A Step in the Write Direction

March 11, 2013

Update:

Another busy week—a 400-page typing job and a 300-page proofreading job, plus preparing several income taxes. (I once owned and operated a tax business with 208 customers; have only around 20 now.)…I mentioned earlier about my writer friend Judy having hip replacement surgery. That evening another writer friend Betty fell and broke her hip and elbow. The next week still another writer friend fell and broke her elbow and wrist. I didn’t know being a writer was so dangerous!....Received my advance last week on my upcoming book Rhyme Time Bible for Little Ones. Will let you know when this is available. It will be a great gift for your children, grandchildren, and friends’ children….March 31 is the deadline to submit stories, poems, and recipes for the grandfather/father anthology. If you haven’t received guidelines, email me today at: dgood648@aol.com.

Thought for Today:

The worst thing is never the last thing. God is already working on Plan B even as Plan A lies in shambles around our feet (John Claypool).

Laugh for Today:

I remember, I remember

Incidents of days long gone;

I recapture every moment

As I ramble on and on.

But my tales would be more pleasing

And I'd never be a bore,

If I only could remember

Whom I told them to before. — Paul Tullen

Writers’ Tips:

A clarification on last week’s blog:

A reader wrote and asked if the phrase “Used by permission” on Scripture credit lines means you have to write for permission before using.

Answer: No, you don't have to ask for permission. That just means you are granted permission to use up to that many words without actually getting permission.

Also she wondered why in the credit line I typed "verses marked NIV," showing NIV in all caps, but later said to use the small caps.

Answer: If you’re using the abbreviation in a sentence, you use all caps, but if you're using it as a reference, i.e., John 3:16 niv, then you use small caps.

More Tips:

I’d like to thank Reg Forder, editor of The Christian Communicator, for permission to use the following from Sally Stuart’s column “Write Answers” in the March 2013 issue. TCC is the only magazine for Christian writers and contains excellent articles, plus up-to-date market news. If you’d like to subscribe, email Reg at: RegAForder@aol.com

Q. What kinds of complaints do you hear from editors concerning the submissions they receive?

A. Here are a few of the most common complaints:

1) Writers have not seen or read the publication or, for books, have never read a book from that publisher.

2. Writers have not read, not have they followed, the writers guidelines (usually available on the website).

3) Manuscripts have too many errors. It’s obvious the writer has not proofread the final copy.

4) Writers do not recognize or write to the needs of the editor’s target audience.

5) Writers insist the manuscript was fully inspired by God and the editor is not to change one word.

6) Writers have read the guidelines but indicate they are sending a manuscript they know doesn’t fit because it will be too good for the editor to turn down.

* * *

Thanks, Sally! Readers, make sure after you’ve worked hard on your manuscript that you don’t make any of the mistakes above.

That’s all for this week. Have a good week spreading the gospel through the printed page!

Donna Goodrich

www.thewritersfriend.net
Author of:

A Step in the Write Direction--the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers

The Freedom of Letting Go

Healing in God’s Time—story of Dave Clark, songwriter

Preparing Your Heart for Christmas

Editor of: Celebrating Christmas with…Memories, Poetry, and Good Food

Editor of: Grandmother, Mother and Me…Memories, Poetry and Good Food