Comments on Success, It's in the Details

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Fionajean

Thank you,

I haven't even thought of the ebook route.  I have been involved with newsprint in one way or another for about 30 years. I've just submitted some stuff for reprint to an online place, which I always silently swore I'd never do.  I will think about this, now that you're bringing it up.  I know some writers I think are fairly good have done nonfiction ebooks. That would be the only way I'd consider it. Hmmm.  For all I write for free, I should consider it.  I start out just planning on a few lines on a subject, and the next thing I know, I have an article.

I sat down to do a job hunting thing. The next thing I knew, it was four articles---and that's just on the in person interview process.  I'm actually thinking of expanding that one. I certainly could be book length quite easily.

posted by terpgirl30 on October 2, 2006 at 5:07 PM | link to this | reply

Thanks for the advice -
Have you ever thought about compiling an e-book? Or do you already have one?

posted by fionajean on October 2, 2006 at 3:36 AM | link to this | reply

I was thinking about submitting electronically, but there's a whole post in

this exchange.

I suppose a person who like to print books or magazines would react  better to a printed submission. I almost always print out something I want to edit closely, as WYSIWYG isn't, really. Sort of like "Why polish combat boots?"; exhibits self-disicipline and diligence.

posted by majroj on September 20, 2006 at 7:42 AM | link to this | reply

Maj

When you say electronically, are you speaking of electronic markets or submitting things electronically.  Unless a publication (printed) asks me to send a query electronically, I wouldn't do it.  I know how I make it look is what has hooked several editors.  It certainly wasn't the deciding factor, but it made it easier for someone to concentrate on what I'm sending.

Okay, here's where the stones will be thrown at me...If I approach an electronic publication, I honestly wouldn't think twice on the whole thing.  I've been given lots of sites electronically, and they pay all of about $10-100, depending on how many hits  you get on your article.  Further, if you look at what is being published there, I'm sorry, but it is so inferior to real publications.  And I used the word "real" on purpose. 

I know a guy in my writing group has an online site.  A year ago, he was in college (married, 3 kids, later in life). Somewhere this year, he's saying he has three degrees, and now he has a site to showcase works from others.   It's terrible.  I looked at it a few times when he would go on a tirade about how no one should correct his grammar or spelling because he has a lot of problems doing both.  ???  

But he gets a bunch of newbie writers on his site.  They think he MUST know what he's doing and listing this as a reference will help.  It won't.  When people list the different sites, my brain screams...heck no.  I would count it against someone trying to get into something I publish.  The fact that the person THINKS it is worth something is what would scare me.  That tells me s/he doesn't read much, let alone learn from writing.

  It's ridiculous.  There are a few nice sites, but those nice ones almost never pay.  The ones that do pay seem to take just about anything.    (Some of the best print publications pay terribly, but writers will have jumped a hurdle if they get in.)

Yeah, yeah.  I know.  How do I really feel?

 

 

 

posted by terpgirl30 on September 18, 2006 at 8:10 AM | link to this | reply

In Iraq, that's called the "In'sh Allah" school of marksmanship.

Shut your eyes, put it on full auto and yank the trigger.

Or, push "SEND".

You know, this all seems to center upon printed (or sometimes, in Eighner's case, typewritten) materials. Isn't anything done elctronically?

I think approaching teaching it at different levels of experience and expertise is the best way. But what do I know?? Nada.

 

posted by majroj on September 16, 2006 at 8:38 PM | link to this | reply

Maj

That's a great list.  I had done this for a group that was mainly published (for a good while) people.  I did some beginner stuff that people seem to always trip up on, but now that I took a look at your list, it made me think that when I did it for here, I should  have expanded as most people here are trying to break in.

Sad enough, but I thought the list you posted was just common sense stuff, as opposed to writing stuff.  Then I remember going through resumes when I was an editor, and all of those errors came through.  A guy sent me his resume with information crossed out all over it, starting with his NAME and address.  Yes, he really wanted the job.  I didn't look at his credentials, or anything else.  I'm a tough nut.  I pitch anything with a major error in it or one that screams lazy.  If you can't take the time to fix it while you are selling it, how much care will you use when you have the job?

Now that you bring it up, somewhere down the line I may do something on query letters in that light.  I have been putting out resumes for a job the last few months.  I make each cover and resume fairly individual based on the job requirements.  I learned that from writing query letters.  I can't tell  you how many writers will FIRST write a query letter, then come up with a laundry list of magazines it can go to.  Not even close to how it works.  That's why the rejection rate is sooo high in writing.  People are just shooting with a blindfold on.

 

posted by terpgirl30 on September 16, 2006 at 7:45 PM | link to this | reply

You mght find him hard to take, but his list is unique

http://www.larseighner.com/workshop/checklist-2006.html

(BTW, I find his hopping between "shalt nots" and "shalts" confusing, don't you?).

posted by majroj on September 15, 2006 at 12:31 AM | link to this | reply

Yep. I don't care how long you've been at this
you still need that mental "to do" list when finishing up an article.  We get comfortable, to be sure, and fall into old habits.

posted by terpgirl30 on September 13, 2006 at 2:17 PM | link to this | reply

TG, very useful stuff here. Thanks.

posted by _dave_says_ack_ on September 13, 2006 at 1:23 AM | link to this | reply

Terpgirl, Good reminders for people who might already know these things and absolute necessities for new writers and for people who dream of becoming good writers.

posted by TAPS. on September 13, 2006 at 1:19 AM | link to this | reply