Sunday, July 14, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
A Step in the Write Direction--July 8, 2013
A Step in the Write
Direction
July 8,
2013
Update: Not
much to write this Monday. Worked most of the week finishing the father/
grandfather anthology AND IT’S DONE and off to the publisher’s. Spent Saturday
sending more than 30 photographs writers submitted for the cover. I went through
all the publisher’s guidelines when preparing the final copy, but forgot that he
didn’t want paragraph indents. Thanks to a friend of mine, I learned how to do a
global delete so I could take out thousands of them in just seconds! Thanks,
Peggy!…Spent a lot of the week watching the tragic events of the 19 firefighters
who lost their lives a week ago yesterday in the Yarnell (Arizona) fire. So sad
to see all their families and learn all the details….Had a cat scan Wednesday to
see if they can figure out a different way to treat my COPD; it’s extra bad in
this weather. Will find out results today….Now I have to decide what book to
work on next. Still thinking seriously about the caregiver book as it seems so
many of you are in that position. In the meantime, I’m going through boxes of
books and trying to weed out the unread ones that I want to read, and the
already-read ones to give away.
Thought for the Day:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not
for human masters (Colossians 3:23 niv).
Laugh for the
Day:
“Think of it—it took the wagon trains six months to get across the country.
Today they send rockets millions of miles into space and back in fifteen
minutes, but nobody is watching. They’re all home watching ‘Wagon Train’ on
television” (Bob Hope).
Question from
reader: I need advice. I prefer
capitalizing pronouns for Jesus. I see some theologians do it, but most do not.
Dr. Charles Stanley published his Life Principles Bible in NKJV and NAS and he
capitalizes the pronouns. Would you kindly advise me?
Answer: This mostly depends upon the publisher
and/or the writer. The publisher that I proofread about 50 books a year for
sends me an ABC style sheet with each book. (By the way, this is a great sheet
to use when you’re writing. As you look up a word in the dictionary, jot it down
on this sheet so the next time you use it, you’ll not only remember how it’s
spelled, but if it’s hyphenated or not. This will give you consistency in your
writing and make it easier for the editor of your manuscript. I use one of these
every time I edit someone’s material. I’ll send you one if you want one.)
This
style sheet tells me if the editor/writer wants pronouns for Deity lower or
upper case, if it’s a.m./ p.m., A.M./P.M., a.m./p.m.; if you spell out number under
10 or under 100, etc. Unfortunately, each editor at this particular publishing
house has their own particular style; that’s what this sheet is so
handy.
Now,
back to your question. I find that most editors and writers capitalize the
pronouns for Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit, i.e., He, Him, His, and Himself,
and that is also my preference. I find it makes it less confusing for the
reader, especially if you’re also writing about someone else who is a
“he.”
Answers to June 24
quiz:
1) How long did the Hundred
Years’ War last? 116
years
2) Which country makes Panama
hats? Ecuador
3) From which animal do we get
cat gut? Sheep and
horses
4) In which month do Russians
celebrate the October Revolution? November
5) What is a camel’s hairbrush
made of? Squirrel fur
Here are some
more:
1) The Canary Islands in the Pacific are
named after what animal?
2) What was King George VI’s first
name?
3) What color is a purple finch?
4) Where are Chinese gooseberries
from?
5) What is the color of the black box in a
commercial airplane?
Have a great week spreading
the gospel
through the printed
page!
Donna Clark Goodrich
dgood648@aol.com
www.thewritersfriend.net
http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com
"A Step in the Write Direction--the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers"
"The Freedom of Letting Go"
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Step in the Write Direction--July 1, 2013
A
Step in the Write Direction
July
1, 2013
Update:
A good week; not so rushed for a change. Most of it was spent on last minute
details of father/grandfather anthology—double-checking spelling of names in
bylines and bios, sending list of email addresses and bios to publisher, making
table of contents, final proofing, and then SENDING ENTIRE MANUSCRIPT TO
PUBLISHER!! All that’s left to do is send him pictures for cover and let him
make selection….Not sure what to do next. Have caught up on some housecleaning
and filing, and have a 204-page book to proofread, due July 9. JULY? Where did
the rest of the year go? It can’t be half over already!...BREAKING NEWS: Just
heard that 19 firefighters died while fighting a fire in Yarnell, Arizona, and
250 homes destroyed. All one crew! Pray for their families. Such a
tragedy!
Thought
for the Day: “Desire is the
key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting
pursuit of your goal—a commitment to excellence—that will enable you to attain
the success you seek" (Mario Andretti).
Laugh
for the Day:
Three
boys are in the school yard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says,
"My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem and they
give him $50." The second boy says, "That's nothing. My dad scribbles a few
words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song and they give him $100." The third
boy says, "I got you both beat. My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of
paper, he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to collect all the
money!"
Note
re: last week’s blog:
Donna,
I really agree with you on the "money/success thing." I got an email a couple
weeks ago from a man who bought a copy of Listen To HIS Heartbeat. He said that he
retired and moved to FL. He got away from church, reading his Bible, and
praying. He was walking in depression. One day he saw my book in a box and
picked it up. After several days of using it as a daily devotional, he is now in
a good church, reading his Bible, praying, helping others and happy in the Lord
again. He thanked me for sharing my life and writing my book. If that doesn't
motivate me to write....nothing will! (Linda Etter, Adrian,
Michigan)
Writer’s
Tips: Hints on Endnote Format
Sample
endnote:
Goodrich, Donna Clark. A Step in the
Write Direction—the Complete How-to Book for Christian Writers (Eunumclaw,
WA: UpWrite Publishers, 2011), 49.
*
You don't need a comma between the name of the book and the parentheses with the
publishing information.
*
When you repeat a source in the SAME chapter, you don't have to repeat the
publishing information. Give all the information in the first endnote, then if
you quote that source again in that chapter, just give the last name of the
author (or the book, if it’s a commentary, i.e., Exodus 20:16, The Life
Application Bible), and the page
number. If this source appears in ANOTHER chapter, then repeat the publishing
information.
*
When you repeat the same source immediately after the first citation, all you
need is the word Ibid. If it’s a different page number, then Ibid. 34. Note: Usually you don’t need page or p.
before page number; however, follow the style guide of your
publisher.
*
When you give a web site, delete the hyperlink (the blue line and underline
beneath it). You can do this one of two ways: Either highlight it and right
click, then when a menu drops down, click on Delete Hyperlink. Or you can
highlight and click on Ctrl u (this deletes the underline). If the blue remains,
then go up to the big A on the toolbar; click on the small symbol next to it and
a box of colors will come up. Click on the black. This will get rid of the
blue.
*Difference
between footnotes and endnotes: Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page;
endnotes at the end of the book, although some authors place them at the end of
each chapter.
Have
a great week spreading the
gospel
through the printed page.
Donna
Clark Goodrich
Sunday, June 23, 2013
A Step in the Write Direction--June 24, 2013
A
Step in the Write Direction
June
24, 2013
Update:
Not much to write about this last week—just finishing up the father/grandfather
anthology! All it needs is one final reading, and sending in the pictures for
the cover that contributors have sent me, and let the publisher make the final
selection….What’s next? Publisher
suggested a “dog anthology,” and another reader suggested a “marriage” one. I
think that would be fun. Stories about dating, the wedding ceremony itself, and
the marriage—humorous, touching, serious, etc. Will see what the publisher
says….Still waiting to hear about the 2 gift books on friendship and motherhood.
If they’re accepted, they’ll have to be doubled….I’m going to take some snippets
of my caregiver book to my critique group this week….Prayers going up for my
friend Judy Robertson who is saying good-bye to her husband of 53 years Jim in
hospice anytime. She’s a member of our critique group….And will be saying hello
to our daughter Wednesday who is returning from a 3-week vacation in Oklahoma….
Writer’s Tip is short this week, but I feel it’s
important!
Thought
for the Day:
“Earth’s
crammed with heaven,
And
every common bush afire with God;
But
only he who sees takes off his shoes—
The
rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
—Elizabeth
Barrett Browning
Laugh
for the Day: The
professor marked the test so strictly that he took off points for having
periods
upside down.
To
Make You Think
1)
How
long did the Hundred Years’ War last?
2)
Which
country makes Panama hats?
3)
From
which animal do we get cat gut?
4)
In
which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution?
5)
What
is a camel’s hairbrush made of? (Answers next week, along with more
questions)
Question
from reader:
Is it okay to ask God for success in your writing?
|
Answer:
|
I
think to answer that, you have to define "success". If you’re talking about
monetary success, why not? If He's given you the talent and you want to make a
living using that talent, then why not ask Him for success? I hear so many
Christian writers especially say, “I don’t care if I get paid. I just want to
spread the gospel.” True, that should be our main motive, but the Bible says "a
workman is worthy of his hire." On the
other hand, sometimes success is defined as how your writing changes people's
lives. When I had an article in Decision magazine on how I finally let of my
mother 11 years after she died, one man—who had lost his wife 9 years before and
who had been bitter at God—wrote thanking me for the article and closing his
letter with, "And now I can go on with my life." To me that was worth more than
the check I received. Also, a reader of my “Freedom of Letting Go” book wrote,
“I hate your book and I love your book,” then she shared how it helped her let
go of some things that were hindering her walk with the
Lord.
I
think the biggest thing is to pray before you write, pray while you're writing,
pray about the market(s) you send your manuscript to, then, if it sells, pray
for your readers.
|
Have
a good week spreading the
gospel
through the printed page.
Donna
Clark Goodrich
Monday, June 17, 2013
A Step in the Write Direction--June 17, 2013
A
Step in the Write Direction
June
17, 2013
Update: Whoops! Had this done last night and forgot
to send it!! It’s been a good week—no illnesses, no
hospitalizations....Finishing the father/grandfather anthology. Sent edited
copies out to contributors and got all back; just a few changes. (Thanks!) Now
to print complete copy and do final proofreading. It’s due at the publisher’s
the end of June ….A thought to pass on (time for confession). I was upset at my
husband one day this week and gave him the silent treatment for a few hours.
Later, when I apologized I realized 1) how childish I had acted, and 2) I could
never get those hours back. (I hope God reminds me of that the next time
something happens!)
Thought
for the Day:
Slow
Down With Psalm 46:10
Be
still and know that I am God.
Be
still and know that I am.
Be
still and know.
Be
still.
Be.
(Richard Rohr)
A
confident little boy was practicing baseball. He said: "I'm going to be the
greatest baseball player in the world!" Then he threw the ball up and made a
huge swing and missed. He picked up the ball again, said: "I'm going to be the
greatest baseball player in the world!" threw the ball up, took a great big
swing, and missed again. Once more, he said: "I'm going to be the greatest
baseball player in the world!" threw the ball in the air, made his biggest swing
yet, and missed the ball yet again. He raised both his arms and cheered:
"Hooray! I'm the greatest pitcher in the world!!" (from Sheila Heil Gospel Greats newsletter, June 4,
2013).
Question from Reader: You said we could use only one line of a song. Does this mean all songs, or are there some we can use
more of, without having to get permission. I have some songs I want to use in my
devotional book and now I’m not sure if it’s okay.
Answer: Do you have those songs in
front of you, and can you see the copyright notice at the bottom of the page?
They may be in what is called "public domain." Sally Stuart says to take the
present year, subtract 75 (which would be 1938) and if the copyright date is
before then, it's okay. Even if it's in public domain, however, you should use a
footnote or an endnote as follows: "When We All to Heaven," Eliza E. Hewitt,
1851–1920.
Or, if there is a copyright notice, use the following format: "Have
Thine Own Way, Lord," Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934. Copyright 1907. Renewal
1935 extended by G.C. Stebbins. Assigned to Hope Publishing Co. All rights
reserved. Used by permission.
If the copyright date is after 1938, the name of the publisher is
probably listed and you find their address on Google to write for permission. (I
have a sample of a permission letter I can send you if you need
it.)
If you're not using a lot of the song and can't get permission, there
are still two things you can do: 1) Just use the title as that can’t be
copyrighted, or 2) paraphrase the words. For example, in my book The Freedom of Letting Go, I wanted to
use the words of Bill Gaither's song "We Have This Moment Today," but I was sure
I couldn't get permission from him, so I just wrote "Bill Gaither tells us that
our yesterdays are gone and our tomorrows may not come, but we still have
today."
Hope this helps.
Have a great week spreading the
gospel through the printed page.
Donna Clark Goodrich
 |
Sunday, June 9, 2013
A Step in the Write Direction--June 10, 2013
A Step in the Write Direction
June 10, 2013
Update: This has been a good
catch-up week! Last Sunday my sister left for her summer cottage in Michigan and
will be gone until September, and on Tuesday our youngest daughter left to visit
her sister in Oklahoma for 3 weeks, so it’s been quiet here. No one to go out to
lunch with. But it’s given me time to
finish the father/grandfather anthology. Have finished the sections on “Like a
Father/Grandfather” and “Grandfather,” and am now on the Father section. Hope to
be finished and to the publisher’s by the end of the week. Had a huge problem
when I accidentally deleted many emails with photos that contributors had sent
for the anthology cover. But, thank the Lord, AOL came through and retrieved all
my emails for the past 7 days! …. Not sure what I’ll do after I finish this
book. I’m still thinking seriously of a book titled Devotions, Prayers, and Practical Hints for
Caregivers, with an emphasis on the practical hints as there are already
many devotional books out there for caregivers. Will do what God leads me to
do.
Thought for
the Day: “Do little things as though they
were great, because of the majesty of Jesus Christ who does them in us and who
lives our life; and do the greatest things as though they were little and easy,
because of His omnipotence” (Pascal, Pensees, 553, Section VII).
Laugh for the Day: (why commas
are important): Seen in print: We spent most of our
time sitting on the back porch watching the cows playing Scrabble and reading
(from Sheila Heil Gospel Greats
newsletter, June 4, 2013).
Writer’s
Tips: A reader sent me a children’s
book a friend of hers had self-published. I read it and sent the following
suggestions. If you’re thinking of writing a children’s book, this may help. (I
might mention that the only children’s books I’ve sold so far is a devotional
book for 8-12 year olds back in the middle 70s and a few months ago I sold a
book titled Rhyme-Time Bible Stories for
Little Ones, 12 Bible stories all in poetry.) Here are the
hints:
* Go to the children’s section
of a local bookstore or library; look for books aimed at this age, and see who
the publisher is. Then go to their Web site and look for their guidelines on how
to submit. The bookstore owner or children’s librarian can be a help in this
too.
* Get a copy of the Writer’s Market from the library (don’t
know if you can check them out or not, but if he’s going to do a lot of writing,
he should buy one. An alternative to buying a new one is to go to a used
bookstore and see if they have an older copy), and look at the publishers who
publish children’s books. This book doesn’t have room to give a lot of
information so, again, he’ll want to get their Web site address and look up the
guidelines.
Other Hints on Writing for
Children:
* The biggest thing to
consider when writing for children is to zero in on the age you want to write
for. Years ago (especially with religious publishers) it was broken down into
preschool, kindergarten, primary, junior, and teens. Now it’s 2-3 year olds,
4-5, 6-8, 8-11 (’tweens), junior high, and senior highs.
* Get to know children this age and their vocabulary. Writer’s Digest has a book out (don’t know the exact title right now, but it’s something like Children’s Word List and it gives the vocabulary for each grade). This doesn’t mean you can’t add new words and give their definition in a glossary or in the context.
* Read your manuscript to that age group and get their response. When I wrote a children’s mystery book (still unpublished; needs a lot of work) to my then 10-year-old granddaughter, she protested, “Grandma, kids my age don’t talk like that!” Good to know!
* And lastly, READ as many books as you can in that genre—not to copy other authors’ writing style, but just to see what publishers are buying now.
I have a whole chapter on Writing for Children in my Step in the Write Direction—the Complete
How-to Book for Christian Writers. A student edition with assignments is
also available.
gospel through the printed
page!
dgood648@aol.com
www.thewritersfriend
http:donna-goodrich.blogspot.com
Monday, June 3, 2013
A Step in the Write Direction--June 3, 2013
A Step in the Write Direction
June 3, 2013
Update: Sorry this is late
today. Helped get my sister off to
her cottage in Michigan for the summer, and our youngest daughter will be leaving for a 3-week
visit with our other daughter and family in Oklahoma tomorrow. They’ll both (my
sister and daughter) be in Oklahoma City around the same time, and there is a
40% chance of more tornadoes there,
so we’re praying for safety….Praise that our daughter’s family stayed safe last
week. Tornado went 26 feet over their house (they sent pictures)….Praise also
that my husband’s MRSA is all
cleared up….Got a new computer last
week with Word 2007. I had 2003, so am still negotiating the new tool bar…Also
got a new phone that takes pix,
texts, etc., but don’t have it activated yet….My daughter took me through the low-carb book she has (she’s diabetic).
It’s pretty easy: 2½ lbs. down this week, about 13 to go….Accepted the
invitation to teach at the CLASS
conference in Albuquerque October 15-17. Will teach “Writing and Selling
Your Poetry” and “Where to Get Ideas.” If they have space, will also teach “10
Hints on Selling Your First Book.” (Any of you live in that area and know any
inexpensive, good motels?)
Thought for
the Day: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage
to continue that counts” (Winston Churchill).
Laugh for the
Day: A man received a call that his mother-in-law had passed away while
visiting the Holy Land. “We can bury her here for $200,” the caller said, “or we
can ship her home for $3,000.” “Ship her home,” the son-in-law replied. “Are you
sure?” the caller said. “You want to spend $3,000?” “Yes,” the son-in-law
insisted. “One person you buried there arose after three days, and I don’t want
that to happen to my mother-in-law.”
Question:
How do you format a Table of Contents with the leader dots?
The following information (for Word 2007) is from
Elizabeth Boston’s “Ask the Computer Lady,” a very helpful weekly newsletter.
You can subscribe by going to: http://askTCL.com .
“Go through your document and find each chapter heading
and any sub-headings that you want to be included in your table of contents.
Highlight each heading, and click on the “Heading 1” style in the ribbon. If you
are going to have sub-headings in each chapter, use “Heading 2” for those
sections. If you don’t like the default settings for Heading 1 and Heading 2,
just right click on the icon for each heading, and click “Modify…” to change the
style.
“Once you have applied that formatting to each heading,
click in the front of your document where you want the Table of Contents to be
located, click on the “References” tab in the ribbon, then click on the “Table
of Contents” icon in the ribbon. Select the style of TOC that you want, and
click on it. Word will automatically build your Table of Contents. As you
continue to work on your document, you can update the TOC by simply clicking on
the “Update Table” icon.”
* * *
You can find more information on creating a Table of
Contents at another source: http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/tableofcontents.html
Have a good week spreading the
gospel
through the printed
page!
Donna Clark Goodrich
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