tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20930320891654246872023-11-15T07:57:12.597-08:00Written In The Mitten"Jane writes" from a cozy house in Michigan.Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-30079678270578936812011-03-20T05:56:00.000-07:002011-03-20T07:18:14.988-07:00Create Impulse Buying for Your e-book with Cover & TrailerI read and tweeted about an article<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 19px; "> on book trailers yesterday and it caused me to pause. There is no way around the fact that e-books are now the norm. New authors are having their books explode (sometimes over night) in growth, and e-people (my new term for people who love e-books) seem to have an unquenchable thirst for more. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">e-people of all ages are reading more and loving the ability to find e-books from anywhere in the world, any time of day, and for the most part, with "crazy low" prices. If you've done your research, you know getting you're e-book out for the masses is easy. You've also heard you HAVE to make sure your book is incredibly polished and edited.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">Next step is platforming. I hear over and over "platforming is soooo hard!" Yes, it's hard work, but there isn't any magic to it. You need to talk about your book at appropriate times, network with other authors and talk with bloggers who love reading in your genre. (www.writersdigest.com has great books you can buy on platforming and networking.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">The two biggies I want you to think about for getting more people interested in your e-book is the cover art and creating a book trailer. The statistics on "impulse buying" of e-books isn't easy to come by, however it's fairly common sense to believe a great cover and a tantalizing trailer will get you more buyers. Especially if you price your book right. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">There are plenty of "so-so" e-book covers out there and plenty of e-books without trailers. I know you don't want to be added to THAT category. Yes, it takes money to make a trailer and hire a cover artist, but if you want to be successful and create a following, you may need to budget for these things. After all, the cover (which needs to look good thumbnail size) and a trailer will be THE ONLY forms for strangers to stop at your book and say, "hmmm, this one looks interesting... and it has a trailer!!" Great combination for impulse buying.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">You've worked hard on your book, you want to be successful, you will e-publish. Now make sure you: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">POLISH</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">PROFESSIONALLY EDIT</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">RE-POLISH</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">PRICE RIGHT</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">CREATE A FABULOUS BOOK COVER</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">CREATE AN AMAZING BOOK TRAILER</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">PLATFORM</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">and keep writing... because your followers are going to want to buy your next book.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div></div>Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-35201751786986763822010-10-29T08:43:00.000-07:002010-10-29T09:24:18.271-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:times, serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">E-Publishing and Procrastination</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I swear, if procrastination was an illegal drug a lot of writers would be found in back alleys begging for another hit. What’s my point? Well, my procrastination has lead me to some research and we’re on the cusp of an amazing opportunity, and as writers, we’re all too smart to be so dumb. It’s like going back in time and having the chance to buy Apple stock at $10 a share, and it’s relative. Are you going to bite?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I’m talking about e-publishing. I know, I know, you want to scream: </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">“technology sucks!”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and run around with your hands over your ears, but Sweetie, just take a deep breath, unhitch those panties from your clenched cheeks and feel the opportunity that’s breezing by. The profession of e-publishing is </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">so</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> young, there aren’t even standardized guidelines yet to follow while submitting to publishers, and the amount of books being downloaded each day is building with incredible speed. Another biggie is “vanity” has been removed from the idea of self-publishing, so the ability to self e-publish I predict is soon going to be all the rage.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The big question is how many books will be polished and standout as “wonderful” or “brilliant” among the masses? Most writers will assume because “they” think their work is perfect, so will the world… but we already know what the real answer is. So now you may be asking “Okay, where do I start?” Well, when you feel your manuscript is ready, find a literary consultant like BubbleCow who can “provide </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_5"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">professional copy editing</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> with manuscript assessment, book proposal advice and writer mentoring”. Oh come on! Don’t roll your eyes and think I’m not talking to you. If you’ve ever been serious about being a “successful” writer, whether submitting to a publisher or e-publishing on Amazon, you need professional feedback before it’s out there no matter how good you are. And if you didn’t know it, then “high-five”, you just learned something really important!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So, am I saying some of us brilliant storytellers can be complete idiots towards the business side of writing? Yeap. For all kinds of bizarre reasons we’ve been scared of loving “the business side” of the publishing world and have spent valuable time and opportunities procrastinating instead of showing the tenacity we all are capable of. That has to change. If you’re now wondering what genres specifically will do well with e-publishing, the answer is all of them. As a writer of middle grade and young adult, I thought about children’s books and the possibility that parents won’t want children reading electronically. Then I thought of the built-in dictionary and pronunciation capability, to tap on a word they don’t understand and learn without even realizing they are learning… Yes, every genre is going to be successful in e-publishing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">During my own procrastination, while I should have been doing rewrites, I’ve logged about 100 hours searching through and reading articles and press releases on e-publishing and you know what? This is REALLY-FUN-MAKE-YOU-WANT-TO-SAY</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">-“YES-YES-YES!”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> EXCITING STUFF! In fact it’s so exciting I’m working successfully everyday now on my rewrites. Have I sold </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">you</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> on it yet?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Come on, think about it. In our lifetime, we’ve been pioneers to so many things - cable TV, really high heels, cell phones, tattoo eyeliner, fantasy football teams, and the list goes on and on. The biggest of the biggies for me and probably you is pioneering the personal computer with, wait for it…. Google. Five years ago I was seriously apprehensive of going on Google. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">“Why would someone just give away all that information?”… </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Now it’s a daily necessity in my life. Imagine what writers back in the 80’s must have thought when they were first told to put down their typewriters, dictionary’s and whiteout correction tape and plug in a computer. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">“Evil! No way! It’s so cold and business-like, I couldn’t possibly be creative with one of those machines in my house!” </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I think you get the idea, and it doesn’t take much of a leap to see e-books will be a normal part of peoples lives in just a few years.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">What’s the next step? Inform yourself and all the writers you know…(or at least the ones you like). Some of us </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">are</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> going to be at the forefront of the new way of selling books, and you know what? I want to be one of them. Here is a starter list of must read articles, twitter addresses and links to really smart people who know what they’re "</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">e-talking"</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> about. Please drop me a note with any questions you have or great information you find. I’m at </span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/janewrites"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">http://twitter.com/janewrites</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and I’ll be linking related articles on twitter daily to make e-publishing easier to understand.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span><span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); "> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); "> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; ">8 GREAT ARTICLES TO GET YOU STARTED:<span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**Konrath E-Book Sales Top 100K**</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/09/konrath-ebooks-sales-top-100k.html">http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/09/konrath-ebooks-sales-top-100k.html</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 20px; color: rgb(37, 33, 31); font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">#1 Epublishing Business Model**</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><a href="http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/epublishing-articles/epublishing-business-model/">http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/epublishing-articles/epublishing-business-model/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**How To Publish Your Book On Kindle And </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">iPad</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.bubblecow.co.uk/2010/08/how-to-publish-your-book-on-kindle-and-ipad/">http://www.bubblecow.co.uk/2010/08/how-to-publish-your-book-on-kindle-and-ipad/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**E-Book </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_10"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Revolution</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://litchat.net/2010/08/29/e-book-revolution/">http://litchat.net/2010/08/29/e-book-revolution/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">** Elgan: Why book publishing needs the Silicon Valley way** </span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.nonstoptechnews.com/295782/elgan-why-book-publishing-needs-the-silicon-valley-way">http://www.nonstoptechnews.com/295782/elgan-why-book-publishing-needs-the-silicon-valley-way</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**Kindle Singles: Big Opportunity For Smart Writers**</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_13"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2010/10/21/KindleSinglesABigOpportunityForSmartWriters.aspx">http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2010/10/21/KindleSinglesABigOpportunityForSmartWriters.aspx</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**Video link/ Toddler Prefers iPad Over Print Book**</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_14"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.inkygirl.com/ipadgirl/2010/10/20/video-2-year-old-makes-his-digital-book-over-print-book-pref.html">http://www.inkygirl.com/ipadgirl/2010/10/20/video-2-year-old-makes-his-digital-book-over-print-book-pref.html</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">**Alice Pope’s Wednesday Tweet Roundup*</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">* </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://scbwi.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://scbwi.blogspot.com</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">15 TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@janewrites</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@writersdigest<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); ">@JaneFriedman</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); ">@angelajames<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> </span></span>@bubblecow</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@glecharles (Guy L. Gonzalez)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@40kbooks</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; ">@inkwelleditor<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@AlicePope</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@toc (Tools of Change)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@nickbilton (Nick Bilton)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; ">@inkyelbows and @ipadgirl<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@danblank (Dan Blank)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@andrewsavikas (Andrew Savikas)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); ">@kirkbiglione (Kirk Biglione)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style=" color: rgb(38, 38, 38); font-family:LucidaGrande;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); ">7 BLOGS TO FOLLOW:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); "><span><span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://janefriedman.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_16">http://janefriedman.com</span></a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); "><span><span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_17">http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules</span></a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); "><span><span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_18">http://jakonrath.blogspot.com</span></a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span><span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.bubblecow.co.uk/blog/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_19">http://www.bubblecow.co.uk/blog/</span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span><span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://janemakuch.blogspot.com/"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_20">http://janemakuch.blogspot.com/</span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span><span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.inkygirl.com/ipadgirl"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1288366879_21">http://www.inkygirl.com/ipadgirl</span></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 32px; "><span style="color: rgb(38, 38, 38); "><span><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://scbwi.blogspot.com/">http://scbwi.blogspot.com</a></span></span></p></span></span>Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-16297446783484192192010-08-06T04:05:00.000-07:002010-08-06T05:17:20.006-07:00The Trouble With WritersWait, let me rephrase that...the trouble with <i><b>fiction</b></i> writers. <div><br /></div><div>We're everywhere, some are well known, some mention it here or there, and many hide their writing-side away like an embarrassing fetish. We talk to people who aren't real, (only living in our heads), and we scold ourselves for not being brilliant enough. Then we work and rework our words and ideas until we think they're great... then many of us shove them in a drawer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Insecurity seems to be an underlining feeling in most creative writers. Do we create worlds where we make all the rules because of it? Or do we feel insecure because all our emotions are heightened and insecurity just happens to be an easy one to identify with? </div><div><br /></div><div>Right now many of you are thinking "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ahh</span>, she gets me"... but is it actually the other way around and do <b>you</b> get what <b>I'm</b> saying because another part of your complex intellect holds strong with connecting to others? I think you see what I'm getting at. Writers can drive themselves crazy wondering why they think the way they do and why they want and/or need to write. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, with how the publishing world is changing, we also get to throw a whole lot of extra technical "unknowns" into the pot with our already amplified emotions. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1</span>)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>More writers are submitting and less books are being printed right?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>e-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">publishing</span> is like a big baby that won't stop screaming, and like new parents we don't know whether to stay up all night singing and dancing or give it Tylenol and hope it goes to sleep and doesn't bother us for awhile. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The world is becoming smaller and connecting with professionals in the publishing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>world is very easy...which can be scary.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>With that said, I want to remind you of some other things about us "troubled" writers.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We refuse to be minions. We are not going to think the ways others may want us to or<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>suggest we do unless it makes sense to us. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I believe we were born with our heightened emotions for a reason... and it's the same<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>reason most of us have learned how to type <i>really fast!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">3)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Writing is an </span>ART<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">. We are </span>artists<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">. We are good at what we do </span><b>because</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> of our<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>emotions and imaginations. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">So why not look forward to the new e-publishing ways? Maybe it will be easier. Maybe not. I do think it's worth jumping in and seeing where it takes us, because it's not going away. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">So if adventurous isn't an emotion you normally allow out, we can be adventurous together researching online. Let me know if you find any good info and I'll do the same... </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">...then later we can talk about </span>maybe<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> changing out of pajama's and </span>maybe<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> going outside other then when it's required.</span></i></div>Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-63140531817494349182010-05-10T07:04:00.000-07:002010-05-10T07:31:56.907-07:00Grammatically Naughty Twitter?<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="Engravers MT"font-family:";font-size:14.0pt;"><b><i>2 B or not 2 B, that is the ? <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:";"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(...</span></i></b></span><span style="font-family:";"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">what the *%#@*?)</span><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="Engravers MT"font-family:";font-size:14.0pt;"><b><i> <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">I’m pretty sure Shakespeare never wrote the famous line from Hamlet in shortcut form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not even if the brilliant line came to him while he was walking home after drinking all night at <span style="color:#2A2A2A;">The Anchor Inn</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I just can’t picture him pulling out his quill, inkpot, and parchment paper and scribbling down in Twitter text. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Why is it thinking up clever ways to fit in the “140” characters that is “Twitter,” has somehow created an instant forgiveness of how we write?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Plus, when did our thoughts become so important they MUST be sent out instantly to our followers regardless of content or errors?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Don’t misunderstand me, I <b>LOVE</b></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> Twitter and I must admit I even love writing in grammatically incorrect form sometimes..<i>. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><i>…It makes me feel naught!</i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">And since my nickname years ago was “By the Book Jane”, feeling <i>naughty</i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> over grammar, as you can guess is about as wild as I get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">But, the questions I want answered are: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">1)<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>“What will the long-term effects of “140” character thoughts create”?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">2)<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>In a few years will “140” seem like too many characters to spend time reading?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">3)<span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>Besides the beauty of the written word, is there anything else we are chancing to lose with the leaps and bounds of technical communication?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">I’m not saying short is bad; obviously there are many examples of brilliantly written, short works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am saying in my humble opinion, (or IMHO as some of you short-cutters will recognize,) that with the snowballing affect Twitter is having on our lives I hope it can work towards a love of writing and literature where there once was none.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Maybe I’m a hopeless romantic, but I'm thinking, if just one percent of twitter users who normally wouldn’t pick up a book become inspired to read a classic novel, then I think even Shakespeare would give his okay to the written shortcuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And if <b>anyone</b></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> deserves to give the okay on shortcut writing, it would be Shakespeare and all the people who in their lifetimes could only express their words with quills and inkpots.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">In the meantime, I’m going to keep looking to the amazing Debbie Ohi <a href="http://www.inkygirl.com/">http://www.inkygirl.com</a> and the brilliant and fabulous Jane Friedman <a href="http://www.janefriedman.com/">http://www.janefriedman.com</a> for savvy guidance to all things technical.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">ps: If you have not had the pleasure of reading the “To be or not to be” scene in its entirety, here it is from Wikipedia.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 42, 161); font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet"><i>Hamlet</i></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 42, 161); font-style: italic; font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(65, 47, 126); font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">William Shakespeare</span></a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 42, 161); font-style: italic; font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(65, 47, 126); font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">act three, scene one.</span></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="Goudy Old Style"font-family:";font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="Goudy Old Style"font-family:";font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 1in; margin-left: 1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Goudy Old Style"font-family:";font-size:14.0pt;">To be or not to be– that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles and, by opposing, end them. To die, to sleep No more – and by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to – ‘tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub, for in that sleep of death what dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause. There's the respect that makes calamity of so long life. For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, Th’ oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, The pangs of despised love, the law's delay, The insolence of office, and the spurns That patient merit of th’ unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear, To grunt and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscovered country from whose bourn No traveler returns, puzzles the will And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of? Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pitch and moment With this regard their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action.—Soft you now! The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:1.0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:1.0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Vi ses Darlings!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-63773850858906149262010-04-27T11:17:00.000-07:002010-05-03T07:25:49.310-07:00CREATIVITY IS A SILENT ADDICTION<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Today the dishes are piled in the sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The same load of clean towels, messy and unfolded is in the laundry basket as it was yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The mail and scribbled notes are piled on the kitchen counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am on the sofa, sitting in silence after reading another personalized, encouraging rejection.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">I hear the dehumidifier’s rhythmic <i>hum</i> and wonder why I don’t have a simple “on” switch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Right now I want to bring physical order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I want to work hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m still sitting here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Birds chirp as they build their springtime nests outside the windows I thought about washing two weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Neighbors pass by with their dogs charging forward, living to please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m still sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My husband is in a meeting, working hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My son is in school, working hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Everyone I know is working hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am sitting. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Writing often re-opens a scab in my thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think “this time it won’t hurt,” but then it’s ripped off and leaves me raw again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I try to heal, but creativity is a silent addiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t want to be this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Why can’t I have an “off” switch?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">In writing, there are no absolutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are only interpretations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Being good isn’t enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Being great only gets you so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Being brilliant is necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">Brilliance is then flung out like a handful of pick-up-sticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe I’ll win the game this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe the beautiful, hand-carved sticks will land in a slush pile and never be touched again…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;">I reach for the laundry basket.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-8654787724557336052010-04-21T07:18:00.001-07:002010-04-21T07:20:36.393-07:00An Imperfect Life<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">This morning I sent my fourth grader off to camp for three days and came home to find my otherwise perfect dog had pooped on the family room rug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then, for the first time while feeding my two parakeets, one flew out of the cage, hit the living room window and died a few moments later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was all before 8:00 am.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I have a good life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I say my prayers with true thanksgiving; I happily kiss my husband every night, and I am proud of the time I spend with my son and how I’m raising him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So why is it, in a matter of minutes I went from thinking about enjoying a few nights alone with my husband to contemplating the effects of death?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It didn’t take long to hear the familiar voice in my head.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><i>“Because this IS life, sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Life is learning, dealing, teaching, helping, working, and enjoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not all at the same time, not all everyday.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I hear his voice in my head when I want to, and sometimes when I don’t want to, but need to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some people call it the voice of reason, or one’s conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My sister Linda and I believe it’s our connection with source energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Whatever you choose to believe it is, one thing remains the same. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Each one of us has an entire world wrapped up inside a skin-covered package.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each one of us is as important as the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For years now I’ve made a habit of showing it in ways like the below:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota"">I smile at the cashier working the drive-thru window, and I mean it when I say thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She could have a sick child or parent at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota"">I let the guy driving way too fast pass me; he could have just gotten a call from the hospital with bad news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His plan is not to enrage me personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota"">I respectfully hold the door open for older people even when they move slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think about how fast the world must seem to them now, and realize I may be the only kind stranger they have seen in days. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota""> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Handwriting - Dakota"">I listen to children the same as adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their stories may not have experience behind them, but their feelings are just as deep as yours and mine.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">While I kissed my ten-year-old goodbye this morning, I felt </span><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><b>nervous</b></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> that he’d be away for three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few minutes later I felt </span><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><b>angry</b></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> as I stepped in a pile of poop, then a few minutes after that, I felt </span><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><b>sorrowful</b></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> as I picked up my favorite bird for the last time and stroked his lifeless body.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Like I said before, I know I have a good life, and I realize bad things happen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Right now, I’m reminding myself that “good” does not mean, “perfect”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I will be thankful for all the good things in my own imperfect life.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-21683627745642367432010-04-09T17:20:00.000-07:002010-04-10T12:27:00.446-07:00Confessions of a timid writer<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'times new roman', serif;font-size:19px;">Most writers I know crave alone time because when it gets down to it, we never have any…well physically maybe, but never mentally. Our heads are a sort of continuous cocktail party of very old friends and many new acquaintances that insist on dazzling us with their impressive back-stories.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Fellow writers </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">totally</span></i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> know what I’m talking about. Non-writers have no idea and think I’m just a couple “ticks” away from being committed.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">What really annoys me is when I’m reminded that </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">real</span></i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> people </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">like</span></i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> to go outside. Or that it’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">not</span></i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">normal</span></i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> to sit in pajamas all day. Oh, the things I have to put up with. Don’t they know it’s a scientific fact that creative energy flows more freely in soft, pink, cotton pajamas? (Well, maybe not a proven fact yet, but I’m sure it could be.) </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Years ago when I decided to make a true effort as a full time writer I felt very alone. It took a lot of courage to stand up and say: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">“My name is Jane and I am an out of the closet writer.”</span></b></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">My husband and sister always knew and encouraged me. Yet I instantly felt overwhelmed by my complete lack of “top-secret-insider-knowledge” and incredibly brash for thinking I deserved to know. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Now, after years of reading and researching, I’m happy to say, I’ve found out the really important things aren’t actually “top-secret-insider-stuff”.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1)</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Believe in yourself. If you don’t think you can be a success, how will you convince respected agents and editors to?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2)</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Successful writers, editors, and agents like to help new writers who work hard, listen, and use their valuable advice. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3)</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">The top writers, editors, and agents are passionate, caring and NEVER stop working hard. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.5in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>4)</span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Make sure your work is polished before submitting. It’s been said a million times before and once again here: you only get one shot at making a first impression.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">With that said, it’s important to realize there aren’t many industries where you can jump in headfirst and find dozens of powerful people willing to dive in after you saying “Weeee!” But I found that’s exactly what happened when I threw my insecurities aside and signed up for an Editor’s Intensive at Writer’s Digest. I didn’t have anyone to go with so I put my big-girl pants on and went all by myself. Afterward, I took every bit of advice handed to me, used it and am still amazed at how valuable the weekend was. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Since I’m a writer of young adult books, I attended the SCBWI conference. On my own I may have</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> thought</span></i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> about going, or </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">dreamed</span></i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> about going, but it would have probably ended there. Yet with a prominent editor looking me in the eye at the WD editors intensive saying “You have to go”, I knew I couldn’t just think about it, I had to </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">actually</span></i></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> go. So, I put another pair of big-girl pants on and went to New York alone for five days. I’m 42 years old, I used to travel for work, and yet I was downright terrified of attending the SCBWI conference alone…crazy? More like too timid. The previously discussed “tick” was getting more defined in my mind.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Well, that weekend made it clear there was nothing to fear but much to celebrate. I walked away reminding myself to spend lots of time writing, (you have to start with lots of writing) and then spend lots of time rewriting. Ask all your questions at the right time aimed toward the right people, and really hear and follow the answers.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">If you’ve never been one for writer’s groups, give it a try. Or if your experience was negative, try again, and don’t be afraid of on-line writers groups. Technology is not scary, in fact you HAVE to be technically active now, and once you start you’ll see how wonderful it is.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">For on-line insight from some top-notch, well respected people in the industry, check out:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">www.writersdigest.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">www.guidetoliteraryagents.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><a href="http://cwim.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">http://cwim.blogspot.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.janefriedman.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">www.janefriedman.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><a href="http://scbwi.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">http://scbwi.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><a href="http://www.writersmarket.com/">www.writersmarket.com</a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Please let me know how you’re doing or if you have any questions because I’m pretty sure that together, and with enough snacks, we can accomplish just about anything. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Join me at: </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com.janewrites/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">http://twitter.com.janewrites</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> if you want to hear more.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-38526662400681762182010-03-16T11:04:00.000-07:002010-03-16T11:57:33.537-07:00Etiquette Without Eye Contact<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It used to be if one had a question regarding general etiquette, one would turn to a hardcover copy of Emily Post's wisdom. Boy, how things have changed. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Not only have the most simple forms of proper etiquette become somehow "unnecessary", somewhere along the way new forms began popping up because of technology. Interestingly, I find that the old ways, if never allowed to be dismissed, would have served our electronic communicative ways just fine from the beginning.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">It's true that what we write on Facebook, Twitter, and blogs is out in the world forever. Adults and children alike are learning to be careful and not say anything "inappropriate". We also need to prevent the lack of eye contact from giving us a license for rudeness. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">So, in case any of you have forgotten, or are too young to have learned, here are a couple of "oldies but goodies" when it comes to etiquette.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Constructive criticism is very different from cruel criticism. Never be cruel.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Wait your turn. </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Don't talk more than you listen. </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Say 'please' and 'thank you'.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right, (take pride in your work).</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;">'Please' leave a comment if you'd like, and 'thank you' for reading!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div>Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2093032089165424687.post-36529110298664333882010-03-15T09:21:00.000-07:002010-03-15T09:53:58.801-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">My first blog... I promised myself I wouldn't have a blog. I reminded myself of my promise. Yet, here I am. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">I figured since nobody </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">has </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">to read this, I might as well let some of the voices out of my head and place them here. The "voices", as many can relate to, are characters I've begun writing about and others, (many others) that I've yet to bring forward to my frontal lobe. My education is in neurological psychology so I actually do know a little about "lobes", not that anyone should care. Back in college, my favorite professor, Dr. Richard Sax suggested I switch my major to creative writing. I unfortunately wasn't smart enough to listen to him. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Apparently one can know things about lobes without actually using them to their full potential.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">With all the blogs out there, I have found some amazingly helpful people. If you're a new writer also, don't be afraid to join in. Most professional writers are like the nice kids on the playground. You know, the ones who yell over to the new kid: "Hey, you wanna come play with us?" And then they smile, and act like the've known the new kid for years.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">That's all for now, and in the voice of some unknown kid on the playground:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">"</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">SMELL YA LATER</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">!"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">Here's a list of some great writers/editors.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">http://cwim.blogspot.com/</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">http://cuppajolie.blogspot.com/</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;">http://suzanne-young.blogspot.com/</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#336666;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#888888;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>Jane Makuchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06179015298208208548noreply@blogger.com3