? Read _Making a Literary Life_ and, as the
review points out, it's as if Carolyn speaks directly to you, pouring out
as many secrets as she can. My favorite part comes toward the end,
where she provides inspiration and ideas for marketing yourself and your
books. Oh, and the perks of writing, such as tax breaks. She has a
tremendous drive and it's contagious!
http://www.carolynsee.com/Books/literarylife.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In our next issue:
Storyboarding. Writing can be much easier and this terrific
pre-writing technique will show you how!
Book Marketing Ideas. Whether you've written a book or plan to write a
book, you can start promoting now with simple, but powerful strategies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Creativity Culture:
Make Your Surroundings a Writing Culture
Reward yourself now and buy a great book. Devote time to reading to
learn more about what's selling and to get inspired. For example, Dashiell
Hammet's novels make me want to go write a mystery immediately. Find
writers who unleash your creativity. Don't be surprised if that bookstore
atmosphere awakens the latent writer in you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excuses for Not Writing that Book:
Excuse #66: I had to take my pet turtle to get his shots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for sharing "Jack of Genre" with us. In each issue, take
advantage of our surprisingly simple and successful writing tips, useful links
and energizing activities to boost your creativity.
If you have suggestions for articles or possible submissions for "Jack
of Genre" Newsletter, e-mail me at:
Editor@humdingerzine.com
If you get homesick, come visit _Humdinger's_ website at
www.humdingerzine.com
Chris Goebel
Editor of _Humdinger_ Literary E-zine
www.humdigerzine.com
Unforgettable Fiction and Poetry
Please make sure that you list our address with your Internet provider
so that our next issue is not sent into your bulk mail folder.
If you wish to Unsubscribe, please send an email with Unsubscribe typed
in the body of the document:
Editor@humdingerzine.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, click the link below:
http://www.humdingerzine.com/ModOptIn/MailRemove/0/
|
|
September, 2005 #1
Welcome to _Jack of Genre_ Newsletter, All kinds of writing for all kinds of writers.
Please make sure that you list our address with your Internet provider so that our next issue is not sent into your bulk mail folder.
_Jack of Genre_ Newsletter provides timely and useful information for writers about writing, simple editing, hot Internet links and outstanding promotional techniques to help you promote yourself and your book.
Additionally, we will throw in bonus weird topics and unusual genres to inspire and encourage your creativity. After all, sensational writing can be in any genre. Broaden your perspective and open your mind to new styles and experimental writing. This will open the floodgates to your creativity and ultimately result in your literary success.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Article: "Storyboarding” by Chris Goebel, Editor of _Humdinger_ Literary E-zine
Article: Book Marketing: “12 Reasons to Market with Postcards” by Bob Leduc
Links: The Electric Eclectic Links Page (Everything!), Alternative Versions of _Lord of the Rings_ website, _The Old Farmer’s Almanac_, Michael Gelb’s website (author of _How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci_)
Creativity Culture: Mind Mapping
Excuses for Not Writing Your Book: A Humorous Jab at Writers’ Excuses
In Our Next Issue: Why Some Famous Authors Started Writing, Using Semi-Colons,
More Marketing Ideas, Creative Ideas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I’m staring at a blank page and nothing’s happening, I’ve probably got to try something new . . .
Storyboarding
If you’ve watched Disney animators on television before, you’ve seen storyboarding in action: series of pictures that combine into one film. This process works well for writers. One of the most irritating problems writers face is picturing each scene of the plot. When a writer clearly pictures each chapter, writing moves along with ease.
The most concrete way of storyboarding is to draw boxes on a piece of paper. Each box represents a chapter. Inside of the boxes, writers list major events that occur in each chapter. Another way to storyboard is to simply list events of each chapter and perhaps draw arrows between them to indicate the plot’s flow. Either way, when a writer sees the plot outline, they can begin to view the action of the story. As E.M. Forster said, “How can I know what I think till I see what I say?”
When drafting, review the notes you put in each box to guide your writing for that day. You’ll find the task more enjoyable, since you’ll know where you’re going and how to get there. This is one of the secrets of writing quickly and enjoyably.
Chris Goebel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking for inspiration?
Visit Humdinger Literary E-zine’s website and enter our writing contests for an exciting challenge! Right now, we have a Pirate Short Story and Mystery Story contest. *Check our NEW More Writing Contests page.
http://user98512.websitewizard.com/Writing-Contest.html
OR
http://www.humdingerzine.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"12 Reasons to Market with Postcards"
by Bob Leduc
If your marketing activity doesn't include postcards, you're overlooking a highly effective and very low-cost sales tool. Here are 12 of the many reasons postcards should be part of your marketing program...
1. Postcards Work for Any Business
Postcards can produce all kinds of sales activity for all types of businesses. For example, they can produce web site traffic for online marketers, floor traffic for retail stores, sales leads for direct marketers ...and just about any other type of sales activity a business wants.
2. Designing Postcards is Simple and Uncomplicated
Designing an effective postcard is not complicated. It can be as simple as printing your best small ad on a 4 x 6 card and sending it to a list of potential prospects. Postcards usually work best when the message is brief and the postcard looks at first glance like a message from friend.
3. Printing Postcards is Easy and Inexpensive
You can print postcards with your own computer for about 1 or 2 cents each ...or have them printed professionally for about 4 to 8 cents each.
4. There's a Special Low Postage Rate for Postcards
You can send any quantity of postcards by First Class Mail in the US for only 23 cents each. The only requirement is that your postcards must be at least 3 1/2 x 5 inches but no larger than 4 1/4 x 6 inches.
5. Postcards Nearly Always Get Read
Because postcards are delivered "ready to read", almost everybody will read it - even people who usually throw out other types of direct mail without opening it.
6. Postcards Produce Fast Results
Because postcards are simple and easy to use - they produce results fast. You can mail postcards within a few days of deciding to use them ...and you'll start getting sales activity 2 or 3 days later.
7. Postcards are effective for Generating Web site Traffic
One of the most effective postcard formats simply lists a few benefits of a product or service on the card and tells the reader to where they can get more information. This makes them ideal for generating traffic to a web site.
8. Postcard Multiply Themselves
Postcards are like small billboards - and they are easy to handle. They often get saved by recipients or passed on to others ...providing additional exposure of your advertising message.
9. Markets Can Be Precisely Targeted With Postcards
You can accurately target your best markets by sending postcards only to mailing lists of prospects likely to be interested in what you're offering ...and who also have a history of acting on offers that interest them.
10. Postcard Marketing Results Are Easy To Measure
Postcards normally generate over 90 percent of their total response within 7 to 10 days. This enables you to quickly and accurately evaluate the results of a postcard campaign.
11. Postcards Put You in Control of Your Sales Activity
You can quickly boost (or reduce) your sales activity anytime you want by simply regulating the number of postcards you mail and how often you mail them.
12. Postcards Conceal Your Marketing from Competitors
Most advertising uses mass media where your competitors hear or see what you are doing - and copy it. Postcard marketing is personal. Only you and your prospects are aware of what you are doing.
Postcards may be one of the best kept secrets of modern marketing. They're highly effective, very low-cost, simple to use ...and they work for any business. You're overlooking a profitable marketing tool if don't use them.
Copyright 2005 Bob Leduc http://BobLeduc.com
Bob Leduc spent 20 years helping businesses like yours find new customers and increase sales. He just released a New Edition of his manual, How To Build Your Small Business Fast With Simple Postcards ...and launched *BizTips from Bob*, a newsletter to help small businesses grow and prosper. You'll find his low-cost marketing methods at: http://BobLeduc.com or call: 702-658-1707 After 10 AM Pacific Time/Las Vegas, NV
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Links:
For fun and inspiration: The Electric Eclectic at:
http://www.bloxword.ca/atoc.htm
This is an incredible list of websites. For example, within a few spaces of one another, you can find 60s, 70s and 80s slang and Medieval recipes. If your researching a topic, this website will provide you with many useful links.
To learn the impact of style on a story: Alternative Authors’ Versions of Lord of the Rings
http://www.flin.demon.co.uk/althist/auth.htm
Compare the Ian Fleming version with the hilarious Ernest Hemingway take on the story. Then compare your style to theirs. How would you have told Lord of the Rings?
Useful and unusual facts for a story: The Old Farmer’s Almanac
http://www.almanac.com/index.php
Cures, gardening tips, celestial information and weather predictions, plus timeless quotes, such as, “September blow soft, till the fruit’s in the loft.” For writers, this type of website provides useful background knowledge about a time of year, area, or moon cycle, which helps to create a setting.
Get Brilliant; It’s Easy!
Michael Gelb, Author of _How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci_
http://www.michaelgelb.com/HomePage.php
Read our Creative Corner in the newsletter and the Eclectic Editor’s Blog at:
www.humdinger.com to learn more about this unique book and key to your own genius! At this site, you can watch a short video of the author explaining one area of genius his book explores.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In our next issue:
Why Some Famous Authors Started Writing
Using Semi-Colons
More Marketing Ideas
Creative Ideas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Creativity Culture:
Mind Mapping
The book _How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci_ discusses Mind Mapping and provides a great illustrated example. Mind Mapping teaches you what you didn’t know you know and how much you’ve learned. This is a sure way to discover and uncover parts of you that you haven’t explored.
How to Mind Map: Take a sheet of paper and organize subjects that you know into categories (Literature is an example of a subject you might know). List examples of each category (Literature> Russian Literature> Dostoevsky might be an example). Illustrate, color and underline as much as possible. When you have a page full of categories (some of mine might be: Renaissance, Painting, Writing, Reading), make illustrated connections between all of the categories that are connected. For example, I would connect Renaissance Art with my love for Inventions. Renaissance Art, however, would also be connected to literature and so on. Your full-size mind map ought to provide many writing ideas!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excuses for Not Writing that Book:
Excuse #12: Someone stole my crayola.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for sharing _Jack of Genre_ with us. In each issue, take advantage of our surprisingly simple and successful writing tips, useful links and energizing creativity activities.
If you have suggestions for articles or possible submissions for _Jack of Genre_ Newsletter, e-mail me at:
Editor@humdingerzine.com
If you get homesick, come visit Humdinger's website at www.humdingerzine.com
Chris Goebel
Editor of _Humdinger_ Literary E-zine
Unforgettable Fiction and Poetry
Please make sure that you list our address with your Internet provider so that our next issue is not sent into your bulk mail folder.
If you wish to Unsubscribe, please send an email with Unsubscribe typed in the body of the document:
Editor@humdingerzine.com
|
|
|
